Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-12-18
LARGE FEESFOR
LOCAL LAWYERS
IN RUNKLE CASE
Counsel Reap $40, ,25o More for
Work on East Orange
Mans viii.
PATERSON ATTORNEY is
GIVEN LIONS SHARE
Gets $4,000 in Addition to
$4,000 Previous-case
Still in Court.

From staff Correspondent.
TRENTON. Dec. 1s.-Allowance Of
counsel fees to lawyers who repre-
sented the various litigants in the
proceedings to test tho will of the
late William RunkIe, was made in
the Prerogative Court by Chancellor
Walker The fees granted today
amount to s2O,25O. Mr.. Runkle, who
died about two years ago. was a
prominent hardware merchant of
East Orange.
Former U. S. Attorney-C General
John w. Griggs, of Paterson, repre-
senting Harry G. Runlxle, brother Of
the late William Runlxle, was awarded
$4,000. This allowance was with the
appreciation of his client. Mr.. Griggs
has received $4,000 in fees in the pro-
ceedings in the Essex County Or
phans' Court. Mr.. Griggs is a former
governor of New Jersey.
McCarter IL English, with whom
was associated Arthur f. Egner,
representing the home missions Of
the Presbyterian church, a legatee OF
$4,000 under the Runkel viii, were
awarded $500 today. An allowance of
$4,000 In fees had been made in the
Orphans Court
Asks for Same as Grfsgs
A request for a fee similar to that
awarded to Mr.. Griggs, was made by
Shipman. Taylor & jackson, of the
New York bar. This firm repre-
sented William H. Hulick. legatee
of $4,000 The Prerogative Court
awarded the firm s1.50o A like
amount had been awarded in the
Essex court
Representing William E. R. Smith,
a legatee under the will. Mum e.
Church asked for fee of $1,000 and
were allowed $1,000.
Lum, Tamblyn & Colyer, as counsel
for George McM. Cooley. legatee OF
$4,000, received a fee of $1,000, in ad-
dition to 81. 700 in the court below.
An award of $3.50 was made to Will
lam Huck, jr., as counsel for the coll
lege board Of the Presbyterian Church.
This allowance was IN addition ia
$3.50 in the trial court.
As counsel for Randolph Rodman,
another legatee. Charles b. Storrs re-
ceived $1,000 in the trial court and
WAS awarded 81 .001 by the Prerogative
Court Be had applied for $3.50 as
fees in the upper court.
For looking after the interests of
Charles and Carrie r. Scholfield, each
legatees for $4,000, the court awarded
a fee Of $500 to Condict & Boardmaii.
Gilbert Collins was associated with
these lawyers for the Scholfields. A
like allowance had been made to Con-
dict & Boardman in the lower court.
WINS Validity Questioned.
The validity of the will of William
Runkel is now before the Court OF
Errors and Appeals. The Orphans
Court of Essex and the Prerogative
Court sustained the bequests made
in the will
The contention over the validity of
the will was based upon the removal
Of certain sheets and the substitution
of others in their stead, the cancella-
tion of certain lines with an accom-
era SIRE Of the name of an executor
and the attempted appointment of
another by the insertion of another
name. While the matter was pending
the Fidelity Trust Company was ap-
pointed temporary administrator.
The estate is reputed to be worth
50, 100000. The case was heard in the
Essex Orphans Court and decree
was made admitting the will to pro-
bate. The decree also admitted the
codicil of Mr.. Runkel and the resto-
ration of the name of Randolph Rod
man as executor in the place of Will
lam E. r. Smith, apparently attempt
ed to have been substituted.
Should the Court of Errors and APP
peals reverse the conclusion of the
two lower tribunals and set aside the
bequests, Harry @. Runkel, brother
of the testator, would come into en-
tire possession of the estate.