New-York tribune., 1922-06-01
Mrs. McCOrnick Asks
Court TO Stop Marriage
Seyen,cen-Year-Old Girls
Swiss IFiance a Fortune
Hunter and Too Old.
Her Mother Alleges
go,r-ol Dnpa,ch 10 ~. TrIbar,

CHICAGO. May 81 Mrs. Edith Rock
efeller McCormick. officially went or
record to-day a. unalterably opposed
70 the marriage Of her daughter. Mathi.-
de. aged seventeen. 90 Max Oser. the
Swiss riding master. VINO is foriy-fouf
and a half years old and whom she
characterized as n fortune hunter
Appearing through her counsel at the
Probate Court she asked restraining
order 70 prevent the marriage.
Harold +. McCormick. president Of
The international Harvester Company.
Mathiides father, indicates plainly
that he sanctions the marriage. thai
he wishes to he Mathildc's guardian
without restriction OF interference from
the Probate Court He says that he is
the best Judge Of her welfare.
The anily battle line. as drawn.
shows isthilde and her father on one
side. h.le opposed 10 The marriage
are her mother, sister and brother and
her grandfather John y. Rockefeller.
Mfs. McCOrmick's attorney. in add
tiOn 10 asking for the restraining order,
filed statement declaring her oppo-
sition 10 the marriage. AZ the same
time she announced through her attor-
ney that she would not contest the sp-
pointment Of her divorced husband as
Mathilde's guardian. This attitude viz
.ually Transferred her powers over the
actions Of her daughter to the Probate
Court.
Court May Take Charge
The outcome may be that Judge
Homer. Of the Probate Court. will be
asked 20 take jurisdiction over the ques-
ton OF Msthilde's marriage 20 the
Swiss lie declined TO grant the r'-
straininc order al once and set the
hearing FOR June 3. Meanwhile 10 was
agreed that Air. Mccormick, as guar
dian. would not formally consent 20
the marriage. The Swiss law requires
that minors guardian or both
parents must consent 70 a marriage
The four reasons set out by Mrs. Nc
Cormick as her objections 20 Oscr
follow:
"First-Thst Max Oser is approx.
mateiy twcnty-seven and one-haif
years older than Mathilde.
and believes that said Max Oser is
without 4 regular and certain income or
means Of livelihood; that he is and will
be without sufficient funds Of his own
20 adequately maintain and support
said petitioner when and If he marries
hcr; that said Oser desires primarily 10
enter into said contemplated marriage
with the petitioner because he believes
that in so doing he will secure large
sums Of money and financial gain.
Third That said petitioner is Of
tender age aad tno young 70 reelize
shat IN entering inso said marriage
abe may become the subject Of the
Vaccinations and intrigues OF design
ing persons.
"Fourth- Said minor will by such
contemplated marriage cease 20 be an
American citizen, thus possibly I'M
periling important property rights
Under the Illinois divorce law minor
children may choose which psren. they
will live with. and Msthilde chose her
father. The law also provides that =
minor may choose her own guardian,
subject 10 the approval Of the court.
Msthilde has petitioned the court 20
make her father her guardian. In order
TO prevent this Mrs. Mccormick or
other objectors would be required TO
show that Harold +. Mccormick is not
III person 70 be guardian Of his
daughter.
Under tho rules OF the Probate Court
the presiding judge may retain meas-
ure of authority even after the guard
ian has been appointed. Upon petit
tion Of a relative Of the ward the court
may take jurisdiction. II this is done
in accordance with the battle lines laid
down by Mrs Mccormick. Judge Hor-
ncr would be in position 10 retain
jurisdiction over Mathilde's love az
fairs until she is eighteen--on April S.
1923. Thus a decision as 90 whether
or not she may marry the Swiss may
require the consent Of the court.
VIII Share in Great Estates
Many rich American girls who marry
foreigners find themselves In court
shortly thereafter. but Msthilde, who is
in line for two great inheritances, finds
herself there before she is a bride. As
a granddaughter OF John ID. Rockefeller
she is in line for share OF his vast
estate. and her father, multi-million-
aire. doubtless will be liberal with her
in distributing his estate, as he is
known TO be very fond Of Mathilde.
The entire question Of her guardian
(csnunusd on pss, n~)