Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-17
4 1s-ysar -o|d Tow-head-
ID Lad the Latest.
ii Borrowed About $4,000
/ from c. ". Morse's Bank.
Ittti Is, Ne Signed the Cheeks
Morse Got the Money.

New York, Oct. ia tOW-neaueu
ycuth Of 10, until recently d S12-a-
week clerk in brokers' office. was the
Irhief witness today at the trial. in the
criminal branch of the United States
Icourt, of Charles W. Morse, financial
Imam and promoter, who, with Alfred
n. Curtiss. former president of The Ma
ldonal Bank of North America, is
charged with having violated the ma
Itional banking laws
In the testimony of Edward +.
Hickey, a government bank examiner,
IA had been revealed that person by
vthe name of Leslie e. Whiting vas one
Iof the heaviest borrowers from the Ma
AtionaI Rank of North America. Il one
Itime owing the institution as much as
1t10,000. Hardly a week went by i'll
1.-THE year 1907. the testimony show ed,
That Whiting did not borrow 100000
ter more, giving ice stock principally as
Isecurity. 1t always appeared on the
records as presented, however, that the
lhjg sums of money borrowed by Whit
Hing we're credited to the account OF
ldorse.
| On the conclusion of Examiner Mox-
kys testimony, Whiting was called to
1.-The stand and those in the court room
Jwho had expected to see d dignitied
khrewd- looking business man step for
iward were astonished to see a smooth
Checked 10y Of under 20 years walk
hervously to the witness chair. \ smile
Swept the room and Judge Hough rap
bel sharply for order.
| After Whiting had been made to de-
|scribe how he came to sign the notes
which made him indebted to the bank
Nor such large amounts he was asked:
/ Gould you have paid this note l hold
here for $4,000"
What. me?" answered the startled
boy "No-now l couldn't
I"Could you have paid a $1,000 note?
dressed the attorney for the prosecu-
Abn
kore assured.
4ror half an hour longer the youth
vas kept on the stand while bunch
III letters bearing the signature Les
De Z. Whiting and directed to the
National bank of North America We're
bead. These letters, couched in bust
tess-like terms. gave orders to the
bank about transferring collateral,
charges and renewals Of notes. A SEN
lknce i'm one letter read:
| Enclosed find my check for 100000
khch apply to my account"
The witness explained in answer t.
questions that he was sent to the bank
by his employers to sign the notes. He
haid he knew he was mourning an OBJ
flsation. but felt sure his employers
would protect the notes. He testified
ehat he never talked with Mr.. Morse OF
lr Curtis concerning the signing OF
fctes or the putting up of collateral
he also said that he did not think his
Employer knew that he was not of age
tDavison Brown, another brokers'
tlsrk. also testified to having signed
ptes for loans for more than 100000
brown had a bad memory and his ties.
Gmony was Of little value.
The afternoon session was almost en-
Hrey devoted to tracing the loans
made in the name of Whiting Banl
Examiner Moxie started with loans
Rade in June of last year and showed
Dew the loans were repeatedly renew
~ 1t was brought out that at one
&ime the bank made profit Of 1892.
on the loans, but the profit was or
paper only. Mr.. Moxie said. This tes
flmony led up to the testimony %
Foung Whiting.
After Whiting had testified the CASE
Jas adjourned for the day. The tria
III be renewed tomorrow, a most I'M
sual proceeding. for not in rs years
Is said. has federal tribunal here
eld session on Saturday. The Jury
Sas kept under guard tonight