The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-22
ARCHIBALD ASKED
ABOUT COAL DEALS

Washington. May 21-omcials of
coal companies AFFILIATED with railroads
to-day testified before the House Ju-
dietary Committee Investigating
charges against Judge Robert W.
Archibald. OF the Commerce Court, re-
lating to interviews the jurist had
obtained with them about coal deals.
George +. Baer and W. ]. Richard
Coal and Iron Company; Fred w.
Jones. connected with the Delaware
and Hudson Coal Department. and
others. testified. All but Mr. Baer told
of interviews with the jurist.
Mr.. Baer said the Reading Rail-
road Company was not connected with
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
president. The policy of the company.
he said. was not to lease its culm
banks.
Did Judge Archibald. to your knowl-
edge. interccdc with you or our conf
pany to lease Il culm bank TO Fred
Warnke. of Scranton" asked Chairman
Clayton.
Vice President Richards. OF the same
coal company, testified that on Novem-
Der rs or %, 1911. Judge Archibald
called on him at Pottsville and asked
for the situation In regard TO the pro-
posed Warnke lease.
'.I told him the matter had been
considered and was practically closed
and that the culm bank would not DC
leased" said Mr.. Richards
A letter written from Scranton by
Judge Archibald arranging the inter-
view was read. 1t was written on
letterhsad of the Commerce Court.
Mr.. Richards asked If his brother
was offered $1,000 to get him to change
his mind so Warnke could get the
lease.
my brother had nothing to do with
II. Warnke wrote him about three
years ago to use his influence with
me-"
Fred Warnke told OF buying an In
terest in a lease of n Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Iron Company CUM
bank and OF unsuccessful andenVors to
renew II, as the company considered
him a trespasser and not tenant. lie
related negotiations with the company
concluded when Vice-Prasident Rich
ards refused to see him or answer his
letters. Then he asked Judge Arch
bald to aid him. the judge conserving
to talk to Richards.
A month later Judge Archibald IN
formed him that he had seen Richards
but could 60 nothing.
III hs succeeded. what did you ex-
pect to give him?"
Only friendship"
The witness AIDED that not until this
inquiry arose did 1t occur to him that
he had done wrong in asking Judge
Archibald to do him this favor.
Last December Warnke said he asked
Judge Archibald about title to coat
fill at Pittston. The judge responded
he could not act as attorney, but
Warnke said he just wanted his opin-
ion The judge told him. he said. the
title was good. After closing the deal
he told Judge Archibald he wanted to
pay him $500. but that tho latter was
not willing to take 1t mt first. Last
March. however. Warnke drew the note.
signed 1t by his company. made pay
able TO the members of the company
and Endorsed by them. Later Judge
Archibald called for It.
Fred w. Jones, of Scranton, of the
coal department OF thu Delaware and
Hudson, told of the sale of the Pitts
ton fill. which Warnke finally bought
He said he told John Henry Jones of
the fill, and later Jones told him that
Judge Archibald had gotten an option
on the fill The witness said he never
saw such an option. but he understood
the judge got 1t two or three days after
he told Jones about it. The witness
declared he understood Judge Archibald
would be able to get a right of way
from the Delaware and Hudson to
draw the coal out.
In April. 1911. Jones testified that no
and John Henry Jones met In judge
Archbald's office and talked over the
deal. The witness said 1t was agreed
that lie. the witness, should be COM
pensatcd for discovering the MI. ard
it was agreed that Jones should go TO
City Attorney Davis's office to draw
up an agreement. Ths paper was read.
"Why did you and Jones go to Judge
Archbald's Office" asked Representa-
tive Norris.
well. 1 understood he had the OPP
ton and was to he compensat ed, =
responded the witness.
What did the Judge say?'
"IIc said 1t would be all right to
compensate me"