Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-18

1vduet lsAlAAVl 49, :! =
Releases Ansell From I
Planning Escape.
Washington, Aug. 1s.samuel Til
den AnseH, former acting judge ada
vocate general OF the army and Of
the prisoners: legal counsel, Colonel
John Ea Hunt AID Colonel c., G.
.spiracY in connection with the escape
OF Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, the
draft evader, In aSreport signed by |
three Of the five members Of a spe-
cial investigating committee filed to-
day with, the house.
Characteridng Ansell as the master
mind" in the plan by which Bergdolll
was released from q military prison
under guard, to dig UP pot Of gold.
the majority report recommended
that he be disbarred from prachcing
in the courts OF the nation above
whose safety and integrity he has
placed gold.",i
A minority report filed at the same
time, held, ] however, that there was
no testimony to, support the charge
that Ansell, through whose efforts, as
D
"conspired to ,effectuate his escape"
or that his motive was improper.
One Republican, Representative
Luhring Of Indiana, and two Demo-
Gratis, johnson Of Kentucky and
Flood of Virginia, signed the ma
were presented by Chairman Peters,
Maine, and Representative Macarthur
Of Oregon, Republican. The majority,
findings were the first Of the many
investigating reports submitted to the
house since the close OF the war,
where a Republican member Joined
with Democrats and enabled them to
file majority views.
Hunt is Blamed.
The majority held that Colonel
Hunt. commandant Of the barraeks ea,s
at Governors Island, from Iwhacn
Bergdoll set out on his errand was
directly responsible for the slacker's
escape through failure to handcuff
him or to provide an adequate guard.
The minority after declaring that MO
officer of the army knowingly, par
.icipated In the conspiracy," found
grave derehction Of duty on the part
Asa basis for its criticism of Col-
nnel Cresson the aJority report said
TT "as ugly as arerth he many phases
L$,she whole matter none is more
defenseless than the conduct of Col
,onel Cresson. In his pretense sef prose-
court martial in connection with the
Bergdoll scandal. No references ,tc
Cresson was made by the minority
k Campbell SExonerated.
Major Bruce II. Camp bell, accused
J ~ Bergdolys mother Of haying arz
ss aspted $50 90 10 iiaelr Oh IN rgsdons
fora the prlsoners was exoHe rated by
the, majority. Tn Y. minority reported
that there was no evidence that
Campbell was in any way connected
with the escape. but assumed 4 the
institute such Investigation as may
be necessary to the end that Camp
bell may be exonerated II not found
guiity.r 5.5
Dismissal from the. department of
Justice Of Earl 3. Wood, in. charge
case,S for failure to transmit to the
war department warning from a spe-
cial agent that the prisoner was plan
ming to escape was recomndended by
the majority. 1: @ 81 ,sSfE... sz sj II
Harris Criticized: y.
Major General Peter 81. 81 Harris
! adjutailt general OF the army, who
authorized Hunt to send Bergdol
under guard to the Maryland noun
charged BY the minority with ''pri,
mary responsibility for the situation
xn,ea Aas sat eaas Gsneral Hairs did no
attempt to eyade responsibility, tn.
minority held there was mo question
ofsimproper motive on his part ad
ding It was appareht his mind WaI
readily overcome by the strong state
3 ment,Hs or Ansell that he would stant
Il RESPONSIBLE for safe return OF tn,