Evening star., 1920-05-22
SECRETARY BAKER
DENIES SHE GRANTED
BERGDOLL PAROLE
Holds Draft Dodgers Counsel
Responsible for Return
of Fugitive.


Army sergeants at Philadelphia yes
terday, was permitted to leave Fort
Jay on representation of his counsel
that he had secreted large sum of
money in a place known only to him
self. Secretary Baker said today in a
formal statement.
Mr.. Baker denied published reports
that he had authorized the moving of
Bergdoll. and paid his first knowledge
that the prisoner had left Fort Jay
was when Adjt. Gen. Harris reported
his escape. The Secretary added that on
receiving this report he directed an i'm
mediate and thorough investigations.
Holds Counsel Responsible.
second statement issued at the
War Department shortly after noon
today indicated that the department
would depend on Col Samuel T. An
Edward S. Bailey, also a former Army
officer. as attorneys for Bergdoll. to
return their client This second
statement said, in part:
THE attorneys for Bergdoll are in
honor bound to return the prisoner
to the disciplinary barracks. and the
War Department expects them,
through the offer of suitable re-
ward and other proper means, to ap-
prehend Bergdoll at the earliest prac-
ticable date.
The regular award of $50. author
lied by law for the apprehension of
an escaped military prisoner. is to-
tally inadequate in a case of this
nature"
Version Given by Attorneys.
At the offices of Ansell & Bailey. in
the Riggs building, a statement was
issued over the signature of the two
attorneys telling in detail the man
ner in which it was arranged with
the War Department to let Bergdoll
go under military guard to recover
the money he claimed to have hidden.
firm had been retained in the Berg
doll case about six weeks ago by d.
c. Gibboney, a Philadelphia attorney
representing Bergdoll. and it was at
Mr.. Gibboneys request that the appli-
cation was made for Bergdolls trip,
which resulted in his escape.
I'VE know nothing of what hap
pened in Philadelphia nor of the
circumstances of the escape other
than what is contained in the press
sell and Bailey in conclusion. "and in
brief conversations over the tele-
phone with Mr.. Gibboney. We. of
course. shall do everything within
our power to see that Bergdoll is
apprehended.
Secretary Bakers Statement.
The statement by Secretary Baker
today says:
The escape of Bergdoll was brought
to my attention yesterday afternoon
by Gen. Harris, the adjutant general,
shortly after ii occurred. 1 had had
no previous knowledge of any mis-
sion. confidential or otherwise. on
BergdoHs part, and did not know
that he had been brought from the
Ju1o nd
there was any intention of bringing
him. After his escape 1 was informed
that Gen. Ansell and Col. Bailey, coun-
sci for Bergdoll, some days ago rep
resented to the adjutant general that
BergdoIl, prior to his arrest. had Sc
creted large sum of money in a
place known only to himself. and
brought under guard and accompanied
by his lawyers to get the money
This arrangement was authorized
by the adjutant general. and the au-
thorities at Governors Island notified.
Col. Hunt at Governors island de-
North Philadelphia, at which place he
was to be met by his attorneys. and
his party was tfen to proceed to the
place where the money was supposed
to be hidden.
ter was brought to my attention l di-
rected an immediate and thorough in
vestigation of the entire matter. and
that every effort be made to capture
the fugitive"
Gen. Ansell's Letter.
The letter which Gen. Ansell wrote
to Adjt Gen. Harris in arranging for
Bergdolrs trip was under date of May
II, and said that circumstances indi-
Gated the truth of the prisoners
statement that he had buried $150.O00
in gold in a metal container at spot
no one else could find. This letter
said. in part:
I'VE are requesting no privilege
only the necessary liberty of action
desire to escape. nor could he if he
wanted to. Notwithstanding the
guard, as his counsel ! stand respon-
sible for his primpt return to prison
without advantage to him other than
that involved in the object of this
request.
Il hope this request may be granted
Immediately. 1t seems reasonable and
right to me and also to you. and /
hope-and doubt not-that it will
seem so to the SECRETARY"
To this Gen. Ansell received the
generals office:
In reference to your confidential
letter of May II, 1890. addressed to
Gen. Harris. the instructions have
been mailed this date to the COM
mandant. Atlantic branch. United
States disciplinary barracks, Cover
nors Island, New York. He is author
lied to complete arrangements with
you or with your representatives in
New York for the purpose and has
been told that one of the counsel will
accompany the expedition.
War Department Version. :.
The version Of the escape of Berg
doll given out by the War Depart
ment today indicated that the escape
was made possible by an eleventh.
hour change of plans. The War De-
partment statement said:
Mr.. Edward Bailey, a law part
ner of Mr.. Ansell. proceeded on Mon
day to Fort Jay to confer with Mai
Hunt. comms.ndant of the disciplinary
barracks, and arrange the details for
the trip. 1t was agreed that Berg
doll should be sent by train, in charge
of two sergeants of the disciplinary
barracks guard, to north Philadel-
phla. where they were to be met by
Mr.. d. c. Gibboney a prominent law
yer of Philadelphia, and attorney for
Bergdoll. and taken in an automobile
to the place where the money was
hidden.
Taken to Mothers Home.
Upon arrival of the guard and
Bergdoll at North hPiladelphia, they
were informed by Mr.. Gibboney that
the automobile secured for the trip re-
Quired certain repairs. and at Mr.. Glib
boney's request Bergdoll was taken to
the home of his mother in Philadelphia
to await the completion of these re-
pairs. While at his mothers home he
escaped from the guard. The details
of the escape have not been reported
off
Under the plan agreed upon by
Maj. Hunt and Mr.. Bailey, it was dis
tinctly understood that Bergdoll
would not stop in Philadelphia longer