New Britain herald., 1925-01-29
FORBES CASE AT
 LAST WEARS END
Counsel for Both Sides Expect
 Quick Verdict
By Tho Associated Press.

Chicago, Jan. 29,-rhe veterans bureau conspiracy trial was near it's end today after more than two months. Only the final argument of government counsel and the courts instructions remained for the morn ing session, with indications the case would be given 10 the jury soon after the opening of the afternoon session.
 Counsel expect a quick verdict
 Charles l.. Forbes, former dircc- tor of the United states Veterans Bureau, and W. Thompson, wealthy building contractor of Chicago and St. Louis, went 10 trial before Fed oraI Judge George A. Carpenter on x NemDo. A last. charged with con- spiracy 10 dcfraud the government through veterans hospital contracts.
 The proceedings grew out of sen sational charges of corruption, col fusion and loose management in tho Veterans Bureau under Forbes in +J-L anu i'-~t ltld''u bHlOlS V-I~ senate Investigating committee in the fall of 1928 by Elias II. Mortimer, Washington agent, and self-stylcd Shipper Of official red tape"
 The defendants were the fist per sons brought to trial in criminal proceedings as a result of the far flung series of senate investigations which crowded the history of 1923 and 1924.
 B Accusations.
 Thirty-three overt acts were spe- cifed in the indictment on which the trial was based. among them con- i spiracy 10 prevent free competitive l bidding, favoritism for certain con- 1 tractors in the announcement of con- templated projects, and the passing of confidential information relating to selection of sites,
 In it's opening statement, evidence and argument, the prosecution con- tended that Thompson and his part ner, J. w. Black. of St. Louis, since deceased, entered into conspiracy with Mortimer and Forbes in 1922 to obtain preferential treatment for the bids of the subsidiary and asso- ciated companies of Thompson and Black.
 Mortimer, who posed, according tc the trial record, as a close friend oi President Harding and one who ! FN1n nd n ha h tdlN C-t circles of official Washington, was taken into the enterprise, he testi- fled, because of his pretended in flunce with Forbes.
 Hurley Is Partner.
 Forbes it was charged, having previously been partner of C. B Hurley, Tacoma, Wash, contractor sought to bring the Hurley Mason Construction company of Tacoma in to the alleged corrupt ring. The plan then developed, according tt
 the governments presentation, tha
 at series Of meetings in various
 cities during the summer of 1922, [
 detailed agreement was reached fo the division of the entire nation-Wi program of veterans hospital con
 struction involving, with appropria tions for sites, some $17,000,000. Under the plan set forth by th'
 prosecution each man had a definite part to play in the execution of th' conspiracy. Forbes was 10 favor th' plot with official influence, Mortime as confidential liaison agent and in tcrfuge negotiations between the Du reau and the favored contractors Between them Mortimer and Forbe were to divide equally 55 per cent 0 the contractors profits, which wer z to run in the neighborhood of per cent of cost.
 Specifically the government charg ed that as a detail in the eXccutio of the conspiracy Thompson an Blacks Pontiac Constructing com pany of Detroit was awarded, 0 July 23, 1922, the $lGo,000 contrac for the Northampton (Ma&s.) neuro psychiatric hospital on bid highe bid in money but lower in time tha the lowest bid. Before other award ' could be made, the government cor : tended, the conspiracy was "wrecR
 ed upon the rocks of an insatiabl
 greed among the conspirators."
 40 Witnesses.
 After calling more than 40 wi
 ncsses, defense counsel claimed their closing argument that ever detailed charge Of the prosecute . had been rsfuted. They argued th5 , the entire case Of th governmer { was based upon the uncorroborate : testimony of Mortimer, a paid gov ornment informcr, and that ever : allegation was by that fact alone pl beyond the pale Of credibiIity.
 Noluminous documentary evidenc - was offered in support Of the cor
 tention that Forbes at al! times wt
 mo'lyated solely by the best intei
 est.s of the disabled veterans, Off
 cial minutes of the federal board (
 hospitalization were offered 't
 show that every hospital site was,
 fact, selected by Colonel Forbes u on or after the majority recommel . cation Of the board, and that T sito was approved by Forbes uni it had been previously approved / the board and by the president the United States"
 Neither defendant was called : the witness stand.
 Two of the most important defen witnesses, counsel for Forbes to :. the jury, were Dr, and Mrs. Georl l ] R I,mllIdna nf DkiladnInhia na rnn