The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-10
ARCHIBALD DREW IT.
Witness Testifies Regarding Contract
for the Culm Property.

Washington, May 10.-William P. G.
| Boland and C. G. Boland of the Marion
| Coal company, Scranton, Pa, were sum-
moned today by the house judiciary
committee to testify in the hearing of
charges against Judge Robert w.
Archibald of the commerce court. VIM.
Boland is one of the accuSers of the
jurist and furnished the department
of justice with information relative to
an option from the Erie railroad pro-
cured by Judge Archibald and Edward
J. Williams on Culm bank property.
Bolands will appear when the com
mittee has concluded its examination
of Williams who was recalled to the
stand.
Mr. Williams was asked by Chair
man Clayton if on Wednesday he had
i said that Judge Archibald had offered
to give bond to Vice President Conn
of the Laurel line to protect him
against damages that might be sought
from the Eberhart estate on a claim
against the Katydid Culm bank.
''I didn't testify that there" said
Williams, "but offered to give bond to
protect the Culm bank property
Did Judge Archibald know about
Yes, talked to him about it. We
wanted to clear up the title,'
who drew the contract for sale of
the Culm property to the Laurel
line?"
Archibald Drew 1t.
Judge Archibald drew it,
WHO has that contract now?
IT suppose Mr.. COINS attorney has
it,
The chairman asked Williams why
Captain May of the Erie had refused
to give an option to him when he
first approached him, if the Culm was
on the market. Williams said he had
no idea.
it necessary for you to get letter
from Judge Archibald before Captain
May would give you the option ~
well, 1 thought it would not hurt
me to have a letter from the judge.
Judge Archibald and Captain May
were we'll acquainted"
you knew Judge Archibald was
a federal judge at the time and han
died railroad litigation in his court
did not your
Yes"
And you knew Mr.. May was rail-
road man and a corporation man ?"
.Then YOU thought these circum-
stances would have an influence in
getting the option of the Culm proper
ty from the Erie ~
yes. L thought so,' William replied.
isn't it a fact that May declined TO
consummate this deal after he learned
that the department of justice was in
vestigating the transaction?
II don't know"
when did you first learn of the in
vestigation?'
when I was called to Washington
last February"
did you tell Archibald that you had
been called to Washington by the at
torney general in this matter?'
YES"
Did you and Judge Archibald dis
cuss why the deal had not been con-
| summated?"
Yes. We talked about it,
Wasn't the deal halted on account Of
the investigation and didn't you and
Judge talk about that?'
Il don't remember what all was
said, but I remember that the Judge
! said it would be better not to try and
sell the Culm. He thought it would be
well to let the Culm stand and it would
be worth more some other time
Archibald Got Excited.
.sThe decision not to sell it then was
| justice was investigating the transact
tion?''
"Yes, we decided that about three
| weeks ago.
| After Captain May had refused to
/ consummate the transaction Williams
said he told Judge Archibald about it
May previously had agreed to make
1 out a deed to the property and de-
| clined to carry out the agreement after
| the government began inquiries into
/ the case. The chairman referred to
previous testimony relating to Judge
Archbald's visit to General Counsel
/ and Vice President Brownell of the
| Erie railroad after Captain Mays first
refusal to give an option to the Culm
property. The chairman read from a
statement given by Williams to As
aistant General Wrisley Brown before