"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

"BEER BILL WOULD HAMSTRING PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT"

ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE COUNSEL RESPONDS TO PETITION OF 50 CONGRESSMEN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 2, 1922, Wayne B. Wheeler*, counsel of the Anti-Saloon League**, issued a statement in regard to a petition of 50 congressmen "requesting a prompt report from the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee on the 2.75% beer bill."

Wheeler points out that 385 members did not sign the petition and expressed the view that the beer bill "would hamstring prohibition enforcement."

*Wayne Bidwell Wheeler (1869-1927) was born in Ohio & graduated Oberlin College, 1894 & LLB at Western Reserve University, 1898.  WBW became a leading advocate for the prohibition movement & played a major role in passage of the 18th Amendment.

**Anti-Saloon League, founded in Oberlin, Ohio in 1893, supported the Temperance movement & lobbied for prohibition. 

SOURCE

"'Beer Losing Its Kick At Polls,' Wheeler Says," The Washington Times, Home Final Edition, Washington, D.C., June 2. 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Wayne Bidwell Wheeler

Harris & Ewing Photo (1920)

Library of Congress