Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-10
Witness Details Judge Arch
bald's Interest in the Deal.
BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE
Investigation Of Charges Against
Member Of Commerce Court.
CONTRACT WITH ERIE COMPANY
Representatives Of Marion Coal
Company Of Scranton, Pa, Sum-
moned to Testify.

moned to Testify.
william p. C. Boland and c. G. Bo-
land of the Marion Coal Company
scranton. Pa, were summoned TODAY
oy the House judiciary COMMITTEES to
appear as witnesses in the hearing Of
charges against Judge Robert W.
Archibald OF the Commerce Court WILL
liam p. c. Boland is one of the accusers
OF the jurist and furnished the Depart-
ment OF Justice with information re-
lating to the option from the Erie
railroad procured by Judge Archibald
and Edward j. Williams on culm bank
property. The Bolands Will apnear
when the committee has ended its ex-
animation of Williams, who was re-
called to the stand this morning.
Judge Archibald and his counsel. A
,. Worthington, appeared in the com
mlttee room early. They plan to make
thorough cross-examination of the
witness Williams
when called to the stand, Mr. VII
lams was asked by Chairman CLAYTON
II he had said Wednesday that Judge
Archbald had offered to give bond 10
vice President Conn of the Laurel line
20 protect him against damages that
tate on claim against the Katydid culm
bank 1-'''
Il didn't testify that here" said VIII
i1ams, but ] offered to give a bond 10
any claims"
Wanted to Clear Title.
did Judge Archibald know about ity.
Yes. l talked to him about ii. W.
wanted to clear up the title"
"Who drew the contract for sale of tns
culm property to the Laurel line?.
Judge Archibald drew IT,"
who has that contract now?.
suppose Mr.. Conns attorney has n
we gave 1t TO In to look over
Inc witness was asked about a previous
deai whereby the Erie railroad offered
liams secured an option to the DuPont
Powder Company for $1,000
Williams said he had heard from John
robertson last week that Capt. May
the culm to the DUPONT company. Will
liams and Judge Archibald were CHARGED
"a. 800 Tor option aen the same properly.
DID Robertson tell you when this ofker
Yes. but don't remember when.
Depends on Coal Deposits.
Asked If the value Of culm banks haA
recently Increased In value. Williams said
1t depended on the amount OF coal IN such
deposits. Whether the Katydid culm was
worth moro today than II was six months
ago Williams could not say.
The chairman asked why Can't. Nav
OF the Erie had refused to give an
option to him when he first approached
him. II the culm was on the market
Williams said he had no idea
hai
necessary for you to get letter from
Judge Archibald before Capt. Nav
would give you the option?"
We'll. thought it wouldn't hurt me
to have letter from the judge"
What made you think sog'
Judge Archibald and Capt. May were
well acquainted" Williams said
you knew Judge Archibald was
federal judge at the time and had con-
siderable railroad litigation on in his
court. didn't you?"
Yes
And you knew Mr. May was a rail-
road man and corporation man?"
Yes, sir"
influence of Circumstances.
Then you thought these circumstances
would have an influence in getting the op-
ton of the culm property from the Erie?"
"Yes. thought so.' Williams replied
1SQ IL n Idct lnat May Qecllned TO
consummate this deal for the culm bank
after he learned that the Department of
Justice was Investigating the transac-
tion?'
Il don't know"
when did you first learn of the inves-
tigation?'
when / was called to Washington last
February"
did you tell Judge Archibald that YOU
had been called to Washington by the
Attorney General in this matter?"
"Yes, i did. / talked to him when /
was here at that time"
did you and Judge Archibald discuss
| why the deal had not been consum-
| mated?'
Yes. we talked about it,
Judge Advises Delay.
Wasn't the deal halted on account OF
| the investigation. and didn't YOU and the
judge talk about that?"
well, l talked to him. I don't rcmem-
Der what all was said, but / remember
that the judge said il would be better not
| to try and sell the cum. He thought il
| would be well to let the culm stand and
| 1t would be worth more some other time"
The decision not to sell 1t then was
reached after You learned that thes De-
partment of Justice was investigating the
transaction
Yes, We decided that about three weeks
ago. AFTER Sdpl. MAY Hdu TcldSeu 10
consummate the transaction Williams
said he told Judge Archibald about IT,
May previously had agreed TO make out
q deed to the property and declined to
carry out the agreement after the govern
ment began inquiry into the case.
The chairman referred to previous testi-
mony relating to Judge Archbalds visit
to General Counsel and Vice President
Brownell of the Erie railroad after Capt
Mays first refusal to give an option to
the culm property.
Offered to See Brownell.
lust what did Judge Archibald say to
you about going to see Browneil?" the
chairman asked
He just said, Tn 60 and see Brow
neli,'" Williams replied
Here the chairman read from the
papers in the case, quoting from a state
ment given by Williams to Assistant At
torney General Wrfsley Brown before q
notary several weeks ago. There Will
Jams was quoted as saying: when
went to Judge Archibald and told him
NAV had refused to give the option Judge
Archibald got very much excited and said
.I'u go and see Brownell. I'm well ac-
ouainted with him, and might hurt May
for refusing to give such small
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