Evening star., 1936-10-23
BABY DERBY ENTRY
REFUSES TO SHARE
Mrs. Kenny, Claiming She
Will Win With Eleven,
Blocks Agreement.


ers In Toronto's baby battle for three
quarters of million dollars are keen
to reach an agreement whereby the
money will be divided among them.
Smilingly, Mrs Martin Kenny. 33-
Sear-old French Canadian claimant
of-confusedly-"1l or IL births and
maybe one up my sleeve" stands alone
in her determination to enter into no
agreement.
I'm sure I'm the winner and I'm
not splitting with anybody" she said,
q tiny, defiant figure.
Nevertheless, lawyers representing
other leading contestants took hope
that, even with the time limit only
eight days away, an agreement might
yet be reached, for Mrs. Joseph Bag
nato is a last-minute convert to the
scheme.
Enough for ALL"
This mother of % children. nine of
which she claims were born since
Charles Vance Millars death and
hourly expecting the birth of a tenth
"eligible,' has been just as insistent
as Mrs. Kenny that she would not
participate in an agreement.
But on the eve of her confinement
she announced surprisingly: II have
decided that split would be all right.
There's enough for all"
It Is understood that Mrs. Pauline
Clark (the original Mrs. ky, Mrs.
Arthur Timleck and Mrs. John Nagle,
each with claim of 10 babies, are all
anxious to sign any reasonable agree
ment. Lawyers are finding it diff
cult matter to arrange, due to the
contestants unwillingness to let the
others see their precious birth certifi-
Gates.
Executors Of Fund Silent.
Meanwhile, the three executors ad-
n.inistering the Millar bequest have
entered into a silence pact. They
won't talk. They won't even confirm
what is common knowledge-that le-
gal entanglements will prevent any
Quick disposition Of the $500,000 (now
grown to $75O,OOOD following the end
Of the race at 4:30 pm. on October 81.
But If the harassed, pestered execu-
tors are dumb, the mothers are not.
Especially Mrs. Kenny, who claims
the lead even though she has made
iast-minute decision cutting one child
from her confused list of 'eligibles."
All along Mrs. Kenny has been as
eerting that IL children were born to
her since the bachelor lawyer-sports-
manchester died in 1926, leaving a
fortune to the mother giving birth in
Toronto to the greatest number OF chill
dren in the next decade. Now. how
ever, Mrs. Kenny withdraWs one
entrant.
Takes One OFF List.
"Just say got II good children for
Millar win," said Mrs. Kenny to this
astonished reporter in her voluble
broken English. Il take one off to
please the other mothers. give them
. chance"
But if you have had II 80"
The tiny wife of burly tire builder
kestured magnificently.
'I said II. Now say IL. And am
the winner. You will see."
But If you have had IL 80.
ST take my chances on H." said Mrs.
Kennv. "I figure no one else has more
than nine, no matter what they say.
You watch"
"Who has the next best chance?"
Nobody" exploded Mrs. Kenny.
I'm it. And remember, I stand on IL.
Tn having another baby, yes. Maybe
before the time is up. But I'm not
worrying about it. I have enough
now."
Fan Mail Irksome.
Mrs Kenny indicated a table strewn
with letters.
Look at my mail" she said. proud
". Letters from all over. But some
of them make me mad. They want me
to divide up the money. In Two Gays
I got 26 letters from people IN the
States asking me to split with the otner
mothers. They should let Canadians
run their own affairs"
IF you win. will you give the rest
bomething?"
"I not say now," said Mrs. Kenny.
SIf people do me right, I maybe 90
them right too"
Mrs. Kenny doesn't care how many
legal arguments take place after oc-
tobef 81.
"I can wait" she said. "That won't
make me decide to split Mr.. Millar's
money. Mr.. Millar, now, ne was a
fine man. He knew he was going to
help a family that needed help
Money Pours In.
The Kennys we're on city relief until
four months ago, when Kenny op-
tanned employment. His wife's posi-.
tion In the stork derby has added to
their income by reason of payment for
newspaper photographs, interviews,
newsreel pictures, ETC., and some firms
are giving them samples OF their
products.
However, other contenders cast
doubts upon Mrs. Kenny's claims.
They argue that she has given no clear
list of her children's names and ages.
Mrs. Kenny Is not alone IN her re-
fusal to show birth registration certifi-
Gates to inquirers. Similar "caglness"
is displayed by other contenders.
Three claim ten "eligibles es'-Mrs. Ma
gle, Mrs. Timleck and Mrs. Clarke.
Mrs. Bagnato, claiming nine births
since Millar's death, expects another
child any day now.
Mrs. Gus Graziano, disappointed re-
Gently at not having twins. names nine
on her list. Mrs. Ambrose Harrison,
with eight now, may have ninth
before the time limit Is reached.
Major interest centers in Mrs
Clarke, who was originally called
mrs. x" She felt considerable en-
barrassment at entering the race be-
cause five of her ten children were
born after she and her husband sepa-
rated. The father of the second
five," according to Mrs. Clarke. will
marry her If she can obtain divorce
Would Buy Divorce.