New-York tribune., 1921-05-04
Witnesses Near
To Blows Over
Bergdon Case
I,,;Ise Westcott, After Deny
ing Seeking Release OF
Stacker. Challenges Truth
Of AnselI's Testimony
shakes Fist at General
Scene Temporarily Halts
House Inquiry Into Es-
cape Of the Draft Evader

WASHINGTON, May 3.-A question
i veracity between Samuel r.
lrsell, former acting judge advo-
81. Of the army, and former Judge
Iahu ". wescott, of New Jersey, arose
,o.asy at the investigation by a House
,onuittse Of the escape of Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll Philadelphia draft
deserter.
called to the stand before Mr..
Ar.ell, counsel for Bergdoll, had COM
,letsd his long statement, Judge Wes-
~ who is seventy-two years of age.
a.sly denied the testimony of Ansell
{, two essential details. and declared
w;th great emphasis there was no
word Of truth in the report that ne
s.a been engaged as associate coun-
ii As Ansell had stated, to help get
psrrdoil out of prison after he had
svsJed the draft for nearly two years.
A the Judge went back to a seat in
royner OF the committee room, Mr..
irspu who had heard part of the de-
a., reiterated under oath that every
word Of his testimony was true Just
= his examination was about to shift
!. other channels, Chairman Peters,
turninc to the Judge, asked if he de-
sired to be heard.
Judge Invites Ansell Outside
The judge was on his feet instantly.
Morinr over toward the table, across
r.
iusirr to be seated, Judge Wescott for
6ve minutes let loose torrent of de-
nal declaring that Ansell lacked the
pkysicai. mental and moral courage to
steo outside and make the same
charges to his face. In the midst of
tbe verbal attack MIR. Ansell broke in
With the demand that if it was to be a
debate he wanted the right to speak.
Seeing possibilities of an impending
clash Chairman Peters quickly stopped
Il, but not until the judge had fired a
few more shots. Then, picking up his
Nat the latter walked out with cour-
tsous and smiling "Well, goodby, gen.
tlemen."
First denying that there was shred
Of truth in the statement by the late
D. Clarence Gibboney, of Philadelphia.
that he had been employed in the Berg
doll case and paid S1,250 for his serv-
ices. Judge Wescott declared he never
vent to see Secretary of War Baker
in Bergdoll's behalf, as Mr.. Ansell had
testified, and that he knew nothing
whatever Of the story of Bergdoil's
buried gold until he read of it in the
newspapers after the prisoners escape.
Earlier in the day Mr.. Ansell had tssti-
fed that Judge Wescott, as one of the
defense attorneys. had discussed with
Gibbcney and himself the question of
urging the War Department to permit
the dodgers release under guard to 60
out snd ind it.
Only Sent Brief to Baker
The fact was mentioned that the
Judge was warm friend of Secretary
Baker and that he WAS the man who
had placed Woodrow Wilson in nomina-
ton for President, both at the Baiti-
more and ST. Louis conventions. Judge
Eescott declared his only part in the
eass was the sending to Mr.. Baker of
letter, enclosing the Ansell brief in
the Bergdoll appeal, which he regarded
. brilliant document and one which
should have the Secretary's personal
consideration.
Going back to the tale of the buried
gold, Judge Wescott, looking Mr.. An
sell squarely in the eye, exclaimed:
:! never heard of it until it came out
With the news of Bergdoll's escape. I
would suppose that If man Of Mr..
AnsslPs ability could get that crazy
idea in his head, and in view of what
happened he would have left the COM
munity."
Judge Wescott told the committee
me 1850 he had received from Glib
aoney was for services in another case,
M bis books would show, and that they
would be produced if wanted.