The Detroit times., 1912-12-05
ARCHIBALD WAS
SILENT PARTNER"
Questionable Dealings in "Katy
Did" Bank Options Brought
Out in Senate

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-HoW
Judge Archibald. OF the commerce.
court, drew up an agreement for ths
now famous option on the Katy Die
Culm Bank" In the sale Of which. Il
il alleged, the judge was 10 have had
half interest, and how the judge en-
erred as silent partner" into the
several transactions which followed
was slowly drawn from the reluctant
lips OF Edward ]. Williams, the Goa
toption Spectator, In the Archibald
impeachment trial, resumed in tie
senate today.
Representative webb Democrat
North Caroiina), OF the managers OF
the prosecution on behalf Of the house
went on with the ingenious excep
| lions. began yesterday. Stoliely the
|'NVelshman returned his answers or 81
don't remember" or that may be,
compelling Webb TO refer to the print
I'd record of the testimony In the
house. Williams would then agree IN
the point made.
The witness told nothing that he
dii not more readily confess in the
earlier hearings before the house com
mittee. He stood close up In front OF
Archibald, beside the clerks desk and
gave HIS testimony 80 low as TO b.
scarcely audible, while he required
Webb to repeat most OF the prosecu.
lions questions.
Archibald maintained his attitude OF
watchfulness. His wife ard son us.
/ tened CLOSELY from front seats In the
reserved gallery.
Edward Williams was the first wit
ness called. He was examined by
Rep. webb. OF North Carolina. for toe
committee OF managers. who question
ID him about the leasing OF culm
ebaDks, which Archibald Is alleged 10
have been concerned In. He said that
mis- option on tho culm banks was for
$4,000, OF which $4,000 went 10 the
Erie railroad and $4,000 to Robinson
& Law.
What did Judge Archibald do in
| This case?"
., he wrote a letter. That's all he
did"
What did you do with this letter."
II took II TO Mr.. May, OF the Hills
| dale Coal & Coke Co."
Webb then read a letter signed by
Judge Archibald, in which he asked
May whether he would sell culm
dump operated by the firm OF Robin
son q Law. Williams explained that
he had not seen the letter and was
unable to identify It.
What did Mr.. May do when you
TOOK the letter TO him?"
He told me the deal was all of.
/ could not have the culm bank"
Did you go back and see Judge
Archibald and what, IL anything did
he say to your"
This question precipitated discus
sion OF the rules of evidence gov
erning the senate, by Rep. Webb and
Chief Counsel A. S. Worthington OF
tne defense, after which Williams
said that the Judge had stated that he
would see Mr.. Brownell, of the Erie
and have the deal fxed'
IL answer to questions, witness told
how he knew the Erie railroad ha
cases pending before the commerce
court at the time Of the transaction
involving the Katy Did Culm banks
Mr. Webb then presented the option
which Williams obtained from Robin
son OF the latters interests In the
Katy Did. Mr.. Worthington admitted
Shat 1t was in the handwriting OF
Judge Archibald. Witness said the
Katy Did contained about 140, 200 tons
Cf coal, and that after obtaining the
op'ion he had tried to sell the same.
Was the Judge TO have a half IN
terest In the profits OF the culm
bank?" asked Mr.. Webb.
yes, sir" replied the witness.
Further inquiry developed that the
option was worth about $4,000, less
$4,000 which II cost
Mr.. Webb then read letter written
by Judge Archibald on the stationery
of the court of commerce. addressed
20 c. s. Conn, Scranton, Pa, making
"a proposition on behalf OF himself and
lie. +. Williams for the sale OF the
Iop.ion and royalties on the coal taken
cut. Judge Archbald's signature was
admitted by Worthington. Witness
aid the sale was made to Conn be-
Cause there was some question about
the title. He added that he consider.
led Il valid.
BY Mr.. Webb:
What did Mr. Archibald do to war
Tsnt the payment to him of one-half
1.-THE profits OF the culm hank?"
1T was none OF anybody's business
II / wished TO give II to him"
"Did you give II TO him.
well, would have given 1t 10
him"
What for?"
For what he did for me-"
What did he do for your"
"Oh, for his influence"