The San Francisco call., 1910-04-09
HAPPINESS SINKS
IN SEA OF CLUBDOM
Wealthy Ship Owner Biames
Woman's Organization for
Wreck of Matrimonial Bark
Mrs. Fred c. Howard Denies
Charge, Accusing Husband
of Using Piratical Language

The Corona club is the rock in the
sea of matrimony on which was wrecked
the family happiness of Fred c. Howard,
ship owner. marine engineer and capi-
talist, according to his answer, filed
yesterday, to the petition of his wife,
Mrs. Mary J. Howard former director
of the organization and well known
clubwoman, asking for separate main
tenance
Mrs. Howards claim is that the Corona
club had nothing to do with the matter,
but that the matrimonial bark had foun-
cusations worked up by her husband,
who, she said, in moments of stress used
the unexpurgated language of the high
seas. They were married in 1878.
In his answer Howard declares that
his wife Informed him that she had been
nominated for Office in the Corona club
in April, 1908 but that he Immediately
demonstrated with her. pointing out that
the home port was the best place for
feminine craft. Notwithstanding his re-
monstrances, lie said, she deliberately
hauled down his colors and launched
herself upon the sea of clubdom, being
elected a director of the Corona club.
HOME WATERS CHOPPY
From thence forward home waters be-
came choppy. Squalls followed each
other in quick succession and occasion
ally there blew a hurricane.
She told me- complains the mariner,
that | was not intelligent and edu-
Gated enough for her and that since the
marriage day I had stood still mentally
while she had progressed and had edu-
Gated herself Furthermore she told me
I spent too much time prying around the
house and that l would do better to OBJ
tain employment as drayman or ci-
gar clerk"
Howard alleges that July IS, 1909, she
cut herself adrift from the matrimonial
tow and sought anchorage elsewhere
than in the family haven.
His charges about the Corona club
are ridiculous" said Mrs. Howard. Il
have been member of that club for
many years and never heard him object
to it until the end, when he saw in
everything l did an excuse for abuse.
The fact of the matter is that l spent
only two afternoons month at the club.
He did not object when I told him
that the members wished to elect me
a director of the organization. He
seemed to be rather pleased with the
idea. Later on. when we had troubles,
he would accuse me of devoting too
much time to the club. but he knew
his accusations were false.
CALLED AN "OLD HEN"
ITO taunt me he spoke in the most
disrepectful terms of clubwomen in
general and, in connection with my
clubwork, referred to me as one of
those old hens l felt that woman
could rightfully have at least two aft
ernoons month to herself, and I told
him that l would give up the club If
he could show me that it was not for
the betterment of myself and my fam
ily."
Mrs. Howard said she had been inter
stoutly maintained that at no time did
she allow it to interfere with her du-
ties at home
When the case was given a preIimi-
nary hearing in court Judge Graham
made an effort to reconcile them
Il had hoped" said Judge Graham
that these two worthy and sensible
people would not allow passing disa-
greements to bring to an unfortunate
and sad ending more than 80 years of
happily welded life, but at present
they are evidently of the opinion that
a separation is absolutely necessary to
their welfare
At the preliminary hearing Mrs.
Howard was allowed possession of the
family house. 1925 Howard street, and
S25 month aImony, pending a set
tlement of the suit. She asks for s1O0
month, and Howard, in his answer.
states he is willing to allow her SIS
a month to maintain herself and her
boy of IA years.