The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-12
LAX DIVORCE DISCUSSED
 BY GOVERNORS
Improved Uniform Divorce Laws AdvOcated-Five Years Resi- dence Prior to Divorce and Five Years Before Remarriage is Permitted
Aggressive Champion of Divorce Reform is Governor Hay of Washington-Governor Har- mons Position
Especial from United Press. )

NopGCldl lIOul CuiISu 1CSS'J Spring Lake, N. J.. Sept. 12.-The House of Governors" in convention here, today, is practically unanimous | in the opinion that inadequate and diverse divorce laws and their lax en- forcement are threatening the very foundations of American life. While the subject is not on the set program of discussion, many state executives, today expressed themselves freely on 1 the question and it was thought very probable that the problem would De taken up by the conference. One of the most aggressive champions of di- vorce reform is Governor Hay, of Washington.
 up to a certain point, divorce is all right, the evil lying in the laxity with which divorces may be obtained and ease with which divorced persons may marry" said Hay. Existing conditions are a travesty on justice for a man who ,cannot do a certain thing in one state can step across the line and carry out his intentions in another"
 Governor Burke, of North Dakota. was strongly in favor of making the residence limit five years and cor responding time limit for remarriage. Governor Gilchrist, of Florida, said that something ought to be done to make the people more sOberly regard the importance of the marriage rela- tion.
 One of the most conspicuous figures at the conference is Governor liar mon, of Ohio, a strong Presidential possibility. He, too, feels strongly on the uniform divorce law question and expressed himself as sanguine over the prospect of reform. He said one of the first things the state should act upon is the evasion of one state regu- lation by going ino another common wealth
 Others who advocated divorce re- form and uniform laws, today, were Governors Aldrich. Nebraska;, Vessey, Fothier, Rhode Island; and Wilson, of Kentucky. Governor Wilson said:
 "If we don't get improved divorce conditions pretty soon. we might as well give way to the affinities right off and have it over with
 This years meeting will differ from that of 1910, held in Louisville and Frankfort, Kentucky, inasmuch as an effort will be made to transact more business and have less celebra ton. Kentucky hospitality last year came near putting serious business in sec- ond place. While New Jersey is not whit behind her southern sister in rendering the governors a cordial re- ception. Governor Wilson has super vised the preparation of a program which will comprise a minimum of entertainment and a maximum of work. There are only two events of a strictly social nature scheduled for the entire meeting, a reception by Governor and Mrs. Wilson .at Sea Girt tonight and a dinner to the gov ernors by the Spring Lake Entertain ment Committee on Thursday even ing. The other evenings will be de- voted to serious work connected with the conference.
 Gov. Woodrow Wilson delivered the opening address of welcome, followed by a response by Gov Joseph M. Ca rey. of Wyoming. An address on "The Possibilities of the Governors Confer ence." by Gov. Wilson of Kentucky, completed the morning session.
 Other topics to be treated of during the conference will be: Strengthen ing the Power of the Executive" by of Alabama; Employers Liability and Workin gmen's Compensation" by Gov Foss of Massachusetts; "The h. heritance Tax and State Comity,'. by Gov. Dix, of New York, and Noel of Mississippi; "The Right of the State Cows. Hadley of Missouri and Aldrich of Nebraska; State Control of Pub lie Utilities," by Govs. McGovern of Wisconsin and Carroll, of Iowa; and Problems of Prison Labor," by Cows. West, of Oregon and Osborn of Mich igan. The evenings will doubtless be given over to other problems which will present themselves to the minds of those present, together with the fix ing of permanent plans for future conferences.
 In addition to the governors men, tioned, the following accepted invita- tions to be present: Cows. Richard E. Sloan of Arizona; George A. Dono- ghey, of Arkansas; Hiram W. John- son, of California: John A. Safroth, Colorado; Simeon F. Baldwin, Connec- ticut; Simeon E. Pennewin, Delaware;