The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-10
LET BERGDOLL
co UN|RONED
Barracks Commandment Admits
He Failed to Heed Warn
ing About Stacker.

Although he had been warned oi
the dangerous character OF
Grover Cleveland Bergdoll and al
vised to have him handcuffed II he
left the prison, Col. John K. Hunt
retired. admitted today before the
Congressional committee which Is
investigating the slacker's escape
that he allowed Bergdoll to go I'M
shackled when he left to look for
the pot of gold" ;tr.
COMMANDANT OF BARRACKS.
Colonel Hunt was the command
ant Of the disciplinary barracks
where Bergdoll was confined.
1t had been testified before that
prisoners were escorted only by
guards armed with clubs Colone.
Hunt said "he saw no reason to
change this method" The guard. at
the time, he explained. was made IN
of development battalion men, whp
were generally below par"
Bergdoll, he said, was one OF three
prisoners who escaped, out of total
OF 1000 confined at various times at
the prison at Fort Jay.
WARNED BY STAFF CHIEF.
The warning that Bergdoll was a
dangerous character was contained in
a letter from the Chief OF STAFF OF
the Eastern Department. He wrote
Colonel Hunt that "the dangerous
character tof the prisoner Is known
from the Philadelphia police who have
had long experience with him,
From their experience with him,
the Chief of Staff advised, at is
thought that this prisoner never
should be permitted to leave the pris-
on except when handcuffed to pne
guard and accompanied by another"
Colonel Hunt told the committee to-
day that he felt this letter to be
IAN encroachment" upon his own au-
thority and that he desired TO take II
up with the Department Commander.
When Bergdoll left the disciplinary
barracks he was accompanied by two
guards, but was not hsndcufed or
otherwise restrained.
GUARDED BY TWO MEN.
NO prisoner ever left my insti-
tuition more securely guarded" Hunt
declared. ale was guarded by two
non oihNV'S w WYNN
I had absolute confidence
"The plan seemed reasonable 10
me-" he said, referring to the expe-
dition. and l was very DESTROYS OF
complying with their request.
Certainly / had not the slightest
suspicion that the prisoner would
escape.
Hunt said he regarded Ansell's LETT
ter as sufficient assurance there was
no plot, and Gibboney, he said. told
me needn't worry, the prisoner
would be returned" Hunt stated he
would have sent the same guard, re-
CARELESS of any assurance by the law
yers, and that "the guard was ample.
Hunt said. however, that he took
the usual precautions with Bergdoll
during his confinement, and concern
ing Bergdolrs gold hunt" The wit
ness told how he was short OF non
commissioned officers, He did not
take up with Edward s. Bailey, one
of Bergdoll's counsel, the question OF
guard, he said, but something was
said about an officer" as II had been
suggested in a letter from Adjutant
General Harris.
CONFIDENTIAL EXPEDITION.
The expedition was to be con-
fdential," Hunt said, explaining that
he was anxious that no more notority
be given his Institution"
THE extreme secrecy was more a
matter of the lawyer than mine" he
said. 81 did want II to be confidential,
and 1 wanted to take reasonable pre-
cautions, but II was more due to the
lawyers than me-"
IL was understood. Hunt stated,
that a lawyer was to have accompany
ed the party. but "a concession was
made to Gibboney. Beredolrs counsel
and the prisoner was sent to North
Philadelphia to leave by autos"
No officer was sent, Hunt said, be.
cause he felt there were no officers
available"