The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-01
.SEC'Y ROUNTREE
 RETURNS THE FIRE Makes Charges Against Mem- bers of Press Association EIGHT NAMES MENTIONED Judson, Yerby, Greer, West and Doster Among Those Who Are Charged.
 The Rev. S. p. West
 Makes a Reply.
EIGHT NAMES MENTIONED

J. 4. Rountree, who was temporarily suspended from the office of secretary of the Alabama Press association on Fri day, caused a decided sensation yester- day by publishing a letter charging number of officers of the association and members of the executive committee with selling their railroad transportation for the recent Canadian trip.
 He addresses the letter to Third Vice President Lawrence of Union Springs, stating that he is the only officer in the association not guilty of the same charge and the only one, therefore, ca pablo of taking charge of the investiga- tion.
 The Rev. S. P. West of this city, who is one of the members charged with mis- conduct. makes reply to MT. Rountree's statements regarding himself. His reply, together with a letter from - Crich- ton and MT. Rountree's letter follow:
 Birmingham Ala, October 1. 1903. MT J. c. Lawrence, Third Vice-President
 Alabama Press Association, Union
 Springs, Ala
 Dear Sir: As a member of the Alabama
 
 article 5. section 1 of the constitution of the organization, I hereby demand and request that you appoint a committee of three to investigate charges that I per sonally and in writing hereby prefer against different officers and members who have violated the rule of the associa- ton which reads as follows:
 That any newspaper man in the state or Alabama who so prostitutes his integ- rity by taking advantage of the courtesy Of railroads by selling or lending his per- sonal transportation, thereby entalling a loss on our friends, the railroads, as well as abusing their confidence that the same is unworthy the confidence and re- speet of our brotherhood. and, together With his publication, shall be expelled therefrom"
 l. hereby charge that ". F. w Yer by, president and chairman of the exc cutlVe committee of the Alabama Press Association, editor of the Greensboro waterman, did sell or lend his trans- portation for the Canadian trip to Miss Bessie Ward and Miss Whatley. two young ladies who are not members of his family and were not on his nav roll three months before said Canadian ex- cursion, and that said young ladies rode on passes issued to said Yerby as his sis ters.
 2 l hereby charge that C. IT. Greer, first vice-president, and editor of the Marion Standard, did sell or lend his transportation for the Canadian trip to J. H. Hendrix, a merchant of Marion. who was not a member of the associa- tion and who was not entitled to go on said trip-said Hendrix riding on passes issued in the name of c. H. Greer.
 3. hereby charge that Rev s. P. West. second vice-president of the Alabama Press Association, business manager of the Alabama Christian Advocate, did sell or lend his transportation for the Cana dian trip to Miss Belle Mccoy, who is not member of his family or on the pay roll of the Christian Advocate.
 I hereby charge that H. S. Doster, fourth vice-president, member of the ex- ecutive committee, editor of the Prattville Progress, did sell or lend his transporta- tion for Canadian trip to the Miss Blue, Miss Laura Hill, Miss Margaret Dimmick and Miss Mary Fillmore of Mont gomery, who are not members of his family and were not on the pay roll of the Progress three months before Cana dian trip.
 5. I hereby charge that Jacob Pepper man. member from Alabama of the ex- ecutive committee of the National Edi- torial Association, and member of the executive committee of the Alabama Press Association, editor of the Alabama Odd Fellow, did sell or lend his trans portation for Canadian trip to Mrs. A. D. Meadow and Miss Tommie Daniel who are not members of his family and were not on the pay roll of the Odd Fellow three months before the Canadian trip.
 G. hereby charge that H. F. Whitaker, member of the executive committee, edi- tor of the Montevallo Sentinel, did sell or lend his transportation for Canadian trip to Miss Maude Allen, who is not a mem- Der of his family and was not on the pay roll of the Sentinel three months before Canadian trip.
 '. hereby charge that John c. Will Hams, member of the executive commit tee, editor of the Talladega Mountain Home, did sell or lend his transportation to A. G. Joiner and afterwards sold trans portation to George P Kyser, mer- chant of Talladega to go on said Cana dian trip.
 S. also charge that W. 1T. H. Judson.. member of the executive committee, edi- tor of the Bessemer Weekly, has within the last twelve months sold and lent his railroad transportation to persons who are not members of his family or on the pay roll of the Bessemer Weekly.
 I address this communication to you,, third vice president you being the only executive officer not guilty of the charges, and therefore the only ore qualified un- der the constitution to act. l request or you to appoint an Investigating commit tee, and not a prosecuting or prosecuting committee, one that is not biased, preju- diced or in any manner connected with the recent Canadian trip, a committee that will abide by the constitution and make It's report at the next annual meet ing and not to any special called meeting of the association or to its executive com mttee.
 I make these charges in writing. am re- sponsible for them, have evidence in writ ing to substantiate every one made. do not make them on heresay evidence or editorial comments. Very respectfully,
 J. A. ROUNTREE.
 A Suggestion.
 To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Taking into consideration the notoriety the affairs of the Alabama Press associ-