What is this lever for in the steering column???

[Nativefx]

I know this is an old post, but I'm replacing my steering column and have been looking for an adapter for the 1"DD end of the shaft to mate to my stock power steering box on my 69 Firebird. The other question we had was what this lever was for and how the new column would work as it doesn't have this? I'm guessing now, it just won't matter if the car is in gear before you can remove the key?