Great Falls tribune., 1921-05-11
c. i. H.F0RTMAN
IS ARRA|GNED,
DENIES GUILT
Helena Postmaster Con-
fessed When Arrested
Say u. S. Inspectors;
Relieved of Position.

Helena, May 1O.-When arraignet
Tuesday before United States Commis
sioner Julius H. Brass, c. Fl. Fort
man, postmaster of Helena, entered s
plea Of not guilty on the embezzlement
charge filed Monday by postoffice in.
spectors. He was bound over to the
federal grand jury, which, it is said,
will meet here June 10
His bond, furnished by himself. Mon
day, in the form of Liberty bonds and
put at $1,000, was returned to him and
fresh securities in the same sum, in the
persons Of George J.. Ramsey and ia
cob Schweitzer. of Helena, signed.
Prior to these proceedings, two attach
ment proceedings, aggregating $3.50,
were filed against property of Mr..
Fortman by local creditors.
Relieved from Office.
The charge against Mr.. Fortman
automatically relieves him from office
and the assistant postmaster is now in
charge. F. s. p. Lindsay, a local mer-
chant, is said to have been recommend
ed to President Harding for the place
by Congressman w. J. Mccormick, Of
Montana.
Mr.. Fortman was represented at the
hearing by Attorney A. P. Haywood.
4: H. Barclay Of Spokane, chief post
office inspector for the northwestern
district, represented tile government.
Charge Against Him.
The specific charge upon which he
was arrested was that "he did I'M
lawfully steal and embezzle the con-
tents of a certain ordinary postoffice
official letter, addressed Postmaster,
Helena, Mont, bearing return address
Of Postmaster. Ranch Greek. Mont,
said contents being war savings Ger
tificate No. 16201G with five war saw
ings stamps OF series of 1918 attached.
That the said c. II. Fortman did un-
lawfully remove said five war savings
stamps from said certificate and affix
said five stamps to a new certificate
No. 302S590. series of 1918. and an
proprlate same to his own use, pre-
senting the same to Cashier Fowler
of the HeHlena, Mont. postoffice and |
receiving government postoffice |
check Of the current value of said Ger
tificates."
Said to Be observed in Aet.v
1t is said that three postoffice in
spectors. Tennyson Jefferson of BIZ
lines, Albert A. Paisley of Spokane
and c. B. Welter of Portland, Ore,
have been making Investigations quiet
" for several days in Helena. un-
known to Mr.. Fortman. The inspec-
tors are alleged to have observed the
postmaster in the act of removing the
war savings stamps from the certifi-
Gates in question.
1t was announced that Mr.. Fortman
made complete confession upon be-
ng confronted with arrest. This, il is
aid, will be withheld until fina4 ac-
ION is taken in Mr.. Fortman's case
md will then be filed in the United
states court.
Five p0stoffice inspectors came to
ielena in January and made a com
'lete check of the affairs of the local
..ostoffice. At that time il was said
hat nothing incriminating was found.
ut 1t is reported now that ''irre9uIar-
ties in bookkeeping were discovered.
-hese were of such nature, it was said.
s to call for department action in
tead of criminal prosecution.
Arrest Creates Sensation.
Mr.. Fortman's arrest late Monday
iternoon by j. W. Hickman, deputy
.n'ted States marshal, created a great
in Helena. where he has
we'd for many years.
Mr.. Fortman was appointed by Pres
lent Wilson in September, 1914. and
as reappointed in 1918 to serve for
our years. His term. however, ceased
pom MS arrest and inspectors said the
sslstant postmaster would take charge
Mess different orders were received
ON Washington. G. b. Anderson.
le = assistant, was at Miles City when
once for Helena.
Prior to becoming postmaster, Mr..
ortman was in the. seed and erain
isiness in Helena. He is married and
Is e married daughter.