The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-23
BARTHOLOMEW
ROW GOES into
SECOND ROUND
Mother of Boy Actor Pre-
pares New Action for
Courts.
ny THEON WRIGHT

A1CA@iSA WOOlJs hDiA 90 - AilC
spectacular Bartholomew family
row over possession Of 12-year-old
Freddie Bartholomew. child actor
and chief wage Garner in the fam
My, had closed its first round today
with a decision standing against
the boys mother and in favor of
his Aunt Cissie."
Firm iawed Mrs. Lillian Mae
Bartholomew the young actors
mother, was warming up for a sec
ond round which her attorneys pre-
dicted will settle this whole bust
ness"
Judge Harry r. Archibald climaXed
brief but sizzling court session by
dismissing the mothers effort to
gain return Of the boy in petition
based on the ground che had not
had time to resist the petition of
Miss Mary Myllicent Bartholomew
Aunt Cissie"-when the aunt was
given guardianship of the boy last
October.
The Judge held the mother had
ample time" and dismissed her pc
tition for rehearing on technical
legal grounds.
Preparing New Suit
Meanwhile, Leonard Meyberg. the
mothers lawyer, was preparing a
new suit against Miss Bartholomew
basing her claim solely on the in
herent right of mother to have
custody of her SON.
Judge Archbald's decision left
guardianship temporarily with the
aunt, who brought young Freddie
to America two years ago and con-
verted his oxford accent and Sun
day School manners into $3.50
a-week income, Of which she gets
one third.
II followed a bristling exchange
Of affidavits and sarcasm. in which
both sides of the Bartholomew fam
lily hung out their washing-Mrs.
Bartholomew ranged against her
sister-in law. father-in -law and
finally against her husband.
In-Laws Attack Mother
The latter, Cecil Llewllyn Bartho-
lomew, Tuesday, filed an affidavit
supporting his wife's claims, but
yesterday cabled from London with
drawing his power of attorney and
announcing himself satisfied" with
his sisters guardianship subject to
her cooperating" with himself.
The enigmatic cable added that
"criticiSm of Miss Bartholomew" in
the previous affidavit was based on
a misunderstanding which is now
removed
Mrs Bartholomew, fighting alone
after withdrawal of her husbands
support, also was attacked by an
affidavit of her husbands parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick Bartholo-
new who have taken care of young
Freddie since he was years old.
Showdown Is Expected
Both filed affidavits saying the
mother was not a fit and proper
person to be guardian of the child"
Under California law the only
legal way in which a child can be
taken from it's mother is by proving
her unfit to care for it, The new
suit to be filed by the mother is eX-
pected to force a showdown on this
issue.
Meanwhile. Mrs. Bartholomew
further complicated the wrangle by
filing a new suit against the aunt,
asking for an accounting of Fred
dies earnings since he became an
actor.
This suit, oddly enough, was sup
ported by the father. 1t contended
the boys earnings were lin excess of
$4,000" and argued the parents
were entitled to the boys earnings.
Miss Bartholomew was asked to pay
Freddie'S wages to them.
Exploitation" Is Charged
Miss Bartholomew herself intro
duced an affidavit which said Mrs.
Bartholomew had failed to show in
terest in the child until he became
a success as a high-salaried actor,
and charged Mrs. Bartholomew with
conducting the present legal fight
for her son as exploitation and
publicity" for a series of signed
articles she said Mrs. Bartholomew
was preparing for a London paper.
Arrangements will be made, the
aunt said for the mother to visit her
son under proper conditions" Mrs.
Bartholomew has not seen or talked
with Freddie since she arrived from
London q week ago.
Meyberg said he would delay filing
additional suits until the mother
talked with her SON