The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-25
MORSE'S BOOKS
RULED OUT
At TRIAL
End Of Case Is Now Expected
This Week-NeW Fight Seen
If Eight Are Convicted.

The Morse conspiracy trial, which
has been dragging along in Criminal
Court No. /, Justice Stafford pre-
siding, fourteen weeks, probably will
be ended this week. If the jury
should return a verdict acquitting
the defendants, consisting of Charles
w. Morse, his three sons and four
others indicted on charges OF con-
spiracy to defraud the Shipping
Board in wartime contracts, it will
be the end of the case.
If the jury should disagree, it will
depend to a large extent as to how
the vote stood in the jury room as
to whether the Government will de-
mand another trial.
If the majority in favor OF. con.
viction is small it is not likely
that the Government will go - to
trial again, but If on the other
hand, the majority should be large,
Morse and the other defendants will
have to stand another trial.
Gathering Loose Ends.
If the jury should convict the de-
PENDANTS, and If the motion for a
new trial should be overruled, the
case will be taken to the Court of
Appeals.
The defense is gathering up the
loose ends and Is putting in Its last
evidence before resting its side. At
torney w. Bissell Thomas, of coun-
sci for the defense today called Will
liam ]. Lackas, secretary of Harry
F. Morse in 1920, one OF the de-
PENDANTS, who had offices at SO
Broadway, New York.
Witness stated that in his capa-
city as secretary he saw a request
that came to Morse from George H.
Burditt, a lawyer of New York,
indicted with the defendants, but
whose case was nolle pressed by the
Government, for a copy of a setter
which Burditt had sent to Morse.
Court Bars Letter.
The request for the letter, which
spoke of contracts between the Gov
eminent objected and after a CONSUL
was referred to N. H. Campbell, as
sistant treasurer, also one Of the de-
PENDANTS, who ordered that a copy
be sent to Burditt.
The defense attempted to Introduce
the letter in evidence, but the Gov
eminent OBJECTED, and afr a CONSUL
tation at the bench with Justice
Stafford the court ordered that all
the evidence given by witness be
stricken from the record.
Attorney Fowler sought to ex-
anime Lackas, but the Government
objected, and for the time being the
witness was withdrawn.
Byron A. Zones, treasurer of the
Noank plant, a Morse concern, tes-
titled that in April, 1919, T. A. Scott
& Co. held notes of the Groton Iron
Works aggregating $4,000, and that
E. A. Morse, one of the defendants,
gave stock in the United Steamship
Company as security, which was
sold eventually for $4,000. Witness
said that the sum was applied to the
liquidation of the debts of the Gro.
ton Iron Works.
Books Are Ruled Out.
Cross examined by Attorney
Turner for the prosecution, the wit
ness said that Scott was q commits
sioner of the Shipping Board at that
time.
Attorney lockwood for the de.
tense made several unsuccessful at
tempts to put in evidence ledgers of
G.. w. Morse & Co. to show the lat
ter's claim against the Virginia
Shipbuilding Corporation, but the
| court on objection of the Govern
| ment, declined to admit them.
Six volumes Of the reports Of the
shipping Board containing resolu.
tons and actions of the board with
reference to the. Virginia yard and
other Morse concerns also were
ruled out, the court holding that
| only those passages or sentences
referring to the defendants should
be offered in evidence.