The Washington times., 1921-02-10
.HOUSE.STARTS
QUIZ
U. 5. District Atty. McAvoy De-
MES Guards Drunk at Time
Arch-sIacker Fled.
ByA. NHAYwARD.
InternationnI News service.

By A. O.sHAYWARD.
international News service.
Grover Cleveland Bergdol's esca-
pades before he became a draft
dodger were laid bare before the
House Military Affairs Committee
today by u. S. District Attorney
McAvoy, If Philadelphia.
The committee today started
preliminary investigation Of Berg
dolls escape MS military prisoner
while under sentence as a drait
dodger.
VOLUNTARY WITNESS.
District Attorney McAvoy appeared
before the committee as "A voluntary
witness and Said he came 10 render
"ali assistaneA In his power in "any
investigation Nto charges made by
Bergdoll that he had been asked TO
pay 100000 for his release" McAvoy
prosecuted Bergdoli's mother and sew
era1 ethors for alleged completely in
the ease. and secured convictions.
Chairman Kahn read into the record
OF the meeting the cabled interview
given by Bersdoli in Germany. ex-
planning details of hts escape and the
demand on him for money to be used
in effecting his freedom,
LET us not call this man Grover
Cleveland" objected Congressman
Caldwell, Democrat, OF New YORK.
Lei US call him g. c.
II have great respect for Grover
Cleveland. great american citizen,
responded Kahn. This cannot hurt
his memory"
McAvoy reviewed the history OF
Bergdolls escapades before e-nd dur
ing the war period. Bergdoll IL an
expert autoiaoblist and aviator. The
Pennsylvania authorities had great
trouble in controlling his automobile
racing prociivities. lie was once con-
victed OF kidnapping a policeplan.
There was an exchange OF pistol shots,
but Bergdoli got away. He served "A
Jail sentence for this offense
PROVIDES FOR PROBE.
The Kahn resolution before the
committee provides for appointment
OF speclal committee of five mem-
bers of the House, selected by the
speaker TO investigate and ascertain
all the facts in connection with
Bergdoli's escape and the failure of
the government authorities to re-
capture him.
The resolution was introduced in
the House May 2s Iast by Kahn.
No action was taken then on the
resolution.
; Bergdoll escaped TO Germany.
There lie was seen by the Berlin
correspondent OF the International
News Service and made a statement
that he was asked for 100000, part
of which was 10 be used in bribery
of some American officer TO enable
him to escape. This charge caused
Kahn aud his committee to take
steps for a sweeping investigation
of tho sensational circumstances
surrol ling BerEdoll's being per-
mitted to leave Fort Jay. New Jer-
sey. to go in search OF q pot of
gold"
rawtN LESS SARrsG.
ATcAvoy said that irwin Bergdoll
possessed characteristics similar to
those of Grover, but he was not so
daring.
Swinging into the history Of Berg
dolls attempts TO elude capture as a
draft dodGor. McAvoy told how the
authorities had searched the Bergdoll
home at Philadelphia. but failed to
get him. mrs. Bergdoll, the mother,
resisted search of her home, threaten
ing the searchers with a revolver.
After several attempts they found
Grover hidden under a window seat.
BergdoIl's attorney in his court
martial trial was -. Clarence Glib
honey. but the trial lawyer was Har-
ry Weinberg, OF New York. Weinberg
said Gibboney got a fee OF $4,000.
Judge John w westcott, OF New
Jersey, was paid sI.250 for expert
legal opinion. Mrs. Bergdoll<refused
to pay any more money for attoe-
ney's fees She has power OF attorney
over the funds of Grover and Irwin.
ut seems that Grover said he had
$105, 900 hidden at TIillsboro, a wild
PLACE in Yves 4rn Maryland" said Nc
Avoy. at is true-he changed that
amount from currency intg gold at the
Treasury at washington. Attorneys
took UP with -Adjutant General Har-
ris, of the War Department, the,ques-
ton Of release of Grover from Cover
nors Island to let him locate this
That permission was given.s
1t is untrue that O'Hape and York,
his military Euard on the trip to Phil
adelphia, were drunk when Bergdoll
BerSdoll makes that charge,
butt know IL is false. He did, how
ever put liuor in their way to get.
them drunk
TELLS OF TRIP.
McAvoy told OF the trip OF Bergdoil,
Gibboney. Eugene Stecker, Bergdoll's
and Judge Romig through
Philadelphia on this last trip, the
breaking down of their machine, and
other details OF the journey. to the
Bergdoll home. GibboEey gave per-
mission 70 have the machine reoai:ed.
They did not fix the machine, but the
next day Grover and Steckersescaped
Gibboney wc.s notified in about five
minutes OF Bergdolrs escape.
Ike took every possible step that
seemed possible" McAvoy added.
He told of the investigation Of the
escape by the Federal authorities inn
mediately following BergdoiTs flight.
A special grand jury looked into the
matters in connection with It.
McAvoy declared that he heard
from n secret source" last October
al lo1