New-York tribune., 1911-12-25
MORSE PARDON REFUSED
President First ConsuItS with
Surgeons General.
BANKER CONVICT NOT DYING
Family Has Been Making Un-
usual Efforts to End His
Confinement.

Washington. Dec. 2t-The President
to-day declined TO pardon Charles W.
Morse. The explanation of his decision
is contaiued in the following statement
issued frem the White House:
The President to-day called into consulta-
tion the surgeon general OF the army, the
surgeon general Of the navy and Major NJ
A. Delaney, medical corps, I. ;. A., on the
report Of the board Of physicians at AZ,
lsnta as 20 the physical CONDITION OF
Charles " Morse. After full consideration
of the report as explained TO him by them
the President was not satisfied that imme,
diate action was necessary, but directed
that he be kept fully advised at frequent
intervals OF any changes.
About three weeks ago the first alarm
ing report concerning Morse's illness
reached the White House. This was ac-
companied by petition for the banker s
release on the ground that further con-
fnement would result in his death. The
prison physicians seemed to agree on
this point President Taft was not sat
isfied. however, and refused to give
Morse his freedom. Shortly thereafter
other reports came 10 the White House
indicating that Morse's condition was
critical.
This resulted in an order from the
President to the warden Of the peniten-
tiary that Morse be removed from the
prison hospital to the army hospital at
Fort Mcpherson, Georgia. The army
surgeons received orders TO watch
Morse's developments minutely, and 10
advise the President should ii appear
that the patients condition was hope
less
Early reports from the army doctors
indicated that Morse was improving
Within the last two or three days, how
ever. a change for the worse seemed to
not being altogether satisfied with their
own diagnosis, called several physicians
from Atlanta in consultation. IT was
the report of those doctors that the
President laid before Surgeon General
Stokes. Surgeon General Torney and
Major Delaney this morning.
From the announcement at the White
House it appears that, after all, Morse
is in no serious condition, and that his
| life may be prolonged indefinitely.
otherwise it is known that the Presi-
Gent would have issued pardon to-day,
ito have become effective tomorrow.
! President Taft does not intend to per-
NIT Morse to die a prisoner unless the
patients end should come so suddenly
that his release could not be granted
The President is just as determined that
Morse shall not have his liberty If there
| is any likelihood that he will live Ia
serve out his sentence.
! Morses family has been particularly
active in his behalf for the last six
weeks They have urged through their
| attorneys and through their private
physicians the claim that unless Morse
| is pardoned lie will die. They say that
n mental depression has settled over him
which will make his physical recovery
impossible so long as he remains i'm
prison.
Atlanta. Dec. 24-Charles w. Morse.
the New York banker serving a sentence
in the federal penitentiary here was not
Informed tonight Of tho decision OF
President Taft not to pardon him. II
,rar said az Fort Mcpherson where n,