Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-08-26
THREE De NOUNCED
IN BERGDOLL CASE
Majority Report Lays Blame to
Army Officers.
C0NsPI2ED TO AID STACKER
Samuel T. AnseII, Former Acting
Judge Advocate of the Army and
Counsel for Prisoner, Called
Master Mind.n


Washington, Aug. 19.-Samuel Til
den Ansell, former acting Judge advo-
cate general of the army and of the
prisoners legal counsel; Col. John e..
Hunt and Col. G. G. Cresson were
charged with conspiracy in connection
with the escape of Grover Cleveland
Bergdoll, the draft evader, in re-
port signed by three of the five mem
Ders OF a special investigating COM
mlttee, filed with the house on Thurs
day.
A minority report filed at the same
time held, however, that there was
no testimony to support the charge
that Ansell. through whose efforts, as
counsel, the prisoner was released,
"conspired to effectuate his escape"
or that his motive was improper.
Three Sign Report.
One Republican Representative
Luhring Of Indiana, and two Demo-
Gratis, Johnson of Kentucky, and Flood
OF Virginia, signed the majority re-
port. The minority views were pre-
scented by Chairman Peters, Maine,
and Congressman Macarthur, Oregon,
Republicans.
The majority held that Colonel Hunt,
commandant of the barracks at Gov
ernor's island, from which Bergdoll
set out on his errand, was directly
responsible for the slacker's escape
through failure to handcuff him or to
provide an adequate guard.
j AS basis for its criticism Of Col
Onel Cresson, the majority report said
that "as ugly as are the many phases
of the whole matter, none is more
defenseless than the conduct Of Col
IOnel Cress0n, in his pretense of prose-
lcution of Colonel Hunt" tried by
court-martial in connection with the
,Bergdoll scandal. No reference to
Cresson was made by the minority.
!! Accused by BergdoII's Mother.
Maj. Bruce r. Campbell, accused by
Bergdoll's mother of having accepted
$4,000 to help obtain freedom for the
prisoner, was exonerated by the ma
ijority.
Dismissal from the department of
Justice of Earl B. Wood, in charge of
correspondence in the Bergdoll case,
for failure to transmit to the War de-
ipartment, warning from special
agent that the prisoner was planning
to escape, was recommended by the
majority.
Mai. Gen. Peter G. Harris, adjutant
general Of the army, who authorized
Hunt to send Bergdoll, under guard,
to the Maryland mountains to search
for the gold, was charged by the
minority with primary responsibility
for the situation which made possible
the escape"
J Asserting that General Harris did
not attempt to evade responsibility,
the minority held there was mo ques-
Ition of improper motive on his part"
adding it was apparent his mind was
readily overcome by the strong state
ment of Ansell," that he would stand
responsible for return Of the prisoner.
The majority reported that the es-
ceoe was "the direct result Of the
|proposition submitted by Ansell to Gen.
|eral Harris" and that seven If An
sell did not conceive the plan. he pre-
scented It and pursued it to its accom-
lplishment."
commends Property Seizure.
The majority report commended
the seizure of the Bergdoll property by
Allen Property Custodian Miller, and
iir1rged that he make every effort to
nroduce S1O5,OOO in gold, obtained by
Mrs. Emma G. Bergdoll, from the
Treasury department, and alleged to
lhavo been buried on her farm, neal
philadelphia. This was put In at the
insistence of Representative Luhring
who declared the withdrawal OF the
gold was the foundation stone OF the
whole conspiracy.
| SIT seems" said the majority, "tha'
every happening whether OF act, OF
omission, resulted in BergdolPs Dene
At and not one to his real detriment.'
Colonel Hunt, "within the next two
months after he participated so Grim
Enallv in the escape" said the major
itv. was promoted and retired.
"An outraged nation" 1t added, mas
kba right to demand that Colone
Hunt's annuity be discontinued"
aAnybody who has seen and heard
81 of those associated, directly or In
directly. with the plan and manner
of Rergdolrs escape" said the major
s+v renort. mot only must recognize
Ansell as the master mind OF them all
hut also as their dominating and con
trolling spirit"