The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-05-20
ATTITUDE NOW CHANGED
Harry Weinberger Counsel
For G. c. BergdoII
READY TO TELL STORY
Threatened With Contempt Pro-
ceedings, Decides to Testify
Before Committee
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l

ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l
Washington, May 1s.-U n er
threat of contempt proceedings be-
fore the bar of the house, Harry
Vein berger of New York, former
counsel TOR Grover Cleveland Berg
doll, draft evader, told house in
Vestigating committee today he
would answer all questions and
produce any documents demanded.
Washington, May 1S.-Harry Vein
berger of New York, counsel for
Grover Cleveland Bergdoll in court
martial proceedings was ordered be-
fore the bar of the house of repre-
sentatives today for contempt after
refusing TO testify before the house
investigating committee regarding
fees paid him by Bergdoll's mother.
Vein berger challenged the right OF
cape of Bergdoll on the ground that
he never had been indicted into the
army. Chairman Peters brushed
aside the contention, declared 1t was
entirely aside from the question at
issue.
Asked how much money had been
paid him by Mrs. Bergdoll, Vein
berger refused to answer, contendh,,
ii was not relative and was privileg-
ed matter When the witnesses re-
fused to produce his books, Repre-
sentative Johnson, Kentucky, moved
that he be held in contempt. There
was no objection.
Asked About Buried Treasurer
After Weinbergers refusal to an
the committee, asked the witness
about the turied gold. Bergdoll,
Weinberger, said, told him of the
buried treasurer but did not give its
location. The witness refused to
tuIn over letters written him by the
late Clarence Gibboney, also one or
BergdolPs lawyers, and the commit
tee again adopted a motion to call
him before the house.
Mr.. Sherburne made formal demand
for all documents held by the witness
bearing on the case.
"If the house tells me TO answer,
I'll take it's decision" said Vein
berger
The house will do more than
rule" Representative Johnson said
Charges Of Contempt
Four separate charges of contempt
we're lodge against Weinberger be-
fore Mr.. Sherburne announced that
there was no possibility OF going fur
ther unless the committee could get
Weinberger's papers.
Were you counsel for Emma
Goldman" asked Macarthur.
81 was il you want to know" he
replied, but I don't see where that
has anything to do with this in
quiry"
YOU have refused to answer GER
tain questions" Chairman Peterson
told Weinberger, land nothing re-
mains but to have the house decide.
Its we'll for you to know that the
house can Immediately imprison
you" said Mr. Johnson.
The question of Imprisonment
does not enter into my decision in
this matter" Weinberger replied.
Weinberger was not placed under
arrest, but was ordered to appear
before the committee later in the day
and not to leave the city without its
permission.
Judgment Against Mrs. BergdoII.
Philadelphia, May 1S.-Judgment
was entered today in federal court
here against all property Of Mrs. EN-
ma C. Bergdoll who was yesterday
sentenced to a year and a day i'm
prisonment and to pay fine of $1,000
on charges of conspiracy to aid her
sons. Grover c. and Erwin r. Berg
doll, to desert from the United States
army. This was done to insure pay
ment of the fine.
Mrs. Bergdoll was reported to have
said after being sentenced yesterday
that she would never pay the fine.