The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-13
Brooks Laurence Pays Mysterious
 Visit to Capitol
Fly FRED II. GoRMLEY Montgomery Bureau. The Age-HeraId 221-@ First National Bank Building

Montgomery, July 12.-(Special) )- Dr. Brooks Lawrence of Birmingham and Fairhope. superintendent Of the Alabama Anti Saloon League and the leader of practically all prohibition campaigns in Alabama for the past and somewhat mysterious visitor to the capitol building Tuesday. He didn't say for what purpose he came. nor did he pay a visit to Governor Kilby though he did call at the ex- ecutive department. Dr. Lawrence has not visited Governor Kilby since that memorable day in August of 1919, when he opposed the tonnage tax sections of the revenue bill, which Governor kilby was supporting with all the power at his command.
 Dr. Lawrence spent some time in the outer compartment of the execu- tive department, and still longer time in the corridors of the capitol where he met his numerous friends. He de- clined to say what brought him to the state house, but there were re- ports general that he came to gain some information about cereal bever- ages and particular information about whether or not this subject will be included in the call for the extra session of the legislature which is expected during August.
 He declined to say whether or not cereal beverages brought him to Montgomery. What do you think about this subject being included in the call?' pr. Lawrence was asked. T cannot say at this time was the reply. "If the subject is included in the call I probably will have some thing to sayf'
 The story has gone around tha- Governor Kilby has been urged to include this subject in the call and that a large number of members of the legislature who are prohibition fsts are pledged to support a bill per- hitting the sale of creal beverages, C. w. Austin chief law enforcement officer, who is known as the foe Of yiolators of prohibition laws, urged the legislature in 1920 to permit the sale of cereal beverages, contending that it will be an aid to the enforce ment of the prohibition statutes.
 Dr. Lawrence is opposed to the changing of prohibition laws. He told his friends at the capitol that he was not opposed to the sale of the bever- age, which is non-intoxicating, but that many would accept such an amendment as loosening of pro- hibition law enforcement in Alabama When the brewers and liquor men acknowledge that they gre whipped and quit fighting we will be willing to permit the sale of cereal bever- ages" he commended. But in proof of the implied statement that the brewers are still fighting. he pulled from his pocket a photographic copy of an article in The Birmingham Age Herald of April 19 which carried the headlines Same Old Stuff Made NH waukee Famous in Years Not Far Behind" and which gave the informa- tion that Milwaukee brewers are get ting ready to turn out real beer as soon as the Internal revenue depart ment gave it's permit under the new ruling of the attorney general,
 In this article, Dr. Lawrence point ed out the last sentence: "In making near beer (cereal beverages) 1t IS necessary to make real beer first ana then draw the excess alcohol. lie said this is sufficient proof to snow that the sale of near beer in Ala bama will be an aid to violations or the prohibition laws.