Solicitor of Justice

Between skirmishes with international disorder, Dwight Eisenhower this week sent Presidential Assistant Arthur Larson a "Dear Arthur" note that commits U.S. intellectual and organizational talents to a formidable task: developing the orderly processes of law as the main supports for peace and justice throughout the world.

In accepting Larson's resignation from the White House staff to found a Rule of Law Center at North Carolina's Duke University, the President took the occasion to spell out his longstanding faith that worldwide recognition of the rule of law offers man's best hope for a sustained and just peace. Concrete symbol of his interest: he named Larson special presidential consultant charged with the responsibility for reporting on what way the Federal Government could best help in bringing the faith to fruition.

Stout Credentials. "I am delighted with the prospect that a real contribution to the rule of law among nations can be forthcoming from [the new Duke] center," the President wrote. "To depose the rule of force, and to enthrone the rule of law in the disposition of international differences is imperative . . . I am glad that you will be serving as a special consultant to me even as you press the effort to bring nearer the day when the rule of law is as normal among nations as it now is among individuals. There are doubtless many ways in which governmental activities can be effectively joined with private undertakings in this vital field, and I want to assure that every such opportunity is utilized."

One measure of Ike's seriousness is that able Arthur Larson, who articulated the philosophy of Modern Republicanism (A Republican Looks at His Party), has long ranked high in presidential esteem. As director of the U.S. Information Agency, Scholar Larson was cut up by the long knives of politics on Capitol Hill (TIME, Oct. 28). But his credentials in the law area are hard to beat. A Rhodes scholar who took honors in jurisprudence at Oxford (B.S., M.A.). he rose from a Milwaukee practice to dean of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, was appointed Under Secretary of Labor because of his definitive books on fast-changing workmen's compensation laws and on the social security system. Ike read A Republican Looks at His Party while convalescing from his ileitis operation, sent for Larson and had long talks with him while trying to put Eisenhower Republicanism into scholarly terms.

Common Concept. Larson's plan of action in his new job has both an immediate and long-range focus. For example, he believes that something should be done soon to show how the World Court can be employed to settle claims in international trade and investment, thus providing a sure remedy for either nations or investors who think they have been wronged--to the ultimate benefit of world trade and investment. On another tack he wants to study the comparative law of all nations to see where the common denominator might lie for progress toward a world rule of law.

"The law is a common concept of civilized peoples, a largely untapped reservoir of possible common understanding." said he. "Our big problem is getting it down out of the stratosphere to the level of something reasonably practical."

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