New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-22
EDDY SUIT WITHDRAWN
Ex-senator Chandler Says Notion
Filed zcith Superior Court.

Concord. N H. Aug. PA sudden though
not wholly unexpected ending of the masters
hearing in connection with the suit in equity
brought by relatives for an accounting or
the property of Mrs. Mary Baker g. Eddy
leader of the Christian Science faith, came in
the Superior Court room here to-day, when
ex-senator William E. Chandler. senior counsel
for the relatives next friendS,'' announced
to the board of masters that they had filed
motion with the Superior Court to dismiss their
action.
General Frank S. Streeter, counsel for Mrs
Eddy, objected to a dismissal of the case before
the question of competency had been decided by
the masters. The masters decided. however. that
under the Instructions given them by the court
they could not proceed. in view of the filing of
motion with the court u dismiss the case,
and announced that they would so report.
With the termination of the proceedings be-
fore the masters the case reverts to the Supe-
rior Court on the question of petition to Dismiss
the original suit There is little doubt among
those interested that Judge Chamberlain. before
whom the action was brought will grant the
motion
The suit brought on the ground that Mrs.
Eddy, being incompetent on account of age and
inhrmities TO manage her affairs. was the
victim of persons associated with her in Chris
tlan Science work. who were named as de-
PENDANTS in the equity suit. The masters. three
in number, were appointed by the Superior
Court TO determine the question of Mrs Eddy's
competency. and hearings before them have been
in progress for several days
The principal reason for the petition for dis
missaI. as made known at the hearing to-day by
Mr.. Chandler. was 1.-The unproftableness of any
immediate result Of a decision in our favor in
the exact issue as framed, compared with
the burdens and Disadvantages to be endured
both before and after such decision
1.-The suit has been almost wholly altruistic in
its nature" Mr.. Chandler added. land not a
single dollar of the large fortune whose existence
is disclosed. or which might be enlarged in con-
sequence OF this suit, can become at this time
the property of the next friends. There are also
reasons. sentimental in their character. over
coming 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 dismissed
Mr. Streeter at once presented a motion that
the masters proceed with the hearing and de-
termine her competency to manage her bust
ness affairs
'Tf we are allowed to proceed" said Mr.
Streeter. I'VE should show you that on February
- 1907, Mrs. Eddy began to arrange for the
management of her property for the rest of her
life. and to provide for her kindred during that
time"
Mr. Streeter reviewed the institution and
progress of the accounting suit which he char
acterized primarily assault by great
newspaper upon a great religion-a religion
which its founder had designed to promote after
her death by the OF large part Of her
fortune
Not one word of testimony has been intro
duCed," said Mr.. Streeter, ''to show that one
dollar of her money has ever been misappro-
ba oT 6er has
completely collapsed. II is stated in the
press that the next friends will abandon this suit
for the purpose Of awaiting Mrs Eddy's DEATH
and then contesting her will. Mrs. Eddy has a
legal right to a finding of her competency upon
the case as it stands. or upon such further
evidence as she may Introduce"
Mr. Streeter demanded from the masters n
finding to that effect
Judge AIdrich said the issue submitted to
them was purely property question He con-
tinued
''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 justified in going forward with an
ex parte hearing We 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
10 resume the hearing. Without sIch order we
do not think we should be justified In going for
ward with this hearing
In reply to a question by Judge Aldrich. Mr..
streeter said he would take exception to this
ruling.
Alfred Farlow. of the Christian Science publ
cation committee. one of the defendants. after
the dismissal of the suit. to-day gave out a
statement in which he characterized the suit
as gigantic farce, effort to annoy and dis
credit Mrs. Eddy and stigmatize the religion
of which she is the founder"
Mr. Chandler and General Streeter. the lead
ing opposing counsel declined after the hearing
had adjourned to add anything to what they
said in court.
The Christian Science publication commit
tee at noon made public statement from Dr.
Allan McIane Hamilton of New York. alienist,
who at the request OF counsel, examined MIS-
Eddy recently at her home in this city, in which
DR. Hamilton said of Mrs. Eddy
''I am firmly OF the opinion that she is COM
petent to take care of herself and manage her
affairs and that she is not cOerced in any way
In fact. il would appear as If she takes the
initiative upon all occasions
S,,,p,ar Exhaustion speedily dispelisd with