Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-04
STREETkR'S REPLY
Legal Adviser of Mrs. Edd
 Issues Statement.
OLD PERSECUTION REVIVED, HE SAY
Declares Aged Head of ChristiaI Scfentists' Clearness of Mind and Resolute Purpose Not Impair-
 ed by Advancing Years.


 Scientists' Clearness of Mind and
 ResOlute Purpose Not Impair-
 ed by Advancing Years.
 CONCORD, N. H., March 4.-Gener al Frank $. Streeter, the legal adviser of Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, has is sued long statement in the nature c1 reply to various allegations in the bill of equity which has been brought against trustees and directors of the Christian Science church by relatives of Mrs. Eddy with the view of obtain. ing an accounting of funds.
 It is charged that Mrs. Eddy is be. Ing kept a prisoner by persons whc have handled millions of dollars whicl have for years flowed into her treasury
 That Mrs. Eddy attempted by gift of from $10O.0OO to s25O,0O0 to her relatives to avert suit for an ac- counting of her property has been made known. Her representative, Rev. l. c. Tomlinson, was hurrying to her sou, George w. Glover, In Dead wood, s. D., when the papers were filed by direction of ex-Senator Will liam E. Chandler. He was then re- called.
 The statement is as follows:
 Early Saturday morning I sent to Mrs. Eddy copy of the bill in equity as published, but not yet served upon any of the defendants, so far as I am informed. have since had long per sonal conference with her. at which this proceeding and matters connect ed herewith were fully discussed.
 "In common with her many friends she believes that the inNatlve fin these proceedings was not taken by her son or other relatives, but by others who in markedly unusual manner and by unique methods are undertaking un- der the guise of court proceedings to continue the persecution begun some time ago.
 Prom my conferences with her at the time and on other recent occasions I am able to speak definitely and posi- lively. Her clearness of mind and resoluteness of purpose has been in no respect impaired by her advanced years. Her capacity to think clearly and to deal accurately and justly with important business affairs has never been more perfectly demonstrated than in her conferences and acts in the last two weeks and in numerous business letters in her own handwriting which I have received from her during that time.
 "The amount of Mrs. Eddy's prop erty has been grossly multiplied by rumor and unfounded report. She is not possessed of large wealth as the term is ssed. Mrs. Eddy receives no income from the church nor from the publication society connected with the church. Her sole income for many years has been from the copyright on her own books. and the amount from this source has been overestImated.
 Mrs. Eddy's business affairs have been managed by herself. with the aid of Mir. Frye. her devoted and loyal servant. and under the oversight and | personal audit of another gentleman whose name has not been mentioned. but who stands for all that Is honora ble and of good repute in financial cir cles in Concord. Accurate accounts of all her property and investments as well as her annual income and expendi lures have been carefully kept and frequently audited. The last audit was in October. 1aOG. None of the de fendants named. except Mir. Frye. have any connection with the management of her property or investments or have any knowledge whatever in reference thereto. ncr have any of the said de fendants ever received any property Of Mrs. Eddy which they hold in trust or otherwise. except in one instance. for the benefit of a relation.
 with reference to the report that 1 within a few days Mrs. E-ldy has placed in the hands of trustees a large amount of money to he held and used i for the benefit of her son and her grandchildren. have nsthing to say