SPECIAL JUSTICES ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS Adopted Dec. 15, 1923: CANONS OF JUDICIAL ETHICS The Association adopts the following canons, the spirit of which it suggests as a proper guide and reminder for Special Justices, and as indicating what the people have a right to expect of them. 1. General Obligations The obligations of duty and conduct which bind all Standing Justices presiding in the courts of the Commonwealth, apply with equal force to all Special Justices. 2. Essential Conduct A Special Justice, therefore, should always serve the public interest. He should be temperate, attentive, patient, impartial, diligent in ascertaining the facts, and careful to apply the principles of the law thereto. He should be firm, but not arbitrary or controversial, in the execution of his duty. He should be considerate of counsel, of witnesses, of litigants and of all others in attendance upon the courts. He should be prompt himself and insist upon promptness in others, realizing that their time, as well as that of the court, is valuable. 3. Participation in Trials He may properly intervene in a trial held before him to promote expedition and prevent unnecessary waste of time or to clear up some obscurity, bearing in mind, however, that undue interference, impatience or a severe attitude toward counsel, witnesses or litigants may tend to prevent the proper presentation of the cause or the ascertainment of the truth in respect thereto. 4. Ex parte Communications He should not permit private interviews, arguments or communications calculated to influence his judicial action, except in cases where provision is made by law for ex parte application. 5. Continuances A Special Justice should insist upon diligence in the dispatch of business before the court by refusing to grant continuances of cases except for good cause shown. 6. Uniformity of Practice A Special Justice should co-operate with other justices to promote satisfactory administration of justice. In imposing sentence he should endeavor to conform to a reasonable standard of punishment and should not seek popularity or publicity either by exceptional severity or undue leniency. 7. Private Practice A Special Justice, by reason of his small compensation and infrequent and uncertain service, is not expected to refrain from the practice of his profession, but his position is one of great delicacy and he should be scrupulously careful to avoid conduct in his practice whereby he utilizes or seems to utilize his judicial position to further his professional success. 8. A Summary of Judicial Obligation In every particular his conduct should be above reproach. He should be conscientious, studious, thorough, courteous, patient, punctual, just, impartial, fearless of public clamor, regardless of public praise, and should administer justice according to law. LEATHER NATIONAL LEATHER AND SHOE FINDERS Adopted June 1923: A SHOE FINDERS' CODE OF ETHICS 1. That just because he has opened a store, is no reason why the community owes him a living. Remembering that he went into business voluntarily, he must do his duty by assuming his share of his community's obligations. 2. He must justify his right to live in his community by rendering that community service, based on the highest standard of truth and honor in every transaction. 3. He should take pride in the neighborhood in which he is located, should keep his store neat and orderly inside, and see that the outside appearance looks as well, at least, or better than his neighbor's. 4. He should consider his business an honorable occupation and realize that it affords him a distinct opportunity to serve society. 5. He should assist all movements for public betterments, also join and support local, civic and commercial associations. He should always vote at National, State and Local elections, and see that his employees do the same. 6. He must not violate the confidence of a merchant in other lines, but mingle with the others, exchange ideas and join with them in promoting all things that are for the common good. 7. If there is an organization of his craft gotten together for the good of the shoe finding Industry, he should join. and do all he can to assist in the work of improvement, bearing in mind that there is a tie which brings them together, and what is good for one is also good for the other. 8. He should be alert to utilize new and progressive ideas for the betterment of the business and willingly co-operate with others in aiding the advancement of the shoe findings industry as a whole. 9. He should patronize his fellow merchant whenever and wherever possible, that the community may prosper, and he. thereby, share in such prosperity. 10. He should never sign a contract without reading and fully understanding it, but after having done so, should stick to the agreement and deal with his associates in a manner that will command trust and confidence. It is essential that we prove ourselves as honorable as we would have our associates in all transactions. Remember this: "Never make a contract that is onesided. If it is so made as to favor you, he will kick it over. If it favors him, even while you keep it, you will want to kick it over." Save your time and temper. Good, fair contracts, that are just to both parties, make good friends. Such contracts live long, are friendship binders and peace makers. 11. He should inform himself on the provisions and decisions of the United States Income Tax laws, so that his Annual Report will comply with the law. 12. He should close his store on Sunday and spend the day with his family. One day in seven should be devoted to some form of relaxation for health and pleasure. He will only live once. 13. Our industry needs good, progressive, honorable men. Are you one of them, interested in its welfare and seeking to elevate the business by practicing ethical standards? Will you endeavor to inspire others in the business to do likewise? You'll make a fine start by doing it yourself first and sticking to it; the others will follow. Remember the Golden Rule-“Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you”—thus leaving out the "Do it unto him first" part. 14. Establish a credit at a good bank. Sign one note for money borrowed, rather than make notes for goods borrowed. It is safer to owe one man than many. 15. A fair profit, based on the cost of doing business, plus a fair return on his investment, is the right of every merchant. Arrive at such profit, and having done so, have one price. Play no favorites. Granting one reduction invites a second request. Don't be a price cutter. It takes backbone to be a suc cessful merchant. 16. Endeavor to create confidence with your customers by deserving it. The object of this "Code of Ethics" is to make satisfied customers, and you a better and a happier man. Remember the slogan, "HE PROFITS MOST WHOSE EVERY SALE CREATES A FRIEND." 17. Make adjustments cheerfully and give the customer the benefit of any doubt which may have arisen. A satisfied customer is worth a dozen disgruntled ones. See that your salesmen are careful and accurate in their talks to customers. They should be careful not to mislead. Sales should be made strictly on the basis of quality and intrinsic value. 18. He should never advise a customer to buy an article he would not buy himself if he were in his position. Never urge a customer to buy beyond his means. Take advantage of no man's ignorance. 19. See that employees are truthful and straightforward and that they do not misrepresent or overcharge. Do not substitute other goods on their orders. Insist that the customer abides by the terms of the invoice. Do not make special discounts for cash payment. If you are fair and square he will have more respect for you. HIS DUTY TO HIS COMPETITORS 20. It is deemed unethical to trail a competitor's salesman or delivery, or try to obtain information as to a competitor's methods or stock, by questioning or bribing his employees. You should practice clean and honorable competition and further the general welfare and prosperity of every other finder. 21. To induce a competitor's employees to leave him, unless with the employer's consent, is considered dishonorable. Do not do it. Beware of trouble here. 22. It is unethical to injure directly or indirectly the business reputation, prospects or business of a fellow jobber, or other merchant, or to make false or disparaging statements, or insinuations relative to a competitor's merchandise, prices, business, financial or personal standing. Boosting a competitor or his wares will elevate you in your customer's opinion. If you cannot say good, at least be fair. You should establish and maintain intimate, cordial and friendly relations with everybody in the shoe findings business. 23. It is also unethical to simulate or imitate in one's own merchandise, the trade mark, trade name, slogan, advertising or appearance of a competitor's ideas or goods. 24. Or to sell or offer to sell under a competitor's price in order to beat him out of a sale or force him out of business. Do not try to fool him by delivering to your customers more than the invoice calls for. For instance, do not bill at one dozen and deliver thirteen. 25. Immediately upon receipt of new prices showing an advance in the price, the jobber should mark his goods in conformity; to neglect this and then insinuate to a customer that there must be something wrong with your competitor's prices, is decidedly unethical. Likewise, in case of reductions in prices, merchandise should be marked down. 26. In all relations with your competitor refrain from false and misleading statements. The absolute truth should be zealously adhered to by every jobber. Do not bill goods at one |