The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-03
0'Nea| Makes Some |mpOr-
tant Appointments
M'NEEL IS SECRETARY
Lee Cowart Is Immigration Commis-
sioner and Ed DegraHenreid Is
Legal Adviser TO Gov
ernor O'NenI

Montgomery, February 2.-(Special.)
Governor O'Neal this afternoon an
nounced the appointments of J. p.
Powell and Judge A. A. Evans as as
sociate tax commissioners Lee Cow
art as immigration commissioner, j.
d. McNeel as private secretary; Ell
Degraffenreid of Hale county, legal adj
wiser to the governor on the .constl
tutionality of bills. He will serve the
present administration as Mr.. Sell
heimer did the last
The tax commission is now complete,
the chairman. Alex Walker, having
been named several days ago.
The appointment of Mr.. Powell, who
was member of the last commission,
was not unexpected. The naming of
Judge Eval>, was a distinct surprise,
as he had not made application for the
position.
His appointment is considered one of
the highest compliments which the gov.
ernor has as yet paid. The other ap-
plicants for the tax commission, who
were consider ed to have excellent
chances, were Col. Harvey Jones of
the old commission. and Frank V.
Evans Of Jasper. Judge Evans was a
Conner advocate and was a stanch ad-
vocate of the constitutional prohibit
tion amendment. He was appointed to
the bench of the supreme court by
Governor Conner and was defeated for
another term in the last general cleo
tion.
The appointment of Lee Cowart as
immigration commissioner was not un-
expected. BY the appointment r. III.
Walker of Athens, who is in Mont
gomery at the present time, was re-
moved from office. Mr.. Walker desires
it stated in The Age-Herald that he
was an advocate of the amendment and
a supporter of Colonel Mallory for the
gubernatorial nomination. ]. d. McNeel
was Governor Comer's private secre-
tary and his appointment pleases a
great many pc ople.
He fully understands the duties of
his office and the opinion is that he
will make a good right arm for the
Personnel Now Complete
With today's announcement the person
mel of the state tax commission is now
complete A. E. Walker of Florence is
TO be chairman of the new commission,
and Judge Evans of Clayton and j. s.
Powell of Greenville are his associates.
The only member of the old commission
to be retained is Mr.. Powell.
Announcement of the gubernatorlaa
preference for the high office was one OF
the late developments of the day. and
was at once gossped about the hotel
and capitol lobbies of the city. Surprise
was expressed only. with respect to the
appointment of Judge Evans.
Major Walker of Florence who heads
the commission is from the town in
which Governor O'Neal has spent most
of his life, and was one of his excel
lency's most ardent supporters in the
recent gubernatorial campaign. The two
have been lifelong friends His APP
pointment to one of the leading offices
as the gift of the chief executive was
expected.
Mr.. Powell, who is retained on the tax
commission, is recognized as one of the
foremost tax authorities in the state.
having been closely identified with the
handling of taxes for the past 20 years.
During the past four years he was one
Of the most assiduous workers on the
commission.
Judge Evans, who is appointed as one
of the associate commissioners, was ell
evated to the supreme court bench upon
the retirement of Judge n. D. benson
from that office. He was one of the
most popular of the officials at the capi-
tol during his occupancy of the judicial
chair. Previous to coming to the
capitol he was judge of the circuit court
OF his district.
Peculiar Honor
The city of Florence possesses a unique
honor in having Major Walker named
at the head of the commission. He sue
ceeds Judge ]. J. Mitchell, of the same
city, who was appointed to office under
former Governor B. B. Conner.
Col Harvey e. Jones, who loses
office as the result of the appointment
CT Judge Evans is we'll known through
out the state, and especially in his ca
pacity of adjutant of the United Confed-
crate Veterans He has ever since the
war been closely identified with the in
terests of the old soldiers.
The new commission will go into office
at once, taking up the work where the
old commission leaves 1t off
1t is expected that VIII r. Lloyd, pres,
ent secretary to the tax commission VIII
be retained in office, though official an
nouncement to this effect has not been