Evening star., 1940-02-16
James Roosevelt
Will Fly East Today
But Won't See Wife
Presidents S Son Is Due
To Make Speech in
Philadelphia Thursday

HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 1s.-James
Roosevelt. the Presidents son, who
has become a movie executive.
planned to fly East today to make Q
speech, but presumably viii not see
Betsey Cushing Roosevelt, whom he
has sued for divorce. He is to speak
at Washington's Birthday banquet
In Philadelphia next Thursday.
In his complaint, filed in Los An.
geles Superior Court yesterday, Mr..
Roosevelt charged desertion. He
and his wife have been separated
for the last Is months Of their
l0-year marriage. They have two
daughters, 8 and 4, who are with
their mother.
In New York, Mrs. Roosevelt said
she would answer her husbands
complaint and ask divorce herself.
She added that a settlement had
been reached, and she would have
custody of the children.
Attorney Issues Statement.
In New York Mrs. Roosevelts at
torney issued statement over her
signature:
.! now confirm the fact that my
husband and have separated and
that he has brought an action
against me in California for divorce.
In due course I shall answer his
complaint and myself seek q decree
Of divorce.
Under our settlement agreement
I have the custody of the children.
expect to reside in the East,
My husband, I am informed, will
continue to reside in California. All
other matters between us being Of
an entirely private nature there Is
nothing more to be said Of public
interest"
Had Denied Suit.
AS recently as two days ago Mr..
Roosevelt had repeated his stock
answer: Nothing to say" to a re-
port he would soon file suit.
few months ago, when the ru-
NOR bobbed up, an associate told a
reporter:
There will be no divorce action
by either party, I can assure you,
until after the third term issue is
decided. Jimmy would not want to
embarrass his father until that ques-
ton is settled"
The popular Jimmy, who jumped
into the Hollywood picture from a
sickbed a little over a year ago. has
participated little in movie social
life. His occasional companion at
film affairs has been Romelle The
resa Schneider, who was his nurse
in 1888 when he underwent an oper-
alton in Rochester, Mimi, for a
stomach ailment. Her sister, Phyl-
lis, Is his secretary.
From Rochester he came to a
California ranch to recuperate. and
q few weeks later became fiscal
agent" for Samuel Goldwyn and
vice president of Goldwyn, Inc.
Wife Left After Brief Visit.
His wife came West with him, but
left after brief visit. He saw her
In the East several months ago when
he attended the funeral of her
father, DR.. Harvey Cushing. Under
California law, desertion can be
made a ground for divorce after q
years separation.
Jimmy's association with Goldwyn
was busy one; spent largely learn
ing the business.
Recently he became president Of
his own company, Globe, which 10
readying its first production.
He and Miss Betsey Cushing were
married in Brookline, Mass, June 4,
1880, two days before he graduated
from Harvard. He entered the in.
surance business and formed his
own firm in 1885, but quit to become
administrative assistant" to his
father January /, 1887. He resigned
this post November IS, 1898, while
still recovering from his operation.