The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
MILITARY CONTROVERSY
 IS PROBABLY CLOSED
THROUGH COL. w. H, M'kLEROV LIEUT.. ALTON p. STEPHENS OF COMPANY K ISSUES STATEMENT OF REGENT DISSATISFACTION.

Anntston, November a.-(Specia1.)- Maj. w. II. Long of Decatur has taken no steps in answer to the ultlmatum of Col. N. II. McKleroy signifying his willing ness for Major Long to call court of inquiry to investigate charges of eorrup- ton in the Third regiment, and the con troversy over this question will likely be ended by the following letter which is being sent out to officers of the regi- ment by Lieut. A. P. Stephens of Com pany K the bone of contention:
 Birmingham. November 21. 1908.
 Tn view of the interview giyen to the press in regard to conditions in the Third Regiment, Alabama Natio0al erard. a7d especially as 10 the officers of Company K not being commissioner. 1 desire to make the following statement;
 Several months ago Capt Robert V. Mabry was in command of this company. l was a sergeant in this com9any and op- posed the policy of Captain Mahry in re- gard to certain matters.
 "Captain Mabry shortly afterward was appointed captain and ordnance on tie staff cf Col " II. McKleroy. and dt r. ing the vacancy of the coptaney of Ccr- panv K Major Ledbetter took command, at whose request authority l do not know. and held several meetings. and on being informed that I would probably be q candidate for one of the Vacanc es then existing he made the statement that he would not approve of my being commissioned and would use his influence to prevent me or any otherimember of Company K being commissioneds ana when pressed by me for an explanation why he opposed me stated that he never saw man who had served in the United States regular army but that would cause strife and disco-d in company, but when he saw that the entire company expressed their desire for my being one of their or ficers he stated that he would not do any thing more in the matter, but would leave it to Maj. L. C. Brown, who, during the meantime, had taken command Of the company by order of Adit Gen. Blob Graves Several weeks thereafter Major Brown requested an order for an election of officers to be issued. which was com piled with and the following officers were elected: Captain Cliff s. Priee first lieu tenant Alton P. Stephens; second ieuten- ant Conrad H. Ohme: but before We had been examined the strike in the Birming- ham district occurred and Colonel Mckle- roy who was in command of headquar- ters at Hotel Morris, ordered me to report to Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy for exam nation. and that he would get my com
 
 and governor were both in town and would sign the same. I was examined bv Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy ana passed the papers being approved ana recommended for commission, and the eX- animation papers were given to me 10 give to Colonel Mckleroy. This l dld' hui was not commissioned and was in- formed by Capt. Cliff s. Price several weeks later that my examination papers were lost. and that l would have to stand another examination, which l did ana passed the examination being approved and recommended as before by Lieuten- ant Colonel Kennedy. These papers nave never been forwarded by me and are still in my possession. Lieutenant Ohme or the same company has never applied Tor examination.
 .T desire to state further that so far as know. Major Ledbetter has not in- terferred with nor had anything to do with my commission in the least, and do not attribute the fact that have not been commissioned to his interference or influence. Since the day of my election he has always treated me as an orlcer and respected me as such, especially dur ing the recent strike duty, and at the meneAvers at Chickamauga Ga, his ac- lions have been apparently friendly to- ward both the company and myself since my election As for Lieutenant Colonei Kennedy I will state that he has sho"n me every respect and courtesy due, and has been ready and willing at any tune to examine me or any other officer Of the company. and has examined me twlce' both times approving me and recommends ing me for commission.
 'The Third regiment, in my opinion, IS in splendid condition, and l know or no irregularities or strife l have no com plaint to make, nor have l ever com nlained of the treatment the company or its officers have received. l have been In actual command of the company and so recognized by all officers since the date of my election. very respectfully,
 ALTON P. STEPHENS, D''First Lieutenant Third Regiment, A. N.
 G., Commanding Company k