The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-30
Announced Resignation Yes terday-Successor Not
 Determined On
HAS BEEN LEADER
 IN FAMOUS FIGHTS
Step Is Continuation of Four Years Determination-Will Express Him. self Regarding Work of Past
 Nine Years at Meeting May 30

The Rev. Brooks Lawrence, under whose guidance Alabama has been led through its worst convulsions over the liquor oues- tion, yesterday formally announced his resignation as secretary of the Alabama Anti-Saloon league
 Mir. Lawrence resigned in order to rest and make living. He intends to man. ufacture lead pencils
 In a formal statement issued yesterday he says he has been contemplating this action at this time for the past four years. As matter of fact. Mir Law renee rendered his resignation February 15 and it was not accepted then in the hopes that he might reconsider. This, however, he refused to do. and the head quarters committee. which has the mat ter in charge, has not accepted. Who will be the successor of the famous secre- tary, it is stated. has not yet been de- cided
 MT. Lawrence became. secretary of the Anti-Saloon league May 5. 1906. As the official head of the prohibition forces, he has been In the heat of several of the most bitter liquor election struggles in | s'N iistViN oi BibHibitioiis TIC itu lBt prohibition forces in the famous amend ment fight in 1909, when an effort was made to place prohibition in the state con stitution.
 In Bitter Fights MT. Lawrences formal statement is as follows:
 My resignation was presented to the
 headquarters committee at the time of their meeting on February 15, and was accepted by the committee after I had stated that there was no possibility of it's being withdrawn. It takes effect on July l, so you see l will pass out of anti-sa- loon activity with the saloons This was no sudden action on my part but.is the continuation of a determination of four years or more to retire from the superintendency of the Alabama Anti Saloon league at the close of the legsla- tive session this year. My action would have been the same regardless of the ac- tion of the legislature.
 Has Earned Rest My reasons: They are numerous First, l have earned q rest, l have worked continuously for IS years in league service. feel the urgent need of complete
 change. l am not good idler. but the exactlng nature of my work has been call. ing each year for several years for a
 change. The second reason Is, perhaps mercenary. l have to look out for old age, and before my earning capacity is weakened l am under the necessity of seeking a channel of activity more re- munerative than my present occupation know this statement will seem surpris- ing to some of my enemies, but 1t Is an important consideration in my action T do not say that l will never enga ge in league work again, but for one year, at least, l will devote my energies to a
 commercial activity and let my actions beyond that time be governed by condi- tions as they arise.
 "The Anti-Saloon league of Alabama 1 Why, that was here before I came to Ala bama, and will continue just the same | after July 1 as if l had never been heard of. My successor will be elected and the
 announcement made by the headquarters committee. Therefore, I cannot discuss this phase of the situation at all I will ] say this much: The committee will select a strong man for superintendent and make the necessary announcement in good l time.
 l nope to noiu sort or hnal fneetlns 1 in Birmingham Sunday afternoon May | 30, and at that time shall express myself regarding the work of the past nine years"
 | The committee which has the resigna- | tion in charge is made up of the following officers and members of the league pr W. B. Crumpton. president Dr. H. H McNeil, first vice president; P. c. Ratliff l treasurer; F. F.. Ballard. secretary; Dr l l.. C. Branscomb, Methodist presiding el- der of the Birmingham district, and l George Estes.
 1 R. NJ. Goodall stated in answer to ques. 1 tions last night that the committee hac not selected any successor to MT Law