New-York tribune., 1921-06-04
rlOrence Leeds
Repentingg in
Church Haven
Baby Hands Pushed Mrs.
Stillman Forward, Held
Her Back" Friend Writes
in Chorus Girls Behalf
Defense Counsel Is Split
Stanchfeld aud Taft Firms
Almost Quit Divorce Case;
Urged Wife to Settle

NSx, Florence Lawlor Leeds, former
chorus girl, who is named in Mrs. Anne
USquhart Potter Stiiiman's answer to
her husbands divorce case, is now in
the care of community of Catholic
women.
This news was conveyed to The
Tribune yesterday in letter from one
of the Catholic women, who says Mrs.
Leeds is in a thoroughly repentant
frame of mind and has suffered much
rs 8 result of pitiless publicity.
Two baby hands pushed Mrs. Still
man forward and two baby hands held
me back" Mrs. Leeds has told Cath
clio priest, the letter says. The writer
asks the world not to forget that Mrs.
Leeds as we'll as Mrs. Stillman is a
mother.
This disclosure of the unusual turn
in the affairs of Florence Lawlor Leeds,
and thirty -siX-hour conference OF at
torneys. resulting, it was hinted from
Mrs. Stillman's refusal to follow ad-
vice ofScounsel and accept a settlement
at the hands of Mr.. Stillman, were the
outstanding developments in the
divorce case yesterday. Mrs. Still
mans position in refusing to accept
settlement terms approved by John B.
Stanchfield. chief of her counsel, as
noted in a recent statement, caused
the firm of Stanchheld & Levy and the
firm of Cadwalader. Wickersham &
Taft, both to threaten Yesterday to
withdraw from the case, leaving John
+. Brennan, of Yonkers, in charge of
Mrs. Stillman's interests. The con-
ference resulted i'll 8 complete re-
assignment of attorneys in the case.
Late yesterday, however, Mr.. Bren-
nan succeeded in prevailing upon the
two law firms to remain in the case,
and it appeared that Mrs. Stillman
might vet agree TO a settlement in
which she is to receive sos 900 a year
for her own use, and further financial
concessions in favor of the children.
The letter received from the Catholic
woman welfare worker follows. The
name of a newspaper and a certain
priest have been deleted.
"To the Edisor of the Tribune:
In view of the fact that your paper
is-frst to last the TRUTH would say
the filthy columns Of another paper
command criticism in regard to the
slckening publication in q recent issue
adding agony to the already ssorched
soul OF Florence Leeds, who has been
and is at present living in my home
community, since this unfortunate pub
licty first took place.
"She never ventures outside of her
immediate grounds, except to attend
the. Catholic church, nearby, or visit
the priest of the parish, who has taken
2 keen interest in this cruelty mis-
judged girl. 1t indeed would be a
strain for her to live up, or rather
Gown, to the reutation certain news
paper has SO ungenerously tried to give
her.
''If the truth were known, she is the
real tragedy behind this great domestic
struggle. A lot of credit is due this
youny woman for her superior self
control.
''In the war of the multitude against
the abuse of motherhood we have for
gotten that she, too, is mother-no
matter how-but just consider that she
is mother and add her fearful re-
mark to Father -' of the parish,
Two baby hands pushed one mother
forward, but two baby hands held me
back should convey her story to the
world; and so out OF justice to this
giM, whose sincere and strong repent
ance is known to the women of this
community, | ask you to publish this
letter--so the world may see these wild
stories concerning her are the result of
disappointed reporters. who expected
her to be ready for their battalion Of
cameras and busy pencils"
The letter was shown to person
who mas been close to Mr.. Stilman' 5
interests in the case since the divorce
suit was fled. He read the letter care
fully and said:
''There is no doubt in the world that
this describes Mrs. Leeds's mental con-
dition." Further than this he refused
TO discuss the matter.
Mrs Stillman, it was said, nearly
disrupted her counsel by refusing to
permit settlement of the divorce case
John B. Stanchfeld advised her to set
tie and she refused to act on his ad-
vice, appointing John f. Brennan, OF
Yonkers. her personal attorney. Mr.
Stanchfeld reasoned with Mrs. Still
man. it was said. ;
I'VE take cases like this to win
them. not to lose them," Mr.. Stanch'
field is quoted as saying to Mrs. Still
man. 'if we were to fight this case
for years we might not win any more
than has been conceded in this offer
on the part of Mr.. Stillman's friends
10 effect settlement.
Mrs. Stillman, it was said. was OBJ
durate and refused to accept the set
tlement approved by her attorneys
Mr.. Stanchfeld, who has not been IL
the best of health and who would have
rested this summer were it not TO,
his agreement to give the cause o.
Mrs. Stillman his personal attention
considered the situation for severa
days and then dectoed TO WlthdfaW
from the case. George Coggill, of ths
firm of Cadwalader, Wickersham
Taft. decided that his firm, too, woulc
withdraw.
Conferences on this situation begar
Thursday afternoon and lasted unti
1880 at night Yesterday morning Mr.
Brennan conferred with Mrs. Stilman
In the afternoon the attorneys again
conferred, and finally the nettled at
torncys agreed to see the case through
it was said.
The reassignment of attorneys in the
case relieved John B. Stanchfeld, who
IS i'll, of much of the worry and WORT
OF the case. From now on Brennan
Curran & Bleakley, the Yonkers Law
firm, will be the attorneys of record
Abel |. Smith, of Stanchfield & Levy
will direct cross examination OF the so
called ladder and keyhole" witnesses
William NJ. Parks, of the same firm
will have charge OF all other womel
witnesses, including Florence Leeds.
George Coggill. of Cadwalader Wick
-eersham G. Taft will have charge of th,
men witnesses, including James A
Stillman. who is TO be closely qucs
toned regarding his alleged relation;
with Florence I.awlor Leeds Mr.. Cog
gill will be assisted by John Collins
of the samesfrm.
~0au f. Brennan last night issuet
the following statment.
I'm a conference to-day of attorney
~ linn - l,,n L