New-York tribune., 1921-12-03
Morse Said TO Haze Fled
kno,ving He Vas Wanted
Fleet Corporation Couns
Makes Charge as Dougherty
Gables Operator to Return

From The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.--Charles w
Morse sailed for France in full knowl-
edge of the proceedings the government
contemplated taking against him, ac-
cording to a statement made to-day by
Elmer Schlesinger, general counsel to
the Emergency Fleet Corporation.
Il have positive knowledge" said Mr..
Schlesinger, that Mr.. Morse, learning
of our Investigation, fed the country.
The government has taken such steps
as were necessary to secure his return"
At the same time the Department of
Justice issued a statement declaring
that it was prepared to proceed with
the prosecution of Morse and others
when the Shipping Board presented the
evidence it has collected dealing with
the alleged fraudulent actions of the
New York promoter in ship contracts.
Commenting on the steps taken by
the Shipping Board to bring about
Morsc's return, General Counsel Schles-
niger to-day authorized the following
statement:
II have been conducting an investi-
cation for the last four months,
through Fletcher Dobyns, special coun-
sci cf the Emergency Fleet Corpora
tion, into the transactions between
Charles ". Morse and the United
States Shipping Board. To our positive
information. Mr.. Morse, learning of our
investigation. fed the country.
"The Shipping Board, therefore, with
the cooperation of the Secretary of
State and the Attorney General, has
taken such steps as were necessary in
their opinion to secure the return Of
Morse to this country.
With the assistance OF the Secre-
tary of State and the Attorney Gen
eral, Morse has been stopped at Havre,
and what the next proceedings will be
will depend entirely on future develop
ments. Inasmuch' as che matter is
now in controversy, | can make no
additional statement
In sharply disagreeing with the state
ment that Morse sought to avoid an
investigation here in connection with
his contracts with the Shipping Board,
Wilton j. Lambert. counsel for the
Morse interests, said:
"Mr. Morse is suing the United States
government, to recover many millions
of dollars claimed to be owing him
upon contracts. His sons say he started
abroad with the knowledge that these
suits were in progress. He travelled on
q passport issued in his own name, and
on November 81 received permission in
writing from the United States Internal
Revenue Department at New York, over
the signature of Bell Thompson, Dep
uty United States Internal Revenue
Collector of New York, to sail on the
steamer Paris.
He went aboard the boat with one
of his sons, and while on the boat he
was visited by his two other sons. He
was spoken to by three United States
officers, who wished him pleasant voy-
age. All this goes to show that the
government officials not only knew that
Mr.. Morse was going abroad, but gave
him permission to do so. This ef-
fectually replies to the propaganda that
he went incog.
II have been authorized by the
Morses to tender to the Attorney Gen
eral or any Department Of Justice of
fetal, their Willingness to submit with
out any qualification to any hearing
which the department may be willing
to accord them"
WASHINGTON. Dec q Attorney
General Daugherty tonight cabled to
Charles ". Morse, of New York, now al
Havre. France, to take the first boat
back to the United States.
Desired you return immediately"
the cable read. Take first boat
Mr.. Daugherty's cable was sent in re-
ply to one from Mr.. Morse, which said:
Game here to consult my physician
rpua riding operation Wr;ttan Ra pIad