The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-16
Affidavit By Dr. Grove

State of Alabama, Jefferson County Personally appeared before me Grafton B. Grove, who being duly sworn, deposes and says. That about the 16th day of November, 1911, he requested Hon. M. N. Howard and Col. P. G. Bowman to go with him to the office of w. P. G. Hard ing in the First National bank building for the purpose of reading paper signed by Emmet O'Neal early in the spring of 1910. Sad Howard and said Bowman went with affiant to the office of the said , Harding, and affiant in the presence of the said Howard and the said Bowman requested MT. Harding to produce the paper which he had offered to allow affi- ant 10 read in the spring of 1910 Affiant explained 10 MT. Harding at this time in the presence of Colonel Bowman and NIT. Howard that the paper he desired Harding 10 produce was the one In which Emmet O'Neal had pledged himself to stand with the corporations and against the men in case there should be strike or labor troubles in Alamama; at thls request Harding at first replied that he did not have in his possession such a pa per, Whereupon affiant reminded Harding that he had sent for affiant in the spring of 1910 and had offered to let him read it. and said Harding then looked down at the floor for about % seconds, making no reply but at the end of that time raised
 
 presence of Colonel Bowman and MT. Howard that he had had such a paper, but that he had destroyed it, whereupon Colonel Bowman advised MT. Harding not to make that statement to any one else, as they would not believe him. MT Hard ing then stated that he had kept the said paper until after the primary election was over and then destroyed it. where upon Colonel Bowman stated to MT. Hard- ing that no one would believe that state ment, for the reason that Emmet O Neal could not serve the corporations while he was a candidate and could only serve them after he had become governor of Alabama. MT. Harding again reiterateG: T no longer have the paper which you desire to see, because have destroyed it."
 G. B. GROVE.
 ' State of Alabama, Jefferson County Personally appeared before me the under signed authority, Grafton B. Grove, who by me being first duly sworn, deposes and says that the above and foregoing statement is true and correct
 "'JOHN N. VINCENT,
 Notary Public and Ex- -Officio J. P.
 Conversation in 1910
 State of Alabama, Jefferson County Personally appeared before me Grafton B. Grove, who being duly sworn, deposes and says that early in the spring of 1910 he was president of the Yolande Coal company and several other coal companies in the Birmingham district, that he was then working at the various mines under his control in the neighborhood of thou sand men; that about this time Emmet O'Neal was a candidate for the democrat ic nomination for governor of Alabama Affiant further says that about this time w. P. G. Harding, president of the First National bank of Birmingham. Ala, sent | bank; affiant immediately repaired to the office in said bank, and was requested oy the said Harding to vote for and use his personal influence in helping to bring | about the nomination of the said Emmet 1 O'Neal Affiant before committing him | self asked the said Harding what treat ment corporations could expect at the l hands of O'Nea in the event he should be elected governor of Alabama; to this inquiry the said Harding told affant that l he had in the vaults of the First National 1 hank an instrument in writing signed by l said ONeal, in which writing the said 1 . .<eal Ds aged himself in the event of his eiectiGl to stand with the coipora- 1 tions and against the men in case of strikes or labor troubles of any descrlp- l ton, and the said Harding then and there 1 offered to go to the vaults produce the paper and allow affiant to read the same. l Affant told the said Harding his word | as to the contents of the paper was a sufficient guarantee, that he did not care l to read it, but that on Hardings state ment he, affiant, would lend his support l to the candidacy of said O'Neal.
 e. B. CROWE. 1 'Sta,e of Alabama, Jefferson County | Personally appeared before me the nnter- signed authority, Dr. Grafton B. Grove, who by me being duly sworn deposcs anu | says that the above and foregoing is true | and correct. JOHN N. VINCENT, 1 {" Notary Public and Ex-Officio J. P
 Affidavit From Austin
 State of Alabama, Jefferson County l Personally appeared before me C. w. Aus tin who being duly sworn deposes and