Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-07
SD CONGRESS-.
May Says Fictitious Let
ter Claim Is a Lie.
4ih Glass Postmasters Subject
OF Debate in the House.
Leader Underwood Says Democrats
Will Revise Tariff from A TO Z.

Washington, Dee. 6.-The exclama-
ton of w A. May of Scranton that
If that's the claim it's a lie," thrust
into the routine testimony in the inn
parchment trial of Judge Robert W.
Archibald of the commerce court, gave
the Senate a moment of excitement
today, and brought down upon Mr.
Mays head the censure of Senator
Bacon, the presiding officer.
Mr.. Mays exclamation was direct
ed toward the managers for the
House, who are conducting the prose-
cution of Judge Archibald, for alleged
misuse of his judicial power for pri-
vate ends. Attorney A. S. Worthing-
ton for Judge Archibald was cross ex-
aiming Mr.. May, who is general man.
ager of the Erie Railroads subsidiary.
the Hillside Coal and Iron Co., as to
his motive for recalling a contract of
sale of the Katydid culm bank, which
had been sent to a prospective buy
err secured through e. j. Williams, the
business associate of Judge Archibald
May claimed he recalled the contract
because he received letters containing
notices of claims by other interests in
the banks. Worthington remarked to
the witness that the claim had been
made that these letters were fictitious.
and that the real reasons for withdraw
ing the contract was a tip about Wash
ington investigation into Judge Arch
bala conduct.
IF that claim is made it is a lie,"
shouted Mr.. May, Senator Bacon, pre-
siding, cautioned him that such Ian
guage should not be used in the Senate
chamber and Mr.. May apologized.
George +. Brownell of New York, gen.
eral solicitor of the Erie Railroad
Charles f. Conn of Scranton, general
manager of an Erie subsidiary, the Lack
awanna & Wyoming Valley Electric Road,
and Charles Z. Prior of Scranton, We're
other witnesses examined during the day
Mr.. Conn told of the efforts of Judge
Archibald to dispose of the Archibald
Williams interest in the Katydd bank
TO the Electric Railroad and Mr.. Pryor
testified to having been present when the
''silent party assignment was drawn
up and signed by e. J. Williams III
Scranton. In this paper Mr.. Williams
purported to assign a one-third interest
in his culm bank property to silent
party" alleged to have been Judge Arch
bald.
Mr.. Brownell told of Judge Arch
bald calling at his office in New York
to ask, who was the proper person to
see in regard to the purchase of the
Katydid dump. The witness testified
Judge Archibald said in substance that
he was Interested" in clearing up the
title to the property and he had gone
to Mr.. BrownelI as Brownell was the
only official of the Hillside Co., he
knew, with .the exception of Mr.. May.
Mr.. Browneil said he introduced him
to Vice President Richardson.
Representative Clayton for the man
sonal attachment be made for Rich
ardson to get him before the Senate.
as he had not responded to a sum-
mons, when Senator Bacon stated he
was informed Richardson was in a
New York hospital.
Little evidence appeared. today,
that had not been given at the in
vestigation, last summer, by the
House judiciary committee.
The House managers won a point
when Senator Bacon ruled that they
could offer in evidence the deposition
given by E. ]. Williams to Attorney
Wrisley Brown of the department of
justice, last April, to contradict evil
dence Williams has given to the Sen
ate. Attorneys for Judge Archibald
fought the point stubbornly.