The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-12
TESTIMONY A CLIMAX
TO THE SENSATIONAL
DISCLOSURES OF DAY
In Prepared Statement Long Sets
Forth Facts of Leakage Coming to
His Notice-P. G. Bowman Fig
ures Prominently in Testimony.
Further Examination Today
DIV Z. 5. nErTY

montgomery, April -tSpeeiall -
Tom Long of Jasper appeared as a
witness this afternoon before Chief Ex-
aminer of Public Accounts G. e. Nc
Call in the state convict department
investigation; told all he knew relative
TO the charges he had preferred against
James G. Oakley, deposed head of tho
department. relative to the making OF
the Henderson Lumber company con-
tract; gave particulars and details con-
corning certain rumors he had heard as
to the 'rottenness' OF the convict de-
partment. and was allowed to suggest
questions to witness whom he had
asked to be placed on the stand.
Examiner Produced b. Governor
The examination OF Mr. Long Offered
some rather dramatic incidents. and come
as climax to day that had been more
or less chareed with sensational 1iselo-
sufes Az the morning sesetz It was
brought cut that the undekw It Of tho
scales at Bonrer MINES had sted the
receipts of the convict d neut NJ
February to the extent OF s.4s7s spel.
and that with scales correef,s balanced
the reccir'S. for the sueess1lee NORTH
We're aprtss nately 90 per eent hs. : .
cess of the February receipts thus kuefss-
ing out ESaminef BrooEs's statement that
the Banner scales vert - per cent. un-
der correct weight
Mr.. Long took the stand late this att
ernoon. Previous to his appearance at the
capitol Col. p. G.. Bowman OF Birming-
ham was seen in the capitol corridors.
Colonel Bowman had come To hear Mr..
Longs testimony and to so on the stand
in his own defense. The Birmingham at
torney was not present, however, during
Mr.. Longs testimony.
Before being sworn as "a witness Mr..
Long presented a letter to Examiner OF
/ Public Accounts c. D. Mccall requesting
that the governor be asked To furnish
copes of lie 2Sheuce taHtn4 o5 h,n on
July n. 1913 in the Investigation held for
i the purpose OF inquiring into certain
charges that he had made, against tho
management OF the convict department.
Some Dramatic Incidents
The evidence was at once produced by
! the governor, who was i'm the room and
Mr.. Long examined the papers in tho
case. The witness called attention To the
fact that the papers We're not sworn to.
and he was informed that each of the wit
nesses had been placed under oath in the
Investigation, this information being cor
roborated by one of the witnesses who
was examined at the hearing in the gov
ernors office
Mr.. Long then read a voluminous
statement which he had prepared for
the purpose of submitting to the ex-
aminers. The paper read by the wit
ness was entitled, "A Statement OF
/ Facts and contained all the informa-
/ tion he knew relative to the transaa-
tions of the state convict department.,
as well as certain rumors which he had
heard of ''rottenness" in the depart-
ment
/ At the outset. Mr.. Long recalled the
/ friendly relations which had existed
between Governor O'Neal and himself
just prior to the amendment campaign
fight in 1909 and following the election
of the succeeding year.
He declared that he had applied TO the
governor for the position of member of
the state tax commission, and said the
governor had promised him the appoint
ment. Not securing this appointment,
he declared the governor told him he the
governor) would give him the position IT
purchasing agent of the convict depart
ment He said Oakley had expressed
desire to see him placed in that position.
Later he was Informed of the appoint-
ment of Mr.. Huckabee.
II had no sore toe over the natter
said Mr.. Long. "and only mention the
facts above referred TO in order that the
public may get the full line aud show
the reasons why first became suspicious