Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-11
MEMORY AT FAULT
Conflict in Evidence of wit.
ness in Archibald Case.
INQUIRY By Committee
Edward ]. Williams Makes Denials,
Followed by Admissions.
CONFUSING TO QUESTIONERS
Commissioner Meyer Explains the
Origin Of Charges Against Com
merce Court Judge.
CONFUSING TO QUESTIONERS

| Edward j. Williams of Scranton, Pa,
testifying before the House judiciary COM
mittee today in the hearing Of charges
against Judge Robert w. Archibald Of
the Commerce Court. entangled himself in
| maze of contradictory statements that
almost baffied the committee.
Williams, who was a partner with
Judge Archibald in an alleged effort to
procure culm bank property from the
Erie railroad, was particularly confused
about an assignment contract executed
last September with w. p. Boland of
Scranton. in which Judge Archibald was
referred to as silent party"
First denying that he ever signed such
a contract. then admitting that he did.
but asserting a copy Of the contract be-
signed. and finally declaring he had no
good recollection about 1t, Williams was
bombarded with questions by different
members OF the committee and Judge
Archbald's counsel. A. 8. Worthington.
The witness answered questions put to
him by Mr.. Worthington, and when asked
similar questions by members Of the COM
mittee he contradicted himself repeatedly.
Williams was finally asked IL he thor
oughly understood English. and he said
ne thought he did, though long questions
sometimes bothered him.
Wu0Tc were you Dorm! asked REPRE-.
sentative Graham of Illinois
In South Wales" replied Williams.
How old are your
Seventy-two years DID,.
How long have you been in this coun-
try?"
"since I was twenty-four years DID,"
the witness answered
Series Of Photographs Submitted.
The committee then submitted to him a
series Of Photographic copies Of papers
in evidence containing his signature Will
liams admitted that the signatures on the
papers were his, but declared he could
not remember having signed the papers.
w. P. Boland Of Scranton produced be-
fore the committee the original OF the
assignment contract containing his name
and that Of the silent party" which
Williams said the other day referred to
Judge Archibald When shown this will
liams said he didn't remember ever sign
ing the contract, but he admitted his
signature. Last February Williams told
the Attorney General that he had signed
he declared he was so excited when sum-
moned before the Attorney General that
he was like wild man." and said many
things he had no recollection of.
get a letter from Judge Archibald when
you sought to purchase the Erie railroad
culm banks?" Mr.. Worthington asked.
wv. r. Boland first suggested it, Will
liams said. He added that originally
Boland was to have had an interest in
the culm II Williams succeeded in getting
"At that time had no idea Of having
Judge Archibald share in the property"
he said. But John M Robertson rsfils-
ed to let me have an option on his part
do with it,
Questioned Regarding Alleged Trap.
when you signed a paper assigning
some Of the culm before you got the
options to Boland and a silent party
did you think that Boland was setting q
trap for Judge Archbald?" the attorney
continued.
mo, not at ALL"
"Well. but afterward. when you were
brought to Washington, didn't Boland tell
you that he had sent you to Judge Arch
in evidence in order that he might set
case : against the jndser
The witness was again confused when
silent party" assignment paper. and
he declared he never had consented that
such a term be inserted in the assign
ment. although his name was signed to
it,
Didn't you testify here several days
ago." asked Representative Floyd, that
you did talk to Judge Archibald about re-
ferring to him as silent party and
didn't you tell this committee You had
the judges name kept secret because you
thought it was unlawful for q Judge to be
in such q deal?"
Perhaps / did," said Williams. The
original Of this assignment contract.
Photographic copy Of which 10 In evidence,
was sought by the committee, and W. p.
Boland. who was present, said he had the
original paper at his hotel
There were three copies OF that con-
tract" said Boland. 81 have my original
and Williams had his copy
Boland was asked to produce the orig
inal and left the committee room to go to
his hotel to procure it. Williams denied
that he ever had copy Of the contract
/ Williams testified that he could not re-
member why he told the Attorney Gen
eral that the silent party mentioned in
the contract was Judge Archibald
When l came down here and was
taken before the Attorney General" Will
liams said. II was SO excited that I was
hike wild man. ! said lots OF things
I don't remember"
The witness finally admitted that he
did sign q paper which included the
name silent party" and that Poland
had dictated the paper. He denied that
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