The Washington herald., 1907-07-27
MOVE IN EDDY CASE
Masters Prepare to Settle
Question of Competency.
COUNSEL FAIL TO FIX DATE
Gen. Streeter Pleads for speedy
Hearing, while ex-senator Chand-
Proper Presentation of Evidence.
August I3 Set for Continuation.

Concord, n. H., July 26.-In the bill in
equity brought nearly five months ago by
George W. Glover, of Lead City s. Oak,
and others in behalf Of Mary Baker G.
Eddy against Calvin A. Frye, Mrs. Eddy's
private secretary, and a dozen other
prominent Christian Scientists OF the
country for the purpose OF securing an
accounting of Mrs. Eddys property. this
has been most important day in court.
The long-drawn battle in the Superior
Court. fought mostly by charges and
counter charges given in written form,
eliminated In a suspension yesterday of
court proceedings as a whole until the
salient point of the whole case, Mrs. Ed
dy's competency could be determined. To
determine this issue Of competency. Judge
Chamberlain, OF the Superior Court,
named Hon. Edgar Aldrich, justice of the
! United States Court for the district Of
New Hampshire. as master, to sit and
/ find the facts. As associate master, DR..
George F. jolly. an eminent al.enist, OF
Boston, and ex-COngressman Hosea W.
l Parker. of Cleremont. n. H., were ap-
I pointed
This board Of masters has to-day d.
rected preliminary steps which Will lead
/ TO a determination Of this paramount
question Of competency By September 30.
All Papers in Case Read.
Although the question Of Mrs. Eddy's
competency is the only one to be passed
I upon by the board Of masters. practically
all papers including motions and answers
on file in connection with the case as
whole were read to-day to the masters
for purposes Of general information.
Particular attention was called to the
fact by Mrs. Eddy's counsel. that the
original bin In equity was not fled in
legal sense until three days after Mrs
Eddy executed her deed Of trust, trans
ferring all her property TO three we'll
known men. The fact, is, however. that
copies Of the bin were served upon Mrs.
Eddy's counsel five days before the deed
OF trust was executed, though not so ap-
peari2g in the court records.
Following the long review OF the case
to-day Judge AldrIch made the simple
announcement that he and his associates
were 10 ascertain. II possible whether
Mrs. Eddy On or about March !. when
proceedings were instituted. was capable
or managing and controlling her own
business affairs. He said that this. and
: this only. was the issue 20 be tried be-
/ fore the masters, anc invited suggestions
as to when the hearing should proceed.
Fail to Agree or Date.
Cen E~uDlr c.rr1.sr-
vate counsel, addressed the court and
pleaded for a speedy hearing. He said
that he was ready 10 proceed with d trial
Of the issue at once.
Ex-senator William f. Chandler. senior
counsel for Glover and the other next
friends addressed the masters asking
that the hearing be put of until Septem-
Der 10. He said that 81 per cent OF the
testimony. which he believed would sun
port their contentious, was In the hands
Of hostile witnesses, and that by the dsno-
sitions process, he and his associates
would be able 10 Gull out the salient facts
for presentation 20 the court. and thereby.
he believed. save much time, in the prog
ress Il the public hearing.
The masters requested the attorneys
e.ghI IN number, 70 confer and see II they
could not agree upon date for the pub
lie hearing. The conference proved fruit
less, however and it was finally left 10
the masters to decide
Taking of Dispositions.
The request on the part OF Senator
Chandler for leave to take dispositions Of
parties here in Concord was denied. not
only as to this city. but as to the State.
but dispositions may, by permission Of the
court, be taken outside the State. and
counsel for Mrs. Eddy waived notice Of
such dispositions, so that they can be pro-
eeeded with at once. Notice has also been
waived by counsel for the plaintiffs. and
II is understood that dispositions are TO
be taken in behalf of Mrs. Eddy's defense.
in New York. Massachusetts, South Da-
kota, Vermont, and Maine, the States.
except in one instance. In which the next
friends, who brought the suit. reside
At the conclusion Of to-days hearing.
postpOnement TO August 13 was announced
by the masters, in order that a reasonable
time should be accorded to the plaintiffs
to prepare and obtain their evidence