Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-29
CHURCH ISSUES
!. ARGUED IN COURT
Christian Science Contro-
versy Before Supreme Tri-
bunaI in Massachusetts.

BOSTON, November 20 (by the As
ISOLATED Press).-The controversies
within the Christian Science Church
came before the full bench Of the SUI
preme court OF Massachusetts, today
for arguments on questions Of law.
The disputed points largely repre-
sented exceptions taken to the f1nd-
ings Of Judge Frederic Dodge, who,
by the trustees of the Christian
Science Publishing Society against
the board Of directors of the church,
sustained the plaintiffs in their main
contentious.
Since the litigation began in March,
1919. it has assumed various phases
through Intervening suits, but broad
~ speaking the outstanding issue is
whether the authority Of the eboard
Of directors of the Christian Science
Church extends over the trustees of
the publishing society. which pub
fishes the Christian Science Monitor
and other church periodicals. Judge
Dodge held that it did not.
The arguments will occupy the time
Of the court today and tomorrow, the
total OF ten honrs allotted being di-
vided among counsel.
Six Cases ON Docket.
Although not consolidated, the docket
contains six cases. which were to be
heard in sequence. First to be argued
was the suit of the trustees of the
Christian Science Publishing Society
Science Church. in which the plaintiffs
ask that the respondents be enjoined
from interfering with the affairs of the
publishing society. The trustees claim
that under deed of trust made by Mrs.
Mary Baker Eddy. founder Of the
ohm pr.h ~
by the directors. who, in the exercise of
powers which they maintain are con-
ferred under another deed of trust made
by Mrs. Eddy and in conformity with
the plan of church government which
they maintain was laid down by Mrs.
to remove Lamont Rowlands from his
Office as trustee.
Judge Dodge, who heard the evidence,
held that the directors did not have au-
thority to remove Rowlahtls. Il
Points in Dispute.
Although a bill in equity brought
by John V. Dittemore. who was re-
moved by the directors, to compel the
latter to recognize him as a fellow
member Of their board, was not fully
heard By Judge Dodge, he decided the
removal Of Dittemore was illegal.
Former Gov. John l.. Bates appeared
to argue exceptions for the directors.
anu the trustees also were TO De rep
resented. Charles l.. Hughes was ex-
pected to address the court in support
Of the report of Judge Dodge.
Charles F. Choate. jr., ON behalf OF
Mrs. Emile B. Hulin of Brooklyn, ~
Y. whose petition to intervene in the
suit of the trustees against the di.
rectors was denied by Judge Pierce OF
the Supreme Court, will argue that
Mrs. Hulin, who is one of the original
first members Of the Christian Science
Church, should become d party to the
State Attorney General J. Weston
Allen will ask the court to declare
that under the will Of Mrs. Eddy a
public charitable trust was created
when the First Church of Christ.
Scientist. was established; that the
trust Was organized and existed under
the usage and discipline of the church.
as set forth in the manual. for the
promotion and extension Of the re-
ligion Of Christian Science. The at
torney general wishes all issues
raised in other suits tried out in his
information.
Other matters. before the court are
the bills of Daisy and Edwin 4.
Kauthoff. proclai9hing the. manual as
the supreme authority of the church
and of the trustees of, the publishing
society to restrain individual members
Of the mother church from influence
ing other members to cancel sub
scriptions to Christian Science pub
locations.