"COUNTRY'S ATTITUDE ON LIQUOR QUESTION UNCERTAIN"

FORMER KANSAS GOVERNOR CALLS VOLSTEAD ACT 'A POLITICAL FAILURE'

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On January 30, 1926, Associated Press reports "the Volstead law* was described as a 'political failure' by former Governor Henry J. Allen** of Kansas in an address before the Kansas Society of Massachusetts last night."

The Governor said "the country's attitude on the liquor question was uncertain and that the prohibition law could be worked out successfully if supported by public opinion." 

 JFK+50 NOTE

According to educational resources provided online by the National Archives, although the 18th amendment/Volstead Act "worked at first" by 1925 New York City alone had 30,000 to 100,000 speakeasies or private clubs where illegal liquor was sold & nationwide people found "clever ways" to get around prohibition laws. 

I've heard it said that "more liquor was manufactured, transported & sold during Prohibition than any other period in U.S. History."  Statistics prove that Prohibition made America a more violent place.

 *Volstead Act (1920), vetoed by President Wilson but passed over his veto, enforced the 18th amendment by prohibiting the manufacture, sale & transport of alcoholic beverages.  VA's purpose was to end liquor consumption but led to bootlegging, organized crime & corruption.

**Henry Justin Allen (1868-1950) was born in Pittsfield Township, Pennsylvania & was educated at Baker University & Washburn University.  HJA, a member of the Progressive Party, served as governor of Kansas 1919-1923 & U.S. Senator (P-KS) 1929-1930.

SOURCES

"Allen Sees Dry Law As Political Failure," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 30, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Volstead Act," National Archives, www.archives.gov/

Senator Henry J. Allen

Progressive-Kansas

Oct 16 1929

National Photo Company

Library of Congress

"ARRESTS THREATEN RICH AND POOR ALIKE"

HAPPY NEW YEAR BUT BEWARE PROHIBITION AGENTS AFOOT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 30, 1925, The Evening Star reports "plans are afoot to make the coming New Year eve the dryest in the history of...the Volstead Act*."

Director of Prohibition James E. Jones predicts his forces this New Year's Eve will be "larger than ever before."

A sharp eye will be on "all principal places" where the law may be expected to be violated.

The Star says "arrests threaten rich and poor alike."

*Volstead Act (1919) defined and enforced the 18th Amendment banning the manufacture, sale and transport of intoxicating alcoholic beverages.  It was sponsored by Andrew Volstead & passed by Congress on Oct 28, 1919.

SOURCE

"Dryest New Year's Eve In Prohibition History Planned," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 30, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Happy New Year

www.europa.tips

"THOU SHALL NOT DRINK SUCCESSFUL AS 10 COMMANDMENTS"

WHEELER DECLARES 'DRY' LAW IS SUCCESSFUL, OPPOSES REPORT OF ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 7, 1925, The Washington Times reports that today Wayne B. Wheeler, "generalissimo of the drys," said...

"'Thou shall not drink' is being enforced just as successfully as any of the Ten Commandments."

Mr. Wheeler was responding to a "sensational report" by the Iowa branch of the Anti-Saloon League** which says that prohibition is turning Iowa farmers into "bootleggers and illicit distillers."

He argues that farmers, "the backbone of the dry movement," are not turning their corn into liquor.  Wheeler further states that the Volstead Act*** reduces or mitigates liquor violations.

*Wayne Bidwell Wheeler (1869-1927) was born in Ohio & graduated from Oberlin College, 1894.  WBW became a leader of the Anti-Saloon League & leading advocate of prohibition using mass media communication to support the movement.

**Anti-Saloon League was founded in Ohio in 1893.  The lobby group played a key role in the temperance movement & the push for prohibition.

***Volstead Act (1919) sponsored by Andrew Volstead of Minnesota was also known as the National Prohibition Act.  It implemented the 18th Amendment prohibiting the manufacture, sale & transport of intoxicating liquor in the United States.

SOURCE

"'Dry' Law Not Failing, He Declares," The Washington Times, May 7, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Wayne Bidwell Wheeler

1920

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS MERELY A SCARE"

YOUNG WOMEN 'DRINKERS' WILL BE ARRESTED ALONG WITH THEIR ESCORTS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 13, 1925, The Washington Times reports that "young women who enjoy taking a little drink...at fashionable restaurants and hotels...are going to be arrested...and charged with violation of the liquor laws."

This was announced by Federal Prohibition Agent for the District of Columbia Harry M. Luckett* who has recently received a number of complaints from "prominent women" of the city who say their daughters are returning home in the early morning hours "under the influence."

The practice by local authorities has been to arrest the escorts of young ladies who have been drinking illegal liquor, but now the women also will be subject to arrest.

The Times warns...

"This is not intended as merely a 'scare'."  It is the beginning of a vigorous campaign by the prohibition unit...to put a stop to drinking in public places."

JFK+50 NOTE

The Volstead (Prohibition) Act  (1919) banned the sale and production of alcohol in the United States from 1920 to 1933.  The law was based on the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  That amendment was repealed in Dec 1933 by the 21st Amendment.

SOURCES

"Harry McKeever Luckett (1878-1938)," Family Search, www.ancestors.familysearch.org/

"To Arrest Drinking Girls," The Washington Times, March 13, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Clear glass martini glass

with red liquid

Royal Free Photos

www.pickpick.com/

"NO LAW VIOLATED IN TAKING OCCASIONAL DRINK"

PRESIDENT TO SET EXAMPLE, ABSTAIN FROM LIQUOR

Rawlins, Wyoming (JFK+50) On June 26, 1923, Evening Star reporter David Lawrence learned that President Warren G. Harding "feels very deeply that as chief executive he should set an example of restraint" and totally abstain from alcohol.

Mr. Lawrence points out in his front page story that Mr. Harding had "violated no law in taking an occasional drink in the White House."*

During his administration, however, "no liquor has ever been served...for official guests."

*Stocks of liquor acquired before the passage of the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, as is true at the Executive Mansion, are not illegal.

SOURCE

"Harding Sets National Example By Total Liquor Abstinence," by David Lawrence, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 26, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Alcoholism In Russia

by T. Nemkova, 1990

Wellcome Images

"GOT A BAD CASE OF STEAMROLLER BLUES"

FEDERAL AGENTS FLATTEN 600 STILLS IN PHILLY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On July 26, 1922, Federal prohibition agents loaded 600 stills* on 10 trucks and drove them to West Philadelphia where they were "flattened" using "steam roller methods."

The action, taken in the process of the enforcement of the Volstead Act**, netted the government more than $1500.

The stills, plain and copper, had been in storage in the Federal Building and were flattened to "make space for additional seizures."

*Stills are devices used to distill liquid mixtures by heating to a boil then cooling to condense the vapor.

**Volstead Act (1919-1933) implemented the Prohibition Amendment by defining the process & procedures for banning alcoholic beverages, along with their production & distribution.

SOURCE

"Steam Roller Is Used To Flatten 600 Stills," Newspaper of The New York Tribune, July 27, 1922, www.gastearsivi.com/

 

"It seems how lately, babe, Got a bad case of steamroller blues"

                              from "Steamroller Blues" by James Taylor (1970)

 

 

Robey Tandem 

Great Dorset Steam Fair

Source: Robey Tandem

by Timitrius from Great Britain

 

"THE GREAT MAJORITY WANT THE COUNTRY DRY"

VOLSTEAD DRAFTS BILL TO PROHIBIT USE OF BEER AS MEDICINE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 23, 1921, House Judiciary Committee chairman A.J. Volstead* announced completion of a proposed bill which would prohibit the use of beer as medicine.

The New York Tribune states...

"Mr. Volstead does not think there will be any trouble putting through...a bill cutting off beer and wine entirely."

Representative Volstead believes "the great majority...want the country dry."

Statistics also show a sharp drop in consumption of whiskey in the United States.  Consumption of whiskey for medicinal purposes dropped from 40 million gallons annually to 6 million.

*Andrew John Volstead (1859-1947) was born in Kenyon, MN & educated at St Olaf College.  AJV served as a member of the US House of Representatives 1903-1923.  He is most famous for the act enabling enforcement of prohibition.

SOURCE

"Volstead Bill To Bar Medical Beer Drafted," The New York Tribune, April 24, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

   

 

Andrew Volstead

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress Image

 

"JANUARY 16: A DATE WORTH REMEMBERING...BUT BE SURE TO CELEBRATE DECEMBER 5"

PROHIBITION GOES INTO EFFECT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 16, 1920, the National Prohibition Act* took effect "implementing the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution" which had been ratified one year earlier.

The 18th Amendment, Section 1 reads...

"After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United states and all territories subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited."

According to the Constitution Center, the 18th Amendment was the result of the work of the national temperance movement whose members believed alcohol use to be "reckless and destructive," and that Prohibition would "reduce crime and corruption" and "improve the health of all Americans."

Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out that way.  The United States experienced the rise of bootlegging and smuggling accompanied by violent crime and government corruption.

"The Noble Experiment," as it was called, ended with ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933.  William Shughart II says that while January 16 is "a date worth remembering...be sure to celebrate...December 5."

*The National Prohibition Act was informally known as the Volstead Act, named after Andrew Volstead, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who managed the legislation.  The law was drafted by Wayne Wheeler of the Anti-Saloon League.

SOURCES

"January 16, 1919: The 18th Amendment Is Ratified, Prohibition of Alcohol Becomes Law," Richard Kreitne and The Almanac, January 16, 2005. www.the nation.com/

"January 16, 1920: Another day that should live in infamy," by William F. Shughart II, January 15, 2016, The Hill, www.thehill.com/

www.constitutioncenter.org/

INTOXICATING LIQUORS FOR BEVERAGE PURPOSES IS HEREBY PROHIBITED

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF   RATIFICATION OF 18TH AMENDMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified by the required two-thirds majority of states.

The 18th Amendment, Section 1 reads...

"After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United states and all territories subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.'

The amendment did not make illegal, however, the private possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages nor did it provide for its own enforcement. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of the law.The 18th Amendment was the first to set a "time delay" before the law would go into effect after ratification.  Accordingly, Prohibition went into effect on January 16, 1920, one year after ratification.

The amendment, which passed Congress on December 18, 1907, was ratified by Nebraska, Missouri and Wyoming on January 16, 1919, giving the law the required 36 states out of 48.  Two states, Connecticut and Rhode Island, rejected the amendment.

According to the Constitution Center, the 18th Amendment was the result of the work of the national temperance movement whose members believed alcohol use to be "reckless and destructive," and that Prohibition would "reduce crime and corruption" and "improve the health of all Americans."

The Center says that while the 18th Amendment decreased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths, it also "drove the lucrative alcohol business underground...encouraged disrespect for the law, and strengthened organized crime."

On January 16, 1919, the Nation called for a nationwide popular vote on the 18th Amendment.  The magazine said...

"We are for the...amendment as long as it is law and for its rigid enforcement (but) we should like to see the question submitted today to a vote of all the people."

The Nation held the view that an affirmative popular vote, which it believed would be the case, would make the law's enforcement easier and even if the vote turned out negative..."in either case, the people would have spoken."

SOURCES

"January 16, 1919: The 18th Amendment Is Ratified, Prohibition of Alcohol Becomes Law," Richard Kreitne and The Almanac, January 16, 2005. www.the nation.com/

www.constitutioncenter.org/

MOVEMENT BELIEVES ALCOHOL USE RECKLESS & DESTRUCTIVE

TEMPERANCE PASSES CONGRESS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 18, 1917, the Congress of the United States passed the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, a.k.a. the Temperance Amendment.  The 18th Amendment was ratified by the required two-thirds majority of the states on January 16, 1919.  Section 1 reads...

"After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United states and all territories subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.'

While the amendment did not make illegal the private possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, the Volstead Act provided for its enforcement.

According to the Constitution Center, the 18th Amendment was the result of the work of the national temperance movement whose members believed alcohol use to be "reckless and destructive," and that Prohibition would "reduce crime and corruption" and "improve the health of all Americans."

The Center says that while the 18th Amendment decreased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths, it also "drove the lucrative alcohol business underground...encouraged disrespect for the law, and strengthened organized crime."

On January 16, 1919, The Nation called for a nationwide popular vote on the 18th Amendment.  The magazine said...

"We are for the...amendment as long as it is law and for its rigid enforcement (but) we should like to see the question submitted today to a vote of all the people."

SOURCES

"January 16, 1919: The 18th Amendment Is Ratified, Prohibition of Alcohol Becomes Law," Richard Kreitne and The Almanac, January 16, 2005. www.the nation.com/

"December 18, 1917:  U.S. Temperance Amendment Passed", This Day in Alternate History, December 18, 2010, www.thisdayinalternatehistory.blogspot.com/

www.constitutioncenter.org/

Moonshine Runner Vehicle

Thunder Road Exhibit

Gay Street

Knoxville, Tennessee

Photo by John White (2008)

THE MANUFACTURE, SALE OR TRANSPORT OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS IS PROHIBITED

TEMPERANCE AMENDMENT PASSES CONGRESS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, December 18, 1917, the Congress of the United States passed the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, a.k.a. the Temperance Amendment.

The 18th Amendment was ratified by the required two-thirds majority of the states on January 16, 1919.  Section 1 reads...

"After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United states and all territories subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.'

While the amendment did not make illegal the private possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, the Volstead Act provided for its enforcement.

According to the Constitution Center, the 18th Amendment was the result of the work of the national temperance movement whose members believed alcohol use to be "reckless and destructive," and that Prohibition would "reduce crime and corruption" and "improve the health of all Americans."

The Center says that while the 18th Amendment decreased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths, it also "drove the lucrative alcohol business underground...encouraged disrespect for the law, and strengthened organized crime."

On January 16, 1919, the Nation called for a nationwide popular vote on the 18th Amendment.  The magazine said...

"We are for the...amendment as long as it is law and for its rigid enforcement (but) we should like to see the question submitted today to a vote of all the people."

The Nation held the view that an affirmative popular vote, which it believed would be the case, would make the law's enforcement easier and even if the vote turned out negative..."in either case, the people would have spoken."

SOURCES

"January 16, 1919: The 18th Amendment Is Ratified, Prohibition of Alcohol Becomes Law," Richard Kreitne and The Almanac, January 16, 2005. www.the nation.com/

"December 18, 1917:  U.S. Temperance Amendment Passed", This Day in Alternate History, December 18, 2010, www.thisdayinalternatehistory.blogspot.com/

www.constitutioncenter.org/

PROHIBITION RATIFIED

PROHIBITION RATIFIED 96 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified by the required two-thirds majority of the states 96 years ago today, January 16, 1919. 

The 18th Amendment, Section 1 reads...

"After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United states and all territories subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.'

The amendment did not make illegal, however, the private possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages nor did it provide for its own enforcement. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of the law.

Prohibition Enforced

or as Otis Campbell of TV's Andy Griffith 

said...."Down the hatch!"

The 18th Amendment was the first to set a "time delay" before the law would go into effect after ratification.  Accordingly, Prohibition went into effect on January 16, 1920, one year after ratification.

The amendment, which passed Congress on December 18, 1907, was ratified by Nebraska, Missouri and Wyoming on January 16, 1919, giving the law the required 36 states out of 48.  

Two states, Connecticut and Rhode Island, rejected the amendment.

According to the Constitution Center, the 18th Amendment was the result of the work of the national temperance movement whose members believed alcohol use to be "reckless and destructive," and that Prohibition would "reduce crime and corruption" and "improve the health of all Americans."

The Center says that while the 18th Amendment decreased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths, it also "drove the lucrative alcohol business underground...encouraged disrespect for the law, and strengthened organized crime."

On January 16, 1919, the Nation called for a nationwide popular vote on the 18th Amendment.  The magazine said...

"We are for the...amendment as long as it is law and for its rigid enforcement (but) we should like to see the question submitted today to a vote of all the people."

The Nation held the view that an affirmative popular vote, which it believed would be the case, would make the law's enforcement easier and even if the vote turned out negative..."in either case, the people would have spoken."

SOURCES

"January 16, 1919: The 18th Amendment Is Ratified, Prohibition of Alcohol Becomes Law," Richard Kreitne and The Almanac, January 16, 2005. www.the nation.com/

www.constitutioncenter.org/