The Case of the Singing Skirt Read Online Free PDF Page A

gambling debts cannot be recovered, and since the gambling activity is against public policy, the courts leave the parties in the same status where they find them.
    "However, as your attorney will tell you, in California where we have community property-that is, property which is acquired after marriage as the result of the joint efforts of the husband and wife-the husband has the care and management of the community property. In business transactions it is presumed that his judgment is binding upon the wife. But he does not have authority to give away the property of the community or to squander it without a consideration.
    "So in a case where your husband lost community property gambling, you may well be able to recover it."
    "What are you telling her?" Alton asked angrily.
    "I'm telling her," Mason said, "to make a note of a most interesting case, the case of Novo versus Hotel Del Rio, decided May 4, 1956, and reported in 141 C.A. 2nd at page 304. It's in 295 Pac. 2nd 576. In that case it was held that a husband has no right to gamble with the community property. His action is not binding on the wife. She can follow the community funds and recover them from the gambler who won them."
    "What the hell are you talking about?" Jebley Alton said. "A decision like that… why, that would put gambling out of business."
    "I suggest you look up the decision," Mason said. "It's an interesting law point. It may well put certain types of gambling out of business."
    "What were those figures again?" Mrs. Ellis asked.
    "141 C.A. 2nd 304," Mason said, "295 Pac. 2nd 576. Ask your lawyer to look up the decision."
    Mason turned to George Anclitas. "I'll be in touch with your attorney about Miss Robb's claim for damages on defamation of character and on being discharged without cause, on being thrown out with only the sheerest of garments to cover her body.
    "And as far as you're concerned, Mrs. Ellis, I would suggest that you get an attorney, preferably someone who is not living in Rowena and dependent on the local political machine for any favors."
    Mrs. Ellis said with feeling, "If that's the law, if wives can get back what their husbands lose in these joints, there's going to be a cleanup in Rowena. I know a dozen women who are fighting mad over the way this thing's been run and the way their bank accounts melt away only to reappear in the hands of these men who run dives of this sort."
    "It's a thought," Mason said. "The situation has very great possibilities, and that decision of the court may have far-reaching repercussions. Perhaps your attorney would like to appear before one of the local women's clubs and give a talk on California law and the management of community property."
    Mrs. Ellis said, "I'm tremendously indebted to you, Mr. Mason."
    "Not at all," Mason said.
    "This guy's nuts," George Anclitas said to Mrs. Ellis. "I don't know what his idea is in filling you up with this stuff but I know what the law is. I've been in the gambling business for a long time and… "
    His voice trailed away into silence as he got a look at Jebley Alton's face.
    "What the hell, Jeb!" he said. "You don't think there's anything to that cock-and-bull theory, do you? I know what the law is in regard to gambling."
    Jebley Alton said thoughtfully, "Apparently this case was decided in regard to community property. It may be there's a quirk in the law that-I'll go up to the office and look up the decision."
    "You do that," Mason said, smiling. "It is a very interesting case."
    George turned to Mrs. Ellis. "Now, you look here, Mrs. Ellis," he said, "you and I aren't going to get at loggerheads with each other. My attorney's going to look up that decision. There's no need for you to go getting a lawyer and you don't need to bring anyone in to make any talk before any women's club. That stuff is for the birds."
    Mrs. Ellis laughed throatily. "What a wonderful coincidence," she said. "It happens that I'm in charge of the entertainment program for the next