Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-05-04
DENIES HEARING
Of FG0LDCACHE,
CONGRESS TOLD
Former Judge Advo-
cate Is Accused Of
Cowardice, by Jurist.
Chairman Halts Contro~
versy, but Not Until
More Shots Are Fired.

Washington, May 3.-A sharp ques-
tion of veracity, arising between Samuel
T. Ansell, former acting judge advo-
cate general of the army, and former
Judge John w. Wescott of New Jersey,
created intense excitement Tuesday at
the investigation by house committee
of the escape of Grover Cleveland
Bergdoll, Philadelphia draft deserter.
Called to the stand before Mr.. An
sell, counsel for Bergdoll, had complet-
ed his long statement, Judge Wescott.
who is q, flatly denied the testimony
of Ansell in two essential details, and
declared with great emphasis there was
no word of truth in the report that
he had been engaged as associate coun-
sci, as Ansell had stated, to help get
Bergdoll out of prison after he had
evaded the draft for nearly two years.
Reiterates Charge.
AS the Judge went back to seat
in the corner of the committee room,
Mr.. Ansell, who had heard part of the
denial, reiterated under oath that every
word of his testimony was true. just
as his examination was about to shift
to other channels. Chairman Peters,
turning to the judge, asked if he de-
sired to be heard.
The Judge was on his feet instantly.
Moving over toward the table, across
from which Mr.. Ansel1 sat, and refusing
to be seated, Judge Wescott for five
minutes let loose torrent of denial,
declaring that Anseu lacked the physi-
cal, mental and moral courage to step
outside and make the same charges to
his face.
In the midst Of the verbal attack.
Mr.. Ansell broke in with the demand
that if it was to be debate he wanted
the right to speak.
Few Parting Shots.
Seeing possibilities of an impending
clash, Chairman Peters quickly stopped
the controversy, but not until Judge
Wescott had fired few more shots.
Then, picking up his hat, the latter
walked out, with a courteous and smil-
ing "Well, goodbye, gentlemen"
First denying that there was a shred
of truth in the statement by the late
d. Clarence Gibboney of Philadelphia.
that he had been employed in the
Bergdoll case and paid $1,25O for his
services, Judge Wescott declared he
never went to see Secretary of War
Baker in Bergdolrs behalf, as Mr.. An
sell had testified, and that he knew
nothing whatever of the story Of Berg
dolls buried gold until he read of it
in the newspapers after prisoners es-
cape.
Warm Friend Of Baker.
Earlier in the day Mr.. Ansell had
testified that Judge Wescott, as one
of the defense attorneys, had discussed
with Gibboney and himself the question
of urging the war department to per-
nit the draft dodgers release under
guard to 60 out and find it.
The fact was mentioned that the
Judge was warm friend of Secretary
Bager and that he was the man who
had placed Woodrow Wilson in nomina-
ton for president, both at the Balti-
more and st. Louis conventions. Judge
Wescott declared his only part in the
case was the sending to Mr.. Baker
of letter, enclosing the Ansell brief
in the Bergdoll appeal, which he re-
garded as a brilliant document and
one which should have the secretary's
personal consideration.
Judge Wescott told the committee
the, 81 $50 he had received from Glib
honey was for services in another case,
as his books would show, and that they
would be produced, if wanted. Most
of the day was taken up with long,
detailed statement by Mr.. Ansell as to
his connection with the Bergdoll case
and of his efforts to get on the trail Of
Bergdoll after the escape. Wednesday
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