When you say "file", do you mean source code or .class-file?

And what do you mean with "private"? That it's a private inner class to
another?

Which is a correct behavior if you try to reach the class from "outside".

How was the array instantiated and populated?

If you can reach the array, the elements should probably be reachable in a
similar manner.

I guess there is a reason to why the ReportColumn is "private". Could it be
that it implements a public interface, which you should use instead?

So what do you need help with?

You have provided a tad too little information on the circumstances of the
actual problem you're having.

// Bjorn A

If it is private, it is likely exposed via an interface.
This is a practice htat at least I have been using for a while. It forces
clients to use the contract reference type instead of the concrete type.
e.g.
ConcreteType ct = anything; // fails compilation - with the exception of the
dynamically typed null

Take a look at ContractualJ for an example of an API from which none of its
concrete types (read:classes), can have a reference declared and assigned.