Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-25
Philadelphia Man Tes t fl e S
That While Seeking Con-
tracts In 1922, He Made
Loans To Forbes Which
We're Not Repaid-AlsO Paid
Travelling Expenses on
Various Trips - Mentions
Drinking Parties w h er e
Forbes Was Present .

Washington. Oct. 24.-By A. Pr,
Intrigue, debaucherY' and corruption
in connection with contracts for
veterans bureau hospitals were
charged today before the Senate
committee investigating the bureau.
Elias Fl. Mortimer of Philadelphia.
formerly a representative of the
Thompson Black Company of Chi
cago, was the witness. He testified
that while seeking a hospital con-
tract in 1922 he loaned $4,000 to
Charles r. Forbes. then director of
the bureau: that on another occasion
he advanced him an additional $1,000
or $500, and that none of the money
had been repaid.
Moreover. the witness told the
committee that James W. Black, q
member of the Chicago firm, now
dead. had told him that he under
stood ]. W. Thompson, the other
partner, had made advances to
Forbes aggregating $50 900. Mortimer
testified also that he had paid
Forbes expenses on various trips
about the country, official and I'M
official
Mortimer's story which required
four hours for the telling in a crowd
ed committee room, was interspersed
with incidents of what he described
as drinking parties at which he
said were present Forbes. Mrs. MOrti-
mer, himself and others. The Trail
OF these parties. as he outlined it,
led from Washington to Atlantic
City Philadelphia. New York. thence
10 Chicago and san Francisco and
up and down the Pacific coast.
They eliminated. according to his
version, at Hayden Lake. Washing
ton, where Forbes and some of the
women guests, on a dare, jumped into
the lake with their clothes on.
Becoming "disgusted," he said. af-
Ter the Hayden Lake affair, Morti-
mer returned TO Spokane after n
quarrel with Forbes. lie explained
mat it was about a personal matter
ana the committee did not press for
details.
The row was renewed on the train
on the return trip east the witness
astoria hotel, New York City. Both
personal and business matters en-
tered into the last quarrel. he sta
ted, adding that Forbes had been
taxing up matters of money with
thompson over my head.
After the break. Mortimer said.
ne wanted to see Forbes about a
hospital contract for the Sutherland
lOnSfrnptinA - inl bo
later received a commission of $500.
ne found him at a Philadelphia ho-
lei' he said, and Forbes not only was
surprised, but greatly embarrassed
al meeting him there.
Questioned about papers in con-
nechon with matters about which
ne testified Mortimer said most of
mem had been stolen from his
apartment in the Wardman Park
INN, this city. which had been en-
.eted three different times after the
.e'urn from the trip to the Pacific
eoast' He could not say whether
anyone connected with the Veterans
bureau had had hand in the mat
Mr.. Forbes, who made a dramatic
.,ppearance before the committee at
NJ. NP.lhiiS VI the hearings MOHudN
TSs ABSENT today as on yesterday.
sohn F. Organ. of New York, gem
IA IA counsel for the committee. sug-
essled however. that he he given an
opportunity to appear before the
.onmlttee next Tuesday or Wed
hssuaF after the resumption of the
earrings Monday. This finally was
approved by the committee.
me former director came from a
hieat'ie hospital to attend the hear
nS ss and is said to be in serious
MY MY seal condition from a malady
futn his friends declared he suf-
ne before his departure early in
,h ms year and his resignation from
n ae bureau at time when his ad-
fnalstratlon was under sharp fire
.n oa senator's and representatives
zion. '''' @'i''e' al