TRANCE MEDIUM'S CLAIM

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 8

TRANCE MEDIUM'S CLAIM

LIBEL ACTION AGAINST ’ GAILY, MAIL’ "REMARKABLE EVIDENCE FOR DEFENCE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright* LONDON, April 14, (Received April 15, at 11.50 a.m.)' The hearing is proceeding of a claim for libel by Mrs Mourig Morris, a wellknown trance medium, against the ’ Daily Mail,’ which suggested that all her sermons were similar and that her subconscious mind was crammed with spiritualist jargon which she could hang on to any text. Remarkable evidence was given foi> the defence. A charwoman at Laurence Cowen’s house at Harrow said Mrs Morris visited the house in 1929. Every evening she used to go to the library. Thei charwoman heard Mrs Morris trying to imitate a man’s powerful voice. She heard Cowen say: “ A little hit clearer,, my dear.” Cowen later said “ That’s good.” The charwoman thought Cowen and Morris -were rehearsing a play., Mr Landstone, business manager Of the Fortune Theatre, gave evidence that he had heard Mrs Morris apparently rehearsing “ Powers ” sermon in' Cowen’s room. The statement caused Mrs Morris,; who was in court, to weep bitterly,, moaning “ It’s dreadful.” Friends tried to soothe Mrs Morris, and finally led her from court still protesting. Steele, once Cowen’s secretary, said Cowen used to take Mrs Morris to his office in the theatre. In half an hour “ Power’s ” voice would be heard delivering a sermon.

Cowen, who is the dramatist frequently mentioned in the case, has been, manager of seances at the Fortune Theatre.