The New York herald., 1921-05-23
MRS. STILLMAN With
THREE SONS STARTS
| ON MYSTERIOUS TRIP
Automobile Just Misses
Crashing Into Taxicab
in Fifth Avenue.
TERMS BEING TALKED
Amount Is Undetermined,
but 1t Ranges Between
$4,000 and $4,000.
SECRET MEDIATORS BUSY
Lawyers Also Have Seen No
satisfactory Finish for
Present Litigation.
TERMS BEING TALKED
SECRET MEDIATORS BUSY

Inc neSOLlaLlOHS Wnlcn are uHQeT
way for a settlement of the James A..
Stillman divorce suit are the result of
"feelers" that the former bank presi-
dent began to send out through friends
several months ago without the knowl-
edge Of his lawyers. He used a close
friend of his wife's as the intermediary,
asking Mrs. Stillman through this per-
son what her terms would be for a
discontinuance of the action. The at
torneys interested are making every
effort to keep the identity of the inter-
mediary secret 1t is understood that
he was in very close touch with Mrs.
Stillman during the last hearing in the
rooms of the Bar Association.
Additional mystery was added to the
negotiations and their progress last
night when Mrs. Stillman and her
three sons, James A., Jr., Alexander
and Guy, left New York city in an au-
tomobile, apparently to be gone for
some time. The four of them left the
Stillman home, 80 Fifth avenue, early
last night, followed by servants carry
ing several large pieces of baggage.
An automobile was waiting, in which
Mrs. Stillman and her sons climbed after
seeing that the servants had dashed the
baggage to the back of the car. AS the
automobile went away James A. and
Guy were with their mother in the closed
compa rtment of the car, while Alexander
sat on the front seat with the driver.
Narrow Escape in Fifth Avenue.
Mrs. Stillman and her sons had mar
row escape from injury few moments
after their automobile had started from
the Fifth avenue house. The chauffeur
turned the car and started down the
avenue, travelling at a fair rate of speed
AS he approached the Seventy-second
street entrance to Central Park a taxi
cab shot out from the park. travelling
swiftly. and for moment ii seemed to
persons passing on the sidewalk that a
collision was inevitable. But there was
a grinding of brakes and both vehicles
stopped with their hoods almost pressed
together. Mrs. Stillman's chauffeur got
out and examined his car and finding
that nothing had been damaged pro-
ceeded south in Fifth avenue.
A mystery also Is being made of the
identity OF two men who accompanied
Mrs. Stllman last Thursday when she
visited John L. Mack. guardian of Guy
Stiilman, the bankers youngest son, at
his home in Poughkeepsie. 1t is def
nitely stated. however. that they were
not lawyers and it is hinted that they
are prominent socially both in this city
and at Newport.
I Gull faf
Mr. Stillman. refused last night 10 deny
that negotiations for a settlement had
been begun. On the previous occasions
when rumors of a settlement were cur
rent Mr. Sullivan denied that he and his
colleagues had any intention other than
proceeding with the case to It's ultimate
finish.
II was learned. however. that Mr.. Sui
Ivan has been in direct communication
with John 3. Staachfeld. George Cog
gill and other lawyers associated in Mrs.
Stillman's defence. The opening wedge
is said to have been a communication
in which one OF the bankers lawyers
said =
why not let us get together and set
lie this natter"
Although It was reported Saturday
that Mr.. Stillman had agreed % pay his
wife the $1,000 that was granted to
her by Supreme Court Justice Nor
schauser. IL was said last night, that this
point has not been entirely settled The
banker Is reported TO have offered a
much lower figure, which was not at all
acceptable to Mrs. Stilman. and then
sum in The neighborhoo OF $4,000
year was suggested by Mr.. Stilman's
attorneys This also was refused by
Mrs. Stnlman, THE Ngw YORK HERALD
is reliably informed. but the indications
arc the financial consideration will be
between $4,000 and 100000
Negotiations siII "Up In Air"
The negotiations were reported last
night by person In position o
know as still being up in the air with
every indication that the agreement will
be signed in the near future, The con-
viction that the proceedings Will go
through TO a finish are based on the
assertion that this IL the first time set
tlement talk has been In the OPEN.
Heretofore the suggestions were made
through third and fourth parties.
realization that there was nothing
TO be gained by continuance Of the
suit but vast amount OF unfavorable
publicity is said to have impelled Mr.
Stillman 20 send out the "feelers" 1t
is also stated that the banker feels the
testimony OF Dr Hugh l.. Russell, the
Continued on Fourth Page.