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{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Other uses|Charles Forbes (disambiguation){{!}}Charles Forbes}} {{Other uses|Charles Forbes (disambiguation){{!}}Charles Forbes}}
{{Lead too short|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}
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{{Infobox officeholder {{Infobox officeholder
|name = Charles Forbes |name = Charles Forbes
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|predecessor = Position established |predecessor = Position established
|successor = ] |successor = ]
|birth_date = {{birth date|1878|2|14}} |birth_date = {{birth date|1877|2|14}}
|birth_place = ], ] |birth_place = ], ]
|death_date = {{death date and age|1952|4|10|1878|2|14}} |death_date = {{death date and age|1952|4|10|1878|2|14}}
|death_place = ], ] |death_place = ], ]
|party = ] |party = ]
|education = ]<br>]<br>] |education = ]<br/>]<br/>]
|allegiance = {{flag|United States}} |allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
|branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}}<br>{{army|United States}} |branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}}<br/>{{army|United States}}
|serviceyears = 1894–1900 {{small|(Marine Corps)}}<br>1900–1908, 1917–1918 {{small|(Army)}} |serviceyears = 1894–1900 {{small|(Marine Corps)}}<br/>1900–1908, 1917–1918 {{small|(Army)}}
|rank = ] ] |rank = ] ]
|unit = ]<br>] |unit = ]<br/>]
|battles = ] |battles = ]
|mawards = ]<br>] |mawards = ]<br/>]
}} }}
'''Charles Robert Forbes''' (February 14, 1878 – April 10, 1952) was appointed the first Director of the ] by President ] on August 9, 1921 and served until February 28, 1923. Caught for army desertion in 1900, he returned to the military and was a decorated ] veteran. He first became active in politics in the ]. In 1912, Forbes moved to ] and served as chairman on various federal commissions. While Senator ] was on vacation in Hawaii the two met by chance and became friends. After the 1920 U.S. Presidential election, President Harding appointed Forbes director to the newly created ], a powerful position in charge of millions of dollars in government expenditures and supplies. '''Charles Robert Forbes''' (February 14, 1877 – April 10, 1952) was a Scottish-American politician and military officer. Appointed the first director of the ] by President ] on August 9, 1921, Forbes served until February 28, 1923. His tenure was characterized by corruption and scandal.

His tenure as the first Veterans' Bureau director was characterized by corruption and scandal. Forbes was considered the "dashing playboy" of Washington and a favorite of President Harding.<ref>Pusey (1951), Charles Evans Hughes Vol. II, page 562</ref> Having returned to the ] after fleeing to ] in 1923, he was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Government and sent to federal prison in 1926, where he was a cellmate of ], the person who often claimed to be the first to reach the ]. Forbes was released one year and eight months later in 1927. He died in 1952.


==Early life== ==Early life==
Forbes was born February 14, 1878 in ]. As a child, he and his parents emigrated to ] and the family lived in ] and ]. When Forbes was 16 years old he joined the marines as a musician and was eventually stationed in the ]. Trained as an engineer, Forbes attended ], Cooper Institute in ], ], and the ]. He enlisted in the army in 1900; however, two months later he was charged with desertion. He was found, sent back to the army, and restored to duty without a trial. Forbes went on to serve in the ] after completing his enlistment, and was honorably discharged from the army in the rank of ] in 1908.<ref name="Werner">Werner (1935), ''Privileged Characters'', pp. 24, 193-195, 228</ref><ref name="New York Times 1952">New York Times, ''Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit'', April 12, 1952.</ref> Forbes was born February 14, 1878, in ]. As a child, he and his parents emigrated to ] and the family lived in ] and ]. When Forbes was 16 years old, he joined the Marines as a musician, and was eventually stationed at the ]. Trained as an engineer, Forbes attended ], Cooper Institute in ], ] and the ]. Two months after enlisting in the Army in 1900, he was charged with desertion but restored to duty without a trial. Forbes served in the ] after completing his enlistment and was honorably discharged from the Army in the rank of ] in 1908.<ref name="Werner">Werner (1935), ''Privileged Characters'', pp. 24, 193-195, 228</ref><ref name="New York Times 1952">New York Times, ''Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit'', April 12, 1952.</ref>


==Pacific Northwest and Hawaii== ==Pacific Northwest and Hawaii==
] ], ''1917'']] ] ], ''1917'']]
After leaving the Army, Forbes engaged in construction work in the ], moving to ]. He became active for the first time in state politics. He got married in Seattle to his wife Katherine and started a family having one daughter, Marcia. In 1912, Forbes and family moved to ], at that time a ] territory, and worked at the ] naval station as an engineer for the next five years. While in Hawaii, he served in four federal government appointments as Commissioner of Public Works, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Chairman of the Harbor Commission and chairman of the Reclamation Commission appointed by President ]. During this time in Hawaii, Forbes became acquainted with then Senator ], who was on vacation with his wife at the time, a meeting that would eventually change both of their lives. His ] personality and hospitality created a positive impression with Harding, and soon the two became good friends.<ref name="Werner" /><ref name="New York Times 1952"/> Forbes' wife became a close friend of ]. After leaving the Army, Forbes engaged in construction work in the ], moving to ], where he became active in state politics. He married and had a daughter. In 1912, Forbes and his family moved to ], at that time a United States territory, and worked at the ] naval station as an engineer for the next five years. While in Hawaii, he served in four federal government appointments as Commissioner of Public Works, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Chairman of the Harbor Commission and chairman of the Reclamation Commission, appointed by President ]. While in Hawaii, Forbes became acquainted with vacationing senator ], a meeting that would eventually change both of their lives. His charismatic personality and hospitality created a positive impression with Harding, and soon the two became close friends,<ref name="Werner" /><ref name="New York Times 1952"/> as did their wives.


==World War I== ==World War I==
]s of the 108th Field Signal Battalion, 33rd Division, France, September 1918.]]
⚫ After the United States entered ] in 1917, Forbes enlisted again into the U.S. Army. He served notably overseas in France in the ] ] and ] Infantry Divisions. He was awarded both the international ] Medal and the United States ]. Forbes' final promotion was to the rank of ].<ref name="Werner" /> After World War I, Forbes returned to ] from ] and worked for the Hurley-Mason Construction company in ]. Forbes worked his way up to vice president of Hurley-Mason Construction and was in charge of the ] division.<ref name=SDC_01-25-1923_p6>{{cite news |title=Hurley-Mason to Construct New Hospital |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19230125&id=jchXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZPQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6601,3790483 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |page=6 |date=January 25, 1923}}</ref>


After the ] in April 1917, Forbes enlisted again in the army. He served overseas in France in the ] ] and ] Infantry Divisions. He was awarded both the French '']'' (War Cross) and the ], the citation for which reads:
==Harding Campaign 1920==

When Forbes found out his good friend ] was running for president in 1920, he traveled to ], ] and swung the Washington delegate vote for Harding at the 1920 Republican presidential convention held in ].<ref name="Werner" /> Harding would go on to win the election of 1920 with the motto for America to "return to normalcy"; giving businesses tariff protection and tax relief, and keeping America out of foreign affairs.
{{Quote|The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Signal Corps) Charles R. Forbes, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Division Signal Officer of the 33d Division, Lieutenant Colonel Forges performed his duties with marked distinction, maintaining communication at all times within the division, with adjoining units, and with the higher command. His ability and untiring devotion to duty were great factors in insuring the successes achieved by the Division.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/17542|title=Valor awards for Charles R. Forbes|publisher=}}</ref>}}

⚫ Forbes' final promotion was to the rank of ].<ref name="Werner" /> After the war, he returned to Washington State and worked for the Hurley-Mason construction company in ]. Forbes later became the vice president in charge of the company's ] division.<ref name=SDC_01-25-1923_p6>{{cite news |title=Hurley-Mason to Construct New Hospital |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19230125&id=jchXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZPQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6601,3790483 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |page=6 |date=January 25, 1923}}</ref>

==1920 Harding campaign==
When his close friend ] was running for president in 1920, Forbes helped to deliver the state of Washington's delegate vote at the ] held in ].<ref name="Werner" /> Harding won the ] by promising a "]" following the tumultuous war years.


==War Risk and Veterans' Bureaus== ==War Risk and Veterans' Bureaus==
Forbes sought desperately to be appointed chairman of the ], an agency that controlled vast amounts of government shipping resources to private shippers. However, President Harding denied him the position and instead appointed Forbes to the ] on April 28, 1921.
Initially, Forbes desperately tried to be appointed chairman of the ], a board that controlled vast amounts of government shipping resources to private shippers. President Harding, however, denied him the position and instead appointed Forbes to the Bureau of War Risk Insurance on April 28, 1921. Forbes's salary at the War Risk Bureau was $10,000 a year. On August 9, 1921 Congress passed what was known as the "Sweet Bill" creating the Office of the ]. After World War I, thousands of wounded and disabled veterans did not have adequate facilities for proper care and needed job skills. The Veterans' Bureau was created to remedy this dilemma for the World War I veterans who desperately needed medical attention, hospitals, and employment. Across the country there were fourteen regional offices that were semi-independent from Washington D.C. Bureau. Congress awarded the Veterans' Bureau millions of dollars in expenditures to take care of the needs of the veterans. In August 1921, President Harding appointed Forbes the first director of the Veterans' Bureau. Forbes controlled $500,000,000 (5.99 billion ''2009'')<ref>''Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount - 1774 to Present'', Used Consumer Price Index with base year 1921 and end year 2009.</ref> a year in government expenditures for the World War I veterans.<ref name="Werner" /> Forbes' wife Katherine had direct access to the ], having been given special privileges under Mrs. Harding's authority.

On August 9, 1921, Harding signed an act of Congress consolidating the War Risk Bureau and several other agencies into the new ]. Forbes was confirmed by the Senate after a hastily organized nomination and vote that same day. The bureau was created to aid the thousands of World War I veterans in need of medical and employment services. Each of the bureau's 14 nationwide offices had the authority to act without awaiting approval from the main office.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1921-08-10 |title=Harding Abolishes War Risk Bureau |pages=5 |work=]}}</ref>

Forbes' wife Katherine had direct access to the ], having been given special privileges under Mrs. Harding's authority.


=== Veterans' Bureau tenure === === Veterans' Bureau tenure ===
] in Chicago, where Forbes took a $5,000 bribe.<br>Postcard ''1920'']] ] in Chicago, where Forbes took a $5,000 bribe.<br>(1920 postcard)]]
With millions of dollars at his disposal, Forbes hired 30,000 new workers at the Veterans' Bureau, many of whom were personal friends to Forbes. The Veterans' Bureau under Forbes was overstaffed and many appointed agents looked for means to justify their paid positions. During his tenure as director, Forbes ignored the needs of the wounded veterans. In the less than two years that Forbes held his position, he ] approximately $2 million, mainly in connection with the building of veterans' hospitals, from selling hospital supplies intended for the bureau, and from ] from contractors. The budget for the Veterans' Bureau during his tenure was $1.3 billion in total. Forbes had rejected thousands of legitimate claims by veterans.<ref>Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Dean (2004), ''Warren G Harding'', pp. 140, 141</ref> With a $500,000,000 ({{Inflation|index=US|value=500000000|start_year=1921|end_year=2021|fmt=eq|cursign=$}}) annual budget at his disposal at the Veterans' Bureau,<ref name="Werner" /> Forbes hired 30,000 employees. The agency was overstaffed and many of the appointees sought means to justify their paid positions. During the short timespan during which Forbes led the bureau, he ] approximately $2 million, mainly in connection to the building of veterans' hospitals, the sale of hospital supplies intended for the bureau and ] from contractors.<ref>Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Dean (2004), ''Warren G Harding'', pp. 140, 141</ref>


Although 300,000 soldiers had been wounded in combat, Forbes had only allowed 47,000 claims for ], while many were denied compensation for reasons that Congress called "split hairs". Even fewer veterans received any vocational training under Forbes' direction of the bureau. According to the ''Charleston Gazette'', Forbes toured with his contractor friends to the Pacific Coast, known as "Joy-Rides", inspecting veterans' hospital construction sites. Forbes and his contractor associates allegedly indulged in parties and drinking. Forbes and corrupt contractors developed a secret code in order to communicate insider information and ensure government contracts.<ref name="The Charleston Gazette 1924 pp. 1, 9">The Charleston Gazette (February 13, 1924), pp. 1, 9</ref> According to congressional testimony, in ], on one of his many inspection trips, Forbes gambled and took a $5,000 bribe from contractor J. W. Thompson and E. H. Mortimer at the ] to secure $17,000,000 in veterans' hospital construction contracts. Mortimer was the middleman man who had handed Forbes the bribe in one of the rooms at the ''Drake''. Forbes said the $5,000 payment was a loan. Mortimer stated that Forbes had an affair with Mortimer's wife while on the inspection tours.<ref name="The Charleston Gazette 1924 pp. 1, 9"/> After Forbes returned from his inspection tours he began to sell hospital supplies at severely discounted prices. According to a ''Highbeam Business'' report, he sold nearly $7,000,000 of much needed hospital supplies for $600,000, a fraction of their worth.<ref>Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010)</ref> Forbes was suspected of receiving kickbacks from contractors. When President Harding ordered Forbes to stop, Forbes insubordinately disobeyed and kept selling supplies.<ref>Joplin News Herald (Saturday, March 20, 1926), p. 1; Time (Monday, April 21, 1952), ''Milestones''; Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Dean (2004), ''Warren G Harding'', pp. 140, 141</ref> Although 300,000 soldiers had been wounded in combat, Forbes had only allowed 47,000 claims for ], while many were denied compensation for reasons that Congress called "split hairs." Even fewer veterans received any vocational training under Forbes' direction of the bureau. While on the numerous trips (called "joy rides") that Forbes took to inspect hospital construction sites, he and his contractor friends allegedly indulged in parties and drinking. The men developed a secret code in order to communicate insider information and ensure government contracts.<ref name="The Charleston Gazette 1924 pp. 1, 9">The Charleston Gazette (February 13, 1924), pp. 1, 9</ref> According to congressional testimony, on an inspection trip to Chicago, Forbes gambled and accepted a $5,000 bribe from contractor J. W. Thompson and middleman E. H. Mortimer at the ] to secure $17,000,000 in veterans' hospital construction contracts. Forbes claimed that the $5,000 payment was a loan. Mortimer also accused Forbes of conducting an affair with Mortimer's wife while on the inspection tours.<ref name="The Charleston Gazette 1924 pp. 1, 9"/> After Forbes returned from his inspection tours, he began to sell hospital supplies at severely discounted prices. He sold nearly $7,000,000 of much-needed hospital supplies for only $600,000.<ref>Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010)</ref> Forbes was suspected of receiving kickbacks from contractors. When President Harding ordered Forbes to stop, Forbes disobeyed and continued to sell supplies.<ref>Joplin News Herald (Saturday, March 20, 1926), p. 1; Time (Monday, April 21, 1952), ''Milestones''; Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Dean (2004), ''Warren G Harding'', pp. 140, 141</ref>{{external media | width = 270px | float = right | headerimage= | video1 = , ]<ref name="cspan">{{cite web | title =Q&A with Rosemary Stevens| publisher =] | date =January 8, 2017| url =https://www.c-span.org/video/?419697-1/qa-rosemary-stevens| access-date =January 8, 2017}}</ref> }}
{{external media | width = 270px | align = right | headerimage= | video1 = , ]<ref name="cspan">{{cite web | title =Q&A with Rosemary Stevens| work = | publisher =] | date =January 8, 2017| url =https://www.c-span.org/video/?419697-1/qa-rosemary-stevens| accessdate =January 8, 2017}}</ref> }}


On January 24, 1923 Forbes awarded Hurley-Mason Construction a sizable contract of $1,300,000 to construct a new veterans' hospital at American Lake, near Tacoma. Forbes had resigned his vice presidency at Hurley-Mason Construction upon assuming his federal position under the Harding Administration. By January 1923, rumor was spread by Forbes's close friends that Forbes would resign from the Veterans' Bureau on June 1, 1923.<ref name=SDC_01-25-1923_p6/> During the summer of 1922 on one of Forbes's "joy rides", Forbes had come back to Spokane and visited the F. Lewis Clark House while he was looking for a possible site for a veterans' hospital at ]. Forbes was accompanied by Dr. Stanley Rhinehart. The F. Lewis Clark House was one of the most prestigious summer homes in the Pacific Northwest;<ref name=SDC_01-25-1923_p6/> it had been offered to Forbes and the Veterans' Bureau at a low cost. Colonel Forbes stayed there for several days. The Spokane division office of Hurley-Mason Construction had been closed down.<ref name=SDC_01-25-1923_p6/> On January 24, 1923, Forbes awarded Hurley-Mason Construction, his former company, a contract of $1,300,000 to construct a new veterans' hospital at American Lake, near Tacoma. By January 1923, rumors had spread indicating that Forbes would resign from the Veterans' Bureau in June.<ref name=SDC_01-25-1923_p6/>


===Resignation=== ===Resignation===
When President Harding was informed in January 1923 that Forbes had refused to stop selling hospital supplies, Harding summoned Forbes to the White House and furiously demanded his resignation, allegedly grabbing Forbes by the throat while shouting, "You double-crossing bastard!"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Eric F. |date=1972-07-30 |title=The Harding Affair |pages=10 |work=] (] Sunday magazine)}}</ref> Forbes pleaded with Harding to allow him to tender his resignation from outside the country, and Forbes resigned on February 15, 1923, while in Paris.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1923-02-16 |title=Col. Forbes Resigns Veterans' Office Post |pages=4}}</ref> Among Forbes' final acts as chairman were numerous personnel changes at the bureau. In a searing attack on Forbes on the floor of the House of Representatives, Georgia congressman ] accused Forbes of making the personnel changes to reward his "henchmen" and remove those who may have had knowledge of Forbes' malfeasance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1923-03-23 |title=Congressional Probe of Veterans' Bureau Approved by Senate |pages=1, 4 |work=]}}</ref>
Forbes's resignation, however, would come earlier than June 1, 1923 as his friends had predicted. When President Harding was informed that Forbes had disobeyed a direct order to stop selling hospital supplies, Harding summoned him to the White House in January 1923. Forbes pleaded with Harding to allow him to go to Europe to settle family matters. Harding allowed him to flee to Europe only on the condition he would resign from the Veterans' Bureau. While in Europe, he voluntarily resigned from office on February 15, 1923. When Forbes took Elias H. Mortimer's wife to Europe with him, Mortimer decided to testify against him in a Congressional investigation that started on March 2, 1923. Upon his return from Europe, Forbes visited President Harding at the White House. The six-foot-tall President grabbed Forbes by the throat and began violently shaking him "as a dog would a rat". Forbes was saved from this attack when a guest who had an appointment with the President interrupted the altercation. President Harding was angered over Forbes' duplicity in stopping the Perryville shipments. The Senate investigation revealed Forbes had left 200,000 unopened pieces of mail from veterans at the Bureau. ] before the Senate committee, Forbes renounced involvement in illegal activities. Mortimer provided damaging information that Forbes took a $5,000 payment in Chicago and got kickbacks for land deals and building contracts for veterans' hospitals. Forbes was indicted and tried by jury in 1924.<ref>Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010);Dean (2004), ''Warren G Harding'', pp. 140, 141</ref>

=== Congressional investigation ===
On March 2, 1923, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to investigate the conduct of the Veterans' Bureau under Forbes. A three-member committee led by Pennsylvania senator ]<ref name=":0" /> revealed that Forbes had left 200,000 unopened pieces of mail from veterans at the bureau. Among the testimony provided was that of E. H. Mortimer, to whom Forbes had delivered a $5,000 bribe while chairman of the Veterans' Bureau and whose wife was alleged to be romantically involved with Forbes.

On March 14, 1923, former Veterans' Bureau general counsel Charles F. Cramer committed suicide one week after resigning in the face of increasing scrutiny from Congress and the ] for his involvement in the scandal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1923-03-15 |title=Worried by Critics, Cramer Takes Life |pages=1 |work=]}}</ref>


In October 1923, Forbes divorced his wife Katherine, who had accused him of neglect and claimed that it had caused her to become ill.<ref>The Bee (Friday, October 26, 1923), p. 4.</ref>
==Family neglect and divorce==
On October 4, 1923, Forbes and his wife, Katherine Forbes, were formally ] at a ] court house. Katherine's attorney, Eugene Mecham, stated that Forbes had overly neglected their home life while he was traveling on his Pacific Coast ] inspection tours. Mrs. Forbes said that her husband's cruel treatment caused her to be in poor health. The judge ordered that Forbes pay ]: $75 a month to Mrs. Forbes for two years and $75 a month to their 10-year-old daughter, Marcia, until she turned 18. The Forbes' divorce proceedings, which took place during the Congressional investigation into corruption at the Veterans' Bureau, were held in secret from the public until the divorce was final.<ref>The Bee (Friday, October 26, 1923), p. 4.</ref>


==Trial, conviction, and prison sentence== ==Trial, conviction, and prison sentence==
] during the 1920s after his conviction.]] ] during the 1920s after his conviction.]]


Forbes was prosecuted and convicted of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Government, fined $10,000, and sentenced to a prison term of two years. He was put in prison on March 21, 1926. He served one year, eight months and six days at the ] federal penitentiary. Forbes was prisoner number 25021. On entering prison Forbes said, "I don't suppose any prison is a pleasant place to go, but I shall try to make the best of it." <ref>Veterans' Bureau Scandal, (2010); Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Name Index to Inmate Case Files, U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, 1895 - 1931; Joplin Globe (Saturday Morning, January 31, 1925), pp. 1,2; Joplin News Herald (Saturday, March 20, 1926), p. 1.</ref> Forbes had appealed his trial; however, the ] in Chicago upheld his conviction.<ref name="Werner" /> Forbes was prosecuted and convicted of conspiracy to defraud the federal government, fined $10,000 and sentenced to a prison term of two years. He filed an appeal, but the ] in Chicago upheld the conviction.<ref name="Werner" /> On entering prison, Forbes said, "I don't suppose any prison is a pleasant place to go, but I shall try to make the best of it."<ref>Veterans' Bureau Scandal, (2010); Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Name Index to Inmate Case Files, U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, 1895 - 1931; Joplin Globe (Saturday Morning, January 31, 1925), pp. 1,2; Joplin News Herald (Saturday, March 20, 1926), p. 1.</ref>


Forbes was incarcerated on March 21, 1926, at the ] federal penitentiary and served 20 months. His cellmate was ], an explorer convicted of fraud who claimed to be the first man to have reached the ].<ref name="Werner" />
==Prison release==
On November 26, 1927 Forbes was released from Leavenworth Penitentiary. He stated after his release that he would make sure that Harding's legacy would be ]. He said he would prove that Dr. ], his cellmate at Leavenworth, discovered the ].<ref name="Werner" />


==''New York World'' article== ==''New York World'' article==
After being released from prison, in an effort to exonerate President Harding, Forbes wrote an article for the ''],'' published December 4, 1927, that alleged Harding was "duped" by his appointees and cabinet known as the ]. He claimed to have found ] picking up $70,000 in $1,000 bills scattered on a Justice Department office floor. Smith was an aide to President Harding's U.S. Attorney General ]. While he helped Smith pick up the money from the floor, Smith told him the money was Daugherty's. Forbes said that the ability to buy ] was rampant at Atlanta and Leavenworth federal prisons while Daugherty was attorney general. Forbes stated that Harding's personal physician, ], was a "pernicious meddler". Forbes made a blanket statement that President Harding had not profited in any way from the scandals during the Harding Administration. Forbes claimed that President Harding was "excessively loyal" with his friends, to a fault. At a poker game in the White House, Forbes said that Harding would remove a $1,000 fine imposed on prize fighter ] who had been released from Leavenworth Penitentiary in 1921.<ref>Chicago Daily Tribune (December 4, 1927), Harding Duped by 'Ohio Gang,' Says Forbes, pp. 1, 16</ref> After his release from prison and in an effort to exonerate President Harding, Forbes wrote a December 4, 1927, article for the ''],'' that alleged Harding was "duped" by his appointees and cabinet, known as the ]. He claimed to have once discovered ], an aide to Harding's attorney general ], collecting $70,000 in $1,000 bills scattered on a Justice Department office floor. Forbes claimed that Smith had told him that it was Daugherty's cash on the floor. Forbes also claimed that ] were rampant at Atlanta and Leavenworth federal prisons while Daugherty was attorney general as a result of chronic understaffing. Forbes accused Harding's personal physician ] of being a "pernicious meddler." Forbes asserted that Harding had not profited in any way from the scandals during his administration and that Harding was "excessively loyal" with his friends to his own detriment. Forbes claimed that at a White House poker game, Harding said that he would remove a $1,000 fine imposed on prize fighter ], who had been released from Leavenworth in 1921.<ref>Chicago Daily Tribune (December 4, 1927), Harding Duped by 'Ohio Gang,' Says Forbes, pp. 1, 16</ref>


On December 16, 1927, after the publication of his ''New York World'' article, Forbes testified before a grand jury in ] that concerned his statement in the article that alleged narcotics was easily obtained at ]. Forbes had also stated in the article that Leavenworth warden, E.B. White, was understaffed and that in turn allowed the purchase of narcotics to be readily available in the prison. After Forbes' lengthy several-hour testimony before the grand jury, he said he was sworn to secrecy and would not make a statement to the press.<ref>The Atlanta Constitution (December 17, 1927), ''Prison Drug Plot Bared By Forbes'', p. 5</ref> On December 16, 1927, Forbes testified before a grand jury in ] regarding his statement in the article claiming that narcotics were easily obtained within Leavenworth. After Forbes' lengthy testimony before the grand jury, he said that he was sworn to secrecy and refused to offer a statement to the press.<ref>The Atlanta Constitution (December 17, 1927), ''Prison Drug Plot Bared By Forbes'', p. 5</ref>


==Illness and Death== ==Illness and death==
]
In October 1949, Forbes underwent a major operation. He died at the ] in ] at the age of 74 on April 10, 1952, after a long illness. He was interred at ]. He was survived by his wife, Katherine T. Forbes, and one daughter, Marcia Forbes, who had married Fred Barry of ], ].<ref>Time (Monday, April 21, 1952), ''Milestones''; New York Times (April 12, 1952), ''Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit''</ref> The Forbes corruption at the Veterans' Bureau was one of the many scandals involving the Harding administration and the ]. In October 1949, Forbes underwent a major operation. He died at the ] in ], at the age of 74 on April 10, 1952, after a long illness. He was interred at ]. He was survived by his wife Katherine T. Forbes and a daughter, Marcia.<ref>Time (Monday, April 21, 1952), ''Milestones''; New York Times (April 12, 1952), ''Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit''</ref>


==Notes== ==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==Works cited== ==Works cited==


===Books=== ===Books===
*{{cite book |last=Dean |first=John Wesley |title=Warren G. Harding |publisher=Times Books Henry Holt and Company, LCC |location=New York, New York |year=2004 |ISBN=0-8050-6956-9}} *{{cite book |last=Dean |first=John Wesley |title=Warren G. Harding |url=https://archive.org/details/warrengharding00dean |url-access=registration |publisher=Times Books Henry Holt and Company, LCC |location=New York, New York |year=2004 |isbn=0-8050-6956-9}}
*{{cite book |last=Pusey |first=Merlo J. |title=Charles Evans Hughes Vol. 2 |publisher=Macmillan |location=New York |year=1951}} *{{cite book |last=Pusey |first=Merlo J. |title=Charles Evans Hughes Vol. 2 |publisher=Macmillan |location=New York |year=1951}}
*{{cite book |last=Werner |first=M. R. |title=Privileged Characters |publisher=R.M. McBride & Company |location=New York |year=1935 |url=https://archive.org/details/privilegedcharac00wernrich *{{cite book |last=Werner |first=M. R. |title=Privileged Characters |publisher=R.M. McBride & Company |location=New York |year=1935 |url=https://archive.org/details/privilegedcharac00wernrich
|accessdate=March 2, 2011 |access-date=March 2, 2011
|isbn=0-405-05905-1}} |isbn=0-405-05905-1}}


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===Magazines=== ===Magazines===
*{{cite journal |magazine=Time|title=Milestones, Apr. 21, 1952 *{{cite magazine |magazine=Time|title=Milestones, Apr. 21, 1952
|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889511,00.html |date=April 21, 1952 |accessdate=April 8, 2010}} |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889511,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125231216/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889511,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |date=April 21, 1952 |access-date=April 8, 2010}}


===Online=== ===Online===
*{{cite web |title=Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount - 1774 to Present |url=http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/result.php?use%5B%5D=DOLLAR&use%5B%5D=GDPDEFLATION&use%5B%5D=VCB&use%5B%5D=UNSKILLED&use%5B%5D=MANCOMP&use%5B%5D=NOMGDPCP&use%5B%5D=NOMINALGDP&year_source=1921&amount=500000000&year_result=2009 |accessdate=November 24, 2010}} *{{cite web |title=Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount - 1774 to Present |url=http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/result.php?use%5B%5D=DOLLAR&use%5B%5D=GDPDEFLATION&use%5B%5D=VCB&use%5B%5D=UNSKILLED&use%5B%5D=MANCOMP&use%5B%5D=NOMGDPCP&use%5B%5D=NOMINALGDP&year_source=1921&amount=500000000&year_result=2009 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305192801/http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/result.php?use%5B%5D=DOLLAR&use%5B%5D=GDPDEFLATION&use%5B%5D=VCB&use%5B%5D=UNSKILLED&use%5B%5D=MANCOMP&use%5B%5D=NOMGDPCP&use%5B%5D=NOMINALGDP&year_source=1921&amount=500000000&year_result=2009 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web |title=Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance) |url=http://business.highbeam.com/industry-reports/finance/administration-of-veterans-affairs-except-health-insurance |year=2010 |accessdate=April 8, 2010}} *{{cite web |title=Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance) |url=http://business.highbeam.com/industry-reports/finance/administration-of-veterans-affairs-except-health-insurance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720055936/http://business.highbeam.com/industry-reports/finance/administration-of-veterans-affairs-except-health-insurance |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2010 |year=2010 |access-date=April 8, 2010}}
*{{cite web |title=Veterans' Bureau Scandal|url=http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1379.html|accessdate=April 8, 2010}} *{{cite web |title=Veterans' Bureau Scandal|url=http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1379.html|access-date=April 8, 2010}}
*{{cite web|title=Name Index to Inmate Case Files, U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, 1895 - 1931 |url=https://www.archives.gov/central-plains/kansas-city/finding-aids/leavenworth-penitentiary/inmates-f-g.html |accessdate=November 22, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208060448/http://archives.gov/central-plains/kansas-city/finding-aids/leavenworth-penitentiary/inmates-f-g.html |archivedate=December 8, 2010 |df= }} *{{cite web|title=Name Index to Inmate Case Files, U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, 1895 - 1931 |url=https://www.archives.gov/central-plains/kansas-city/finding-aids/leavenworth-penitentiary/inmates-f-g.html |access-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208060448/http://archives.gov/central-plains/kansas-city/finding-aids/leavenworth-penitentiary/inmates-f-g.html |archive-date=December 8, 2010 }}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
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Latest revision as of 12:06, 6 December 2024

American politician For other uses, see Charles Forbes.
This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (February 2024)

Charles Forbes
Director of the Veterans Bureau
In office
August 9, 1921 – February 28, 1923
PresidentWarren Harding
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byFrank Hines
Personal details
Born(1877-02-14)February 14, 1877
Scotland, United Kingdom
DiedApril 10, 1952(1952-04-10) (aged 74)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationCooper Union
Columbia University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
 United States Army
Years of service1894–1900 (Marine Corps)
1900–1908, 1917–1918 (Army)
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Unit41st Infantry Division
33rd Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsCroix de Guerre
Army Distinguished Service Medal

Charles Robert Forbes (February 14, 1877 – April 10, 1952) was a Scottish-American politician and military officer. Appointed the first director of the Veterans' Bureau by President Warren G. Harding on August 9, 1921, Forbes served until February 28, 1923. His tenure was characterized by corruption and scandal.

Early life

Forbes was born February 14, 1878, in Scotland. As a child, he and his parents emigrated to America and the family lived in New York and Boston. When Forbes was 16 years old, he joined the Marines as a musician, and was eventually stationed at the Washington Navy Yard. Trained as an engineer, Forbes attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Cooper Institute in New York, Columbia University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Two months after enlisting in the Army in 1900, he was charged with desertion but restored to duty without a trial. Forbes served in the Philippines after completing his enlistment and was honorably discharged from the Army in the rank of sergeant first class in 1908.

Pacific Northwest and Hawaii

Forbes had family, business, and political ties in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Washington, 1917

After leaving the Army, Forbes engaged in construction work in the Pacific Northwest, moving to Seattle, where he became active in state politics. He married and had a daughter. In 1912, Forbes and his family moved to Hawaii, at that time a United States territory, and worked at the Pearl Harbor naval station as an engineer for the next five years. While in Hawaii, he served in four federal government appointments as Commissioner of Public Works, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Chairman of the Harbor Commission and chairman of the Reclamation Commission, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson. While in Hawaii, Forbes became acquainted with vacationing senator Warren G. Harding, a meeting that would eventually change both of their lives. His charismatic personality and hospitality created a positive impression with Harding, and soon the two became close friends, as did their wives.

World War I

Major Charles R. Forbes, Division Signal Officer, 33rd Division, testing field radio with doughboys of the 108th Field Signal Battalion, 33rd Division, France, September 1918.

After the American entry into World War I in April 1917, Forbes enlisted again in the army. He served overseas in France in the United States 41st and 33rd Infantry Divisions. He was awarded both the French Croix de Guerre (War Cross) and the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the citation for which reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Signal Corps) Charles R. Forbes, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Division Signal Officer of the 33d Division, Lieutenant Colonel Forges performed his duties with marked distinction, maintaining communication at all times within the division, with adjoining units, and with the higher command. His ability and untiring devotion to duty were great factors in insuring the successes achieved by the Division.

Forbes' final promotion was to the rank of colonel. After the war, he returned to Washington State and worked for the Hurley-Mason construction company in Tacoma. Forbes later became the vice president in charge of the company's Spokane division.

1920 Harding campaign

When his close friend Warren G. Harding was running for president in 1920, Forbes helped to deliver the state of Washington's delegate vote at the Republican National Convention held in Chicago. Harding won the presidential election by promising a "return to normalcy" following the tumultuous war years.

War Risk and Veterans' Bureaus

Forbes sought desperately to be appointed chairman of the United States Shipping Board, an agency that controlled vast amounts of government shipping resources to private shippers. However, President Harding denied him the position and instead appointed Forbes to the War Risk Bureau on April 28, 1921.

On August 9, 1921, Harding signed an act of Congress consolidating the War Risk Bureau and several other agencies into the new Veterans' Bureau. Forbes was confirmed by the Senate after a hastily organized nomination and vote that same day. The bureau was created to aid the thousands of World War I veterans in need of medical and employment services. Each of the bureau's 14 nationwide offices had the authority to act without awaiting approval from the main office.

Forbes' wife Katherine had direct access to the White House, having been given special privileges under Mrs. Harding's authority.

Veterans' Bureau tenure

Drake Hotel in Chicago, where Forbes took a $5,000 bribe.
(1920 postcard)

With a $500,000,000 (equivalent to $7,596,082,090 in 2021) annual budget at his disposal at the Veterans' Bureau, Forbes hired 30,000 employees. The agency was overstaffed and many of the appointees sought means to justify their paid positions. During the short timespan during which Forbes led the bureau, he embezzled approximately $2 million, mainly in connection to the building of veterans' hospitals, the sale of hospital supplies intended for the bureau and kickbacks from contractors.

Although 300,000 soldiers had been wounded in combat, Forbes had only allowed 47,000 claims for disability insurance, while many were denied compensation for reasons that Congress called "split hairs." Even fewer veterans received any vocational training under Forbes' direction of the bureau. While on the numerous trips (called "joy rides") that Forbes took to inspect hospital construction sites, he and his contractor friends allegedly indulged in parties and drinking. The men developed a secret code in order to communicate insider information and ensure government contracts. According to congressional testimony, on an inspection trip to Chicago, Forbes gambled and accepted a $5,000 bribe from contractor J. W. Thompson and middleman E. H. Mortimer at the Drake Hotel to secure $17,000,000 in veterans' hospital construction contracts. Forbes claimed that the $5,000 payment was a loan. Mortimer also accused Forbes of conducting an affair with Mortimer's wife while on the inspection tours. After Forbes returned from his inspection tours, he began to sell hospital supplies at severely discounted prices. He sold nearly $7,000,000 of much-needed hospital supplies for only $600,000. Forbes was suspected of receiving kickbacks from contractors. When President Harding ordered Forbes to stop, Forbes disobeyed and continued to sell supplies.

External videos
video icon Q&A interview with Rosemary Stevens on her book A Time of Scandal: Charles R. Forbes, Warren G. Harding, and the Making of the Veterans Bureau, January 8, 2017, C-SPAN

On January 24, 1923, Forbes awarded Hurley-Mason Construction, his former company, a contract of $1,300,000 to construct a new veterans' hospital at American Lake, near Tacoma. By January 1923, rumors had spread indicating that Forbes would resign from the Veterans' Bureau in June.

Resignation

When President Harding was informed in January 1923 that Forbes had refused to stop selling hospital supplies, Harding summoned Forbes to the White House and furiously demanded his resignation, allegedly grabbing Forbes by the throat while shouting, "You double-crossing bastard!" Forbes pleaded with Harding to allow him to tender his resignation from outside the country, and Forbes resigned on February 15, 1923, while in Paris. Among Forbes' final acts as chairman were numerous personnel changes at the bureau. In a searing attack on Forbes on the floor of the House of Representatives, Georgia congressman William Washington Larsen accused Forbes of making the personnel changes to reward his "henchmen" and remove those who may have had knowledge of Forbes' malfeasance.

Congressional investigation

On March 2, 1923, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to investigate the conduct of the Veterans' Bureau under Forbes. A three-member committee led by Pennsylvania senator David A. Reed revealed that Forbes had left 200,000 unopened pieces of mail from veterans at the bureau. Among the testimony provided was that of E. H. Mortimer, to whom Forbes had delivered a $5,000 bribe while chairman of the Veterans' Bureau and whose wife was alleged to be romantically involved with Forbes.

On March 14, 1923, former Veterans' Bureau general counsel Charles F. Cramer committed suicide one week after resigning in the face of increasing scrutiny from Congress and the American Legion for his involvement in the scandal.

In October 1923, Forbes divorced his wife Katherine, who had accused him of neglect and claimed that it had caused her to become ill.

Trial, conviction, and prison sentence

Forbes spent prison time at the USP Leavenworth during the 1920s after his conviction.

Forbes was prosecuted and convicted of conspiracy to defraud the federal government, fined $10,000 and sentenced to a prison term of two years. He filed an appeal, but the United States Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago upheld the conviction. On entering prison, Forbes said, "I don't suppose any prison is a pleasant place to go, but I shall try to make the best of it."

Forbes was incarcerated on March 21, 1926, at the Leavenworth federal penitentiary and served 20 months. His cellmate was Frederick Cook, an explorer convicted of fraud who claimed to be the first man to have reached the North Pole.

New York World article

After his release from prison and in an effort to exonerate President Harding, Forbes wrote a December 4, 1927, article for the New York World, that alleged Harding was "duped" by his appointees and cabinet, known as the Ohio Gang. He claimed to have once discovered Jess Smith, an aide to Harding's attorney general Harry Daugherty, collecting $70,000 in $1,000 bills scattered on a Justice Department office floor. Forbes claimed that Smith had told him that it was Daugherty's cash on the floor. Forbes also claimed that narcotics were rampant at Atlanta and Leavenworth federal prisons while Daugherty was attorney general as a result of chronic understaffing. Forbes accused Harding's personal physician Charles E. Sawyer of being a "pernicious meddler." Forbes asserted that Harding had not profited in any way from the scandals during his administration and that Harding was "excessively loyal" with his friends to his own detriment. Forbes claimed that at a White House poker game, Harding said that he would remove a $1,000 fine imposed on prize fighter Jack Johnson, who had been released from Leavenworth in 1921.

On December 16, 1927, Forbes testified before a grand jury in Kansas City regarding his statement in the article claiming that narcotics were easily obtained within Leavenworth. After Forbes' lengthy testimony before the grand jury, he said that he was sworn to secrecy and refused to offer a statement to the press.

Illness and death

Grave of Forbes at Arlington National Cemetery

In October 1949, Forbes underwent a major operation. He died at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., at the age of 74 on April 10, 1952, after a long illness. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Katherine T. Forbes and a daughter, Marcia.

Notes

  1. ^ Werner (1935), Privileged Characters, pp. 24, 193-195, 228
  2. ^ New York Times, Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit, April 12, 1952.
  3. "Valor awards for Charles R. Forbes".
  4. ^ "Hurley-Mason to Construct New Hospital". Spokane Daily Chronicle. January 25, 1923. p. 6.
  5. "Harding Abolishes War Risk Bureau". The New York Times. August 10, 1921. p. 5.
  6. Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Dean (2004), Warren G Harding, pp. 140, 141
  7. ^ The Charleston Gazette (February 13, 1924), pp. 1, 9
  8. Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010)
  9. Joplin News Herald (Saturday, March 20, 1926), p. 1; Time (Monday, April 21, 1952), Milestones; Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Dean (2004), Warren G Harding, pp. 140, 141
  10. "Q&A with Rosemary Stevens". C-SPAN. January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  11. Goldman, Eric F. (July 30, 1972). "The Harding Affair". Tropic (Miami Herald Sunday magazine). p. 10.
  12. "Col. Forbes Resigns Veterans' Office Post". February 16, 1923. p. 4.
  13. ^ "Congressional Probe of Veterans' Bureau Approved by Senate". The Atlanta Constitution. March 23, 1923. pp. 1, 4.
  14. "Worried by Critics, Cramer Takes Life". The New York Times. March 15, 1923. p. 1.
  15. The Bee (Friday, October 26, 1923), p. 4.
  16. Veterans' Bureau Scandal, (2010); Administration of Veterans' Affairs (excluding Health and Insurance), (2010); Name Index to Inmate Case Files, U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, 1895 - 1931; Joplin Globe (Saturday Morning, January 31, 1925), pp. 1,2; Joplin News Herald (Saturday, March 20, 1926), p. 1.
  17. Chicago Daily Tribune (December 4, 1927), Harding Duped by 'Ohio Gang,' Says Forbes, pp. 1, 16
  18. The Atlanta Constitution (December 17, 1927), Prison Drug Plot Bared By Forbes, p. 5
  19. Time (Monday, April 21, 1952), Milestones; New York Times (April 12, 1952), Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit

Works cited

Books

Newspapers

  • "Col. C. Forbes Dies; Led Veterans' Unit". New York Times. New York, New York. April 12, 1952.
  • "Parties, Joy-Rides Featured Tours of Forbes, Irwin Says". The Charleston Gazette. Charleston, West Virginia. February 13, 1924. pp. 1, 9.
  • "Forbes Divorced by His Wife Who Charges Cruelty". The Bee. Danville, Virginia. October 26, 1923. p. 4.
  • "Forbes Admitted to Penitentiary". Joplin News Herald. Joplin, Missouri. March 20, 1926.
  • "Charles Forbes and St. Louis Contractor are Found Guilty of Government Fraud Charge". Joplin Globe. Joplin, Missouri. January 31, 1925. pp. 1, 2.

Magazines

Online

External links

Political offices
New office Director of the Veterans Bureau
1921–1923 		Succeeded byFrank Hines
Categories: