Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-04
COUNSEL CLASH
lin CRUMP STORY
AT TRIAL OF FORBES

Chicago, Dec. Shy A. P)-The
testimony of Arthur c. Crump of Phil
adelphia formed the background for an
all-day battle of counsel today in the
Forbes-Thompson veterans bureau
conspiracy trial. Crump, during the
period when Charles r. Forbes was
head of the veterans bureau, was sec
retary-treasurer of the Pontiac Con-
struction Co. of Detroit. the firm which
got the first veterans bureau hospital
contract, the one for the foundations
Of the Northampton, Mass, hospital
buildings.
Both sides, through Crump. introduce
ed n large number of letters, kilograms
Carpenter taking a hand now and then
in the debate over the admission OF
these papers as evidence.
On cross examination Crump admit
ted he had refused an interview two
months ago to counsel for Forbes and
his co-defcndant Thompson, being adj
Nised by the district attorney at Phil
adelphia not to give them any infor-
nation. The Pontiac Company, 1t was
brought out, was an open shop subsid-
larry Of the James Black Co. of st.
Louis. Black. now dead. being a bust
ness associate Of Thompson.
Crump's testimony was taken today.
with Elias II. Mortimer. the principal
government witness. only half way
through his story, so that he might
return home.
Under questioning by John W. r.
Grim and Ralph F. Potter. special as
sistants to the attorney general, Crump
related his part in figuring the Pom
tic Company's bid in the Northampton
foundation Job. arriving at an estimate
of $4,000 with 100 days as the time
of completion.
He was directed by Thompson. he
testified, to make the time 30 days. and
n few minutes before the bid was taken
to the veterans bureau for submission
the 30 days in the bid was scratched
out and 60 days interlined. Thompson.
he said. declared that he could get an
extension of time IL 1t was needed.
The governments conspiracy charge
alleges that Forbes promised the job
to the Thompson-Biack group through
special features Of their bid. and
Forbes had promised an extension of
time later. Mortimer testified to these
details of the alleged conspiracy
On cross examination he admitted he
understood Thompson was there only
"a representing Black. and. so far as
he knew. Thompson had no financial
or other interest in the Pontiac Com
pany. He did say that a few hours
after the Pontiac bid was submitted
Thompson told him the job Is ours"
On redirect examination the govern
ment also brought out that John J.
Brennan. president of the Pontiac
when word was received
from Washington that they probably
would get the Job. went to Boston to
confer with Thompson before going
to Washington to sign the contract.
While Crump was on the stand. Ran
dolph Laughlin Of ST. Louis. counsel
for Thompson. made strenuous efforts
to use him as a direct witness and
succeeded in having him identify a
large number Of letters from the Pom
tiac Company's flies. for use later in
the defence.
Mr.. Laughlin also drew from Crump
that the company lost money on the
job, but the witness
hazy recollection Of a $4,000 loss. be-
sides o $1,000 penalty. was stricken
out because he was not certain 1t Is
the contention Of the defence that the
Pontiac Company lost $21.0eo on the
work. besides the penalty, because
Forbes as veterans bureau director
refused to consider 20 Straight days
OF rain az an insurmountable handicap.
and made insufficient allowance for
mistakes IN surveys of army engineers.