FULL TEXT: Des Moines – Charles L. Beckler, Waterloo attorney and next to the youngest member of the Iowa house of representatives [District 66, Democrat], never has tried a breach of promise suit.
What’s more, he doesn’t want to.
And if the
legislature approves the Black Hawk county representative’s proposal, he never
will be called upon to try one, for there won’t be any. Neither will there be
alienation of affection suits or damage actions for seduction if the woman
involved is 21 years old.
~ TOUGH ON PLAINTIFFS ~
In fact any person who files such suits; or
even threatens to file them, will be subject to a fine and a prison sentence.
And to round out his plan for reforming
Iowa’s social laws – major measure of this nature thus far introduced in the
general assembly – Beckler would prohibit naming of correspondents in divorce
cases except at the request of the defendant and upon order of the judge.
While his proposal is “reform,” Beckler, who
gained his assembly seat by defeating Arch W. McFarlane of Waterloo,
23-year-old assembly veteran, insists he is no “reformer.”
~ LEGAL “EXTORTION” ~
“Breach of promise, seduction and alienation
of affection suits,” he declared, “are nothing but legalized extortion in 99
cases out of 100. And usually the 100th case is inspired by revenge.
“These civil actions for damages have
provided the means for a vicious racket throughout our country and it’s time we
stopped it.”
“If a
woman’s heart can be mended by money, then it seems to me it couldn’t have been
broken badly. If money is heart balm, then why do men seldom file suits to get
it? Their hearts, it seems to me, are just as subject to breakage as women’s.
“These statutes simply are not fair.”
Beckler, 27, slender, dark, studious, and
married, cited the case of Alfred E. Smith, jr.
“That is an example of what I’m trying to
wipe out,” he said. “A shyster attorney and a racketeering private detective
combined with a woman to bleed young Smith by threatening to expose his
indiscretions.
“He lost his wife by divorce. But he also
paid and paid until he couldn’t pay any longer trying to protect his family
from scandal. Finally he revolted and the lawyer and detective were convicted
of extortion.
“Even when such suits are not promoted by
racketeers, they usually are inspired by a blind attempt to get revenge and end
up by injuring everyone involved.
“Beckler’s proposal to prohibit naming of
correspondents in divorce cases is aimed at preventing unnecessary scandal”
which more often than not also besmirches husband, wife and children, if there
are any, alike.
So far, Representative Beckler has refrained
from any house oratory.
“I’m content to visit around and get
acquainted,” he said.
His visiting, around, he added “indicates
this bill has a pretty good chance to pass the house. I’ve found support for it
in quarters I never expected to find it.”
[“Why
Iowa Legislator Seeks To Bar Breach of
Promise Suits - Waterloo Attorney Terms Such Actions As Pure Swindle - Also
Seeking To Prevent Damage Actions For Seduction,” syndicated (AP), Carroll
Daily Herald (Io.), Feb. 15, 1937, p. 4]
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For more on the Heart Balm Racket, see:
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[444-3/20/21]
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