New Britain herald., 1925-08-07

MOTHER NOW ASKS
 TO CANCEL ADOPTION
 New York, Aug. (P}-NIrs.
 Anna St. John of Rye. N. Y,
 fostcr-moth"r of Dorothy Sun
 shine Drowning, adopted six
 years ago by Edward W. Brown
 ing, wealthy real estate opera
 tor, today took steps looking to
 the cancellation of the sdop-
 ton.
 New York, Aug. [ P)-The story of 12 year old Sylvia Mullen that Edward w, Browning wealthy real tor, had promised to adopt her. was denied today by Browning. He also denied the girls account of a party last night with him and his newly adopted daughter Mary Louise.
 There vas no party last night" said Browning.
 '1 retired early and the last time I saw the Mullen girl was in my of. flee yesterday"
 The girl told her story when she returned 10 her Bronx home early this morning after having been miss ing for several hours.
 Sylvia eXcitedly related that while she was a guest of Brewing and his newly adopted daughter, Mary Louise, at party last night. the realtor had promised to adopt her.
 Mother Confirms Story
 The girls mother, widow, partly confirmed the adoption story, assert ing that Browning already had en- tered into negotiations with her for the adoption of Sylvia. A few hours later, when Browning was reached hy telephone at his home in Kew Gardens, he denied the story of both .the party and the promise to adopt the girl.
 While Sylvia was adding another chapter to Browning's adoption cpl .Sodes, the authorities were threaten ing 10 prosecute him and the parents .of Mary Louise, under the law which prohibits the barter and sale of. children.
 Sylvia's Story Sylvia, a blue-eyed girl, with flax len bobbed hair who disappeared from her home yesterday morning, returned in the small hours of today. She explained her long absence by saying that she had been the guest of Mir. Browning and Mary Louise at ia party and then with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes announced that Daddy Browning had promised 10 adopt her within two weeks.
 TO Be Adopted
 MT. Browning made me very happy" said Sylvia. He said that in just two weeks he Is going to adopt me. Then, I, too, will be a sure-enough Cinderella.
 "Oh, l want real education so much, and I so want to study music. Mother couldn't earn enough 10 give me these things and I had given up hopes when Mir. Browning told me I was to be Sylvia Browning. Doesn't that sound grand ?"
 BruWn Not Located
 Mr. Brown could not he reached this morning to confirm Sylvias story as 10 her future. Mrs. Mullen, however, told reporters that the mil lionaire had already entered into negotiations with her for the adop- ton of her daughter.
 Sylvia's father died when she was baby and her mother, she says has 10 work hard for a living. There Is T. year old brother, who Is work. ing n Atlantic City.
 While Sylvia was on her party the authorities were threatening prose- cution Of Mir. Browning and Mary Louise's parents under the law which prohibits barter and sale of children.
 Admits $1,O0O "Gifts"
 NIT. Browning frankly admitted giving each of Mary's parents $500 after the formal adoption as q Sur prise present. and to express his goodwill toward them.
 Bird S. Cole, commissioner of pub lie welfare, branded the adoption S highly immoral" and as a "mer chandising transaction" He said he would confer with District Attorney Newcombe of Queens county and in- veStigate all the details.
 Commissioner Coler said he had re- ceived hundreds of protests from citizens against the adoption.
 MT. Browning obtained a divorce in Paris last year, his wife keeping one foster daughter and he the oth- CT, Dorothy Sunshine. His attorney said it was Dorothy's longing for a playmate that led the millionaire to adopt Mary.
 Mary May Be 2t
 The fact that school board records show Mary to he 21 years old in- stead of 16, as she claimed, did not worry either Mir. Coler or MT. Browning, the former held that law against selling and buying children applies to all ages
 The society for the prevention of cruelty to children, Superintendent Vincent Pissaro said, would act if improper guardianship were shown.
 Not So Happy Now
 Mary Louise, driven 10 tears de spite the luxuries she has enjoyed for just two days, frantically denied one rumor after another about her past life and parents She especially denied stories that she had been en- gagged to several men. one a plumb. CTS helper and another dentist.
 Y would rather be the poorest girl in New York than go through all