RENO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15581, 3 April 1911, Page 10

RENO.

Boston - Globe.'") "When the Act cf Nevada State Legislature, prohibiting gambling of SlI kinds, was put into effect on October 1, J 910, all persons interested in that much-heralded city of divorces expected to hear the death knell of Reno as a live, thriving city. And, but for the divorce colony of Reno, some 200 in number, the little city located on the edge of the Nevada desert, surrounded by vast areas of chaparral and sage, would have almost disappeared from public notice. Undaunted by the decision of a New York Court that divorce decrees given by a Nevada Court will not be recognised in New York, and not discouraged by tbe statement that they may be arrested and sentenced to serve terms in prison for bigamy if they remarry and return to tbeir home State, divorcees continue to flock into Reno. There are never less than 200 in the city, and hardly a day parses without two or more complaints being filed. Other events come and go in Reno, but the divorcees seom to stay for ever. Prominent ones and unimportant ones will secui tbeir decrees and migrate, but still they come. When some very prominent woman secures her decree and takes the next train from the city, people think that there is no more interest in the divorcees now thac Miss Importance is gone, but soon there is another just as important to take her place. NO CHANGE WANTED. There is only one thing that will put an end to Reno's divorce industry, and that is for the Legislature to make a term of service longer or otherwise amend tbe divorce laws. That this will be done does not seem probable. The business men do not want the laws changed, the lawyers protest against any change, and even the ministers would not like to see them more stringent as they would result in fewer marriages, and accordingly in slimmer purses ror those wearing the holy cloth. The divorcees declare that they prefer the justice of Nevada's laws to lives ol misery, shame or perhaps crime often forced upon unhappy married folks in the Empire State. The more fortunate divorcees toil not. They simply spend their time in idleness, in autoing, giving • teas or bridge oarties, riding or driving or swimming at Moano Springs and Laugbton's. They ride and drive or five parties by day, and by night they attend the theatres dressed in tlieir finest Parisian, or New York gowns and then later sup at the Thomas, in what is known as the " Divorcon room, a part of the restaurant built by the proprietor of tho placo since the divorce business became brisk. They are the envy of all the foolish girls "on account of thoir fine gowns and hats, and. in the mad race to keep up with them in the way of costumes the ladies of the city draw lavishly on the family bank account. Just aa a business man remarked a few nights ago while standing in front of the Majestic Theatre watching a crowd enter: "Nowhere will you find a<j many elegantly dressed women in a small "city as in Reno. Many of them cannot afford it. but they want to look as nice i»„the way of clothes as Mrs Cullen, Mrs M'Kim, Mrs Lamp, or Mrs Scmcbodyelse. t tell you it keeps many of us broke dressing our wives since these divorcees came to town." DIVORCEES WHO WORK. Stepping down from those, divorcees of the richer class, there are hundreds that people know nothing about until they file their complaints or their cases are' tried. They are -working in the hotels as bell boys and waiters, as chamber maids and rouseabouts, in the restaurants as waiters, in the millinery shops, in the department stores, clothing stores and E r °cery stores. Some are bartenders, somo barbers, some are janitors. ~ It is estimated by many of the busi- | ness men of Reno that, taking it altogether, averaging the rich divorcees j with the poor and middle class, on an I average £2O per month, is spent by || every person, coming into Reno to seek I a separation. Figuring that there are jj about 200 all the time, which is a small II estimate, it makes about £4OOO in outI side money continually coming into tbe 3 city. j i This is divided among the lawyers, (| business men. tho livery men, the auto 1 drivers, and in fact every profession in [j trade. There is no gainsaying the fact || that the divorce business moans a good I deal in a financial way to the city. H The opponents of the divorce laws of :| Nevada say. whilo admitting that it I means much to the city financially, ij that it is corrupting tho morals of the • women and children and spoiling the j lives of young men. It is making marI riage a mockery and is placing a pre'l mium on affinities. Is this true or is it i just a theory? U It is true that many women come to l\ Reno seeking divorces for the purpose ■ of GETTING RID OF AN UNDESIRABLE MATE, I perhaps because he is not rapid enough to keep up their pace, perhaps because he is too old or because he has not sufficient money. These divorcees usually have an affinity awaiting them, and on securing I her " decree the divorce makes her way to the place where her affinity is longing and waiting and they are married. Then they leave Reno behind them forever and catch the first limited for New Y T ork or some other eastern citv-

There are some young women, mostly chorus girls, who come hero for divorces, leaving their intended husbands in New York. They dress richly and, of course, they have many admirers among the young men of the city, and they lead these young men a merry chase and a g?.y life. Now that the objectionable feature of the divorce colony in Reno has been discuGsod, let a word he said about the other phase of the question and the colony. There are many deserving cases hero. Some are young girls who have been lured into foolish marriages by money or the desire to be up in society. Others are led into their matrimonial alliances not knowing the nature of their husbands. There are men and women in Reno who claim on going on the witness stand to testify "in their divorce cases and who swear'in their complaints that they have LIVED IN FEAR OK THEIR LIVES and in constant misery since their wedding. They all declare that they are thankful that thero are divorce laws like Nevada's, which will give the m relief. Very few of the divorcees coming here have childron, and when they have the courts always see that these childron are provided for before a decree is granted. The Reno lawyers claim that the New York laws force men and women to commit murders and adulteries, while the Nevada laws prevent both. They admit that the laws may be abused, but say that it is better that they be abused than that there be no haven for these mismated couples. Nevada is censured by other States and the decrees of her courts arc declared void, but still the divorcees come and still the Nevada people declare that the laws are just and merciful aud should not be changed.