New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-24
Lawyers Offer
$4,000 Reward
For Bergdoll
Sum Is Announced After
Conference in Washing
ton of Counsel for the
Escaped Draft Evader
Nationwide Net Is Cast
Circulars With Minute De-
scription Sent to Civil
and Military Authorities

OSntnQrOn bureau
WASHINGTON, May ga reward
OF $1,000 for the apprehension and de-
livery to the military authorities of
Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, millionaire
draft Stacker, who escaped from mill
tary guard at Philadelphia Friday, was
offered to-day by Bergdolls attorneys,
d. Clarence, Gibboney, of Philadelphia,
and y. I. Ansell and E. S. Bailey, Of
Washington.
The attorneys admitted that they had
no clew to the fugitive's whereabouts.
Adjutant General Peter C. Harris,
who granted the permission for Berg
dolls temporary absence from the Fort
ia. military prison to search for the
alleged hidden treasure of $15O,OO0, LET
it be known that the War Department
would exert all efforts to capture the
fugitive, although primarily holding
the attorneys responsible for the es-
cape.
The War Department has had print
ed thousands of circulars, with minute
descriptions Of Bergdoll, which will be
civilian and military authorities to the
case. The nominal reward of $50 will
be paid by the department to the per-
son who catches the fugitive.
Decision Reached at Conference
The decision to offer the reward Of
$4,000 was made at conference Of
ington Office of Colonel Ansell and Mr.
Bailey. Mr.. Gibboney came to Wash
lngton early to-day and was in con-
ference with his associates for several
hours. Together they framed the fol-
lowing notice:
1--WE, the undersigned, hereby offer
reward of twenty-five hundred dollars
(S2,5OO) to any person for the appre-
hension and delivery to the proper mill
tary authorities, at any military post or
station, of Grover Cleveland Bergdoll,
ward will be paid Immediately upon
receipt Of official notice from the ad-
Jutant general of the army by either
Of the undersigned of the delivery
OF the prisoner into military Gus
tody and of the name of the person
entitled to the reward"
Adjutant General Harris has taken
charge Of the army's search for the
fugitive. He explained that he au-
thorlzed the trip of Bergdoll from Fort
Jay, to Philadelphia with the express
understanding from the prisoners
counsel that he would go mediately
to the place where the treasure was
said to be hidden, and upon recovering
II be returned Immediately to Fort
Jay. He said the authority granted the
attorneys was limited to this errand.
and contended that the removal of
Bergdoll to his home placed full re-
sponsibility on the attorneys for his
return to the military authorities.
Attorneys Pledge Violated
General Harris said that the at
torneys agreed to have an autom obile
awaiting the prisoner at the North
Philadelphia station, and that the
failure of the Philadelphia attorney
to provide this conveyance had been
an element in the decision of the de-
partment to hold the ATTORNEYS re-
sponsible for Bergdolls custody and
safe return to the Fort Jay military
prison.
Although Attorney Gibboney Joined
his associates in offering a reward for
the capture, he disavowed RESPONSE
bility for Bergdoll's custody while in
Philadelphia. He said he was not en-
powered to guard the prisoner; that
the military authorities of Fort Jaw
had sent two issioned Off
GERS to watch the movements of Berg
doll, and he asserted the guards were
derelict~in their duty by permitting
the prisoner to leave them.
Bergdoll's attorneys said they will
ingly would cooperate with the in
spector generals department of the
army in the investigation of the case
ordered by Secretary Baker. Colonel
Ansell, who handled the arrangements
with Adjutant General Harris for Berg
dolls trip, said he would place at the
disposal of the War Department all in
formation they receive from persons
who know of Bergdoll's whereabouts
and otherwise assist in clearing up
the case.