1922

Laurens L. Henderson, our judge emeritus of the Superior Court of Arizona, retired from the bench in 1974, but not before he had received wide acclaim for his work against the deplorable divorce epidemic now sweeping U.S. society. The present national rate of 44 divorces for every 100 marriages has almost doubled since 1965, and is now four times higher than divorce rates in France and Japan. In early recognition of this trend, the Arizona legislature in 1962 passed an enactment authorizing Superior Judges in any county to activate a Court of Conciliation. Larry, while continuing his duties as a Superior Court trial judge, was designated in 1964 as the first judge of this new judicial facility in Maricopa County, that is the city of Phoenix and much adjacent territory.

After some years of experience in this supplementary responsibility, Larry wrote an article which appeared in the Journal of theJudicature Society under the title of "Marriage Counseling in a Court of Conciliation." A precis of that article follows.

The purpose of the Court in dealing directly with the two spouses is to preserve the home unit and to resolve the marital difficulties regardless of whether a divorce action is pending. The staff under the Judge's direction consists of a director of conciliation and four highly trained, experienced counselors. Nearly 60 per cent of the cases received by the court are referred to it by lawyers. The counseling service is without cost to the parties involved; the county bears the expense, and the benefits to the couples, the children and the community are considered as far exceeding the monetary outlay.

Surveys have shown 83 per cent of the reconciled couples as still living together one or more years later. Thousands of minor children have been involved and helped. The direct benefits of successful counseling will be reflected in less juvenile deliquency, less juvenile crime, less welfare payments for neglected children, and less of the other pathetic consequences resulting from broken homes.

The Class adds its own accolade and thanks Larry for his meaningful work in the preservation of families. (What would we do without them?) Larry and Mary Alice, themselves have been married for 48 years. They have two sons: Laurens Jr., a University of Arizona graduate, and Charles F. '62. The family has lived in Phoenix since 1939 when they moved from Indianapolis, and Larry was an Arizona Superior Court Judge for 15 years. And now, a most happy retirement to our Hendersons.

Obviously, the '22 class scribbler does not subscribe to the Journal of the JudicatureSociety, but Haskell Cohn does, and he receives thanks for sending in that august publication with Larry's highly appreciated article.

Yes indeed, Twoters, times have certainly changed and today's brightest and best young people are surpassing our generation in everything. For instance, a cursory review of our '22 records indicates that our meagre rate of divorce was approximately 2 per 100 marriages. We and our good wives must have been doing something right or there would be no younger generation.

Admittedly, however, the accuracy of 1922's class records is another cup of tea. Believe it or not, there are even a few classmates with children - in one or two cases, four or five children by name - with no name for wife, nor date and place of marriage. Give the benefit of doubt and regard it as male chauvinism rather than plain carelessness. After all these years it might be benevolent to legalize the family. That all of us can do by completely filling out - both sides, front and back - and returning the questionnaire we have received from Mike McGean, Secretary of the College. The Class does not want you to be omitted from the forthcoming 1976 Alumni Directory of Dartmouth College.

Finally, every Twoter has received the letter and the folder from Dave Orr, Assistant Secretary of the College, describing the 1976 Post 50-Year Reunion on June 14-15-16. If you plan to be there for these happy dates - and we surely hope you do - now is the time to detach the post card from the folder and send it in. You don't even have to put a stamp on the card.

Secretary, 11 Brockway Road Hanover, N.H. 03755

Treasurer, 48 Fairgreen Place, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167