Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-25
ARMY KNEW BERGDOLL
PLANS, BAKER STATES
Palmer Declares His Department
Was Informed Draft Dodger
Sought Chance to Bolt.

Washington, May 25.--plans by Grover
Cleveland Borgdoll, the draft evader
who escaped in Philadelphia Friday and
is still ut large, to jump his bail or to
flee in some fashion, were known TO the
military intelligence department three
weeks ago, according to statement
made by Attorney General Palmer. The
attorney general resents implications
that the Department of Justice Is respons-
ibc for not frustrating Bergdoll's plans.
The attorney generals statement said;
II have noted in the press, particularly
in the daily papers of Philadclphia,
statement to the effect that the Depart
ment of Justice had received n letter Of
warning that Grover G.. Bergdoll would
attempt 10 make his escape and by infer
enco placing the blame upon the depart
ment for not having anticipated and
prevented Bergdoll s escape.
The department received a letter
from one of its special agents dated April
so 1920, which is the only letter received
and is unquostionably the one referred
to IN the dispatches. to the effect that
Bcrgdol would make application for a
writ of habeas corpus which would take
him temporarily out Of the custody of a
marshal or deputy marshal: that pending
these proceedings he would attempt TO
make his escape. or if allowed bail, would
Jump his bail bond.
The bureau of investigation made ITS
plans. therefore, to prevent any escape
IN case of application for writ OF habeas
corpus. No such application was ever
made and Bergdoll did not come within
the jurisdiction Of the Department OF
Justice in any manner that would war
rant our interference.
AT the time of Bergdoll's escape he
was in the jurisdiction and custody OF
the Department of War, The information
embodied in the letter above referred to
first came To the attention of one Of the
officers of the military intelligence division
Of the War Department, who communi-
Gated the information 10 our agent The
War Department, therefore, was IN pos
session of the same information that the
Department of Justice had
E.x-COngressman Thomas W. Miller OF
Delaware, chairman Of the national legls-
lative committee of the American Legion,
said TODAY that It had been suggested
to the national commander OF the Legion
that the entire machinery OF he organ
ization throughout the country be used
in the apprehension OF Bergdoh.
statement from Legion headquarters
said:
The legislative committee, of which
Mr.. Miller IS chairman, has in the past
carried protests to the Secretary OF War
concerning the leniency shown consclen-
tious obiectors, and the policy which per
mitted a man like Bergdoll to he out of
prison and on q rainbow chase Is only
continuation Of the policy Of the War
Department towards conscientious or
iectors. for which the Secretary Of War
himself is personally responsible,
The American Legion Weekly announc-
ed last night that it would pay reward
Of $500 TO any person who shall appre-
hend or supply exclusive information lead
ing to the apprehension Of Bergdoll.
This makes the total reward IS, 500;
Bergdoll's LAWYERS have offered 81, 500,
and the government the legal $50.
Philadelphia. May 25.-Colonel T.
r. Donaldson Of the Inspector General 5
Department, Washington, was due here
late Yesterday to take up the local angles
of the War Department inquiry into
responsibility for Bergdoll's escape
Previous to his arrival here, Colonel
Donaldson completed his investigation
at Governors Island, where Bergdoll was
serving a fve-year sentence for evadlng
the draft.
No trace has been found Of the fugitive
by the Federal and civil agents searching
for him. Rumors Of all sorts reached the
Federal authorities today, one Of them to
the, effect that Bergdoll had planned to
leave the country This was given some
credence by Harry B. Pierce, division
superintendent Of the Department Of
Justice.
Records at City Hall show that both
Grover and his brother, Erwin Bergdoll,
as well as their mother, recently have dis
posed Of large real estate holdings. Erwin
also is being sought as an alleged draft
dodger. According to the records. Grover
sold property on May 10 and May 10
aggregatipg more than 100000.
Mr. Gibboney today verified Bergdoll's
statement regarding a large sum Of gold
he concealed He said Bergdoll, before
he fled TO avoid the draft. drew Sl05, 600
in $50 gold pieces from a bank. He
placed the money in bags containing
$4,000 each, added Mr.. Gibboney.
"These he slowed away in two metal
chests, which he said he buried IN the
mountains"
Twenty agents of the Department Of
Justice were put on the case today.