The American Federation of Labor’s National Committee for the Modification of the Volstead Act was created in January of 1931. The Volstead Act was the law that provided for the implementation of the Eighteenth Amendment that established National Prohibition (1920-1933). Matthew Woll The National Committee for the Modification of the Volstead Act was co-founded and …
Lillian Sedwick was state head of the Indiana Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She was also state leader of the Indiana Women of the Ku Klux Klan (WKKK). Sedwick became state head of the Indiana WKKK when she replaced Daisy Douglass Barr. Reverend Barr was another WKKK and WCTU leader As a KKK-supported candidate, Ms. Sedwick …
Longtime leader of the Prohibition Party, Earl Dodge, Jr., was born in Malden, Massachusetts on December 24, 1932. He joined the Party at age 19. Later, he became chair of the Prohibition Party in 1979. It was while the party was operating under the name of the National Statesmen Party. It re-instated the Prohibition Party …
Richmond Pearson Hobson was the most highly paid of the over 2,000 public speakers for the Anti-Saloon League. His gift of oratory was highly valued by the League and his membership in Congress gave him political clout. Father of American Prohibition Hobson introduced proposed constitutional amendments to establish national prohibition over 20 times. Understandably, some …
The favorite alcoholic beverages of presidents and others is fascinating subject.. U.S. Presidents The favorite alcoholic beverages of Presidents of the U.S. include these. Whiskey (George Washington) Madiera wine (Thomas Jefferson) Gin and tonic (Gerald Ford) Martini (Herbert Hoover) Champagne (James Madison) Whiskey (Andrew Jackson) Champagne (James K. Polk) Rum and coke; dry martini (Richard …
Communities sometimes vote on whether or not to allow Sunday alcohol sales. Or they vote on whether to overturn old laws prohibiting any sale of alcohol. That is, on whether to become “wet.” In virtually all cases, opposition to such change is organized by local ministers. They who contend that drinking is prohibited by the …
Many countries have drinking guidelines. These show what governments consider reasonable drinking levels. However, drinking guidelines differ widely. Some maximum levels are twice as high as others. Yet the medical research findings are available to all countries! I. Guidelines not Science-Based It’s clear that these maximum consumption levels have little basis in medical research. Instead, …
What is the Center for Alcohol Policy? What are its goals? How does it achieve them? I. Center for Alcohol Policy The Center for Alcohol Policy is a non-profit organization. The National Beer Wholesalers Association founded and funds it. That’s a trade group. The executive director for the Center is Mike Lashbrook. He was president …
There are many politicians arrested for drunk driving. The charge is usually driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). However, some states use different charges. For example, OUI (operating under the influence) or OWI (operating while intoxicated). And even DWAI (driving while ability impaired). The charges usually relate to alcohol. Yet it …
I. Background of the Prohibition Party The Prohibition Party of the United States began in 1869. Before the Civil War (1861-1865) temperance groups had promoted voluntary abstinence from alcoholic beverages. The War diverted national attention to more pressing matters. Subsequently, the temperance movement wayned. Moral suasion had proved to be both difficult and frustrating. So …
