Evening journal., 1921-07-02
SAYS BERGDOLL
IS ALIEN FOE
Col. T. w. Miller Justi6es
His Seizure of Slacker's
Property
SAYS 1T is WORTH
NEARLY MILLION

A vigorous Justification Of his ac-
ton in seizing the property OF Grover
Cleveland Bergdoil which was at
tackled in the Senate on Thursday by
Senator Phiiander c. Knox, was made
yesterday in a formal statement is
sned at the Union League, in Phila-
deiphia. by Colonel Thomas W. Mil
Ter, OF this city. Alien Property Gus
todian.
In a discussion Of the Bergdon
case later Colonel Miller revealed
that the value OF Bergdolrs property
located so far is more than three
quarters Of a million dollars. il
there is any more the government
expects TO get IL.
I'VE are making a thorough search
Of the dozens of real estate records
In which the estate is tangled up.
said Colonel Miller, but It is appar-
ent that the bulk OF the property
has been earmarked and seized.'
Asked for his opinion concerning
the possibility Of the return OF Berg
dolls property through legal action.
Colonial Miller said that 70 his mind
the act OF Congress providing for
seizures is clear.
Il do not believe any out and out
enemy can get back property seized
by the government until Congress
passes legislation providing for such
return" said Colonel Miller when
that will be done is OF course prob
lematical."
The statement by Senator Knox to
which Colonel Miller took exception
was reported as follows;
Il cannot see how Bergdoll can be
an alien enemy and yet be prose-
cuted for violating our draft laws at
the same time. The case ~ so con-
hrsing that must refrain from
answering"
This was made after Senator Nc
Cumber raised a question as TO the
legality OF the seizure. In his answer
yesterday Colonel Miller said;
'Bergdoll was a fragrant violator
Of the laws Of this country in evad
ing military service at the time the
country needed men. and subse-
quently made his notorious escape to
Germany. from which temporary
vantage point he has added to his
former crimes by uttering insoient
verbal attacks against this country
and its officials. When Bergdoll
broke his parole and fed to Ger
many he placed himself within the
scope of the Trading With the Enc
my Act and his property in this
country became liable TO seizure by
the government
"The whole Bergdoll matter is a
stain upon the previous admlnistra-
tion Of the War Department. as well
as a reflection upon this government
II by reason OF his escape to Ger
many he evaded the penalty under
one law. yet at the same time made
himself liable under another law
the government ofRcial charged with
the administration OF the Tradinl
With the Enemy Act would hav,
been derelict in his duty had he no
carried out tho law, which is plair
In its meaning and direction.
An enemy under tho Tradinj
With the Enemy Act, "a one who q
residing in Germany or Austria dur
ing state OF war, who was no
protected by a war trade board n
cense Such was Bergdolrs status
The fact that he has broken two diff
ferent laws in this country at tw
separate times under two differen
conditions does lot make him i'm
mune from either Of them. Fur
ther, it was announced at the tim
OF the Bergdolr seizure that it wa
done In accordance with an opinio
Of the attorney general and at IN
norponal diracffor 80 th. pr...-t4 - D.