The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-28
Miss Russell in Her Second We'd
ded Role, Mrs. Harry
Braham.
BY Lillian Russell.
(in an lnteNiewA

tin al intcTVIeW.l
wv yHAT is the matter with mar
w rlase'
Experience plus observation
have taught me that it is too much
thought of love and too little about
money.
Money causes more divorces than
does unfaithfulness to marriage
VOWS. Money is the root of nearly
all matrimonial misery. The re-
mainder. caused by natures so dis
similar as not to harmonize, is too
slight for consideration. Most per
sons can get along happily together
a1f the chief bone of contention be
removed. That chief bone is differ
ence of opinion about money. am
convinced that ninety nine hun
dredths OF all unhappiness in mar
Tiage is caused by such differences.
Marriage, while not wholly fail
Tlp. is one OF the half failures of
the world 1t is only fifty per-
cent efficient, That one of every eight
marriages ends in divorce proves
fhat something is radically wrong.
a short While ago the ratio was one
divorce 10 twelve marriages. Quick.
ly 1t became ono TO eight eear
the descending scale will be one 10
Six. to four, to three and finally that
state of social chaos will ensue when
1t will be one to two. or one-half OF
the marriages will parade their
failures in the divorce court. And
the other couples, remaining in the
bonds OF wedlock, will be In the
same mood which Achilles nursed
In his tent. They will chafe at their
bonds and sullp over their grievances.
They will be irked by their state.
All the signs point TO n marital
revolution. am not OF those who
would destroy the institution. II
IS needed to restrain the lower ele-
ments in human nature. And
would prevent the marital revolu.
ton If I could by establishing mar
riage upon business basis. Mar
riage is n business and should sub.
NIT to- the regulations and restric-
lions and enjoy the emolunents OF
Ia business. / call upon. the wives
and the women who may become
wives and their sympathizers, who
are leading the revolt upon mar
riage. TO Issue a protocol Let them
cease their onslaughts upon mar.
Tiage and adjust matrimonial differ
ences upon a business basis. beg
them to consider the marriage con-
tract as substitute for the red flag
of war.
I propose ns compromise meas
ures a complete understanding about
money apportionment before mar
1iage and that wife shall receive
one-half of her husbands income af-
Ter marriage, TO do with rs she
likes.
Both Of these know are startling
suggestions, but a nsideration
of them Will shcw you that they are
reasonable ! do not advocate mar
riage without love but believe that
love should be held in leash and
what Demarest Lloyd called "the
short fever OF mating" should be
held in allegiance until an entirely
satisfactory arrangement is made
for the future.
It has been considered indicate
for the girl who Is being wooed to
talk about money 10 her sutton. 1t
should be. and coon will he. con.
sidercd sign Of a weak intellect il
she doesn't. Marriage will not be a
lottery after Mary says 10 John
yes, I could love you. know no
other man whom prefer for a hus.
band. But whether marry you will
depend upon what guarantee you can
give me that our future together
and my future, should have the
misfortune 10 become your widow
will be one secure from poverty"
If John be a sensible man, not a
human balloon inflated with vanity
he will admire his Mary's clear com.
mon sense and reply as frankly as
she has spoken.
II he be shifty. evasive person,
he will say: "Of course, my dear,
will make a will IN your favor" !