Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-04-29
By Margery Rex.

AFCW AoAhg APAh 80 ID tAC I'LL
form divorce law approaching?
Recent legal proceedings in sew
eral we'll known families haze
made the need of federal divorce
law seem imperative.
The National League of Wom-
en- Voters, now in convention IN
Cleveland, has recognized the ne
cessity for such legislation. Part
OF the program Of the convention
includes discussion of the divorce
problem and the adoption of reso-
lutions to liberalize and simplify
the laws surrounding 1t
Mrs. James Lees LaidIaw, one OF
the New York members Of the or
ganization, announced today that
not only divorce, but kindred sub
jects, pertaining to the protection
OF women and children, such as
child labor laws, will be discussed
at the convention.
Il thoroughly believe" she said
today, ''in program for liberaliz-
ing and unifying divorce laws.
Part of our general plan for
the codification of laws, and their
unification, includes not only con-
sideration of divorce laws, but
those which affect children.
Further approval of the leagues
program was expressed by young
woman lawyer, Miss Lucille Pugh, !
who agrees that the present sys-
tenn of marriage and divorce is in
adequate and unjust.
II believe that marriage should
h looked upon as a civil contract
which can be dissolved or abro-
gated when conditions change and
when 1t is proper and right to do
Bo," she said.
The happiness OF two people is
The one thing on whick the state
must depend for its existence.
And that happiness should be
1t is the states duty to
protect IT.
"By standing in the way Of
more liberal divorce laws the state
8 not doing its duty. 1t is cutting
is own roots thereby.
But | would not be too lax.
iuch grounds as cruelty are often
too leniently. A wonl-
n may say 1t is cruel If her hus-
and does not kiss her when nv
caves for business in the morn
ng.
Such a reason for divorce, II
yer made one OF the grounds,
hould be carefully defined.
Divorce should be granted
hen two people find 1t impossi-
lie to be a help to each other. That
J the whole idea.
THE state should not make IL
n obligation on either party TO |
he unhappy marriage to resort TO
How could the laws be uni
led? | think II a constitutional
mendment could be passed, max
lg the law uniform, but leaving
ie enforcement Of II to the state,
would be very satisfactory. ).
hen people wouldn't have to go 20 r
federal court for divorce, but
the state courts as usual. This
ould be great protection TO
omen and to children as well.
Il don't know how IL would
ork out--if 1t would be easy TO
ijust or not. II not, then we
Ight to find some efficient way.
"one report, which may be in
rrect, has 1t that the League OF
omen Voters would place two
ars as the period between mar
lge and divorce. This Is too long.
people can't get along for two
ars II is serious thing. / don't
ow whether that means that
ey want a woman to wait two
ars to get divorce. or two years
she may re-marry after being
Torced. In either case, it is too
Ig. LII
Many people. IL cruelty were
de a ground, would say that in
npotataETAoIN EFT III eCe.nta
npatability should be synony- |
us. It's easy to say that so |
ny things represent cruelty. |
The point should be that II two |
It honestly get along together !
state that married them should |
9 them relief" |