The Washington times., 1915-06-06
Mother Asks Court to Increase
Allowance. for Son, Who
Helps Maintain Home.
TOYS AND ATTORNEYS HIGH
But at That Youngster Is Saw
ing $4,000 Annually and
viii Have $6,O00,o0O at 21

NEW YORK, June 6.-The surrogates
court today has under advisement the
problem Of how much should be allowed
FOR the living expenses Of little John
Jacob Astor, who cannot get along on
$4,000 a year. according to a statement
filed by his mother and guardian.
The maintenance allowance of the
posthumous son of John Jacob Astor,
who went down on the Titanic, was
originally $4,000 per annum. The
amount was increased to $4,000, and
now Mrs. Astor has filed a statement
showing that the wealthy three-year-
old is cramped financially, although he
will eventually come into millions.
As John Jacob is an unusual child.
contributing toward the household ex-
penses of his widowed mother and de-
toys and baby foods, the surrogates'
court may grant an increased allow
ance. Mrs. Madeline Talmage Force
Astor, his mother, shows that she has
spent $4,000 on the baby in two years
and ten months. A part of this she has
necessarily paid, under the court ruling,
from her own income, but she may get
1T back If the court grants a more lib
eral expense account for the baby.
Helps Maintain House.
The expenditures for little John Jacob
are covered generally In one of the
schedules filed by Mrs. Astor. by these
items: One-third of maintenance Of the
house. which Colonel Astor left to his
wife for life or until remarriage. $4,000;
one-third of taxes. $21. 900: lawyers fees.
e, ,25O: physicians fees, $500; bond for
$4,000 for Mrs. Astor as general guar
dian. $3.50: to merchants and others.
5000.
And yet the $4,000 which the boys
mother shows she spent in his behalf
really does not include all which Mrs.
Astor says she might properly have
charged against his estate. 1t is pointed
out that he has been treated leniently
in the matter of charges, for his mother
/ any part OF the rent or upkeep Of the
3 summer home at Bar Hahbor. Me-, OF
the automobiles there. or for trips on
which the boy has accompanied his
mother between New York and Bar
Harbor.
Mrs. Astor calls attention to this in
her accounting. and adds: From all Of
which he has received substantial bene-
which expense. as am advised by my
counsel. Henry A. Gildersleeve, the said
infant might properly be charged
Money For Toys.
That no need or comfort for John
Jacob Astor was overlooked or neglect
ed, or will be as long as his mother is
his general guardian. is not only evil
dent from the provision made for him
by Mrs. Astor. but Is further indicated
from her own statement in the report
to the surrogates court.
BY the provision made in the will of
my late husband" says Mrs. Astor, "for
the creation of trust fund Of 5000,
900 for the benefit of each child Of mine
that might survive him, 1t clearly ap-
pears that it was his intention to pro-
vide sum for the maintenance and
!. support Of such infant ample to secure
everything for the comfort. welfare and
education OF such child that money
could provide"
Little John Jacob. like any other baby.
has had his pleasures, which to him
have been not the least bit less enjoy
able because of the need in his young
! life of legal services. In the schedules
hled by his mother there is a suggestion
Of hobby horses, rubber balls and all
the other little things that make chill
dren. rich and poor, happy. The boy 6
personal comfort has cost 5000, which
item covers the purchase of toys. cloth
the maintenance of a nurse. which cost
Is included in the general item covering
the one-third for the upkeep of the
Fifth avenue house
Mrs. Astor has maintained the latter
mouse at great expense, the taxes on
1t for 1914 amounting to 5000. The tota
expense OF maintenance since the birth
Of the child, August IA. 1912, to Decem-
penses and general upkeep has been
more than $4,000
First Allowance Too Small.
When Surrogate Fowler appointed
Mrs. Astor as general guardian of hel
son on November 8, 1912. the cour
fixed $4,000 year as the amour
which she was to expend on his sup
port, maintenance and education fol
three years thereafter. This oriel
was amended on August 5. 1914, in
creasing this allowance to $4,000
year. and the accounting of Mrs Astol
shows how inadequate was the frs
provision made for the Astor heir
The guardianship will continue unit
John Jacob Is fourteen years old.
At the present rate of expendftur,
to his majority. with the present ra t,
Of interest of about 41a per cent OF
the principal. plus the interest on tn,
aocumulations. the surplus will max,
q total of about $3,00O,00 which will
double the original trust fund, when |
becomes payable to the beneficiary.
Mrs. Astor received $1,000. 900 by tn,
will of her husband and the use 70
life or until remarriage of the Fiftl
avenue residence. In case of her re
marriage or at her death the propert,
goes to William Vincent Astor, the sol
of Colonel Astor by Mrs. Ava Willing
Astor, who divorced him. There wa
an unconfirmed Tumor recently tina
Mrs. Madeleine Talmage Force Asto
would become engaged to Clarence n
Mackay.