Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-23


Stuart, according to reports that
seem 70 be authentic. has written
letter to the treasury depart
nent askino for an investigation
of the charge that Fred Read, the
newly appointed collector at this
port who Is now awaitf8g his
commission from Washington, ap-
preached and attempted to infiu-
ence members Of the United
States grand jury at Norfolk
which last week indicted Harry
A. Morewitz, a young merchant
of this city, on the charge OF buy
ing goods which he knew had
been Struggled into this country.
Collector Stuart would not dis.
cuss the matter last night but u
is reported that secret service
men are coming here from WASH
ington to investigate the affair.
Fred Read, late last night, de-
MED the charge. He said that he
did speak to two Newport News
men on the grand jury-Lane
Lacy and John p. FraIey-aboJs
the Morewitz case, but that at
the time he did not know that
they were members OF the jury.
He went on to say that the mar
ter of his talking to the jurors
was brought to the attention OF
the grand jury and that body re-
fused to indict him.
Leaked Out Yesterday.
Captain Stuart is said to have writ
ten the letter Monday evening, bu
he report that such a communication
mad been sent TO the treasury depart
nent did not come out until yesterda!
morning and il was not until yester
lay afternoon that the fact that TINS
grand jrrv had on last Thursday con
sidered the matter of indicting tbs
lewly named collector became known
here.
Lane Lacy. it is said. reported the
matter to the grand jury Thursda,
morning after the jurors had assem-
pled to return the indictment agains'
uorewitz. An of the evidence in the
rase was heard by the jury Wednes
isy but the matter of returning tbs
Indictment was deferred until Thurs
lay morning. Three OF the twenty
me Jurors were excused Wednesds;
night by Judge Waddill and among
hat number was J. F. Holstcn, cl
his city. Mr. Holston said las, alsn
hat Mr.. Read did not speak to min
about the Morewitz case or any othel
matter.
Created Sensation
When Nr. Lacy told the members
of the jury that he had been az
preached in the Morewitz matter e.
Is said TO have created something o.
a sensation In the. jurT loom. Sew
nral OF the jurors spoke about tnt
matter and finally Il was decided e
report the affair to Judge Wsddili
Accordingly, the foreman OF the jury
whose name could not be ascertainee
asst night, informed the judge
District Attorney L. l. Lewis was
odd of the affair by Judge Waddil
md ne Is said to have immedss'ei,
Examined into The law TO ascertain
whether OF not the offe1se was IN
iictable. He reported 10 the cour'
ihat he thought II was. and Judge
Waddfn. II is said. instructed the
grand jury to go to the bottom OF the
natter.
Some vosed TO indict-
District Attorney Lewis went int
he grand Jury room and Is said e
have remained there throughout tins
Of the matter BY M
irrors. II n said that there was
lively dlscussion Of the question o
returning an Indictment. some Of ths
Jurors speaking in faxPr. OF u and
lone against y. The Re hnsllv ~a'
aiken and six or seven Of he Jurors
re reported to have voted for an N
iicfracn:. Twelve q the cixh.ee,
potes we're necessary for an inoict
nent and not a true biif was 70
'urned.
Collector Stuart vas a witness be
lore the grand jury IN the Morevit'
-ase and also before the trial JurJ
which freed Morewiiz Monday. Il =
understood that Captain StCart heard
,f what sranspired IN the EraEd inf,
room relative 70 Mr.. Read and thar :
ros uron that Information thai NJ