The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-30
LAWYERS PAYFOR
JUDGES VACATION
They Contribute to Fund With
Which Archibald Goes
to Europe.
SOME UNUSUAL PROCEDURE
Investigating Committee Hears
OF Strange Things Done
by Jurist.
SOME UNUSUAL PROCEDURE

Washington. May 2e.-Members of the
bar who practiced before Judge Robert
W. Archibald. of the Court of Com
merce, when he was United States
district Judge at Scranton. Pa. con-
tributed to a fund for A vacation trip
to Europe for the judge, according TO
testimony given the House Committee
han, of Wilkesbarre, a former member
of Congress. Mr.. Lanihan contributed
$40 or s25. he could not remember
which. at the solicitation of +. w,
Searle clerk OF Judge Archbald's court.
Another law firm in Wilkesbarre, ho
said, did likewise
That Judge Archibald received the
money Mr.. Lanihan was convinced
He said he received a letter from the
judge from Europe thanking him for
his contribution.
Another phase of the inquiry was
brought out through Helm Bruce. of
Louisville KY. counsel for tho Louis
VILE and Nashville Railroad. Mr. Bruce
produced letters which showed that
Judge Archibald sought information
from the attorney and permitted him
10 file what was conceded to be an
additional brief" after an important
cnse had been submitted to tie court
for decision and to Judge Archbal ID
for the written opinion. The case was
known as the New Orleans Boad of
Trade case 1t involved freight rates
from New Orleans to Montgomery, ALA.
via Mobile. 1t was ona OF the first
appeals from the Interstate Commercc
Commission to the newly created Court
or Commerce.
a question Of Jurisdiction
Reads Letter From Judge.
MT. Bruce read a letter from Judge
Archibald asking him to see j. a.
Compton. traffic manager OF the Louis
vile and Nashville and get from him
what he meant by an answer he had
made in his testimony to a commits
sioner. Judge Archbalds letter pointed
out that Mr.. Compton's answer did not
conform with the context of the test!-
mony. Mr. Bruce also read his letter
of reply TO Judge Archibald, contain
ing statement that Mr. Compton said
he was enormously reported, and that
his answer should be directly opposed
to That contained In the record
Later Judge Archibald wrote Mr..
Bruce from Florida. where he was So
journing on house-boat, and asked
for an application of a statement
NonEdiHeu IN the LoulSNtlla ana Nash
VILE briet which seemed at variance
with testimony Mr.. Bruce replied
with a 1909 word letter. 1t set forth
the Judges questions and answered
each in detail and at length. Mr.. Bruc,
admitted that his letter was an augu-
ment, a kind OF brief. and that so far
he knew II had not been admitted
TO opposing counsel.
Representative Webb asked Mr.
Bruce II he had ever known a judge
to ask for such information before.
Mr.. Bruce said he had known of judges
who consulted counsel.
WAS this not an unusual procs-
dure?" asked Mr.. Webb.
'T think 1t was unusual" answered
tho railroad attorney
Mr. Bruce also wrote a letter to
Judge Archibald thanking him after
the decision was rendered. This de-
cision was favorable 10 the railroad
and against the Interstate Commercs
Commission. Ha also produced Judge
Archbaid's reply. which was highly
complimentary to the attorney.