The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-16
BARS WILSON AS
W|TNESSFOR
MORSE
Cravson Won't Let Ex-Presi-
dent Testify-Roode Tells Of
Noank Plant Conditions.

NO0BBN U tCAHbS
One Of tht largest audiences to
ever attend trial in Criminal
Court, No. /, was present today
when the Morse conspiracy case,
Justice Stafford presiding, entered
upon its thirteenth week. Photog-
raphers, newspaper men, detectives
and a big, curious throng filled the
corridors Of the courthouse in hope
of getting O glimpse OF william
Gibbs McAdoo, former Secretary OF
the Treasury, or former President
Wilson, who have been subpoenaed
as witnesses. Rear Admiral Gray
son, the former Presidents ply
sician, however, would not permit
the strain incident to Mr.. Wilson's
trip to the Court House and his
appearance on the witness stand.
Dexter Roode, assistant treasurer
in 1918 Of of the Noank plant, a
Morse concern, resumed his testi-
nony. Being asked by Attorney
Nash lockwood, Of counsel for the
defense, regarding insurance on the
Noank plant, the witness said that
he tried to place the insurance with
~
deal with, but was prevented from
doing so by the Fleet Corporation
who directed that the insurance be
placed with them. Roode said that
It cost the Noank three times az
much to insure with the Fleet Cor
poration tran with their regular
companies. He said that the firm
carried $500, 900 insurance on each
vessel.
Roode was asked whether access
to, the books Of the Noank plant
was ever denied to the Fleet Cor
poration. He said access was al
ways open to 1t, and that the cor.
poratioa maintained at TIE yard one
auditor and sever. or eight tnspec-
tors, who had charge oS the con.
stTUction work.
u. S. Controlled Hours.
Roode said that sometimes the
forces worked ten hours at the
plant and then again they worked
twenty-four hours. It depended en-
tirely on the Fleet Corporation
dered that q lighting plant be in
stalled to carry on at night.
Regarding the increase in wages,
-
them. The first was ordered in
the fall Of 1917 and amounted to
80 per cent. The second was in
the spring Of 1918, amounting to
Is per cent, and the third, of 10
per cent, took place in the fall Of
1913. The increase was not uni
form, according to witness, who
stated that this measure almost
brought about ''civil warfare
among the workers.
Activities at the yard were re-
ported to the Fleet Corporation in
monthly statements, said the wit
ness, who added that he asked the
corporation in return to send the
NOank plant statement as to con-
ditions and relations between
them.
Roode said he requested the Cor
poration to do this on many occa-
sions, but the Fleet Corporation
refused to make the statements.
During the latter part of 1918
Charles Schwab, director general
of the Shipping Board Emergency
Fleet Corporation, paid a visit to
the Noank plant, according to wit
ness, and being asked by Attorney
Nash lockwood to give the sub
stance Of a speech made by Schwab
at the plant. Judge Turner of
counsel for the Government OBJ
jected.
The court overruled the objec.
ton and witness said that SchWab,
after looking around the yard, adj
dressed about 1900 workmen and
said that he liked the Noank yard;
that 1t was one of the best yards
he had ever seen; that the work
men were a fine class of people
and that they were building good
ships and that they had O yard
they could be proud of.
Delay on Supplies.
There was often delay in receiv.
ing lumber at the yard, said the
witness. There was lots Of lum.
Der shipped to the Noank and the
GrotOn plants" he said, (which
was diverted to Wilson's Point
which was a Government place."
What was the effect Of this d.
version OF the lumber intended Ger
the yard at Noank?" asked Attor-
ney lockwood.
1T delayed the work." said the
witness, who added that between
one and two million feet Of lumber
were diverted.
Attorney lockwood asked wit.
ness whether he had ever seen any.
thing at the yard that would cause
him to think that there was any in.
tention on the part of the Noank or
GrotOn plants to delay the shipping
building program of the Fleet Cor.
poration. The Government Oh
jected, the court overruling the OBJ
lection, witness said that he never
saw anything that would cause
him to think that there was any
such intention.