Evening star., 1922-02-08

Continued from First Page.)
divorce suits" one member of the
committee declared today while dis
cussing this development OF the in
vestigation.
"The same law governing divorces
prevails throughout every county OF
the state" the committeeman ex-
planned. "and the fact that a man or or
state since birth should suddenly Sc
lect Alexandria as legal residence
and very shortly afterward apply for
Ia divorce can suggest only one thing,
and that is they have been told evil
IDENTIFY that divorces are easy to get
here. At least that Is the inference
I personally draw from this feature
as 1t is disclosed by the records OF the
court. There is nothing illegal about
the preference Of Alexandria as a resi-
dence, and no doubt the records will
show in these cases that the law has
been conformed with in the strictest
manner, even to the domicile re-
quirements. but I think 1t will be
worth while for the committee to give
strict attention to this feature OF the
divorce situation II 1t Is to determine
whether or not divorces are easier to
obtain in Alexandria than elsewhere
in the state"
VIII Hear witnesses.
Another member OF the committee
today expressed the opinion that early
next week the committee will hear
those persons who have been more or
less persistent in making charges
that scandals and frauds have been
practiced here in tho obtaining Of
divorces. It IL likely, though.
that the committee will confine its
attention to only those charges
which are considered specific Fol-
lowing this part Of the inquiry the
committee will then enter upon the
examination Of those persons whose
names appear In the cases which
able and supicious In this connec-
tiop the committee will examine at
torneys and the applicants for di-
vorces themselves. the witnesses and
those persons whose names appear as
swearing to the one-year domicile
1t was intimated today by men,
bers of the subcommittee that there
Is an apparent irregUarity existing
in a number OF cases in connection
with the sworn afhdavits regarding
tho domicile requirements Of the law.
man are said to be found upon these
anidavits to such a large extent that
they. no doubt, will be called to max .
some explanation to the committee.
Minister Expresses Conadenee.
e. v. REGISTER, pastor of the NJ. E.
Church South and president of the
Alexandria Ministerial Association.
today expressed great confidence in
the members of the Investigating
committee and stated that he, per-
sonally. and many of the local resi-
dents with whom he had recently
talked. are highly pleased at the fair
and thorough manner in which the
committee Is going about the task
Of determining the causes for the
xreat increase Of divorces here.
Mr.. REGISTER stated that he IL
confident of splendid results when
the committee concludes its work. He
stated that the great majority Of the
residents Of Alexandria are satisfied
that the committee will show no par
tiality and that it will bring to JUS
tice those persons who have been
guilty Of irregular or illegal practice
In connection with the divorce situa-
tion.
Judge J. M. X. Norton, a member
of the investigating committee, will
leave here tonight to attend tomor-
row the hearings in the state capitol
At Richmond, incident to the discus.
sion of the Hall divorce bill. Judge
Norton was appointed q committee OF
one at the last meeting Of the in
vestigating committee to attend this
hearing and to urge incorporation to
the Hall bill of several amendme nj ts
adopted by the committee with q view