The evening times., 1900-02-10
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.
Life Member Demands an Inyesti-
cation Of the Books

NEW YORK. Feb. I0.-Samuel March. a
lawyer. Of Is John Street announced his
intention yesterday of securing an investi-
cation Of the books and accounts of the
american Tract Society. even if it requires
an application to the Supreme Court for a
writ of alternative mandamus. Mr. Marsh
who became a life member Of the American
Tract Society through the payment fifty
years ago OF $50 by his grandfather, David
Marsh. asserts that the affairs of the Tract
Society are not being conducted along good
business lines by Dr. G. L. Shearer. one OF
the secretaries, and his associates.
DR.. Shearer said last night that Mr..
Marsh had 10 just cause for trying to make
trouble. He gave out fer publication
brief statement from the treasurer. set
ting forth that Mr. Marsh. who rented an
office in the Tract Society Building until
April last, owed $50 for four months rent.
and he gave the following explanation OF
the disagreement with Mr. Marsh:
Mr.. Marsh rented an Office until April
of last year fOr $3.50 year. He asked for
the use of an adjoining unoccupied office at
half the schedule rate on the ground that
he was a life member of the society and
ought to receive consideration. He was in
iOIHel luGl II Was contrary TO the con-
stitution of the society for any member of
it to receive a concession of this nature
and he became angry, and finally moved
away. Mr.. Marsh has written to the mem
bers of the Executive Committee complain
ing about the refusal of the society to al
low him to examine the accounts.
We have about eight thousand mem
bers, and we hardly considered it advisable
10 establish a precedent of allowing any
member to walk into the treasurer's Office
and examine the accounts at will. No
member has any such right under the law
All that a life member is entitled to under
the constitution for the $50 paid for his
certificate of membership is 81 worth of
tracts a year. Mr.. Marsh is welcome to his
rights.
I'VE have told Mr.. Marsh more than
once that we should explain anything in
the accounts which seemed suspicious to
him, but that did not satisfy him. Charles
NJ. ,jessup, of the Metropolitan Trust Com
pany, and A. w. Kenworthy a chartered
accountant annually pass upon our ac
counts and certify to their correctness I
understand that Mr.. Marsh criticises us
for renting Offices to the Christian Business
Bureau, which in its advertising matter
makes ambiguous promises with reference
to profits. We have told this concern that
their lease would not be renewed Our
counsel has advised us that until this con-
Germ commits some overt act We cannot
proceed against them, and cannot eject
them from the premises So far as | can
learn. no one has been deceived by their
somewhat singular methods of doing busi-
ness
When Mr.. Marsh was asked when he pro-
posed 10 ask for Supreme Court order he
said ii might not be necessary
Dir ShParpr said that fhara would I,a III
tie or no deficit this year on account OF
failure to rent offices in the building at
Nassau Street and Spruce Street. Last
year the deficit was about $4,000 This
year the receipts and disbursements will
come nearer to balancing. and next year.
DR.. Shearer thinks. the building will pay
profit over interest and taxes.