The Washington herald., 1907-08-22

Concord, n. H., Aug. a-The famous
suit in equity brought on March last by
George w. Glover, son of Mrs. Mary
Baker G. Eddy and others, as next
friends" against Calvin S Frye and
others. to secure an accounting Of the
property Of the aged founder and head OF
the Christian Science Church, came TO an
abrupt end to-day.
Immediately after the opening Of court
in the continued hearing regarding Mrs.
Eddy's competency before Judge Edgar
Aldrich aqd his co-masters. William E
Chandler. senior counsel for the next
friends, announced that counsel for the
next friends had filed with the clerk of
the court a motion for the dismissal of
the suit.
He said that there We're many reasons
for this action. but the principal one
was the unprohtableness Of any imme-
diate result OF a decision IN our favor Of
the exact issue as now framed, compared
with the burdens and disadvantages to
be endured by US, both before and after
such a decision"
Finds Aged Leader Competent.
The Christian Science publication com
mittee at noon made public a statement
from Dr. Allan McLane Hamilton, OF
New York, allenist. who at the request
of counsel. examined Mrs. EDDY recently
at her home in this city, in which Dr.
Hamilton said of Mrs. Eddy
IT arr firmly Of the opinion that she is
competent to take care Of herself and
manage her affairs, and tha- she is not
coerced in any way. IN fact, it would ap
pear as if she takes the initiative upon all
occasions
This was the second day of the second
week of the masters hearing upon the
competency of Mrs Eddy Upon the
masters taking their seats Chandler ad-
dressed the court, saying:
May it please the court. it VIII doubt
less be a relief 20 the masters 10 be in
formed that the counsel for the next
friends have this day fled with the clerk
Of the court a motion for the dismissal
OF the pending suit, and that they here
by withdraw their appearance before the
masters without asking from them any
finding upon the question submitted to
them by Judge Chamberlain.
Calls II AItruistic Suit.
There are many reasons for this ac-
ton. The principal one arises from a
consideration Of the unprohtableness Of
any immediate result Of a decision in our
favor upon the exact issue as now
framed. as compared with the burdens
and disadvantages 10 be endured by US,
both before and after such a decision.
''-The suit has been almost wholly al
truistic IN its nature. and not a single
dollar Of the large fortune whose exist
ence is disclosed, or which might be en-
larged in consequence Of this suit. can be
come at this time the property Of the
next friends. There are also reasons.
sentimental IN their character, overcOm-
ing the strong desire OF the next friends
TO prove the facts and vindicate the
reasons upon which the suit has been
based-which, however, Is now hereby dis
missed"
Mr., Chandler then formally presented a
motion for the dismissal OF the suit.
Mr.. Streeter. counsel for Airs. Eddy, In
her behalf. at once presented a motion
that the masters proceed with the hear
ing and determine her competency TO
manage her business affairs
IF we are allowed to proceed" said
Mr.. sueeter, we should show you that
on February 12. 1907. Mrs. Eddy began 10
arrange for the management Of her prop
erty for the rest Of her life, and TO pro-
vide for her kindred during that time"
Mr.. Sreeter reviewed the institution
and progress of the accounting suit,
which he characterized as primarily an
assault by e great newspaper upon a
great religion, which its founder had de-
signed to promote after her death by
the use OF a large part of her fortune
Not one word of testimony has been
introduced" said Mr.. StTeeter 10 show
that one dollar Of her money has ever
been misappropriated. The charge of her
incompetency has completely collapsed.
II is now stated in the press that the
next friends viii abandon this suit for
the purpose of awaiting Mrs. Eddy's
death and then contesting her will Mrs.
Eddy has legal right 10 a finding of her
competency upon the case as it now
stands. or upon such further evidence as
she may introduce"
Mr.. Streeter demanded from the mas
tiers a finding TO that effect
WiIT Excepf 10 RuIfnu
Judge Aldrich said the issue submitted
to them was purely a property question.
He continued:
The next friends having withdrawn
from this hearing and announced that
they will withdraw the suit from the
Superior Court there is nothing left for
us TO hear, and we do not think we should
be justihed in going forward with an ex
parte hearing.
I'VE shall make report to Judge
Chamberlain containing all the evidence
and the happenings Of to-day. In case We
are in error in respect to the effect of
next friends withdrawal Judge Chamber
lain can direct US TO resume the hearing
Without such order we do mot think
we should be justified in going forward
with this hearing
In reply to a question by Judge Aldrich.
Mr.. Streeter said he would take exception
TO this ruling