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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 1916)
TIIE SUNDAY OREGOXTAN. rOKTLAXD, 3rAP.cn 5, 191 P. BIODELL SUIT ENDS RIDGEFIELD COUPLE ARE GOLDEN WEDDING HOSTS Property Rights Are Settled t Out of Court. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Morton Celebrate Anniversary Trip to West in Early Days Is Recalled Of 13 Children, Eight Are Alive. DECREE AWARDED TO WIFE All Counter-Charges Against Hus band Are Withdrawn Except That of Beating Her Wire tapping Probe Held TJp, id the publicity attendant upon the airing' of the domestic relations in open court case the Riddels to agree to an Unexpected settlement of their divorce case ye3terdayT This is a question being asked by Interested parties as a result of the quiet and unheralded default taken in the court of Circuit Judge Davis yes terday by Mrs. Marie Riddell. upon withdrawing her original answer to Alex G. Riddell's suit and filing an amended and cross-complaint. Property rights were settled outside of court, both parties agreeing to an equitable division of Mr. Riddell's es tate, valued at $12,000. No answer was made to the allegations in Mrs. Riddell's cross-complaint; she testified briefly that on two occasions her hus band had struck her; and a default was entered by Judge Davis. Sting Taken From Complaint. Compared to the original answer filed by Mrs. Riddell, and yesterday withdrawn from the court files, the amended answer and cross-complaint was inocuous, the sting having been removed. No reference was made to Dr. Anna M. Wheeler, Fan Murray or Elsie Walters. Mrs. Riddell alleged in her former newer that Mr. Riddell had left her beca"e of his infatuation for Dr. Wheeler. She named the other two women as co-respondents. In the amended answer Mrs. Riddell did not mention the alleged occurrence of her husband coming home late one night after having seen a woman Iriend, and, answering his wife's query as to his whereabouts with "It's none of your business. I do not intend to report my coming and going to you." This was alleged in the original an ewer. Beating la Only Charge Kept. All alleged as grounds for divorce is that on August 26. 1915. and on Sep tember 25, 1916, Mr. Riddell struck and beat his wife. For this cruel and in human treatment she prayed for relief from matrimonial bonds. The testimony of Mr. Riddell's friends as to Mrs. Riddell's frequent outbursts of temper, that went on record the opening of the trial last week, possibly was referred to in newspapers filed, which allege "that during the entire married life of the plaintiff and the defendant, the defendant has conducted herself as an affectionate wife, al though she has been compelled by rea son of the misconduct of the plaintiff from time to time to remonstrate with 3iim as to his conduct and mistreatment of her." Courtroom Doors Bolted. Circuit Judge Davis had adjourned court for the morning, and the doors of his courtroom were bolted, when Attorney Roger Slnnott with his client, Mrs. Riddell. and Attorneys W. A "arter and George Cameron for Mr. Tviddell, sought admittance. They had given the court no notice of their in tention to appear. Judge Davis resumed the bench, and the formalities were rushed through in a few moments. At torneys for both sides orally stipu lated that Mrs. Riddell might withdraw her answer from the files and file an amended answer and cross-complaint, and that property rights had been agreed upon outside of court. Mr. Riddell was not present, and Mrs. Riddell testified briefly to the cruel treatment of her spouse and won her decree by default. Wire-Tapping Probe Hailed. Further exposure of the alleged wire-tapping of the telephone In the office of Dr. Wheeler by agents of Mrs. Riddell, which Attorney Slnnott Pre dicted when the trial opened, were quashed so far as the divorce action is concerned. Mr. and Mrs. Riddell were married at Vancouver March 18, 1903. Mrs. Riddell brought suit for separate maintenance from her husband December 1. 1915. On December 29, 1915. Mr. Riddell filed a separate action against Mrs. Riddell, praying for a decree of divorce. The first suit of Mrs. Riddell Is ended by the settlement of the second, brought by her husband, but defaulted by him when she made a cross-complaint. Mr. Riddell Is secretary of the Lib erty Coal & Ice Company. The case went to trial before Judge Davis last Tuesday, and testimony for the defense was heard. Not relishing the attention attracted by the case, the parties agreed to a postponement thel day. following, and yesterday saw the settlement. r- v ' ' Jr.. , Q jj L In-- iriiinrr""rrii wir rrirtm' "m-r-r r-" f i " . J -i V t i ' - I - -' t ZZ- ", 3 i, t . If fq-1 y-. V X J' r'i'J ' , 1,1 - 4 4 r 1 t . s r r - -,n ; - I i -1' - . - , ' MIt. A5D MRS. JT. S. MORTOX AT TTU K OF TBETB WEIIMSG, A1VD TODAY, R. AND MRS. J. n MORTON cele- rated their 50th wedding anni versary recently at their home near Ridgefield.- Wash. Thirty-eight guests were present, including mem bers of the family and friends, A luncheon was served, followed by a pro gramme of speechmaklng and singing. John H. Morton and Matilda J. Brownlee were married February 15. 1866, at Colburn, Ind. Mr. Morton was 18 and Mrs. Morton 16 years of age at the time. They moved directly from there by rail to the end of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and by ox team 100 miles farther to Dunn County, Wisconsin, later living in Pierce County. In 1878 they moved to Athens. Ala.. returning to Wisconsin the same year. The lure of the West brought them to PERSONAL WORK TO START Christian Endeavor Union Campaign Begins Monday, March 13. Monday night, March IS. the Port land Christian Endeavor Union will start its personal workers' class. It will be held four Monday nights, and will ena April s. Dr. George B. Pratt has been secured as the leader. Last year the Tacoma Y. M. C. A. paid his expenses to come to that city to lead such a class. Thl3 effort comes as the result of repeated requests from Endeavor mem bers in all parts of the city. Last year at the close or the Union s expert class. which never had an attendance of less than 60, the members asked for a per Fonal workers' class in the Spring. It is expected that Endeavor members generally will respond, and that 100 or more will attend each of the meet ings. The Epworth League of the Meth odist Episcopal Church held a meeting on ponesaay. iuiss .Dorothy Larsen and Miss Stella Arnold had charge of the supper. Election of officefs re sulted as follows: President,' Hubert Scott; vice-president. Richard Thomn- son; second vice-president. Miss Stella Arnold: third vice-president, Mrs. Pryan; fourth vice-president, Edith inompson; secretary, B. T. Snodgress Treasurer, oooert romeroy. and pii 1st. Rath Workman. Dr. C. O. McCul loch gave an address. . ine ceacon idgnts class or the First Lnitea iireinren Church held Its sec ond anniversary on February 29. J. R. Mann was toastmaster. Among those who responded to toasts were J. E. jienKie, nay etewart. .Mrs. E. B. Clark, Jtev. J. u. Jsisewomier. J. L. Zeigle ana u. -i i. jviana- Dr. Sowers Will Speak. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON. Eugene. March 4. (Special.) Dr. Don C. BnJ. Vrs of the commerce department, has accepted an invitation to repeat his lecture, "In the Heart of China" this Time oeiore the Portland chanter the Institute of Bank Clerks, Tuesday evening, March 14. at the regular jBoniniy meeting or the organization. M' Oregon In 1887. where they lived In Montavllla.. Portland, and Beaverton until four years ago, when they moved to their present home. Mr. Morton served In- the Civil War in the l4th Indiana Regiment of the Army or the Potomac. Thirteen children were born to them, of which eight are now living, as fol lows: Mrs. Flora Morton, Ridgefield; EtTle Eaton, Ellsworth. Wis.; Ida. Mc Breen, Beaverton, Or.: John, : Anna Wood and Fred. Ridgefield; Orpha Ayers, Portland, and Harry, who is still at home. They now have 27 grand children and five great-grandchildren. One daughter. Birdie, was shot In Mon tavilla, Portland, by Burdette Wolf in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Morton started together in their teens with an ox team and sled, but now, past their three-score and ten, are driving a small auto. CATHOLIC OPINION UPON BIRTH CONTROL IS GIVEN Noted Theologian's View, as Set Forth Authoritatively, Is Published by Request. The Orcgonian has received from re sponsible Catholic sources a request for publication of the appended article on birth control, from the pen of Rev. John A. Ryan, D. D-, a noted Catholic theologian of St. Paul, Minn. It is said to be a correct and authoritative state ment of the Catholic view of the birth control a subject which has recently stirred up controversy In Portland. It is printed in lieu of other letters on birth control received from several priests and from other persons: Invitation la Declined. To Clara Gruening Stillman, secre tary Birth Control League: My Dear Madam: A careful, searching memory and an anxious examination of con science have not enabled me to discover anv act or utterance of mine which would justify you in expecting that I should consider favorably your invita tion, which I have received, to become a member of the Birth Control League. 1 regard the practice which your organ ization desires to promote as immoral, degrading and stupid. The so-called contraceptive devices are intrinsically immoral because they involve the un natural use, the perversion of a human faculty. One of the most lmponani human faculties Is used in such a way as to frustrate its natural end. Sucn conduct is quite as immoral as self mutilation, or the practice of solitary vice. Any person who rejects this fundamental moral principle concern ing the wrongfulnes of perverting a faculty, must logically hold that there is no such thing as intrinsic immorality-, that moral badness is always iden tical with individual disutility, and that anything is right which any individual thinks is useful tor mm. Condemnation Is Strong. The practice in question is degrad ing because it perverts conjugal inter course from co-operation (potential if not actual) with the Creator into mere means of sensual gratification. It brings them down to the level of mu tual instruments or indulgence. xne disgusting calculation and repulsive artifice which characterize the various contraceptive devices, tend inevitably to diminish conjugal reverence, sen respect and mutual respect. It is doubtful whether any normal man or woman ever began such practices wltn out suffering a severe moral shock, or continued them without serious moral degeneration. It is not surprising that men and women who thus pervert one of the highest functions of life and the most intimate relation of marriage, should grow obtuse in their perceptions of the sacredness and exclusiveness of wedlock, and of the binding character of conjugal obligation. It is not i mere coincidence that childless marri ages and one or two-child marriages should form such a large proportion of the cases in which divorce is sought on statutory grounds.' incidentally. would observe that, so far as I know, Dhvslcians are practically unanimous in declaring that all the contraceptive practices are in some degree Injurious to health. Practices Held Stupid. "These practices are stupid because they are so evidently subversive of the end wnlcn tne .tsirtn v-ontroi oeague nrofesses to promote, namely human welfare. And the advocates thereof are shortsighted and superficial. They have not learned the obvious lessons of human history, nor grasped the fundamental facts of human psychol ogy. They fail to realize the Inevitable by-producta of the practice. It is orobablv true that if the poorest labor ers could restrict the sise of their fam ilies, they could raise the standard of living, and increase to some degree their material welfare. "But this is only one of the conse quences. When we take a comprehen sive view of the situation we find that any group, class or nation, that once becomes addicted to the use of contra ceptives does not give it up after the immediate material ends have been at tained. They are not content to take advantage of these devices merely un til they have reached a level of rea sonable comfort. They continue them in the interests of ease and luxury. This Is what has happened and what is happening in those sections of the middle and upper classes that have adopted the abominable vice, and there is no good reason to hope that the poorer classes would fail to follow their example. Some Kffects Set Forth. - 'Now, the restriction of the number of children to one, two or three for the sake of ease and material satisfaction Inevitably produces a disinclination to endure hardship, an Inability to put forth painful effort, and a general weakening of moral fiber. This means a- decline in every sort of efficiency; ror tne capacity to endure and the abil ity to do without, will forever remain the essential conditions of achievement. Talk as we will about 'the joy of work," the sober fact is that every kind of labor Involves painful exertion if it is carried on continuously, effectively, and up to the lmit of one a capacity. There are few, if any, active persons who would not find it more pleasant to di minish considerably the amount of time and effort that they spend at their tasks. Now, a social practice, like the use of contraceptives, which aims at a life of ease and a shirking of unDleas- ant duties reduces fatally the power of endurance, and the ability to carry on sustained and effective labor. It af fects the lew children that are born even more than the parents; for it de prlves them of the necessary training In endurance, and keeps before them the bad example of their luxury-loving elders. They are not only small in quantity, but poor in quality: that is. in moral quality, which is the supreme human quality. The social grouD that nas tnus weakened its moral fiber, in evitably declines in social power and importance. Witness the decadence of the New England strain in our own population; the condition of the French nation, as described and deplored by such authorities as the great economist. P. Leroy-Beaulieu; and the imminent degeneration that threatens certain sec tions of the English speaking peoples in more man one country, as set rorth in detail by Mr. Beale in his 'Racial Decay. Laboring Class Discussed. "I have no Intention of denying that large sections of the laboring class have only too much opportunity to culti vate their capacity for endurance. They would be not only more comfortable but more efficient if this opportunity were considerably diminished. But the only safe way to bring about this re sult is by bettering their condition economically. The remedy advocated by the Birth Control League is futile and disastrous, inasmuch as, in the long run, and sometimes in the 'short run.' it impels its votaries to the other ex treme, to the pursnit of ease and lux ury, and to the adoption of ideals and practices which inevitably produce moral deterioration and as serious de cline in efficiency. Wherever the small family cult is practiced, it is both the effect and cause of a conception of life which regards an Indefinite in crease of material satisfactions and sensations as the highest good. It in volves the most far-reaching exempli fication that the world has known of what Carlyle called 'plg-pHllosophy.' Why should we be in haste to fasten this curse upon the laboring classes? Until such time as the poorest laborers are put in possession of living wages, they have within their power an en- 1 J, Modtt SS f. o. b. Toitda No Advance In Price The rice of the big, powerful Overland Six (Model 86) wiH not be advanced. Prices of other Sixes are advancing. Prices of Sizes recently announced on new models, are higher. In fact, comparatively nguring'prices of practically all Sixes are now far in excess of the Overland. On the basis of present prices of raw materials a Six of th Overland quality would have to sell at a much higher price. But due to a little foresight in purchasing we escaped having to pay premiums for raw materials hence the price of the Overland Six is not increased. - This in spite of the fact that prices of ell steels are up from 100 tq 150; that the price of aluminum has gone from about 20 cents a pound to over 50 cents a pound; that the price of copper has more than doubled ; that tires and other accessories have tad a sharp advance. We cannot guar ant co that this present price of $1145 will hold indefinitely. The serious condition of tho material market makes that impossible. But the quality Is not lowered; and for the present price is not advanced. Just compare the size, power, flexibility and quality of the Overland Six motor; the length of the whcelbase the seating capacity, the finish, the equipment, the comforts, the con veniences and improvements of the Overland Six with all others and you'll find no valid reason for paying more than $1145 fo a six cylinder automobile. Deliveries cow. J. W. LEAVITT & CO, Distributors Broadway at Davis St. Portland, Or. Phone Broadway 3S3S The Willys-Overland Company; Toledo; Ohio " Made la U. ft, A." tirely innocent means of keeping down the number of thier offspring, namely, conjugal abstinence. Those parents who have sufficient moral strength to adopt this means will be in no danger of character-degeneration through the presence of a small Instead of a large family. Those who do not feel equal to this sacrifice can not afford to run the risk ' of the moral deterioration which follows the use of contracep tives. They need that natural and com pulsory form of self-denial which a large family Involves. I am well aware that it is easy to find exceptions to the dire consequences that I have attrib uted to the practice of the small family cult: but my statements apply to large social groups, and assume that the practice is maintained through two or three generations. In these conditions experience has shown, and continues to show, that the thing is socially disas trous. Church Will Ever Oppose. "Were 1 a believer in the doctrine that "the end Jutlfles the means," I should, as a Catholic, rejoice In every extension of the nefarious practices ad vocated by the Birth Control League. For 1 should feel assured that every such extension was hastening the day when Catholics would become the pre dominant element in our population. Already the tendency in this direction has been considerably accelerated through the prevalence of the small familv cult among non-Catholics. Un fortunately many Catholics have been, to some extent, contaminated by the bad example set in this matter by their separated, brethren. Nevertheless, the extent to'which the Catholics will be come addicted to this vice will always remain relatively insignificant. For the church will forever oppose it as something intrinsically and eternally immoral, and will deprive those' who Dersist in it of access to the sacra ments. In the struggle for existence which the use of contraceptives has created, the Catholic element in our population will survive because It Is the fittest to survive; that is. because the Catholic element will retain and sustain those moral qualities that are the chief factor in fitness for survival among human beings. Tho mass of Catholics will continue to cultivate those qualities which are the only safe guard against the development of rot ten hearts ana riaooy intellects, cath olics will have not only the quantity the numbers, but the quality as well; for in the nurture of human beings quality cannot be maintained without quantity. The clearest proof of this statement is the fact that, as between. say one hundred large families of the poor and an equal number of the middle class families who represent the second generation of the votaries of the smaii-iamiiy cuil, a a . i hoi "i. , the efficient and achieving persons will arise out of the former group, than out of the latter group. "I am invited to send two dollars for membership in tho Birth Control League. 1 must respecnuuy omun, 1 . - . t. A.-a-,r l that T Vl D H TTIlirh Willi i.il J vmdo. . ab.ui. rather give the money to an organiza tion for tne Training w pi It would aid in the development of at least some manly and human qualities. "Yours, 'more in sorrow, than in anger,' JOHN A. RYAN. D. D." OREGON DRIVE ADVERTISED Eastern Magazines Giving Space to Columbia Klver Highway. World's Work and the National Geographio Society's magazine are giving the Columbia Highway extended notice in their publications according to a telegram received at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday from S. C. Lancaster, who is In Boston. Mr. Lancaster's telegran. which outlines graphically the interest . that Boston has shown in the great Western high way, says: '"The World's Work is preparing an extensive Illustrated article of the Co lumbia River Highway. The National Geography also gives an extended notice. Houston, president of the Ad Clubs of the world, favors repeating Washington stunt at tne national con vention, Philadelphia, in June. Com mittee' meets ten days hence. Boston Chamber of Commerce gave a luncheon in my honor today. Pilgrim Publicity Association hears me Saturday noon. Boston Press Club entertains at lunch eon at 1 o'clock, kindness of Filene returning courtesy of Portland Cham ber, kindness of Julius Meier in drive over Columbia River Highway. Berger Jones pctures made splendid irapres slon here as elsewhere." Interest in Primaries Keen. ABERDEEN, Wash., March 4. (Spe cial. Keen interest Is being manifested in the city primary election to be held here Tuesday, at which Republicans will nominate a Treasurer. Clerk, Po lice Judge and six Councilmen. The hardest fight is between T. H. Hill. Incumbent, and E. B. Crary for City Treasurer. Portland to San Francisco in 30 Hours THE NORTH BANK ROAD and S. S. NORTHERN PACIFIC Steamer Express leaves 9 A. M., and S. S. Northern Pacific Sails SATURDAY, MARCH 11, and thereafter EVERY SATURDAY, to SAN FRANCISCO. FARES, including Meals and Berth First Class, outside room, ?20; inside room, $17.50. Tourist, outside room, $15.00; inside room, $12.50. Third Class, $8. THROUGH TICKETS TO LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO AND OTHER ' CALIFORNIA POINTS. COMBINATION STEAMER AND RAIL -AND ALL-STEAMER ROUTES. c a i nirrn rvnnciTinM Dedication March 18. Tickets and Reservations at NORTH BANK OFFICE, 5th and Stark; 3d and Morrison, 100 3d st. and 348 Wash. st. Bwdy. 920 A 6671 S. S. Great Northern from San Francisco for Los Angeles and Honolulu, March 6 and 24. - Phone Your Want Ads to The Ore? onian Main 7070 A 6095 ' .