Evening star., 1923-11-15

Forbes said there had been some
report about the alleged incompetency
Of O'Brien as an architect for hospi-
tails. but added that his plans had
been approved by the medical division
and others charged with such respon.
sihility. -. ..
The witness said he never was
strong for" the appointment Of an
architect Cor Livermore.
DO you now swear that you think
the appointment Of an outside archi.
tect for Livermore was justified?"
asked Organ.
II cannot answer that question"
said the witness. but.O'Ryan pressed
him.
"Embarrass me-" Forbes exclaimed.
Certainly not. / think I have an
swered that question; I have stated
the appointment WAS made by direc-
tons.
"All right, let it CO." said Organ.
Admits Pink Slips Used.
Asked about the testimony of Di-
rector Frank r Hines OF the bureau.
that when he came into Office the
work was in confusion because of the
use of pink slips" to rush through
claims of certain veterans Forbes
said the work was not in confusion.
They always were used" he added.
Il think they use white slips now"
The witness said he could not re-
call who told him this.
O'Ryan read a report. from e. A.
Graupner. of San Francisco, that he
and john r. Quinn and other Of
ficials Of the American Legion had
advised Forbes OF charges of cor
ruption in connection with Liver
more. The document declared there
II
sold the site. had said he had TO pay
out $4,000 Of the purchase price to
be sent to Washington.
The report also referred to rumor
that the $25.000 was TO be split be-
tween Forbes and Charles F. Cramer.
that 100 cases OF wine were to be
sent to Washington for Forbes. Cra-
mer and an unnamed third person.
Forbes said that to the best OF his
knowledge and belief the American
Legion officers had made no such re-
port to him. Pressed by Organ for q
more definite answer, he replied:
That was more than year ago.
you say. I have been Ill for months
with fever and Inconsistencies much
of the time. You can't expect my mind
to be as clear as yours
"oh, never mind about all that"
said Organ.
"On October 8 last was an action
brought against you In Seattle.
Wash. 7" asked Organ.
what kind OF an sction7 Forbes
Inquired.
"A divorce action"
Il think that's utterly immatertal,"
objected Easby-Smith.
"I'll make it material" said O'Ryan.
What is the materiality?" asked
Senator Reed.
Il don't want to disclose my pur.
pose to the witness" said Organ.
A conference between counsel and
the committee followed.
Tho committee permitted the aues-
tion.
DO you know why you were desis-
mated in that action as Charles
Forbes instead OF Charles X. Forbes?"
Yes"
was 1t at your reauess7"
:"1 don't recall. The truth 10 that
my name is Charles Forbes. put
the r. in after an uncle. having that
initial died
Wasn't the r. dropped to avoid
publicity" asked Organ.
II was In the hospital at the time.
The action was brought by Kate
was the matter of publicity a con.
cern?"
"A mans difficulties are always of
concern to him.
Name Change Not Recalled.
Organ wanted to know IL Forbes
In verifying his answer to the bill
of complaint had not written Charles
r. Forbes then scratched out the
"R" and written above It "F."
Wasn't 1t to avoid pubiicity?"
Every man wants to avoid pub
licity in such matters
WAS this action instituted and
prosecuted by an arrangement be-
sTssa Wsye yeI ,.nea ane 'ha It opsr GOOD
times. There was an understanding
as TO what I was to pay.
WAS there any understanding As
to the character Of the defense you
were to maker"
"I made no defense"
"But wasn't there an agreement as
to your defense?"
II am unable to answer that
Pursues Another Line.
DO you know Charles Mccarty?'
..po. "po you know Lorana rhurstona"
.Im on another matter" o'Ryan
remarked to the committee, and then
began q cross+examination as to
methods used by the bureau In keep.
Ing records.
Chairman Reed announced in con-
It had been decided the COMMITTEES
would hear evidence Involving moral
turpitude from the time Of Forbes.
appointment as director down to the
present
ORyau then suddenly switched the
CROSS contamination back to relations
between Forbes and Mortimer, asking
what Forbes found attractive in Nor.
timers companionship.
'He seemed to be plausible" said
Forbes.
"Oh, you like plausible men,"
He seemed to be all right socially,
I wasn't going around any place par
ticularly at that time"
You already had met Mrs. Morti.
"Yes."
"on the visits to the Mortimer
apartment and on the automobile
rides Mrs. Nc Mortimer y.t always was with
with u.s." said Forbes. with en-
phasis.
Counsel then asked about the At.
lantic City trip to which Mortimer
has testified. Forbes recollection was
Forbes and Mortimer, those in the
party, the witness said, were NJ. L.
Sweet. the directors secretary. and
Traymore Hotel.
1.-TWO actresses from New York join
ed you there?" asked Organ.
Yes; they left the morning after
their arrival"
Mrs. Forbes was not q member Of
that party"
"She was not"
"Whos paid the expenses OF the
partyT - -
Il know I paid my own" said
Forbes. and at that point the commit.
tee recessed for lunch.