The New York herald., 1921-05-03
HARRIS SAYS HE
LET TBERGDOLLO
Mai r-General Tells How
He Was Persuaded by
Pot of Gold Story.
ANSELL MADE PLEA
Says He Was Assured by
Slacker's Lawyer That
Money Was Hidden.
PUT CASE UP TO MARCH
Investigating Body Hears
Why There Was So Much
Secrecy in Case.
PUT CASE UP TO MARCH

| 2.
Peter c. Harris, Adjutant- General OF
| the army, told a House investigating
committee to-day that he alone was
responsible for the release under guard
l'of G. c. Bergdoll, convicted draft
dodger to go out secretly and hunt
for pot of buried gold in the noun
tains of West Virginia
Bergdoll was permitted to start on
the golden chase, but never returned.
escaping at Philadelphia where he had
stopped over on his way from Fort
JAY to the mountains, TO visit his
mother. now awaiting sentence for
conspiracy TO aid him in evading the
draft.
II was OF the plea of Samuel T.
Ansell formerly acting adjutant- general
Of the army Gen. Harris testified. that
the prisoner was let out The General
said he had been assured by Mr.. Ansell
attorney for Bergdoll that the story Of
the hidden treasure was true. and that
the Stacker would be sent back to Fort
Jay as soon as he had climbed the
hills for his gold.
In ordinary circumstances, Gen. Har-
ris said. he could have acted on the
request himself, but because of the pub
iicity given to the prisoners escapades
he showed the Ansell letter to Gen.
March. the chief Of stan. who only
glanced at it,"
"Gen. March asked me II | knew of
any objection to granting the request"
the witness testified. land / replied that
Mr.. Ansell thought Bergdoi actually had
hidden about $780, in gold. and Gen
March said Go ahead or words to that
effect. / did not go to the chief of staff
for authority to act. The order was
written by my assistant and l approved
it."
Former Brig. Gen. SherbuIne or Bos-
ton, counsel for the committee and men,
bers, wanted to know why the expedi-
ton was surrounded with such secrecy
and why efforts were made to avoid pub
licity. The General said he assumed.
at least, that the prisoners family was
respectable and that he would be hun,li-
ated IL seen travelling under military
guard.
II wanted to spare the feelings Of the
prisoner and his family"
was there any sympathy year ago
FOR this draft evader?" asked Mr.. Sher
burne.
"There was no sympathy for him. |
believed he was entitled to the same
consideration as other prisoners"
"Then there was no suggestion as 10
.F. "A ~
avoid publicity except 10 spare the feel
ngs Of the Bergdoll family" chairman
Peters asked.
The General replied that II the news
papers had got hold of the facts they
would have given the trip considerable
publicity.
The name OF John w. Wescott OF New
Jersey, described as the man who had
placed Woodrow Wilson in nomination
at the Baltimore and st. Louis conven-
tions, was brought into the hearing as
one OF Bergdoll's lawyers. Reference TO
Mr.. Wescotts part in the case was made
by Representative Johnson. Democrat
(Ky), while conducting the examination
Gen. Harris had testified that when Mr.
Ansell first urged him 10 permit the re-
lease OF Bergdoll lie stated that he had
discussed the story OF the gold with y.
Clarence Gibboney. now dead, and Mr.,
westoott. the other attorneys and that
they believed II.
Previous to Bergdolfs escape and
while the lawyers we're preparing 10 ap-
peal from the Ave year sentence" Cen.
Harris testified, Mr. Anscll told me the
Secretary Of War would remember Mr..
Westcott az he had nominated President
Wilson. This was done. suppose,
merely to show his prominence as an at
torney. / did not see Westcott. | did
see correspondence between the Secre-
tary and Westcott relating 10 the latter i
call in reference 10 the appeal. After
Bergdoll's escape | heard that about Q
month before Westcott had seen the
Secretary in connection with the APP
peal
WAS Mr.. westcott to see the Secre.
/ tary to determine what answer tho
army would maker" Mr.. Johnson asked
He wanted the Secretary 20 give the
case his personal consideration"
Gen. Harris declared his first infor-
nation that Bergdoll had eluded his
guard was obtained from Mr., Ansell
| The facts, he said. were lalf befor.
! Secretary Baker. who had not known
previously Of the release orders
'Mr. Ansell came TO see me and
/ asked 10 see the Secretary, but the Sec.
retary said II was not necessary. tina,
he did not want to see him but to tel
Mr.. Ansell to get the prisoner and re.
turn him TO Fort Jay. as he had prom.
| lsed.
| mfr Ansells plea did influence me. :
the General replied but his promis,
lad no legal value. re was moral. rather
/ think Mr. Ansel should have prevented
| the escape"