The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-05-09

IMPEACHMENT COMING
Politics Figures In the Case and the
Affair is Called Another Nall
In Commerce Court
Coffin.

United Press Leased Wire Service.
WASHINGTON, May 9.-Satisfied
from the evidence so far that a most
! thorough investigation should BE
i made of Judge Robert w. Archbalds
i entire judicial career, the house ju-
dietary committee which is to determ-
inc whether or not impeachment pro
\ ceedings lie against the commerce
court Judge, recessed Today in order
to go over all the papers and evidence
submitted by President Taft.
The committee will meet tomorrow
with the expectation of continuing it's
session daily until all evidence is in.
& Meanwhile Edward j. (Option) Will
liams, Archbalds alleged partner in
: the culm coal deals, is detained, prac-
tically under arrest, in care of the
sergeant-atarms.
\ Only a part of Archbald's business
} deals with Williams have been barred,
it was understood. Tomorrow the
committee expects to sound them all
out. Several undisclosed transactions
said to involve Archibald, will be
probed.
Afterward Archbald's attorney, A. 8.
Worthington, promises grilling cross
examination of Williams.
1t was learned today that Judge
: Archibald will probably take the wit
J ness stand later in the inquiry. He
1 will not be forced to testify, but is
: said to intend personal defense.
4 Several witnesses will also be sum
moned by Archibald.
That the department of justice is
t not aiding Archibald became evident
when Ridgely Brown, special agen,
OF the attorney general, was called
+ to assist the committee. Brown Is act
e ing, apparently, as advisory counse
for the prosecution. He made the
e investigation at Scranton and Other
cities in Pennsylvania, securing photo
graphic copies of important letters
coal contracts and other documents
e upon which the inquiry is based.
d Today 1t was explained that if i'm
e peachment of Judge Archibald is the
!, decision of the committee, his sus
a pension from the commerce cour'
!, bench pending trial before the senate
i, would probably follow. 1t is pointed
t out. If he is impeached, Judge Arch
bald will voluntarily offer his owl
l. suspension
4 The committee has now before j
d Archbalds own confession, written or
(, commerce court stationery. that M
r was Interested with "Option' Williams
l. in selling a culm coal pile of the Erie
$ railroad at Moosey, Penn, to th'
n Laurel Electric Line of Chas. F
y Conn. Williams also says Archibald
went to New York and asked Vice
q President Brownell of the Erie t.
0 authorize the sale to Williams ant
Archibald Of the coal property, whel
Captain May, manager of the Erie
coal deposits, held up the deal
II Williams also declares that VIM
e r. Boland, Scranton coal operator
d was also a party to the cnlm Goa
it deal. while Boland was vitally inter
8 ested as defendant in suit befor
g Archbald's court. That Boland refis
ed to discount note for $500 givel
: bv Judge Archibald for one thir,
interest in a million acre timber trans
action in Venezuela, and that late
Archibald decided the case agalns
\ Roland. are other serious charges b
, Williams.
: Repudiation by Williams of option
IS and contracts, in one of which Arct
bald was named as the silent party
st has astonished the committee Wi
10 liams admits his signature is append
e ed to the photographed document
1t but SAYS he signed them without reac
,e ing their text. When the committe
convenes tomorrow new tack will b
s. taken. regarding another coal deal, l
le which Judge Archibald and Mr.
Dainty are said to have negotiated fc
n coal property of the Lehigh Vale
d. railroad at Hillsdale, Pa.
II That the Archibald affair is "anothe
nail in the coffin of the commerc
c. court" is freely expressed at the cap
~ tol. The politics Of the alleged scar
1t dal Is not overshadowing the impeacl
Ill ment inquiry, but is deeply involve
ty in the probe. Democrats urgin
n abolishment of the new commerc
to court are finding support In the inve
tigation. incidentally the 'feud'' b.
n tween the interstate commerce con
r.