Evening star., 1923-07-31
DEFENSE OF MORSE
VO|CEDBY COUNSEL
Attorney Assures Jury Ship
builder Sacrificed Own
Money to Aid in War.

Attorney Wilton J. Lambert con-
cluded this morning the opening
argument for the defense ia the
Morse conspiracy trial. He asked
the Jurors to acquit the Morses of
charge Of conspiring to defraud
the government on the governments
testimony, the entire structure of
which was built on a question }of
mere circumstantial evidence.
He contrasted the picture presented
byithe testimony for the prosecution
concerning the work done at the
Virginia plant with the evidence
presented by the photographs offered
by the defense and suggested that
much careful scrutiny should be
given other evidence offered to sus-
tain the indictments of which the
defense was unable to present photo
graphs.
Chief Aim Was to Aid In War.
%After adopting a resolution show
ing where he stood at the outbreak
of the war;" said Mr.. Lambert, every
dollar OF Charles w. Morse was
thrown into the maclstrom in an eff
fort TO perfect an organization to
build ships to rush food anu other
requirements TO the boys over there.
Not a dollar is SHOWN to have gone
into the pockets of Morse, but the
evidence establishes clearly that
Morse and his sons in their eHort
to: help the government during the
war came out poorer than they went
into it..
The lawyer asked the jury to show
byI its verdict that should another
cataclysm come upon this earth, no
man wanting to help his government
is going to he deferred by the specter
OF what may come afterward IN the
way of prosecution as the result of
change of administration" He urged
that Morse and his sons deserve the
every red -blooded man for their aid
to the government instead OF being
obliged to face prosecution.
Attorney Davison's Address.
Mr.. Lambert was followed by At
torney +. ID. Dawson representing
Philip Reinhardt whose alleged comics
sion figured prominently in the case. Mr..
Dawson said there was no scintilla
of evidence to show that Reinhardt
knew of the existence OF the al
legged conspiracy His client was
scared at the Indictment and admit
ted he had done something wrong.
Analysing the statement OF Reinhardt
the lawyer pointed out that he had
admitted only carelesSness in approv-
ing vouchers without Il check, and
said no vouchers passed by Reinhardt
had been presented in evidence by
the prosecution.
Outline of Lambert's Argument.
Mr.. Lambert began his argument
shortly before adjournment yesterday
by reading several prayers granted by
the court showing, that the presump-
n TAl n1 n
fendant throughout the trial, and that
even II all overt acts and alleged MIS-
representations were proved the de-
PENDANTS could not be found guilty
unless the conspiracy as charged were
proved beyond a reasonable doubt,
which he defined to be such a doubt
as would cause one in the ordinary
affairs OF life to hesitate and pause.
He then launched into a spirited refu-
tation of each of the contentious
made by Mr.. Gordon, submitting ar
guments to demonstrate that not only
had no money been lost to the gov
ernment by any Of the acts complain
cd OF, but that, through the activ-
tiles of the MorseS in going into the
open market and buying materials,
such as lumber and electrical sup
ping Board to assist i'll supplying
same, speed was attained in the con-
struction of vessels at no Increased
cost, because the contracts called for
a fump-sum compensation irrespec-
tive of cost of material.
Urged to Increase Operations.
Mr.. Lambert stressed the point that
30 far from conspiring to obtain con-
tracts the Morses were owners of
profitable business and building a
reasonable number of ships in De-
cenber. 1917. when urged and in
duced to increase operations by es-
mi
Lambert further showed that when
the contract for Virginia was exc
cuted, December I, the defendants
fully expected to use the steamer G.
w. W.MoNse for housing about 1000 men.
but that December IL the Navy De-
partment Communicated this ship
which made it necessary to ask the
Shipping Boards assistance in build
ing houses.
Alleges Unfair Methods
Mr.. Lambert then criticized what he
claimed to be the unfair methods en-
ployed by the government in trying
evidence touching the formation of
the Virginia company, claiming that
, when the government closed its case
no credit was given for nearly S1.000,-
600 OF securities in it's treasury,
though the government had possess
this, and that not until the defendants
public accountant, Mr.. Burnham, had
given the evidence in defense did the
jury have this information.
Pays Respect TO Harding.
Stanely H. Fowler of New York. at
torney for Nehemiah H Campbell, in
dicted jointly with the Morses on a
charge of conspiracy in connection
with wartime contracts, before be-
ginning his argument to the jury to-
day in Criminal Division /, asked
Justice Stafford to have the record
show that the trial was halted long
enough to note the sympathy of all
concerned at the grave condition of
President Harding and their wishes
for his early recovery.
Mr.. Fowler directed the attention
of the jury to the testimony of the
government witness Fielding, who. he
declared, had admitted a mistake of
100000 in a financial statement of
$780, 900. He said that the evidence
submitted by the government was
sufficient proof that this was a case
for accountants to settle and not for
criminal prosecution.
Defines CampbelPs Status.
Taking up the relationship of his
client he asserted that Campbell
had never occupied any position in
any of the Morse concerns above
that of clerk with title He
quoted the record showing that
Campbell was a director in the
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