The Washington times., 1925-08-06
CHECKS, He
SAYS, Will.
AID SICK
SISTER
Millionaire Contends All rs
Legal"-Mary Louise's Age
Causes Comment
By InternationaI News Service

NEW YORK, Aug. GA threat
by Welfare Commissioners Bird S.
Coler to investigate reports that
Edward w. Browning, wealthy
divorced real estate man, had paid
$4,000 to the parents of Mary
Louise Spas, in connection with
his adoption Of her, today brought
an admission from Browning that
he had paid the girls parents
$1,000.
Coler, who criticised Browning's
advertising campaign preliminary
to the selection Of Mary Louise
from 1900 applicants, said the
procedure was Ndemoralizing, (" but
that his department could take no
action as the giri was not de-
pendent.
Before Grand Jury
''If it could be shown that Brown
ing paid money to the girls pa
rents" Coler declared, the matter
would assume a different aspect,
and I probably should lay the
whole matter before the grand
jury
Browning, in admitting he paid
the girls parents 81 900, said the
money was given in $500 checks,
one to each parent. He said he did
this at the instance OF Mary Louise
who stipulated that the money was
to be used for her older sister,
Mildred, who is i'll in sanitarium
in Denver.
The new development did not
=
She was up early today. Long be-
around her sumptuous suite in Kew
Gardens Inn.
Bfealdasted Together
Browning met her in the dining
room. They were at ease during
breakfast, apparently, although the
curious gaze Of $50 others were
upon them.
Mary Louise's millionaire Dad
dy" was emphatic in his denial of
the published story that he had
paid $4,000 to Mary's parents as
the price for their consent to his
adoption OF their daughter.
Moonshine-no truth in it," he
said. II did give a small gift.
don't believe in giving people who
are not used to 1t large sums OF
money. It was only 81 ,000,'
Browning sharply replied to
Coler's criticism of his adoption
of the girl.
This is my own affair."" the.
tall, gray haired millionaire de-
c1ared. Everything was done in
perfectly orderly, legal manner.
Il don't care what people think.
l am going to give this little girl
as a fine a chance to get an edu.
cation, to thrive and do well, as
any young woman ever got"
At this, Mary Louise gave Brown
ing a sympathetic glance and a
charming smile.
Mary is sixteen, she said. So did
Browning.
But neighbors, who have known
the Spas for years, place her age
at from eighteen to twenty. They
hint she was even engaged to be
married before Browning adopted
her.
Not Poor, As Said
Also, it was learned that the girl
Browning adopted for his other
nine-year-old ward, Dorothy Sun
shine, is not the poor girl 1t was
first thought she was. Her father,
John Spas, owns or has an interest
in a $50, 900 apartment building In
Astoria.
Automobile riding is no new thrill
for her, although she may never
have ridden in such an expensive
limousine as Browning has placed
at her disposal. Her father has a
car.
Investigation revealed that she
had been motion picture actress,
that she took part in mob scenes"
Also, she attended a private school
for dancing. She has admitted she
has tried a little toe dancing"
Browning's Cinderella boy
friend was known as Billy"
neighbors say He stopped calling
on her when Browning began.
making his appearance in his big
car.
Mary's mother was evasive when
asked her daughters age.
We don't want any scandal"
sAa said.