Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-18


The majority held that Colonel
Hunt. conmandant Of the barracks ~
Governors island, from where Berg
doll set out on his errand. was direct,
ly responsible for the slackers escape
through failure TO handcuff him or
to provide an adequate guard. The
minority. after declaring that no Of
flcer of the army knowingly partici-
pated In the conspiracy. found grave
derelietlon OF duty on the part OF
Hunt
As n basis for It's criticism OF Colonel
cresson, the majority report said that
"as ugly as are the many phases Of
the whole matter, none is more de-
fenseless than the conduct Of Colonel
cresson In his pretense of prosecu-
ton of Colonel Hunt" tried by court
martial in connection with the Berg
doll scandal. No reference 70 Cres-
son was made by the minority.
Major Campbell Exonerated.
Major Bruce r.. Campbell, accused
by Bergdoll's mother Of having ac-
cepted $1,000 to help obtain freedom
for the prisoner, was exonerated by
the majority. The minority reported
that there was no evidence that Camp
bell was in any way connected with
the escape. but assumed the proper
military authorities would institute
such investigation as may be neces-
sary to the end that Campbell may be
exonerated. if not found guilty"
Urges Earl Woods Dismissal.
Dismissal from the department Of
| justice OF Earl b. Wood, in charge Of
correspondence in the BergdolI case.
for failure to transmit to the war de-
partment warning from a. special
agent that the prisoner was plan
ming to escape, was recommended by
| the majority.
Major General Harris. adjutant gem
eral of the army. who authorized Hunt
/ to send Bergdoil under guard to the
| Maryland mountains to search for the
gold. was charged by the minority
with primary responsibility for the
situation which made possible the
escape
AnselI Wrongly Influenced Harris.
| Asserting that General Harris did
not attempt to eyade responsibility
| the minority said there was mo ques-
| tion Of improper motive on his part,
adding it was apparent his mind was
i readily overcome by the strong state
ment Of Anseli,' that he would stand
/ responsible for safe return Of the
prisoner. The minority criticised Cen
eral Harris for suggesting to Hunt.
| instead Of ordering that a conmis-
stoned officer accompany the expedi-
/ ton.
| The majority reported that the es-
tcape was the direct result OF the
proposition submitted by Ansel1 to
I General Harris" and that @even if
Ansen did not conceive the plan, he
presented it and pursued it TO its ac-
lcornplishment."
Westcofes Connection Unimportant-
Taking up the alleged connection
with the Bergdoll case of former Judge
John W. Wescott. one time attorney
general Of New Jersey, the majority
held it unfrnportant whether he act
tally had legally represented Berg
Edoll. The report declared 1T was clear
that AnseIl undertook TO use West
colts name for the purpose OF bringing
70 bear a political influence upon any
Iody in the Administration who migha
be needed 70 make sure Of the gold
hunt release. which 1T last spelled
BergdoIlfs escape.
Col. MIller's Action Endorsed.
The majority report commended the
seizure of the Bergdoli property By
Alien Property Custodian Miller and
urged that he make every effort tC
produce s105. 600 in gold obtained by
Mrs. Emma c. Bergdoll from tbs
treasury department. and alleged L
have been buried on her farm. neal
Philadelphia This was put in at tbs
insistence of Representative Luhring
who declared the withdrawal Of tn,
gold was the foundation stone of th'
whole conspiracy.
Gibboney and Ronlig Blameds
The minority held that while "un
questionably a conspiracy existed t,
effect the escape OF Bergdoll." it die
/, not find that any officer received am
bribe or was approached with view
10 bribery but that the conspiracy
was participated in by Grover C. Berg
l doll, the late d. Clarence Gibboney. {
Philadelphia lawyer, James T. Romig
formerly a Philadelphia magiStrat,
and friend of the Bergdoll family, Iks
Stecher. the Bergdoll chauffeur, anC
possibly Mrs. BergdoI. On this poini
: the majority declared Gibboney an6
the Bergdoll group conSpired TO efeci
4 the slacker's release but in order tC
successfully accomplish it, it was abb
solutely necessary TO have the active
assistance of Ansell and Bailey ed
ward S. Bailey, his law partner) and
Colonel Hunt. for without the aid OF
these latter Bergdoll could not have
I left Governors Island
I Bergdou Way TO Freedom Unopp0Sed
From the moment Bergdol left
Governors Island, and the conditions
surrounding him." said the minority,
became apparent, he saw he could
/ depart when ready and without vic
i Ience. That such a condition existed
is OF course a scandal. Less than or
4 binary precautions 70 prevent escape
were used
1T seems" said the majority that
every ppening-whether of act or
4 omission-resulted in Bergdoll's bene-
] fit and not one 10 his real. detriment." :"
Colonel Hunt within the next two
! months after he participated so Grim
inally in the escape" said the majority
was promoted and retired.
"An outraged nation" it added, has
the right to. demand that Colonel
Hunts annuity be discontinued"
Emphasize Ansell's Part In Escape.
i Anybody who has seen and heard
!, all of those associated, directly or in