Some time ago in a case in New York a man gave false evidence
under oath and upon that evidence the point at issue was sent to
a referee and costs amounting to $1,759 were incurred. A certain
judge to whom these facts became known fined the perjured man
the full amount of the costs and directed that when the fine
was paid it should be turned over to the aggrieved party. This
action has recently been affirmed by the United States Court of
Appeals.
“This is hailed as a rebuke to a growing evil, that of lying under
oath and nothing being thought of it if one can avoid detection or any
civil consequences. The home, the school, the Church and the State
should unite and compel greater attention to the dishonor of lying,
and business concerns should be held strictly to account wherever
misrepresentation or lying form a part of the business methods. Decent
men should refuse to trade with the man who scolds his clerks for
not making a sale and declares the failure was due to not lying hard
enough.”
(1941)
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