The New York herald., 1921-07-11
STILLMAN DEFENCE
BEGINS WEDNESDAY
Question as to Banker Testify
ing to Reasons for Suit May
Be Decided To-day.
RULINGS ON 4 MOTIONS
Former Servants Of Mrs. Leeds
Ready to Testify-Ex-Chorus
Girl Not to Be Called.

What is said to be one of the most
important decisions made thus far II,
the James A. Stillman divorce suit Is ex-
pected to be handed down to-day by
Referee Daniel j. Gleason at Poughkeep-
sic. 1t will dispose of the question as
to whether the banker is to be allowed to
answer three questions put on redirect
examination a week ago Friday and be-
hind which is alleged to be the real crux
of the charges against Mrs. Anne Urqu-
hart Potter Stillman and Baby Guy Still
man.
With these motions, of which there are
four. disposed of, the way will be clear
FOR the opening Wednesday of the af-
firmative defence" Of Mrs. Stillman. The
banker will hav, completed his side OF
the suit and will have established, in the
opinion OF lawyers who have been an
alyzing the evidence. case damaging to
both Mrs. Stillman and Baby Guy, unless
the evidence is outweighed by that of the
defence.
Mrs. Florence II. Leeds, the former
chorus girl. named correspondent by Mrs
Stillman, win be made the first point
attack by the defence. Twoscore ser
wants, who are said to have been in the
employ of the former show girl at DIFF
ferent times, will be on hand Wednesday
These servants worked at Rest Court
the Stony Brook. l.. l., home of Mrs
Leeds; at 81 East Eighty-sixth street
and at 969 Park avenue. her town
houses. and at Cleveland cottage. the
alleged Miami, Fla, love nest"
1t can be stated authoritatively that
the defence has abandoned all efforts to
serve a subpoena on Mrs. Leeds Earlier
in the suit it was thought that the de-
fence would be strengthened considerably
by her presence. but that viewpoint has
been abandoned. Mrs. Stillman's law
yers are receiving anonymous letters al
most every day reporting the former
show girl as being at the four points OF
the compass.
Clara" the masseuse. and Helen"
the woman of society,"" also named in
Mrs Stillmans defence. will not be
brought into the case. 1t is said, until all
the testimony relative to Mrs. Leeds has
been disposed of. but Helen will appear
in at least one part OF the early defence,
in what Is termed the marine division"
or the alleged happenings aboard the
Stillman yacht. Modesty.
But to both the lawyers for Mrs. Still
man and her husband, to-days decision
Is considered most important. The ques-
tions asked the banker, to which so much
Importance has been attached, apparent
ly were planned to have him testify he
first expressed himself to his wifes at
torneys as being willing she should have
a divorce IL she wanted one, and that.
after having been advised by his counsel
that he could not question the paternity
of baby Guy Stillman in a suit begun by
his wife, he then began the action NAM
ing the baby codefendant with Mrs. Still
man.
Other motions before the referee which
will be disposed of. have to do with part
of the testimony of DR.. Hugh l.. Russell.
Buffalo osteopath, and two of the alleged
Beauvais letters that have been intro
duced as evidence In the suit. One of
these. known as exhibit b. or the "honey
dearest" letter. has been excluded by the
referee, but the othr. called exhibit G,
or the ''rolled oats and bacon" letter,
was accepted on present proof"
William Rand. Jr.. one of Mr.. Still
mans lawyers. has asked that both let
ters be admitted.
John Il. Mack. guardian for baby Guy.
has moved that more of the testimony of
DR.. Russell be stricken from the record.
He asked that alleged conversations with
Mrs. Stillman In Buffalo during March
1918, which had to do with her mental
and physical condition at the time. be
excluded on the ground they were priv
ileged communications between physi-
clan and patient. 1t was on this same
ground that Referee Gleason ruled out
two weeks ago. an alleged admission Of
parentage that figures In the testimony
81 the osteopath.