Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-18

New York. FEB. l7.-Cnas. w.
i Morse, the former banker and fl
nancial promoter, was arraign-
ed before Justice Bowling today
* on two charges Of grand larceny
~ and Misrepresentation of funds of
the Mercantile National bank
Through his counsel he pleaded
not guilty. The court fixed the
hearing for next Monday.
New York, Feb. II. - Charles w.
Morse, financier and promoter OF
many large commercial combinations,
including the so-called "ice trust, )"
and a large steamship merger, was
arrested yesterday when the liner on
which he was returning from Europe
reached it's dock
He was Immediately taken to the
home of Justice Victor Bowling OF
the supreme court, where he gave
bonds in the sum of $4,000 to an
swer to two indictments charging
grand larceny. and involving $780,
900. tg
Mr.. Morse admitted he had received
a wireless message telling him of the
two indictments found and urging
him to return but he said he did not
know he was to suffer physical ar
rest. The appearance of the three de-
tectives from District Attorney Je.
rome's office at his stateroom door
took him completely by surprise.
The officers, armed with warrant
had gone down the bay on revenue
cutter. They were accompanied by
Albert B. Boardman and Philip j.
Britt, attorneys, and by Benjamin w.
Morse. son of the fnancier. Mrs.
Morse met her husband at the pier
and it was in her automobile that the
journey with one of the detectives
was made to Justice Dowling's house.
Justice Bowling held an informal
court session in his library. Assistant
District Attorney Krasel representing
the prosecution. The bonds, which
we're signed by a surety company, had
been prepared before.
Morse Defends Himself.
The statement made by Mr.. Morse
is as follows:
Il had two purposes in going to
Europe l thought l might be able to
sell in England property in which
had large interest and thus in
crease my ability to meet the claims
of my creditors, and l greatly need
ed fortnight's rest My plans were
defeated by the publication that I
was regarded in New York as a fu.
gitve from justice.
II had no knowledge District Attor-
ney Jerome contemplated taking any
81
fore did not communicate with him
on the subject. About six weeks be-
fore | left New York, hearing that
United States District Attorney Slim
son was considering the evidence in
certain transactions between the Ma
tional Bank of North America and
myself with view of the possible
presentation thereof to the federal
grand jury, l asked him on the tele-
phone that I be given an opportunity
to explain these transactions before
any Indictment was found against ma.
subsequently wrote to the United
States district attorney to the same
effect.
Denies Using an Alias.
81 did not sail in the Campania
under an assumed name. and made no
effort to conceal my identity The
suggestion has been made that l as
sumo dthe name of C. M. Moore nv
signature lookc as. much like C. M.
Moore as it does like C. W. Morse
"On Friday l decided to sail in the
Campania and sailed at about 7
O'Clock Saturday morning. Until l
read in the English papers that l was
travelling unuGr AN assumed name, |
did not EnoW that my name was not
correctly entered on the ships regis
ter. It was evidently put on the reg
is ter by some one else who did not
know me, and with my signature be-
fore him read it as C. M. Moore
.'I assert my innocence of any
criminal act and ask the public TO
suspend Judgment in my case until |
( have had an opportunity to meet my
\ accusers in court / used the word
.sccusers,' although so far as concerns
the Jerome indictments | am inform
ed that there were no 'accusers' and
that ex-Judge O'Brian asked the
grand jury to refuse to find indict-