AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, THE, a voluntary association of lawyers and jurists organized at Saratoga, N.Y., in 1878. Its object, as defined by its constitution, is "to advance the science of jurisprudence, promote the administration of justice and uniformity of legislation and of judicial decision throughout the nation, uphold the honour of the profession of the law and encourage cordial intercourse among the members of the American Bar." The association in 1928 had about 28,00o members, residing throughout all of the United States proper and in Hawaii, China, Porto Rico and the Philippine islands. The work of the associa tion is supervised by its president and executive committee. There were in 1928, 15 regular and Io special committees appointed by the president. In addition to the committees, there were 9 self perpetuating sections which elected their own officers, while re maining intimately affiliated with the work of the association. Thus, the association, through its committees and the affiliated sections, covers the whole field of the law, including among its activities the adoption of canons of the professional and judicial ethics and advancing the standards of legal education; the intro duction and support of measures in Congress for the improvement of the administration of justice; organized opposition to the recall of judges; defence of the power and jurisdiction of the Federal courts; the recommendation of proposed uniform State laws to the legislatures; and the defence of the rights of the poor. The American Bar Association publishes a Year Book and an official organ monthly called the American Bar Association Journal. Its list of presidents includes the names of lawyers of international reputation, among them being Elihu Root; ex-President Taft, Joseph H. Choate, John W. Davis, Charles E. Hughes, Frank B. Kellogg and other leaders of the bar.
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