Evening star., 1921-05-04
BERCDO[[ COUNSEL
WOULD SHIFT GUILT
AnseII, Before Committee,
Denies Blame for Escape
During Gold Hunt.

| Samuel T. Ansell. former acting
Judge advocate general of the Army
who. as counsel for Grover Cleveland
Beredoll. escaped Philadelphia draft
dodger. was instrumental in obtaining
Bergdolls release under guard from
Fort Jay, N. Y. to search for pol
| of gold" was subjected to further
cross today before a
House investigating committee.
Ansell insisted that his first knowl,
edge OF the $150,00O in gold, obtained
from the Treasury by Bergdoli
people. came from the late d. Clar-
ence Gibboney Of Philadelphia. coNn-
sci for Bergdoll. He said he neter
Investigated the story by asking
! Treasury officials if it were true. The
witness declared he relied on the
statement of Gibboney and former
Judge John w. Wescott of New Jer-
sey, Judge Wescott testified yester-
day that he knew nothing of the gold
until after Bergdolrs escape.
Mr.. Sherburne. counsel for the com
mittee, indicated an attempt might
| be made to show whether the gold.
after being taken to Philadelphia. was
placed in bank.
Turning to other phases Of the in
quiry Mr.. Sherburne asked:
cation on your part to tell Gen. Harris
that, notwithstanding the military
guard, you stood personally respon-
sible for the prisoners return"'
TT was very unfortunate" he re-
piled, but l did not think it e1-
traordinary at that time
Mr.. Ansell said Gen. Harris the ad-
request for the Bergdoll expedition
was granted the practical arrange
ments for it were to be made through
Col Hunt commander of the bar
racks at Governors Island, where
the prisoner was locked up.
Carried Out Obligations.
Gen. Harris did not expect me to
guard the men," he declared. Gen.
Harris certainly felt degree Of sure
~ in nv statement and that Of the
other lawyers. leaving active guard
ing to the military authorities. car
ried out my obligations because the
general knew 1 would not make the
trip. With a;o.
-esnonsi Utility would have hired
guards and not have permitted the
prisoner to go to Philadelphia and
visit his mothers home. / reposed
confidence in Gibboney to carry ont
Gen. Harris instructions"
in ha.d, said he wanted yes or no
answers to plain questions relating to
AnselPs efforts to prevent escape.
You gave Gen. Harris your personal
obligation that Bergdoll would not
escape?
And he relied on it,"
"Did you do anything in carrying
out arrangements to guard the prls-
oner?" . ,
had confidence to carry out the ar
ranpements, and If he had done so
there would have been no escape. MY
obligation was measured In the nght
Of What Cen Harris testified-that
ia not go on the expedition. was
not the guarantor or surety
Answering Representative Johnson,
democrat kentucky. Mr.. Ansell said
he realized that his conduct relative
to the escape OF Bergdoii Is 'he ques-
tion at issue.
.Nistnkes Are Unavoidable"
There was long exchange between
Mr. Johnson and the witness over the
latter's promise or responsibility LOT
the return of the prisoner.
mo man can prevent things going
uronr" Ansell said 1t was clearly
understood by Gen. Harris, he added,
that one of the lawyers was to &C
company the expedition 10 the noun
tains, the date of which was sug-
gested by Gibboney.
HAS it occurred to you that a de-
liberate deception was practiced, If
not on Gen. Harris, then on Col
Hunt, relative to counsel going with
the prisoner" Mr.. Johnson asked.
II don't think So"
Mr.. johnson pressed the witness Tor
an opinion on Gibboney's conduct.
.Gibboneys conduct was irresonsil-
able with his promises" Ansell an
swered. II believe Gibboney became
q party to taking Bergdoll to the lat
ter's home in Philadelphia out of van
itv. self -glorification and a desire to
impress the Bergdoll family with his
capacity to do things. He liked to do
sensational things"
Verncity Charge Causes SensntiOn.
A sharp question of veracity arising
between Samuel T. Ansell. former act
ing judge advocate general of the Army,
and former Judge John w. Wescott of
New Jersey created intense excitement
at the investigation yesterday.
Called to the stand before Mr.. Ansell,
counsel for Bergdoll. had completed his
long statement. Judge Wescott, who is
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