Arizona republican., 1922-05-28
DAUCHERTY NAM ES SCORES Of
CONGRESSMEN WHO ASKED FOR
RELEASE Of CHARLES ". MORSE
IRepubIican A. p. Leased Wirel

lHepublican a. r. Leased WireJ
WASHINGTON. May 27.-Naming
scores of members of the senate and
house, both Democrats and Repub-
licans, and others prominent in Of
ficial life at the time as having
petitioned for the release in 1917
from the Atlanta penitentiary of
Charles w. Morse. the department
OF justice late today made public
the records in the Morse case .as
disclosed in the official files which
indicates, the statement said, '.be-
yond any question that Mr.. Morse
was released upon the report of
reputable physicians and United
States army surgeons showing him
to be suffering from a serious ill
ness"
.'The release came" the statement
continued, "as the elimination of
probably the most remarkable pub
lie demonstrations .on behalf of any
federal prisoners ever convicted in
the courts of the United States"
Notwithstanding the high char
acter'' of those occupying positions
OF responsibility and trust under
the government who We're among
thousands signing the petition, the
statement said lit was not in re-
sponse to any public demonstration,
strong as it was at that time, that
Mr.. Morse was released but solely
upon the reports of the medical
examiners"
Before the statement OF the de-
partment of justice was issued, At
torney General Daugherty was again
under attack in the senate by SEN
IL.
and Senator Watson, Democrat,
Georgia, with others joining in the
debate. The Arkansas senator
charged that Mr.. Daugherty in act
ing as counsel for Morse in 1912 had
betrayed former President Taft
and now was 'betraying' the present
administration. He also charged
that the department of justice was
employing its agents to shadow
senators and representatives
incorporated in the statement
issued late today by the department
of justice. We're reports of physi-
clans which We're part of the record
of the Morse case in the depart
Major David Baker, an army medi-
cal officer at Fort Mcpherson. found
Morse suffering from arterioscler-
| osis, with myocarditis, and renal
sclerosis. The malady was incur
able, it was said. and Mr.. Morse had
! mot very long to live
"As life insurance risk" Major
Baker said, Il would not recon-
mend this patient for the short
period OF 90 days. His sudden death
is constantly probable"
| Prior to examination of Mr.. Morse
by army officers, however, civilian
physicians made an examination at
the request of United States Marshal
W. Fl. Johnson of Atlanta, and DR.. w.
| S. Elkin of that city found the pa
TENTS health not in danger by rea-
son of his confinement
| Il do not believe" he reported on
| Nov. /, 1911. that Mr.. Morse is suf-
| fering from any serious organic
! trouble nor is his health being ma
terially affected by his present con-
| finement I do not think that further
confinement will materially shorten
! the prisoners life or permanently or
seriously impair his health
| During November, 1911, the depart
ment's statement said, constant re-
ports We're made to the attorney gem
eral Cat that time Mr.. Wickersham)
by ]. Calvin WILDER, physician at At
| lanta penitentiary under the last
4 OIL MI. 4IOISC COil-
dition. Warden Meyer also constant
ly advised the department of Justice
as to the prisoners condition from
4 reports he received from Major
Baker, post surgeon at Fort McPher-
son, where Morse was removed for
treatment Nov. 16, 1911.
Warden Meyer on Dec. %, 1911,
telegraphed Attorney General Wick
ersham telephone message he re-
| ceived from Major Baker as follows
after four weeks observation be-
/ lieve that his physical condition
| (AIorse's) is deteriorating. I regard
/ his condition as very grave. l be-
lieye that further Imprisonment will
be injurious"
/ On Dec. 2S Warden Meyer was in
formed of President Tafts refusal to
exercise executive clemency, and the
following day telegraphed Mr.. Wick
ersham a telephoned report of Major
Baker that morning which said Morse
was weaker"