Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-11
Williams, Archibald AssO-
ciate, is SoreIy Tried
on the Stand.
GETS WIRES CROSSED
Maze of Contradictory State
mentS Battles Committee
on Investigation.

Washington, May 11.-When the
hearing of the charges against Judge
Archibald was resumed today II was
announced eight new witnesses had
been summoned. Edward J. VIII
liams, associate OF Archibald in the
culm bank negotiations, was again
a witness today. Cross-eXamined by
Counsel Worthington for the accus-
ed. the witness was entangled in a
maze of contradictory statements
that almost bafIied the committee.
Who first suggested you get
letter from Archibald when you
sought to purchase the Erie railroad
for culm bank" Worthington asked.
asked.
"W. II. Boland," Williams said.
when you signed the paper as
signing some OF the culm before you
got the options TO Boland and the
silent party, did you think Boland
was setting a trap for Archbald?"
the attorney continued.
NO"
well, but afterward when you
brought it 10 Washington, didn't Bo-
land tell you he sent you TO Arch
bald 10 get these letters introduced
in evidence in order that he might
get the case against the judge?"
GETS NIGHTLY CONFUSED.
Il think he did" The witness was
somewhat confused when pressed for
further information about the "sI-
lent party" assignment in the assign
ment paper and declared he never
consented that such a term be in
serted in the assignment, although
Lis name was signed TO It.
Didn't you testify here several
days ago" asked Representative
Floyd, that you did talk to Arch
bald about referring TO him as the
silent party and didn't you tell this
committee YOU had the judges name
kept secret because you thought II
was unlawful for judge to be in
such a deal?'
Perhaps ! did" said Williams.
So confusing was his testimony
that Williams finally was asked if he
thoroughly understood English. lie
said he thought he did, although a
lcng question sometimes bothered
him.
where were you born?" asked
Representative Graham of Illinois.
South Wales" said Williams.
How old are you?"
"Seventy.;wo."
He said he had been in this coun.
try since he was "a years old.
MEMORY H. BAD.
The committee submitted to hin
n series of Photographic copies o.
papers in evidence bearing his sigma
lures. Williams admitted the sigma
lures, but declared he could not re
member having signed them.
Captain May OF the Erie railroad
arrived in the committee room a
noon and at Attorney Worthington'
request produced a letter written b,
Archibald asking about the Erie
culm property. The letter was writ
ten March 81.
When shown the letter William
said he did not recognize it as tn,
letter Archibald had given him 4
May. The letter follows:
CONTENTS OF LETTER.
81 write 10 inquire whether you
company will dispose of your inter
est in the Katydid culm dump be
longing to Robertson and the la,
estate near Brownsville. II so vii
you kindly put price upon it?
"(Signed). Il. w. ARCHIBALD"
HEARING CONTINUED.
Washington. May 1.-THE judiciar
committee OF the house continued heal
ing charges against Judge AchbaI
OF the commerce court. Edward Wi
lams was recalled. William BolanC
one OF the accusers of the jurist an
who furnished the information rel;
tive 70 the option Of the Erie railroad
procured by Archibald and Williams o
the culm bank property, was pre-:
enL The chairman asked William
why Captain May Of the Erie had r,
fused TO give an option to him whe
he first approached him. If the Gull
was on the market Williams said b
had no idea.
LETTER HELPS SOME.
Why asked the chairman. IVA
IL necessary for you TO get a lette
from Archibald before May would Civ
you an option?"
We'll. l thought IL wouldn't hui
me 70 have letter from the judge
What made you think so?"
Archibald and May were well a
quainted." Williams said
You knew Archibald was feder'
judge at the time and handled raj