Arizona republican., 1920-08-25
MATINEE IDOL |S CAST AS VILLAIN;
 REAL LIFE DRAMA
Del s. Lawrence, Two Sea- sons Here, May Face Charge of Perjury In Getting Divorce to Wed Wilma Steck

Del Lawrence of the Lawrence stock company which played two very sue cessful seasons at the Elks theater in this city and who at present is playing at San Francisco, is also the leading man in another drama which may re- suit in landing the suave and clever thespian at San Quentin, according to word from San Francisco.
 It was all caused. it is said, by his haste to marry Miss Wilma Steck. his leading woman, also here two seasons and one of the most popular stock actresses who ever played in Phoenix Lawrence. who is in the same marry ing class with De Wolfe Hopper and the late Nat Goodwin. already having had four wives. secured a divorce in Phoenix last November, marrying Nil- ma Steck. his fifth. the following April It is alleged that the divorce was se- cured by fraud. Following is the ac- count of the present difficulty taken from the San Francisco Cl'refi''ie: "The Papers
 Del Lawrence. matinee idol, hero Of thousand knock en- dead dramas, produced the papers with a convinc- ing flourish at the critical moment yes terday in the court of Superior Judge Frank J. Murasky. But instead of con founding his enemies and lowing to thunderous applause, he suddenly found himself cast in the role Of the villain. The baying of the sheriffs bloodhounds could almost be heard in the offing.
 .The papers showed that a court in Phoenix. Ariz., recently granted him a divorce from Mrs. Meda Cans for de- sertion- The actors true name IS Landen Stone Cans. To add compli- cation and heart throbs to the real life drama it developed that. after the Arizona divorce was served up la Pickford. Cans married his leading 1ady Miss Wilma Steck, in Los Angeles.
 Suggests Jury Inquiry
 Whereupon Judge Mursalxy suggest ed that the case would be an interest ing one for the grand jury to consider And Roland Becsey, with Arnold C. Lackenbach. attorneys for Mrs. Cans, ventured that the final act would show the gates of San Quentin swinging shut on Cans in striped suit.
 'sNo, No. Mir. Beesey, protested the divorced wife. a woman scorned; T don't want anything like that to hap pen. I only want done what Will be best for the children"
 The trouble with Cans Arizona di- vorce, according to his wife's attor- news, is that it was obtained by per jury and fraud. They say he had not established legal residence Tn Arizona. that he falsely swore to the court that Mrs. Cans had been served with no- tice of the suit. when in fact she never heard of it until recently, and that he falsely swore that she, deserted him.
 Still Owes Aiimony
 At the time he began the Arizona proceedings he had already been in Judge Mura sky's court several times in the suit Mrs. Cans brought against him on May 26, 1919. for divorce and $500 a month alimony. At prelimi- nary hearings Mrs. Cans had been awarded custody of their two chill dren and he had been ordered to pay her $50 a week for their maintenance. pending final settlement of the suit. Later, on a showing that his theatrical salary had been cut, the order for tenn porary alimony was reduced to $50 a week. Trial of the divorce action has not yet been heard by Judge MuraslSy.
 Cans appeared in court yesterday on an order to show couse why he should not, be punished for failure to comply with the courts order for temporary alinony. Mrs. Cans said he was nearly $500 in arrears, although since his.Sreturn to San Francisco recently he had paid her about $50. He is now playing with his own stock company at local theater Wilma Steck is his leading lady.
 Salary is Small, He Says
 Cans said he had been paying as much as he could for the support ot his children and that he had made ar engagements to have his daughter placed in a convent as soon as he could afford to pay her expenses there. He said he is now working for very small salary. It was when he was
  he produced the Arizona divorce decree to show that he had been legally free to do so- The decree was granted last November and the marriage took place. he said, last April in Los Angeles.
 Mrs Cans said she knew nothing about the divorce and remarriage until three weeks ago when. in telephoned conversation about the alimony he told her he was under nc further obli- gation to her. She said is < his fifth
 
 she said, was Jane Keiton. Oakland actress.
 Doesn't Care for Herself
 T was the fourth wife, said Mrs. Cans. but, then. you see, I thought he would be different with me. Es peeially after the children came. The little girl still worships him. She cries often because he is gone. About my self I do not care much. I wouldn't ask him for money for myself. worked and supported myself before l was married to him and I can do it again, but l have the children to look .szfx<f0r feos M41,s its difficult to keep a 4xF1yx e tnrne on s30 a week, espe- A S1 141|y afzHr unn is Accustomed to more.
 <e use1 ta make a great deal of M1&& .4 1Au< .~ &6 says he doesn't make n1f1ch H1< &enarently his new wife gets 17rxs<f sFIarv than he does. It Is stfzx <I }<<&1at her. A short time after hE firSt employed her he dis char 2EI2 f1E SdiQ tneH IfdL SIC was frivolous and a rotten actress. Later when he hired her again he said she was a little rough neck but that he needed her in his company because she was the kind that would be popular in the Mission district. And now he has married her.
 May Charge Perjury
 Mrs. Meda Cans was married to Cans at Westminster, B. C., April IT, 1912. Their daughter is 6 years old and their son 4 years. Mrs. Cans said that recently they were put out of their apartment for non payment of rent because Cans failed to pay the aIimony Tn her complaint for divorce she said his income was more than $15.00O a year. Tn his application for reduction of temporary alimony last year. he said he had deeded to her d ranch in Idaho worth s6,o00 and had given her. other property.
 Becsey and Lackenback said they would obtain copies of the Arizona court records with a view to charging Cans before tl1e sra nd iurv with ra~