The Washington times., 1920-09-29
Family COURT" IS
n. Y. W0MAN'S IDEA
Mrs. Gabriel, New York Lawyer
Would Settle Domestic S.1uab-
= bIes and Heal Disputes.
~ nARGERY REX.

NJ aA@o&ssb ss@f
NEW YORK. Sept ss.-Havs you
aver struck a domsstic deadlock DO
your family quarreis and troubles 80
around and around In q circle OF Dit
ternsss and misundsrstanding from
which there 10 no outist'
Is the problem OF the aged parent
or the neglected child yoursf Do you
long for an impartial outsider 70 sn-
ter and TO straiGhten out pleasantly
the tAngle of household tempers ana
their terrible rssultsf
III so, your need may be answered
In the proposed plan Of Justice Edgar
J. Doolsy. of the Brooklyn Court OF
Domestic Relations. who, In speaking
at the sixth biennial session OF the
National Conference OF Catholic Char-
tiles. urged the establishment or .
Family Court" to deal with matters
concerning the home.
Justice Dooley-says;
TO SAFEGUARD HOME
such a court would serve as .
sheet anchor to society. II should be
SO constituted that II would protect
and enforce the right Of abandoned
and neglected wives. children. parents
and grandparents TO safeguard the
home and execute with vigor ths
marital. parental, moral and legal OBJ
legation imposed upon man In his re-
lation to the family"
Justice Dooley, since he 10 still In
washington, could not be seen to
elaborate upon his plan. But what he
intends 10 undoubtedly q broadening
OF the powers OF tho present Domss-
tic Relations Court, where many fam
lily entanEiements are now straight
ened out.
But his proposed plan call forth
favorable comment from such we'll
known women ~ Mrs. Olive stott.
Gabriel. lawyer. and Mrs.. Clarence
Burma. president of the Little Moth
ers' Aid Association.
MRS. GABRIEL's OPINION.
Justice Dooley," says Mrs. Gabriel.
probably means BY Family Court a
tribunal where 4 larger Jurisdiction
than that of Domestic Relations can
be established.
The weakness Of the present
Domestic Relations Court is this: In
many instances II the law 10 applied
IT falls to reach an amicable adjust
ment and often. instead of uniting
people. makes the breach wider.
al, personally. don't believe In Inn
prisonment for many Of the lesser
breaches OF contract. When people
are angry and come into court they
are so lacking in reason they exaS-
gerate their wrongs and demand prison
sentences for each other. Mean
qualities develop in family Quarrels
and people demand punishment in
their own case which. II the anair
were another's. they would deem
gross injustice.
"It seems to me that no thinking
parent should want the other parent
Of a child to be stigmatixed with a
jaiI sent ence. OF course, many ssri-
GUS cases, we know. are settled well
and amicably by this efficient court
WOULD CHECK QUARRELs.
The proposed plan for . family
court, 1t seems to me. would catch
these people before their srudges Snc
differences had grown SO great that
they are irnperiled to make untrue
and outrageous charges in another
court.
I'm the domestic relations court 1t
has always seemed to me that the en-
forcement Of tho marital obligations
necessarily came before consideration
for the child. Although we have a
children's court. the child's welfare Is
important in any consideration of
family life.
DECREASE LAWSUITS.
"The domestic relations court, al
though such a tribunal, being, human
cannot be absolutely perfect, has
one great good. A family court
might help matters. too, and preclude
the possibility OF lawsuits In higher
court.
Unfortunately, these courts deal
for the greater part with working
people. Rich citizens who have do
nestle difficulties arrange their
money settlements in a lawyers Of
fee, or in some other way to keep the
matter out of court unless matters
are so serious they must sue for d.
vorce or separation.
interpreting law to help sufferers
is the most important phase OF the
whole situation, 1t seems to me.
Grownups are like children in that
advice, punishment and correction
help some and enrage and antaSop-
ize 9th srs," Mrs. Gabriel concluded.