Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-18

present, must be obscured. to Governors
Island. This transfer from Washington
to Governors Island was so absolute
that even an official letter of warning
sent from Philadelphia to Washington
forecasting Bergdoll's escape within Two
weeks was hidden away in a pigeon
hole. never to find its way to Bergdors
prison. that he might be properly
guarded
PUTS PUNISHMENTNENT
Up TO CONGRESS.
1--WE see the eommandant Of the prison
turn deaf. dumb and blind TO every di-
rection that might hinder Bergdoll $
escape Finally, and as a fitting sequel
TO this sordid tale, we find the derelict
commandant Of Governors Island was
prosecuted by one whose shame was
measured only by his days. Following the
nimsy pretence-only a pretense at
prosecution-the Commandant's fate was
given TO & court composed Of military
officials who found him not guilty
''BergdoH escaped through the misdo-
ing Of somebody other than the Bergdoll
family and their immediate, personal as
sociates. II Is hoped that this report
bares to Congress the others who are
more guilty even than the Bergdoll fam
ily. Shall they go Unwhipped Of justice ?"
The committee declared that every
direction which looked toward BergdOlIs
safe keeping was rejected by Hunt and
everything that might facilitate his
escape was done without question or
quible"
In commenting on Hunts trial. the
committee said Colonel Cresson, the
prosecuting Judge advocate, gave notice
that he would not. If he could. prove that
he did not furnish q sufficient guard II
he was hribed not to do So
The inevitable conclusion" the ma
jority report states. us that Bergdotl
bought his way out: yet Colonel Cresson
the prosecutor boldly announced that he
would not prove That to b-s the ca &c
even If he could. Prisoners In making
escapes use different Instruments Some
use crowbsrs. some files. some saws and
some false KEYS. Tue Instrument used
by Bergdoil was money"
GENERAL HARRIS BLAMED
IN MINORITY REPORT.
The minority Of the committee placed
the primary responsibility for Bergdou's
escape on Maj. Gen. Peter Harris. sdvo-
cate general Of the Army. but stated
that Harris had no improper motives.
1t is apparent however" the minority
report said. that bis (HsrrisD mind was
readily overcome by the strong state
ments Of Ansell and the one essential
condition, without which nothing could
have been accomplished. and the escape
as planned would have been impossible
namely. en- order from the sdjutant gen
eral permitting Bergdoll to leave prison.
could not have been obtained had not
General Harris readily yielded TO the
earnest and artful case put up by his
former associate in the War Department
OF having been persuaded to consent. had
ne ordered, instead of suggested. that an
officer accompany the pcoposed expedi-
ton"
Hunt is charged in the minority t.
port with "gra re dereliction OF duty"
In not ordering an officer to accompany
Bergdoll I'm compliance with the request
OF the adJutant general and it is sta ed
that Hunts acquittal is a serious Ie-
Election upon the court martial system
Of the Army.
The minority also found "a certain
lack OF efficiency in the efforts of various
Government agencies to apprehend Berg
doll after his escape and a Lack Of CO
operation and coordination between the
War Department and the Department of
Justice"