The Washington times., 1912-04-23
CHARGES AGAINST
JUDGE ARCHIBALD
REACH THE HOUSE
President Taft Asked to Fur
nish All Evidence Sc
cured in Case.
resolution directing the President,

A resolution directing the President.
'1f not Incompatible with the public In
terest," to transmit to Congress copy
OF any charges filed against Robert w.
Archibald, associate judge of the Com
merce Court, now under fire of accusa-
tion in connection with deal with the
Erie railroad was introduced In the
House this morning by Congressman
Norris. The resolution was referred to
the Committee on the judiciary.
The resolution also directs that copies
OF all affidavits, photographs, and evil
dence filed with the Department OF JUS
tice. be transmitted to the House.
Judge Archibald Is at his home, in
scranton. land likely will stay there till
June, when the court again convenes,
II was stated at the courts offices this
morning.
Judge Archibald Is alleged to have
been negotiating with the Erie for the
purchase from the road or "cuinl
banks piles of refuse coal afterward
found to have value. 1t was the al
legged intention of Judge Archibald and
his associates to sell the culm banks
to an electric railroad In Pennsylvania
The alleged ir1propriety lies In the fac'
that as a member of the Commerce
Court Judge Archibald is called upon
to pass upon questions in which the
| Erie Is involved.
| An investigation of Judge Archibald
| conduct has been made for the Depart
ment Of Justice, and the report Is II
the hands Of Attorney General Wicker
| sham, who so far mas fatly refused &C
discuss the case. 1t is reported thai
| he will put, the matter up to the Presi
| no nllnRAtiOnS
| Judge Archibald are grave enough ant
proof complete enough. Following this
| the President can send special mes
| sage to the House. in which all I'm
peachn ent proceedings must arise. l
| The President so declines to act, thGr'
| is likelihood that the matter VIII b'
| brought before the House JudiclaT!
| Committee in another way.
Appointment Was Fought.
Judge Archibald has been one Of tn
mos: pronounced opponents of the In
terstate Commerce Commission in tn
| Commerce Court. and he is declared t
| have sided with the railroads in almoS
every decision. His appointment wa
vigorously fought by Senator Borsl
and other insurgents, but he was con
firmed by the votes of friends of tn
Administration in bSth parties.
The charges against Judge Archbal
in detail are as follows: That he wen
to New York and had a conference wit
George +. Brownell, vice president an
general counsel of the Erie; that follow
ing this a man named Williams. G
Scranton, with whom Judge Archibald
alleged to have been associated, entere
, into negotiations with the Erie for tn
purchase OF these culm banks. The pric
said to have been fixed for them
$500.
After this, according to the story no.
before the Attorney General, II was al
ranged to sell the coal to Penney
vania electric line for $4,000. While thi
part Of the transaction was arranged,
Is alleged, II has not been carried OF
to the extent that the money passed.
The Attorney General is reported
have a photograph made of the agree
ment for the purchase of the culI
banks, written, II is stated, upon Con
merce Court stationery. Also the spt
cial agent of the Department OF Ju:
tice secured an affidavit from William
in which that man is said to have ac
mltted Judge Archbalds being connec
ed with the matter.
Scranton Man Complainant.
The Department OF Justice first b,
came interested in the affair on con
plaint of William H. Boland, presideI
of the Marion Coal Company. of Scrai
|
is said, was to go to the House Jud
ciary Committee. but he was prevailt
upon to lay the matter before the Pres
dnet and the Attorney General, instea
= Whereupon the special agent OF Il
o department was sent to Scranton.
The Erie's agent at Scranton, Car
. w. A. May, who is general ma
! ager OF the roads coal properties, hi
Q admitted that Judge Archibald has be,
: connected with an attempt to buy Il
s cuIm banks, but denies that the de
\ has been consummated.
1.-THE culm banks are still in the po
session of the Erie" said Captain Nj
e in an Interview in Scranton. About tv
e months ago there were some negoti
. tions for the purchase of the propert
i hut nothing came of It, ! don't kno
5 exactly what connection Judge Arc
y bald lad with the proposal to purcha
f the culm banks. I think that
: brought Mr.. Williams to my notice
. connection with the matter or that
sent Williams to see me. dlo n
g | =, lafOra he came TO me