The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-01
CHICAGO JURORS
 NDICT FORBES
(cantlnued From Paae 0ne)

tCeHtthueo FTsW FHhe UhoJ
 'discuss means of accomplishing their conspiracy"
 That they later met for the same pur- pose at Seattle. Wash, July g and Il ; at Tacoma, July 10, at Portland, Ore, | 15, and at Hayden Lake, Idaho, July 13 and 14. It was also charged that Forbes hotel bills at San Francisco and Tacoma, Wash, were paid by Thomp- son and Mortimer. The sum of $100, ,000, alleged to have been promised Cramer, was described as 'pretended attorney s fee"
 Bad Judgment Charged ] In it's special report, the grand jury said that "bad judgment" was used by the bureau in connection with the con tracts with the Continental Chemical company, known as floor wax contract and the contract with the Society for Visual Education, but that there was nothing criminal found in these cases. The jury reported that it had heard evidence concerning transactions known as the ''Perryville," "Tupper Lake" and "Livermore," and also regarding the subsistence contract, but lad not delved deeeply into these matters because no act concerning them was committed in the jurisdiction of the court. It recommended that these matters be further investigated. The jury said it had been assured by John w. Grim, assistant United States attorney gen. eral, who had charge of the investiga- tion, that the matters to which it call ed attention in it's special report would be laid before Attorney General Daugh- erty and President Coolidge.
 Thompson Surrenders
 Thompson, accompanied by Elwood Goldman, surrendered here tonight and was released under $1O,O00 bond. He would make no comment on the in- dictment other than to declare that he was absolutely innocent. Mir. Goldman said that he would confer with Wash ington counsel for Colonel Forbes and make plans for him to surrender. Colonel Forbes, he indicated, will prob ably come to Chicago in a few days to furnish his bonds.
 The jury which returned the indict- ments began it's session here Febru- ary 6, and heard the testimony of A witnesses. Among them were Attor- ney General Daugherty who appeared yesterday, Brigadier General Sawyer and Mir. Mortimer.
 The jury in its investigations is ui- derstood to have followed closely the investigation of the bureau last year | by special Senate committee, which in it's report charged fraud, corrup- tion and mismanagement of the bureau under Colonel Forbes.
 Admits Paying Bribe
 Mortimer appeared before the Senate HaIo ,l Forbes a $5,000 bribe, but this Colonel Forbes denied charging he had been made the victim of a conspiracy.
 The Senate investigation dealt main- ly with the removal of material from the Perryville supply depot, contracts for hospitals at Northampton, Mass, Tup- per Lake and American Lake, Wash ington, the purchase of site at Liver more, Cal, project. The payment of S97, ,000 to San Francisco architect for plans for the Livermore project which were later rejected were also under scrutiny of the committee.
 Mortimer told the committee that after Forbes had been paid 5000 the Pontiac Construction company in which Thompson and Black were interested secured contract, although it's bid was $27, 900 above the low bidder.
 He told the committee Mir. Forbes once proposed plan to withdraw large quantities of liquor and narcotics stored at Perryville. An unofficial tour of the bureau chief to the Pacific Coast in 1922. which was alleged to have been interspersedA with drinking and debauchery." was also investigated by the Senate committee. Several per sons who made this trip ahead were before the grand jury here.
 Colonel Forbes was named as direc- tor of the veterans bureau by Presi- dent Harding in 1921, and announced his resignation in February. 1923. Since its inception. it is estimated the bureau has expended approximately $3. 500 100000.