The Washington herald., 1912-03-13
MISS GAGE DELAYS
MOTHER 'sRELEAsE
Friends Fail to Reach an
Agreement in Wealthy
Widows Case.
CONTENT AT HOSPITAL

Although not single legal step was
taken. certain developments in the cause
celebre involving Mrs. Mary z. Gage
yesterday Indicated an early settlement
of the case.
As result of threats which she Is al
legged TO have made against the life of
Charles ]. Bell. Mrs. Gage still remains
at the Government Hospital for the In
sane pending an inquiry as to her san
ity, and the writ OF habeas corpus pre-
pared by Attorney William E. Ambrose
TO procure her release was not presented
to the District Supreme Court yesterday.
Nor is there any certainty that 1t will
be presented to-day.
Miss Margaret Gage, who through
friends has retained Mr.. Ambrose In the
case. has not fully determined as to what
legal action she desires, and at late
hour last night the latter declared he
did not know whether or not he would
represent the writ Of habeas corpus TO
the court.
Content mt Hospital.
The appearance of Judge Wilbur A.
Mott, of Newark, n. J., on the scene
yesterday served 10 complicate the pro-
gramme which had been mapped out by
Mrs. Gage and her daughter. Mrs. Gage
declared last evening she %as entirely
content to stay at the government hos
pital for the time being. because she
knew she would be safe from the
machinatiens OF her enemies"
Judge Mott, who is stopping at the
New Willard, made brief statement
regarding his attitude in the case last
night.
BLOOD is thicker than water he said,
"and / propose 10 do everything in my
power to protect my sisters real in
terests. ! want to take action which
deem best for he welfare. I cannot
make any clearer announcement Of my
plans at present"
When asked as to whether he had as
serted that he considered Mrs. Gage
mentally unbalanced. he refused either
to confirm or deny the statement
81 have publicly made no statement as
to my sisters mental condition. he said.
"and do not intend to do so now. will
lend my best Offices to her. looking to
her future welfare"
Rumors of settlement.
Rumors that a settlement will he
reached. concurred in both by the Dis
trict and hospital authorities, and by
Judge Mott, w.re current last night.
The plan, it is said. is to have Mrs.
Gage cared for in a private institution
where she will he In close touch with
friends and where the best efforts can
be put forth to cure or to modify the
parancia. which, II is said. has clutch
ed her mind through constant brooding
over the disappointment OF her social
ambitions.
Miss Margaret Gage, her daughter, who
is twenty-five years old, Is said 10 be
ufalterably opposed to this plan, and Is
determinsd to force her mothers release
from the government hospital through
the District courts.
REGARDLESS of what attitude is taken by
her uncle, Judge Mott, II is said that
Miss Gage can, by forcing habeas cor
pus proceedings, block any plan of settle
ment on the lines indicated. Her answer
will determine the action to he taken by
Attorney Ambrose to-day. Judge Mott
has not yet been in conference with Mr.
Ambrose and declined to state last night
whether he would consult with him at
all in determining his position in the mat
ter.
Confer with Mr.. Bell.
There was a conference between Judge
Mott, Mr. Bell. and myself to-day" said
A s. worthington. counsel for Mr.. Bell
last night. There was no definite con-
Clusion reached as to what should be
done about the matter, but Judge Mott
recognized the fact that his sister was,
to a certain extent, OF unsound mind. and
there is little question that his attitude
will lead to an amicable settlement of the
case.
From our point of view. there is moth
Ing to be said except that we desire 10
reach an agreement in the case which
is all there is to be said about it,
Judge Mott came to Washington yes
terday morning. He spent most of the
day in conference with his sister Mrs.
Gage, at the Government Hopsital for
the Insane, and was also in conference
with his niece.
Miss Gage is nearly prostrated over
the turn affairs have taken, but is be-
lieved to be firm in her opinion that
habeas corpus proceedings should be
undertaken to procure the release OF
her mother from the government hos
pital. She has caused the telephone
to be disconnected at her home and,
II is said, refused to see many friends
yesterday who came to offer her advice
and sympathy in her predlcament.
Talk of Disagreement.
Rumors that there has been a violent
disagreement between Miss Gage and
her uncle. Judge Mott as to the nature
of the action to be taken to procure
the release of Mrs. Gage from the gov
ernment hospital could not be verified
last night.
a further statement regarding her per
secution by a social Malta" was made
by Mrs. Gage yesterday. How would Won
like to live in mortal terror of the machi-
nations OF man who is rich and power
ful?' she asked. We did not dare to go
on on a vacation last summer for fear
that before We returned our house would
De burned to the ground by some of Mr..