Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-03
HARRIS o. KID
(centinusd from Page one)

Former Brigadier General John II.
| Sherburne, of Boston, counsel for the
committee and members wanted to
know why the expedition was sur
rounded with such secrecy and why
efforts were made to avoid publicity.
The general said he assumed, at least,
that the prisoners family was re-
spectable and that he would be hu-
inflated if seen travelling under MILL
| tary guard.
II wanted 10 spare the feelings of
the prisoner and his family
WAS there any sympathy year
ago for this draft evader?" asked Mr.
Sherburne.
There was no sympathy for him.
I believed he was emitted to the
same consideration as other prison.
ers"
Then there was 10 suggestion as
to why the authorities were directed
to avoid publicity except to spare the
feelings of the Eergdoll family"
Chairman Peters asked.
The general replied that if the
newspape rs had got hold of the
facts they would have given the trip
considerable publicity. -
!. The name OF John w. Wseott Of
New Jersey, described as tile man
who placed Woodrow Wilson in
nomination at the Baltimore and St.
Louis convention, was brought into
the hearing as one Of Bergdolrs
lawyers. Reference to Mr.. Wescott's
part in the case was made by Repre-
sentative Johnson, Democrat, Ken
lucky, while conducting the exami
nation. General Harris had testi-
fed that when Mr.. Ansell first urged
him to permit the release of Berg
doll he stated that he had discussed
ence Gibboney, now dead, and Mr..
Wescott, the other attorneys and
! that they believed it.
Previous to Bergdolrs escape
and while the lawyers were prepar-
ing to appeal from the five-year SEN
tence,' General Harris testified,
Mr.. Ansell told me the secretary
of war would remember Mr.. Wes-
colt as he had nominated President
L
merely TO show his prominence as
an attorney. l did not see Wescott.
l did see correspondence between
the secretary and Wescott relating
to the latter's call in reference to the
appeal. After Bergdolfs escape l
heard that about month before
Wescott had seen the secretary in
connection with the appeal"
Was Mr.. Wescott to see the sec
rotary to determine what answer the
army would make?" Mr.. Johnson
asked.
He wanted the secretary to give
the case his personal consideration"
General Harris declared his first in
formation that Bergdoll had eluded his
guard was obtained from Mr.. Ansell.
The facts, he said. were laid before
Secretary Baker, who had not known
previously of the released orders.
Mr. Ansell came to see me and
asked me to see the secretary but the
secretary said it was not necessary.
that he did not want to see him, but to
tell Mr.. Ansell ~ get the prisoner and
return him to Fort Jay, as he had
promised"
What reliance did you put in the
promise of Ansell and would yau have
let the man without this personal
PROMISE" Chairman Peters asked.
Mr.. AnselTs plea did influence me-"
the general replied. But his promise
bad no legal value; it was moral. rath-
err | think Mr.. Ansell should have
prevented the escape. / construed his
letter that he stood responsible for
Bergdoll's return to prison to mean
he would facilitate the work of the
guards and a moral obligation that he
would not escape. So far as / know,
Mr.. Ansell did nothing ~ prevent his
escape
General Harris declared however.
that il was not a case of paroIing a
prisoner in the custody of an attoY-
hey, but sending him out with a milf
tary escort.
Mr.. Ansell will testify tomorrow.