On the role of the alpha(1)(1260) meson in tau -> 4 pi nu(tau) decay

It is shown that a simple model successfully describing experimental data o n the process e(+)e(-) --> 4 pi can also qualitatively account for the data of CLEOII and ALEPH obtained recently in the decay tau --> 4 pi v(tau). Th e model is based on the assumption of the a(1)(1260)pi and omega pi dominan ce as intermediate states. Our observation is in contrast with the claim by ARGUS that the rho-meson signal in the tau --> 4 pi v(tau) decay can not b e explained by the a(1)(1260)pi intermediate state. (C) 1999 Published by E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.