The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-04
I RIAL MAY
LAS A
YEAR
Justice Stafford Creates Inn
preston Everything VIII Be
Slfted to Bottom.


During the six weeks in which
the Morse conspiracy case has
been on trial before q jury in
Criminal Court No. l.. Justice
Stafford presiding, about $50
pieces Of written data, including
books and records Of the Morse's
concerns, checks, vouchers, IN
voices, letters, statements have
been offered in evidence and read
into the record. This data covers
q period Of about five months in
the activities Of the Morse enter
prises, beginning in June, 1917.
Much Data introduced.
The indictment charging Charles
W. Morse, his three sons and four
others with conspiracy to defraud
the Government in connection with
wartime ship contracts, alleges that
the conspiracy was contaminated be-
tween 1917 and 1921. The Govern
ment's Introduction In evidence Of
$50 pieces Of written data covers
four months Of the four years in
question, and has also called about
forty Of the zoo Witnesses to the
stand to testify.
Each piece Of evidence offered by
the Government is examined with
the greatest scrutiny By counsel for
the defense and il followed ny
lengthy GfOss-examinations Of the
G0vernn1ent's witnesses by at
tOrneys Nash lockwood, Wilton }.
IT,
representing the defendants. Much
the trial. Objection after objection
to the admission OF the majority II
the documentary evidence offered
by the Government ID made by
counsel for the defense, az being
imnaterial, and irrelevant, are over
ruled by Justice Stafford, the court
thereby having created the iEnPree-
sion Of his intention to get at the
bottom Of everything that may
throw hight on the case which Is
growing more confusing in its
intricacies every day. Time is not
the essence Of this case" Justice
Stafford at one time during the
trial remarked, indicating that he
will not permit either the Govern
ment or counsel tor the defense, TO
attempt any steps which might
jeopardize q thorough trial even
though there may be a saving of
time.
Lawyers Greatly interested.
The trial has proved Of the great.
est interest to lawyers around the
court house who are closely follow
ing each development Of the case,
both sides being represented by
leaders Of the legal fraternity. The
jury composed OF business men,
agents and clerks, have been in daily
attendance and have with diligence
followed every phase Of the proceed
ings. They were told by Justice
Stafford about two weeks ago when
they showed signs Of restlessness
that they are more comfortable now
than they would be In the month of
July. This was taken to indicate
that the court Is prepared for pro-
longed session.
With only $50 pieces OF docu-
mentary evidence introduced by the
Government out OF a total Of about
500, and the activities Of only four
months Of the alleged conspiracy
which 10 declared to extend over four
years, submitted to the jury. the
trial promises to extend well into
October. Some Of counsel for the de-
Tense even say that 1t viii take a
year and that the trial 50 far has
cost the Government, and the de-
tense, including everything, about
one million dollars
The question as to whether the
Virginia Shipbuildlng Company, a
Morse concern, had any credit to
purchase supplies and to carry on
operations at the plant was brought
out at today's session of the Morse
conspiracy trial now in it's seventh
week In Criminal Court No. I, Jus
tice Stafford presiding.