New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-11
wife Also Plans Million Dollar
Action Against Mrs. Clarence
H. Mackay on AIlena-
ton Grounds.
SAYS SHE SEEKS SUPPORT
Plaintiff Asserts in Petition
That Her Allowance Has Been
Cut from ST, 900 a Month
to Nothing and That
She's in Debt.

She's IN Dept.
The suit for separation which 1t was
recently announced Mrs. Catherine
Ketchum Blake would bring against
DR.. Joseph A. Blake, noted pracu-
TONER. was begun yesterday with the
filing Of the papers in the action in the
Sunreme Court. II has also been an
nounced that Mrs. Blake contemplates
a suit for 100000 damages against
Mrs. Clarence H. Mackay for the al
legged alienation Of the affections Of her
husband.
The papers filed yesterday show that
DIT. Blake was served with the summons
and complaint on Thursday, on his re-
turn from Litchfeld. Conn. where he
spent several weeks. His absence and
the inability Of the attorneys for the
wife 10 serve him delayed the actual
beginning Of the suit until yesterday.
Separation Not Desired.
While the legal remedy asked by Mrs.
Blake is a separation, she states in her
affidavit asking alimony Of $1,000
month and counsel fee Of 5000 that
the real purpose Of her suit Is 10 COM
pei her husband to support her, ana
that she really does not desire TO be
legally separated from DR.. Blake. al
though they have been living apart fer
two years without the formality OF
judicial decree. Mrs. Blake says in her
sworn statement: II do not desire
separation from my husband, but l am
compelled 10 institute this action TO
obtain the support TO which I am en-
titled"
The grounds for the petition OF Mrs.
Blake are abandonment and non-sup-
port. She says Of her husbands al
legged abandonment Of her: Until
four years ago I was living happily
with my husband and was being prop
erly supported by him and enjoying his
affection, society and protection. About
this time. without cause or justifica-
ton on my part and on account Of as
sociations and influences known to me-
but unnecessary to state here. he be-
gan to abandon and to treat me with
GOODNESS and indifference and at times
with harshness. These conditions con-
tinued until about two years ago. when
he entirely abandoned me and deserted
me-"
DR.. Blake and Mrs. Blake were mar
ried in 1890. They have two children,
Joseph A. Blake. jr., twenty-one years
old and a student at Yale, and Frank
H. Blake, twelve years old. In her ap-
plication for alimony Mrs. Blake as
serts that the income Of her husband
from his practice is between $4,000
and 100000 a year. She says Of DR..
Blake: My husband has been and is
one Of the leading surgeons in New
York"
Mrs. Blake states that while she lived
with her husband their expenses were
$4,000 a year.
Allowance Cut on.
To further establish the financial
status Of DR.. Blake TO satisfy the court
that she is entitled to the amount Of
alimony she asks, Mrs. Blake mentions
that besides his professional income he
owns a large estate near Litchfield
which has an assessed value of S64.-
900, and that he owns the property at
No. col and No. 603 Madison avenue.
AS to his personal property, Mrs. Blake
states that her husband owns stocks
and bonds whose exact value she does
not know.
For some time after the couple sep
arated the physician allowed his wife
81 900 a month, and also betrayed the
college and school expenses Of their
two children. At that time Mrs. Blake
and her two sons were living at No.
Col Madison avenue. subsequently DR..
Blake rented the Madison avenue prop
erty, and Mrs. Blake was compelled to
move. She rented the house at No. SO
East 18th street, which is now her
home, although she has lately been out
OF the city. Mrs. Blake says she rented
this house on the promise OF the doctor
TO continue the $1,000 monthly allow
ance. Mrs. Blake adds: He reduced
the allowance against my protest from
1000 to $500 a month. This unex-
pected reduction in my income caused
the bills TO accumulate, which bills
contracted in the belief that was TO
continue TO receive 81 900 a month
The accumulation OF these bills
amounted TO $1,000"
DR.. Blake settled the bills contracted
by his wife and continued the $500 al
!owance. In July last, it is alleged, he
discontinued this, and then some more
debts accumulated, this time amount
ing TO $1,000. Mrs. Blake says that her
creditors are continually harassing her.
The only other income which Mrs.
Blake had besides that which she re-
ceived from her husband was from her
interest in a $1,000 trust fund held by
a trust company. With this small in
come she cannot pay her own expenses
and those OF her sons in school and
college.