The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-03-23
Brief Statement Announces
Unanimous Refusal at
Director Meeting to
Accept Action.
WIFE'S SIDE CONFIDENT
Her Attorneys Say Their
Evidence at Hand Is Suf-
ficient to Meet Oppo-
nent's Weapons.
ALIMONY HEARING TO-DAY
Principals Not Expected to At
tend; Lawyers Reported to
Have Settled Money Mat
ters Privately.


resignation yesterday as president Of
the National City Bank. His resig-
nation was laid before the board of
directors of that institution, at least
twelve members of which body were
not present, and unanimously re-
Jected.
When the board adjourned, Nathan
Z. Lenfesty, cashier of the bank. is
sued the following statement:
AT the regular meeting Of the board
of directors of the National City Bank
of New York, held to-day, the resig-
ration of Mr.. Stillman as president
was rendered, TO take effect imme-
diately; but tha board unanimously
declined to accept it.
With the exception Of the additional
fact that Mr.. Stillman did not at
tend the meeting, which information
was offered by Charles v. Rich. an
executive manager Of the bank. moth.
ing more concerning the incident could
be ascertained
May Fix AIImony Ont of Court.
Every move Mr.. Stillman's lawyers
are making TO further his 'asire to di-
vorcc his wife is being mated. If not
checkmatcd. BY Mrs. Stillman's attor-
neys.
RI, for example, the representatives Of
the president of the National City Bank
find ii expedient (and possible) to-
day to Introduce into the hearing be-
fore Justice Morschauser in White
Plains any letter or letters Mrs. Still
man may have written to Mr.. Stillman
or any other person. Mrs. Stillman's
lawyers are ready TO produce letters
that will Offset such influences.
In the first place. there is likelihood
that the proceedings in White Plains to-
day Will be brief, formal and uniilu-
ininsting on behalf Of Mrs. Stillman.
John L. Brennan OF Yonkers purposes TO
ask that her alinony be increased TO
sl9O. 900 ! year. tlIat she be awarded
$4,000 counsel fees and that she be
granted custody Or the Stillman chill
dren. DC Lancey Nicoll is scheduled 70
appear Tor Mr.. Stillman.
There was a report from the Court
House al White Plains last night that
the lawyers would announce this morn
ing that they had agreed. privately, on
matters OF finance and guardianship,
The story was accompanied BY assur-
ances that the producer Of the informa-
ton talked with authority. Justice Nor
schauser declared that 20 far as he was
aware there had been no change in the
programme.
IL is altogether possible that the law
yers will ask that the hearing be adj
jouIned, saying that All amicabie agree
rnen: upon the matters involved las been
reached ond that tile decision of the
court will be unnecessary. Certain II Is
that both sides are afraid - reveal their
hands at this early stage. and that un-
less Mr. Nicoll Is forced 70 such an ex-
pedent he will not preciptate sure
hurricane by seeking to offer any letters
written by Mrs. Stlllman to Mr.. Still
man, which letters, by the way. viii be
declared inadmissible by Mr.. Brennan.
inasmuch as they constitute confidential
communications between wife and hus-
band Such communications are ex-
cluded as evidence ny State statutes.
But. THE New York HERALD Is In
formed, Mrs Stillman's lawyers are In
possession of letters written TO Mrs.
Stillman, but not by Mr. Stlliman, ana
therefore admissible. The contents Or
these letters were not revealed. one -
said to be a taunt and another demand
that Mrs. Stillman "be q sport and get
out of the life of q man who has no
further use for her" Who wrote the
letters was not learned. but representa-
lives OF the wife Of the banker smiled
easily when asked what they would do
If Mr. Stillman's lawyers started any
thing.
"It is our opinion that Mr.. Stilman's
lawyers are entirely too shrewd not 10
realize the task they have In hand. said
q person working In Mrs. Stillmans IN
tercsts I'VE shall start nothing spec
tacular, but we have hard counters Tor
every blow they strike. We are doing
very nicely. thank YOU"
Mrs. stillman's lawyers announced last
night that she would not appear at the
hearing to-day, and from an unques-
tlonable source came information that
Mrs. Stlllman's lawyers also do not
expect him to be present In court.
''His lawyers may appear and say
that he is amply able to pay any
REASONABLY amount the court may stipu-
late" this person said. 1T is my judg-
mont that this will happen. II would
make unnecessary Mr. Stillman's np-
pcarance and the filing of papers. IL
IN argument can be avoided well and
good but If Il cant tile lid may bc
pulled off, spade called n spade. and
lawyers. expecting 70 gay little, may
say great deal.
Justice Opposes Cioaking Case.
More snan anything else. the opposed
lnwyera dread the possibility Of any
Documentary evidence becoming public