The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-20
NO SENSATIONS IN
 DAYS DEVELOPMENTS
Numerous Witnesses Were Examined and It Is Expected That the Hearing Will Easily Be
 Finished Today

| that they were induced to appear III room 215. the Morris hotel, that they cid appear, that they were offered stock in the Alamo Gas and oil company, that nc l coercion was employed or threat made, | that they were not told to buy and re- | eeive a license to operate saloon, and that they were informed that in case the citizens of Tuscaloosa failed to raise | $l00, GOO, their notes would be returned. Not a scintilla of testimony has been in- troduced which might tend to connect James G. Oakley, president of the con vict board with even a single effort to sell stock to would-be holders of saloon licenses, and no one swore that he was present at any of the various meetings said to have been held in room 215, the Morris hotel.
 Throughout the day, there was no nn- pleasantness. R. B. Evins and Attorney General Brickel, who are conducting the investigation, and the gentlemen who are the subjects of the probe, displayed a marked and consistent consideration for each other, and Col. Bowman, towards | the close of the day, expressed the grati- tude of himself and associates in that the hearing had been conducted so squarely and fairly to everybody
 Few Sensational References Nothing of a sensational nature devel- oped. The references which might be considered as bordering on the sensation al were few and far between. In the early hours of the morning Col Bowman asked MT Evins if it were not true that the investigation had been restricted to the gas stock matter because it was fear ed that otherwise something might be said concerning the chairman of the excise commission levying toll on saloon pro- prietors to be used in the Lauderdale liquor campaign. MT. Evins denied that such was the case. Later, in cross ex- amining a witness, Col. Bowman received Q negative reply to question as to whether or not the witness had contrib uted to the liquor fight in the governor 5 home county.
 But one other reference was made to the restriction by the rules of the inves- tigation to the gas stock matter, and that was late in the afternoon. C. W. Austin, formerly chief of police and now editor e The Recall while on the stand, was asked to tell what he knew of the con- troversy under probe. He inquired if it was true that the probe was being re- stricted simply to the matter of gas stock sale When informed that this was true. ne said nothing irrevelent to the issue.
 Lee Cowart immigration commissioner was on the stand in the afternoon, and in answering questions of Col, Bowman denied that he had received remuneration from the excise commission. Later Col Bowman asked him how many "six shooters he had in his pockets at that very moment. Mr. Evins instantly s'uled this question out of order.
 Some Preliminary Fitting
 In the beginning of the investigation, there occurred lively tilt between coun- sel for the accused and Mir Evins and Mr. Brickell. MT. Letcher, McCord's law partner. insisted that the investigation be held in a public hall, and that the public be not denied of all the proceed ings by being compelled to read what ex parte reports the press might think wise to make Over this point, there followed an argument lasting several moments Later, MT. Letcher expressed himself as of the opinion that before the principals were investigated they should have been informed of the charges against them, should have been informed of the wit nesses to be used against them, and should have been informed of the rules which had been agreed upon. Later still, Col Bowman joined in the demand that the hearing be conducted in d public hall.
 MT. Evins and MT. Brickell, however, overluled every motion. Col. Bowman then desired to know in what capacity MT. Brickell was appearing, explaining that if he came to prosecute, such prose- ctuion would be welcomed. MT. Brlcksll then informed MT. Bowman that he was not present in his official capacity to prosecute but simply to aid MT. Evins in getting at the truth. MT. Evins imme- diately after explained that no one would appear in the role of prosecuting dttor- ney.
 MT Lstcher, thereupon, read the rules which had been addressed to each of inc defendants by MT. Brickell, and I rointed out that below the signature of that gentleman, the title, attorney general, appeared.
 Other Witnesses Desired
 With the main room of investigations. 2aS. filled to it's capacity, and with the other room, 229, filled with people standing, the witnesses were called. Mir. Metts of Wylam was first to take ,he stand Then followed one after another in rapid succession until after noon Numerous witnesses called in the afternoon failed to put in an appear snce. Among these were: F. B. Mays R. P. Fontell, J. s. Ireland, VIII Monjot, Fred Monjot, J. F. Thompson, Will Wrenn, George Cavales. Moody Wray' Toney Frank, E. L. Fulton and Tom Ellard. The principals in the investi- gation join with MT Evins and MT. Brickell in urging these witnesses to be on hand at 9:30 o'clock this morn ing.