Evening star., 1923-11-13
Forbes said there was both "outsid'
and inside politics."

pressure was brought to bear for the
sale OF property, for the purchase OF
property and one-hundred- and one
other things.
Inside politics was just the men
on the inside working with the gang
on the outside. This hindered and
hampered my work"
Forbes testified that he had saved
millions to the government in re
vamping the dental situation" and
improving the rehabilitation work.
|, He asserted that many of those in
mere shacks and that in many cases
the men were getting useless train
ing.
plumbers helpers would go in for
dramatic art" he said. They would
ask for full dress suits and plug
hats
Forbes told the committee he be-
Iieved the Veterans Bureau never
would function effectively until there
is a change Of the system.
There must be more than one man
to direct its activities" he declared.
mo one man in the world can handle
that job. There should be an un-
biased non-political board to run it,"
Recalling that he had been charged
with overliberality in dealing with
the veterans. Forbes said he believed
it was the intention of Congress to
give the benefit of the doubt to the
former service men.
"Hospitalize them first and question
them afterward-that was my order"
said Forbes.
Explains Hospital Work.
There never was any secrecy about
the selection of hospital sites, the
witness continued.
With respect to hospital construc-
tion. Forbes declared that every
award that was made by him was
made ION the recommendation of the
quartermaster general of the Army"
cooperation of the engineering divi-
sions OF the Army and Navy, and the
plans and specifications for the hos
pitfalls was prepared by those de-
partments.
Taking up the award of the con-
tract for the hospital at Northampton,
which figured largely in the testi-
mony of Elias H. Mortimer of Phila-
delphia, Forbes said speed in con-
Struction was the essential thing, and
that the award for the foundation
was given to the Pontiac company of
Detroit because 1t agreed to complete
the work in sixty days. He said he
insisted on a penalty provision of
$3.50 a day. and that this penalty was
collected, as the job took seVenty-six
days.
AS to the contract for the hospital
at American lake, Washington. which
was awarded to the Hurley Mason
company, Forbes testified and letters
read into the record showed that the
bids were opened in the War Depart
ment and the recommendation that
the award be made to the Hurley
Mason company WAS prepared by a
special board appointed in the quar-
termaster generals division.
Asked for Inquiry.
Forbes said he was present when
the bids were opened and remarke ed
that 'it looked like the Hurley Mason
Company" He added that he told
Col E. S. Walton OF the Quarter
master Corps that he once had been
vice president OF the Hurley Mason
Company and that before any decision
as to the award was made there
should be an inquiry as to whether
he then held any interest. direct or
indirect. in that company.
tract, about which Mortimer also tes-
titled, Forbes said the plans for that
hospital were prepared in the bu-
reau Of yards and docks Of the Navy
Department and the bids opened there
land Construction Company of ST.
Louis.
Mr.. Easby-Smit read in the rec
Of the Navy Department regarding
this contract to support Forbes tes-
timony. They showed that nbgotia-
ttons for additional work to be done
by the sutherland company were
conducted by officials of the Navy
on Recommendations Of Forbes. who
wanted the work on the foundat tions
expedited before cold weather set in.
Forbes denied fatty that he ever
had had any conversation with Morti-
mer regarding the Upper Lake con-
tract or the contract for any other
hospital. Mortimer had testified that
a representative of the Sutherland
Company had paid him $2,500 for
using his influence with Forbes to
get the contract for extra work at
Upper Lake.
1t had come to his attention, Forbes
said. that Mortimer was claiming to
represent the Sutherland Company
and he sent for William NJ Sutherland d
and Mortimer and asked about it
Mortimer was an agent for his COM
pany in government work, but Morti-
mer claimed he was an agent for the
company in other work.
Accuses Mortimer.
Forbes declared he was convinced
Mortimer was hooked up in a deal'
and had determined not to have any
thing to do with any company for
which Mortimer was an agent.
The committee pressed for details
Of the deal"
THE statement had been made to
me by the Department of Justice
Forbes said, that Mortimer was the
social and professional bootlegger of
Washington
The witness was asked if he had
a written report FROM the Depart
ment Of Justice and Easily Smith said
he would present 1t later
Did you know he was a bootleg
with him?" asked Senator Walsh.
|. There were reports about 1t and
I saw some Indications" was the