CHAPTER X. 
EXPERIENCES WITH COUNSEL. 
Some of the causes indicating the increased cost of the 
parks over the previous estimates have been stated in pre- 
ceding chapters. Another reason for the enlarged expendi- 
ture was the persistent inattention of the counsel to the 
duties of his office. This continued neglect by Counsel 
Munn of the interests entrusted to him began almost simul- 
taneously with his appointment in May, 1895. 
Any one having had practical experience in great enter- 
prises where large financial operations, and intricate or 
varied legal questions are involved, recognizes the necessity 
of having in charge of the legal department not only a man 
of ability, but one alert in the grasp and direction of legal 
affairs. While this is directly applicable to all large under- 
takings, the principle applies with special force to a public 
enterprise, where there is such a temptation and tendency 
with people generally to take any and every advantage pos- 
sible in securing from the public treasury the maximum 
amount of cash, for the minimum amount of land, goods or 
service, or whatever is to be given in exchange. 
In the organization of the park department these condi- 
tions were supposed to be well understood, hence the impor- 
tance of the care to be exercised in the selection of counsel. 
Relying largely upon Commissioner Shepard’s strong advo- 
cacy of Mr. Munn’s appointment, based upon his experience 
with Mr. Munn as his own counsel and neighbor, I had, as 
previously stated, reluctantly supported him for the posi- 
tion. This tentative confidence that he might prove the 
tight man for the place was somewhat strengthened by the 
receipt of a letter soon after the appointment was made. 
In this letter Mr. Munn stated: 
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