Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-21
EDDY SUIT CLOSED;
PAPERS WITHDRAWN
Counsel for ''Next Friends"
Make the Move.
STATEMENT BY CHANDLER
He Gives the Reasons for His Sudden
Action.
STATEMENT BY CHANDLER
ATTEMPT MADE TO CONTINUE
Opposition Wants the Question of
Sanity and Competency Settled
Once for All.

CONCORD. N H., August 21-The ia
nous suit in equity brought on March /
last by George W. Glover, son of Mrs.
Mary Baker G. Eddy. and others as next
friends" against Calvin s. Frye and others
to secure an accounting of the property of
the aged founder and head of the Christian
Science Church came to an abrupt end
today.
immediately after the opening of court
in the continued hearing regarding Mrs
Eddy's competency before Judge Edgar AL
drich and his co-master William E.
Chandler, senior counsel for the next
friends. announced that counsel for the
next friends had filed with the clerk of the
court a motion for the dismissal of the
suit He said that there were many rea-
sons for this action. but the principal one
was 1.-THE unprofitableness of any immediate
result of decision in favor upon the
exact issue as now framed, compared with
the burdens and disadvantages to be en-
dured by US, both before and after such
decision"
This was the second day of the second
week of the masters hearing upon the COM
potency of Mrs. Eddy. Upon the masters
taking their seats William Z. Chandler,
senior counsel for the next friends, ad-
dressed the court, saying:
Chambers Statement.
May il pleas: the court, It will doubt
less be relief to the masters to be in
formed that the counsel for the next
friends have this day filed with the cle-k
OF the court motion for the dismissal
Of the pending suit and that They hereby
withdraw their appearance before the mas
tiers without asking from them any find
ing upon the questions submitted to them
by Judge Chamberlain. There are many
reasons for this action. The principal one
arises from a consideration of the unproft-
ableness of any immediate result of a de
cLsion In our favor upon the exact issue
as now framed compared with the bur-
dens and disadvantages to be endured by
us both before and after such a decision.
The suit has been almost wholly altruistic
in its pdtuTe and not a single dollar of the
large fortune whose existence is disclosed
or which might be enlarged in consequence
OF this suit, can become at this time the
property Of the next friends There are
also reasons sentimental In their charac-
ter, overcoming the strong desire of the
next friends to prove the facts and vindi-
cate the reasons upon which the suit has
been based-which, however is now hereby
dismissed
Mr.. Chandler then formally presented a
motion for the dismissal of the suit.
Motion to Proceed.
Mr.. Streeter, counsel for Mrs. Eddy, in
her behalf at once presented motion that
the masters proceed with the hearing and
determine her competency to manage her
business affairs,
IF We are allowed to proceed" said Mr.
Streeter. we should show you that on
February II. 1897. Mrs Eddy began to ar
range for the management of her property
for the rest of her life, and to provide for
her kindred during that time
Mr. Streeter reviewed the institution and
progress of the accounting suit, which he
characterized as primarily an assault by a
great newspaper upon a great re g on-a
religion which its founder had designed to
promote after her death by the use of a
large part of her fortune.
Not one word of testimony has been In
troduced said Mr.. Streeter. Ito show that
one dollar of her money has ever been mis-
appropriated. The charge of her incompe-
tenCy has completely collapsed 1t is now
stated in the press that the next friends
will abandon this suit for the purpose of
awaiting Mrs. Eddys death and then con-
testing her will. Mrs Eddy has a legal
It to a finding :. Of her competency upon
further evidence as she may introduce"
Decision of Aldrich.
finding to that effect. Judge Aldrich said
the issue submitted to them was purely a
property question. He continued:
The next friends having withdrawn from
this hearing and announced that they Will
withdraw the suit from the superior court
there is nothing left for to hear and We
do not think we should be justified in going
forward with ex parte hearing.
We shall make report to Judge Cham
a % ovid md h..
happenings OF today. In case we are in
error in respect 10 the effect of next friends
withdrawal, Judge Chamberlain can direct
us TO resume the hearing
Without such order W.. do not think we
should be justified in going forward with
this hearing
Mr. Streeter said he would take exception
TO this ruling.
The leading opposing counsel, Mr. Chan
der and Gen Street declined after the
hearing had adjourned. to add anything to
what they said in court.
Thinks Her Competent.
Alfred FarIow OF the Christian Science
Publication committee one OF the defend
ants after the dismissal of the suit today
gave out "A statement. in which he charac.
terized the suit gigantic farce, an eff
fort to annoy and discredit Mrs. Eddy and
stigmatize the religion of which she is the
founder"
The Christian Science publication commit
tee made public statement from DR. AL
Ian McLane Hamilton of New York, alien
list who. at the request of counsel, exam
fned Mrs Eddy recently at her home in this
city in which DIR. Hamilton said of Mrs
Eddy:
u am firmly of the opinion that she is
competent to take care of herself and man
- age her affairs if she is not coerced in any
way In fact IL would appear as If she
takes the initiative upon all occasions"