The Washington times., 1923-11-07
CONTINUED
To SHIP
AFTER
ORDER
General Sawyer Tells Sena-
tors How Health Service I'm
covered Doubtful Practices.
By WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.

By WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.
The late President Harding
forced Charles r. Forbes to re-
sign from the dictatorship of the
United States Veterans Bureau
because of the sales of surplus
property at the Perryvile, Nd,
depot, which Forbes continued
even after. Harding had ordered
them stopped. Brig. Gen. Charles
e. Sawyer former White House
physician, testified today at the
Senatorial inquiry.
Shipped After Removal.
Sawyer said several carloads Of
supplies were shipped to the Thomp-
son & Kelly Company at Boston,
with Forbes consent after Harding
had directed their removal be
stopped. The Boston firm bought
SO. OOO, 900 worth of supplies for
Colonel Forbes was not in attend
ance when Sawyer took the stand,
counsel for the former director an
nouncing he had been stricken again
with illness and was confined to his
hotel under a physicians orders.
Sawyer read a prepared statement
before submitting to examination by
the committee.
In his statement Sawyer said the
Perryville sales were called to his
attention by Public Health Service
officials who were demanding a
share of the stocks. After con-
ference with the late President,
Sawyer said he went to Perryville
on an inspection trip and "assum-
ing the authority invested in me
by the President, / ordered the
officer in charge to discontinue the
shipment of supplies to Thompson
& Kelly" Sawyer said he then re-
ported to the President that very
valuable material needed by Gov
eminent hospitals was being dis
posed of at a great loss"
Drove Sharp Bargain.
1.-The President directed me to
stop these sales until his executive
order for distribution of supplies
70 the Public Health Service was
carried out" said Sawyer. after
Colonel Forbes signed a written
agreement to this effect I dropped
the Perryville matter.
Three weeks later I was in
formed shipments were being made
again to the Boston concern. / so
Informed the President, and he inn
mediately ordered them discon-
tinued. In spite of the Presidents
direct order. three or four cars
were shipped in the several days
following. AS a result of this in
subordination, Colonel Forbes was
asked to resign
Sawyer stated 1t was his opinion
that the Thompson & Kelly Co.
drove SHARP bargain" and chat
II found an easy mark In Govern
ment officials. He said the Vet
Grams Bureau executive head had
exercised very poor Judgment in
the transaction.
Commander Charles r. O'Learv.
u. S. N, cleared the name of Presi.
dent Harding from all RESPONSE
bility for the Perryville transaction.
Was it your intention in your
testimony yesterday to transfer re-
sponsibility for this transaction to
the President?"
Not in the slightest way" re-
piled O'Leary. al knew the Presi.
Gent Tor many years and l would
not want the committee to feel I
was attempting to impose any re-
sponslbility on the President"
Harding Inspected Sample.
Under questioning by members
or the committee General Sawyer
declared that in many instances he
Thought the goods were new and
Were good enough to use in any
private home"
What was President Hardine's
reaction when he saw these sam.
pies you brought back from Perry
Vllle! Senator Reed asked.
he thought it most unwise and
unousiness-like that such goods
should be classified when needed
oy the Government" said General
sawyer. THE President was "a
interested he walked to my Office