Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-24
BERGDOLL
FLIGHT FOR BAKER
Hrlgadier General Making Per-
sonal investigation on War
Chiefs Orders
CONFER AT CASTLE WILLIAM
nv a star Correspondent

New York, May 24.--BriCadier Gen
eral T. q. Donaldson. of the inspector
generals department at Washington.
acting under the orders Of Secretary OF
War Baker. is making personal inyes-
tigation aS Governor Island to deter
mine who is to blame for the sensational
escape of Grover Cleveland Bcrgdoll.
This investigation by General Don
aldson is expected to extend to Phila
delpha today.
After thoroughly grillinE the two non.
commissioned officers, who were duped
into allowing Bergdoll 10 slip through
their clutches. Colonel Donaldson was
not entirely satisfied that blame for
the deserters escape lies entirely on
their shoulders.
There was n long conference late yes
terday at Fort Jay. attended by Gen
eral Donaldson. Major Henry |. Hunt.
commander Of the disciplinary bar
racks at Castle William. and Major
Charles +. Humphreys. his executive
officer, in whose hands the local de-
tails Of the investigation have been
placed General Donaldson is expected
to 20 to Philadelphia today.
Following this conference il was in
timated that army officials will oSpe-
cially direct their efforts 10 ascertain
the part played in Bergdoll's escape by
civilians who had given their prom
Use of his return TO Castle William
upon the completion Of his unusual
mission.
Scout Bergdol's PreteN
Officials here scout the nretcxt given
FOR Bergdolls visit to his home which
was in fragrant contradiction of the
army orders which permitted the gen
eral prisoner to leave the stockade.
all 70
continue. without interruption. to the
spot in the hills Of "Pennsylvania.
wes Virginia or Maryland" where as
fugitive from Justice he is alleged to
have cached a treasure of gold.
high army official in close touch
with the details of the case said today E:
There seems to be no reason to
suspect Bergdoll's lawyers of Collusion,
except for the unusual proceeding Of
Clarence Gibboncy in using the excuse
of a broken down car to take Bergdoll
to his home.
According to the testimony Of the
two noncommissioned officers aS given
TO army officials at Fort Jay, Gibboncy
did not go with Bcrgdoll to his home
on Thursday and did not appear at
the Wynuefeld house until telcphonpd
for after the escape.
The lien who are Condut ing the in
vestigaton under Major General Cham
berlain. inspector general Of tho army
want to know why the automobile was
not taken to a garage for repairs.
rather than to the one place which the
orders covering tn unusual "eXpodi-
ton specified Bergdol should not be
taken.
1t will also be cleared up why the
party remained ar the Bergdoll hom" in .
usn Of II !, Il
trip as soon as the car was repaired
or another one could be procured to take
Its place.
This same official said today that no
effort would be spared to uncover de
tails of a money scandal among "mcn
higher up in the army. if such exists.
Doubts Prearrangement.
Major Hunt. under whose >UrvciIl-
ance BergdOll vas serving his sentence.
today advanced the theory that the
wealthy desertcrs fight might not have
been prearranged.
He cited Bergdoll's S past. nunctuated
with daring psCapades. and pointed out
that the man had q mania for wild
orgies of speed in automobiles and air
planes.
His flight last Friday may have been
ectuated by r return Of the irresistible
impulse. Major Hunt believes
He substantlGtPd this theory in part
BY pointing out that BcrgdolI. ike any
other well behaved prisoner, would have
been released on parole aftrr serving
two years and half Of his hvc year
sentence. Major Hunt pointed out. that
he was much worse IF now than before
his escape
Major Humphreys is continuing the
local investigation and considering tNe
testimony Of tho guard. This will prob
ably be concluded today
Should thn circumstances warrant
charges and recommendation for court
martial will he forwarded 10 tho rom
mander OF the Eastern Department.
who, If he secs ft may order a court
martial for the mcn