Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-18
CR|SWOLD DEFENSE
FILES INVENTORY
Woman Bookkeeper, However,
Admits Valuation Was Pre-
pared for Trial
MADE FEW MONTHS AGO

Special Dispatch to EVcntn1 Public Ledger
Atlantic City, Oct. 1S.-Mrs. Cath
crime waxter, bookkeeper for Mrs.
Mary H. Drischman, admitted on the
witness stand in the Griswold will con-
test this morning that a typewritten
statement, purporting to show the
value of the Griswold estate in 1918,
had in reality been made up by her
during the last few months, in prep
aration for the present trial.
This statement, which showed that
the estate was worth something more
than 1926 900, was found in the books
which have been offered in evidence by
the Countess Anna st. Clair da Con-
turbia, Mrs. Griswold's only daughter
who is seeking to break her mother S
will.
The admission of Mrs. Waxter re-
garding the time the statement was
made I'm came as a distinct surprise to
former Judge Cole, chief counsel Tor
the Countess, who was cross SCANNING
the witness. He had drawn from her
the admission that she had not made
trial balance showing the condition OF
the estate since February, 1917, and
then presented the statement, dated IN
1918. and found in the books.
"Who made up that statementE he
asked.
II did," replied the witness.
nWhen did YOU make 1t!
"I do,not exactly recall answered
Mrs. Waxter, but it was quite re-
Gently" ,,-
litigation?"
"Oh, yes"
What did you make up that state
ment for?'' ...,,,
Further cross examination developed
the fact that Mrs. Waxter had never
seen a complete inventory OF all OF the
properties of the Griswold estate, but
had merely kept track of the receipts
and expenditures as they were given her
by Mrs. Drischman or appeared on bank
statements. bankboOks and memoranda
furnished her.
Defense Scores Point
this morning in the testimony of II.
Starr Giddings, a LAWYER, now OF
Bronxville, \. Y. but formerly resid
ing in Atlantic City. Mr.. Giddings
drew the first power of attorney fol
Mrs. Griswold in favor of Mrs. Drisch
man, and later drew the first deed OF
trust by which Mrs. Griswold turned
her estate over to Mrs. DriSchman. Mr..
Giddings said that grant of power which
Mrs. Griswold proposed to give Mrs
Drischman was so unusual that he not
only demonstrated with her, but that
he also took the matter up with Mrs
Griswold. He said. however, that Mrs
GriswCid insisted that she be relieved
of all of the bother of looking after her
business interests.
she told me that she was tired oj
being bothered to death by people solic'
iting money from her." testified the
lawyer. land that she wanted to shift
all of this burden to other shoulders.
On cross examination Mr.. Gidding
said that he was convinced that Mrs
Griswold was Of sound mind at the time
and perfectly competent to make suCl
arrangements as she saw fit with re.
gard to her property.
Made Two Other Wills
Mr. Giddings also said that in at
least two previous wills which he har
drawn Mrs. Griswold cut off hen
daughter. the Countess, with smal
tequest. The first of her wills, he said
revoked the power of attorney she ha,
given Cross and DeEby for the man.
agemcnt Of her property. This will
according to the witness. left the residue
of the estate to Cross and DENLY anC
to their children.