What causes a column of air spinning like a roll of toilet paper to turn to a vertical position?

god

If you are referring to the formation of a mesocyclone, this occurs when the horizontal vorticity meets the updraft. The updraft helps lift the vorticity upwards and in the process tilts the axis...

It depends on the size of the roll,

The tornado itself is vertical when it first forms. The rotation that forms it starts out as what is called horizontal vorticity. This vorticity can get caught in the updraft of a thunderstorm,...

A vertical tube of spinning air is a mesocyclone.