The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-02-17
MORSE ARRESTED
IN STATER00M
ON ETRUR|A
Former Ice King Held Under
$4,000 Bond
CHARGE IS GRAND LARCENY
Denies That His Trip to Europe Was
Flight. Expects Fair
Play.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1T.-Charles w.
Morse. financier and promoter of many
large combinations, including the so
called ice trust and Il 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 docked
and then was whirled away in an au-
tomoble to the home Of Justice Victor
Bowling of the supreme court, where
he gave bond In the sum of $4,000 to
answer to two indictments charging
grand larceny and involving the sum
of 100000.
Mr. Morse was released and went
Immediately to MS Fifth avenue home,
where he gave out statement assert
ting his innocence and asking the pub
lie to suspend Judgment until he has
had the opportunity of facing his ac-
ctsers in court.
Mr.. Morse today appeared before
Justice Bowling in open court and
pleaded net guilty to the indictments
He denied that his tip to Europe
was flight" He said he had gone
abroad TO sell stock in large interest
and to secure fortnight's rest. Both
purposes were spoiled by the publica-
ton of reports that he was fugitive
from justice. he declared.
Mr.. Morse had received word by
wireless telegraphy that two indict-
ments had been found against him,
but he did not know he was to suffer
physical arrest The appearance OF
three detectives from District Attor.
ney .IerOme's Office at his stateroom
took him completely by surprise. The
officers, armed with warrant, had
gone down the bay on revenue cut
ter They were accompanied by AL
bert II. Boardman and Philip j. Britt,
attorneys. and by Benjamin w. Morse,
son of the financier. Mrs. Morse met
her husband Mt the pier, and it was in
her automobile that the journey with
one of the detectives was made to
Justice Dowlings house.
Justice Bowling held an informal
court session in his library. Assistant
District Attorney Kresel representing
the prosecution. The bonds were sign
ed by surety company.
The charge against Mr. Morse grows
out of note for 100000 given to
him 10y former Chief Justice Morgan
]. 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:
"Well. If that's the worst they have
got on me am not worried"
Mr.. Morse laughed heartily when one
Of the newspaper men told him 1t was
reported that on the way over he had
capitalized an iceberg, had sold the
bonds TO the captain, taken notes In
payment discounted them with the
purser, had bought the Etruria and
started on cruise around the world.
Mr.. Morse said:
II had two purposes in going to Eu
rope. / thought that I might be able
to sell In England property to which
l had large interest and thus In
crease my ability to meet the claims OF
my creditors, and l greatly needed Q
fortnight's rest.
by business purpose was Of course
defeated by the publication in the
English papers that | was regarded In
New York as fugitive from justice
had Strengthened out my fnancia
affairs when left New York, so tha
there were no actions pending agains
me except one brought by creditor t.
whom | had given valuable collateral
securities, and l was Informed by my
counsel that he had arranged will
this creditor not to press his sui
against me-
"As | had no obligations maturin.
for three weeks, from which | antici
pated any trouble, saw no reason
from the standpoint of my obligation!
to creditors why | should not take 4;
fOrtnight's rest
IL had no knowledge that Distric
Attorney Jerome contemplated takin.
any proceedings against me. and
therefore did not communicate witt
him on this subject. About six week
before | left New York. hearing tina
United States District Attorney Slim
son was considering the evidence Il
certain transactions between the Ma
tiOnal Bank of North America an
myself with view of the possibl
presentation thereof to the federa
grand jury, asked him on the tele
phone that | be given an opportunlt
TO explain these transactions befOr
any indictment was found against me
subsequently wrote to the Unite
States district attorney to the sam
effect.
Not having heard from Mr.. Stimso
in reply to my request for severi
weeks. naturally reached the concll
sion that he had completed hk e,
animation and had found nothin
against me. therefore saw no oil
lection TO my short European trI
based upon the possibility of crimin'