San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-01

Charles r. Forbes. former director of
the Veterans Bureau declared in Il
statement he welcomed the indictments
returned against him yesterday in Chi
cago.
He said he looked upon them "with
a clear conscience because they will
permit me to present my case before n
fair court of justice and jury of
my peers
Forbes said he would "interpose no
technical objection TO a trial. but on
the contrary would go to Chicago
voluntarily las the first Step toward
my complete vindication."
He characterized the accusations
against him as "a Hell-engendered
conspiracy against my honor and in
tegrity."
The former Veterans Bureau direc-
tor added he was mot going to Flor
ida despite the fact that "other men
now charged publicly with crimes
against the government have been re-
ported as hiding behind the screen
of ill-health."
Forbes attorneys made plans today
10 summon about 80 witnesses for the
defense, including Mrs. Carolina
Votaw. a sister of the late President
Harding. They would not indicate
what evidence would be sought from
her.
Makes a Statement.
The statement says:
81 welcome these indictments with
clear conscience because they Will
permit me to present my case before
a fair court of justice and a jury OF
my peers.
Throughout the Senate investiga-
ton, was not permitted TO present
the facts of the case and as j told
the committee my destruction was
sought by perjury. subornation OF
perjury and the suppression Of docu-
mentary and other evidence which
would have fully exonerated me. The
federal grand al.fy, at Chicago has
seen fit in its wisdom to exclude from
Indictment, Elias II. Mortimer, who
is the principal witness against me,
81 am firm in the faith that these
indictments will give me an oppor-
tunity TO reveal before an impartial
Hell-engendered conspiracy against
my honor and integrity. i shall in
terpose no technical objection TO a
trial there under these conditions but
on the contrary shall go to Chicago
voluntarily as the first step toward
my complete vindication.
Left Sick Bed.
Il am not going to Florida. am
not going TO stand on my constitu-
tional rights, and refuse TO testify.
While other men now charged pub
licly with crimes against the govern
ment have been reported as hiding
behind the screen of ill-health 1t is
a matter of official record that / left
sick bed on the Pacific coast TO
cross the country in order to attend
the Senate investigation.
In the same belief that it would be
fair, I welcomed that investigation
Just as ! now welcome the court pro-
ceedings in Chicago. There will be
this difference though. The constitu-
ton gives me the right TO present
my complete defense before the Chi
cago tribunal and / intend to exercise
it to the limit.
"There was not an iota of truth
in any of the testimony given the
Senate committee which reflected
upon my honor or integrity.
by most despicable and dishonor-
able means, witnesses were subjected
TO browbeating and unfair treatment.
These same forces were at work on
the grand jury which returned the
indictments in Chicago.
II unqualifiedly deny the statement
that certain employees of the Veterans
Bureau. during my incumbency, were
regarded as a ring The same men
were there when ] entered office ana
they are there today. They are fine
outstanding examples of the American
soldier and gentlemen and any at
temnt upon their loyalty or integrity
is an outrageous reflection upon the
American World War veterans.
Tried To Aid Veterans.
Il gave almost two years OF my
life in an honest endeavor to advance
the interest of ex-seryice men. The
political pressure upon the Veterans
Bureau is a force for evil. Were
permitted by my counsel l should now
give the complete details and names
of individuals involved in this at
tempted political corruption. happily
foiled. l shall make this information
nublic later. u am convinced thai
for the want of more convenient
political goat, was selected as
victim and a sacrifice.
"Thcse indictments are as false as
the lies of Mortiper: as vindictive
as the conduct OF 0Ryan and Ar
mold counsel for the veterans com
mitteel as cowardly as the so-called
second preliminary report of the Sen
ate committee, who had not the cour-
age nor the fairness to hear my de-