The Washington times., 1923-05-02
THREE
OF MORSE
JURORS
Had No Right to Return lndict-
ment, lambert Says-More
Testimony Heard.

Three members Of the grand jury
which returned the indictment
against Charles w. Morse, his three
sons and four others, charged with
conspiracy to defraud the Govern
ment in wartime ship contracts
were not qualified to act In that
capacity, according to formal APP
plication made this morning by At
torney Wilton j. Lambert OF coun-
sci for the defense to dismiss the
case on the ground that the in
dictment is invalid. Justice STAT
ford took the application under con-
sideration, and ne would make his
ruling after reviewing authorities.
1t is claimed by Attorney Lam
bert that Philip j. Medley who sat
on the grand jury, was a voter OF
Maryland at the time the indict-
ment was returned, and that Henry
Il. Stringer, another member Of the
grand jury is said to have had a
Government contract at the time.
Quotes Supreme Court.
The court also is told in the ap.
plication that inquiry is being pur-
sued with regard to q third member
of the grand jury, who 1t is
thought was not even citizen OF
the United States.
In a Supreme Court case cited by
Attorney Lambert the justices held
that IF grand juror does not
have the qualifications prescribed
by the statute, an indictment re-
turned by the grand jury OF which
he is q member is void.
Eads johnson, q marine architect
and ship engineer, continued his
testimony this morning. He said
he looked over the Noank plant at
the same time he went up to New
London, Conn.,, to inspect the
Groton Iron Works. That was in
May, 1917.
Witness said he went there for
the purpose of seeing whether the
plants in question were adapted for
iron making and ship building. He
had been sent by General Goethals.
He testified the plants were adapted
for the purposes.
Relating his previous experiences
as a marine architect and practical
ship builder, witness who had been
subpoenaed by the Government to
testify in the case, said that he
graduated in 1900 as an engineer,
and that he was employed by Mr..
Nixon, of the Crescent Shipbuilding
concern in New Jersey where he
had been assistant superintendent.
From there witness went to the
Cramps after which he passed the
civil service examination for super
intendent of construction in the
lighthouse service Of the Govern
meI1t. Mr.. Johnson wound up by
saying that he had had eleven
years experience as practical ma
rine architect and ship engineer
and builder.
Denies Any Bias.
Replying to a question by Attor-
ney Nash lockwood whether he was
qualified when he entered the Gov
eminent service to pass judgment
on the plants OF the Morses at
Noank and New London, with re-
gard to their capacity to build
wooden ships as required by the
Government, Johnson replied: 81
was perfectly satisfied that the
ships could be built there"
81 was not biased by anybody
in my opinions or influenced in
any manner by anybody in my
viewpoints" said the witness in
reply to a question whether Morse
or anybody connected with Morse
had spoken to him about the trip
t. Noank and New London.
Witness said that he had been
asked to secure whatever informa-
ton he could regarding the fInan-
cial standing of the yards and that
he mailed his information to Wash
ington without comment, THAT not
being within my province"
Answering Judge Rockwell's ques-
ton, Mr.. Johnson said that as part
of his duties he Travelled around the
country to look for available sites
for shipbuilding yards. He had re-
ceiVed orders to that effect by Gen
eral Goethals, Mr.. Johnson said he
had a fairly complete idea as to the
resources of the country with re-
gard to building wooden ships.
This remark was objected to by
Assistant Attorney General Turner,
claiming it as being immaterial.
Did you ever have an interview
WIFI MT MOISS vi ally VI Sihc
Morses previous to the letting of
wooden ships?" asked Judge Rock
wood.
Held No Conferences.
II would not swear that l did"
replied witness. II looked at the
site where the Croton plant was to
be located and I found it beautiful
and ideally located on the Thames
river for purposes of building OF
ships and 1 so reported to Wash
ington.'
did any one tell you anything
about this plant or anything else
In connection with the building Of
ships that upon investigation you
found to be untruthful or unrelia-
ble," asked Judge lockwood of the
Government witness, the latter re-
plying that mo one ever did"
Cross examined by Assistant At
torney General Turner. Mr.. John
son said that he inspected the
Noank plant May "a, 1917, and that
application for contracts to build
wooden ships had been made pre-
vious to his inspection to the
plant. This was objected to by
Judge lockwood for the defense
as not bearing on the question at
issue.
OosoeUsossssSs..sSessSsos s..oGossssosoSSs
ADVERTISING Literature