Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-07
GEORG|ANS DRAFT
LOVE PIRACY Law
Prison for Home Breakers
Is Urged by Prosecutor
in Fulton County.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dispatch to The Star.
ATLANTA, Ga, September THE
plan to make love pirates walk the
plank Is gaining favor in Georgia.
The Fulton County grand jury has
even drafted bill providing jail SEN
fences for Don JuanS and vampires and
other romantic nuisances. 1t is true
| that the last-minute rush Of business
caused this bill to be showed aside and
prevented its passage. But advocates
Of the measure are SO far from being
disheartened that they announced this
week they will start a campaign to have
the law enacted at the next session Of
the Legislature.
They are Of the opinion that a prison
cell Is Just the place for romantic ad-
venturers with q fair for breaking up
happy homes. In fact, the bill drawn
by the Fulton County grand jury pro-
vtded a sentence of 1 to 10 years In
the penttentiary for "love thieves" who
do or say anything to a wife or hus-
band which causes love to wane or die,
or which causes a husband or wife to
lose esteem. respect or affection for the
other"
Would Protect Home.
In discussing evidence to be adduced
against home wreckerS, the bill con-
tinued:
Proof Of association, giving or re-
ceiving presents, writing or receiving
affectionate letters, or other acts of
like kind shall be prima facie evidence
Of intent to ALLEVIATE affections"
John Hudson, assistant solicitor Of
Fulton County, drew up the bill at the
direction Of the grand jury.
THE purpose Of it," he explained,
was to protect the home and the af-
fections Of husband and wife, and to
make both parties to the alienation of
affection equally guilty in the same
transaction and subject to like convic-
ton. To guard against complications
arising out OF chronic jealousy and con-
slant nagging on the part Of husbands
and wives, we included q provision set
ting forth that Legitimate associations
in business and social affairs are ex-
cluded as evidence Of interference with
anothers domestic relations
Complainants Ready.
Under the present laws Of Georgia"
continued Mr.. Hudson, home Wrecking
is not a criminal offense The wronged
husband or wife can seek no legal re-
course except through a civil suit, and
we don't believe that monetary damages
can ever replace lost love- Neither do
we believe that home wreckers will be
restrained by the possibility Of q dam
age suit. They need to have a peni-
Tertiary sentence staring them in the
face before they'll be really impressed
with the sanctity of the home"
Scarcely had news Of the bill leaked
out before scores OF husbands and wives
began to telephone Mr.. Hudson's ONCE
They wanted to tell him about the need
Of such legislation and to see II the
particular home wrecker in their lives
couldn't be tried with the least possible
| delay and given the longest possible
prison terms. Several wives suggested
that the bill should provide the death
sentence for misunderstanding blonds
Later. when the Legislature became
so engrossed in balancing the State
budget that 1t forgot all about home
wreckers. steps were taken TO organize
| home-protectors' association and to
see that the bill becomes a law at the
next meeting Of the General Assembly
tcopyright 1917