Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-22
MORSE IS ARRESTED
Former Ice King Taken Fro M
Liner Etruria.
PLEADS NOT GUILTY IL OPEN COURT
New York Financier md Promoter
Denies That Recent Trip TO europe
Was Flight lis Charged
with Stealing 100000.

With Stealing 100000.
NEW YORK. Feb. 19.-Charles w.
Morse, fnancier and promoter of many
large combinations. including the so
called ice trust and merger OF nearly
all OF the coastwise steamship lines,
returning from his brief trip TO Eu-
rope, was arrested in his stateroom
when the steamer Etruria reached
quarantine in the lower bay. held in
custody until the ship was locked
and then was whirled away in an au-
tomobile to the home OF Justice Victor
Bowling Of the supreme court where
ne gave bond i'm the sum OF 5000 TO
answer TO two indictments charging
grand larceny and involving the sum
OF 100000.
Mr. Morse later appeared before
Justice Bowling In open court and
pleaded not guilty to the indictments
He denied that bis trip 10 Europe
was a flight" lie said he had gone
abroad TO sell stock I'm n large interest
and to secure a fortnight's rest Both
purposes were spoiled by the publica-
ton of reports that he was fugitive
from Justice ne declared.
The fnancier based his defense upon
the claim that there was no criminal
intent In the act for which he was in
dlcted.
AIr. Morse had received word by
wireless telegraphy that two indict-
ments had been found against him.
but he did not know he was 60 suffer
physical arrest The appearance OF
three detectives from District Attor-
Dey Jeromc's Office al his stateroom
took him completely 10y surprise.
The charge against Mr.. Morse grows
out Of note for 100000 given 10
him 10y former Chief Justice Morgan
J. O'Brien OF the court OF appeals
Mr. Morse declared that he was
feeling fine" and after he had con
suited with his counsel exclaimed:
"Wen. II that's the worst they have
got on me I am not worried
Mr.. Morse laughed heartily when one
OF the newspaper men told him IL was
reported that on the way over he had
capitalized an iceberg, had sold the
bonds 10 the captain. taken notes I'm
payment, discounted them with the
purser. had bought the Etruria and
star ANA Nit II cruise aIoNuu the WORTH.
Mr.. Morse said:
Il had two purposes in going 20 Eu-
rope thought that / might be able
TO sell in England property to which
i had a large interest and thus In
crease my ability TO meet the claims OF
my creditors, and I greatly needed n
fortnights rest.
by business purpose was OF course
defeated by the publication in the
English papers that was regarded in
New York as a fugitive from justice.
l had Strengthened out my financial
affairs when left New York, so that
there were no actions pending against
me except one brought by a creditor TO
whom l had given valuable collateral
securities. and l was informed by my
counsel that he had arranged with
this creditor not to press his suit
against me.
Il had no knowledge that District
Attorney Jerome contemplated taking
Sny proceedings against me-
Il assert my innocence OF any Grim
inal act. and l ask the public to sus-
pend Judgment in my case until have
had an opportunity to meet my accusers
in court. / use the word 'accusers.'
although so far as concerns the Jerome
indictments | am Informed that there
were no 'accuSers and that Judge
O'Brien asked the grand jury 10 refuse
10 find indictments against me-"