New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-22
TELL Of ARCHBALD'S
INTEREST IN DEALS
Coal and Railroad Men Testify
to Judges Activity in Pro-
noting Leases.
NOTES FIGURE IN EVIDENCE
George T. Baer Denies Having
Any Conversation with Jurist
Regarding Culm Property,

Railroad Company, tesuned Io-uaS III tilo
House inquiry into charges against Judge
Robert ". Archibald, Of the Commerce
Court. He said the railroad company was
not connected with the Philadelphia *
Reading Coal and Iron Company Of which
he IL also president The policy Of the
company, he said, was not TO lease its
Culm banks.
Mr.. Baer denied having any conversation
with Judge Archibald IN regard 70 culm
pToperty.
Did Judge Archibald, 10 your knowledge
intercede with YOU or your company 70
lease a cum bank TO Fred Warnbe, OF
Scranton" asked Chairman Clayton.
Not with me-" Mr. Baer answered.
vice-President Richards, Of the same
coal company, testified that on November
q or q. 1911, Judge Archibald called on him
in Pottsvne and asked for the situation IN
regard 10 the proposed Wsrnke lease.
II told him the matter had been consid-
cred and was practically closed and that
the culm bank would not be leased said
Mr. Richards.
A letter written from Scranton by Judge
Archibald arranging the interview was
read. II was written on letter-head Of
the Commerce Court.
hiC02T0S
wss offered 5000 to get him 10 change his
mind SO wsrnke could get the lease.
MY brother had nothing to do with il"
he answered. "Warnke wrote him about
three years ago to use his influence with
me"
Told Of Another Note.
Il. c. Reynolds. of Scranton. an attor-
ney, testified that last February or March
he was talking with John r. Lenahan, eN-
Representative, about Judge Archibald,
ana expressed the opinion that he did not
see much in the story about an attempt 20
have C. G.. Boland discount the 500 note
Endorsed by Judge Archibald about the
time Roland had a case before the judge.
Mr.. Reynolds quoted Lenahan az having
yaid: what would you think If ] told you
that about the time We had the old Plym-
outh Coal Company case in the federal
courts Mr. RlssingeT, Of tie company
came to me and asked me TO discount q
note for g, 500, in which Judge Arch0aid
was interested
". W. R!ssnger. Of Scranton, mine
operator. testified that in 1908 promoter
named Hamilton came to him with golo
placer concession in Honduras. He ,0oh
the matter up with Judge Archibald. who
said tho proposition looked good.
MI Rissinger said he, Judge Archibald
and the witness mother-in-law signed q
$3.50 note 10 raise money 10 go into the
concession. The note was still unpaid, but
was discounted by local bank. Several
times he said il had been renewed.
Mr.. Rissinger declared he could not re-
member having asked Mr.. Lenahan or his
sank in Wilkes-Barrc TO discount the note.
i got the note discounted at the bank l
ususally do business WITH he said. My
recollection is indistinct.'
Did Judge Archibald know you were
going 20 discount the note?'
Yes, / think so
Did he suggest who would discount III"
No"
Witness said Judge Archibald got no
money from the note, but stock in the Hon
duras deal.
Mr.. Rissingcr sad the Old Plymouth
coal Company case was settled November
10, 1905 and final judgment entered by
Judge Archibald November q, 1905. The
note was dated December Z, 1905.
Asked Judges Help.
Frederick Warnke told the committee OF
having an interest in a lease Of Philadel-
lhia and Reading Coal and Iron Company
culIn bank and Of unsuccessful efforts TO
renew II. as the company considered him
trespasser and not tenant He related
regotiations with the company, concluded
when Vice President Richards refused TO
see him or answer his letters. Then he
asked Judge Archibald to aid him. the judge
ccnsenting 10 talk to Richards
why did you go 10 Judge Archibald"
esked Representative Webb.
Because / thought he might be able TO
RET a hearing, and everybody uD there loved
him"
II he succeeded, what did YOU expect 10
give him.
only friendship"
The witness added that not until mis-
INQUIRY arose did il occur TO him ne had
done wrong in asking Judge Archibald 70 do
him this favor
v-arnke said he asked Judge Archibald
last December about title 10 coal fill at
Pittstor The Judge responded he could
not act az attorney, but Warnke SAID he
ivst wanted hts opinion. The Judge told
rim. he SAID the title was good.
After CLOSING the deal. WarnEe said, he
told Judge Archibald lie wanted 20 pay Tim
500 blt the latter was not willing TO take
ir ~ first. Last March. however. WafnEc
Grew the note. signed by his company
mace payable 10 the members OF the COM
rany and Endorsed 10y them Later Judge
Archibald called for II
"pldnt YOU think it peculiar for Judge
who had refused 10 take pay to call later
q, your Office and demand the rotc?' in
eyured Representative Webb.
swell. [ didn't think about it," Warnke
answered.
This note was previously referred TO IN
The hearings by John Henry Jones, who told
~ itg being in Judge Archbalds possession.
Frederick ". Jones' Of tho coal depart
r,,nt Of the Delaware and Hudson Com
many, told Of the gale of the Pittston hli
which Warnke finally bought lie said he
told John Henry Jones of the M and later
tones told him Judge Archibald had got an
option on the I'll. Tho witness eaid he
never saw such an option, but he under
stood the Judge got 81 two or three days
after he told Jones about it, lie under
stood Judge Archibald would be able 10 get
. right Of way from tho Delaware Hudson
Railroad - draw the coal out
Jones testified that in April 1911 he and
John Henry Jones met in Judge Archbald's
Office and talked over tho deal. il was
:rrced that he, tine witness. should be com
reusated for discovering the M, and that
Jones should 80 TO CITY Attorney Davis's
office 10 draw up an agreement The paper
was read.
why did you ard Jones 90 TO Judge
Archbalds office? ." asked Representative
Norris.
Well understood he had the option and