The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-11
Z 9E
N D RSE s
FATE IS
NEAR
Justice Stafford to Decide
Whether to Continue or Quash
Trials on July 4.

Entering upon us OIBHCH WeShS
the Morse conspiracy trial was
resumed this morning in Criminal
Court No. /, Justice Stafford pre-
siding. Although only about $40
pieces of documentary evidence
has been offered by the Govern
ment so far out Of total of
about 500, the prosecution hopes
to have all its evidence in by
July /, resting it's case.
Attitude of Justice.
1t is at this juncture that the flu
ture of the proceedings will be
decided upon by Justice Stat.
ford. He will either order that
the case go on and that the
defense proceed with its testi-
mony in order that the controversy
may be submitted to the jury, or
he may. upon motion of counsel for
the defense, dismiss the case for
lack of evidence to substantiate the
allegation of conspiracy as set forth
in the indictments, and direct the
jury to bring in a verdict of not
OAAyy 0AOuGFdLlHS the QGIGnQanLS.
There has been much speculation
among counsel for the Government
and the lawyers appearing for the
defendants as to what Justice Stat
ford will do at the time the Gov
eminent rests it's case. Opinions
have been expressed that the adrnis-
sion into the records by the court
OF almost every piece of evidence,
documentary and otherwise, offered
by the Government over the strenu-
Gus objections of counsel for the de-
Tense, shows that the court is
anxious to give the prosecution
every opportunity to make good,
which, up to this date, ut has failed
to do beyond a reasonable doubt. =
Defence Praises Justice.
On the outcome of the Morse case
depends to very large extent the
tate of the other war fraud" in
dictments and the attitude Of the
court to give the Government
every opportunity to obtain a YER
dict in its favor, seems but a nat
ural conclusion.
On the other hand, counsel for
the defense are full Of praise over
the treatment they are accorded by
admit that the presiding justice has
shown a learned legal mind, dis
plays every wish to be the impartial
judge and is anxious to sift every
piece Of evidence in order to arrive
at the truth in the case.
Morse's lawyers realize that this
is case which is being keenly
watched, not only by the officials
of the Department of Justice, but
by, the country at large claiming
that the charges against the de-
PENDANTS are based rather on politi-
cal intrigue and personal quarrels
between Charles w Morse and At
torney General Daugherty, than on
the questions as to whether the de-
PENDANTS conspired to defraud thA
Government in war time ship con-
tracts.
Spite Evidence Eliminated.
No evidence showing the exist
ence of political animus or personal
spite, has, of course, been submit
ted, and If submitted, would not be
admitted.
Every now and then, the name of
William G. McAdoo. Secretary of
the Treasury in the Wilson Ad.
ministration, hobs up during the
proceedings. and whenever that
happens everybody "sits up and
takes notice." 1t is whispered in
this connection that the Govern
ment is bringing in McAdoo for
the purpose not only to connect
him with the Morse case, but to
discredit him in the public eye as
being unfit as a candidate for Presi-
Dental honors on the Democratic
ticket. Mr.. McAdoo has been sum-
moned as a witness for the Morses
and when recently passing through
Washington, Attorney Wilton J.
Lambert, of counsel for the defense.
submitted to the court that his de-
positions be taken to be used at
the proper time. District Attorney
Peyton Gordon objected. insisting
that Mr.. McAdoo go on the stand
when called to testify.