The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-21

offer was declined. We have a right ofFway to Tuscaloosa, 30 year fran chise in Tuscaloosa, d contract with the Providence oil and Gas company through the Peoples company, to. use gas at cents per 1000 feet, and contract to sell it to people of Tusca- loosa for 25 and 30 cents.
 "rhe prospectus of the company was published prior to the election, and every detail connected with the company is in cluded Manly Foster, former resident of Tuscaloosa, is one of the directors
 T have never offered an indueement to applicants for saloon license. and never attempted to use my influence with the members of an excise commission . The prospectus of the company was nere offered as testimony and was re- ceived. Mr. McCord at this point stated that MT. Oakley was ns'er in Birming- ham while the stock was being sold.
 The witness stated that no note had been used and would not be used, and that he would continue to push the operatio of the company. He stated too, that one or two other directors in addition to Dr. Fields have not taken stock. He stated that as far as he knew, no director had declined to act.
 '"rhe sales in room 215, occupied half day." he testified. By inviting prospective buyers to that room we had no design to exert an influence over them, or to hold cut a suggestion that by buying stock they would receive the political favors they might have desired. There was no discussion by us while writing stock in reference to saloon licenses.
 'The company has compiled with the Alabama law. But we have not yet be- gun to do business in Alabama save in the cisposing of stock.
 Seay Causes Flurry
 The testimony of Dr. James E. Seay follows in part: T know the gentlemen concerned l was an applicant for a po- sltion on the excise commission. My friend was Jesse F. Stallings. Metts told Stallings of the gas stock rumors. Later in Montgomery l heard a conversation between Bowman and James Weatherly. Mr. Weatherly was talking very loud"
 He was here interrupted by MT. Evins who ruled that what the witness heard MT. Weatherly say was irreleVent. Colonel Bowman then spoke. declaring that the purpose of the investigation was to as- ce rtain tine whole truth. MT. Letcher, at tcrney then spoke, asking that the great white light of publicity be permitted to may, and intimating that MT. Weatherly knew more of the prosecution than had Leen brought out. Mir Evins, however, vas firm in his ruling that whatever the witness heard WeatheFly say was irrele- vent.
 The witness then resumed; At any rate. on returning to Birmingham visited Netts, and he denied having said that l had promised him q license in case l
 landed a position on the commission if he would buy stock He gave me state ment-to that effect.
 .J am a director in the Alamo Gas and Oil company having been asked to be- come one by McCord. This was before the election. 1 haven't taken any stock, but will do so. On the day following the election I was in McCord's room. l sum- moned two men not applicants and one ho was an applicant to that room. The proposition made to them was a business proposition.
 "Dr. Fields is a director in the com rany, McCord is president. I didn't hear the scratch my back and I'll scratch yours proposition. Four or five appli- cants were in the room on that day. l heard nothing about licenses granted in return for the purchase of stock. In good faith, l advised men to take the stock. 1 would advise others to do the same now, believing the proposi- ton. in case Tuscaloosa carries ont it's intention, to be good one, Others Know Little
 Other witnesses examined tllfeW i1llie additional light on the subject of the investigation. J. r. Thompson stated that he was in Room 215 on the day following the election, that Ii was his intention to apply for ;H saloon license, that he found pr. Fields and McCord there and that he declined to buy even nfter McCord had told him that his notes would not be collected until Tuscaloosa had raised s10o.0O0. He swore that nothing was said to him about a saloon license. He was not cross examined Toney Prank knew nothing of the subject of the investi- gation.
 B. P Fontell swore that he knew ab- solutely nothing of the matter under investiga ton and had never had talk with either of the gentlemen con eerned. He was not cross examined. Walter 5. Lynch. in the saloon business at Ensley testified that he knew noth- ing of the subject matter of the investi- gation.
 ]. s. Ireland swore that he had not been an applicant for a saloon license, that he was called to Room 215 by pr. Seay. saw Bowman and McCord there. that he bought stock giving his notes for same, on condition that they would | he returned if Tusc$5osa failed to raise S1O0 ,000. T offered money" he sworc. but it was declined"
 Will Monjot swore that he had never ' L f. Lt,t-