The Richmond Palladium And Sun Telegram

JUDGE ADVOCATES
PUBLICITY CURE

Used as Precaution Against Fraud in Actions for Divorce, He Says

SEPARATIONS
TOO
EASY

SPOKANE, WASH., JUSTICE TAKES THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND DECIDES TO PUT A FEW OBSTACLES IN WAY.

(American News Service)
Spokane, Wash., Aug. 8.—Publicity as a precaution against fraud in actions for divorce is advocated by Presiding Judge J. D. Hinkle of the superior court of Spokane county, who announces that the rule permitting 30 days to elapse between the filing of the suit and the trial of the case undoubtedly will be adopted by judges in Spokane county, going into effect on November 1.

Judge Hinkle, who has studied the question for years, also advocates the reforms in requirements and procedure in divorce cases not only in this county, but all over the country.

Six months or a year between the time of separation and filing of complaint in actions on grounds of cruelty and non support.

Two years' residence in the state to enable a former non resident to sue for divorce.

Interlocutory decree of divorce not to be made final until six months or a year after the trial of the case.

Requirement that parties may not remarry within a year of the granting of the divorce.

"The requirement now is that a suit be filed at least five days before the trial," Judge Hinkle said. "It used to be that a case would be started one day and rushed to trial on the next. Publicity was dodged and often a year would pass before relatives or friends of a couple knew they had been legally separated.

"The system followed in several states of granting an interlocutory decree at the time of trial, which does not become final except through the act of the petitioner, six months or a year later, would also be an advantage. Many reconciliations might take place under such conditions, which are prevented now by the divorce becoming final immediately after it is granted."