McLean Out

Advertising and circulation dropped off because of unappetizing publicity about the publisher's "offenses against public decency." Certain advertisers deducted from their payments $27,000 uncollectable personal debts against the publisher. Churches refused to advertise in the paper because of the publisher's "unchurchmanlike" reputation. Morale of the employes was shattered by the attendance of the publisher's woman friend at office conferences. The publisher attended only two board meetings in the last two years. The paper had lost money every year since 1926 except 1929; lost last year $131,-391. . . .

With such arguments by counsel and witnesses, Mrs. Evelyn Walsh McLean, on behalf of her three children,* tried in District of Columbia court last fortnight to oust her estranged husband. Publisher Edward Beale McLean of the Washington Post, as co-trustee of the McLean estate. He was, she charged, the millstone around the bowed neck of the Post.

Justice Jennings Bailey was dubious about his right to remove Trustee McLean because "I don't think the purpose of the will [of the late John Roll McLean] was merely to preserve the estate for the grandchildren. I think it was as much for the benefit of his son." Both sides met last week in judge's chambers, emerged with a compromise. Fun-loving "Ned" McLean would resign as publisher of the Post, renounce all voice in its management or disposal. For the balance of the estate he would remain co-trustee with American Security & Trust Co. While the case was being settled "Ned" left the American Hospital in Paris, whither he had gone after appearing in Riga, Latvia to file suit for divorce. While in Riga he announced intention to marry his companion, Mrs. Rose Douras van Cleve. identified by the U. S. Press as a sister of Publisher William Randolph Hearst's friend Marion (Douras) Davies.

Year ago Publisher McLean was about to sell the Post reputedly for $3,000,000 either to Publisher Hearst or to Publisher David Lawrence of the United States Daily (see above) when Mrs. McLean got the court to halt proceedings long enough for her to make a bid on behalf of her children. When negotiations were resumed, "Ned" suddenly announced in court that he had changed his mind about selling (TIME, July 6).

* John R., 20, Edward B. Jr., 14; Emily, 10.

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