Evening star., 1938-12-13
Women Line Up
Against Virginia
Marriage Mills
Clubs to Support
New Law os Quick
Weddings Increase

Although legislation to slow down
Virginias new marriage mills can
not be enacted before 1910, a cam
paign to line UP women's clubs be-
hind such measure is to be begun
at once.
Meanwhile, reports today indicate
that Alexandria, Winchester and
Northern Virginia communities are
receiving more and more of the
quick-marriage trade diverted from
Maryland by new law requiring 48
hours notice of intentions before a
couple can be wed.
In Alexandria yesterday % cou-
Piles obtained licenses to wed-a new
all-time record for Monday mar
rlages in that city, while it was said
that sc licenses were issued last
week as compared with 20 the preyi-
GUS week.
AT Winchester records revealed
that all except four of the 2l
licenses issued there on SATURDAY.
were granted to non-residents from
Maryland, West Virginia and Penn
Sylvania.
Other communities likewise re-
ported a slow but steady increase in
the issuance of licenses since the
Maryland law became effective on
Thursday-this despite the fact that
nothing has been done to encourage
couples to come to Virginia from out
of the State.
Pastor Gives Opinion.
The Rev. w. Clark Main, pastor
OF the Arlington Methodist Church
and former president of the Arling-
ton County Ministerial Union, said
today that the assistance of the
Women's club undoubtedly will be
required If law requiring a notice
OF intentions as prerequisite to
marriage is to be enacted when the
Legislature meets again in 1910.
He said that the support of these
clubs will be sought and that an i'm
mediate move to that end is to be
begun in an effort to build up senti-
ment sufficient to convince the Vir-
glnia General Assembly that "Gret-
ma Greens" and marriage marts"
are distasteful to a majority of Old
Dominion residents.
"The ministers throughout the
state are opposed to such marriages,
but with the exception of those in
Rlchmonds Alexandria and Airing
ton County they are not we'll Or
ganlzed and would make little head
way in advocating a law that would
require notice of Intentions" he
said.
That was proven at the 1898
legislative session, when a bill of
that type failed. 1t appeared then
that many Virginians, particularly
in the rural areas, felt that there
was no need for a change in the
existing law"
In Alexandria sentiment against
turning that city into a "Gretna
Green such as Elkton was before
Maryland's new law became effec-
tive continued to mount today.
Mayor Says He Is Powerless.
Mayor Richard L. Ruffner said he
had received complaints from both
cltlzens and the clergy, but declared
he is powerless to act.
There is nothing we can do
about lt-as much as we would like
TO- the Mayor declared. 1T is not
a local sltuation-the State is re-
sponsible. Well just have to take
1t and like it," I guess"
Represented among the % COUPLES
wed in Alexandria yesterday were
the Safes of New York, New Hamp-
shire. New Jersey, Connecticut
pennsylvania, Florida and Mary
land.
Elliott F Hoffman. clerk to the
Corporation Court, said yesterdays
sale exceeded by more than 20" the
usual days output of his Office.
He declared his Office will continue
its policy of refusing to issue
licenses between the closing hour of
AIS pm. and the opening hour of
am.
Alexandria police denied thev
have received any report that one
OF Elkton's marrying parsons" had
set up business in that city and is
operating without clergyman's
license from the court.