New-York tribune., 1912-12-17
.CULM PILE A GOLD BRICK
IS ARCHBALD'S DEFENCE
Witnesses Testify That the
Katydid Dump Contained
Little Marketable Coal.
WAS NOT WORTH WORKING
Commissioner Surprises Senate
by Stating He Might Have
Packed Juries in Interest OF
Railroads, but Didn't.
lrrnm The TrIhune Rnreau. ]

washington, Dec 16.-TestimOny in de-
fence Of Judge Robert w Archibald was
begun in the Senate by the summoning
of witnesses to prove that the Katydid
coal DUMP. on which he obtained an op-
ton from the Erie Railroad. was not SO
valuable as alleged by the managers on
the part Of the House, and that IN erect
the jurlst had been gold bricked' IN
stead of being benefited by the transact
ton I'm which he IS charged with having
used his judicial influence.
John NJ Robertson. who owns a part
interest In the dump; William Law VINO
formerly owned an interest in II, and
several employees OF the coal company
who knew OF it's contents were called 10
the. stand TO give testimony regarding
the amount of marketable coal IT con-
tained. All of these testified that 1t con-
tanned a large amount of rock and retuse'
in support Of the contention made In
Judge Archbalds defence that he was
not receiving what might be construed
as a bribe from the railroad.
Several attorneys OF Scranton, Penn,
also were called to testify regarding their
contributions to the fund presented to
Judge Archibald that he might take a
trip abroad. Among these James Il.
Woodward. jury commissioners of the dis
trict. was closely questioned by the Sena-
tors themselves, who appeared to be sur
prised at the methods he adopted In
drawing juries. His connection with the
Lehigh Railroad was closely scrutinized.
In response to one question he practical
ly admitted that he could have packed
the fury had he chosen to do so. but as
serted that he did not choose TO do so.
The desire Of the Senate to avoid the
irksome task OF taking testimony In SINH
lar impoachments in the future was voiced
to-day in a resolution Of Senator suther-
land providing that this may be done Dy
the Senate Committee on judiciary.
James b. Woodward. OF Wilkes-Barre'
Penn. attorney for the Lehigh valley
Railroad. whose appointment as jury
commissioner formed the ground for one
Of the charges against Judge Archibald,
was the central figure to-day.
Mr.. Woodward was produced by Judge
Archbald's attorneys 10 dlsprove the i'm
putdtion agains; J4dge Archibald that
the latter had favored the railroads In
the selection OF the jury commissioner.
Under the questioning Of Alexander Simp-
son. ir.. attorney for Judge Archibald. Mr..
Woodward described the wheel" used In
selecting jurymen ard detailed the many
stems connected with the selection OF n
ycnire OF iurymen.
when Judge Archbald's attorneys
finished with the witness ne was put
through Erlling by members OF the
Senate and by the House managers, In
the course Of which be admitted that n a
Jury commissioner deliberately set about
tho task ne could secure juries favorable
10 the Interests of the railroads. lie de-
clared he never had done this.
John VI. Robertson and William Law.
whose mining operations previous to lyos
created the culm dump. John Monte fore
man FOR Robertson duung the formation
OF the dump. ana Frank \. Johnson and
Joseph T. Jennings. mine inspectors for
the Hillside coal and iron Company the
Erie subsidiary company which CON
tro.lcd the dump. were all produced To
prove the low value OF the property.
They declared II was not worth working.
Testimony previously presented by tho
House managers had indicated there
would have been Il profit of more than
$1,000 for Judge Archibald and r.. j. Will
.ams in the operation OF the dump.