Evening star., 1936-12-27

and wives.
In all, l have succeeded in bringing about
approximately 5000 reoonciliations. Sevent}
per cent of those where children were involved
have been permanent. and 40 to so per cen
where there were no children. u
One time fine young couple, both collegd
graduates. fought their case out before me
l tried to reconcile them, but apparently
failed. The divorce was granted and theyy|
went their way. A year later they came I'd
me, second marriage license in hand, and
asked me to tie the knot. gladly did. and thu
lawyer for the complainant was the best man
They told me that the reconciliation tall 4
had impressed both very deeply, although 4
each was too stubborn to give in at first. Ye i
that which had apparently failed had. afte 4
all, succeeded. 4
On another occasion reconciled couple
celebrated the defeat of their divorce ventura
by staging big dinner in the Chicago stee
mill district. Their six children and hos 4
of relatives were there, and was the guest o
honor!
Not long before his death. the late Juliu j
Rosenwald, mail-order magnate. visited my
court and witnessed the procession of tragedyo
Then took him in with me. and he sat in
corner apparently buried in book while
attempted to reconcile warning family. HI
was so impressed that he wanted to start Z
campaign for better marriage and divorce
laws, offering to finance the drive to the extent
of 100000 year if would leave the benclo
and direct it. But felt could do better work !
in court than out.
try to apply psychology to the task o
reconciliation, and it works. l have my
chambers, or private Office. fitted up as a
living room - curtains at windows, picture&l
on the walls, flowers on the table and easHj
chairs about. even have fireplace, with
imitation embers ready to blaze effectively
whenever push the button!
When case comes before me that ism :
hopeless, or where children are involved, n
take a recess, signal the lawyers and wit
nesses to stay where they are, and beckon thu
estranged couple to follow me. They ART
bewildered, at first, at being taken into whaz
seems home. but put them at their ease. 4
"Sit down, friends" l say as genially att
know how. "You must be tired and worn. ii
want to visit with you for little while"
Then reach into niy desk and pull QUIZ
two boxes - cigars for him, candy for herb
Then walk to the window.
What fine day it is!' may remark
I'D like to be out in the country, wouldn't
you? BY the way, I'd like to hear about you|
children"
hear of Harold, fine chap, and Eileen
her mothers helper. Then there's chubby
Junior and little Betty.
The tension eases. A little banter and d
smile or two - and then 60 to the heart o1
the matter:
You two were really in love when you
married, weren't you? You wouldn't have
had such fine children if not. God gives
such children only to those who really care
for each other"
Another moment of silence, and continue
in this wise:
1--WE called you in here because l want
you to understand the true situation before
grant this divorce. You're tearing apart
the very fabric of your love, which has bound
your hearts together.
Worse than all, you're soaring forever
the lives of these children. You're depriving
them of fathers and mothers love together
(Confinvsd on pose 15)
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