The Detroit times., 1912-07-30
JUDGE ARCHIBALD
FILES ANSWER DENIES
CHARGE OF CORRUPTION
Asserts House of Representa-
tives Has Made No Case
Against Him
ADMITS HE WAS IN DEALS
Many Acts Were Without Pri-
vate Gain, Says Member of
Commerce Court
ADMITS HE WAS IN DEALS

WASHINGTON, July 29.-Admit-
ting practically all or the fact In the
Impeachment charges against him. but
emphatically denying that he corrupt
ly used his judicial influence, Judge
Robert w Archibald, OF the commerce
court, today filed his formal answer in
the senate. II asserted that no case
had been made against him by the
house OF representatives.
Archibald admits being involved in
numerous coal deals while on the
bench. He admits soliciting high rail
road officials to further such deals.
lie admits that promlssory notes bear.
ing his endorsement were presenteG
to attorneys and lltigants in his court.
He candidly comedies he wrote letters
10 and visited railroad officials to fur
ther private business negotiations for
himself, associates and friends.
But the jurist asserts every such
act was innocent. He declares many
acts were without hope of private
gain. although realizing the railroads
would have cases before him In the
com neFce court. He does not even
admit that he acted unethically.
Not denying that he visited Erie
railroad officers in New York and
Scranton to aid Edward j. Williams
in securing their proposed option
upon the Katydid culm pile, Archibald
says his part in the case was that or
friend to Williams He did not at
tempt unlawfully or corruptly to Use
his judicial Office.
Archibald admits he figured in nego-
tiations with railroad heads for settle
ment OF the suit of William p. Boland,
Archbalds accuser, against the car
riers, but denies he did so for any
pecuniary consideration.
Tie Judge also admits writing let
ters tc Helm Price. attorney for the
Louisville and Nashville railroad,
without consent OF other parties in
the case, to get Bruce's opinion upon
edlGnoe in the case. He denies such
action was wrong
"Solely out Of friendship" for
Fred 1qarnke, Archibald says he ask
ed Reading railroad officials to ex-
tend Narnke's coal lease.
The answer further asserts that a
S2.5C0 note which Archibald endorsed
in 1863 was presented without his
knowledge TO an attorney in whose
favor ne had decided a case just sew
en- dayc before. The jurist denies he
endors cd the note as partner in
any Honduras gold mine deal, but
says he afterward received stock las
collateral security" of the $4,000 note
presented to the Boland brothers for
enforcement while he was trying
their case. Archibald says he did not
think such action was improper, as
he fIIsot that the Bolands were in
his court.
The charge that he received money
from Henry w Cannon. a capitalist
identified with many railroads, which
were concerned In litigation before
him. f1i an European trip. is met by
the statement that Cannon is a rela-
tive by marriage. Archibald denies
ever fdvoring railroads in which Can.
non was interested. That he received
a purse OF 1925 donated by lawyers
In his court, when he left for Europe,
Is admitted, but Archibald says it was
q mere testimonial OF friendship,
which he could not have refused with
out impugning the motives of friends.
Archibald says he appointed j. b.
Woodward a jury commissioner OF
his federal court in Scranton without
knowing Woodward was a Lehigh
Valley railroad attorney.
THE respondent Denies Arch
balds answer concludes, that he un.
dertook 10 carry on a general busi-
ness for speculation and profit in
purchase and sale of culm coal
dumps or undertook TO compromise
litigation pending before the inter
state commerce commission, for a
valuable consideration, or ever con-
cealed his interest in any personal
contracts. In very few ways did he
invest any money or other thing of
value. except his personal services,
and hat, without using his Influence
as Judge in any OF them"