The New York herald., 1921-03-11
BANKER STILLMAN
And WIFEEACH SUE
T0OBTAN DIVORCE
National City Banks Head
Begins First Suit. COum-
ter Action Being Filed.
SHROUDED In SECRECY
Referee Appointed and Ar
gument for $4,000 Ali
mony to Be Heard.
GUARDIAN F0R,YOUNG son
Wife Is Grandniece Of the Late
Bishop Potter-Camp at
Three Rivers Named.
F0RYOUNG son

Through a motion made in White
Plains for the amendment of COM
plaint in one of the actions, 1t became
known yesterday that James A. Still
man, president of the National City
Bank is suing his wife. who was Miss
Anne Urquart Potter, grandniece OF
the late Bishop Potter, for divorce.
and that Mrs. Stillman has filed a
counter claim.
Every legal move so far made in
the proceedings has been enveloped in
secrecy, and no one concerned in the
double action would admit connection
with it yesterday until Justice Joseph
Morschauser of the Supreme Court
was asked to confirm the reports as
he was leaving the court house at
White Plains.
Justice Morschauser admitted then
that counsel for Mrs. Stillman had
made a motion before him in Pough-
keepsie, where he was sitting last
Saturday. to amend the complaint in
her action against her husband, and
had applied for counsel fees and all
mony He said that hearing on these
motions had been adjourned for
week
The allegations included in Mr. still
mans complaint, although none Of the
details could be obtained, are understood
to centre about happenings at the Still-
man camp, near Three Rivers. in Cue
bee. When this action was started still
is not generally known, il being under
stood that the suit was taken 10 Pough-
keepsie because court rule makes II
unnecessary for papeI~- TO be filed there
until a decision has been reached.
Guardian Named for Son.
Nevertheless. II was reported tina,
Justice Morschauser had appointed
Daniel J. Gleason. whose law offices are
in Poughkeepsie. 9s referee in Mr.. STILL
mans action. and John Il. Mack. also
OF Poughkeepsie, as guardian for Guy
Stillman. years old. child OF the still
mans.
After these steps had been taken. 1t
was learned, the application in Mrs.
'Stillman's behalf was made for alimony
of $4,000 d month and $4,000 counsel
fees. II is hearing upon these appll-
cations that Justice Morschausser VIII
conduct tomorrow. II was understood
that Mr. stillman, who inherited a large
fortune from his father. who was Mr.
Stlllman's predecessor as mead Of the
National City Bank. had Deen paying
Mrs Stlllman al the rate II 100000
year
In contesting Mrs. Stliman's alimony
request Mr.. Stillman. II is understood.
represented that his income, which last
year amounted approximately Ss0O.OOO'
was reduced to net of $220,0 600 by the
payment OF income and other taxes
Efforts to learn the details Of the
divorce actions were no more successful
here than In Poughkeepsie. Delaney
Nicon and Cornelius Sullivan, both In
dicated In the reports as counsel for
Mr.. Stillman, refused even 10 admit
that they represented Mr.. Stllman.
Mrs. Stillman was said 10 be repre-
scented by John p. Stonchdeld OF this
CITY and John l.. Brennan OF fonkers,
out neither or these lawyers nor any
one in their offices would discuss the
matter In any way.
Mr.. MaclS vas found Ia pough6eepsie
by New York Herald reporter, but
he refused 20 admit ~ bad ever
heard OF the case
Pocnntico Hills House Closed.
Air. Gleason was not AZ his office IN
Poughkeepsie, and at his home IN Mill
orton IL also vas said he was not there.
At the Stillman country place al Pocan-
tlco Hills last night employees OF the
estate stid that neither Mr. nor Mrs.
Sfillman was there and that the house
was closed. Early In the afternoon II
was said at the National City Bank
that Mr.. Stillman had left for the day.
Mr.. Stlllman Is one OF the youngest
presidents OF the large banks OF New
york citv. tfc was elected chairman OF
the banks board or directors on April
= 1915 n short time after the death OF
his father. He had entered the employ
OF the bank in 1898. two years following
his graduation from Harvard.
He passed through various positions
until he became vice president and one
al The managers Of the bank. He
succecded to the presidency in June,
1919. upon the resignation Of Frank y.
Nanderlir
Mrs. Stilman was daughter or Mrs.
James Brown Potter. the actress. and
before her marriage was known as
Fiji" Mrs. Stilman and her mother
were not much together after Mrs. Pot
ter was divorced from James Brown
Potter. until about ten years ago. Mrs.
Potter was a prominent figure in society
in this city for many years. but she
finally embarked upon ? professional
stare career and spent several years "
/ ondou. She appeared for several sea