The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-26
CONGRATULATIONS POUR IN UPON LANE Stream of Callers at His
 Office Yesterday FLOWERS SENT HOME Spontaneous Note of Admiration Sounded for the Vigorous Stand
 He Took During the Re
 cent Campaign
FLOWERS SENT HOME

It is doubtful if ever before in the history of Birmingham has such re- spectful and unrestrained tribute oeeh paid to any official as was given con- missioner A O. Lane yesterday and the preceding night by his admirers in all walks of life, following the local option victory.
 At an early hour yesterday morn ing callers began to arrive at the city hall. and continuously Commissioner Lane was busy receiving citizens to congratulate him upon the personai task he placed voluntarily upon nim- self in issuing his notable statements on blind tigerism and the failure or prohibition. They willingly surrendered to fudge Lane a great deal of credit for the result of the election Thurs day.
 In addition to innumerable callers at his city hall offices many prominent citizens, singly and by twos, wenoeo their way to the ninth floor of the First National bank building, where the personal suite of offices occupied by Judge Lane is located, to congrat- ulate him upon the results achieved py the local option committee Locai florists yesterday received instructions for flowers for him, one especially beautiful floral offering being sent oy the Elks of Birmingham to Commis- sioner Lanes home on North Nineteenth street
 The general concensus of opinion was that the tributes to Judge Lane were influenced not so much by any actiVe part he assumed in the victorious cam paign, but on account of the voluntary act in giving out his letter on prohioi- tion and its i'll effects
 The first statement of Commissioner Lane during the campaign as to the 1all- nre of prohibition had to do with the blind tigers. Judge Lane and Presioehl Exumh ad been at the city hall until about I o'clock the afternon before MT. Exum went to New York city An Age Herald reporter caught Judge Lane as he walked out of the city hall toward ms home on Nineteenth street. PTohioitioh came up and Judge Lane pointed out now persistently he had fought the tigers, be- ing, seemingly, worn out with the 'rui'- lessness of the task. He said that as one was eliminated two more started Ana thus they seemed to multiply Permission was asked to print his opinions as 10 the hopelessness of a complete eradication of the tiger, which Judge Lane gave hesi- tatingly. being of the opinion that It would add nothing to the effort of eradi-
 be then AX- pressed himself forcefuly upon the fact that never would they be completely suo- jugated in Birmingham.
 That statement. published the next morning, made a big sensation because or it's probable effect in the campaign.
 The memorable denunciation of prohibi- ton as it exists here followed some days later. Commissioner Lane was besieged for a statement as to his position, and although as an official he could have re- mained neutral. he decided to make careful study of the situation to base his statement upon. To that end he held daily conferences with every ranking police or fcial of the city, and asked them to tell him what they deemed the wfsest solu- ton. Without exception the police officers without hesitation said Regulated sa- loons."
 In issuing his subsequent statement Judge Lane said that he would not say one word, as his friends knew his posi- tion, except that he believed it was his duty He predicted that great personal criticism would follow. But he volun- tarily made the sacrifice. Following the election result the tributes of the past "A hours followed. 4ta-f
 And Judge Lane says: T am deeply touched by the expressions of friendship and regard thus shown me"