New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-19
MRS. MELLON ASKS
AID FROM ENGLAND
Pittsburq Bankers Wife Fights
Alleged "Star Chamber"
Divorce.
CROWN MAY TAKE ACTION
Became British Subject When
She Left Millionaire Two
Years Ago-Says Law
Is Aimed at Her.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune. J

BY Telegraph 10 Inc iriouHe.I
Pittsburs May ,S.-Mrs. Nora Mel
Ions fight against her millionaire hus-
band A. W. Mellon. the Pittsburg
banker. for the right to a trial by Jury
has been placed before the legal author
tiles Of the Crown, with prospects that
concentrations in Mrs. Melons behalf
Will be made by the British Foreign
Office TO the State Department at Wash
ington.
This information came 10 Mrs. Mellon
In a cable message from her English
solicitor, f. C. Ouvry. Of No. I'D Little
College street, London. The message
briefly informed Mrs. Mellon that the
facts in her case had been laid before
the King and would be taken up on the
ground that she again became British
subject when she separated from her
husband two years ago.
BY strange coincidence j. II. Beal'
one Of the attorneys for Mr. Mellon, also
visited Mrs. Melons attorney Paul >.
y.
would file application for the appoint
ment of a master within the next ten
DAYS In this notice comes the first con-
frmation OF the report that MIR. Meiion
intends TO take advantage OF the ne"
amendment TO the divorce laws, passed
by the present Legislature In record
breaking time and with much secrecy, 10
give Judge the right TO deny an apph-
cation for a trial by jury in a divorce
case. Mr.. Mellon hitherto has refused TO
deny that he intended to employ TINS
legislation against his wife, who de-
clares it was specially aimed at her.
Mrs. Mellon first threatened her hus-
band with divorce. declaring that she
vas prepared 10 prove serious" charges
against him. Mr.. Mellon at that time
avoided a Jury trial, signing an agree
ment by which he settled a trust fund
Of SI3JOOOO on his wife and S31OWN
on his two children. He also agreed tha'
Mrs. Mellon should have the children ror
seven and a half months each year. he
uas N have them for the remainder OF
the year
Mrs. Mellon was 10 be privileged 70 e
10 Europe and establish her residence II
England while her husband quietly
soupht a divorce on the ground Of de-
sertion.
Mrs. Mellon says this agreement
signed in August. 1900 was satisfactory
10 her. but that her husband immediate
" set about breaking the agreement
She charges that Mr. Mellon hired de-
tectiyes. installed electrical eavesdrop-
ping devices. put his house under suarc
Of armed men 10 shadow his wife con
tinually, and finally brought suit for di
vorce on the ground OF infdelity instead
Of on the ground of desertion, as he ha'
agreed to do.
Mrs Mellon has made denial OF all IN
charges preferred against her. and point:
10 what she considers the significant fac
that all her husbands charges have beer
compiled since she compelled him 10 sigr
their separation agreement. She say:
she was not worried about her husband
charges and asked for a jury trial e
determine her innocence formally.
on March 2S a bill was introduced ir
the LEGISLATURE 10 give judge the righ
10 deny an application for jury trial II
divorce cases. This bill went through
smoothly and was signed by Governor
Tener on April ~. Mrs Mellon promptly
declared that the motive back Of this
new law. advocated by none OF the civic
and church bodies interested in divorce
legislation, was 10 deny her trial by
jury.
Mrs. Mellon asserts that the purpose
back OF the law 10 make IL easy for rict
men 10 get rid OF their wives is TO pre-
vent her charges against ner husband
from becoming public and TO divorce hei
In star chamber" proceedings.