New Britain herald., 1923-11-16
Call on Investigators to Cease Useless Expo sures and Get Busy Do- ing Something to Bene- fit Sufferers.
Forbes Again Today Is Sub- jected to Chilling Exami- nation and Continues His Absolute Denials.

Washington, Nov. 16.-The sharp plowshare of the senate veterans com- mittee, driven forward again today through the affairs Of Director Charles R. Forbes, turned up another coliec- ton of charges, denials and counter charges.
 With Forbes on the stand under cross examination, the inquiry tra- versed wide field of subjects, rang ing from hospital contracts to alleged drinking parties and pleasure trips. The former director continued to de- ny generally and specifically the ac- cusations 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 exam- ination.
 Denies Knowledge of Code.
 Forbes reiterated his denial of any knowledge of any such code, which Mortimer had said was arranged dur ing the Pacific Coast trip of Forbes and his party in the summer of 1942 for the use of c. B. Hurley, of the Hurley Mason company of Tacoma, J. w Black, Of the Black-Thompson company, of Chicago. and others.
 Hurley's name in the code, accord ing to Mortimer, was 'Hyder." John F. o'Ryan, general consul for the in- yestigating committee. read teie- gram sent from Tacoma, on July 2s, 1929, and signed "Hyder." As trans- lated it read as follows:
 Wish to leave for Alaska thirtieth Return about tenth. Will absence in- terfere7 Ask Forbes"
 Two postal cards signed "Hydor." then were offered. Both were ad- dressed to Mortimer in Washington. They were of a personal nature and referred to fishing trips in British Columbia and Oregon.
 Denies Sent Messages.
 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 R. Forbes" and "were in the clear" The witness said he could offer no expla- nation if copies of his communica- tions to Hurley are not in the bureau files.
 Did you ever send Hurley any mes- sages through 'Pickles'7" asked O'Ryan.
 Pickles" was the name Forbes Bec- retary, Nj. L. Sweet, was given in the alleged code.
 The former director said the first he had heard Of such a designation for Sweet was during the committee hearings.
 O'Ryan read a letter signed 'Hyder," and addressed to "Moxie." which was supposed to be Mortimers rode name. It was under date of Sep- tember, 1922, and asked if "Moxie'' could not give the writer some idea as 10 when the projects we talked about will be ready to figure"
 The letter added that Monk" al- eged to have been the code name for Mason, had left Tacoma to take his ion to Yale.
 No doubt he will be in Washing on around the end of the month,' he letter added, and no doubt hs will call on 'McAdoo'."
 "McAdoo" was the designation for forbes in the alleged code.
 Forbes Is Aroused.
 O'Hyan aroused Forbes by persist- mt questioning in reference to writ en plan regarding railroad connec. ions in South America which the ormer director said had been handed Q him by ]. W. Black with a request hat he examine 1t for suggestions forbes wrote some suggestions, and aid Black had offered him employ- nent in connection with the work hich he had declined because hs could not stand the tropics"
 Counsel insisted on knowing wheth- r Forbes had not shown the proposal 0 Sweet and Milliken of the legal di- isiou for their opinions.
 suppose I did show t to Sweet and what Of itg" asked Forbes What was wrong with u7''
 "I'm not gharacterizing it." said '.Hysn and Switched the iuauiry back , the Pacific Coast trip
 FortaS said his presentation Of 2 Harding MeIal'' to H. r. Alexander u the steamer Alexander at Tacoma. -as not an ''impulsive" act as Norti- 1er had testified. He testified that efgre he left Washington he called [ the White House. saw some of the Iedals on President HardinEs desk. nd suggested that he give them Io 1mc ct his friends.
 It vas agreed. Forbes said. that the Irectof should give them Co friends the president who had aided in his iunraign for president.
 T thought the occasion on Mir. iexander's ship" he added. was a pod one at which to make the pres1 ltstiOn to him.
 Accuses Mortimer
 At San Diego. Forbes said. Mortimer zas drunk and fnsulted General and rs. Terry"
 What uas your condition7" asked Ryan