The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-11-19

New York Herald Bureau,
london. Nov. IL.
Women's rights. their claim 10
equality with men, and other aspects
OF the social and legal standing OF the
fair sex are advanced in contradictory
arguments for end against breach OF
promise actions by many leaders OF
reform, as a result OF a statement
from the bench by Justice McCardie.
In the case of Miss Gladys Saunders,
an-attractive young woman who was
granted 5000 heart balm because
George Tucker Of Scotland Yard broke
their engagement after several years
friendship because he thought mar
rage would mean "hell on earth for
us both"
Judge McCardie, who is a bachelor,
attacked the law in summing up. de-
claring that Il permitted a woman To
ask a Jury TO assess commercial value
upon the man whose affections she had
lost 81 have no doubt" he said, that
the action Is for the breach of prom
Use which his conscience and his heart
tell him he ought not TO fulfill" The
evidence proved that Tucker had acted
the part of a gentleman when he saw
the hopeiessness of winning happiness
in marriage and Cancelled his engage
ment In n most meritorious manner.
Coeduca ton the Kennedy,
Miss Florence Underwood OF the
women's Freedom League, commenting
upon tho case said: II don't think that
the coming generation OF women VIII
have any use for breach of promise ac-
tions. If coeducation were general the
law permitting action would fall into
allegiance. No girl who has shared her
lessons and games with her brothers
would dream OF claiming damages from
tho man who had grown tired OF her.
Training would have prevented her &C
curing that belief in the superiority OF
man which girls often get who are
brought up along old fashioned lines.
rhe whole idea is contrary 20 the ideal
equality for which we are fighting.
Such action Is ludicrous. The act Is
really a relic OF the days when mar
riage was the only occupation open to
a girl"
Mrs. Seaton-Teideniaa, secretary OF
the Divorce Law Reform Union, takes
the view that anything which makes for
coercion into marriage Is likely to load
70 uuhappiness. Our breach Of promise
law is obsolete and is considered
ridiculous In America and on the Goa
,inent," she declares.
on the other hand, Mrs. r. A. L..
Fisher wife OF the former Minister OF
Education, thinks that such law acts
rs check upon the variety of man who
il well meaning" and that & is the
only way TO keep some in order, al
though she admits there ia something
repelIent TO all women in n breach OF
protuise case because II destroys all
romance She Gays IL Is a question for
foolish girls and rotters." and believes
the law is essential 20 protect the
former.
Miss Rebecca West, the author, thinps
the law good for protecting poor girls
who have spent their means preparing
for marriage, but she adds: There can
he no monetary comy lsatlon for injury
TO pride or tho O.. .tions, and damages
can have the value OF justice only when
they repair material loss" Mics West
believes the ever increasing entry ot
women into professional life will bring
an entirely new set OF circums tances,
because mo professional woman would
tsks the trouble to run about trying to
punish a man for not marrying her
Such conduct Will be regarded as
ridiculous"
Mrs. IT. w. Nevinson. wife OF the
author and a Justice OF the Peace
thinks such actions most horrible things.
but believes the law should stand for
the poor woman who must have some
compensation
Miss Amy Ayyarde, an actress saws
The woman who would bring a breach
Of promise action IN q fool. She makes
men say. Here's q warrior out for
spoiis,' ana they avoid hor like
psstiience."