Evening star., 1923-08-28
Story Is Not Myth, Secret
Information From Ger
many Reveals.
JUSTICE AGENTS DOUBT
HOAX IN FINDING HOARD
Arrest Likely on Charge of Aiding
Draft-Dodger to
Escape.

Confidential information from Ger
many that Grover Cleveland BergdoII
sui claims he buried a sum of money
In the Maryland hills, together with
the mystery surrounding Lee Houser,
VINO nrst claimed, and later denied
ne had found a box of gold and
paper money, led the Alien Property
Custodian and the Department of
Justice today to announce the gov
eminent would go to the bottom of
the whole matter, and definitely de-
termine whether this Is a hoax or
reality. If BergdolEs money can
be located, the government will claim
1t.
The denial yesterday by Lee Houser
to Department of Justice agents was
not accepted as conclusive by either
william j. Burns. of the Department
OF Justice bureau of Investigation.
nor Thomas w. Miller, alien property
custodian.
Sifted TO Bottom,
Now that the question has been
opened up by the finding of money
in the vicinity of where Bergdoll is
known to have buried some money"
said Col. Miller, the matter will not
be dropped by this Office until it is
definitely ascertained, through all
means at its disposal, as to whether
this is hoax or a reality.
We might as we'll settle this ques-
tion at this time as any other" Col
Miller continued. "and IL there is any
m
longed to Bergdoll. this office will
take every means within it's power to
reduce it to possession of che gov
ernment"
William J. Burns frankly announced
that Houser's denial that he had
for the present by Department of
Justice agents. who had been ordered
to go through the whole matter and
ferret out the facts.
Law supports Seizure.
Col. Miller In revealing that his Of
nee had recent confidential informa-
tton from Germany concerning Berg
dolls claim to buried treasure, an
nounced at the same time the gov
ernments determination to seize 1t IL
possible, under the trading with the
enemy act. under which Bergdoll's
other property in this country already
has been turned over to the gov
ernment.
Seizure of Bergdolrs property. it was
explained, had been successfully de-
Tended In all court actions brought
SO far, and even after declaration of
peace with Germany, the Knox-Por-
ter peace resolution provided that
any demand made by the government
through the alien property custodian.
covering enemy property. was in full
not been actually reduced to posses
sion. even though state of peace ex-
listed by reason of the resolution"
The demands served on banks. Mrs
Bergdoll and other individuals" said
Col. Miller, known to have Bergdolls
property. resulted in the turning over
of this property. whether cash, real
estate or securities. to this office. The
demand would cover the so-called sum
of money which Bergdoll was re-
ported to have hidden in the vicinity
of. Hagerstown.
Story Believed.
TT will be remembered that the
War Department, under Newton D.
Baker, believed this story SO authen-
tic that they were willing to permit
Bergdoll to leave Fort Jay. n. T.. on
what was supposed to have been a
wild goose chase, which resulted III
his escape to Germany"
In addition to the federal agents
under Mr.. Burns and Col. Miller. all
ready on the scene in the Maryland
hills, there left Washington last
night the agent who more than any
otner man In the employ Of the gov
ernment is acquainted with the Berg
doll case. He has followed 1t for more
than seven years. 1t was said. prior
to the present administration. and
will bring to the case the full knowt-
edge and experience of years.
Houser at first claimed he had
found about $4,000. Later II was ru-
mored that the box had contained as
high as 100000 or $4,000 When
confronted by Department of Justice
agents yesterday he denied that
there was any money in the tin box
he had dug up with his pick.