Evening star., 1928-09-10
COURT WILL DECIDE
CUSTODY OF CHILD
Claimants to Battle Tomor
row for Possession of
Gloria MatuS.

The future of 5-year-old Gloria Ma
tus, whose parents were drowned in the
Potomac River on August 5, will be set
tied in the Orphans Court at Marlboro,
Md, tomorrow. when the rival claim
ants for possession of the child will ask
the court to decide between the merits
Of their respective plans for her welfare.
Gloria. it is expected, will accompany
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Scheffel. relatives of
the father who will ask the court to
permit them to take the child to their
home in Milwaukee. Henry F. Meyer,
1859 New Hampshire avenue, admin
istrator of the Matus estate, however,
wants to keep the child in his family or
send her to school,
Totally disinterested in all the talk
of court proceedings, adoptions and
property settlements, Gloria continues
to play with her pet dog and appears
well satisfied with the hospitality of
Mrs. John Schaeffer. 1923 Irving street
northeast, who has cared for her since
the tragedy.
Dispute Over Estate.
In addition to their inability to agree
on plans for Gloria's future, Mr.. Meyer
and the Scheffels are at odds as to
tn proper disposition of her small es-
tate, totaling about $4,000 in real es-
tate and insurance.
Mr.. Scheffel thinks the better plan
would be to sell the little home in
Greater Capitol Heights. which Erich
MatuS built with his own hands, and
place the money in trust for the child
If the house is rented out and kept
for Gloria it will have greatly de-
preciated when she becomes of age, he
believes.
Furthermore, he would like the girl
in his home as playmate for his
6-year-old son Gerald. Mr.. Scheffel
however. was emphatic in declaring
that his only interest lies in doing the
best thing possible for the child.
MY own means are limited" he said,
land if they can show me that Gloria
is to be adopted by family who can
do better for her than We can, will not
oppose such action"
Mr.. Never, who is custodian of the
prorerty room at the Smithsonian In
Stitute, said he would go to Marlboro
tomorrow prepared to resist all efforts
of the Scheffels to adopt the child.
Was Fathers Friend.
when Erich Matus, unable to speak
a word of English, came to Baltimore, Is
years ago, he made his home with me, y
Mr.. Meyer said, land have deep per-
sonal interest in the welfare of his child.
MY wife and / were like parents to
him and at the baptism of the child
Mrs Meyer was its godmother It is
true that Mrs. Scheffel is first cousin
of Erich Matus, but so far as ! can
learn they never correSponded with each
other. I believe that the ties of long
and intimate friendship are closer than
distant relationship"
Mr.. Meyer is opposed to selling the
Matus home. He thinks it should be
rented to responsible family and kept
for the child when she becomes of age.
The house is on double lot and in q
rapidly growing community. he says.
and will increase in value each year.
If the court grants him custody of the
child. he will send her to high-claSS
boarding school. unless some family
with greater means can be found who
would adopt the child and provide her
with better things.
The life of the little girl is in tragic
parallel to her mothers childhood days.
Mrs. Matus, according to friends, was
left an orphan at the same age as
Gloria
A similar struggle over her future fol-
lowed the death of her parents and was
terminated when she was placed in
Paris convent, where she passed her
earlier years.