The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-05-07
INFLUENTIAL CITIZEN JOIN
IN DEMAND FOR REVISION
OF STATUTES

Of SIHIOl ES
RENO, New, May 1.-The Pickford
case, with its sensational aftermath,
has rung the knell for the so-called
short term divorce by which hundreds
have secured easy separation and by
which other hundreds from many
states hoped during the coming year
to unhitch unhappiness in Nevada,
This is today practically a foregone
conclusion, following Attorney-General
Leonard Fowler's proceedings to IN
null the deere . nu,l~. "v
Pickford from her former husband,
owen Moore, and permitted her to
marry Douglas Fairbanks a few days
later.
Bar Association Keeps Close Tap
For, while the law cannot be amend
ed until the mex legislative session
in 1921, the state is in a furore over
Fowler's action, charging fraud and
collision against the principals.
Many prominent and influential Ne
vadans who had hitherto opposed
changes in the divorce laws, have 10Y
become allied with those who have
long clamored for revision.
Governor Emmett Boyle has denounc-
ed in strong terms what he regards
as laXities of a law bringing reproach
upon the state and encouraging a cyni-
cal CommercialiZation of domestic &C
cord. The Bar Association is aroused
and will hereafter sit as friends of
the court in all cases where divorce
is sought under the find the defend
ant" clause which permits immediate
decree if the defendant is served in
the county where the plaintiff has es-
tablished residence.
Even prior to the Pickford divorce,
leading members of the bar had been
smarting under criticism drawn by
questionable divorce practice of a
number of Reno attorneys. They had
begun to show an acute interest in
the short-term decree.
Defends Morals of Quick Divorce
On the broader question of morals
of the divorce law, Nevadans are
however, not sharply divided. The
majority is not disposed to apologize
for the six months residence pro-
vision, and the law has weathered
many attempts to lengthen the term
to one year.
1t was enacted in 1861, in accord
ance with the need of a transient
population in a mining state where
six months was a longs period of per-
manence. Contrary to widespread i'm
preston, the law was not created as
a lure to unhappy outsiders. 1t is
geared up to Nevada's general statutes
and constitution requiring only six
nonnthc for aitiUanchin nIrnncnc
The drift of divorce immigrants to
Reno began only ONE 10 or II years
ago after the Brugiere, Cory and Van
derbilt cases had widely advertised
Nevada's comparative leniency.
Many Reno merchants then began
to take advantage of the situation,
and to expert every effort to make
and keep Reno the divorce capital of
America. Today, it is estimated, the
"colonists" add from $500, 900 to ST.
600, 900 annually to the merchants in
come.
Attorneys in Keen Competition
Scores of attorneys have establish
ed offices in Reno to bid for this prac-
tice.
In 1919, out of atotal of 1,071 court
matters filed, 7S4 We're divorce actions
Thus far, 1920 has already shown a
considerable increase, and it is esti-
mated that there are probably 700 to
500 men and women now in Reno
seeking separations.
Reno merchants and attorneys seem
far more perturbed over the situa-
ton precipitated by the Pickford case
than the "~colonists" themselves, al
though many of the latter will I'M
doubleday have to alter their plans,
II they are to stave off amendment of
the ends 10 eliminate the short term
clause and to lengthen the residence
term to year year, they will have
to fight far greater odds than W. be-
fore.
Just now the chances seem very
slim.
Advocates both of the present and
of a more eXacting law, believe that
the Pickford case is apt to exert pro.
found influence in bringing to an is,
sue the divorce status of the entire
nation and to seek concerted effort
to secure more uniform divorces re,
quirements III all states.