Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-13
Effort of w. P. BoIand to Dis
credit Judge Archibald.
REVEALED IN MEMORANDUM
Progress in Trial of Member of the
Court of Commerce
BEFORE INQUIRY COMMITTEE
Statements of Witness Edward J.
Williams, Reviewed in Testimony
of Allen B. Cockrell.

The investigation of charges against
Judge r. ". Archibald of the Court of
Commerce was resumed today by the
House judiciary committee. Allen b.
Cockrell confidential clerk in the in
terstate commerce commission, was the
first witness. and G. F. Brownell, first
vice president of the Erie railroad. whom
Judge Archibald is alleged to have asked
about the katydid culm bank property,
was among those present to testify.
Mr.. Cockrell prepared the memorandum
of charges against Judge Archibald, which
was submitted by Interstate Commission
er Meyer. Cockrell made notes of the
charges as outlined to Commissioner
Meyer by W. P. Boland of the Marion
Coal Company. of Scranton, Pa. He pro-
duced a copy of the memorandum, which
was read into the record.
The memorandum set forth that some
years ago the Marion Coal Company, own
ed by the Boland Brothers, had as man.
ager a man named Peel who was dis
charged and filed suit for breach of con-
tract. demurrer was filed in this case
and w. p. Boland declared that E. j.
Williams came to him with a $500 note
to discount It. Boland refused to dis
count 1t and the demurrer was not sus-
tained, and the case is still pending.
Alleged Attempt to Trap.
The memorandum also set forth the
statement that Boland was much aroused
and determined to trap" Judge Arch
bald in some deal which would unfit him
for the bench. Boland thereupon, ac-
cording to the memorandum. set this trap
with the Katydid culm bank transaction,
with the Erie railroad as the vehicle. and
Edward j. Williams as the agent in this
plan. All this was while the Tighter
age case was pending In the Commerce
Court. The negotiations were carried out
until Boland exposed them to the govern
ment officials.
The memorandum also states> the cir
cumstances relating to the Marion Coal
Company and the Delaware and Lacka
wanna railroad before the interstate COM
merce commission.
MO Boland was so full of his ten-year
fight for his. rights" said Mr.. Cockrell,
to tell. but in the memorandum / merely
set down the salient points
Mr.. Cockrell participated in the con-
ference with Attorney General Wicker
sham later. when the Bolands related
their charges to him. Witness was ask
ed if Edward J. Williams. when Attor-
ney General Wickersham showed photo
graphic copies Of the papers In the case.
had repudiated any of them as he has
since done before the committee.
Williams did not dispute any Of the
papers," said Cockrell. He identified
them all and admitted that he had signed
them
Mr. Cockrell also said that Williams
identified the assignment contract in
which Judge Archibald was referred TO
as a silent party" This Williams de-
MED before the committee, though ac-
knowledging his signature. 0
Under Cross-Examination.
On cross-examination A. S. Worthing-
ton. counsel for Judge Archibald. asked
Mr.. Cockrell if w. P. Boland had said
anything about any other federal Judge
Cockrell declared that Boland, in confer
ence with Commissioner Meyer February
u last, had an afiidavit made by some
one in Scranton referring to breach Of
promise suit before a federal judge in
Scranton.
This was a matter not supported by
anything but the statement at hand,
said Cockrell 1T did not appear worth
much on its face. and it was deemed in
advisable TO make any reference to it in
these proceedings"
Cockrell testified that all that was
said in the conference when the Bo-
lands gave information to the Attorney
General was taken down in shorthand.
The witnesses at that conference were
not known.
Was Edward j. Williams fustered at
that conference" asked Representative
Mccoy of New Jersey.
Apparently he was far from being in
a Wild frame of mind, as he has testified
here" said Cockrell. HE gave no sign
of being fiustered that i could see
Was there anybody there who ap-
peared to be excited" asked Repre-
sentative Norris of Nebraska.
No, not at all
Says Williams Disputed No Papers.
The witness was asked if Williams.
when Attorney General Wickersham
showed him Photographic copies of the
papers in the case, had repudiated any
of them. as he has since done before the
committee.
Williams did not dispute any of the
papers" said Cockrell. He identified
them all and admitted that he had
signed them"
WAS there any disposition at all to
coerce Williams" asked Representa- :
tive Webb of North Carolina.
Not at all. Mr.. Boland and Mr. Will
liams appeared the best of friends.