Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-10
HARDING REQUESTED
FORBES To RESIGN.
SAWYER TEST|F|ES


lent Harding called for the resigna-
ion of Charles r. Forbes as director
I If mo veterans bureau as result
e the Perryville, Md, surplus sup
! ny sale transaction, Brig. General
Charles E. Sawyer, personal friend
ind physician to the late executive,
estified today before the senate vet
rams committee.
General Sawyer testified that in
he face of an order by the presi-
lent that the shipments OF supplies
rom PerrSville be stopped, carloads
If materials were sent out for two or
hree days.
LAS result of this insubordina-
ion, Col. Forbes was asked to re-
ign" General Sawyer said.
General Sawyer. who is co-or.
linator for the general hospitaliza-
ion board, read to the committee a
lrepared statement regarding the
thole <Perryville transaction.
Went to Stop Sale
He said that on or about. Novem-
Ter 26, or twelve days after the
contract of sale had been entered
nto with Thompson & Kelly COM
amy, Inc, of Boston, Surgeon Gen
gal Cumming, of the public health
ervice. reported to him that sup
lilies at ,Perryville were being sold
egardless of public health service
leeds.
DR.. Sawyer accompanied DR.. Cum
,1 -. =
Isked for a Conference.
1T was after quite a heated con-
erence," the witness continued, that
icl. Forbes was persuaded that the
ublic health ~ervice should be con-
idered in the matter at all
After this conference L took the
natter up with President Harding
nd he requested me to proceed at
nee to Perryville to see what was
ioing on. Accompanying me on this
rip were General Cumming and DR..
ninth CDR. Frederick c. Smith, of
he public health service)
Found Shipping Activity
a Upon arrival at Perryville, we
, ound great activity going on in the
natter of shipping supplies. Investi-
alton showed that one large truck
pad of towels was Just being moved
ut CT one of the buildings.
Assuming the authority that had
leen given me by the president, I
dreCted the officer in charge to have
he materials unloaded and asked
linn to await further orders before
my other shipment was made. He
ave me his word that such order
you'd be issued by him and that all
h;pping. proceedings would cease UNI
IL this matter was finally determ-
ned.
Returning home, I made a state
nent to the president, telling him
hat 1 felt sure that very valuable
materials, much needed by the vet
rams bureau hospitals and the pub
tc health service was being disposed
4 at great loss to the government.
lie Immediately ordered through me
hat further disposition of this prop
!rty should stop until there was
.ompliance with the executive order
eQuiring a division of the property,
It Perryville on the basis of so per
ent for the veterans bureau and 20
Ser cent for the public health serv-
&C."
DR.. Sawyer took the witness stand
litter Lieutenant Commander Charles
3 O'Leary, formerly in charge of
he supply division of the veterans
bureau, had finished his testimony,
iegun yesterday. O'Leary said that
n a visit to the White House,
December II, 1922, he had given an
explanation of the sales to the presi-
lent, but that the president was not
atisfied and asked for an appraisal.
The senate investigating commit
ee today sought additional informa-
ion as to the circumstances which
aused Mr.. Harding to stop the sale
~ the Veterans bureau of some
100000 worth of supplies at Per
yVllle, Md, to a Boston salvage
tm for approximately 100000.
The presidents order was issued
asst Janaary "a, after the sale ap-
psrently had become a storm center
ooth within and without the govern
nent service. Previously Mr.. Har-
ling had, interviewed to halt the sale
temporarily pending a conference
With officials of the bureau as to
what was being sold and the ade-
auacy Of the rrice obtained.
Evidence p. scented { the commit
lee yesterday was that General Saw
yer had opposed the sale from the
first and that he had made repre-
.entations to the president after he
had failed in his efforts in other di-
rections to retain for the govern
ment large quantities of supplies
which were being disposed Of at one
fifth 0f heir ipVOioe va Inc