Arizona republican., 1921-05-10
MARCH SAYS EFFORT TO| LAND BERGD0LL BY ANY MEANS HAS SYMPATHY OFF WAR DEPARTMENT STAFF
Story of Removal of $1O5, ,OO0 in Gold From United
 States Treasury by BergdolPs Mother Told to Com mittee; Draft Deserter May Yet Be Returned to
 ServeAJaiI Sentence in America. a

WASHINGTON, May s--The fact was established today through w. l. Alexander, a clerk in the treasury department by the house committee Investigating the escape Of Grover Bergdoil. that the latter's mother ana a friend obtained S105,0o0 in goio from the treasury in 1919 But from there the trail was not uncovered to the buried pot in the mountains Of Maryland. James Romig. awaiting sentence on conviction of conspiracy to aid Bergdoll, was the agent. Alex ander said. through whom S45-00o, the first batch of gold was obtained On his second trip, Romlg was ac- companied by Mrs. Emma c. Berg doll. also awaiting sentence for con spiracy and they left with $60,oo0 in gold
 When he made his first visit. Romfg found clerks unwilling to turn over even s20o00 on their own re- xponsihiiity and Alexander said ne fumed and fretted about the corri- dors until his application was laid before R. C. Leffingwell, then an as- Sfstant secretary and approved This amount was given for gold certif1- cates. but once it was placed in an zuromobile Romig went back for more There was some delay, accord ing to the witness, but in the end Romig got it.
 There was no embargo at that time on the withdrawal of government gold but the policy of the department as explained by Alexander was to keep it in the vaults by placing diplo masic obstacles in the way. Three weeks later Romig returned with Mrs. Bergdoll It was brought that at ha ,,anu7euf fba woman was at the treasury. posters were displayed offering a reward Tor Bergdoll
 Romig pushed bundle of bills through the window and after some delay. Alexander said, and with the approval of the treasurer, left with more gold than a stevedore could lift-S60-0oo.
 What became of the treasure was not brought out today.
 Diplomatic moves foS the return of Berg 1oll from Germany are in pro- gross. Major General Peyton c. March. chief of staff of the army, !, today informed the committee. ~ The chief of staff said his first knowledge of Bergdolrs desire to be liberated under guard to recover buried gold was when Major General Harris. adjttant general brought him a ktlLtI lAOkI o1lItei <AliStI. former acting judge advocate general, making the request as counsel for Bergdoll. He had asked General Harris if he thought the expedition proper and received and affirmative answer. General March said, and Bergdolis name next came to his at tention when the escape was re- ported
 The department made continuous fn r1ufure RerCdOl1 General March said, adding:
 The efforts of those men in Ger many to land him by any means have our entire and utmost sympathy"
 The committee went into executive session to discuss the German phase Of the BergdoIl case with General March
 MT. Bailey reiterated that former Judge John W. Wescott of New Jer- sey was associate counsel in the PerxdoT case. notwithstanding the judge's denial that his name hae been mentioned in letters to Major General Harris. adjutant general, and that it was again mentioned in 9 statement given to the press by An sell and railey a few days after the prisoner had escaped.
 Reverting to Judge Wescotts testi- uony that he knew nothing about the not of gold story prior to the escape John H. Sherburne, counsel for the committee. asked;
 Was the gold mentioned at th' - c,,ference with Judge Weseott a rhich plans were discussed for th' release to hunt it2'
 s.Whv. absolutely" MT Bailey re ulied. There was no question apou st Judge Wescott was there all th' tsr,e we were talking about it..