The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-10

1 II VSaaSh OL JuIltO SdIuSO was to have been divided
 equally among his wife, three children, stepmother and brother un- der the provisions of the will, ex- ecuted in this city in November, 1919. according to information given to the New York Times yesterday by Constant J. Sperco, an importer and exporter of Harrison street. MT. Sperco was connected with the draft ing of the will in double capacity. First as friend who had known Ca- ruso for 20 years and had advised him on matters of importance, he helped the tenor to frame the docu- ment. AS notary he then attested the instruhlent by which Caruso dis posed of his fortune.
 The original will was kept by Ca ruso, and supposedly was included among his effects when he sailed for Italy. A certified copy of the docu- mont was retained by Mir. Sperco with the understanding that the will was to be sent to the singers legal adviser in Italy upon the death of Caruso. In accordance with this un- derstanding the certified copy of the will was taken from the safe of Mir. Sperco last Tuesday and mailed to G. Vecchiettini, No. 12 via San Fredino, Florence.
 When had drawn the will, just before the birth of Carusos daughter. Gloria" explained MT. Sperco, "he told me what disposition was to be made of it in the event of his death. have now fulfilled his instructions by sending the will to Florence"
 The widow, formerly Miss Dorothy Park Benjamin. daughter of Park Benjamin, attorney, of this city, would have been entitled to one-third of the estate under widows rights as recognized in the United States. She receives one-sixth of the wealth of Caruso, as does his daughter, Gloria, according to Mir. Sperco, who pointed out that Mrs. Caruso would have to abide by any disposition uf the estate, according to Italian inter pretations, since she gave up her American citizenship and became an Italian subject upon her marriage to Caruso.
 "The will was drawn about month before the birth of Gloria" said Mir. Sperco. The document was written in Italian, and the bequests of Caruso fili only an ordinary sheet of paper. The document was drawn in his apartment at the Hotel Knick- erbocker, where he lived before he removed to, the Vanderbilt. Iremem- Der we'll that 1t was between and 6 o'clock in the afternoon of No vember day that I went to the apart ment of Caruso, whom I had known for 20 years. l had just dropped in to see him, and I am not sure but that it was at his request. For he Nused to telephone mo frequently at
  my way uptown. Sometimes, he. de- sired to speak with me in reference to some matter of business. More often we had only a sociable chat.
 "On this particular occasion a wide range of subjects were discussed in the course of our meeting, and Ca ruso was somewhat startled when the drift of the conversation prompt ed me to ask
 Have you made any provision to dispose of your great estate in the event of your death?
 "Let's don't talk about that, in terrupted the tenor with shrug Of his shoulders and chuckle.
 But do you realize what would happen to your estate if you left no wiil?' I asked Caruso. You know you have a large estate
 "'wen, how would 1t be divided" asked Caruso with his interest only feebly aroused.
 q explained to him that one-third of it, under American laws, would % to his widow. while the remaining tw thirds would be divided equally by his children.
 ".what would happen to the child he asked, referring to little Glona, who was yet to be born. He was very solicitous for her welfare, and .a rAifAved n know she would