Evening star., 1923-11-16
SECRET CODE USE
WITH CONTRACTORS
DENIED BY FORBES
Ex-Director Declares All Vet
erans' Bureau Business
Done in Open.
INVESTIGATIONS COURSE
CRITICIZED BY WITNESS
Disabled Soldiers Commander De.
clares Nothing Constructive for
Aid Is Accomplished.

The sharp plowshare Of the SenaH
veterans committee, driven forwart
again today through the affairs q
former Director Charles r. Forbe4
turned up another collection %
charges, denials and counter charges
With Forbes on the stand, under
cross-examination. the inquiry ira
versed a. wide field of subjects, rang
ing from hospital contracts to alleged
drinking parties and pleasure trips
The former director continued to deny
generally and specifically the accusa-
tions of misconduct that have been
made against him.
The code which Elias H. Mortimer
testified was arranged for the use of
Certain contracting firms and some
officers of the Veterans Bureau fig
ured largely today in the cross-ex-
animation.
Forbes reiterated his denial of any
knowledge of any such a code, which
Mortimer had said was arranged dur
ing the Pacific coast trip Of Forbes
and his party in the summer of 1922
Hurley Mason Company of Tacoma, j.
w. Black of the Black-Thompson
Company of Chicago and others.
Message Is Offered.
Hurley's name in the code, accord
ing to Mortimer was "Hyder." John
F. Organ, general counsel for the
investigating committee, read a tele
gram sent from Tacoma on July 25,
1922, and signed "Hyder." AS trans
lated it read as follows:
wish to leave from Alaska 30th.
Return about 10th. VIII abseI ce inter-
fere. Ask Forbes"
Two postal cards signed "Hyder'
then were offered. Both were address,
ed to Mortimer in Washington. They
were of personal nature and re-
ferred to fishing trips in British Co.
1umbia and Oregon.
Denying that he had ever sent any
messages to Hurley in code. Forbes
said all the messages that went out
from him were signed by Charles X.
Forbes" and were in the clear The
witness said he could offer no ex-
PLANTATION if copies of his communi-
cations to Hurley are not in the bu-
reau files.
Did you ever send Hurley any mes
sages through Pickles." asked
ORyan. Pickles" was the name
Forbes secretary. NJ. L. Sweet. was
given in the alleged code.
Other Names Given.
The former director said the first
he had heard of such a designation
for Sweet was during the committee
hearings.
Organ read letter signed
"Hyder" and addressed to "Moxie."
which was supposed to be- Mortimer's
code name. 1t was under date of
September. 1922, and asked if ..Moxie"
could not give the writer some idea
as to when the projects we talked
about will be ready to figure"
The letter added that Monk" al
legged to have been the code name for
Mason, had left Tacoma to take his
son to Yale.
NO doubt he will be in Washington
around the end of the MONTH the let
ter added. "and no doubt he will call
on 'McAdoo.
"McAdoo" was the designation for
Forbes in the alleged code.
O'Ryan aroused Forbes by persist
ent Questioning in reference to
written plan regarding railroad con-
nections in South America, which the
former director said had been handed
to him by ] W. Black with request
that he examine it for suggestions.
Forbes wrote in some suggestions. and
said Black had offered him employ
ment in connection with the work
which he had declined because he
could not stand the triples"
Explains Medal Gift.
Counsel insisted on knowing
whether Forbes had not shown the
proposal to Sweet and Milliken of the
legal division for their opinions.
Suppose / did show it to Sweet and
Milliken. what of it?" asked Forbes.
what was wrong with it?'
I'm not characterizing it," said
O'Ryan, and switched the inquiry
back to the Pacific coast trip.
Forbes said his presentation of
Harding medal to II. F. Alexander on
the steamer Alexander at Tacoma was
not an 'timpulsive" act, as Mortimer
had testified He testified that before
he left Washington he called at the
White House, saw some OF the medals
ON President Harding's desk, and sug-
gested that he give them to some of
his friends. 1t was agreed. Forbes
aid. that the director hould give
them to friends of the President who
had aided in his campaign for Presi-
dent.
al thought the occasion on Mr.. Alex
ander's ship" he added, was a good
one at which to make the presentation
to him."
Declare Mortimer Drunk.
At San Diego Forbes said Mortimer
"was drunk and insulted Gen. and Mrs,
Terry
what was your condition." asked
Organ
.I was as sober then as now"
"And Mrs. Mortimer
"The same"
Forbes said Mortimer was drunk on
another occasion soon afterward.
How was it that on your official in
spection trip you carried this drunk
around with you?" asked Organ.
He'd have his little souse at some
marty and I'd warn him that he would
have to leave us unless he behaved"
the witness said. He would apologize
and say he would not do it again, and
1 believed him."
The inquiry was taken back TO the
bureaus plant at Perryville, Md.
.You leaned pretty heavily on Com
mander OLeary in the sale of sup
plies there?" asked Organ.
"Oh not so heavily5
Commander O'Leary was in charge
of the Veterans Bureau supply di-
vision and had testified at length
about the Perryyille sale.
O'Ryan then renewed his motion