The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-04

.nronosad to take the five children from their mother" said Sunderland, Before I went on the witness stand I again asked Cossidente If he would agree to sterilization of his wife, ana he said yes; so while l was pelns questioned by the judge l made the suggestion that conditions Would hot improve as long as Mrs. cossiaente kept bearing children as rapidly as nossible. and that 1t might be well to consider putting an end to that.
 "The judge named a committee 10 take over the case and he told them that 1t might be well for them to consider the sterilization suggestion if the parents would be wiling, otherwise he would take the chill dren away from the home unless con- ditions were greatly improved.
 eIn the consideration of this ram 1v's case, the whole thing hinges on the large size of the family, the oil- . ference in the ages of Cossldente anu his wife, and the mothers menta' condition. There are five children now. all of them young. Cossioente is close to 50 years old but his wire Is only 30. Her age infers the possl- bility of bearing children Tor severai years while they would be unable to care for them. n,
 with conditions as they are II saams to me that sterilization of either the husband or wife, If agreed to. Ia the only solution of their prob lam. It wouldn't hurt Cossidente 10 be sterilized, because of his age, al though I discussed with him only the nronosai to sterilize Mrs. Cossidente V
 Since the storm of discussion fD- lowing the recommendation Of the judge. which has been approved by most of the men, Judge Graham has l.sued this statement to set himself right:
 shortly after the hearing In Mrs. cossidente's case a reporter came 10 me and asked whether an order TOT sterilization would be made and ] said such an order might be entered If the conditions made 1t necessary and with the consent of the parties concerned. I sincerely hope that the objectionable conditions will be elim- mated, for. the place of these children Is in their own home, l have no in- tention to force Mrs. Cossidente to give up her children or submit to an operation for sterilization as an al formative. As to the justice or advis- ability of such an operation in any case or under any circumstances, oo not care to comment"
 Mrs. Ida L. Gregory, clerk Of the Denver juvenile court, who was pres ent during the entire hearing or thf case, declares that after Sunderland had suggested to the court that Mrs. Cossidente should submit to an oper- ation, Judge Graham ordered a com mittee to visit the Cossidente home to
 s.d turned to Sunderland and said:
 And, doctor. you will see to the carrying out of your suggestion"
 Despite the threats he has re- ceived, Judge Graham has declined to adopt the suggestion of friends to provide bodyguard for himself.
 With defiance in her eye and bit terness in her voice. Mrs. Cossidente hugged her baby fiercely to her bosom today and answered question as to whether she had changed her mind since her first outburst against the court, by asserting that she ex- pected to have more children. would never give up any of them and that she could take care of them as well as any mother.
 Isn't my home clean now?' she asked. This whole trouble is due to too many welfare workers coming here. So many of them came around here lately we couldn't get the house cleaned for them every few minutes so they reported us to the court.
 Her face set with anger as sh added: q am the mother of thes. children and I'm woman enough to take proper care of them if they'll just stop bothering me-"
 Cossidente said today many citi xcns had offered him money and aid in any form, but that he had declined all because he Is able to take care of his own family.
 Meanwhile the local papers are bombarded with letters arguing fc, and against sterilization law by tfs next Colorado legislature.
 PARTNERsHIP DISSOLVED
 Roanoke, December 3.-t tHpecial)- The Knight Mcintosh Manufacturing company of this city has been dis