The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-07
Judge Arch b Id Goes
on Stand in His Own
Behalf.
SEEKS TO EXPLAIN
VARIOUS CHARGES
Denies That His Conduct as
Judge Ever Was Influenced
by Improper Motives-Mrs.
Archibald Tells of European
Trips as Guests of
Her Cousin.

Washington. January 6.-Friendship
for his Scranton associates. with whom
he had lived and worked for years,
was the motive that led Judge Robert
". Archibald. OF the United States
Commerce Court. 10 negotiate with
officials OF the Erie and Lehigh Valley
Railroads over the settlement of coal
land matters. and induced him 10 In
dorse certain notes, according TO the
statements made By the accused jurist
to-day when he took the stand be-
fore the impeachment court OF the
Senate 10 testify in his own behalf.
Judge Archibald followed his wife upon
the stand
Led by his own attorneys. ne gave q
chronological history OF the transac-
tons upon which the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes had based it's impeachmen nj
proceedings against him. He repeat
eddy denied that any improper mo-
tives influenced his actions or that
he had sought corruptly 10 use MS
power as a Federal Judge.
Mrs. Archibald. an eloquent figure in
defense Of her husbands integrity as
70 the trip TO Europe which he en-
5oyed al the expense OF Henry w Can
non. a director In the Great Northern
and other railroads. was under eXami-
nation but a short time. She said
Mr.. Cannon was her cousin. and that
the two families frequently had en-
Jcyed pleasure trips together.
The invitation TO the Archbalds TO
70 to Europe In 1910 came to Mrs.
Archibald personally She gave the
Senate the letter from MI. Cannon.
This and other letters that passed be-
tween Mr.. Cannon and Judge and Mrs
Archibald were elled with discussion OF
the "trip. Tomorrow the managers for
the House, appearing as the prosecu
tors in the case. will take up exami-
nation OF the jurst.
Appears Composed
Judge ARCHIBALD appeared composed,
srd his voice carried TO all parts OF
the chamber He admitted hts associa-
ton with Edward J. Williams, OF
Scranton. in negotiations for the Katy
I'D refuse coal dump. owned jointly
~ a subsidiary OF the Erie Railroad
and by the firm OF Robertson & Law
Judge Archibald declared he had no
interest whatever in the settlement OF
the case Of the Marion Coal Company
against the Delaware, Lackawaena
and Western Railroad He went 70
officials Of the railroad in that case,
- said. as a friend OF George NJ Wat
son. the attorney for the coal com
pany. and one OF the owners OF the
coal company. He had no thought OF
reward for his efforts. he said. and
no purpose TO influence the railroad
70 make a favorable settlement
~a.r|Fe
from Ntigauts or possible litigants in
MS courts he declared that ne had
never attempted 10 conceal his interest
N the Katvdid dump or in the settle
neut OF the Marion Coal Company
cases. and that. on the contrary. his
action in these cases vas well known
before the impeachment proceedings
were brought against him. Upon one
polnt only was the jurist subjected 20
uucn Questioning. This was in refer
.nce TO the charge that. as member
OF the Commerce Court. he had written
20 Helm Bruce an attorney for the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad. as
10 the evidence that had been pre-
scented in the case Of that road against
tbo Interstate Commerce Commission
tried by the Commerce Court Judge
Archibald declared certain points IN
m. evidence were not clear, and that
n. had written 10 Mr.. Bruce TO clear
them NJ. The correspondence amounted
% nothing. he said. because the points
a, issue had no part IN the settlement
Of the case
Members OF the Senate asked II ne
had shown the correspondence 10 cther
,-,.nbers OF the Commerce Court. 0,
Informed them OF IT. Judge Arcnoaiu
cid ne nad not Senator Reed asked
II he thought il proper for judge
! IN passsnS on doubtful points IN eN'-
,s.,ce 20 ask the opinion only Of the
,.,1-,,.,- fikelv 10 coincide with his
own views
- do not said Judge Archibald.
mid Not know Of Agreement
ffe declared ~ had no knowledge OF
80. making Of the silent party
agreement in the Office Of Nillia" J.
F,cfsnd in scranton through which
u. a,rea~sd that the katydid DUMP
,-aS controlled ~ =. J. Williams. w
, y Roland and q silent party. known
ut % a few persons
Il never heard OF che preparation .;
this aerecment. and would >"t nave
.ubrnstf.s % having any such paper
srauyu.~ said Judge Archibald.
- never concealed my connection
with this matter. on the otner hano'
D vas very prominent
feurcsentativc StcrlinS- NJ 'he 'ouse
-.,earcrS. fought against aliowine
r..dcc Archbaid's attorneys 70 ask
rim direct questions as TO bis motive
iu going 10 tie railroad officials IN
ne various coal land deals that form
The basis 81 she Impeachment charges
AGAINST him.
senator Bacon. presiding over inc
Impeachment court. ruled direct cues
lions oat a. improper. but permitted
~. attorneys 20 ask Judge Archibald
his rnoto In thc case OF the deal
invoIvsns the Erie Railroad. he said
~ vas the desire - expedite DC
4. sion - 20 whether or not The option
on 'a. rSa.vdid Gu-rr Nogid be gwen
.u th- -.sr.slWsart case . was a. =
nicrdiy aci 20 .soig- % Watson and
4 q. Boisud.