The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-05
'bR|CKE[L-EV|NS' REPORT GOES INTO ALAMO GAS STOCK Oakley and McCOrd Exoner- ated-No Ground for Lat
 ter's Impeachment ACTS OF FIELDS AND
 BOWMAN IMPROPER Both Members of Special Committee Sign the Report Recommend
 ing Removal From Office.
 Report in Full


 Montgomery, November 4.-(Special) The report of the governors specia, committee which was appointed to in- vestigate the alleged Alamo Gas stock scandal was short, taking up at length the part played or supposed to have been played by James c. Oakley, Leon McCord, pr. E. T. Fields and Col r. c. Bowman. The committee reported that MT. Oakley was not in the least involved in any attempt to Influence saloon applicants to the purchase of the company's stock on representation that such purchases would be helpful to them in the procuring of license from the excise commissioners He was completely eXonerated, as was MT. McCord, who, the committee stated, was not guilty of any offense on which Impeachment proceedings might be based, he being state officer and not removable by the governor. The same consideration was not given to pr Fields and Colonel Bow man, however. who were gubernatorial appointees. Tho removal from office Of both of these officials was reccmmend- ed on the ground that their conduct in having any dealings with tho stock under the conditions was improper.
 The report follows:
 Report of Governors Committee
 Hon. Emmet ONeal Governor of Ala bana, Capitol:
 Sir-In accordance witt, your in structions, we held, on the 10th day of october, 1911, at the Morris hotei, iii Birmingham, Ala, an investigation into the truth of the runiors referred to in your letters of october le 70 Messrs James c. oakley, Leon McCord, ip. G. Bowman and y. r. Fields, and in accordance with your further instruc- tions we herewith submit our findings of fact Attaching hereto a stenograpfic report of all the proceedings. We sought in every manner possible to bring before us all persons who were supposed to have any Knowledge of the matters and things involved in this inquiry.
 We examined 29 witnesses, exclusive of the parties being Investigated and
  of six persons who may or may not have had knowledge of the matters inquired about Having no power whereby we could compel the attend- ance of these persons, we were forced to adjourn without an examination of them.
 The testimony develops somewhat different phase with reference to each of the parties, therefore, we report sep arately as to each.
 There Is no tendency whatsoever h the evidence to show that MT. Oakley had any connection directly or indi- rectly with, or had knowledge of any of the matters under investigation, and the positive testimony completely ex- oherates him. We, therefore, find and report that as to James c. Oakley, the rumors out of which the investigation grew, are without any foundation whatsoever. es MT. Leon McCOrd rrhe investigation shows no conduct or act on the part of Mr. McCord, on which Impeachment charges could be based, and Mir. McCord, being an officer elected by lthe people and mot removable by you, we do not deem 1t proper to make fur ther report as to his connection with the matter.
 |'% ' Dr. F. T. Fields .1The testimony of Dr. Fields himself, establishes that he was guilty of improp- CT conduct in connection with tho sale of the stock of the Alamo Gas and Oil com- pany to prospective applicahts for sa- loon licenses. Tn this conIiection we desire further to report that Dr. Fields made a candid and full statement of his connection with the matter, withholding no information so far as we are able to determine. We deem 1t proper to further report as' to lDr. Fieads that his attions in the matter 1ena ry ! reconsideration and that he was not financially interested in the company, although he, neither having or expecting to have any stock in the company, improp- eriy allowed his name to be used as director of it.
 MT. P. G. Bowman we find it to be fact that MT. Bow man did as testified to by himself and other witnesses, make statement m room 2l5 of the Morris hotel. during the time the stock was being sold, to the effect that those purchasing the stock need not do so under the idea that 1t would at0 mem III ootdiuHB AQuOT IT. c&Eses. -f+-f f.' .'- f1t.
 we further find that the circumsta nces under which this statement was made, which we will aore fully discuss hereaft- CT, were such as to deprive 1t of the force and effect which 1t might ordinarily have l had. and that 1t was not sufficient to dis
 sipate the Impression which these cir cumstances must have made on the minds | of applicants for license who were so- l lcited to purchase this stock 'The facts surrounding this transac- ton are as follows, and uncontroverted in tke testimony:
 .Room 215 in tlIe Morris hotel was not, at the time of the transactions in ques- l ton, nor had it ever been, an office of tne Alamo Gas and oil company, HOT has it been since used for any of tie purposes of the company. For some tune previous 1t had been used as a sort of
 srb-headquarters of the local option cam | paign--evidently that branch of 1t with which MT. Bowman was Identified, as 1t was in this room that the testimonial | to him for his services fin the campaign l was arranged for. To conduct the busi-
 
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