The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-18
ANSELL BLAMED
FOR ESCAPE
4continued from First PageO

ris did not attempt to evade re-
sponsibiIity the minority held there
was mo question of improper mo-
tive on his part" adding it was
apparent his mind was readily
| overcome by the strong statement
of Ansell" that he would stand re-
| sponsible for safe return of the
prisoner. The minority criticized
General Harris for suggesting IL
Hunt, instead of ordering, that a
commissioned officer accompany
the expedition.
The majority reported that the
escape was the direct result OF
! the proposition submitted by An
sell to General Harris" and that
even if Ansell did not conceive
the plan, he presented it and pur-
sued it to its accomplishment"
Taking up alleged connection
with the Bergdoll case of former
Judge John W. Wescott, one-time
attorney general OF New Jersey,
the majority held it unimportant
whether he actually had legally
represented Bergdoll. The report
declared sit was clear" that An
colts name for the purpose OF
bringing to bear political infiu-
ence upon anybody in the then
administration who might be need
! ed to make sure of the gold hunt
release, which at last spelled Berg
dolls escape"
COmmends Seizure.
The majority report commend
ed the seizure of the Bergdoll prop
erty by Alien Property Custodian
Miller, and urged that he make ev-
cry effort to produce $105,00 in
gold, obtained by Mrs. Emma c.
Bergdoll, from the treasury depart
ment, and alleged to have been bur-
led on her farm near Philadelphia.
This was put in at the insistence CT
Representative Luhring, who de-
clared that the withdrawal. of the
gold was the foundation stone of
the whole conspiracy.
The minority held that while "un-
questionably a conspiracy existed
to effect the escape. of Bergdoll," It
did not find that any officer re
ceived any bride or was approach
ed with a view of bribery" but
that the conspiracy was participat
ed in by Grover BergdoIl, the late
D. Clarence Gibboney, a Phila
delphia lawyer, James E. Romig,
formerly a Philadelphia magis-
trate, and friend of the Bergdoii
family, Ike Stecher, the Bergdoll
chauffeur, and possibly Mrs. Berg
doll" In this point the majority
declared that Gibboney and the
Bergdol group conspired to effect
the slacker's release, but in or
der to successfully accomplish Il,
it was absolutely necessary to have
the active assistance of Ansell and
Bailey edward S. Bailey, his law
partner, and Colonel Hunt, for
without the aid of these latter,
Bergdoll could not have left Gov
ernor's Island"
From the moment Bergdoll left
Governors Island and the condi-!
tons surrounding him." the minor
ity said, became apparent, he saw
he could depart when ready, and
without violence. That such a con-
dition existed is, of course, scan
dial. Less than ordinary precautions
to prevent escape were used"
1T seems" the majority saids
that every NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
act or omission-resuIted in Berg
dolls benefit and not one to his
real detriment."
Colonel Hunt, within the next
two months after he participated so
crlmlnally in the escape" the ma
jority said, was promoted and re-
tired
Nation Outraged.
IAN outraged nation" it added,
has the right to demand that Coz
onel Hunts annuity be discontin-
ued."
Anybody who has seen and
heard all of those associated, di-
rectly or indirectly, with the plan |
and manner of Bergdoli's escape"
the majority report said, mot only
must recognize Ansell as the mas !
ter mind of them all, but also as
their dominating and controlling |
spirit"
The minority declared that the |
escape was seriously. to Ansell 5 |
pecuniary disadvantage" IN pre-
venting him from obtaining a !
larger fee for appealing a court
martial sentence and added:
But the letter and personal pres
sure upon his former associates,
were a very important factor in |
gaming permission for the trip and /
the fact that Ansell did nothing to
carry out his guaranty that Berg !
noli should not get away, undoubt- /
5oly contributed tn the escape"