The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-17

public. MT. Lawrence stated shortly be- fore midnight that nothing would prob ably be given out before the meeting oi the state association.
 Most of the visiting newspaper mer will leave the city for their homes this morning.
 The defense submitted by MT. Rountre, was in writing and was read by MT. Cald well shortly after the converting of tn, morning session. The complete defense i! as follows:
 Rountree's Defense.
 Tt Is charged that I, for personal gain secured transportation from the various railroads for the parties who went upon the Canadian excursion, and that in doing so l deceived and defrauded them, and imposed upon the railroads issuing them courtesies. Such charge is absolutely and unqualifedly false, nnmitigated and reck- less, and made within arms reach of full information as to the facts.
 By the constitution and rulings of the executive committee, each newspaper which was a member of the association, was entitled to as many as four represen- tatives upon that excursion, but under the same authority such persons must have been bona hde editors, owners, pub lishers daughters or dependent members of their families. For any violation, in- fraction or evasion of this law, a member must suffer expulsion from the associa- ton.
 No Compensation.
 'Sixty-seven members of the associa- tion made direct application to me for transportation I replied that each paper was to furnish s42 worth of advertising for the Grand Trunk railway and Sl0 worth of advertising for the Evansville road, said advertising to be done during the month of April and May. Each paper consummated It's own contract with both of these roads, The transportation over the Grand Trunk was in the hands of its officials and by them dispensed to the edi- tors. The transportation over the Evans vile road was sent to me direct, to be distributed to the various newspapers under their contract for advertising. l had no other connection with or interest in the matter, and received no compensation whatever in arranging the transportation so issued under the contracts entered Into between the above named roads and the newspapers.
 The Transportation Matter.
 As to the alleged transportation swindle and imposition practiced against the Louisville and Nashville railway, l submit the following facts, every one of which l am prepared to substantiate not , by the faulty recollection of the parties involved, but by written proof:
 "On the - day of June I wrote to Col. J. M. Falkner at Montgomery, en- closing three different lists;
 T. Those desiring transportation over the Louisville and Nashville from Bir- mingham to Evansville ana return.
 "2. Those desiring transportation from Montgomery to Evansville and return.
 ''3. Those desiring transportation from intermediate points to Evansville and re- turn.
 The names of the persons appearing on said lists had been furnished me by the various newspapers represented.
 "On the 27th day of June Colonel Talk ner informed me that he would not be able to issue the number called for unless he received satisfactory information that both the gentlemen and ladies named are bona fide editors. managers or publishers of newspapers members of your associa- tion or members of the family of such editor, manager or publisher and he re. quested me to communicate that informa- tion to such members of the association as might be interested in his decision Or the 29th day of June I wrote to Colonel Falkner that I had had copies of his let ters made and forwarded to the different members of the association and had in- formed them that in applying for trans portation they must do so in accordance with the statement and requirement contained in his letter. In said letter l assured Colonel Falkner that I had no favors to ask for any individual applying for transportation-that I had sent him the list of requests as secretary of the association, and that had written to each of the editors that he must apply directly to him for transportation to Evansville and return.