Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-17
Charles w. Morse, For
mer High financier,
in Laws Hands.
RELEASED ON BAIL
Pleads Not Guilty TO Charges
Of Grand Larceny and Mis-
use of Money.

New York, Feb. IT, Charles w.
Morse was indicted by the grand jury
today on the charge of perjury alIeg.
ed to have been committed when Morse
testified before the former grand jury.
New York, Feb. IL Charles w.
Morse. the former banker and finan-
cial promoter. was arraigned 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 hear
ing for next Monday.
Arrested at Dock.
New York, Feb. 17.-Charles w.
Morse. financier and promoter of many
large commercial combinations. includ-
ing the so-called ice trust" and
large steamship merger. was arrested
yesterday when the liner on which he
was returning from Europe reached its
dock.
He was Immediately taken to the
home of Justice Victor Bowling of the
supreme court. who're he gave bonds in
the sum of S20,000 to answer to two in
dictments charging grand larceny and
involving the sum of 100000.
He was Immediately released and
went TO his home. where he later gave
out a statement asserting his inno-
cence.
Surprised at Arrest.
Mr., Morse admitted he had received
q wireless message telling him Of the
two indictments found and urging him
to return. but he said he did not know
he was to suffec physical arrest.
Justice Downing held an informal
court session in his library. Assistant
District Attorney Krasel representing
the prosecution. The bonds which were
signed by a surety company, had been
prepared yesterday.
Morse Defends Himself.
The statement made by Mr.. Morse
last night is as follows:
Il had two purposes in going to Eur
opes | thought might be able to sell
in England property in which | had a
large interest and thus increase my
ability to meet the claims of my credi-
tors. and l greatly needed a fortnights S
rest. Nv plans were defeated by the
nublication that was regarded in New
York as a fugitive from justice.
u had no knowledge District At
torney Jerome contemplated taking any
proceedings against me, and l there
fore did not communicate with him on
this subject. About six weeks before
left Now York, hearing that United
States District Attorney StimsOn was
considering the evidence in certain
transactions between the National
Bank of North America and myself
with view of the possible presenta
tion thereof to the federal grand jury
| asked him on the telephone that
be given an opportunity to explain
these transactions before any indict
ment was found against me. | subse
ouently wrote to the United States dis
trict attorney to the same effect.
Supposed He Was Cleared.
"Not having heard from Mr.. StimsoI
in reply to my request for severa
weeks. | naturally reached the conclu
sion that he had completed his eXami
nation and hai found nothing agains
me.
81 did not sail in the Campania I'm
der an assumed rame, and made no et
fort to conceal my identity. The sug
gestion has been made that | assumed
the name of &C. NJ. Moore My sigma
ture looks as much like C. NJ. Moore
as il does like c. w. Morse
"On Friday decided to sail in tn
Campania and sailed at about o'cloc
Saturday morning. Until l read tn
English papers that was travelin
under an assumed name, | did nc
know that my name was not correctl