The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-11

port, asserting that he could not recall
the names of any of his informants He
was next asked whether the head lines
placed over his story were not misload-
ing. and Mr.. Norman admitted that they
" ere. expressing the opinion that head
lines" are frequently an exaggeration.
The investigation, with the exception of
Mr.. Norman. was confined entirely to tha
examination of fertilizer concerns with
which the convict department had dealt.
Mr.. Sterne told the board of inquiry OF
transaction which his company had had
with Inspector L. f. Greer, in which fer
tilizer had been sold to Mr.. Greer at
cheaper rate than had been offered the
state. He explained that this was done
in order to meet competition with lBir-
mingham concerns.
Taber First Witness
e. R. Taber. of Bigbee Fertilizer
company and the American Agricul-
tural and Chemical company of Mont
gomery, was the first witness in the
convict department probe this morn
ing. Witness said his company sold
the convict department $26S4 worth of
goods in 1911. The business was OBJ
tanned through M. G. Gamble. the COM
pany's representative. No further trans
actions were had between the convict
department, and state. Same prices
were quoted the state other con-
Germs. Witness enumerated various
items and prices. He produced letters
from Oakley soliciting bids. The con-
vict department usually bought 400
tons of fertilizer a year.
c. j. Bean of the Virginia Carolina
Chemical company, was the next wit
ness. He showed a statement of trans
actions with the department and en-
numerated list of items and prices.
The company did business with the de-
partment in 1910, but not in 1911. They
did not solicit business. Only sold IS
tons of KANT to state.
A II. Sterne of Alabama Chemical
company was called. Quoted prices to
the state last year, but did not sell
any fertilizer until this year. He sold
department los tons of different grades
of fertilizer in 1918. He read state
ment of the various items.
Witness was asked specifically about
an order secured for the company in
December 1912, by Gamble. This was
John Gamble of Troy, former state
senator.
Witness was asked why his company
had changed its bid on KANT from $12. 10
to s11.50 He replied that he found
that his company could profitably re-
duce the bid. The reduction in the
bid was authorized by Hector d. Lane.
The company never sold James G.
Oakley any fertilizer for his personal
uses, though witness said he had sold
Inspector L. F. Greer some fertilizer.
This fertilizer was shipped to Mr..
Greer at De Ormondville. The amount
of the shipment was 20 tons which
witness said was sold Mr.. Greer at
less money than was quoted state He
said lower price was offered Greer
IN order that the company might COM
pete with Birmingham concerns.
The total transactions between COM
pany and state in 1913 amounted to
$7073.40, of which amount S334.76 has
been paid.
Witness said no fertilizer was ever
shipped to wardens on personal ac-
counts.
Ed r. Norman Testifies
Ed r. Norman, special correspond
of the Birmingham Ledger, followed Mr.
Sterne on the stand. Mr.. Norman was
asked concerning certain story which
he had written in the Ledger to the
effect that in the examination of
Charles L. Harold, the first witness
to testify in the investigation, Mr. Har-
old might have given some Important
information had Fred S. Ball, an at
torney at the hearing, been allowed to
question him. Mr.. Norman said it was
a report which he had published, not
giving the names of any of his in
formants. Witness said the story was
based on rumor he had heard.
Asked whether or not the head lines
| to the story bore out the main. body
of the article, witness declared ne did
not think so, stating that the headlines
were an exaggeration.
s. ]. Cossels. local manager of We
! tumpka Cotton Oil company, was the
next witness. He told of transactions
with department in 1911. There was
none In 1912. Witness made transac-
tions in 1918, when he sold the depart
ment 113 tons of fertilizer
Following the testimony of Mr.. Cas-
sells the investigation adjourned until
| 8 o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon Session
W. A. Gayle, of the firm of Marks &
Gayle, fertilizer and cotton dealers, was
the first witness in the stand at the aft
| ernoon session of the probe. Mr. Gayle
said his company had never sold any
cotton TO the convict department during
the present administration. Witness did
not know that his company had ever sold
| the department any cotton. Mr.. Gayle
| said his firm has sold fertilizer to the con-
vict department.
c. Tallman of Marks & Gayle was called
| to the stand. He explained the transac-
| tions between his company and the state.
| He had a monthly statement showing
, each transaction. The witness testified
that In 1911 the convict department usu-
ally telephoned to the office all orders
for fertilizer. The transaction with Marks
& Gayle in 1911 amounted to something
over $1,000. The witness stated no agree
ment was ever made as to prices to be
paid for fertilizer No bids were made
for the convicts departments business
The following year. in 1912, the company
quoted the department prices on fertiliz-
ers. The business that year amounted to
several thousand dollars. Witness sale
he had never met Oakley until a few
days ago. He declared Oakley purchased
a car of fertilizer for his personal use
in 1912. This car was shipped to Bibt
county. Mr.. Tallman declared that his
company had lost the convict depart
ment's business for the present year. He
said Lacy had called him UP over the
telephone and asked for bids which his
company submitted.
| Following Mr. Tallman's testimony the
probe adjourned until 10 o'clock tomor-
row morning The principal witness tc
go on the stand tomorrow is Tom long
of Jasper Mr.. Long several months age
charged that Col p G. Bowman of Bir-
mingham had made the contract for the
| lease of convicts to the Henderson Lum-
| Der company. Mr.. Long also intimated
| that he knew of other transactions OF
| the convict department. In addition to
| Mr.. Long the examiners will place on
the stand a number of wardens at Fri
days session and it is expected the in
vestigation may result in some importan.
| disclosures.