The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15
NO DEVELOPMENTS FROM M'C0RD CARD Bowman Returned to the
 City Yesterday COWART STATEMENT Is of Opinion That McCord Had Re-
 ference 10 Him in One of His Statements and Makes Answer
COWART STATEMENT

Following the card of Leon McCord in The Age-lIerald of yesterday morning there was no development. in the pro- posed investigation into alleged trans actions in Alabama Gas and oil stock.
 Col. P. c. Bowman, back tax com missioner of Jefferson county, whose alleged connection with the rumored sale of the gas stock to men who were applicants for positions on the eX- else commission and to those who de- sired to possess license to retail liquors in this county, returned yesterday aft ernoon from a trip to Cincinnati and Louisville. He did not issue state ment relative to the situation. James G. Oakley, president of the convict board, another official who will ap- pear before the investigation, spent several hours in Birmingham yesterday y afternoon, but had nothing of an off = cial nature. to say. MT. McCord re- turned to Montgomery yesterday aft ernoon and with him went Charles l.. Harold, his law partner, and treasurer of the Alamo Gas and Oil company.
 Since the announcement in The Age Herald of some days ago that the vari ous rumors connecting state officials with the alleged deals in gas stock would be investigated by Governor O'Neal, that matter has been the sole topic of conversation in hotel lobbies. Original rumors have led to others, and every man seems desirous of express ing his opinion as to the outcome. But nOthino nf Ia nu haap developed.
 It is understood that the governor will go to the bottom of the alleged scandal and that the gentlemen chiefly concerned will be ready with their re- sponse to all testimony. There is mark ed difference of opinion as to whether or not the investigation will result in sensational disclosures, many be- ing of the opinon that nothing out of the ordinary will obtain, and others that new testimony will involve others connected either directly or indirectly with the administration of Governor ONeal.
 The insinuations of Leon McCord yes terday morning that Governor O'Neal gathered money in Jefferson county to be used in the liquor fight in Lauder dale county, developed interest, but no sequel. Lee Cowart, appointed by the governor as immigration commis- sioner. is of the opinion that MT. Nc Cords statement that certain prom inent officeholder represented the ex- else commission as legal adviser and at the same time represented appli- cants for liquor licenses before the ex. else commission, concerned him direct. ly. In reference to this matter he said: T do not desire to discuss the probab ble motive for the insin uat tion However, l declined to represent many applicants for liquor licenses, because l knew, although in the representation itself there could be nothing improper that by so doing I might be drawn into the controversy which I knew was ap- preaching a crisis"
 While plans have not been definitely perfected, it is probable that the in- vestigatfon will occur in rooms 21S- 19, Morris hotel. In addition to the governor his legal adviser R. B. Evins of Greensboro, and the four gentlemen whose alleged actions are to be inves- tigated, it Is certain that the public hearing will attract one of the largest and most interested audiences in the recent political history of the state.