New-York tribune., 1912-03-17
WR|CHTS AGAIN IN COURT
Christian Scientist Seeks Test of
Wife's Competency.
TROUBLE OVER REAL ESTATE
Husband Charges That She
Wants to Raise Money to Sue
Certain Leaders of Cult.

Mrs. Margaret A. Wright. the Christian
Scientist who figured in the public eve re
Gently when she raised disturbance in the
First Church Of Christ. Scientist at ssth
street and Central Park West. was again
the central figure yesterday In A squabble
in connection with the Scientist Church
This time she appeared as the defendant in
the Queens County Court. before Judge
Humphrey. in an action brought by her
husband and her brother for the appoint
ment of commission or q trial by jury to
decide the question of Mrs. Wrghts COM
potency,
This court proceeding followed closely
upon the appearance OF Mrs. Wright in the
Flushing police court last week when she
had her husband, Edgar ]. Wright, also a
Christian Scientist. summoned on the
charge that he was Withholding a deed 20
their home. I'm RaysidP, which was in her
name. and which she wanted in order that
she might place A second mortgage on the
property That action was dismissed, and
yesterdays application is regarded as Il
elimination Of the trouble.
In his application Wright states that tn"
reason his wife wishes to place n second
of securing money to push her suits against
several prominent Christian Scientists. He
then recalls the fact that Mrs. Wright was
confined in \ sanatorium at Central Islip
for five months for examinatio az to h"r
mental condition, being released about six
months ago.
il has been known for some time that the
domestic relations between Mrs. Wright
and her husband have been strained Al
though both worship In the same faith.
Mrs Wright said they differed on 'doctri-
nal points
.Iu Yesterdays proceedings Mrs. Wright
was represented by Hyacinthe Rtngrose. %
No 50 Nassau street. as counsel She took
the witness stand and denied her husband
allegations. but seemed more anxious TO de
fond Christian Science as taught by Mrs
Augusta Stetson than anything else.
Judge Humphrey asked her why she had
not applied the teachings Of Christian Sci
ence 10 bring harmony into her own home.
Mrs Wright said she had, and that were
II not for Christian Science she would have
secured divorce from Mr.. Wright more
than five years ago. The witness explained
her long absences from home by saying
that God would take care OF her chill
dren"
Judge Humphrey asked her why she got
homo as late as / and , O'Clock III the
morning. ia which Mrs Wright replied that
she could subpoena Mrs. Stctson tn tell
where she had been and what she had been
doing on these occasions. She SAID shH
had often visited Mrs. Stotson, who treated
her like a mother.
In his application Mr.. Wright stated thai
the Rayside property was worth $4,000.
on which there was first mortsag" ~
Sc 600. Io had the property transferred to
his wife through a trust company. he salh'
and while the deed was on record. no for
NAL transfer was over made 10 Mrs. Wright
In person.
Through his own counsel Wright said he
wanted tho Rayside home tn remain In trust
for his wife and their two children, but
that he did not want il dlssipatcd In payins
legal fees lie added that he did not want
the property returned to him, but h" did
want II protected.
In her testimony on the stand Mrs
Wright. who was becomingly dressed and
spoke with we'll modulaied voice. SAID h'I
husband allowed her only Is cents day
for spending money. She admitted. how
ever. that he frequently gave her sums of
money 10 purchase clothes and household
articles. but that sho used this money for
paying car fares and other personal eN-
penses.
Frequently. when hor feelings were
aroused by questions shot AT her on cross
examination, Mrs. Wright spoke with such
ra pidiiv that the court stenographsr hah
difficulty In taking down her testimony.
Judge Humphrey took the papers IN IN"
case and reserved decision.