Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-05-22
BERGDOLLOUT
TO GET MONEY,
BAKER STATES
Stacker Had It. Concealed in
Place known Only to Him
self, Secretary Says.
OFFICIAL DIDN'T KNOW 1T

WASHINGTON, May 22-Grover Cleve-
land Bergdoll, serving a Ave years SEN
tence for evading the draft law, was per-
mitted to leave prison in order to seek
large sum of money. which he had Sc
creted in a place known only to himself.
according to a statement made by Secre-
tary of War Baker today.
Bergdon was on his way to seek this
money when he made his escape.
II was upon request Of Bergdol's coun-
sci and upon authority of the adtutant
general that Bergdou was permitted TO
leave prison, the secretary of war an
nounced.
Ansell and Bailey, the law firm which
has acted as counsel for Bergdoll, is in
honor bound to return Bergdoll to the
war department and to use all efforts
to effect his capture. according to
statement issued by the war department
this afternoon.
The department is of the opinion that
these attorneys should offer a large re-
ward for Bergdoll's capture.
The war department under the law can
offer only the usual $50 reward for the
ca pture Of the fugitive.
THE SECRETARY
MAKES STATEMENT.
The statement of the secretary of war
follows;
The escape Of BergdoH was brought
to my attention yesterday afternoon by
Gen. Harris. the adjutant general, short
~ after 1t occurred.
Il had had no previous notice OF any
mission. financial or otherwise. on Berg
dolls part and did not know that be had
been brought from the prison at Gov
ernor's Island or that there was any in
tention Of bringing him.
After his escape / was informed that
Gen. Anseu and Col. Bailey. counsel for
Bergdoll. some days ago represented TO
the adjutant general that Bergdoll prior
20 his arrest, had secreted a large sum OF
money In q place known only 10 himself.
and had made application to have Berg
doll brought under guard and accompa-
MED by his lawyers, 10 get the money.
MADE HIS ESCAPE
IN AN AUTOMOBILE.
Bergdoll. millionaire auto racer avl-
ator and convicted draft evader. yes;er-
day walked out Of bis mothers mansion
here. where be was supposed 20 have
been under the custody Of two non
commissioned army officers. and es-
eGped iH an automobile.
He was broueht 10 Philadelphia from
Governors island where he had barely
started 10 serve his ave year sentence
Imposed on him for evasion OF the draf;
laws.
He was brought 20 trial bv the court
martial only with great difficulty.
he fed ia 1917 when summoned by bis
district board for physical examination
and Was not appreheuded until lasi
January, when department OF justice
agents surrounded his mothers home
aud caught him after a revolver battle.
He bad deaed the police of Pbllhdei-
nhia for months.
AUTHORIZED BY
ISLAND OFFICIALS.
This arrangement was authorized hy
the adjutaut general and the authorities
at Governors Island notified
col Hunt. at Governors Island dc
tailed guard 10 take BergdoIl 10 North
Philadelphia, st whica place he was 90
be met by his attorneys and his party
was then 10 proceed 20 the place where
the money was supposed 10 be hidden.
II be details OF his escape are various
ly reported.
"As soon as the matter was brought 10
my attention, I directed an immediate
and thorough investigation Of the entire
matter and that every effort be made to
capture the fugitive"