The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-18

The evidence of Dr. Denny tended to prove that the governor had secured the money with which to pay interest on out standing obligations Of the state from worthy sources, and not from the liquor interests or the railroad interests, as had been irsinuated by witnesses who swore in Montgomery.
 DIR. DENNY AND MEMBERS
 STRIKE SOME SPARKS
 If there was any situation developed yesterday which was even slightly elec- trified it was that in which the commit tee took exception from what 1t consid- ered the brusque manner of pr. Denny and Dr. Denny took exception from what he considered insinuating interrogations propc unded by certain members of the committee.
 From questions asked. Dr. Denny reached the conclusion that the commit tee was under the impression that in the loaE by the university of it's endowment fund of $275O0-a fund which could be loaned only to state the federal vernment-something unsayory sim ister had occurred. By his manner he re- scented what he thought was an insinua- tion. and for time the audience. which filled the chamber. was thrilled by rapid passages of more or less rancorous if indirect personal criticism. To the spec
 
 side of the conflict gallantly, for when he concluded he was complimented by a boisterous round of applause. The tenn porarily unpleasant phases of the inci- dent were ultimately smiled away by all it's creators
 Deeply interesting were the apparent ef- forts of Colonel StallngS to avoid a dis cussion of the Banner mine contract, in which, because of his interest In the O'Neal administration, he was concerned a. the time of it's consideration. The wit ness admitted that he had criticized in writing the contract, but did not state unequivocally that he had represented to the governor that more advantageous contract could be procured from the Ten nessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company.
 Another interesting feature of the days session was the testimony of the profess sors of the negro normal school at Normal. One of them, following his tes- timony asked to be refunded his rail- road transportation. and was evidently crestfallen when informed that the state was not paying the expense accounts of witnesses called-it matters not from where.
 The session in detail follows:
 The Session in Detail
 Thomas Hopkins, cashier of the First National bank, was the first witness. when he was asked regarding how the state had managed to pay it's interest on money borrowed, he declared that he knew nothing regarding that matter, as w. P G. Harding, then president of the bank, had attended to that business personally. He stated, in reply to another question, that the Spanish war fund was on deposit at the bank, but that concern ing it he could give no information.
 The second witness was Sydenfam Moore associate member of the Jeffer- son county excise commission. MT. Moore was questioned by the members of the committed, who had an object, it seemed, of causing the impression that the law regarding the sale of whisky was general ly violated in Birmingham. MT. Moore s testimony was in the main identical with that of Chairman Agee on the day before. He said his salary was $25O per month, that he did not give his entire time to the office but visited it every day, and that in his opinion. the excise commits sion was essential to the enforcement of the law.
 Differs With Agee
 He stated that he and MT. Wilkerson, his associate. had opposed the idea of the commission joining hands with the Law Enforcement League of Jefferson County but that MT. Agee was apparently in favor of that league. He said that there had been differences between MT. Agee and him regarding minor matters affecting the commission, and mentioned that while MT. Agee had employed the law firm of Frank s. White & Sons, he did not think that the commission should be forced to pay that firm its fee of 5000.
 He said that Detective South had not been dismissed because he declined to vote for a certain candidate for governor and stated that his dismissal grew out of the fact that the associate members were desirous that the commission elin- mate the detective business.
 He testified that in his opinion, the sur plus in the hands of the commission should be refunded to the whisky dealers Much of the remainder of his testimony regarded local conditions.
 Spanish War Fund
 J. H. Barr of the First National bank testified regarding the Spanish war fund That fund. he said, amounted to over $e0,0O0 when B. B. Conner was governor When it was transferred to Governor O'Neal it amounted to $22000, he said The fund when transferred to Governor Henderson amounted to $24,00o and more he testified.
 The witness could throw no light or how the state acquired in 1914 money with which to pay interest on indebted ness.
 Governor Jelks Testifies Ex-Gov. w. D. Jelks was called. H' testified that a separate insurance de partment of the state should be created and sustained in that the people pay more for insurance than for taxes. He sait that the state acquired from insurance companies about $30O,O00, and the com panies which endeavor to do q clean bust. ! ness. should have protection-and the peo' pie, he added, should have protection. He argued that separate insurance depart ment would prevent marauders in stocks and spurious bonds from neecing the peo. ple.,
 He recommended that no insurance laws be passed until practical insurance mar had been acquired to foster them. Ht suggested that the law for a separate in Surance department ha so Worded tha1