The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-28
BaIond Retraets Statements


 cross examination today. P. Roland. who is responsible for some of the charges against Judge Archibald Of the commerce court, retracted several of the statements he had made against Archibald to tho Attorney General. Bo- land explained he had not refreshed his memory and was unprepared whom he made the statement. He admitted that 1t might contain mistakes.
 And 1t was on that kind of a state- ment that these proceedings against Judge Archibald were started" ex- claimed counsel for the court of com- merce jurist.
 Roland protested against the insin- uation that he had trapped" Judge Archibald. declaring that 'whateyer trouble Archibald Is In he got into him l self"
 George M Watson. Scranton. Pa, lawyer. who was an active participant 1 fin coal negotiations with the Dela- were, Lackawanna and Western rail- road, also was a witness His story of activity in the Scranton coal deals. his replies to questions, and his re- torts to comments by members of the committee, kept the room in a buzz of laughter or argument during the afternoon. Late In the day Represen- tative Norris of Nebraska pinned him down to a categorical answer and asked him to swear to his reply.
 q cannot swear positively to any thing" said MT. Watson
 Wordy War With Webb
 Prior to this MT. Watson had wordy war with Representative Webb over his memory Early in the hearing the witt ness admitted that he had been in bad health and could not remember everything that had happened year ago. MT. Webb reminded him of this infrmity when he rem ensbered minor details of transac- tions, but was hazy on more important or es.
 T have got just as good memory as you have" said MT. Watson. when am fired up. I can remember lot of things I'll remember you as long as l live"
 "All right" said MT. Webb. fire up and remember some of these things"
 MT. Watson was employed by c. c. Bo- land and W. r. Roland to sell the Marion Coal company to the Lackawanna Rail- road company. His understanding was that a part of the settlement was to n- clude the Bolands' claim of excessive rates charged on their coal He said he was to be paid a fee of $500 for his services. He consulted with President Truesdel of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western with E. F. Loomis vice president of that road. and K. A. Philips, superintendent of coal properties of the road. They re- fused to settle the claim, and close tho deal at the price he stipulated--si61. .o0O. The witness said that before going into the matter. he had received. Judge Arch bald's promise to introduce him to MT. Loonlis, He had also made trip to Washington to See Judge Archibald about practice in the court of commerce. It developed that he had received $50 for ex- penses and had returned to Scranton with three briefs which he received from Judge Archibald.
 Mr. Watson. in response to questions by AVS. Worthington, attorney for Judge Archibald, made categorical denials of sone of the stories circulated about the judge. One of the Roland brothers quoted Mir Watson as saying that Judge Arch bald would leave your watch and take the chain
 Tho witness denied that he had said anything of the kind He also denied that either Judge Archibald or R. A. Philips was to participate In any profit he might make by settling the Roland claim with the railroad.
 The witness criticised F. J. Williams. prominent witness in the hearing. and the Bcland brothers unsparingly. He will be recalled tomorrow for cross-examination.
 Army Bill Reported
 Washington, May 27--The army appro- priation bill was reported back to tho Senate and House today. It contained several amendments. One amendment would prevent either briRadier generals of graded numbers of being eligible for other hOnors.
 Secretary of War Stimson prepared sharp comment on the bill The secre- tarv claimed 1t would have rendered .n- eligibility for chief Of staff all except four of the 10 generals who have served as commanders-in-c chief of the army since General Washington After naming a long list of eminent civi war leaders whom 1t would have disqualified. inelud- ing Meade. Sheridan. Lee. Stonewall Jack son and Beauregard the secretary said
 This rider tends to put premium upon mere routine servics. and to ex- clude from the highest post in the army the, men whose force. intellisence and op- portunlties have brought them quickly to the front. It would result in oonfining the choice for this high staff position to those men who have had the least stan experience"
 The secretary then declared that per sonal legislation,' case of which now
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