New-York tribune., 1907-08-17
TESTS FOR MRS. EDDY.
NEXT FRIENDS WIN POINT.
Masters WM Probably Order Far
ther Examination.
Try Telegram to The Tribune. !

Concord n. H, Aug, 16.-Making every effort
to their aged client from the ordeal Of an
examination by mental specialists counseI for
Mrs. Eddy met defeat late this afternoon. when
the masters sitting at the Merrimac County
Court to decide her competency made the tenta-
tive suggestion that two alienists, with the mas
ters and counsel for the next friends. thoroughly
investigate the mental condition of the
mother"
This means that the veil of mystery surround
ing the household at Pleasant View is to be
lifted still higher 1t is the idea of the counsel
for the next friends to find out whether Mrs
Eddy is too greatly incapacitated mentally TO
appear personally in the courtroom. If ahenists
decide that she is not then Sthey want her 10
ibe produced.
If Mrs Eddy is adjudged deficient in mental
ity to serious degree, then the counsel for the
next friends think to gain a point even more
important, for such adjudgment by expert
alienists would furnish them with the proof of
their contention that the high priestess of the
Christian Science cult is in condition to han
die the affairs of her estate. and that further
more she not in her right mind when. on
March / last. she turned over most OF her prop
erty to the charge of three trustees.
Really it is upon this question of the exami-
nation of Mrs Eddy by alienists that the whole
hearing before the masters hinges, and back of
that the celebrated equity suit for an account
ing of her property, to which the sittings of the
masters only a preliminary.
While making his suggestion that two alien
lists go Pleasant View and make tests for
themselves of Mrs. Eddy's mental power, under
the direction of ex-senator Chandler, senior
counsel for the next friends. and in the presence
of the masters, Judge Aldrich at the same time
intimated that he had doubts as to the right
and power of the masters under the law 10 OF
der the aged woman to submit 10 such an eX-
animation. which would surely prove tenfold as
trying to her as the interview with the masters
two days ago. The counsel for the plaintiffs
were prompt to acquiesce in this tentative prop
osition of the masters it opens way for
them to secure just what they need to build up
their burden of proof as to Mrs. Eddy's incom-
potency.
There is much speculation here tonight as 10
whom ex-senator Chandler would select for his
alienists It is hinted that he has them picked
already and that they among tho most dis
tinguished of their class in this country or any
other.
Judge Aldrich at this afternoons session said:
Because one member Of this board of masters
IS an alienist by reason OF that, no reason. so
far as we can see exists why the case should
not take the usual course with respect TO the
introduction of testimony. The fact that Dr.
Jelly is an alienist would not prevent either side
from presenting the proofs of alienists any more
than because Mr.. Parker is a lawyer of wide
experience we should not discuss questions of
law here SO We have nothing which abridges
the rights of the parties one way or the other
Mrs Eddy IS a lady who has some funda-
mental rights here, some rights which, up TO
now. IN some respects do not seem TO have been
altogether regarded. 1 do not refer to anything
that has happened since this hearing began
We believe that IL somebody comes along and
claims 10 be the next friend Of a citizen and to
bring suit in behalf Of that citizen the next
friend is asked to show the grounds upon which
he exercises that pretension, and the citizen who
is charged with being incompetent is not obliged
10 Omen his house to the next friends, is not
obligeo to have doctors and aliensts and other
roonIa sent 10 the house. / am expressing our
views