Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-04
COUNSEL ISSUES A STATEMENT
Says Amount of His Clients Prop
erty Is Grossly Multiplied==Wiil
Not Discuss Legal Aspect.

Concord. n. H., March 3.-General
Frank S. Streeter, the legal adviser of
| Mrs. Mary Baker G.. Eddy, issued a
long statement this evening in the ma
| ture OF q reply to various allegations in
the bill of equity which has been
brought against trustees and directors
of the Christian Science church, by rel
atives of Mrs. Eddy, with the view of
| obtaining an accounting Of funds. The
statement is as follows:
early Saturday morning I sent to
Mrs. Eddy a copy Of the bill in equity
as Published but not yet served upon
any of the defendants so far as 1 am
informed. l have since had q long per-
sonal conference with her at which this
proceeding and matters connected
herewith werc"fully discussed.
'In common with her many friends
she believes that the initiative in these
proceedings was not taken by her son
or other relatives, but by others who in
a markedly unusual manner and by
unique methods are undertaking under
the guise of court proceedings to con-
tinuc the persecution begun some time
ago.
From my conference with her at this
time, and on other recent occasions. |
am able to speak definitely and posi-
lively. Her clearncss of mind and res
oluticn ri purpose has been in no re-
spect impaired by her advanced years.
Her capacity to think clearly, and to
deal accurately and justly with i'm
poitant business affairs, has never been
more perfectly demonstrated than in
her conferences and acts in the last
two weeks and in numerous business
letters i'll her own handwriting, which
I have received from her during that
time.
"The amount of Mrs. Eddy's property
has been grossly multiplied by rumor
and unfoundcd report. She is not pos
sessed OF any large wealth as the term
is used. Mrs. Eddy receives no income
from the church, nor from the nublica :
tio, society connected with the
church. Her sole income for many
wears has been from the copyright of
her own books. and the amount from
this source has been grossly overcsti-
mated.
Mrs. Eddy's business affairs have
been managed by herself with the aid
of Mr.. Frye, her devoted and loyal SER
want, and under the oversight Vi Il PEI :
sonal audit of another gentleman,
whose name has not been mentioned.
but who stands for all that is honor
able and of good repute in financial
circles in Concord. Accurate accounts
of all her property and investments as
we'll as her annual income and expendi-
lures have been carefully kept and fire.
uuently audited. The last audit was in
october. 1906.
None of the defendants named eX-
cept Mr.. Frye. have any connection
with the management of her property
or investments or have any knowledge
whatever in reference thereto. nor have
any of the said defendants ever re-
ceiyed any property of Mrs. Eddy's
which they hold in trust or otherwise.
except in one instance, for the benefit
of a relation.
Inquiry has been made whether the
various defendants would accept SER
vice of the proceedings. I cannot say
as to that. With my partner. Mr.. Allen
Hollis. I am counsel for Mrs. Eddy
alone. While the defendants would I'M
doubtedly be guided largely by Mrs
rddy's wishes with respect to these
proceedings, cannot as her legal rep
resontatiye undertake to speak to them