NO MORE CHILDREN

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 33, 24 January 1929, Page 6

NO MORE CHILDREN

JUDGE'S UNIQUE ORDER

A decision unique'in the annals of American courts was given in Cleveland, Ohio, by Common Pleas Judge Harrison W. Ewing, who imposed a stipulation of " three; yeaTS without: more childhen" on Mr and Mrs Otto Kourin when the couple applied to him

for a divorce.

"I shall.not allow you to impose more children upon yourselves or upon society," Judge JEwing told the couple. "I therefore refuse the divorce and impose upon you three years of birth control."

It was stated in Court that the couple have three children and the Judge added: "Three children in ■.three years should not be allowed." The husband's salary is but 25 dollars weekly.

The Kourims eloped^ and were married on November 6, 1923, Kourim then being 22 and his wife 17.

' ' The most difficult problem that can be presented to a Cfourt" the judge said "is that in which there are children involved. They are the most important principals in the case. When this couple ran away it was a gay adventure. Both were ignorant of matrimonial problems and child care. When the first <shild was one year old some Court could have given them a lesson in birth control at that time. - They were before a juvenile court at that tjme. It was a shame they were not given lessons. It was evident that the woman could not raise one child successfully. The couple needed two lessons —a high school course and marriage preparation. The second was a medical course on how to get along with a small family while the husband was still earn ing, a small salary."

Judge Ewing sent the couple home. j A controversy is raging "on the decision and its implactions. Judge Lindsey, the champion of " companionate marriages" is opposed to, compulsory birth control. The leading advocates of birth control in New York say Judge Ewing did a noble thing. Mormon Church leaders ridicule the decision and one said. "There was a time when the Mormons were ridiculed for practising polygamy, but the way affairs are going now I think I can say without fear of successful contradiction that the Mormon Church is the only one fostering' monagamy. ,

Writing to a friend in Petone Sir j. G. "Ward states: "I am glad to say I am keeping lit and^well, and am finding no difficulty in standing up to the cares and duties of office."