National Conference of Organizations Supporting the 18th Ame

Opposition to National Prohibition that grew very strong by the late 1920s. There were calls for Repeal. In response, the National Temperance Council met in Washington, DC, in 1930. It hoped to counter the threat it posed. The 34 organizations composing the National Temperance Council re-organized. They formed the National Conference of Organizations Supporting the 18th Amendment.

The Organizations

The groups included all the major temperance groups, including these.

Bishop James Cannon

Organizations Supporting the 18th — Bishop Cannon on trial.

The only major leader not in attendance was Bishop James Cannon Jr. He was the focus of a major scandal. Cannon was forced to defend himself before a Senate committee. The charges were financial corruption as a lobbyist.

He also had to defend himself before the General Conference of the Methodist Church. The charges were immoral sexual conduct. He had a sexual affair with his church secretary. Cannon was a married man. And his wife was ill.

Also he had to defend himself before a federal grand jury. The charges were conspiring to violate the Federal Corrupt Practices Act. He had illegally hoarded flour during WW I. Then he sold it at great profit.

When he appeared before the Senate, Cannon used a crutch. Some observers said that he did not need it. They viewed as a ploy for sympathy.

Clergy vs Laypeople

Lay members made an unsuccessful attemptto be included in the leadership of the National Conference of Organizations Supporting the 18th Amendment. They wanted to be on equal terms with members of the clergy. Clergy rejected the attempt.

In executive session the leadership voted against any type or form of voting on National Prohibition. It claimed this was “unauthorized, unconstitutional and unprecedented.” The Conference also opposed supporting the Prohibition Party or any other third party in the 1932 election.