The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-12

New York. Noy. l2.-The divorce mill
scandal continues TO be the subject OF
discussion in legal and police circles to
the exclusion OF almost every other topic.
Henry Zeimer, the ffty six year-old
lawyer who was arrested and put i'm the
Tonbs on Friday, was regarded then by
District Attorney Gardiner as the head
OF the divorce conspiracy.
IL turned out that Zeimcr was but an
assistant He ran errands for w. Waldo
Maison and conducted his cases. When II
was necessary for two men TO appear be-
fore referee-for even Maison, with a,l
his astuteness. could not be two men at
once-Zemer and he went together TO
the referee and opposed each other
with great virulence, taking care. how
ever, never TO really spoil the case they
desired TO win
To carry on their business apd deal out
dccrccs 60 all corners at so much per de-
cree the divorce merchants required. be-
sides themselves, only the services OF two
or three glib, and fluent perjurers.
IL was not necessary for them to take
the referee into their confidence. nor for
them TO corrupt judge. Both Judge and
referee were imposed upon.
When the cOnspiratOrs were raided on
FridoT they were carrying out a step in
the reference proceedings on the divorce
complaint OF Mrs. Byrdc @. Herrick at
the office of Referee Grosyenor s. Hub
bard. No. 81 WALL street.
~ the time OF the raid the police did
not know that Maison Was the principal.
They believed that the head centre OF the
whole operation was the man Zeimer.
They had no instructions to arrest Mrs.
Horrck. ard they let her go. unfortu-
nately. for she gave warning TO Maison
who made his escape.
1,Dnr-t,cc,t,N-
Miss Mary A. Tompkins the "profes-
sonal correspondent" and detective OF
the Maison divorce establishment, Is an
unusually pretty girl she has an inno-
cent and seemingly honest face. IT has
impressed many referee in divorce cases
and made hirp believe that she was tell
ing the truth. This slim, attractive and
very youthfrl woman has founded a new
profession. AS far as is known. she is the
first person i'm New York TO follow the
calling
"Zeimer advertised for a secretary, or
something like that. and a girl whom 1
knew called at his office and applied for
the place.-Ieimer looked at her nxedly
and then shook his head. lie told her that
she was not pretty enough for the work
required of her" says Miss Tompkins in
her confession.
nv girl friend thereupon told him that
she knew a very pretty girl who might
suit him. She meant me. Now, I don't
pretend t6 be particularly pretty, but OF
course that's a thing that no person ever
knows about herself.
"a went and saw Zeimer. He looked at
me- patted me on the head knowingly
anu said that he thought would do. You
see. In the work he wanted me for IL was
necessary TO have some one of-more or
less attractiveness.
so | was hired, and at once went In
60 the divorce business with Zeimer.
"A.y, but that man Zeimer is a hustlerl
He could get up divorce case against a
person I'm half an hour without leaving
his desk. When the man or woman that
wanted the divorce came In and told the
story. Zeimer didn't want any of the de-
tails. Al he wanted to know was the
names OF the parties.
''rhis they filled out on a divorce blank
Getting a divorce decree was Just about
likc getting a money order at the post
office.
ALWAYS GOT THE PAY FIRST.
There was n place on the divorce
binnk which said how much money the
person wanting the divorce paid We
never went ahead unless the fee was
given.
"rhcn IL said whether the-other party
worid fight the suit. IL he didn't the
whole thing would be very easy All we
had 10 do was to fix up a story.
'Seu see. the parties TO the suit didn't
have a thing TO do with IL. All that was
necessary was that the plaintiff should
s---rtr hcfore the referee and prove the
n,arilsge. The plaintiff couldn't get
found ott or get mixed In his stories be-
cause he didn't have to tell any. All that
Wa done for him.
aIeimcr used to tell me what 70 say.
, when I was correspondent I used 10
say that had known the defendant. Then
] had 10 blush and cry and refuse 10 am
swcr Zcimcr would hollcr at me and I'd
CRY some more.
"Thcn Zcimer would appeal to the ref