New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-11-16
MORSE-HTGGINS TILT.
Former, Blamed for Dir. Barney'S
Troubles. Denies 1t.

a. Foster Higgins. who was elected president Of
the Knickerhocl1er Trust Company after the resig
nation of Mr. Barney declared yesterday that
Charles w Morse led Mr.. Barney into financial diff
culties. Mr.. Higgins also expressed regret that he
had accepted the presidency of the trust company,
and said he would never have done so If he had
known the real condition OF affairs.
Il met Mr. Barney day before yesterday on a
streetcar downtown" said Mr. Higgins. Il asked
him if he going TO help out the Knickerboc<er
Trust Company by doing his part in the plan we
had arranged for the directors 20 resubscribe to
their stock
I am sorry the company is in such a hole. have
done all could for it. Now I unable to put up
a dollar"
lis it possible asked that you are in as
deeply that?
Yes he replied. 4 am in pretty deep
"Mr Barney went to tell me how much he had
done for the Kniczerbocker and how proud he had
been of the institution. However, I will say that
had Mr.. Barney lived do not believe he could have
helped any. His death will have no effect upon
the affairs of the company
"All we can hope TO raise by the transcription
plan is S2,4Oo,0O0. What the company needs Is a
strong financial man at the head who can bring
TO the position support and confidence The Nor
gan interests have not yet made any overtures
to assist us.
IF had known the situation and the condition
of things all around I would never have accepted
the presidency OF the knickerbocker Trust Com
pany
"On the examination of papers we find that Mr.
Barney Endorsed for that man Morse to the ex-
tent Of millions. That Morse induced Mr. Bar
ney 10 enter into number Of wildcat schemes
Paper Of Morse Endorsed by Mr.. Barney can be
found in several institutions.
Morse bought a block of Knickerbocker Trust
Company stock, thinking he could get into the
directorate Of the company. He was ambitious to
become director, and Mr.. Barney was willing that
he should be elected the board.
"As I understand # Barney oil hat man
Morse that he mad objections him, but that
the other directors regarded Morse a dangerous
In later days Morse pursued Mr.. Barney
like malignant enemy
Il know that Mr.. Barney was seriously troubled
over the entanglements of that man Morse and
Heinze. for he was loyal Tho Knicker-
booker Trust Company owns nearly all the stock
Of the Western Ice Company"
George L. Nichols of Masten & Nichols. attor-
news for Mr.. Barney. expressed great astOnish-
ment when he heard of the statements made by
Mr.. Higgins I'VE cannot believe that Mr. IIig-
gins would make such statements as to indorse-
ments of Mr.. Morses paper by Mr.. Barney" said
Mr. Nichols. The books OF Mr. Barney show no
such obligations whatsoever. and we can saw pos;-
lively that he has such obligations with the
Knickerbocker Trust Company elsewhere His
total liabilities. direct contingent, are fully
and accurately covered in the statement issued
bv us last night"
Charles w. Morse when seen last night at his
home at No. 728 Fifth avenue. Indignantly denied
the charges OF Mr.. Higgins. Mr.. Morse not onlv
called Mr.. Higginss' statements absolutely false
hut he added that Mr. Higgins must be either
crazy or in his dotage to make such accusations
Mr. Morse said that he did not know Mr. Hie-
gins and had never even seen him. but that It was
very evident Mr. Higgins did not know what he
was talking about
Mr. Barney" continued Mr.. Morse never in
dorsed a note OF mine for dollar. Mr. Higgins
never saw one and can't find one"
Asked about the story that he had acquired
large block Of Knickerbocker Trust Company stool,
and had tried force his way into the directorate
Mr.. Morse said that there was not one word of