Evening star., 1923-11-15
0'RYAN, AROUSED,
SAYS HE'LL PROVE
FORBES IS GUILTY
Expects to Convince Senate
Body Ex-Veterans' Bureau
Head in Conspiracy.
STIRRED BY ACCUSATION
OF PERJURY AND COERCION
Ex-Director's Attorney Promises to
Submit List of Witnesses and
Withheld Documents.

Stirred by Charles r. Forbes
charges against committee counsel,
John F. Organ told the Senate vet
erans' committee today that he ex-
pected to prove "convincingly the
whole truth of Mortimer's charge
that Col. Forbes was one Of the gang
of conspirators who were tied to-
gether cheek and towl to defraud the
government"
Il expect further to show" Organ
said, that this criminal conduct was
in consonance with his previous life
record"
The statement of Gen. Organ. who
is the committees general counsel,
was made Immediately upon resump-
ton Of the hearing and before the cross
examination of the former director
Reviews Forbes Charges.
Yesterday, in the cross-examina-
tion of Col. Forbes" o'Ryan said. "he
made charges that the testimony
thus far introduced which impeaches
his character Is not only false, but
1t is the result OF subornation Of
perjury and the coercion of witnesses.
He also charged that documents
and papers which would have indicat-
ed the innocence OF Col. Forbes were
withheld by counsel for the commit
tee
when asked for proof of these
charges the witness said that his
counsel was in possession OF the PROOF,
hi
was prepared to offer the proof TO
the committee.
ct did not wish at that time to
abandon the cross examination or the
witness to go into collateral matter
1t is a well-known recourse OF en-
barrassed witnesses to distract at
tention from themselves BY attacking
others.
Calls Forbes irresponsible.
Col. Forbes. 1 regard as ire
sponsible. ] expect, however, to prove
mnch more than irresponsibillty in
his conduct Of office and in his lack
of care. of the disabled
"Col. Easby-Smith Counsel for
Forbes) is an officer OF the court and
is responsible, and ask him here
and now IL he has any proof OF any
improper action toward any witness
acter upon my part or upon the part
of Maj. Arnold, my assistant coun-
sel?"
Chairman Reed interrupted to say
that the committee had announced
over and over again that this was not
a trial Of Forbes or any other person.
and that the committee did not de-
sire to lose sight OF the main of ss9 Tue
Veterans Bureau. He added. how
ever. that IL the committees process
es have been used for the suppress
sion OF the truth. the commitlee oe-
Mr. Easby-Smith responded that ne
would submit list of witnesses 70
the committee in connection WIZ W.T.
Forbes charges and would furnlsh
the committee with a list Of docu-
ments which Forbes claims were
withheld.
VIII Furnish List.
Gen. o'Ryan then demanded to
know whether those charges were d.
rected against general counsel or as
sistant counsel, and Mr.. Easby-Smith
replied:
II am making no charges. The
charges are made by Col. Forbes.
hold that this questioning OF me BY
committee counsel Is EN- snsi ,hs conn-
mittee and furnish the list OF WIZ
nesses at the noon recess If that Is
desirable"
would meet him at that time and the
EXPERIMENTATION of Forbes was re-
sumed. A., U-,,os
II. Mortimer, wife of one OF the chief
witnesses against FORBES. mac oeeh
tive session. The record OF this ex-
animation has not been made pubic
and probably will not be for some
time, Mrs Mortimer accompanied neT
husband and Forbes and his ofncial
Marty on the famous Pacific coast trip
in the summer Of 1922 and II was un-
derstood that she was questioned AT
length with regard to incidents OF
that trip.
Forbes Nnturalized Citisen.
Are YOU a native American or nat
uralized citizen?" Forbes was asked
by Gen. o'Ryan. at the outset of to-
days examination
"I am a naturalized citizen"
O'Ryan wanted to know If the for
mer bureau director had had an al
tercation with Mortimer on LABOR
day, 1922.
IT had some words with him. but
do not remember when 1t was
Was IL about Mrs. Mortimer
Il don't RENE m DER. II Ii6At AdNS
been partially about her.
Forbes conceded that Mortimer ~ed
found the former director and Mrs.
Mortimer in an apartment at the
wardman Park Inn here, but declared
the door was wide open.
The former director denied that It
, was n few days later that he became
Indignant because OF Mortimer's con-
nection with the Sutherland Con-
| struction Company.
I Forbes said he had given position,
| as mechanical engineer, In the bureau
! 70 George B. Tullido. jr, brother OF
Mrs Mortimer He was twenty-five
wears old and his salary, Forbes said.
was $4,000 a year.
| Denies Seeking to Please.
! DO you swear that that appoint
| ment was not made to please Mrs.
Mortimer?" asked O'Ryan.
| IT swear" said Forbes.
ORyan wanted to know II Forbes
knew that E. Tripp of the supply d.
| vision of the bureau had put the
! proceeds from the Perryville. Md.
| sale of supplies in the bank in Trips
name. -
.I heard about 1t when / returned
from New York" Forbes said: 1T was
| an unusual occurrence, OF course.
COMMITTEES counsel asked what safe
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