The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-21
Miss Mary Roland Testifies

Washington, May 20.--The connection of E. J. Williams, partner of Judge Robert w. Archibald of the commerce court in the katydd culm bank deal, was the subject of probe today by the House judiciary committee, with Miss Mary Bo- land Nof Scranton. Penn, stenographer to w. F. Roland, accuser of the jurist, as the principal witness.
 Miss Roland swore that instead of w F. Roland having dictated the letter of March E. 1912. in which a reference was made to silent party" in the Katydid culm bank deal, now claimed to have been Judge Archbald, that Williams was the author of it.
 Williams corrected his testimony Fri day so as to make it appear that Roland dictated the letter Miss Roland declared that Williams asked her to write the let ter one day when Roland was absent, told her what he wanted to say, that she compiled with his request and the next day submitted the letter to him for his approval. She said he signed 1t and she tore off the letter head because 1t was written on the paper of the Marion Coal company, with which Williams had no connection.
 Miss Roland read to the committee memoranda she had jotted down in her note book during the last few months of remarks Williams had made as he dropped Into Mir. Boland's office. The notes were not stenographic reports.
 Talked About Judge
 Many of them credited Williams with saying he had just left Judge Archbald's office after talking about Culm bank deals 0, was going to see some one at tho judges request about Cum deals
 On September 8, 1911, Miss Roland tes- ttidd "E. J. W. told w. P. B. he was so ing to Judge Archbalds to look at brief which the judge was preparing for the Erie railroad Mis- Roland continued that E. J. w" came in later in the day and told me that he saw the brief and it was about case for the Erie railroad foq lighterage charge"
 On November l, 1911, she said, Williams told Roland that he would have Judge Archibald hand them (the Erie) a few de- cisions that would make them sit up and take notice" On November 22 he was credited with saying that he had sent the judge on an errand" that morning and that he had not gotten back yet."s
 On January 13 1912, Miss Roland de- clared Williams told her he thought ii was a bad idea for him to be associated with Judge Archibald any longer; that the judge was mo good and a grafter"
 Roland Cr0ss- Examined
 In the cross-examination of c. G. Bo- land, he was questioned particularly in regard to the part Judge Arnold played in the attempted settlement of difficult t.es between the Marion Coal company in which the Bolands were heavy stock h, ders, and the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western Railroad company. You said that you unserstood the req son the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western refused to make a settlement was Judge Archbalds connection with the
 
 resenting Judge Archibald.
 'I was told President Tfuesdale resent cd his appearance in the case"
 Mr. Worthington directed the witness to the reputed attempt made to have Mr Roland cash $500 note made to Judge A-chbald about the time when Judge Archibald had before him the litigation in which the Marion Coal company was a party.
 MT Williams said he thought took teculiar view of it, and that cashing it would rather help me- said Roland. i. You say MT. Williams said later the case might have been decided otherwise If you had discounted that note?''
 "Yes"
 Don't you know Judge Archibald ceased to be a judge of the court in which that was decided two months before the note was presented to you?"
 ..I was under the impression that his r,oessor Judge iWitner, would consult a witt Judge Archibald before handing down his decision.'
 Reynolds on Stand
 H C. Reynolds. attorney or Scranton. Pa, who was retained by the Marion Coal company to bring an action against the Delaware, Lackawanna nd Western be fore the interstate commerce commis- s,on for rate accommodation and repara- ton. told of this litigation.
 MT Reynolds referred to alleged claims of Attorney Watson that he could get a settlement of the Marion Coal company's difficulties out of court, and he said w. P. Roland told him that Watson had informed him that Judge Archibald was to get half of 5000 fee the Marion Coal company was to pay Watson to affect the settlement
 "Boland said that Watson and Judge Archibald wanted me to go with them to tconfer with the railroad officials about settlement" declared Mir. Reynolds. s'.I told him l did not like Judge Arch bold's appearance in the case. I re- fused to act. Later w. P. Roland told sme Watson told him that the proceeds of the settlement were to be divided Into four parts He told me to whom these four parts were to go."
 ''To whom?" asked Chairman Webb
 He said to Mir. Loomis. MT. Phillips MT. Watson and Judge Archibald" E. F. E Loon1is and Colonel Phillips are Delaware, Lackawanna and Western / -ailroad officials.
 Mir Reynolds said when Mir. Roland old him Judge Archibald had asked