The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-20

ison of rates would be shown the com pany's representatives, and eXplana- tions asked upon the subject as re- was acting in his official capacity. He then stated that the defendants should have been given longer notice of the rules and notice of the charges and the witnesses. He stated that the de- fendants were in the dark, prosecuted and persecuted by some unknown shadow He asked for 8. list of wit nesses in order that they may be inn 1,eached if such was subsequently, con- sidered necessary.
 MT Evins ruled that the letters of the governor and the replies constituted the issue. "I am not here as a prose- cutor." said MT. Evns, "and there is none. I am here simply to ascertain the truth, and not to prosecute or de- fend The evidence will be submitted to the governor and if asked to l will give him my opinion.'
 Mir Bowman then read from one or the letters of the governor, and asked the names of the saloonkeepers who. it was said the defendants had endeavored to influence Mir. EVins said that he was not in a position to rule on a demurrer rom
 
 man then asked if the investigation was not restricted to the defendants for fear if at something might be said concerning tic action of the president of the excise commission in levyine toll on applicants for saloon license to be used in the liquor campaign in Lauderdae county. MT. Evjns stated that such was not the case n, his knowledge. The list of witnesses was then furnished by Mr. Evins.
 Metts First Witness
 V. l.. Metts of Wylam was the first wit ness called. In answer to questions he said. after having been sworn by Jack 3talings
 "T know McCord. Bowman and Fields l do not know Oakley. The day follow- irc the local option election 1 had q con ycrsation with McCord in the Morris ho- tel, room 2l5. Fields telephoned me to come to room 215 and bring J. r. Thomp- son of Wylam. We came to room Flo, meeting Dr. Fields. We were introduced to McCord. and Fields said McCord had proposition to make. McCord said 1t was lis hearts desire to be the first to lay a pipe line for gas in Alabama, and that he was selling stock. It was told ns that N,r Bowman through his influence with the governor, would have in charge the appointment of the excise commission. We were asked to take s25O worth of stock. We were told that nothing was compul- sory, but that if we scratched his back he would scratch ours. We declined to buy.
 ''McCord then asked Fields if he knew anyone else at Wyam who wanted whisky license, and asked him to look over the field. On Friday before the ap- pointment of the excise commission Dr. Fields and another visited my home. ask ing me if l could not amend the state 1cent made to the excise commission.
 MT. Bowman then cross examined Metts, who said in answer to questions:
 q was not asked to pay money but to give two notes, was told that the people of Tuscaloosa would raise s1O0,OOO if the company raised $25,0O0, and that the notes would not be payable until after Tusca- loosa had raised that sum- under stood from McCord that pr. Seay was to be one of tue commissioners. and that Ml Bowman was to instruct the gov eImor to name the others. 4
 ''rhere is but one saloon in Vivian. ] haNe tIa. one. l have been working in mines and sellrs whisky since prohibition.