Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-11-12
BAHRERs GUILT
MORSE AND CURTIS coNWcTEp
IN THE FEDERAL COURT.
At NEW YORK.
PENALTY IS IMPRISONMENT
Jury finds Defendants Guilty Of Mis-
application Of Bank's Funds and
Making False Entries
In Books.

New York, Nov. 6.--Charles W.
Morse, until year ago a dominant
figure in the world Of finance. and
Alfred H. Curtis, former president Of
the National Bank of North America,
were found guilty Thursday night IN
the criminal branch Of the United
States circuit court. on charges o.
misapplication Of funds and falsifying
the books Of the bank. There was
also the additional charge OF con-
spiracy against the prisoners, but the
Jury acquitted the men on this count
Within Eve minutes Of the time the
Jury had rendered its verdict, Judge
Hough had refused to entertain Q mo
ton for bail and had committed the
two bankers to the Tombs prison. the
Judge said that he would hear any
motions the lawyers for the prisoners
desire to make at 1880 o'clock Friday
morning.
The federal statutes provide a mini
mum penalty Of five years imprisons
ment for falsifying the books OF a
bank, and a penalty Of two years. I'm.
prisonment for misapplication OF
funds. No alternative but imprison'
ment is provided for conviction on the
charge Of falsifying the books OF
bank. The maximum penalty on TINS
charge is ten years Imprisonment. Inc
Jury recommended clemency for Mr..
Curtis, but made no recommendation
in the case Of Mr.. Morse.
The scene in the courtroom was dra-
matte Mrs. Morse and Mrs. Curtis
had remained in the courtroom nearly
all day awaiting the verdict. MRS,
Curtis showed signs of giving way TO
her emotion a number OF times, ana
once when the jury returned to the
courtroom to receive instructions on
the manner in which the conspiracy
charge should be considered, Mrs.
Morse broke down and sobbed.
A large crowd had hurried into the
courtroom to hear the verdict. MI
Morse and Mr.. Curtis stood before the
Jury while Foreman John Elder was
reading the verdict and their wives sat
near them leaning forward in tense at
titude to catch every word.
"We have agreed upon verdict IN
the case Of both defendants" said the
foreman in a subdued voice. ION the
charge OF conspiracy we find them not
guilty" IA a
A look Of relief came to the faces OF
the prisoners and their wives, but y
only lasted d moment, for Mr.. Elder
continued: ION the charge OF the mis-
application Of the funds Of the book
we find both defendants guilty. On
the charge of making false entries IN
the books of the bank, we find Dotn
defendants guilty. In the case OF Al
fred H. Curtis, the jury wishes 70
make q strong recommendation to the
mercy of the court"
A sitting sob Of relief escaped Mrs.
Curtis as she heard the recommends
ton for mercy for her husband. Mr.
Curtis took the verdict like q stole,
but Morse was unable to conceal the
he felt, while his wife
showed no signs Of emotion. She kept
her eyes on her husband.
There was momentary hush In the
courtroom. This was broken by q buzz
Of excited conversation and few min
utes later the lawyers for the defen-
dants we're making the customary mo-
tions for new trial for bail and for
permission to take an appeal to the
circuit court Of appeals.
United States District Attorney
stimson said that according to his
computation, the prisoners had been
convicted on 81 counts, all Of which
are combined in the charges Of misap-
pllcation Of funds and making false
entries in the books Of the bank. The
latter charge also included the charge
Of making false reports to the comp
troller Of the currency.