CHAPTEE X. 



EXPERIENCES WITH COUNSEL. 



Some of the causes indicating tlie increased cost of the 

 parks over the pre^dous estimates have been stated in pre- 

 ceding chapters. Anotlier reason for the enlarged expendi- 

 ture was the persistent inattention of the counsel to the 

 duties of his office. This continued neglect hy 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 gTcat 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 gTasp and direction of legal 

 a.ffairs. 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. 

 Eelying 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 

 right 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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