The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-23
Roland Tells His Story of Fight on the Commerce
 Court Judge
TART ANSWER MADE
 TO MIR. BROWNELL
"If My Actions Assembled Perjury as Closely as His Did Bribery I Would Gladly Have the Au-
 thorities Prosecute Me"

Washington, May 22.-with trem- bling voice. W. P. Roland of Scran- ton Pa, leading aecuser of Judge Rob- ert W. Archibald of the commerce court. told the House Judiciary committee to- day that the memory of his little girl had led him to fight the railroads and Judge Archibald.
 About 1901. he said. his family was blessed with a little girl. and she was named Mary. The Marion Coal com pany of which he is president, re- ceived its name, he declared from the little girl, who now is dead. All day he had told of what he designated as a conspiracy of railroads to get hold of his coal company property and of their alleged using of Judge Archibald for that purpose
 | T didn't like to see the word fail- ure' written over that name" testified Roland. q could have made money in other business but I have lost money to save it.e
 Answers Brownell | After his crosse examination Roland was asked about the statement on tho
 
 Brownell of the Erie Railroad company that Roland might be subjected 10 per- jury if he swore to statements he had made in his original charges to Inter- state Commerce. Commissioner Meyer regarding tho Erie railroad. T did not hear MT. Brownell make the remark, but If l had" declared Bo- land q would have told him that if
 
 as his did bribery 1 would be glad to have the proper authorities prosecute me-"
 Roland testified that Attorney George Watson of Scranton had told him Judge Archibald could influence two other judges in the commerce court In favor of the railroads. Did he give you their names2 asked hAttorney Worthington. 'Yes. fai ltesf tha wftntSA. Who offered Ito communicate tne names. Instead, ne was directed to whisper them to Attorney W orthington and Acting Chairman flosd-
 The committee adjourned nntl Monday without competing Boand's eross-exani- nation.
 Railroads Using Archibald
 Roland began by declaring he had be- come convinced that tue coal railroads in 1 Pennsylvania were using Judge Archibald and that it was not the exception but tho rule that Judge Archibald was willing ,o serve the railroads. Roland related the history of his fight against alleged dis crminations by the railroads. On one oc- casion he said E. E. Loomis, vice presi- dent of the Tackawanna railroad, said to hm You have the devils nerve to at tempt to sell coal along our line Roland referred to the case in which he Marion Coal company was defendant [ faao t. .lf lqi that at about this time he made complaint to the interstate commerce commission against the discrimination by the raii- roads and that immediately things began to move in the case against him.
 "'rhe way Judge Archibald ordered ms to go on with this case convinced me that he was not on the level,' said Bo- land
 Witness said he had heard things about the judge and added he investigated them Witness detailed the efforts or At- lorney George Watson to sell the Marion Coal company to the railroads. He de- clared Judge Archibald had President Truesdale and Vice President Loomis of the Lackawanna to come to Scranton 10 see Watson.
 Watson told me-" said Roland. that Truesdale declared at this conference: What has this judge to do with this casel Is this in the character Of hold  with it."
 Witness said he asked watson why he was asking the railroad sl6o.0oo for the property when his company was willing to sell for $lo0,0Oo
 Well we have to settle with Judge Archibald" watson was quoted as saying q said. I thought the judge was helping you through friendship,
 "Oh. the judge would not take your watch but he might admire your chain, Watson testified,
 Part in Culm Bank Deal
 Roland related at length his part in the negotiations for the katydld Culm bank from the Erie railroad, and smiiingly stat ed that he had sent E. J. Williams to ln- tosest Judge Archibald in the matter. The witness wes asked if Williams ever was intoxicated when dealing with nlm or Jrdgc Archibald.
 ''oh. mo-" Boland answered, he vas always in shape to call upon the judge Williams thought f was great position | for him to go and command federal judge to see q Isilway president. did. too, and would hardly believe II ~i.~a Judge Archbad convinced me.
 Bolilnd told of breach of promise suit | against Jacob Surovitz of Oliphant Pa. 1Lo witness said Williams told him Suro- | yitz cnme tC him about January. 1912. and offered nim s1ooo if he would get Judge | Archbald to get new trial
 " Ed, the judge will have you locked up if you approach him, l said, the Wit n.ss continued
 ",He won't was Williams reply Later he told me he went to Judge Archibald and said he could get 5000 to get the de- cison changed. He told me the judge | said that tne matter could be settled for $2s00 if Surovitz would marry the girl. | What are you going to do with the 5000 | if the felcw nsarries the girl?' Williams | said he asked the judge. He would not gay Williams also said he told Surovitz 1t would cost him the sloo0 he had prom ised him and $2500 besides" ] The case was before Judge Wilmer, but ! Bound insisted it went through Judge | Arcnbald."
 Later, Roland said. Williams told Suro- vitz of Judge Archbalds reply in Boland's | office.
 "surovitz refused to pay anything but 1 the attorneys fees added Boland ------------s.--------------