The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-01
DIVORCE MILL AT RENO
Little Glimpse of How the Machine Really Works for the
Wealthy.

Helen Dare Correspondent San Francisco Chronicle.
You wouldn't believe it. now. would
you, that the Reno divorce industry Is
so hourishing. and the Reno divorcee
such good picking. that the competition
for divorce cases has brought about a
violent and bitter internecine warfare in
the legal profession here.
Yet such is the case-even 10 the point
OF trying 10 disbar the most active pro-
mOter OF the divorce industry. The most
casual stroll through Reno's business sec
ton shows so many windows OF the bus
mess blocks gilded with the names of
lawyers that you would naturally sus-
pect this little city Of 1900 population
to be the most controversial community
extant Which, perhcps. is not really
the case.
But the Reno divorce colony is a
great help 70 the Reno lawyer. Some
OF the lawyers have grown rich on their
divorce practice and others have added
very materially to their income through
it. The fight for divorce business is
keen. and the methods OF getting it are.
TO say the least. interesting. unusual. and
picturesque.
COurted and FIattered.
a newly arrived divorcee-I am using
the term as IL is used here, where In the
vernacular a Divorce Is a divorcee from
the time she arrives with such purpose
in VIEWS sought entertained. amused
courted, hattered, and beguiled by rival
lawyers until her case is captured by one
Of them, for all the world as a desirable
freshman is rushed by the co-eds recruit
ing for their rival sororities.
Some Of the lawyers don't consider II
beneath their professional dignity 20 meet
the trains in search Of possible clients
20 watch the hotel buses. 70 scan the
registers. TO get into action quickly by
waylaying the new arrivals, or sending
them cards or notes, or calling them up
on the telephone to offer their services
in securing the swift, sure. warranted
,n-keep-in-any-climate Nevada divorce
Those thai have automobiles are really
TO show them the sights; those that
haven't. hire them Il the newcomer
looks as If she could stand a fee that
would warrant such expenditure. and
they ali wine and dine them, so far as
the ladies themselves are willing TO be
wined and dined.
In enterprising capture of business the
names Of William H. Schnitzer and State
Senator Jim Boyd-like that OF Abou Ben
Adhem-lead all the rest Their meth
DDS are different. but their aim is the
same-the getting Of business.
Schnitzer has the most cases; Boyd has
the richest clients.
Schnitzer method of getting business
is fiambouyant. overzealous. hasty, OF a
get-rich-quick flavor. likely to outrage
the ethics of the profession Boyds are
more subtle, shrewd, persuasive, and
carefully within the lines of authorized
practice.
The result is that schnitzer is now
facing a possibility Of disbarment, and
Boyd is one of the committee appointed
by the Bar Association that filed the pc
tition with the Supreme Court asking
that Schnitzer be disbarred.
To Whom Fame Is Due.
William H. Schnitzer is the man to
whom the fame is due for making Reno
notorious as the divorce center Of the
universe.
Reno's divorce possibilities were recog-
nized even ten years ago. when Lord
Russell awaited himself of them to get
rid Of an undesirable wife and to take
on a more desirable one. He, unfor-
tunately. in his glee at obtaining his
freedom as a citizen of Nevada, regis
tered himself the very next day after the
divorce as from London, England. and
when he went home with his new wife,
was tried for bigamy. demanded a jury
of his peers, and was eentenced by the
House Of Lords to a months imprison-
ment in his own house.
Even the Corey divorce. which permit
ted the marriage of the steel trusts
president TO Maybelle Gilman, antedated
the enterprising Mr.. ScHnitzer. and the
full advantage of Reno as a divorce re-
sort was never adequately presented 10
the pupblic until Schnitzer got busy.
He had his training In the Office of
Howe ana Hummsll in New York.
About four years ago he examined the
] Nevada law from every angle and mark