Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-05-12
BASIS OF ARCHIBALD DEFENSE
Attorney Intimates Trap Was Set for
Accused Judge.
WILLIAMS REPUDIATES PAPER
Jurist's Associate Says He Never
Saw Document Assigning Part
of Culm Bank TO silent
Party,


WASHINGTON, May lI.-when the
hearing into the charges against Judge
Robert W. Archibald of the commerce
court was resumed today before the
house judiciary committee. the chairman
announced that eight new witnesses had
been summoned 10 testify.
The list includes u. r. Browneil. vice
president and general counsel of the Erie
railroad; J. II. Rittenhouse a mining en-
gineer who aided the Department of Jus
tice in the investigation of charges
against the jurist; Captain W. A. May.
superintendent of the coal properties OF
the Erie; John Henry Jones Of Scranton.
In whose favor was drawn Judge Arch
bald's note for 800 In the Venezuelan
land option deal: John NJ. Robertson, who
figured in the Erie clum' bank property;
Charles w. Gunster. cashier Of the Mer-
chants and Mechanics bank of Scran-
ton. who refused to discount Judge Arch
bald's 500 note; @, II. Won storch. psaxi-
dent of the Providence bank Of Provi-
denee, Pa, and Richard Bradley Of Pack
willie. Pa, who WAS offered the Erie
eulm banks By Edward J. Williams.
Williams. the associate OF Judge Arch.
bald In the culm bank negotiations was
again a witness, under cross-examination
by A. s. worthinston. counsel for the
accused
Boland Suggested Deal.
Who first suggested that you get
letter from Judge Archibald when you
sought 10 purchase the Erie Railroad
culm banks?' Mr.. worthlngton asked
"W. p. Boland, first suggested It,"
Williams said. He added that originally
Boland was TO have had an interest in
the culm II Williams succeeded in get
ting 1t.
AT that time had no idea OF sharing
Judge Archbald's share in the property
he said But John NJ. Robertson re-
fused to let me have an option on hls
part of the eulm II Boiand had anything
to do with it,
When you signed a paper assigning
some Of the culm. before you got the op-
tions. to Boland and to a silent party
did you think that Boland was setting a
trap for Judge Archbald?"
NO. not at ALL"
We'll. but afterward. when you were
brought TO Washington. didn't Bo-
land tell you that he had sent you TO
Judge Archibald TO get these letters Of in
PRODUCTION in evidence In order that he
might get case against the judge?'
Il think he did"
Briefs on Judges Table.
When you were talking to Judge Arch
bald about the Erie culm deal, just what
did he say about the lighterage casa?'
asked Attorney Worthington.
well. saw the briefs on his table and
asked him about them. and he just said
that one OF them was the lighterage
case said Williams.
did he say anything about whether
the case had been decided or was about
to be decided?''
No. nothing about that
The witness was somewhat confused
when pressed for further information
about the silent party" assignment paper
and he declared he never had consented
that such a term be inserted in the as
signment. although his name was signed
to Il.
Didn't you testify here several days
ago" asked Representative Floyd, that
you did talk with Judge Archibald about
referring to him as a silent partner. and
didn't you tell this committee you had
the judges name kept secret because you
thought 1t was unlawful for a Judge TO
be Ia such a desl!'
Perhaps l did" said Williams.