THE GRAPEVINE VOL. I, NO. 1, JUNE, 1944 P. O. BOX 328, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 1.50; COPY, 15c

May we remind those who see, read and possess a copy of this paper but who are not members of A.A. of the meaning of those two initials – – and ask them to respect our anonymity? Please do not quote or reprint without our permission.

TWO YALE SAVANTS STRESS ALCOHOLISM AS TRUE DISEASE At the launching of The Grapevine, we wish to express our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for the success of this new publication. The invitation to contribute a note on the Yale Plan Clinics to the first issue of your Journal, confirms our belief in the close relation between the broad studies we have undertaken on all aspects of alcoholism. The first Yale Plan Clinics, which are at New Haven and Hartford, were established by the Laboratory of Applied Physiology of Yale University in cooperation with the Connecticut Prison Association. This most recent venture does not stand by itself, but is closely integrated with the researches and educational activities of the Laboratory. These three activities represent a broad scheme in which rehabilitation of the alcoholic and the prevention of inebriety are equal goals. The Clinics serve several purposes and it is hard to say which purpose ranks first. As long as the general public is not aware of the fact that alcoholism is a disease, the most important object of the Clinics is to spread this idea until it is fully accepted. For the time being, this object may be placed ahead of the guidance of alcoholics. Another object is to further the development of community resources which could be utilized in the rehabilitation of alcoholics. At present, in many cases therapy must be undertaken at the Clinics because of the scarcity of other resources. But when those facilities shall have been developed, based, perhaps, on recommendations coming from the experience of the Clinics, the latter will limit their activity solely to the guiding of alcoholics to those facilities which according to diagnosis seem to be the most promising in the individual case. Such guidance is being practiced at present at the Clinics in bringing suitable cases into contact with the local groups of Alcoholics Anonymous. It goes without saying that one of our objectives is to further interest and confidence in Alcoholics Anonymous among those who have not heard of it or who are inadequately informed. The contacts of the Clinics with the courts, with various departments of State government and with civic agencies will contribute greatly to bring about adequate understanding of the nature of alcoholism, of the utilization of the existing, and the development of needed, facilities. The Clinics in giving physical examinations to all alcoholics who come for advice bring to their attention physical ailments which all too frequently are neglected. The treatment of such ailments does not lie within the activities of the Clinics, but the Clinics facilitate contacts with hospitals or private practitioners. The Clinics have been in operation only two months and thus a report on “results” is not justified. It is, however, worth reporting that out of 70 alcoholics who up to date have availed themselves of the Clinics, 22 have come without being “referred,” but solely from their own desire for help. The remainder have been sent by their relatives, by the courts, social agencies, hospitals, and private practitioners. Local groups of Alcoholics Anonymous have sent four men either for diagnosis of nervous complications or for physical examination. Numerous inquiries have been received from court officers and municipal administrators throughout the country concerning the feasibility of establishing clinics in other cities. The indications are that there is a wide interest in the rehabilitation of alcoholics and that only direction is needed to give it full display. The problem of the alcoholic is to great to be solved by any one person or even by any one organization. The cooperation of all individuals and all organizations, based on mutual respect and understanding of each other’s aims, is needed to bring success to the efforts of all those who are interested in bringing back the alcoholic into the life of the community. New Haven, Connecticut Howard W. Haggard E. M. Jellinek

“GRAPEVINE” IN BOW In a big smoke-filled room six ink-stained wretches sipped at their Cokes as I shot question after question at them. “All right,” I said, “The stork didn’t bring this paper. Nobody found it in a rose bush. It didn’t just grow like Topsy. Come clean, now. How’d it all begin?” “Well,” the six began, “It was just something that was in the air. Everybody, at some time or other, has had the bright idea: let’s have an A.A. paper! Then-bang-Cleveland had one; so why not us, here in the Metropolitan area? We figured to take the paper out of the talking stage and put it into print.” With that the six shut up. In the silence that followed I looked these people over. Very average. A cashier; a radio script writer; an author; a bookseller; an art director; a wife and mother of two. “Do you realize,” I said, “that you people are sticking your necks out to here? Starting a paper up all by your little selves. Not putting it to a vote and all that kind of thing.” “Sir, we don’t think you’ve got the correct slant,” the bookseller said thoughtfully, “We six are sort of garage mechanics, servicing the paper. We don’t write it. That’s the creamy part for every Jack and Doris of A.A. who can lay their hands on some news and a pencil stub. We wrestle with the punctuation, if any. Hammer for copy as the deadline creaps up. Paste up the dummy, and hope for the best.” “Very neat, ” I said, “and I wish you luck. But what’s the paper going to talk about?” “About us Alcoholics, naturally!”, the mother of two said, “About A.A.’s whole design for living. There’s going to be a big, full page on local group doings (there’s a Grapevine reporter in every group right now with his pencil at the ready). And we’re planning to get all the big general stuff on alcoholism into the paper. Best of all, we think, is the Servicemen’s Letter page…” “Now you’re talking,” I said with satisfaction. “Thanks,” the cashier said coldly. “We also hope to have a column on books, and the theater and films and radio and magazines articles which have to do with A.A. or the 12 steps, or constructive living in general.” “And,” said the author, “a section called ‘Do You Know?’ which will pin down in print the things new members wonder about.” “Anything else?”, I asked, reaching for my hat. “Oh yes!”, the six said, “Two things, particularly. There’ll be a write-up on the Central Office. And a letters-to-The-Grapevine where everybody can sound off-pro and con-on anything that seems to need saying out loud.” “That positively all?” I asked, rising. “No! Aren’t you going to ask us how long we six are going to stick at this thing?” “Go on. Go on,” I said nervously. “Simple,” the six said. “We hang on for a trial spin of three months while the Metropolitan A.A.’s make up their minds whether they want a paper or not. If the verdicts’s No – we bow out.” “And if the verdict’s Yes?”, I asked, eyeing all six sharpely. “We still bow out; and hand the paper to fresh new blood,” they said. “Well, it still looks like a cabal to me, ” I said in my most suspicious manner. “Think I’ll write a leter to The Grapevine demanding to know how come you six think you can get a paper going!” “We’ll print it, sir. Goodbye; and kindly don’t slam the door,” was the last I heard the six say.

EDITORIAL: The Shape of Things to Come In the book Alcoholics Anonymous there is a chapter called “A Vision for You”. Wandering through it recently, my eye was caught by this startling paragraph written a short five years ago. “Someday we hope that every alcoholic who journeys will find a Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous at his destination. To some extent this is already true. Some of us are salesmen and go about. Little clusters of twos and threes and fives of us have sprung up in other communities through contact with our two large centers—–” Rubbing my eyes I looked again. A lump came into my throat. “Only five years,” I thought. “Then but two large centers-little clusters of twos and threes – travelers who hoped one day to find us at every destination.” Could it be that only yesterday this was just a hope-those little clusters of twos and threes, those little beacons so anxiously watched as they flickered, but never went out. And today-hundreds of centers shedding their warm illumination upon the lives of thousands, lighting the dark shoals where the stranded and hopeless lie breaking up-those fingers of light already stretching to our beach heads in other lands. Now comes another lighted lamp-this little newspaper called “The Grapevine”. May its rays of hope and experience ever fall upon the current of our A.A. life and one day illumine every dark corner of this alcoholic world. The aspirations of its editors, contributors and readers could well be voiced in the last words of “A Vision for You”. “Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find, and join us. We shall be with you, in the Fellowship of The Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you-until then.” Bill

Points of View: The Grapevine welcomes letters from its reader-members. Please survey, however, the size of the sheet and keep your notes brief, because we’d like to print a fair cross-section, with as little cutting as possible.

Dear Grapevine: I was surely glad to learn that A.A. is planning to publish a “house-organ”. I think a lot of newer members, like myself, who might incline to be shy about making personal contacts for help with their individual problems will welcome this means of communicating with experienced A.A.s. For example, I can hardly buttonhole a fellow-member at a meeting and bluntly say: “My wife is jealous of you!” Yet that’s pretty much the situation which bothers me quite a lot. What I mean is that my Missus doesn’t understand. She’s delighted with the results of the past six months, but you know how wives are-they’ve got to feel they’re the most influential factor in a husband’s life. Point is, during all the years my wife tried to get me to quit I just got worse-then I catch up with A.A. and zingo – I get completely dried up and obviously like the procedure. So I’m afraid she feels there must be something, lacking in my affection or why couldn’t I have quit just for her? It’s obvious at the meetings that others in A.A. have been a lot smarter about this angle and maybe can help with a couple of suggestions. Jim D. Dear Grapevine: I’ve been in A.A. a year and a month and I’m so happy, so glad at last, to be alive. A year and a month ago I wanted to die-although I didn’t do anything about it except go on drinking, which is a pretty good way. My career, for I happen to be a writer, was at a standstill, and my way of living, my habits and emotions were as distorted as the view I used to see of myself in the bottom of a glass. Now, very, very slowly, I am becoming the person I’m supposed to be. Normal habits and pleasures come back slowly. Things like enjoying food, gardening, going to the theatre, spending an evening with friends while conscious-all these habits had to be reformed, like a paralytic learning the re-use of his limbs. Just the other day I said to myself; “All right-you’re fifteen years behind in your life. Fifteen years behind in your career. Thank God you came into A.A. when you did. Now you can begin, slowly, and get your life back.” Perhaps some of you know this experience of discouraged impatience. Perhaps you’ve been sober a certain number of months and are beginning to say, “Well, so what?” Don’t go out and get drunk, as I came so near doing a month ago. Weather this let-down period between first getting truly sober and getting yourself adjusted to life and living. Work like a beaver with an extra spurt of effort in, for and with A.A. That’s the solution. I am sure of it. I had to write this because I’m so grateful again to A.A. for seeing me through these “growing pains”. Felicia G.

INTER GROUP MEETING IN MANHATTAN; Capitol Hotel, 51st Street and 8th Avenue, Walnut Room; every Tuesday evening at 8:30. Room open from 5:30. For all other meeting information watch group news on our Metropolitan Circuit page, and check each issue for changes of time and location.

A Any Life Name Centered Or On Names Helping You Others May Live Offer = Us Ideal = Civic Self devotion Service

Above is my version of the title “Alcoholics Anonymous” which you requested for publication. So far as using my name, I am very proud of the fact that I am a member of A.A. so you may use my name as the author of the enclosed if you wish. Wishing you all a lot of luck and a large circulation for “The Grapevine”. “Yours for Victory”, Stewart A.S.

A.A. GOES TO SEA

Or rather the merchant seamen have discovered A.A.! Just over a year ago, Dr. Florence Powdermaker, a well-known psycho-analyst, sent us a patient-who promptly dried up, pleasing the good doctor no end. Then Dr. Powdermaker put on a Naval uniform and took up the problems of tired or shell-shocked seamen. Oddly enough she found that many of them had just the same problem we land-lubbers are cursed with… they were alcoholics and they wanted the worst way to get over it. She tried the A.A. literature on them – the book and the pamphlets – and it worked! When there got to be about 40 of them, those who were still ashore put their heads together. Like the rest of us, they wanted to help others recover-but they felt they had a special field in other seamen. They know seamen, and they know that most regular seamen look on landlubbers as almost a race apart. Their name for us is “shore people”, and they don’t easily feel at home with us. Add that to the alcoholic apartness-and you have something. So they figured they’d catch more seamen if they had their own group-for seamen only. But we’re sure that will be only at the beginning-they’ll find, as we did, that alcoholics are buddies under the skin, no matter what their profession or background, and as a matter of fact the original delegation who came to tell us of their plans and ask our cooperation, were instantly absorbed, to their own, and our, intense pleasure. But if and when they form their own group and get their own clubhouse, we wish them all the luck in the world-as one drunk to another, fellows in A.A.

CORPORATION MEETS The semi-annual corporation meeting was held at the 24th Street Club House on April 18th, 1944 at 8:00 P.M. Fifty-two members attended (A.A.’s who have been dry a year or more). The secretary read the minutes of the last meeting (September 29, 1943) and these were voted to be accepted, as read. Due to illness of the president, the vice-president took the chair and suggested that we dispense with the current business, for the moment, in order to hear the new proposal of the Inter Group Committee. This was read and was followed by a discussion which brought to the light the following facts: (1)-Only a minority of those present had fore-knowledge of the proposed organizational change, (2)-the proposal was too lengthy and involved to be digested and voted on at the meeting, (3)-it was felt that it should be put up to the membership, at large, though the individual groups. It was, therefore, moved and voted that the following resolution be put into effect: “Resolved-that, though the corporation approves the basic ideas expressed in the plan submitted by the Inter Group Committee, it, the plan, or a condensation thereof, be submitted to the various groups for their approval. If and when this approval is forthcoming, it is suggested that each group select its two representatives to the new Central Committee and send their decision to the corporation secretary.” A motion was made to dissolve the corporation, but was withdrawn when it was pointed out that this could not be done without many legal complications taking several months. It was then proposed that we elect a new president. This caused a few minutes of confusion and discussion which finally resolved itself into a motion, which was carried, that we do not accept the present president’s resignation, but carry on as we are until the Inter Group proposal is decided upon, at which time, another meeting will be held and the fate of the corporation will then be discussed. It was moved and seconded that a vote of thanks be sent to the president for the “magnificent job” he has done. The acting president suggested that, as we had been renting 24th Street on a month to month basis, which on May 1st, would become a day to day basis, it might be carrying out the twelfth step if we released the Club House to the newly-formed Merchant Marine A.A.’s who are anxious to take a five year lease. A motion was made that we give up the Club House as of June 1st and look up new quarters, unless, of course, we decide to re-lease the club ourselves.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE At the continuation of the semi-annual corporation meeting Wednesday night, May 10, the Acting President pro tem called the roll of groups represented and asked for a report of their decision in regard to the Inter Group proposal. It was established that 10 groups had approved the new Central Committee and had appointed representatives. As this seemed an adequate nucleus for proceeding, it was moved, seconded, and voted that a central Committee be formed. The officers of the present Corporation then tendered their resignations and it was moved that an adjournment be called while the members of the Central Committee retired upstairs to select new Corporation officers and a temporary Central Committee Chairman. The Corporation meeting reconvened at 10:00 and the selections of the Central Committee were submitted to the Corporation members for their approval, which was promptly forth-coming. The new Corporation President took the chair and after a brief discussion a motion was made to adjourn; the motion was seconded and carried.

BUCOLIC NOTES… “Sister Francis’ ” friends will be glad to know that High Watch Farm, Cornwall Bridge, Conn., near Kent, which many A.A.’s have visited and where some found their first contact with us, is open again. Two of our Manhattan group members are going up the first of June to run it during the summer months.

CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES May 1st was moving day for the Central office into larger quarters on Lexington Avenue near Grand Central Terminal, a much more accessible spot to out-of-town visitors. (New address-P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y.) We are already national in scope and certain to become world-wide. Hence this seems a most appropriate time to explain what the Central Office has been doing and how well the Trustees and its staff have managed. Being somewhat responsible for the creation of the Central Office, I feel I have never made enough effort to let everyone know just how much it does. Actually the Central Office belongs to all Groups everywhere; it is your good-will and financial support which makes it possible; it is one of your main contacts with the general public and it is one of your principal means of carrying the 12th step of the A.A. program to untold thousands of alcoholic sick people who don’t yet know they can get well. In matters pertaining to the office, the Trustees are your Service Committee; its Secretary is your National Secretary. In the month of March alone, for example, the work turned out by the secretary and her three assistants (including some overtime) was as follows: 1-They wrote 2,695 personal letters. Approximately 2,000 of these were answers to first inquiries of alcoholics and their families averaging 100 words each. About 400 letters were written to the groups, mostly group problems. The balance was miscellaneous. 2-Six hundred telephone and telegraph messages. 3-About 100 out-of-town A.A. members visited the office. 4-Something like 400 bookkeeping entries. 5-Over 5000 A.A. pamphlets and 672 A.A. books, about a ton of material, were wrapped and shipped. 6-A detailed monthly report was made to the Trustees. 7-In addition, the Secretary participated in several conferences on future publicity and spent a week on the road visiting six of the A.A. Groups with which she corresponds. A small but very willing staff of four turned out this large volume of work. Our Central Office has nearly always been understaffed. Our condition right now is such that a good piece of publicity would throw us weeks behind on those vital first inquiries. We should have more help-perhaps two more typists before long. About the offer of A.A. pins to the membership-those pins supposedly designed and approved by me! The offer was made by Royal Incentives, a perfectly reputable firm, which was sold a “bill of goods” by an alcoholic who has had a rather hectic A.A. career. Of course I knew nothing whatever of this deal. Royal Incentives, recognizing the mistake, is sending all groups a letter of explanation and apology. As ever, Bill.

A. A. GOES ISLAND – HOPPING BY MAIL Oct. 8, 1943 Naval Cantonment, Honolulu, Hawaii Alcoholics Anonymous Dear Sirs: I have been an alcoholic for 10 years. Three months ago, on July 8th, I went to the hospital for alcoholism. It was the third time in that same hospital…While there a nurse told me of your organization. I went to the Public Library and found your address…I have since talked it over with a number of alcoholic patients in this same hospital, and also with the doctors and nurses there, and I have decided that we have the material to form a branch of your organization in Honolulu…I am assured of the co-operation of the Mental Health Bureau of the Territory of Hawaii, and I’m sure we can make a success of it. I am enclosing postage. Will you please send me all the information you can on the organization. Respectfully yours, E.G.

On October 19th the Central Office received and answered the above letter. The answer covered one sheet of typewriting paper, single-space, on both sides, in order that it might be light-weight enough to go Air Mail with a pamphlet enclosed. That one sheet of paper constituted as clear, as concise, and as comprehensible a picture of A.A.: what it is, how it works, and what kind of people make it the amazing thing it is, as the Editors have ever seen. Now we know how the Central Office creates groups!

Nov. 16, 1943 Shop – -, Pearl Harbor Gentlemen: Received your Air Mail letter enclosing one pamphlet 4 weeks ago, and your package of literature today… We have not yet had a meeting. I have been visiting the prospects armed with only one pamphlet and a handful of bus tokens. There are some problems peculiar to this place…in dealing with permanent residents and transient workers. Although I believe that alcoholics are usually more broadminded than others, we are taking precautions to see that the effort we are making is not isolated to either group. There are 6 who have promised to make the effort. Three of them are permanent residents and 3 are workers from the mainland. It is quite a representative group. One lawyer, one radio telegraph operator, one member of a Federal commission, one electrician, one carpenter, and myself-a small-boat builder, aged 32. I am enclosing $5.00. Please send me a copy of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, and some more pamphlets. If there is any left it is my donation to the Foundation. Sincerely yours, E.G.

Dec. 14, 1943 Shop – -, Pearl Harbor Dear – : You may definitely stick a pin in Honolulu on your map. Tonight we had a meeting of the entire group for the first time. There were supposed to be 7-but only 5 came. All have been sober with the help of the A.A. program for a time varying from over a month to 1 week before their first meeting. The meeting was so interesting to everyone we had trouble leaving in time to get home before curfew. And not bragging (much) I don’t think there are any more intelligent 5 people in Honolulu who meet as a group than we had there tonight…One reason that I am so optimistic about our little group is that every one of them sought the help. There has been no evangelism, no compulsion. All of us really want to quit…Please don’t think you’re presuming to give me advice. We have not been able to contact any old members here. If ever there was a place where the blind are leading the blind, that place is Honolulu right now. We not only will accept any advice you care to give, we’re begging for it…I have had several bitter disappointments…I have discovered that a desire to stop and mere knowledge of the program of A.A are not enough. It is those of us who are really trying to put into practice the 12 steps who are succeeding. Now that we are holding meetings I feel sure that more of us will be able to put them into practise. About my own case. I have for years considered myself an agnostic. After reading the A.A . literature, especially the part about an alcoholic who wanted to get well not being able to afford the luxury of a closed mind, I began asking myself what I really believed. The more I though and worked with others the nearer to faith I came…The psychiatric social worker at — Hospital, who has been trying to help me since July to quit drinking has remarked at the great change in me since I became acquainted with A.A. When I told her of my new source of strength she suggested that maybe that strength had been lying latent in me all along. I told her I didn’t really know what the source of strength was, but that I did know the formula I had used to tap it, and that was humble, sincere, unselfish prayer… Yours in A.A. E.G. (TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH)

DO YOU KNOW……? What the Purpose of the Foundation Is: Answer:-The Alcoholic Foundation is comprised of seven trustees, four of whom (a majority) are non-alcoholics but keenly interested in the problem of alcoholism, and three of whom are members of A.A. These trustees maintain the Central Office, our National Headquarters, where inquiries concerning A.A. from all parts of the world are answered and from which office our literature is mailed. Besides maintaining this Central Office, the trustees of the Foundation have charge of all national publicity, and consult with the A.A. group on matters of national policy. None of the trustees receives any compensation for his or her services. The Non-alcoholic trustees are: Mr. Leonard V. Harrison, Chairman. (Mr. Harrison is identified with Community Service-the combined charities of New York City.) Mr. Willard S. Richardson, Treasurer. (Before his retirement, religious secretary to Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.) Mrs. Livingston Farrand (Distinguished wife of Livingston Farrand, former President of Cornell University.) Dr. Leonard V. Strong, Jr. (A physician most helpful to A.A. from its beginning.) Two of the present A.A. members of the board are from the New York Metropolitan area, the third from Akron, Ohio.

Mail Call for All A.A.’s in the Armed Forces When the idea of bringing out a New York Metropolitan A.A. paper was conceived, one of the first thoughts was that it might prove particularly helpful to our members in the Service. If anyone doubts what such a paper can mean to these men, here, we think, is the answer. Corporal Hugh B., now in England, had no knowledge of our project when he wrote one of us recently: “Your letter of ten days ago was much appreciated and was one of, if not the, most newsy A.A. letters I have received. Certainly was interesting to hear about the boys and gals all over the world. Made me think that we should have a monthly publication.-Think it over!” The records kept by our Central Office show approximately 300 A.A. members now in Service, with some 40 coming from the New York area and belonging to various Metropolitan Groups. These figures, due to constant changes, are probably not complete. Of the New York crowd, the files indicate 26 are in the Army, 9 in the Navy, and 5 scattered between the Merchant Marine and other auxiliary services. Eleven are known to be commissioned officers and the remainder are serving in the ranks. These men, and in a few cases, women, are as a rule cut off rather abruptly from any direct contacts with the Groups and are often subject to disturbing new influences and unusual temptations to take that fatal first drink. They, it would seem, face a harder battle in their recovery than most of us, benefiting, as many of us do, from almost daily association with our fellow members. Yet frequently they come through unscathed! We would like to give you a few examples of their clear thinking along A.A. principles:

A Navy lieutenant (j.g.) who joined A.A. over two years ago, wrote us recently from a South Pacific Island – “Your mention of John N.- (an A.A. of even longer standing, now a lieutenant in the Army. Ed.) “caused me to investigate- He was evacuated for stomach trouble two days before I looked him up and for four months he had been only half a mile from my camp. Such is life!” (Both these men have had fine records of sobriety with A.A. and have now seen considerable service at an advanced base. What an A.A. meeting that would have been. Ed.) * In December, John N.-, the Army lieutenant, had written-“We have arrived at a New Island and are set up in a coconut grove. Your letter was most welcome. How often these days I think of the fine times I had in A.A. and the wonderful people I have met. The whole thing means an awful lot to me and I thank God for being allowed to be a part of it…My work is interesting but hectic but I have really improved on the ‘Easy Does It’ department. I know who to thank for that to.-So Flushing has a separate group now – That is wonderful!” * Again we quote our naval correspondent-“I should like to address an A.A. gathering now, as I have a perspective that few get the opportunity to enjoy, having been completely apart from the Group for nearly a year, and it is easy to see the fundamentals closely, and determine the main factors-I think even more closely than when one is steeped in A.A. work with daily contact. It is easier to see how the program works into every day normal life too.” * Once more, from Bob H., now an Army sergeant overseas, written last Thanksgiving Day-“When I think of myself just eighteen months ago, I realize, too, just how much I have to be thankful for. I’ve been more fortunate than most-maybe some day I’ll feel I’ve earned my breaks.-I should hate to have anything happen to me now, before I have a chance to do something, however small, worth-while with my life.” (This man had worried about not getting the spiritual side of the program. Ed.)

THE WORDS OF A DANGLING MAN “Off Again, On Again Finnegan” has a new lot of loyal rooters: the “You’re In-You’re Out” selective service inductees, aged twenty-six to thirty-eight. For the past six months, on alternate Tuesdays, the Home Editions of the paper you read had us in the Army or Navy “within a month”, but by Seven Star Final time, one of the two Washington authorities (the one who hadn’t had a press interview earlier in the day) was quoted as saying that men over twenty-six would probably not be called “until later in the year.” And so it goes, and so we go-crazy! But wait: Easy Does It. How thankful I’ve been for having that little “punch-line” pounding into my daily living. To me, that’s a first “first step.” It keeps me from jumping at conclusions, making snap judgments, becoming excited or irritated over the way things “seem” to be. It cautions me to cut my pace, mentally, and make certain things are as they may seem. It permits, above all, the serenity that comes, with reflection, as I repeat the process of turning my will and my life over to the care of My Higher Power. Does that sound simple? Or do you think I’m putting down one little word after another here because that’s what our program tells me I should do? Well, I’ll tell you, if, twelve months ago, I had been riding the Selective Service Merry-go-round (without A.A.) two things would have happened: (1) My wife would have been relieved at the prospect of my being in service, preferably in Timbuctoo (if that’s at the other end of the world); and (2) I would have been a rip-roaring, hell-bent-for-another-drink, psycho-neurotic alcoholic. Today, I’m sober and not in service. Tomorrow, I may be in service, I don’t know. But I do know that tomorrow I’ll be sober, through the Grace of God and Alcoholics Anonymous. David R

The Pleasures of Reading Intellectual stimulus, philosophical fortification and wholesome distraction will be found in a collection of three books, superficially diverse but having a common denominator, published in a compact volume as part of The Modern Library under the title of The Consolation of Philosophy. The first book which bears the title of the volume, was written by Boethius, a Roman office-holder of the fourth century and philosopher by avocation. His discourses are agreeably set forth in the form of a dialogue with Lady Philosophy. The second book is The Imitation (or the following) of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, technically a man of the cloister but soon adopted by the world as a meditative poet and mystical psychologist. No greater inspiration for those who would “go home again” has ever been written. The third book, Religio Medici (the religion of a physician), is the work of Sir Thomas Browne, seventeenth century physician. It is a full bodied and humanly inconsistent discussion of those matters which have troubled spirits everywhere and in every time. The doctor wrote candidly, sometimes quaintly and often amusingly, if not intentionally so (he says that man is the whole world and woman, the rib, the crooked piece of man! Biologically, however, he is less orthodox p.398). But he also speaks of that harmony of things which both he and Bill call the “music of the Spheres”. Each in his way, all three writers strove for and undoubtedly attained equableness of life and serenity of spirit. Royal S. Good Night, Sweet Prince, by Gene Fowler; Viking Press, 3.50. A biography of John Barrymore worthy of thoughtful perusal by all alcoholics. Written with sympathetic understanding, the book, to this reviewer, makes these points: 1-The fire of genius may survive alcoholism, but the genius dies. 2-The strength of a self-sufficient ego is a weakness in fighting alcoholism. Jack R. Further Reading Pleasures: Consolation of Philosophy, Modern Library #226, 95c. The New Testament (Authorized King James Version, Pocket Edition) 25c. The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, Macmillan, 1.50. Christian Behavior by C. S. Lewis, Macmillan, 1.00. The Case of Christianity by C. S. Lewis, 1.00.

Ounces of Prevention……. Keep an indexed notebook of member’s names with you: for phoning and writing A.A.s. Call a member when you have jitters, depression, discouragement, resentment…When you can’t sleep, write a letter to an A.A. in Service or on the road and out of touch. Put a habit-forming reminder in your shaving or make-up kit. This starts the day with a definite statement that you won’t take a drink. Make a hospital call. When you feel low, get to the next meeting, anywhere in the area; or go to one of the A.A. luncheons. Never let yourself get hungry. For that five o’clock time try a light snack, a frosted chocolate. See our Time on Your Hands Column…and send us your own Ounces of Prevention.

TIME ON YOUR HANDS? This column will deal specifically with one or two “time fillers” in each issue, but we want to cover the kind of thing you are most interested in. We hope, therefore, that you will send in requests for information and that you will also send facts about your own interesting hobbies and occupations, be they intellectual, practical or just plain fun. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS in Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut have Adult Education courses, (for the small sum of 1.00 in most cases) in practically everything, from Political Science to Public Speaking. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY and N.Y.U. have extension courses (catalogues on request) in such diverse and ambition-provoking things as Geology, Music Appreciation, Short Story Writing, and many etcs. THE LIGHTHOUSE, 111 East 59th Street and the AMERICAN RED CROSS, 315 Lexington Avenue, give courses in reading and typing Braille and you will find an amazingly varied list of other ways you can help your country by calling your local RED CROSS or CIVILIAN DEFENSE VOLUNTEER OFFICE (War Council). The NEW YORK HOSPITAL FUND, 370 Lexington Avenue, wants men and women for messengers, elevator operators, ward, clinic and dietary aides. THE WAR MANPOWER COMMISSION, 11 West 42nd Street, wants men and women volunteers to join the U. S. CROP CORPS for summer and fall harvesting and work in canneries. Applications should be made now at the U. S. EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, 124 East 28th Street. This would seem an ideal way to rebuild one’s health and help Uncle Sam at no expense. There is a fascinating place in the Village called THE CLAY CLUB, 4 West 8th Street, where long suppressed artistic ambitions can materialize into Greek vases or undraped nudes by playing around with hunks of wet clay. THE HAYDEN PLANETARIUM, Central Park West and 81st Street, gives courses in Celestial Navigation and Star Identification, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30. The cost is $5.00 for ten lessons. The METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART offers concerts in the Morgan Wing each Sunday at 3:45 P.M. and in the Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, (Fifth Avenue Bus No. 4 marked Cloisters takes you to the door) religious and secular music of the middle ages can be heard Sundays and Tuesdays at 3:30 P.M. A booklet of the museum’s lectures and special exhibitions will be sent on request.

ALONG THE METROPOLITAN CIRCUIT BROOKLYN. Well, you know how Brooklyn is. Trees grow there, and so does A.A., but they don’t talk so much about it. We think it bears repeating that A.A . started there, right on Clinton St. in Bill’s house. There are still plenty of A.A.’s around who attended their first meeting there. Then Bill and Lois moved and for a long time there were no meetings in Brooklyn. Two years ago last February, A.A. in New York had grown enough so that split-offs were becoming common. And there was Brooklyn, big enough all on its own to have been having meetings at the home of one of its members-now big enough to “hire a hall”, where an open meeting is held every Friday at 8:30 P.M. Closed meetings (for alcoholics only) on Wednesday evenings at the home of one of its members. Brooklyn is growing! ELIZABETH, N. J. The group is one of many that started in South Orange. Captain Gus Steffens of the Elizabeth Police Dept. started trying to rehabilitate some local drunks known as the “Bottle Gang”. Then A.A. stepped in. Result: a growing group. The Mayor and other officials furnished a perfect meeting place gratis. Now there is also the PLAINFIELD, N. J. group – an outgrowth of Elizabeth. So A.A. grows. FLUSHING. Formerly an integral part of the Forest Hills group, the Flushing group held its first meeting in Flushing on March 4, 1943, and has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth since. There are now about 35 names on the roster. The group meets Thursday evenings at the Good Citizens League Hall, corner of Union St. and Sanford Ave. promptly at 8:30 (A.A. time). FOREST HILLS. Among the eight or ten shaky characters who attended the first meeting of the Forest Hills Group some three years ago, an A.A. dry six months was an absolute authority on all twelve steps and a “one-yearer” was a complete phenomenon. With their small membership there was little chance of not hearing the same speakers at least every two weeks, so these men became very well acquainted indeed. In the two years this group had grown so there were enough Nassau and Suffolk residents to launch their own group in Hempstead. Shortly thereafter, the Jackson Heights-Flushing folks commenced their meetings in Flushing. So 1944 sees three well-established groups on Long Island with, at a rough count, a total membership of 125, all offspring of that first little Forest Hills group, who, incidentally, along with new members still meet in the Fountain Room of the Forest Hills Inn every Monday at 8:30 P.M. THE NEW MANHATTAN GROUP. A meeting of all Manhattanites and other A.A.s living in the Metropolitan area, but affiliated with no suburban group, was called at the 24th Street clubhouse on Thursday, April 13th. New York’s senior representatives on the Inter Group Committee presided. The chair read a comprehensive history of the expansion of A.A. in the Metropolitan area, from the time of the meetings at Bill’s house in Brooklyn until today. The Manhattan Group was then formed to co-ordinate the work of A.A. on this little Island. The members participating then elected a Chairman, to serve six months; a Deputy Chairman, to serve a year and to automatically suceed the Chairman; a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The name “Manhattan Group of Alcoholics Anonymous” was adopted-and the newest A.A. Group in this area was in business for itself. MOUNT VERNON. Early in 1943 about fifteen members of the White Plains Group, residing in southern Westchester County, decided there was need for a Group in that area. The first meeting was held February 4, 1943, at the Westchester Women’s Club, 110 Crary Avenue, Mount Vernon, where weekly Monday evening meetings have since been held. The Group now has eighty active members, exclusive of those on duty with the armed services and those who since have established residences elsewhere. Recently separate open meetings were held with the Medical Associations of Mount Vernon and Yonkers. THE NASSAU-SUFFOLK group started holding its meetings in Hempstead about a year ago. The group originally started with about 15 members from the Forest Hills group. At a closed meeting last night the Secretary reported that we have 63 members on the list. Hempstead is now meeting on Monday night, instead of Tuesday (open meetings). At the request of a Long Island Veterans’ hospital, we are sending a delegation to talk with some World War No. 2 veterans. The letter from the hospital authorities says that they have heard of A.A., and that they would like to know more about it. Six new members have come in, in the last two weeks. Hempstead group meets at 177 Jackson St., Monday and Friday. NORTH JERSEY NOTES. As we went to press, bright prospects of a sell-out attended the South Orange group’s spring dance which was held May 13 at the Mablewood Women’s Club. Four such social affairs a year are on the Jerseyites’ schedule. The others include an uproarious Hallowe’en party, a New Year’s Eve dinner-dance and a shindig on St. Patrick’s Day, which is always a dangerous time for ‘slips’. They also run other socials, like the all-day summer picnic out in the country and the Christmas Day reception. In recent weeks North Jersey members have spoken before several luncheon clubs, such as the South Orange Rotary, the Newark and Irvington Kiwanis and the Trenton Optimist clubs. An A.A. group among the inmates of the State Reformatory for Women at Clinton, N.J., has been undertaken under the direction of the Morristown Group. The entire operation is handled by the inmates, the A.A. people assisting with literature, counsel and advice. Similarly, a group within the New Jersey State Prison at Trenton is in the experimental stage. This unit was suggested by a prisoner who wrote in to the Foundation office. Literature, etc. has been provided and North Jersey A.A. members have contacted the prison authorities with offers of help. WHITE PLAINS. Wednesday, May 17th, marks the third anniversary of A.A. in White Plains, N.Y. The whole thing started back in 1941 when a handful of 24th Street members held a dinner meeting in Howard Johnson’s to discuss plans for a Westchester Group. We feel that the cooperation of 24th Street and the Central Office has aided immeasurably in our growth. The Grapevine should go far in this direction, too, and should be a tremendous aid in cementing metropolitan group relations. In unity there is strength! Good luck and keep ’em rolling! (We mean the presses.) Open meetings, Wednesday, 8:30 P.M., Westchester Republican Headquarters, Martine and Mamaroneck Avenues.

Cut This Out and Mail to: THE GRAPEVINE P.O. Box 328 Grand Central Annex, N. Y. 17, N. Y. Herewith 1.50 for one year’s subscription to The Grapevine (Monthly) For additional subscriptions enclose separate sheet with name and address clearly printed. Checks payable to The Grapevine. Total Enclosed ………………………….. PLEASE PRINT Name …………………………………………………………….. Address ………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………….

CONFERENCE ON ALCOHOLISM On April 19th, a one-day conference on “Alcoholism, Prevention & Cure” was held in Lansing, Michigan, at Michigan State College. It was sponsored by the Michigan Temperance Foundation (!) and Yale University School of Alcoholic Studies, and the last speech of the day was on Alcoholics Anonymous. The speaker was a doctor from Detroit, a member of the Detroit group. We are told he did a swell job, and that the conference was followed by an A.A. banquet, at which some 75 A.A.s and their wives, from 8 different Michigan towns, AND Chicago, were present. That, of course turned into a regular A.A. meeting. These state-wide get-togethers seem to be gathering in frequency. The Public Health Commissioner of the State of Michigan addressed himself particularly to the A.A.’s present, and we think one remark of his is worth quoting: “You’re listening here to doctors, psychiatrists, sociologists and educators…but don’t pay too much attention to them! You people in A.A. are doing a fine job in coping with this problem directly. Keep on doing it in your own way!”