The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-17
JUDGE LANE TELLS POLICEMEN WHAT IS WANTED OF THEM Blind Tigers, Washers and Migrants to Be Driven
 From the City OFFICERS ARE ASKED TO REMEMBER OATH Chief Bodeker Calls Upon Men to Testify Whether He Instructed
 Them to Enforce the Pro-
 hibition Laws

"The prohibition laws of the city of Birmingham must be and shall be en- forced. If you can't do it then we will get men who can," declared Commission CT of Public Safety A. O. Lane yester- day morning to the entire police depart- ment, 16S strong, assembled at 10 o'clock in the recorders court room to hear his words in regard to the enforcement of the law. I've have minimized the sale in the past few days and in the next few we will externnate the illegal liquor traffic." he continued. 'The fragrant violation of the prohibition laws of the city for long time has been a burning shame and 1t Is my sworn duty as commissioner to break it up and it must and shall be done."
 Judge Lane made forceful and matter of-fact speech to the police. He im- pressed upon the men three things: That they must break up the blind tigers, that they must drive the vagrants out of the city or to work. and that they must move the "mashers'' from the downtown cor ners. He paid tribute to the police department as 1t was during his former connection with 1t nearly 20 years ago.
 Judge Lane was iotroduced to the as- sembled officers by Chief Bodeker, who called the roil, every man answering to his name with the exception of two desk sergeants. Chief Bodeker recalled his pleasant relations with Judge Lane during his former connection with the department ana assured the men that they would find In him an impartial and just friend
 Judge Lanes Address
 Judge Lanes address to the men in full was as follows.
 Tt Is not my purpose to make you a set speech but plain talk" he said In opening. "It is a pleasure to meet you face to face and see such a formidable array in numbers. Certainly you are sufficient in numbers to enforce the law and if you are equally so in quality there is no reason why we should not have a good and pure city government.
 There Is saying that history repeats itself, but when discontinued association with the depar tment over IS years ago I had no idea that I would ever renew the relations that were so cordial. 'I regarded the call to the commission as command and a call to arms. While I quilted position more congenal-that of the law-which I have followed since my early manhood, I have long felt it duty to come to the aid of the city and do what I could to restore the standing which Birmingham is entitled to. l re- peat am glad to meet you face to face and it will not be long before will know you ail personally.
 Must and Shall''
 There are some infractions of the law that I wish to call special attention to. They must and shall be broken up. have faith that it will be done if you will per form your sworn duty If you men are unable to do it will get those who are. For a long time the fragrant violation of the prohibition laws have been a blushing shame to Birmingham. We have mini mixed them in the past few days and in the next few we will exterminate the liquor traffic.
 Every man in the department is to con sder it his duty to break up this infrac- tion of the law.
 Ut may be that the sale of liquor will be again legalized in the city. If this Is true all will be well. It will then be the duty of the police to see that the sale of liquor Is kept within lawful bounds, but until the change is made it is essential that the law be enforced in that regard as well as others.
 There Is another moro fragrant vio- laton of the law that is a disgrace to nd ba cta Young girls who work find it necessary to stand on the corners waiting for cars and while there are annoyed by unsen- tlemanly vagrants who ogle them. I want you, wherever you see this to instantly arrest the offender on a charge of disor derly conduct and put him in jail unless he makes bond This must be stopped. IL is a disgrace to the community and a re- flection on the police department.
 There is another thing. You must in yoke the law against vagancy. A vag- rant is the most worthless fellow upon the face of the earth. He neglects all his duties and Is an undesirable citizen. In this class are gamblers, who live by their wits. They depend upon fleecing innocents who are foolish enough to pit their skill against superior skill. This custom must and shall be broken up.
 'As I look into your faces I see the determination in all to cooperate with the new city government to restore the city to a high basis It mus be no longer Bad Birmingham. Birmingham is entitled to as good a name morally as she has Commercially.
 Bound By Solemn Oath
 "An officer is sworn to do his duty by the most solemn oath An English an hour of peril that England expects every man to do his duty. Carrying out his idea I will say that Birmingham expects every policeman to do his duty.
 1.-The oath to which you subscribe when you enter the service reads as follows:
 "I, a police officer for the city of Birmingham do solemnly swear that during my continuance in said office, | will to the best of my skill and ability faithfully discharge all the duties required of me, and execute the orders of my superior officers, and in all cases conform to and enforce the criminal laws of the city of Birming- ham, obey the rules governing the po- lice department and report all viola tions of the same that may come to my knowledge.
 "I will not persecute the innocent, nor help to shield the guilty from pun ishment; nor will l be influenced in the discharge of my duty by fear, fa-