The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-05-10
HARRIS TAKES BLAME
FOR BERGDOLL ESCAPE
WESCOTT FIGURING IN SLACK
ER's CASE is TRACED TO
FRIENDSHIP FOR WILSON.
REGARD GOLD JAUNT HUMANE
Adiutant General Testihes "Nominat-
ing Speech" Aided Ex-Judge as
Lawyer. Trip Granted at AnselPs
REQUEST, Testimony Shows.

REQUEST, Testimony Shows.
WASHINGTON, D. C.--Maj. Gen.
P. c. Harris, adjutant general OF the
army, told house investigating COM
mittee today that he was responsible
for the release under guard of Grover
c. Bergdoll, convicted draft dodger,
to go out secretly and hunt for pot
of gold in the mountains of West Viz
GINA. Bergdoll never returned from
his chase.
The fact John w. Wescott, of Had
donheld, N. J., had nominated Wood
row Wilson for president figured in
the former judges connection with the
Bergdoll case, according to the testl-
mony of General Harris, who, as adj
iutant general, issued orders permit
ting the Stacker to go on his famous
pot-of-gold expedition"
General Harris appeared today be-
fore the house select committee in
vestigating the escape of Bergdoll
Reciting how permission for Berg
dolls release was granted on request
of Samuel T. Ansell, counsel tor the
Stacker, the general testified he would
regard it as "inhunan" for military
authorities not to permit the prisoner
to obtain his money. He likewise ex-
planned that no publicity was given
the permission out of regard for the
feelings of the Bergdoll family.
"He may have been secreting and
possibly was secreting the gold to ia
cilitate his escape" General Harris
said, but he was ordered under suit
able guard and there was no excuse
for his escape. 1t did not occur to me
that he was to use the gold to further
his escape. 1t did not occur to me that
he could escape.
Light on Gold Expedition.
The generals recitation of how per-
mission was granted for the "pot-ot-
gold expedition" caused Representa-
tive Johnson, democrat, OF Kentucky,
to inquire for details as to Judge Wes-
colts connection with the case. Cen
eral Harris testified Mr.. Ansell had
introduced Judge Wescott to him, and
as far as he knew the latter was en-
ployed in the capacity OF advisory
counsel in connection with Bergdolfs
appeal from the decision from the
court martial, he said.
"How did Mr.. Ansell introduce
Judge Wescott," Mr.. Johnson asked.
"He said that no doubt the .secre-
tary would remember him and that
he had nominated Wilson at the dem
ocratic convention" General Harris
answered.
well, what did this have to do
with it?"
1T indicated that he was respon-
sible attorney"
Mr.. Johnson subjected General Har-
ris to a rigorous cross-examlnation on
Judge Wescott's connection with the
case. When General Harris said Judge
Wescott went to Newton d. Baker,
secretary of war; in connection with
the Bergdoll appeal, Mr.. Johnson ask
ed :,
"What did he have to do with the
appeal?"
tary that he thought there was some
money in the appeal" the general said,
adding that his impression was that
Judge Wescott desired the secretary
of war to give the case his personal
attention"
Have you anything to say as to
why a New Jersey attorney shouldc.
be employed relative to the appeals!
Mr.. Johnson finally asked, bringing
out that the other attorneys in the
case were either of Philadelphia or
| Washington. Mr. Johnson was inter
rupted by note from Charles u; NC
Avoy, district attorney IN Philadei-
phia, who was in the room, to the Ell
| feet that Judge Wescott also main
tanned an office in Philadelphia.
Approached by Ansell.
1t was on the plea of Samuel T. An
sell, formerly acting adjutant general
of the ARMY, General Harris testified,
that the prisoner was let out. The gen
eral said he had been assured by Mr..
Ansell attorney for Bergdoll, that the
story of the hidden treasure was true,
and that he would be sent back.