New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-06
SAY HE SPENT TOO MUCH
Reports Filed with Surrogate
Accuse Alfred R. ConkIing.
HIS GIRLS FUNDS AT ISSUE
Special Guardians State Father
Used Money for His Own
Household Needs.

gates court, Alfred H. COnknng, lawyer,
| former Assemblyman. political reformer
and nephew OF the late Senator Roscoe
Conkling. has expended too much from the
funds held by him as general guardian for
his three daughters, who have received the
money by inheritance from the estate of
Lorillard Ronalds.
These reports show that the money be-
longing to the daughters was used not
only for their support and comfort. but
also to maintain the household OF Mr..
! Conkling. Emery c. Weller, who was APP
pointed special guardian by Surrogate
| Fowler for Vivian Conkling and Olga
Conkling. two OF the children, said in a
| report that he filed, referring to Mr.. Conk-
| ling Were his character other than what
it is, the payments made by him might
he deemed msapplication OF trust funds"
| Mr. Weller and Phoenix Ingraham, who
was appointed special guardian for Muriel
Conkling. the third daughter, were called
| on TO pass upon the accounts of Mr..
! Conkling when the American Surety Com
| pany asked TO be relieved on his bond and
tho National Surety Company was substi-
! tuted as surety. Both special guardians
|
made by MIR. Conking for his daughters,
| or, at least, out OF their funds. and Will
bur r. Larremore. who as referee passed
on the reports Of the guardians, adopted
the memorandum Directing to the cxpendi-
lures In question.
Sought Increased Allowance.
| Mr.. Larremore also acted as referee on
| NJ IN tn
| Surrogate's court for an increase OF the
allowance made TO his daughters. He
stated that the increased cost Of living
and the reduction Of his own income from
$4,000 to $4,000 a year made IT neces-
sary that he have about 500. 900 a year
for the proper training and maintenance
OF three girls of the social and fam
! lily connections" that his daughters have
| However. Mr.. Conkling will be permitted
| 20 spend from the estates Of his daughters
| for 1912 $4,000. the allowance being So
| 600 for MurIel who is the eldest, being
fifteen years old. and 1000 each for
| Vivian and Olga
Tho accounts submitted 10 Mr. Weller
| for the year ended January !. 1912,
showed that there came into the hands NJ
Mr. Conkling for his daughter Olga So
! S92. He expended all OF this with the cp-
| ception Of s102 Tho special guardian
would allow only $50. For Vivian tho
| father and general guardian received for
| tho year tG,9i3. Of which there was I'M
| spent at tho end Of the year SCI 60. The
| special guardian allowed only 'i.023. Tho
! account submitted 10 Mr.. lngraham I'm the
matter Of Muriel's estate showed tho re-
ceipt by Mr.. Conkling Of ss.99f. with an
! unexpended remainder Of sIS7. Mr. In
graham would allow only s2Oef
peculiar situation was revealed By
Mr.. Weller IN his report about the OK
pendltures by Mr. Conking FOR the needs
OF his daughters. lie said that the father
admitted that he made no effort 20 pay
| for the needs OF each out Of her indi-
vidual estate. but would buy some Of
| their wearing apparel IN bull, and then
| divide the cost into thirds. Also IN come
instances dresses were first worn by Nh
rel. then cut down 10 nj Olga. and whom
she grew too tall for them they would go
10 Vivian. Mr.. Weller said that II was
Negotiable to charge Vivian with one
I third for this clothing. because she never
| ODtdlneI itI OUe-lnlIu uItll IL WdR tfTn
handed. adding: 1T would take a special
panel OF jurors to determine what per-
centage. II any, each infant ought 10 pay
OF the bills presented against each u the
| estates on accounting"
Mr. Conkllns tried 10 account for the
expenditure OF $4,000 from the estates OF
his daughters, and at the hearing IL de-
| veloped that. being short Of funds. he
used the money OF the girls to pay for
groceries. meat, ice. hay and other
charges not usually included in tho ac-
countngs OF the estates OF infants. The
special guardian said that neither Mr..
Conkling nor his wife. Mrs Ethel J.
Conkling who began suit for separation
against him on August ~, was able 10
testify that items such as drygoods were
for the girls against whose estates they
were charged or were for their exclusive
use and benent.
| Called absolutely ludicrous."
Continuing. Mr.. Weller said that IT was
absolutely ludlcrous' to charge the i'm
fants' estate with the maintenance of the
household and grounds Of Mr.. Conking
at Morris Plains y. j. who" asked
! MI. Ncllef, ~ dOls W h'A'l hHit hhht
proportion. il any, each Of the Infants
/ should share toward the maintenance Of
the household" lie thought II might be
necessary to provide experts, TO testify
10 the value OF the appetite OF each In
FAINT. and no testimony was introduced as
10 the temperament Of the various in
fants."
The report of the,specisl guardian con-
tInues: The action Of the general guar
dian in providing clothing for his wife,
furniture and bric-A- brac for his house OF
the size and calibre charged against the
| estates is wholS without foundation In
law and equity
Mr. Larremore, the referee. said In his
report adopting the memorandum Of Mr..
Weller: I'm the absence OF vouchers,
evidence and other data To determine
with accuracy the amounts expended for
the wards, / adopt the conclusion and
recommendation of the special guardian.
although OF the opinion that more OF the
infants money has been actually spent
than has been proved with definiteness."
| Mr.. Conkling asked modification OF
the report of Mr.. Larremore regarding
the allowance to his daughters by the
Surrogate. lie said that I'm 1910 he spent
a 900 more than their income and his own.