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-
tion in seizing the property Of Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll. which was at
tackled in the Senate on Thursday by
senator Phnander C. Knox. was made
yesterday in formal statement is
sued at the Union League. in Phila-
delphia. by Colonel Thomas W. Mil
Ter. Of this city. Alien Property Gus
todian.
In discussion Of the Beredon
case later Colonel Miller revealed
that the value Of Beredolrs property
located so far is more than three
quarters OF a million dollars il
there is any more the government
expects to get II.
we are making a thorough search
OF the dozens. OF real estate records
in which the estate is tangled up. Il"
said Colonel Miller hut 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
doil's property through legal action,
Colonial Miller said that to his mind
the act Of Congress providing for
seizures is clear.
II 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 viii 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 Is so con-
nrihe that I 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 n fragrant violator
Of the laws OF this country in evad-
ing military service at the time the
country needed men. and subse-
quentiy made his notorious escape 10
ANiHAAHNf rum WnAAh AfDAH0A tAA y
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
4 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 Bergdoii matter is .
stain upon the previous admlnistra-
ton Of the War Department. as vel
as a reflection upon this government
II by reason OF his escape to Ger,
many be cvaded the penalty nndei
one law. yet at the same time mad,
himself liable under another law
the government Official charged Will
tho administration OF the Tradinl
With the Enemy Act would hav,
been dereiict III his duty had ne no
carried out the law. which is plair
in its meaning and direction.
IAN enemy under the Tradinj
WITH the Enemy Act. Is one who 4
residing in Germany or Austria dur
ing a state OF war who was no
protected BY a war trade board Ii
cense. Such was BergdolPs status
The fact that he has broken two dif
ferent laws IN this country at tw
separate times under two differen
oonditions does lot make him i'm
niune from either OF them. Fur
ther. it was annbunced at the tim
OF the Bergdoll seizure that it wa
done in accordahce With an opinio
of the attorney general and at tn
personal direction Of the Presldent.,