The New York herald., 1921-05-04
STILLMAN OUT AS
BANK HEAD, SUIT IN
DIVORCE RESUMED
William and Percy Rookie
feller Force Change in
National City.
G. L. MITCHELL CHOSEN
New Sensations Promised in
Hearing Of Bankers Ac-
ton Against Wife.
LITTLE GUY WILL APPEA r
Lawyers Will Try First To-day
to Have Barred Letters
Admitted.
LITTLE GUY WILL APPEAR


James a. Stillman will start again
this morning before Referee Daniel J.
Gleason. In the rooms Of the Bar As
sociation, to produce testimony which
he insists entities him to divorce
from Mrs. Anna Urquhart Potter Still
man, but he will not be identified here
after as the president Of the National
City Bank. His resignation was ac-
cepted yesterday by the board OF di-
rectors Of that institution, largely
through the influence of William
Rockefeller and his son. Percy Rookie
Teller, who converted the other di-
rectors to their belief that the best
interests of the bank called for the
election of new president.
Mr.. Stillman will continue, for the
time being, as a director and a MEM
Der OF the executive committee, largely
because of the big stock interest held
by the Stillman estate. The board
chose as Mr.. Stilman's successor
Charles E. Mitchell. president OF the
National City Company, who is only
forty-three years old, but the pos
SCISSOR Of a nationwide financial repu-
tation.
Mr.. Stillman was not present when
his resignation was accepted. although
he visited the bank yesterday. He is
t1il Srto har ha n
tended to retire into private life after
his suit for divorce ends. but would
sacrifice everything to win the action.
Mrs Stillman is also optimistic re-
garding the hearings which will begir
to-day. and many reports were curren
yesterday that charges even more sensa
tional than those already published will
be made by both parties. The hearing
will continue tomorrow and Friday. bu
the press OF curious persons may cause
Referee Gleason to change the location.
witnesses Prove Elusive.
Detectives report that some Of the wit
nesses depended upon by Mr.. Stillman
have either disappeared or have changed
their allegiance. The bankers main re-
lance is in letters already barred by
Justice Morschauser Of the Supreme
Court. Mr.. Stillman's lawyers hope to-
day to induce Mr. Gleason to admit the
letters and make them part OF the record.
These letters comprise one written to
Mr.. Stillman by his wife directly before
the birth OF Guy Stillman. the child
whom Tie banker makes codefendant
and others written 10 Mrs. Stlllman by
Ferd Beauvais the French-Canadian
guide named by the banker as core
spondent.
Mre. Suiman clings to her originsl
5ecsIon to fight back and counter. "a
her own behalf. with divorce proceed
ings m which she names Florence Law
lor Leeds. former member OF the Chicken
Chorus at the Century Theatre. She
will contend, furthermore. that her hus-
band is the father OF Florence Leeds's
son. Jay Leeds. The child Guy Still
man will be present at the hearings. II
was said yesterday. ana his guardian
ad Item. John r. Mack, will be at the
boys side protecting hts interests.
The action or the board OF directors
OF the National City Bank In accept
ing the resignation ot Mr.. Stillman
erases the name Of Sullman from the
roster of officials after II had been
synonynlous with the Institution for
many years through the financial genius
OF James Stillman. the elder. Several
weeks ago Mr.. Stillman went through
the form OF presenting his resignation.
but at that time only a minority OF
the directors were in town and those
that were present refused to accept.
Mitchell Succeeded Pyne.
The death recently OF NJ. TAYLOR
Pyne created a vacancy on the drec-
torate and that vacancy was filled by
Mr.. Mitchell. The following fourteen
members OF the board we're present at
yesterdays meeting:
Earl -. Babst president American
Sugar Refining Company. Nicholas r.
Brady. president New York Edison COM
nany: Guy Cary Of Shearman x Ster-
ling. Cleveland III Dodge Of the Phelps
Dodge Corporation. John a. Carver OF
Shearman & Sterling Joseph r Grace
OF w. r. Grace & Co. Robert S. Lovett.
president Union Pacific Railroad Ger
rish II. Milliten Of DeerinE. Miliken &
Co. Edgar Palmer, president New Jer-
sey Zinc Company; James II. Post of
r. RI. Howell. Son & Co.: Percy a..
Rockefeller, William Rockefeller Eric
L. Swenson. Horace $. Wilkinson. chair
man OF the board Of the Crucible Steel
Company of America.
In addition 10 accepting Mr.. Still-
mans resignation. the board elected y.
r. Swcns6n ne chairman of the board.
an office left vacant since the resigna-
tion OF Frank A. Nanderlip as president.
and appointed Mr.. Swenson. John A.
Carver and Percy a. Rockefeller as ad.
dtional members of the executive COM
mittee. Mr.. Swcnson has been a drec-
tor Of the bank and the National City
Company since 1912.
Mr.. Stillman issued no statement re-
garding his resignation, but soon after
he had been notified OF his election as
president. Charles r. Mitchell made II
clear that the bank under his leader
ship would pursue an open door policy.
lie said that he had no definite plans
as set. but that tho centre of his ac-
tivty would be the bank.
Mr.. Mitchell, besides being a national
figure In investment banking. Is an en-
thuslastic golfer. with scores ranging
from 90 to s5. and he walks daily, when
in the city, from his home at e38 Fifth