The Washington herald., 1912-05-12
Continued from r.s. one.

was not 10 be applied toward liquidat-
ing the note.
Charles H. Won storch. president of the
Providence Bank OF Scranton, and
chants and Mechanics Bank, OF Scranton.
also testified In regard to notes and
other banking transactions.
Mr.. Williams, who was the first wit
ness, confused the members of the COM
mittee by his contradictory stories, and
| they had hard time getting a straight
story from him. He said he had known
Judge Archibald for thirty years. and the
coal deals were their first business trans
action. He repudiated his testimony
given on Wednesday regarding the sign
ing OF an assignment Of the Erie coal
option TO Boland and silent party
whom he previously said referred to
Judge Archibald. He professed entire ig-
norance Of his former testimony.
Williams IL Contradictory.
Did you ever sign any paper assigning
any interest in that culm bank to Boland
and silent party Z" asked Representa-
tive Rucker.
Il have no such recollection. replied
the witness.
Then why did you so swear before the
Assistant Attorney General?" continued
Mr.. Rucker.
Because was So excited and was like
q wild man." said Williams.
Then you did sign such a paperr
asked Mr.. RuckOr.
IT suppose / did" Williams admitted.
but don't remember"
Then the words silent party referred
to Judge ArchbaldZ" asked Rucker.
Yes" replied williams. Il though IL
was unlawful for the Judge to be in the
deal"
Wasn't II your deliberate purpose to
conceal from the public the fact that
Judge Archbald was interested?' asked
Rucker.
Thought IL Wasn't Lawful.
We'll" Eaid the witness. II thought it
wasn't lawful"
Williams denied that Judge Archibald
drew the silent party assignment to
Boland. and insisted he did not remem-
Der signing II. He admitted. however,
the authenticity Of his signature. Will
Iams also denied that he had ever testi-
fed, as the Official report Of his former
testimony showed. that Judge Archibald
told him he had been to New York to
see Vice President Brownell Of the Erie
Railroad to close the coal deal Judge
Archibald told him he had seen Brownell
but did not say they had met in New
York.
At the request OF Attorney A. s.
worthington, counsel for Judge Arch
Bald, Capt. W. A. May. who is in charge
OF the Erie coal properties, produced
letter written by Judge Archibald to May
on March 81. 1911 Here is the letter:
Il write to inquire whether your cam
pany will dispose OF your interest in the
'Katydid' culm dump belonging to the
old Robertson & Law corporation at
Brownsville, and II so will you kindly
put a price upon it?'
Capt May explained that williams
brought the letter to his office. Williams
was excused with the understanding that
he remain in Washington for further
testimony.
CommIssIoner Meyer Testiihes.
Commissioner Meyer, who was the next
witness, declared that in March, 1911, the
commission was holding hearings in a
case of the Marion Coal Company Of
Scranton and the Lackawanna Railroad
w. P. Boland, Of Scranton. he said, was
interested in the case, and last January
approached Commissioner Meyer with
copies of letters and docu-
ments relating to the charges against
Judge Archibald. Mr.. Meyer said he first
discussed the case with Commissioner
Clements.
Later we decided to take all our col
leagues into our confidence" said the
land we thought that the
Commission ought not to have anything
to do with the charges because the Com
missioners were charged with having a
certain attitude toward the Commerce
Court. We then decided that the matter
should be placed before President Taft.
The President looked over the papers
and in my presence dictated letter to
the Attorney General directing him to
make an investigation"
Feared Wrong Interpretation.
The witness said he was afraid a wrong
of his act might be made
because Of the popular belief feud ex-
sted between the Commission and the
Commerce Court. For that reason he
kept the affair confidential and did not
allow the testimony to come out in the
,ase Of the Marion Coal Company. Other |
wise, he said, II would have appeared that |
The Commission was fostering charges |
against the Commerce Court.
Charles V. Gunstler, cashier of the |
Merchants and Mechanics Bank OF |
Scranton, testified that he refused to dis |
count Judge Archbsld's note for 500. |
presented by Williams. because he did |
not think 1t good business to do So |
Charles H. Won Storch. President OF the |
Providence Bank. told OF discounting the |
800 note made by John H. Jones in De- |
sember. 1903, and indorsed by Judge !
Archibald
'I called up Judge Archibald" said Mr. |
von Storch, "and he said the note was |
al right and that he would take Il as
/ favor IL I would discount it, The !
banker declared that II has been re-
lewed every three months since and that |
only IS had been paid on It since then.
Jones Last witness.
John H., Jones. who is in charge Of the
assessment ONCE Of Lackawanna County. |
vas the last witness. He said he had
Inown Judge Archibald for eight years
md the jurist had indorsed his note for
800. Nr. Jones told how he had en-
to have Judge Archibald invest
lome money In Venezuela timber prop
,sition.
The Judge did not seem disposed to
invest and did not do So" said Mr.. Jones.
Later. asked his aid in getting him J