New-York tribune., 1919-04-10
Deposed Director Alleges
Trustees of the Christian
Science Publishing Body
Have Been ''DisloyaP'
Separate Answer Filed
John V. Ditfemore Asserts
"Monitor" Was Conduct
ed on Extravagant Lines

BOSTON, April 9.-Charges Of dis
loyalty to the church and mismanage-
ment on the part of the trustees OF
the Christian Science Publishing So
ccty are made in n separate answer
filed in the Supreme Court to-day by
John V. Dittemore, one of the defend
ants to the suit brought by the trus-
tees last month to restrain the di-
tectors of the First Church of Christ,
Scientist. from interfering with their
management of the society Mr.. Dit
temore particularly attacks the meth
ods used in the publication Of "The
Christian Science Monitor" daily
newspaper.
The other members of the board of
directors dismissed Mr.. Dittemore on
March II, last, eight days before the
filing of the suit, and appointed Mrs
Annie NJ. Knott in his place. Both he
and Mrs. Knott were made defendants
IN this suit, the trustees asserting in
their bill of complaint that they were
unable to determine which was "duly
appointed" director Mrs. Knott joined
in the answer filed by: the other di-
rectors on April A.
Pleadings Completed
Mr.. Dittemore's answer completes
The peadngs. 1t is expected the case
will be sent to q master within few
weeks for the hearing of evidence.
The answer says the manual or by
laws Of the Christian Science Church,
es administered by the board of d-
tectors. constitutes the supreme author
ity over all departments of Christian
Science activities, including the pub
fishing society.
1t asserts the alleged disloyal atti-
tude of the trustees has been known
for long time by the directors, and
that q majority of the directors has
been influenced and intimidated by the
trustees in combination with Frederick
Dixon, editor Of "The Christian Science
Monitor" 1t alleges that Mr.. Dittemore
was removed as q director because of
his opposition to the schemes of the
board of directors, consisting of Adam
=. Dickey, Edward A. Merritt and Will
stm R. Rathvon.
Intimidation Alleged
The answer charges the trustees,
Herbert W. Eustace, David B. Ogden
and Lamont Rowlands, with "disloy-
atty. misconduct, mismanagement and
ineffciency." 1t says Mr.. Eustace is
the dominating member of the board
Of trustees, and with Mr. Dixon has so
inundated the majority of the board
OF directors as to subvert many Of the
Church bylaws. The trustees, the an
swer continues, have sought to with
draw the publishing society from the
legitimate control of the board of di-
rectors, thus introducing a division in
the Christian Science movement.
Charges are made in the answer that
the circulation of "Thc MONITOR has
been misrepresented and that its man
agement has been extravagant. espe-
claliy in its foreign service
admission is made there has been
en increase in the income of the pub
fishing society from the sale of GER
tain periodicals.
Big Increase in Prices
1t is asserted this increase was due
70 increased prices, in some instances
bo per cent and in other instances 100
per cent, and that this burden had
been borne by the subscribers, almost
hli OF whom are members Of the First
Church Of Christ, Scientist.
Regarding the action of the directors
IN voting to remove Mr.. Rowlands
from the Board of Trustees, the answer
says Mr.. Dittemore's former co-direct
ors frequently had told Mr.. Dittemore
mr: Rowlands was little known and
bad only a small following among
Ahrlstian Scientists, and that if he
alone were removed or threatened with
removal, the other trustees would
make no objection and the growing un-
rest among the church members Would
Inc answer says the trustees. be-
cause Of their inconsistency to the
principles Of Christian Science az
taug5t by its founder, Mrs. Mary Baker
+. Eddy, and their disregard Of the in.
2ury they might inhict upon the move.
feht, are not eligible to hold office, It
fsserts they have no legitimate stand.
thg 70 proceed with the prosecution Of
kaeir suit and they can be and ought to
% removed from Office by the court.