The New York herald., 1921-02-09
TO0PEN GRAVE OF
BERGDOLL
IN FEDERAL PROBE
State Department Obtains
Permit of Mexico to Ver-
ify Death Story of
d. c. GibbOney.
HEARING THURSDAY
Startling Revelations Are
Promised From Congress
Inquiry Into Escape of
Draft Dodger.
OFFICIALS GO UNDER FIRE
Ruse of 100000 Gold Cache
Which Led to Freedom Was
Preposterous on Its Face,
Says Kahn.
OFFICIALS GO UNDER FIRE
Special Despatch to THE NEW YoBK HERsLn
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C., Feb. q.

Special Despatch to THE NEW YorK HKEsLn
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. G., Feb. ..
Startling disclosures in the case OF
Grover Bergdoll, draft dodger OF Phila-
delphia, probably will result from the
investigation by the House Military
Affairs Committee OF the incidents
surrounding his escape to Germany
and his charge that he was asked 20
pay 800, 900 to persons in Washing
ton for his freedom. This prediction
was made tonight by Representative
Kahn (Cal), chairman Of the commit
tee.
Mr.. Kahn had just completed a pre-
liminary investigation Of the docu-
ments thus far contained in the case.
These include the papers Of the United
States District Attorney at Philadel-
pbia. the War Department and the
Department of Justice.
"The records reveal tangle OF mis-
statements" said Mr.. Kahn.
Upon the chairman's recommenda-
ton the committee voted to start the
inquiry Thursday, with United States
District Attorney McEvoy Of Philadei-
phia as the first witness.
one unexpected line of inquiry which
the committee will delvo into, Mr.
Kahn indicated. Is what happened 10
d. Clarence Gibboney OF Philadelphia,
Bergdolls attorney. Hints have peeh
received here that Gibboney is not
! dead but is hiding. He was reported
10 have been drowned off the coast
of Mexico when small boat was
wrecked in a storm.
VIII Open Gibboney Grave.
Mr.. Kahn indicated that the docu-
ments in his possession did not estaolisn
definitely that the body found on the
Mexican coast near Campechc was
that of Gibboney. The state Depart
nent. il was learned tonight. has OBJ
tained consent of the Mexican GoVern-
mont for disinterment OF the supposed
body OF Gibboney for the purpose OF
making a definite Identification. II this
Is now possible. Gioboney had lumber
/ interests in Mexico. which we're given
D
time OF the report of his death.
Gibboney. according to information
here. is the man who offered Bergdon
his freedom n he would provide $780,
600 for distribution in Washington.
Another phase OF the case which VIII
! be investigated is how the order Tot
BergdoIl's release from Governors ISL
| and was obtained at the War Depart
mont II was on Bergdolls claim that
he alone had buried 100000 in gold in
western Maryland that his release for
the purpose OF digging the treasure was
granted Il was while on the gold
hunting trip" that Bergdoll escaped AT
Philadelphia from his two military
guards.
Showing the righteousness OF Berg
dolTs excuse TO obtain his freedom. MI.
Kahn pointed out tnat according 20
Treasury Department figures. 100000
in gold weighs 36s pounds. making II
in,nossible for the draft dodger 10 bury
~ without assistance. In asking FOR his
,en,norarv release Bersdou stated that
no one else knew where the gold was
hurled. Mr.. Kahn intends to find out
who in the War Department failed TO
sec the ltuloSSlbliANg VI 49,
TangIe of Misstntemcpts.
Other phases OF the inquiry MI
/ Kahn said. will be whether there was
\ conflict between the Department OF JUS
tice and the War Department over the
case which resulted In several blunders'
whether Mrs Bergdoli. the draft dodgers
mother. has been able 20 furnish her son
with large sums OF money
! Mr.. Kahn. discussing the Bergdoll case
to-day. said: "This case Is rotten. MY
examination OF the papers is only partly
completed and has revealed what, In my
/ Judgment ls terrible state OF affairs
\ have gone over the report OF the In
spector Generals Department OF the
Army. which was one OF the first pre-
pared Mr. AlcAvoy had Il and used
tho facts IN it IN the presentation OF MS
case. which resulted in convictions.
I Right I'm the first page OF tho In
/ spector Generals report there IS con-
tained a copy Of a letter between former
| Judge Advocate General Ansell and d.
Clarence Gibboney which indicated that
\ Il was maintained that Bergdol went
alone TO spot near Hagcrstown, Nd.
and buried metal containcr containing
either $4,000 or 100000 in gold. No
one man. especially a man of Bcrgdoll's
build. could handle a metallic container
\ with that amount Of gold enclosed. Tho
! sum OF 100000 IN gold the Treasury
Department tells me. weighs SsS pounds.
Z II there was SiO5.0 IL would weigh sSs
I Z ounds. and the east a metallic con-
taincr large enough 70 hold the money
would weigh at least twenty pounds
The more go into the case the more
firmly I become convinced there are
lot OF things not within the area OF
probability. Somebody is lying and the
truth ought 20 be unravelled II " be at
all humanity possible 70 do So
81. for one. and members OF the COM
nittee are curious about the body ot
Mr. Cibboncv. What I want to kncw