The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-08
JOHN R. M'LEAN'S SOLE HEIR SUES
 TO SMASH WILL
Charges That Millionaire Publisher Was Not of
 Sound Mind.

brought suit in the Supreme Court Of
 the District of Columbia to break the will of his father, John R. Mclean, capitalist and publisher, owner of The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Wash inton Post The will was filed on June 3 last, and provides for the ad- ministration of the millions involved | in the estate over a long period of years.
 1 Ned" Mclean was cut off with personal belongings, the net income /, of the estate, and the right to use the Mclean town and country houses. When he filed his act on today he set | in motion what promises to become one of the most famous will cases in this country in many years. The, announcement caused sensa- tion Tn Washington, where for the last twenty years the elder Mclean was a prominent social, financiaal, nd poli- tical figure. The ground on which the effort to break the will is 70 be made is that MT. Mclean, at the time the instrument was drawn and executed, was not in "a sound and disposing state of mind.'' The will was drawn by J. J. Darlington, one of the leading lawyers at the Washington bar and noted expert in framing wills. When its contents became known by publica- tion in the newspapers early in June 1 1t was remarked here that the elder Mclean knew what he was doing and had picked the one lawyer in the Uni- ted States who had the skill and lega, knowledge to draft very peculiar will and make it hold against any at- tempt to break it.
 Edward B. Mclean has retained as his legal counsel Elihu Root of New York, John B. Stanchfield of New York, and ex-Senator Joseph w. Bailey of Texas, and it is said that ex-Secretary of War Garrison may al- so be retained on the case.
 MT. McLean's local attorney is Will ton J. Lembert of the Washington bar, son-in-law of the late Senator Cor man of Maryland, who was a close personal friend of John R. Mclean. The caveat filed today was signed by Edward B. Mclean and the three attorneys. Messrs. Root, Stanchfield, and Lambert. The paper sets forth that the testators, at the time the will was made, was not of sound and dis posing mind, nor capable of making or executing valid deed or contract" The petition also sets forth that the
 
 persuasion, misrepresentationsj and undue influence practiced upon the said John R. Mclean, which he was at the time too enfeebled in body and mind to resist and that the execution or the said paper writing by the said John R. Mclean was not the free and I voluntary act of the said John R. Mc- Lean."
 Among those who will testify in the
 case are persons who were in the household of John R. Mclean during l his last illness. MT. Mclean died at his country place. Friendship, a beau tiful summer home on the heights above Georgetown, on the Formally town road. The place had always been open to the public, but when MT. Mclean became seriously i'll, he gave orders that no one should be
 admitted to the grounds and sum-
 moned eight policemen to guard the house and the gates
 AS his illness progressed he issued orders, from time to time, to the po-
 licemen that were quite confusing. At one time he said that he wanted more policemen ito keep off the doc tors who were trying to kill him." At the same time he summoned doctors until he had eight quartered in the house at one time, all engaged in the effort to save his life. No announce | ment was made at any time of the cause of death, but it was, understood to have been cancer of the stomach On several occasions Mr. Mclean was reported to have said that he would get well in spite of everything The will was filed for probate on June 12 and provided that upon the death of the son the net income should go to the sons children. In case there are no children of Edward Beale Mclean living at the time of his death. the estate is to go to Edward Beale McLean's heirs at law
 In any case the sum of 100000 each is left to Edward Beale McLean's chill dren when they reach the age of 25 yearss an additional $10o,000 each when they reach 30, and an additional $100.000 each when they reach 35 years.
 By the terms of the document the holdings of the testator in the news paper properties, no sale shall be made by the executors and trustees without the consent of Francis T. Ho- mer. a Baltimore lawyer. who handled much of MT. McLean's business. In the event that MT. Homer fails to approve possible sale of these h holdings. such possible sale shall not be made without the consent of Ed ward Beale Mclean, the will reads. The will directs the executors to con- suit with MT. Homer in regard to everything in connection with the es- tate and provides an annual appro- priation for him of $10,0o0 for his services.
 The American Surety and Trust Co. Is named as executor and trustee. In ono clause of the will there is an explanation as to why MT. Mclean did Lean,. as executor and co-trustee. It is specifically stated that legal difficult ties might arise when the chief bene- ficiary under will Is acting as trus- tee, which possible situation makes tho naming of Edward B. Mclean as trustee and executor inadvisable, but Mfr. Mclean specifically directs that his son be consulted by the trustees as to all matters connected with the estate.
 Edward B. Mclean, under the will. inherits all personal property, such as jcwelry, wearing apparel, etc. He is permitted to occupy the city residence at Fifteenth and streets, North West, and the country place, Friendship, and
 to use all personal property in them, such as furniture, free of cost to helm q e 1nrp as h Q wishes The will is dated