The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-11
Charges Involving Four State Officials Will Be Heard in Birmingham
 October 19
MEN INVOLVED ARE
 EAGER TO ASSIST IN ( AN INVESTIGATION
Charges Made That Officials Sold Gas Stock With Promise of Ger
 tain Favors in Connection
 With the Liquor Traffic
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, October 10.-(Speclai)- frhe gas and oil stock rumors have reached a head.
 The governor has notified Col. P. G. Bowman, back tax commissioner of Jef- ferson county, James c. Oakley, presl- dent of the convict board Leon McCord, associate railroad commissioner, and pr. K. T. Fields, physician of state mines, that with the alleged transaction their names are coupled. Each of the gentle ,uen, instantly replying to the communi- cation of the governor, expressed his pleasure In cooperating with the chief executive in either transforming ugly re- ports Into facts by proof, or stamping them by lack of proof as utterly false.
 The investigation will be held in Bir- mingham October 19, at the Morris hotel. R. B. Evins of Greensboro, legal adviser of the administration, will preside over the investigation. There will be no prose- cution, that is, the state will not be rep resented by attorney. MT. Evins stated tonight that all people who possess evi- dence are earnestly requested to attend the investigation, and give him the bene- fit of their knowledge.
 Following the taking of evidence, all of which will be reduced to writing, MT. T'vins will render his report, with the evidence, attached, to Governor O'Neal. There is hardly a doubt but that the recommendation of MT. Eyins will be followed by an official proclamation on the part Of the governor
 Governor o Neal has called the investi- ys,tion because he thought that such ac- ton was due in justice not only to the people of the state, but to the four gen ttlemen concerned
 How Inquiry Began
 A superficial inquiry into the rumors started about ten days ago, when friends of the governor laid the reports before hlm on board train between Florence and Decatur. Last Friday at the Bismarck hotel, Decatur, consultation between the governor and friends took place, and this was followed by another Sunday at the Hotel Hllman, Birmingham. As result of these consultations, the gover- nor called his legal adviser, MT Evins, from Greensboro to Birmingham, and the two conferred until early Monday morn ing. On reaching Montgomery, the gov ornor and Mir Evns reached the de- cision that in justice to the people and all concerned the truth or falsity of the reports should be established This morning the governor notified Col | onel Bowman, MT. Oakley MT. McCord and MT. Fields of his determination to order an investigation, and each replied immediately expressing hearty approval l of the plan.
 What the Reports Charge The reports which are to be investi- | gated concern the alleged sale of gas and oil stock by men prominent In connec- ton with the O'Neal administration, to applicants for positions on the excise | commission and to applicants for licenses to operate saloons in Birmingham, it | being broadly circulated that the alleged l statesmen implied that to those who bought | stock, and only to those, would what was desired be granted The runois are to the effect, further l more, that the alleged sales occurred in room No. 215 Morris hotel, Birmingham. l towards the conclusion of and immediate | ly following the local option election In Jefferson county Furthermore, the ru- | mors are to the effect that the city of | Tuscaloosa was said to have agreed to | purchase $l00,000 worth of stock, thus | making the company's project certain | success in financial sense Rumors are to the effect that as result of these alleged representations the company dis | posed of stock for a sum variously esti- | mated as between $50,O00 and $100000.
 No Proof in Governors Hands
 There Is no proof in the hands of the | governor tending to show that these va- rous rumors are other than idle gos- | sip. However, so persistent have they | been and so wide has become the area | of their circulation, that the governor | as stated, deemed it necessary to go to | the bottom of the proposition. So the court will be convened and all proof submitted will be judiciously dealt with. | \ t.a l,ra, n rl1n down trails, the governor taking the po- | sition that those who have circulated | the reports and those who have pub | lished them will be willing to cooperate | with an expression of their knowledge.
 Who the Men Are
 There are no men of Alabama better known than those concerned. Colonel Bowman has been resident of Bir- n1ingham for a long number of years. and from a period antedating the Kolb ] campaign has been prominent in state politics. Following the election of Gov ernor O'Neal he received the appoint- ment as back tax collector of Jefferson county, considered not only most lucra | tive position. but one of trust second to no other He was also appointed colonel on the governors staff.
 Mr. oakley has also been prominent in affairs for long period. He was sheriff of Bfbb county for a number of years and follOWlng the election Of Governor O'Neal applied for the posi- | tion of president of the convict board, which board produces more revenue for the state government than any other | The indorsement of Mir. Oakley was the most magnificent ever presented to | governor. Senators Bankhead and Johnston, the nine Alabama congress- men. the majority of the members of the present legislature, and practical : ,ly every man who actively served 2 O'Neal in his capaign for governor, Joined in petition that Mr. Oakley be appointed
 Leon McCord has occupied positions Of trust in Alabama since the days of his youth. For long while he served as clerk to the supreme court. In the campaign against the proposed prohibi- tion amendment to the constitution in 1909 Mir, McCord took an active part, making many intelligent speeches throughout the state. He made the race for associate member of the rail- road commission and won magnificent victory by the votes of the people.
 pr. Fields hes been prominent Jef-