Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-09
Charges Against
Judge Archibald.


Washington, May S-Charges against
Judge Robert W. Archibald of the COM
merce court were amplhed. today. be-
fore the House committee on judiciary
which is TO determine If Impeachment
proceedings shall be brought against
the 1urist How Judge Archibald in
partnership with Edward J. Williams.
Scranton coal dealer, lille deiberat-
ing as a Judge on the "Lighterage
cases" TO which the Erie Railroad was
a party, is alleged TO have negotiated
an option from that railroad for A.
600 tons of cnlm dump property to be
sold at a $4,000 profit, was related to
the committee by Williams himself.
Judge Archibald, accompanied by his
two sons and his counsel. A. S.
Worthington, heard the testimony and
occasionally looked al Photographic
copies of letters bearing on the case.
one of them letter in which the
judge spoke of his connection with the
Culm Eank negotiations in his own
words. In addition to that transaction
Williams testified about another one
in which he said Judge Archibald ac-
quired an interest with him in an OPP
ton or 100000 acres of Venezuelan
land for which the judge gave a note
for 5000. Williams tried to discount
this note with c. l. ard w. r. Roland
of the Marion Coal Co, of Scranton,
who at that time had a case pending
before Judge Archibald in the federal
court. The Bolands refused To dis
count the note and later lost their case.
Williams admitted telling w p. Boland
that II he had discounted Judge Arch
bald's note the case might have result
ed differently. but he denied that Judge
Archibald knew anything of his making
such a remark 10 Boland
The testimony relating to the Culm
Bank matter included references to am
assignment by Williams of am interest
in the options secured to W. p. Be-
land and a Silent party" whom he
admitted under examination was Judge
Archibald. When asked why Judge
Archibald was referred to as silent
party. Williams said he thought it was
not lawful for jurist name 10 be
used in such transactions.
Williams related how the option for the
culm bank property was negotiated for
with officers of the Erie Railroad, and
how a sale for the property was arrang-
ed for, and said that he and Judge Arch
bald were to divide the profits. During
the negotiations with the Erie Judge
Archibald told him that the lighterage
case was then before the court. Williams
said:
Judge Archibald showed me the briefs
in the case" said Williams, land told
me it was about the lighterage case in
which the Erie was interested. / didn't
know what lighterage meant, and he
told me. Then he gave me a letter to Mr.
May of the Erie and also told me that he
would see the general counsel for the
Erie, Mr.. Brownell about the option"
How the option was given soon after
and a deal to sell the property at a $i2,oO0
profit to the Lackawanna & Wyoming
Railroad Co. was frustrated, was describe
ed by the witness in detail. Another
transaction which the committee did not
get To but will inquire about when the
hearing is resumed. Friday. involved an
alleged transaction for other culm bank
property in which Judge Archibald, a man
named Dainty and the Lehigh Valley
Railroad We're said to be interested. This
deal it is said was interrupted by
charges filed with the department of JUS
the other cases.
When Williams was first called to the
stand he testified of the transaction In
voiving Judge Archbalds note for $500
and the case in his court in which the
Bolands We're interested. Chairman Clay
ton produced a Photographic copy of a
letter signed by Williams in which he
said he told w. r. Boland II he sBoland)
had discounted Judge Archb ids note
the case of John w. Peel VS.. he Marion
Coal Co, in which the Bolards We're in
terested would not have been decided
against them The letter was read to
Williams and he said dramatically;
II can swear before God that those
words never came from me-"
did you sign this letter." asked the
chairman.
Eyes, that is my signature: but ] signed
1t without looking at It, / did not know
those words were there"