The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-03-04
MRS EDDY'S COUNSEL
 ISSUES A STATEMENT
REPLY TO VARIOUS ALLEGA- TIONS IN THE BILL OF
 EQUITY.

Latter Action Discussed With Her--She Does Not Relieve It Undertaken by Her Son or Other Relatives But by PersecutOrs--Her CIearness of Mind Unimpaired-Amount of Her Property Grossly Exaggerated--SOIe Income From Copyright on Her Books Business Affairs Managed Alone by MT. Frye--No Denial of Report That Large Sum Has Recently Been Set Aside for Her Son and Grandchildren. Concord, N. H., March 3.-General Frank s. Streeter, the legal adviser of Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, issued a statement this evening in the nature of a 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. The state- ment 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 I am informed. have since had long per- sonal conference with her, at which this proceeding and matters connected herewith were fully discussed.
 Tn 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, un- der the guise of court proceedings, to continue the persecution begun some time ago,
 From my conference with her at this time and on other recent occasions l am able to speak definitely and posi- lively. Her clearness of mind and res oluteness of purpose have 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 ru- nor and unfounded report. She is not possessed of large wealth as the term is used. Mrs. Eddy receives no income from the church, nor from the publica- ton 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 grossly overestimated.
 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 and per- 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 cir cles in Concord. Accurate accounts of all her property and investments, as well as her annual income and expen- ditures, have been carefully kept and frequently audited. The last audit was in October, 1906 None of the defend ants named, except MT. Frye, has any connection witio the management of her property or investments, or have any knowledge whatever In reference there to; nor have any of the said defend ants ever received any property of Mrs Eddy which they hold in trust or other wise, 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, Allen Hollis, I am counsel for Mrs Eddy alone. While the defendants would undoubtedly be guided largely by Mrs Eddy's wishes with respect to these proceedings, cannot, as her legal rep resentatiye, undertake to speak for them.
 With reference to the report that within a few days Mrs. Eddy has plac- ed in the hands of trustees a large amount of money to be held and used for the benefit of her son and her grandchildren, have nothing to say.
 Whatever Mrs. Eddy may or may not have done toward providing for her
 
 the present at least, to be discussed by ane
 Tt is obvious that I ought not to talk about the legal aspect of the case, nor what will be the course of the proceed ings, so far as Mrs. Eddy is concerned The proceedings are unusual So far as this case can be considered a legiti- mate proceeding in equity, it seems to be an attempt to have the personal rights and privileges of a citizen adju- dicated in a way unprecedented In New Hampshire so far as I am aware, and if it shall appear that these proceed ings have been instituted for purposes other than the ascertainment and pro- tection of the plaintiffs legal rights the method of dealing with such case will be carefully considered by Mrs. Eddys counsel before making any public statement"
 Messrs. Kelly and Martin, counsel for the nominal plaintiff in the bill of equity, have an appointment with MT. Streeter for tomorrow afternoon. If at that time MT. Streeter declines to accept service in behalf of the defend- ants, the process of serving the de- fendants individually will be instituted. Former United States Senator Cham dler, the senior counsel for the plain tiff, will arrive here from Washington sn Tuesday, and will at once join with fhe others in the conduct of the case.
 It was learned tonight that about 4