Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-04
FRAME Up CHARGED
BY CHARLES Forbes
AGAINST H|GHER-UP

WASHINGTON, March 2.-Se-
verely denouncing witnesses before
the Chicago grand jury that indict-
ed him for conspiracy and bribery
in connection with his administra-
ton of the veterans bureau, Charles
r, Forbes declared in two state,
ments issued from his attorneys Of
fee Saturday that he was the victim
of "frame-up," and that he was
prepared to name a high individ-
ual, unofficially connected with the
government" who, he charged, laid
the plot"
After an all,day conference with
his attorney, James S. Easby-Smith,
it was announced that the ground
work for Forbes defense was being
considered.
Friends /of Forbes indicated that
Mrs. Caroline Votaw, sister of the
late President Harding, would be
called as a witness, but Forbes at
torney declared he had made no
plans to summon her.
Papers had not been served on
Forbes late today, but 1t was an
nounced that arrangements had
been made for him to appear volun-
tarily Monday before a United States
commissioner here and arrange
bond. He would go to Chicago vol
UNFAIRLY, it was stated, and not OPP
pose extradition.
Frame-up Charged
eff ever there was a contemplate
frame-up," Forbes said to newspaper
men, in the presence Of his attor'
ney, II am the man who was
framed, and 1 know the exact day
the plot was laid and the individual
who directed the frame-up. He is a
high individual, unofficially connect
ed with the government.
Forbes was particularly severe in
his attacks on Elias H. Mortimer,
named as the agent Of Thompson &
Black, contractors, and Brigadier
General Charles E. Sawyer. He at
tackled Mortimer's testimony before
the senate investigating committee,
and asked in one of his statements
why he had not been indicted along
with himself and J. w. Thompson.
In his second statement, in an
swer to questions put to him by
men, Forbes referred to
the visit to Chicago by Attorney
General Daugherty and questioned
whether 1t was to assist the grand
jury in returning indictments or for
other reasons.
Replying to questions as to an al
legged connection of Mortimer with
the department Of justice, Forbes in
terrogated.
"Why has he been at large on bail
nearly a year under an indictment
for conspiracy to violate the prohi-
bition law, returned in the United
States court in New York with no
action taken in the case since he
gave bond on June 3, 1923, Colonel
Tom Fielder, Daugherty's associate
in the Morse pardon case, appearing
as his counsel?
Justice Department Questioned
'Why has not the department. of
justice taken atcion against him and
certain officials for conspiracy to
violate the liquor laws, based OH doc
umentary evidence furnished by me
to the department of justice eighteen
months ago, the discovery of which
was the first intimation l had Of Nor
timers real character?"
Forbes charged that the ''real
crooks" were being shielded. He fur
Their charged that General Sawyers
work In connection with bureau ac-
Invites "had more to do with pre-
venting proper administration Of the
laws for the relief of the ex-service
man than all other causes combined"
He made a sizzling attack on the
physician of the late President Har-
ding, his charges ringing with in
Vectiv9 and denurciation.
Forbes declared he had great SYM
pathy," however, for J. w. Thomp-
son, one Of those indicted, because I
believed he is as completely inno-
cent as myself" he said his acquaint-
ance with Thompson was slight and
purely social having been intro
duced to him in the veterans bureau
by Mrs. VotaW.
Knowing the utter falsity Of Nor
timers story concerning any con-
splracy or other improper conduct
between Mr.. Thompson and myself"
Forbes asserted, II am convinced
that his testimony relating to trans
u,
of which I have no personal knowl-
edge, are equally false,
Forbes asserted the constitution
gave him the right to present to
my complete defense before the
Chicago tribunal and I intend to 4
exercise it to the limit
Defends His Administration
He charged there was con truth"
in the testimony given before the
senate committee which "reflected''
upon his "honor and integrity" AMI
that evidence taken before it late at
night on November Z, 1928, tended
to show an attempt to bribe a wit
ness, and that this testimony had
been Suppressed" by the commit
tee
Abiding to his administration of
hospital construction, Forbes de-
Clared:
IF I were crooked. or dishonest,
would [ seek to locate hospitals on
government property when the law
gave me the right to choose the
ground? Would L have turned over
the construction to the army and
navy to whom have entire juris-
diction, control and atthority?"
He added he believed both the
army and navy had the Finest en-.