Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-01
Hughes Argues for
Trustees Christian
Science Publishing Co.


former justice Of the United States
supreme court, completed today his
argument for the trustees OF the
Christian Science Publishing Society
in the various actions that have been
grouped for decision by the Massa-
chusetts supreme court bearing on the
dispute between the directors OF the
church and trustees over questions Of
authority.
The crowd of Christian Scientists
and others who went to the court
house before the proceedings began
was smaller than that of yesterday
but every seat in the. courtroom was
occupied by an attentive listener.
There is a. harmony which results
from despotic power and another one
which results from unity OF religious
views. It seems unfair to Mrs. Eddy
to believe that she relied for harmony
on the dospotic power of the directors
of the mother church, said Mr..
Hughes.
There were indications that Mrs
Eddy feared the despotic power of
these directors when she drew the
deed of trust creating the publishing
society and. therefore. gave the First
Members concurrent power with the
directors.
1.-THE unity which these directors
wish is the unity OF despotic power.
That is unity which might destroy
the organization they profess to up
hold
When Mr.. Hughes finished, Edwin
A. Krauthoff, whose bill ito uphold
the church manual" is before the
full court on pleas and demurrers,
began his address on behalf OF his
bill.
The argument of Mr.. Hughes was
in the nature of a reply to the con-
tention advanced nv former Gov
ernor John L. Bates in behalf Of the
Board of Directors. 1.-THE construc-
ton asked for by these plaintiffs, F."
Mr.. Bates said in referring to the
plain intention and purpose Of the
donor Of this charity, and would, we
contend, result in it's destruction.
Their position is one by which they
break faith with the donor and inequit-
ably seek to take and reap the benefits
from the obstruction and course Of
conduct prescribed and participated in
! by Mrs. Eddy and followed by all par
ties until 1918. and at the same time
they insist upon renouncing its obli-
cations. - Having remained ST.
lent or actively led her to believe that
they would always adhere to the con-
struction which she placed upon the
trust, they should not be heard to
speak in court Of equity in denial of
the very statutes created by their ac-
quiescence and conduct
Attorney General J. Weston Allen
followed by Krauthoff. arguing in sup
port Of his contention that the will of
Mrs. Eddy created a public charitable
| trust. He took the ground also that
the directors are the governing body of
the church. with power to remove
| members Of the board of trustees. 1t
was announced that Attorney Charles
F.. Choate Jr had been allotted part
! of the time given the attorney general
and that with his arguments the case
! was to be closed.
When the attorney general told the
court that Mr.. Choate would share his
| time. Chief Justice Rugg asked wheth-
| er he had been sworn as an assistant
to the attorney general. Mr.. Allen
said he had not, but that he had &C
| cepted Mr.. Choate's offer to assist In
! presenting the views OF the common
| wealth's representative. There was no
| objection to the arrangement and Mr..
Choate took up the arguments. He had
not finished when adjournment was
| taken and will be allowed about an
! hour to complete his presentation to-
mOrrou,