The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-03

ton vice was never under better control than since the city commissioners have been in charge. The fact is that MT. Dickinson's picture is highly overdrawn. and his statements as to conditions are grosSss exaggerated. He intimates the cooperation of B. T.. P. U. and others. have 1t from two of the officials of the first named that they do not at all approve pr. Dickinsens movement, and this so soon after the movement was announced. If the status is as he de- picts, why was he anxious for his brother to become an important factor in the de- partment? If the police were not making arrests, surely his brother could not try the cases.
 q dislike to dispute with a preacher, even when he falls below the standard, but the statement made by Mir. Dickin- son that I confess that I am unable to handle the situation is absolutely untrue.
 T did say that there would always be infractions of the law in a cosmopolitan city of 16O,0Oo people like Birmingham, and anybody with a grain of sense and observation knows this to be true, it matters not who may be at the head of the department.
 "No city was ever cursed with a greater blot than a lot of agitators and peSSlltilSlS-IHen WHO constantly try 10 use the public to vent their spleen or to gratify their greed. But if MT. Dick inson can gull 5000 voters into signing his petition I will be ready for the fray. The voters of Birmingham have four times demonstrated ther faith in my loyalty, diligence and capacity by electing me mayor and I will cheerfully submit to their decision, having no doubt of their approval"
 Dr. Dickinson's Statement
 The statement of Judge Lane was drawn forth by the suggestion made by Dr. Dickinson. pastor of the First Baptist church, for recall of Commissioner A. O.. Lane. head of the department of justice. Dr. Dickinson has no plans. according to a statement last night. He said he would lead movement of reform here if he secured the proper backing. He said that a meeting will be held soon. perhaps next Thursday, to hear expressions about the matter. It may be that Judge Lane will never be annoyed by a recall, as Dr.. Dickinson says: If Judge Lane will lend our movement as he should properly do, we will back him up to the utmost"
 The statement was made by pr. Dickin- son last night that he had no petitions out and that he was not preparing any. He said his statement was simply that this city should say whether those conditions abhorred and criticised by the grand jury should continue.
 'Tt is Bodeker that we want" exclaimed Dr. Dickinson, as he discussed his pro- posed recall. He went on to say that Judge Lane was a good commissioner. was faithful and honest. ''The only trou- ble is he does not 'commish'" said pr. Dickinson. He said:
 Not Fighting Judge Lane
 'I am not fighting Judge Lane. He is one of my best friends. He is a splen- did commissioner, the only thing being that he does not 'comish.' We are after Bodeker. He is the man responsible for the situation here as criticised by the grand jury. This recall is aimed at 0 situation, not person. If Judge Lane will fall in line and lead our forces against this situation, we will stand right behind him. He should do 1t at all costs
 He retained Bodeier and his clique when 1t was expressly understood that the police department would be cleansed There is where O'Neal came in. The same crowd bosses the police department that always bossed it. l am opposed to any of that Atlanta clean up rot. That is nonsense. What I am going to do if sup ported is to do something worth. while. Judge Lane must not stand in our way or he will be run over. If he sticks to Bodeker we will trample him surely. In other words, I want the citizens of Blr- mingham to say whether every grand jury is to criticise us without anything be- ing done or whether we are to clean up Birmingham.
 ''The violators are getting too near Us. I have no recall petitions out now nor am preparing any. What I am doing is putting my ear to the ground and trying to find how this suggestion goes. have been called a dozen times tonight pledg- ing support to this movement. After the election next Tuesday we will have a meeting. If we are backed up properly by the people we will start right away to get this recall underway. We intend to clean up this situation for which we have teen criticised by the recent grand juries. D