Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-29
CURTIS ON The STAN
Indicted New York Banker Places
Blame on Morse.
HE MADE NUMEROUS PROTESTS
Says He Told Promoter His Practices
Would Break Bank.
REFUSED BIG LOAN TO HEINzE
Next Day Morse Drew Check in Favor
Of Copper King.
CRoss-ExAMINATIoN IS SEVERE
Attempt 10 Present Defendant In
LlRht of Free Agent in COn-
duct of Rank Appar-
emily Fails.
CRoss.ExAMINATIoN IS SEVER

NEW YORK, Oct. 2s.--The apparent de-
termiuation OF Alfred II. Curtis to exon
crate himself OF all blame concerning the
banking transactions for which he and
Charles II, Morse are undergoing trial in
the district court here became more de-
fined today when under the prompting OF
his attorney Mr.. Curtis produced a letter
written by him under date of June 49, 1907,
and addressed TO Morse, in which he pro-
tested vigorously against the continuance
OF practices inaugurated by the latter,
which in Curtis opinion constituted
grave menace to the stability of the Bank
of North America The incident of the
oyerdraft OF $4,000 by Morse was made
the subject Of searching questions by wit
ness own attorney. Mr.. Curtis related the
coming OF +. Augustus Henze to him foe
a loan OF s126.OO0 and his refusal to grant
the accommodation. Morse demonstrated
with him, saying: "Unless we let them
have the money they must go to the WALL"
Curtis stood firm, however. aud retorted
They cannot have a cent of the banks
money; II they must fail they must fail"
Morse to Rescue of HeInHe.
But to his amazement, he testified. a per-
sona check OF Charles w. Morse for
sl2s.OOO, drawn to the order Of Heinze, came
honorcd. although at the time. the witness
said, Morse had balance to his credit Of
onlv $S.lCc
u went to Mr. Morse" the witness said
'and tod him he must protect the draft
and at once wipe out his indebtedness.
Morse at cnce sent out and got two boxes
of securities and turned over their contents
10 me. ] told him that the securities were
Insufficient and he offered to give me an
order for s1,0O00O0 Of steamship bonds
which he had on deposit In London. | ac-
cepted and on being given the order cabled
TO London to have the securities held sub
Jeot to the Bank of North Americas order"
The witness was then turned over to the
attorneys for Morse for what proved to be
oss-examination. Despite the efforts of
Morse's attorneys to present Curtis In the
light OF free agent who at all times was
not unaer the control OF Morse tho witness
persisted IN maintaining his contention that
he was only tie instrument OF another's
will and purpose.
Adjournment was taken until tomorrow.
when Mr.. Curtis win be further questioned.
Montgomery Again Convicted.
PITTsBURG, oct 2s-william Montgom-
cry cashier OF the Allegheny bank until
the discovery of shortage In its funds OF
over 81 95OOOO early last summer necessi-
tuteI closing the institution, was today foI
the second time this week found guilty OF
cmbczziement and abstraction Of funds, his
REGULATIONS in the two cases amounting tc
S6l3,O0O. AS in the first case Montgomery
offered no testimony in defense. The jury
was out less than two hours.
Montgomery was also Jointly indicted
with Addison A. Altaffer, discount clerk
the latter being accused of aiding the cash
Ter IN abstracting the banks funds and
hearing of this case will probably begir
next week. Every effort has been made tc
learn from Montgomery what became oi
the money distracted, but the cashier ha'
steadfastly refused to involve others anc
it is generally believed that 1t is to prevent
the possibility of these being dragged int
the case that no defense was offered.