The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02
BROKAW CLAIMS
He is A POOR MAN
Fortune Is Estimated At Nearly
Two Millions
ALlM0NY FOR THE Wife
Mrs. Brokaw VIII Probably Get Sepa-
ration and Alimony of $4,000 a
Year-Attorneys Given Time
To File Their Briefs.
ALIM0NY FOR THE NlFE

New York, January 1.-(Special. 1.-THE
suit brought by Mrs. Mary Blair Brokaw
against w. Gould Brokaw for separation
and $4,000 a year alimony came to an
end today at Mneola, L. l., when Justice
Putnam granted the lawyers on each side
two weeks in which to file briefs At
the end of that period or perhaps q
couple of days later the justice will rem
der his decision
1t seems almost certain that Mrs. Bro
kaw will be given the separation she
asks for and alimony somewhere in the
neighborhood of $4,000 a year. She Is
now getting $4,000 year as temporary
allowance.
render formal statement of just how
much he is worth and just what his
annual income is. He declared that to
the best of his knowledge and belief
he has no taste for figures or business
his various properties might be valued at
s1.63s.ss9. The yearly income from this,
he stated, is STILES Out of this his
attorney declared, he has to pay $24. 405
for taxes, interest on mortgages, etc.,
and therefore his nee sncome is about
S46, zoe. 25.
Statement of Resources.
Mr. Brokaw was placed upon the stand
at the beginning of today's session Of
court and was asked about his resources.
He handed to Attorney Baldwin, who
represents his wife. typewriter state
ment OF his affairs. Mr.. Baldwin went at
him vigorously. disbelieying the state
ment
did you prepare that yourself?" he
asked. He has an opinion that Mr.. Bro
kaw is worth three or four millions of
dollars and that his income is away
above 100000 a year.
mo, did not" Mr.. Brokaw responded
Mr.. Bush of my counsel got up the
statement I trust to him.
Mr.. BrolSaw said he left everything
to Bache, the broker. and did not receive
even a yearly account of how he stood
with the brokerage house. He was asked
about his various bank accounts and said
he maintained accounts in the WINDSOR
Trust company of this city; the Union
Trust company of Washington, ana
small balance in the local bank at High
Point N C. He had no idea now ne
stood with any of these institutions. he
declared He never bothered about keep
ing track of his accounts.
Ignorant Of Finance.
He was Indifferent as to hundreds Of
thousands as he sat upon the stand with
a new mustard-colored suit with light
brown silk scarf and handkerchief OF
the same hue tucked into his sleeve. A
hundreds questions were asked of him as
to how he drew his money; how he de-
posted 1t and how much he spent each
year He returned always the same an
swer-"I really couldn't tell you.'
When Mr.. Brokaw was asked what au-
tomobiles he owned he said he had two
in Europe and, added: 'Tll let You have
them, Mr.. Baldwin, for $1,000"
He also said he would sell his shooting
preserves at High Point, N. c., for 900.
The lawyer said he wasn't in the market
at the moment for real estate PROPOSE
tons.
Now. Mr.. Brokaw." the attorney de-
manded next, do you think for man Of
your means that you have been living ex-
travagantly?"
IT couldn't say" Brokaw said.
How much are you WORTH? THE
statement shows that million, six hun
dred thousand and something or other"
well, do you think you are a poor
MANI" eyes, do" retorted the witness,
with smile.
Statement BY Lawyers.
point to have the financial statements
stricken out because Mr.. Brokaw admitted
that his lawyers had prepared 1t for him
and he really didn't know himself IL it
was correct or not. This motion was de-
MED.
Attorney Mcintyre, chief counsel for the
millionaire, then asked for 30 days In
which to prepare brief Justice Putnam
said he would rather that both Mr.. Nc
Intyre and Mr.. Baldwin would sum up
their cases at once, and the justice init
mated decision might be rendered upon
the spot.
Mcintyre, however, said he was not
ready to do this and after a lengthy argu-
ment the Justice agreed to receive briefs
in two weeks and to decide the case then.
He also took into consideration request
for $1,000 counsel fee which Mr. Baldwin
asked for.
Mr.. Brokaw, II the wife is granted the
separation, will have to foot the whole
cost of the trial, which will amount to
about 10000.