The New York herald., 1921-06-24
COMBINES TWO SUITS
Action Is Based on Favor
able Turn Resulting From
Recent Testimony.
CHANCE FOR SETTLEMENT
Another Amendment to Be
Made to Bankers Charges
TO Clear Way for Referee.

so favorable has been the testimony
ter Stillman in her husbands divorce
suit that her attorneys are preparing
again to amend her answer, this time
abandoning the affirmative defence and
substituting a request that she be
granted a divorce from James A. Still
man.
II has been limited several times
'ance the suit was started nearly
year ago that if Mrs. Stilman won she
would follow this up with a counter
action for divorce, but at no time was
it suggested that both suits would be
tried at the same time. John f. Bren-
nan, chief counsel for Mrs. Stillman,
is said now to feel his clients interest
would be served best by an amalga-
nation of the two suits
The decision to do this was reached
during the last forty eight hours. 1t is
said. and was based on the favorable
turn the suit took last week for. Mrs.
stilman and Baby Guy. Lawyers who
have been following the developments
feel certain the allegations. so far as
they affect Guy. have collapsed COM
pletely In respect to Mrs. Stillman,
the witnesses placed on the witness
stand by the bankers lawyers contra
dicted themselves so much that Mrs.
Stilmans representatives contend they
cannot understand how Referee Gleason
can render decision in favor of Mr.
Stillman.
when the SUI. was started last July.
Mrs Stillman merely entered a general
denial of the allegations through her
attorneys OF record. Cadwalader, Wick
orsham & Taft. She was on her way
~ Europe with Reby Guy when the
summons and complaint was served on
her. Upon her return to this country,
and at the suggestion of Mrs. Joseph A.
Blake, the former Mrs. Clarence
Mackay Mrs. Stillman retained the firm
OF Stanchfield & Levy. with the result
that her answer was changed soon after
ward from the denial 10 one i'm which
she made counter allegations as an
Affirmative defence" naming Mrs.
Florence H. Leeds. the former chorus
girl. rs correspondent.
Under the present status OF the suit
Referee Gleason could not render a de-
cision on the charges OF Mrs. Stiiman
other than to say that they had been
or had not been proved. as the bankers
wife merely asks that her husband be
found guilty OF the same allegations
he has lodged against her But a fur
thor amendment of Mrs. Stillmans
answer. asking for a decree. will en-
able the referee to decide in her favor
If Mr.. Stilman's charges are found un-
true and those of his wife are proved
Mr.. Stillman Is said to be cognzant
OF the turn the suit has taken. and
II is because Of this fact that rumors
have been current for several days that
settlement was imminent. A settle
ment before Tuesday. when hearings are
to be resumed at Poughkeepse is con-
sidercd possible. but not probable. Fur
ther amending of Mrs. Stillmans an
swcr merely would be formal move
consisting OF the filing of new amend
ment to Referee Gleason If II were not
opposed by Nicoll. Anable. Fuller &
Sullivan, the bankers attorneys. If
contest should develop. the question
probably would be laid before Supreme
Court Justice Morschauser, before whom
the suit was begun.