The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-31
mrs. SAGE has NO PLANS YET.
NOT DECIDED on DISTRHBUTION
or THE SEVENTY MILLIONS.

She wasn't Entirely Prepared for Husbands
Death and WIN wait Until Estate II
gettled-No Ante.Mortem $4,000
An authoritative statement was made
yesterday to the effect that Mrs. Sage has
no plans formed at present in regard TO the
dispositionof her fortune. Fol one reason,
II wa said, Mrs. Sage was not entirely pre-
Jared for the death Of her husband
The fact that the estate is not settled ye,
is another reason why she has not decided
on any plan OF distribution.
It was said for Mrs. Sage yesterday that
she has the best intentions In the world,
but that any statement that she had made
UP her mind just what to do would be de-
oidedly premature and untrue.
A rumor was published yesterday TO the
effect that the ~s7o,oOb.o00, said to represent,
roughly, the sum total Of Russell Sage'e
estate, was not credited by certain of the
heirs as being the whole Of the fortune
and that the apparent shrinkage in the
millions left was due TO the fact that Mr.
Sage had settled upon his wife 100000
prior TO his death. De Lanoey Nicoll, one
Of the attorneys for the executors, said yes
terday afternoon that this reported dis
position Of $1O,O 900 900 was news TO him.
"You can say that this report Is In error &c
far as the executors OF Mr.. Sage's estate
know said Mr. Niooll
One reason that Mrs. Sage Ia In no great
hurry to commence the work Of spending
her fortune Is that the task Of determining
Just what figure that fortune touches has
not yet been completed. Charles w. Osborne
will begin a systematic tallying Of the many
Sage securities shortly. This will take some
time to complete.
Mrs. Sage continues to remain In retire
ment at her home In Lawrence, where she
is visited frequently by DR.. d. B. Delavan
and DR.. Schmuck. The doctors visits are
not prompted by professional demands. as
Mrs Sage's health Is good and her spirits
are said to have rallied in a marked degree.
She denies herself to all visitors, even bel
most intimate friends. A secretary Is
handling tho growing volume OF her corre-
spondence.
Despite his innate politeness De Lancey
Niooll cannot repress q smile, when asked
concerning the opinion Of the EXECUTORS
upon the announced determination OF Attor-
ney j. Welles Stumpto force a settlement
with one or more ofthe Sage heirs on n
atty Of q suit to break the vii: .u,d
Mr.. Nicoll yesterday, us to wait until an
opponent gets into the field then fight
him. We do not yet recognize Mr.. j. Wellee
Stump as an opponent, because we do not
locate him as being. in the field
Mr.. Nicoll was asked II Mr.. stump couid
draw any encouragement from the belief
that Mrs. Sage would rather make a settle
ment with possible disgruntled heirs than
have an action brought in the courts to
set aside the will OF her husband.
"Mr. Stump is the best judge Of what
may or may not be encouraging TO him,
replied Mr.. Niooll.. AS 70 the e~ventuality
Of court rather than have a. suit, why. ]
think my first remark covers that ground.
-You can see what this proposition OF
Mr.. Stump's is continued MIR. Nicoil.
ct is ridiculous on its face. II he is SEEK
ing advertisement In this capacity. as an
attorney. he certainly did not get the highest
that he believed some Of the heirs could
brighten Mrs. Sage into giving them more
money before they rsked their present
b~enefoes in an action to break the will.
It In customary for an attorney to have 9
case before he seeks a settlement out OF
court. / fail TO see where Mr.. Stump has
q case
A conference was held yesterday In the
offices Of Mr.. Niooll, which was attended
BY DR.. j. P. Mum and Charles w. Osborne,
executors Of the Sage estate; II. W. De-
Forest, representing Mrs. Sege; Col. ID.
slocum, Mrs. Sases brother. and Charles
for the executors. After the conference
Mr.. Nicoll announced that nc business Of
importance had been accomplished and
that q large part OF the time had been em-
ployed in discussing the various reports
about the disposition OF the Sage estate
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