The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-19
TO CHECK G|ANT I
STRIDES OF THE
DIVORCE EVIL
Big Convention in Washington
To-day Startling
Figures.

:..'.......... ............... ...........:
The latest obtainable statistics
190D show that every fourth
: marriage contracted in Seattle,
4: Los Angeles, San Francisco and
4: Kansas City has resulted In di-
vorce
f: In 1881 the total number of di-
vorces granted in the United States
came to 20,716. The increase since
I: that date is estimated at 327 per
cent. An idea of the gravity of the
evil revealed by these figures may
be gained from the fact that the
+: total number Of divorces granted
in the German empire in 1901 was
S,037 and the total in France for
1900 7,157.
...........' ..%....... ......,...:
Washington, D. c., Feb, 19.-Several
hundred delegates, appointed by the
governors of AZ states, all men of earn
est thought, devoted to the best inter-
ests of the country, met today in con-
vention in this city to discuss the PROB
lem of divorce.
Governor Pennypacker of Pennsyl-
yania, took the initiative in bringing
them together to exchange ideas, 10
perfect permanent organization, and
to recommend informally some solu-
ton. All unite in the belief that the
gigantic evil of divorce in the United
States should be checked.
Governor Pennypacker called the
conference to order and in his open
ing address stated the purpose of the
gathering to be ito draft a proposed
general lay which shall be reported
to the governors Of all the states for
submission to the legislatures thereof,
with the object of securing as nearly
as may be possible, uniform statutes
upon the subject of divorce throughout
the nation"
Because of wide differences in the
statutes of some states relative to di-
vorces the difficulty is recognized of
settling upon bill that will pass mus
ter in every state. North Carolina does
not permit divorces at all, and in some
states from six months to three years.
residence is required before an appii-
cation Is made. In others the persons
applying must be natives of the state
in which they apply.
1t is expected that the congress will
give special consideration to an act
proposed by a committee appointed
some time ago by the American Bar
association, to consider the question
of divorce.< This act says that no di-
vorce shall be granted for any cause
existing prior to either party's resi-
dence in the state, unless it be the
ground of divorce in the state where
the case arises. 1t then takes up the
question of actual residence and says
that If person desires to bring action
for divorce, If the case has arisen in
the state, then he must have had act
ual residence in that state for at least
one year before bringing suit. On the
other hand, If the cause for divorce
has been outside the state where the
action is brought, then the party COM
planning must have lived FOR at least
two years in the state before bringing
action. Another point in the act is
the question of bringing divorce suits
without proper, notice to the defend
ant. The act declares evidence must
be brought that the proper papers have
been served on the defendant, or a
sufficient time must have elapsed to
make it quite certain that the, defend
ant cannot be found in order to serve
the suit Then the act provides that
no divorce shall be granted upon de-
fault or upon admissions without a
regular hearing in court.
The forenoon was given over largely
to the appointment of the necessary
committees and the work OF organiza-
ton. The speakers in their opening
addresses cited statistics to show the
enormity of the divorce evil in the Un-
tied States. While late or reliable
figures are not available from all sec
tons 1t Is apparent, nevertheless. that
divorces are increasing at an alarm
Ing rate throughout the country. In
Maine. for instance, the figures show
that In 1909 there was one divorce In
every six marriages, in Ohio the pro-
portion was one In eight, In Indiana
one in seven. and In Michigan one In
eleven. Certain cities likewise show
| remarkable percentages In. Kansas
City. Seattle. Los ANGELES and San
Francisco the figures show one divorce
to- every four marriages; Indianapolis
Dallas and Chattanooga the proportion
was one IN Ave. and In. Chicago one II
nine. New York, with IT. record sol
| one divorce "a: every, forty marriaeas