The Washington times., 1912-06-05
CASE OF ARCHIBALD
. IN FINAL STAGE,
REPORT NEXT WEEK
9iouSe Committee Begins Its
Debate on Question of
Impeachment.

Taking every precaution TO secure
secrecy. the House judiciary COMMITTEES
To-Day began its consideration of evil
denSc developed against Judge Robert
w. ARCHIBALD. in the impeachment in
restlgatton. The committee planned to
meet today, but formal session was
postponed. Tomorrow the members will
confer behind closed doors and deter
mine their report
ANY conclusion the committee may
reach is practically certain to be con-
Cured In by the House.
Ioday 1t was evident that party lines
were abolished in the Archibald case
Politlcal considerations, II is stanchly
maintained by the committee, will have
no weight In reaching finding. Popu-
lar clamor for abolishment of the Com
merce Court and the Democratic pro-
gram In the House for legiSatng It out
out OF existence will not figure in the
deliberations.
While the committee is debating his
rate, Judge Archibald, with his two
Is not sitting with the Commerce Court
No hint of its probable action leaked
from the committee room today. But
privately several members emphatically
expressed opinions that impeachment of
Archibald would certainly be recon-
mended, However they admit a min
orlty report, protesting against i'm
peachment, is certain II a majority rec
Precedent In Impeachment.
That new precedent in impeachment
proceedings may result is also predicted.
Some misdemeanor. official misconduct
or personal misconduct involving moral
turpitude are charges upon which pre-
Vious impeachment cases have been
brought.
The Archibald case, however, presents
a new situation. He is a member of q
organized w
defendants and plaintiffs, are railroads.
Because of this fact committeeman IA
Ntoring MS Impeachment argue. he has
trespassed beyond newly defined bounds
OF proper judicial conduct in having
private business relations with railroads
and railroad officials. whose cases he is
called upon to decide.
several committeeman, after digestinR
the evidence, declare impeachment pro.
ceedings will be brought in any event,
putting it up to" the Senate to make
a anal decision after a full trial.
Briefly, the evidence upon which these
cpmmitteener base their contention are
dence:
. Archbald sought to lease refuse, or
"cnlm." coal piles from the Erie, Lacka-
wanna. and i.ehigh Valley railroads,
visiting railroad officials in their Of
n es, and writing letters on Comroe cree
Court stationery.
Promissory notes, indorsed ty Arcn-
bald. were presented to clients and at
torneys Who had cases in his court.
t1thcr during or just after disposition
Of their CaSts.
Sought Private Views.
Archibald sought the private views Of
Helm Bruce. attorney for the Louisville
and Nashville railroad. before giving
his decision in rate cases affecting the
railroad.
Archibald accepted a pot Of $3.50
a 4, Is
q European trip.
Witnesses also ,lecltre Archibald was
interested H. Il prospective commission
for sale OF William P. Boland,s Marion
Coal Company" ut Sci anton, to the
lackawann4 railroad.
Archibald was inyolyed in almost
countless private "dickers" for rail-
road coal land leases, being in fire.
quent communication with petty Of
fcials and presidents of railroads.
This evidence, it is contended, shows
Archibald clearly guilty of at least
most indiscreet conduct, particularly
Defenders OF the Judge declare,
however, that no evidence of any
wrong doing, official or personal, has
been brought out; that it is not dem
favorable to railroad interests. or
made any improper overtures. They
contend he has not transgressed iu-
dicial decorum by his private business
tainted"
The hearings, which closed late yes
terday afternoon, began four weeks
ago. upon President Taft's request
sage to Congress after an investiga-
ton by the Department of Justice.
lf impeachment is the action deCid-
.6ou,, 90 upon the committee will file spec
preferring formal charges for trial
before the Senate