Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-04-03
RUSHING THE
DIVORCE SUIT
Taking Of Testimony 10 the Van
derhiIt Case WifeIs Anxious
For Freedom.
PAPEFs SERVED ON WOMAN

New York, April 3.--The first testi-
mony in the divorce suit Of Mrs. Elsie
French Vanderbilt against her hus-
band. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, which
was filed in the supreme court, was
taken before Referee David Mcclure.
Howard Kempster, the personal valet
of Mr.. Vanderbilt, was the first wit
ness called. The fact that the valet
did not depart with his employer on
the Mauretania caused some comment,
but his appearance before the referee
would indicate that the reason he did
not do so was the desire of the parties
to the action to rush matters through
Whether he appeared under subpoena
or by arrangement was not shown.
When the hearing was adjourned
none of the persons interested would
talk for publication, but 1t was admit
ted that the evidence and recommends
tions of the referee probably would be
in the hands Of the court before Mr..
Vanderbilt reaches the other side on
the steamship Mauretania.
Unusual Haste in Case.
Usually in cases of this sort the TAX
ing of testimony does not begin for
weeks after the appointment Of the
referee and then is allowed to drag.
The explanation for the. haste shown
in expediting this ease given by those
most closely interested Is that Mrs.
Vanderbilt is anxious that it should be
disposed of at once.
Kouorofar ttaft7uod IN aao 0aIIorq He
has arranged to leave for Europe as
soon as his services in the present case
are no longer needed.
1t is reported that Mr.. Vanderbilt
the wealthiest young man In America
has offered his wife 81, 100000 in set
tlement of all claims arising out of her
suit for divorce.
That he will defend himself is GER
tain, according to the legal papers al
ready on record. Such defense might
be merely formal and absolute secrecy
maintained as to the actual testimony.
The defense which he threatens, how
ever, to prevent large claim being
made against his fortune would make
all the facts public and, according to
| his friends, would stir American soci-
ETY. to its depths.
/ Stocks Have DEPRECATED.
Another feature Of the proffered set
tlement which is giving Mrs, Wander
bilt's friends much concern is that II
is offered in stocks and bonds which
one year ago might have been sold for
81, 100000, but which now would bring
scarcely two-thirds of that sum.
Neither Mrs. Vanderbilt's lawyers
nor those representing Mr.. Vanderbilt
would announce the. name of the co
respondent or correspondents mentioned
in Mrs. vanderbilt's bill of complaint.
The summons and complaint were
served upon Mr.. Vanderbilt in his Of
fees at the Grand Central railroad
station Thursday of last week. On the
same afternoon, 1t is stated by EN-
ployees in an apartment house in Lex
ington avenue, q man called upon q
woman known there as Nine. Flores
The man handed her a paper, bowed
| and took his departure.
Nine. Flores Is the Nine. Ruiz who
recently paid $1,000 for an automo
bile that had been purchased In Mr.
| Vanderbilt's name by his stable man
Brenchley. She was visited by Mr.
Vanderbilt just before his departure
Ior Europe Since that visit she has
left word at the house to tell callers
that she is out Of town.