New Britain herald., 1924-12-04
MORTIMER CHILLED
 IN FORBES' TRIAL
Name of HaTdinS's Sister
 Brought Into Case
NO SCANDAL, SAYS JUDGE
Counsel For Defense Had Protested, Fearing That 1t Night Provoke Cnsavory Comment--Witness Tells of Peculiar Trips in West.
By The Associated I1oress.

By The Associated A'ress
 Chicago, Dec. 4.-The name of Mrs. Carolyn Votaw, sister of the late President Harding, was brought momentarily into the federal court trial today of Colonel Charles R. Forbes and John ". Thompson, for conspiracy to defraud the govern ment.
 A letter identified by Elias H. Mortimer, the chief government witness, as having been received by himself at sTn Fr5peisco from Thompson, was read 10 the jury over strenuous objections of defense counsel, who declared it would drag scandal into the case" No Scandal Seen After reading the letter. Judge George A Carpenter declared it was in itself innocent Of scandal. Morti- mcr, just before the letter was read, started to relate talk between himself, Thompson and Forbes. which dealt with keeping the pro- posed Pacific coast trip of Forbes. Mortimer and others, a secret from Mrs, VotaW. when Judge Carpenter halted him.
 Curious About Forbes
 The letter said Thompson had gone riding with Mir and Mrs. Hu- b"r Votaw and that she seemed curi- ous about the whera bouts of Colonel Forbes. Forbes then gave detailed instructions to Mortimer about the story he should concoCt ,on account of the western trip of the Mortimers, to make the trip seem to have been to Minneapolis, on a visit 10 Mortt- mer's family. Be guided by above" |" the letter closed, signed by "J. w." Thompsor's initials.
 Text of Letter
 The Thompson letter to Mortimer, follows;
 Ice House, Washington, July 12, 1922,
 Dear Mort: MT. and Mrs. Votaw called, took me for a drive. Re- member following: I didn't see Colonel Forbes. She asked if he was there and if you went Chicago with him. I didn't know Mrs. Thomp- son told us of her being in St. Iouis-undcrstood Kathryn to say you expected 10 meet her some where west and Kathryn seemed much disappointed not hearing her and supposed it was her being at st. Louis at that time. You left Chicago for Minneapolls account of your father. Didn't know your plans from thcre thought depended on your fathers condition. Seemed anxious know Colonel's whereabouts. Very fond of your and Kathryn. Be guided by above all have to say, (SignodD !. W.
 Love to you both"
 Describes Trip Description of the paafc coast trip Forbes made in June 1922, was extended 10 the Los Angeles pleas ure Trip" of the Forbes Mortimer party, when Mortimer resumed the stand today.
 Forbes secretary MT MiIliken, obtained an attorney to take deposi- tons in the Gutheil claim of John w. Thompson Forbes co-defendant. Mortimer testified.
 Mortimer previously testified that Forbes. Mortimer and the late Charles r. Kramer. veterans bureau counsel, were offered Sl00,o00 by Thompson fl they put through his sT00,000 claim for the unpaid hal- ance on the requisitioned tanker Guthcil.
 Mortimer said that the party spent about a week at Coronado Beacn and then took boat 10 San Fran cisco. He identified a telegram to himself from Thompson, asking the name Of the lawyer retained and the outcome of the deposition. He said he could not recall If the law yer's namc was "JudEc Stoneman.'
 Semi-Codc Telegram
 A semi-code telegram from the
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