June 1944

“GRAPEVINE” IN BOW “Go on. Go on,” I said nervously. In a big smoke-filled room six ink-stained “About us alcoholics, naturally!”, “Simple,” the six said, “We hang on for a wretches sipped at their Cokes as 1 shot the mother of two said, “About A.A.s trial spin of three months while the questions after question at them. whole design for living. There’s going to Metropolitan A.A.s make up their minds “All right,” I said, “The stork didn’t be a big, full page on local group doings whether they want a paper or not. If the bring this paper. Nobody found it in a (there’s a Grapevine reporter in every verdict’s NO – we bow out.” “And if the rose bush. It didn’t just grow like Topsy. group right now with his pencil at the verdict’s Yes?” , 1 asked, eyeing all six Come clean, now. How’d it all begin?” ready). And we’re planning to get all the sharply. “We still bow out; and hand the “Well,” the six began, “It was just big general stuff on alcoholism into the paper to fresh new blood,” they said. something that was in the air. Everybody, paper. Best of all, we think, is the “Well, it still looks like a cabal to me,” I at some time or other, has had the bright Servicemen’s Letter page….” said in my most suspicious manner. idea: let’s have an A.A. paper! Then – “Now you’re talking,” I said with “Think I’ll write a letter to The Grapevine bang – Cleveland had one; so why not satisfaction. “Thanks,” the cashier said demanding to know how come you six us, here in the Metropolitan area? We coldly. “We also hope to have a column think you can get a paper going!” figured to take the paper out of the on books and the theatre and films and radio and magazine articles which have “We’ll print it, sir. Goodbye; and talking stage and put it into print.” With to do with A.A. or the 12 Steps, or kindly don’t slam the door,” was the last that the six shut up. In the silence that constructive living in general.” “And,” said I heard the six say. followed I looked these people over. Very average. A cashier; a radio script writer; the author, “a section called “Do you an author; a bookseller; an art director; a know?” which will pin down in print the wife and mother of two. “Do you realize,” things new members wonder about.” I said, “that you people are sticking your “Anything else?”, Iasked, reaching necks out to here? Starting a paper up for my hat. “Oh yes!,” the six said, “Two all by your little selves. Not putting it to a things, particularly. There’ll be a write up vote and all that kind of thing.” “Sir, we on the Central Office. And a letters-todon’t think you’ve got the correct slant,” The Grapevine where every body can the bookseller said thoughtfully, “We six sound off – pro and con – on anything are just sort of garage mechanics, that seems to need saying out loud.” servicing the paper. We don’t write it. “That’s positively all? I asked, That’s the creamy part for every Jack rising. “No! Aren’t you going to ask us and Doris of A.A. who can lay their how long we six are going to stick at this hands on some news and a pencil stub. thing?” We wrestle with the punctuation, if any. Hammer for copy as the deadline creeps 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?”

June 1944

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. “Somedaywe hope that every alcoholic whojourneys 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. LiWe clusiers 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 and readers could well be voiced in the last words of ‘A W o n 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 andjoin us. We shall be with you, in the Fellowsh~Pof The Sp/i/%andyou will sure& meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you – until then. ” Bill

June 1944

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

June 1944

CENTRAL COMMITTEE

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

June 1944

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

J u n e 1944

DO YOU KNOW……………3. What the Purpose of the Foundation Is: Answer: The Alcoholic Foundation is (Mr. Harrison is identified with Commcomprised of seven trustees, four of unity Service – the combined charities whom (a majority) are non-alcoholics but of New York City.) keenly interested in the problem of Mr. Willard S. Richardson, Treasurer. alcoholism, and three of whom are (Before his retirement, religious secmembers of A.A. These trustees maintain retary to Mr. John D. Rockefeller,Jr.) the Central Office, our National Mrs. Livingston Farrand Headquarters, where inquiries concerning (Distinguished wife of Livingston A.A. from all parts of the world are Farrand, former President of Cornell answered and from which office our University.) literature is mailed. Beside maintaining Dr. Leonard V. Strong, Jr. this Central Office, the trustees of the (A physician most helpful to A.A. Foundation have charge of all national from its beginning.) publicity, and consult with the A.A. group Two of the present A.A. members of the on matters of national policy. None of the board are from the New York trustees receives any compensation for Metropolitan Area, the third from Akron, his or her services. Ohio. The Non-alcoholic trustees are: Mr. Leonard V. Harrison, Chairman.

June 1944

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 shellshocked seamen. Oddly enough she found that many of them had just the same problem we landlubbers 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 at 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.

June 1944

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 wiith us, is open again. Two of our Manhattan Group members are going up the first of June to run it during the summer months.

July 1944

THE BROOKLYN GROUP WORKS CLOSELY WITH HOSPITAL PATIENTS The Brooklyn Group has succeeded in establishing close relations with Brooklyn State Hospital. They held their first A.A. meeting within the institution late in May, and they went about it in a very sound manner. A leader and four speakers went over to conduct the meeting. All members of the Brooklyn Group, they had all at one time or other been patients in Brooklyn State, so they were able to speak to the men from a thorough knowledge and understanding of how it felt to be ‘guests’ of a state institution.

These meetings will be regular weekly occurrences, and they plan always to draw the speakers from ex-patients of the Hospital, thereby giving the men within the walls a tangible picture of hope for themselves. “If we can do it, you can do it” is the basis on which this important experiment is being tried.

July 1944

BILL’S TRIP SOUTH Bill and Lois have returned from a two weeks’ trip through the South, as guests of eight A.A. groups: Jacksonville, Miami, Daytona and Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee. The Miami Herald, Bill tells us, divided its front page nearly equally between the war and A.A. on the day of the meeting; results, over four hundred people attended.

Two days were spent in Atlanta, where elaborate plans had been made (naturally-they’re alcoholics, too!) including a luncheon at which Bill spoke before one hundred selected doctors, ministers, and leading business-men, another luncheon of a combination of civic groups sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and an open meeting which was attended by the Mayor, members of the Governor’s staff, and many other local notables.

In Birmingham, besides the usual open A.A. meeting, Bill was asked to address the monthly guest-luncheon of the town’s swankest luncheon-club, which had already contracted to hear the Governor of Alabama on that date. The Governor, believe it or not, was put off until the next month so that the gathering could hear about Alcoholics Anonymous straight from the mouth of its First Member.

Among those listening were the Mayor of Birmingham, the ex-Governor of Alabama, and several members of Congress. They’d come to hear Bill talk, not the other way ’round!

September 1944

EDITORIAL: On Matters of Grapevine Policy

The originators of The Grapevine did not lay down any specific policy when they began assembling material for the first issue. We were, however, in unanimous agreement that the paper must represent, in the broadest sense possible, the general philosophy of A.A. Now, after three issues, the Editors feel that a definite policy has crystallized:

1. The Grapevine does not presume to speak for A.A. as a whole; no one member or group members can. The Editors, however, are dedicated to furthering, to the best of their abilities, the philosophy of life and action laid down in the 12 Steps of A.A.

2. The Editors are resolved never, knowingly, to print anything that might conceivably harm A.A. as a whole, or any member of A.A.

3. The Grapevine takes no position whatsoever on controversial matters, such as religious beliefs, politics, or economics. And The Grapevine, Like A.A. as a whole, has no official attitude toward either Wets or Drys.

The Editors also feel that it is the privilege and duty of all Grapevine-reading members of A.A. to express themselves fully should they feel that The Grapewne is transgressing any part of the 12 steps. The section called “Points of View” is wide open to each and every one of you to register your protest, disagreement, or (we hope) approval. 7he Editors.

October 1944

COMMllTEE FOR EDUCATION ON ALCOHOLISM HISTORIC EVENT, SAYS DWIGHT ANDERSON Those who read this issue of The been done, such a movement as this The National Committee for Grapevineare privileged to be present at what may very well prove to be an would have been laughed to death. ducati ion on Alcoholism will address its Everybody would instantly classify it as material to the man in the “bleachers” historic event. The birth of the National just another “blue-nose, kill-joy” while talking about somebody else – the Committee for Education on Alcoholism, Prohibition organization in disguise. alcoholic. A public relations program to first publicly announced in this issue, So gradually and imperceptibly do influence these 66 million people may means far more than the mere name important changes in the public mind have as its objective to inform them: would imply. It is the beginning of a new take place, that few except those who 1 – That the compulsive drinker, or public health movement. It is the first make a specialty of studying public alcoholic, is a sick man, exceptionally step toward getting fhe alcoholic out of opinion, realize when hey are happening. reactive to alcohol. the jail and into the hospital; toward But looking back ten years we realize 2 – That he can be helped. making it possible for the medical man that the idea that the alcoholic was an 3 – That he is worth helping. and the psychiatrist, the social worker utterly hopeless person was practically 4 – That the problem is therefore a and the lay therapist, to pool their skills unanimous, not only among the public as responsibility of the healing professions, with Alcoholics Anonymous in modifying a whole, but among the medical as well as of the established health the ravages of an illness to which society profession as well. We have gone in the authorities and the public generally. has been indifferent almost until this very meanwhile perhaps a quarter of the way The minds of the people in the moment. toward sufficient acceptance by the “bleachers” are open to receive these Alcoholics Anonymous made public to make the new thought dynamic four kinetic concepts. After fully accepting possible such an institution as this by in results. This is an accomplishment them, what would follow would be an first laying the groundwork in its principally of Alcoholics Anonymous. The interest in knowing whether they or their thoroughly proved and tested rationale writer regards this as fully as great, if not friends might be on the way toward for group therapy, which convinced greater, than any other achievement of becoming alcoholics. With the stigma of p e o ~ l ethat the alcoholic can be helped. this organization. Its members are alcoholism removed by acknowledging A further contribution A.A. has made is in unaware of this contribution; few persons that it is a sickness, the whole subject giving the new organization Marly Mann, will ever recognize it or stop to appraise can be brought out in the open and as executive director. A better qualified its far reaching consequences. discussed. The time will arrive when the person for this task would be impossible The public is now ready and hostess at a cocktail party will not insist to find. For years A.A. has been making waiting to receive the facts which this upon a guest taking a second or third constant and regular impressions on the new Committee has been formed to cocktail, or even the first one if he has public through newspaper publicity, and publicize. Authorities estimate that there once declined, recognizing he might be what is better, word-of-mouth publicity, of are in the United States 66 million one of those persons who should never the concept that the alcoholic is sick, that persons not arrayed on either the “wet” take a drink at all. The social sanctions he can be helped, and that he is worth side or the “dry.” They are neutrals sitting su’rrounding drinking – the prestige factor helping. The foundation has been laid, over the past ten years, so that today the in the “bleachers” while watching the contest between two opposing teams – would be discouragedautomaticallyand voluntarily. The whole door would be public is ready for educational work on a who are calling each other names, opened wide by this new approach to broad scale, such as the new asserting and denying every statement change the mores in favor of moderation organization is to undertake. Unless this made in favor of, or against, the use of in the use of alcohol. bold, widespread pioneering work had liquor.

This is what is meant by saying that we who read this issue of The Grapevine are witnessing an historic event. Previous efforts have been stalemated by the two opposing teams who have played the game for the sake of killing each other off, rather than for the benefit of the people in the “bleachers.” For the first time in the history of mankind’s effort to control the use of alcohol, we have an instrument which offers real hope of affecting the behavior of a majority of the people of the country by their own voluntary and spontaneous intention. Dwight Anderson (ZWector of Pubhc Relatons, Medcal Sociew of the State of New Yorkj

October 1944

MARTY INTERVIEWED ON COMMITTEE

A new committee has been mention A.A. Or to give A.A. full credit for “For a long time, I’ve felt formed. It is to be nationwide in scope. my recovery m d break the anonymity the way lots of us older members feel. Although it’s not an A.A. baby, it’s to rule. I couldn’t conceive of not publicly Namely, that there was a need for a have a lot to do with A.A. The name of it giving A.A. all the credit.” wider program of education. To teach not is the National Committee for Education only individuals, who’ve hit bottom and on Alcoholism, and its executive director We then started to ask Marty come to see us in desperation – but to questions. Our first question as an A.A. teach everybody in the whole country is Marty Mann, one of our leading A.A.s was: “How much has A.A. got to do with that this is not a moral issue, but a health in the New York Group, and one of our all this?” problem. By the way, it’s Public Health finest speakers. Marty plans to go all Marty answered that this way:”ln over the country lecturing on alcoholism, Problem No. 4. Did you know that?” the five and a half years I’ve been in and more than this – she hopes to help “Yes, we said, “But it’s true that A.A., I know that a lot of us have get local committees started wherever most people don’t. Tell us how you got she goes. These local committees in turn wondered and worried about this idea of general education of the public, that goes into all this.” “An old friend of mine will educate their communities on the deserves the credit for that,” Marty said. problem of the alcoholic, and teach the way beyond A.A.’s specific job. “I’ll talk about myself for a minute, “Grace Bangs. She’s director of the Club whole public, throughout the country, Service Bureau of the Herald-Tribune. and that’ll show you what I mean In the what we in A.A. already know. That That means she has one of the top jobs last five years of my drinking, before I alcoholism is a disease, and a public dealing with clubwomen all over the came into A.A., I didn’t know what was health problem. That the alcoholic needs country. Some time ago I ran into her, wrong with me. And neither did anyone to be brought out in the open and and she hadn’t seen me since my else. No one knew what had happened helped, not hidden away in shame. drinking days. She didn’t recognize me,. As you see by this article, Marty to me, why the quality of my drinking had changed. I thought I was having a I told her about A.A. and what had has shed her anonymity. She talked it happened to me. She asked me and over with a great many other A.A.s, and nervous breakdown, and that that was making me drink too much. I didn’t know several of us to help her with a relative of they all felt that view of this larger nonwhat an alcoholic was. I didn’t find out hers, a young man. Well, he’s just not alcoholic field she was entering, she’d until I came into A.A. And all of us A.A.s ready for us yet. But she was terribly have to. impressed with A.A. She felt that more As Marty said in an interview with have found the same thing, over and over: that people, on the whole, still don’t people ought to know about it. She felt us yesterday: “I’m going to lecture nonknow anything about alcoholism. they ought to know about alcoholism as alcoholics about alcoholism. I could be Although A.A. has been in existence ten a disease. She said, ‘Marty, there are a much more convincing, and give them years, and although many authorities on lot of women all over this country, much more understanding, by speaking this subject, including doctors, have told mothers who’ve unwittingly helped make as an alcoholic – from the inside – and me we’ve done the best education job of their children alcoholics, who invariably they would be much more likely to listen all to date, still our first job isn’t education did all the wrong things about them, and and believe. That left me with two of the public. It’s work with individual who don’t know what to do for them now. choices. To say that I was an alcoholic alcoholics. Wives who don’t know what to do about and had recovered, period. And not

their husbands. Even women alcoholics A.A. is doing, adds up to this: now there pamphlets. When they’re ready, we’ll themselves, who are often harder to are plenty of real facts to tell people. help them set up an information center or reach than men, because they feel Perhaps most valuable of all these, from a clinic.” guiltier than the men do. Now, can’t you the human point of view, is A.A. For A.A. Ques. “How are you going to do that?” do something for them? Can’t you think has proved that great numbers of alcoholics Am. “We’ll train anyone this local of some way to reach these women? I’II can get well. committee selects to run their information back you up and help you any way I can. “When we started talking about center. They’ll go to the Yale Clinics for a She kept after me, and finally I worked the National Committee, we discovered this training. If they want to set up a out a plan, based on going out and that interest was more widespread than clinic, we’ll send an expert organizer to speaking to organized women’s groups we had dared to hope. Grace Bang help them.” all over the country.” found it easy to form Woman’s Ques. “But how are you going to get your Organizing Committee – many women, Ques. “What did you do then?” speaking engagements in the first each one important in her field, were Am. “Well, we knew we needed place?” immediately interested. When we formed scientific backing. We went to Dr. Am. “Grace Bangs and her Woman’s the Advisory Board, it went the same Jellinek. A lot of you know who he is: Committee will handle most of that.” way. And I found an A.A. in the New Director of the Section on Alcohol Ques. “Why, Marty, what about us A.A.s York Group, Marian M., to be my Studies at Yale University. Now I want to secretary. helping? I should think that a special stop and explain a little. Dr. Haggard is Ques. “Can you tell us now, exactly what open meeting would be just the place. We ask all the people that you just director of the Laboratory of Applied your job is, and what A.A.s can do in all this?” mentioned to our big open meetings I Physiology at Yale. For years he’s been An.. “My first job is to lecture on anyway. I should think that any A.A. I studying the physiological problems of group that has open meetings, and is alcohol. He realized that was only part of alcoholism in general. I’II try to arouse enough interest so that people will want interested in this idea, would be a natural the picture, and he started Dr. Jellinek’s to form a local committee. This – I mean a starting point for a local department to go into all phases of the committee should include representatives committee.” problem. What interests us A.A.s as of all groups who have to struggle with Am. “There’s no reason why they much as anything they’re doing are the shouldn’t be. It’s my hope that they will, Yale Plan Clinics. Because these clinics this problem. People like doctors, either as groups or as individuals. After are working on alcoholism in the ministers, social workers, magistrates, all, we A.A.s are the people who individual. And they’re also sending a lot and above all, A.A.s.” understand best how misunderstood this of new A.A.s to their nearby groups. Ques. “What is this local committee going whole thing is.” to do?” Felicia G. “Now to go back to Dr. Jellinek. Am. “Its going to carry on the work of He read the plan. He seemed to like it. education. We’ll do everything to help He said he though it would work. He said them. (By we I mean the National that educating the country on alcoholism Committee.) We’ll give them plenty of is the next step. All the research that’s literature, and it will cover every phase of been done, all that Yale is doing, all that alcoholism. That includes our A.A.

October 1944

CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES: A Date With Destiny?

“But the Nation Committee for Somebody once said, “As much An example: Not long ago Dr. Education on Alcoholism is quite another as you may grow, as many recoveries as E.M.Jellinek, of Yale University, came to matter. You will be taking your natural there may be, I think the eventual by- us. He said, “Yale, as you know, is abilities and A.A. experience into a very products of A.A. will be greater than A.A. sponsoring a program of public education different field. We don’t see how that can itself.” on alcoholism, entirely non-controversial affect your amateur status with us. Everywhere now, we hear such in character. We need the cooperation of Suppose you were to become a social remarks. They come from all kinds of many A.A.s. To proceed on any worker, a personnel officer, the manager people. Doctors think of applying our educational project concerning methods to other neurotics; clergymen alcoholism without the goodwill, of a state farm for alcoholics, or even a wonder if our humble example may not experience and help of A.A. members minister of the Gospel? Who could vitalize their congregations; businessmen would be unthinkable.” possibly say those activities would make find we make good personnel managers So, when the National Committee you a professional A.A? No one, of – they glimpse a new industrial for Education on Alcoholism was formed, course.” democracy; educators see power in our an A.A. member was made its executive They went on, “Yet we do hope non-controversial way of presenting the director: Marty M., one of our oldest and that A.A. as a whole will never deviate truth; and our friends wistfully say, “We finest. In this issue, she tells The from its sole purpose of helping other wish we were alcoholics we need A.A. Grapevine of her work. As a member of alcoholics. As an organization, we should express no opinion save on the recovery too.” A.A., she is just as much interested in us Why these stirrings? They must all as before – A.A. is still her avocation. But of problem drinkers. That very sound mean, I am sure, that we have suddenly as an officer of the Yale-sponsored national policy has kept us out of much become much more than recovered National Committee, she is also useless trouble already, and will surely alcoholics, A.A. members only. Society interested in educating the general public forestall untold complications in the has begun to hope that we are going to on alcoholism. Her A.A. training has future. utilize, in every walk of life, that wonderfully fitted her for this post in a “Though A.A. as a whole,” they miraculous experience of our returning, different field. Public education on continued, “should never have but one almost overnight, from the fearsome land alcoholism is to be her vocation. objective, we believe just as strongly that of Nowhere. Could an A.A. do such a job? At for the individual there should be no Yes, we are again citizens of the first, Marty herself wondered. She asked limitations whatever, except his own world. It is s distraught world, very tired, her A.A. friends, “Will I be regarded as a conscience. He should have the complete very uncertain. It has worshipped its own professional?” Her friends replied, “Had right to choose his own opinions and self-sufficiency – and that has failed. We you come to us, Marty, proposing to be outside activities. If these are good, A.A.s A.A.s are a people who once did that a therapist, to sell straight A.A. to everywhere will approve. Just so, Marty, very thing. That philosophy failed us, too. alcoholics at so much a customer, we do we think it will be in your case. While So perhaps, here and there, our example should certainly have branded that as Yale is your actual sponsor, we feel sure of recovery can help. As individuals, we professionalism. So would everybody that you are going to have the warm have a responsibility, maybe a double else. personal support of thousands of A.A.s responsibility. It may be that we have a date with destiny.

wherever you go. We shall all be thinking how much better a break this new generation of potential alcoholic kids will have because of your work, how much it might have meant to us had our own mothers and fathers really understood alcoholism.” Personally I feel that Marty’s friends have advised her wisely; that they have clearly distinguished between the limited scope of “A.A. as a whole” and the broad horizon of the individual A.A. acting on his own responsibility; that they have probably drawn a correct line between what we would regard as professional and amateur. Bill

November 1944

JERSEYITES BUY BIG SOCIABLE CLUBHOUSE To the A.A.s of North Jersey goes the system will be voluntary weekly honor of being the original contributors to contributions – the amounts kept a strictly one phase of A.A. history, geographically confidential matter – with 1.OO as tops. speaking. They are the first of the “Along Participation of the A.A. men and women the Metropolitan Circuit” groups to buy a in Alanon, Inc., is entirely as individuals. clubhouse of their own. There were no group commitments, and Members of a dozen North Jersey care was taken to avoid involving groups, forming a company called Alanon Alcoholics Anonymous in any way. The Association (joe B. is their counsel), Board of Trustees of the Corporation are: participated in the deal that ended, in Chairman, Tom M.; Secretary, Jlm G.; October, in the purchase of the three- Treasurer, Herman G.; Recording story brick building at 8th Ave. and North Secretary (handling dues), Hal R.; Stuart 7th St., Newark, N.J., known as the S., Dr. Arthur S., Pete O’t., Oscar O., Roseville Athletic Association. Helen D., Bea W., Ed M., and Leo D. The purchase price of 22,000 includes The Newark Group, who have been furniture and equipment, which in turn holding their meetings at the Roseville includes such things as billiard tables A.A. for three years will continue to do and bowling alleys. The transaction so. Maintained for 58 years as a involved a first mortgage of 15,000.00 conservative gentlemen’s club, there has with a non-alcoholic A.A. supporter, the never been a bar in the club. However, remainder (a large portion of which has food facilities, which also do not exist at already been subscribed) to be pledged present, will be installed pronto. by individual A.A.’s. Certificates of The big building is located one block indebtedness are to be issued to all from the Roseville Avenue station of the contributors, bearing interest, and Lackawanna R.R., about 20 minutes from redeemable in five to ten years. The plan New York. It is expected that the is, however, to clear off all indebtedness clubhouse will develop into a clinical as quickly as possible, including the center for new people, and a social mortgage. (Up to the time of purchase haven for all A.A. men and women, the building had sustained itself irrespective of their group membership. financially with revenues from bowling, pool, billiards, and tobacco.) The dues

December 1944

BILL’S WIFE REMEMBERS WHEN HE AND SHE AND THE FIRST A.A.s WERE VERY YOUNG

As the wife of an early A.A., some of our view. Or we might ferry to Staten Island worth of our clothes and luggage: experiences and my reactions to my and walk there; perhaps broiling a steak Another slid down the coal chute from husband’s changed life may be over a campfire. We have hired a the street to the cellar when we refused interesting to other wives. Bill was an rowboat at Yonkers and, using a him the front door. Two others took to alcoholic, I believe, from the first drink he bathtowel as a sail, floated up the fighting, and one chased the other all ever took, just a few months before our Hudson, to a spit of land near Nyack, around the house with a carving knife. marriage. From then on, for seventeen where we camped and tried to sleeprwe The intended victim was saved by a third years, I did everything I could think of to once went so far to get away from drunk, who delivered the knife-minded keep him away from liquor. alcohol that we both gave up our jobs one a knockout blow. An alcoholic who I will tell a little of our life before A.A. to and took a whole year off. This we spent was living in the basement was invited help explain some of my later emotions. motorcycling and camping over half the up for a pancake breakfast. After eating Bill and I had no children, so I soon felt United States. his share, he suddenly put on his hat and that my job in life was to help Bill These trips, although good for Bill’s started out of the door remarking that he straighten himself out. As time went on, health, did nothing towards his was going to Childs for PLENTY of he earnestly tries to stop drinking. He permanent sobriety. In fact, his pancakes. was always very remorseful and alcoholism grew steadily more serious. Bill had found a job about this time; and perplexed the morning-after. We would He lost job after job until I became it used to take him away from home a then resolve to lick this liquor situation entirely hopeless about him. great deal and I was left with one or together, launching off on some new And then suddenly and finally Bill more alcoholics to look after. Once after tack. straightened out through the help of an one of these boys lay in the vestibule all As his drinking got worse, all decision old friend. At once I was convinced of his night and screamed invectives at me and responsibility had to be taken by me. complete change and was of course because I would not let him in. He was It was lucky that we were extremely happy. Bill began to go to so loud the passers-by all stopped, companionable, for gradually as our religious meetings and to work feverishly looked and listened. Another time it was , social contacts were broken we were with alcoholics. I would go to meetings 4 a.m. before I succeeded in towing a thrust back on each other for company. too and would try to share his newfound drunk home. He was anxious to be at his In order to get away from alcohol over enthusiasms. He always had some drunk job the next morning and we had gone the week ends, I used to engineer some in tow and would work all night or get up out around midnight to look for a doctor, sort of outing, as we both loved the in the middle of the night to go to the having been unable to get one to come outdoors. If our pocketbook was flat, we suburbs if one called him. We had to the house at that hour. I helped his might take the subway to Dyckman drunks all over the house; sometimes as shaky steps up and down stoops, lit his Street ferry and hike along the Palisades many as five lived there at one time. cigarettes for him and finally, when we to some scenic spot where we would One drunk committed suicide in the could not rouse a doctor, held a drink to nibble our sandwiches and gaze at the house after having sold about 700 dollars his lips in a bar. When I asked him how

he felt he said, “Well, a bird can’t fly on one wing.” After a few more drinks I managed to get him home, but he did not get to his job the next morning. I was once suddenly taken sick, and when my sister arrived to nurse me she found five men milling around in the living room, one of them muttering, “One woman can look after five drunks but five drunks cannot look after one woman.” Now to describe my reactions to it all. When Bill first sobered up I was terribly happy but soon, without my realizing it, I began to resent the fact that Bill and I never spent any time together any more. I stayed at home while he went off somewhere scouting up new drunks or working with old ones. My life’s job of sobering up Bill was suddenly taken away from me. I had not yet found anything to fill the void. And then there was the feeling of being on the outside of a very tight little clique of alcoholics into which no mere wife could possibly enter. I did not understand what was going on with myself until one Sunday, Bill asked me to go with him to a meeting. To my own surprise as well as his I burst forth with, “Damm all your meetings,” and threw my shoe at him as hard as I could. This bad display of temper woke me up. I realized that I had been wallowing in self pity; that Bill’s change was simply miraculous; that his feverish activity with alcoholics was absolutely necessary to his sobriety; and that if I did not want to be left way behind I had better jump on the bandwagon, too! Bill’s wife, Lois Wilson

December 1944

THE NEW YORK PRESS REPORTS A.A. DINNER From the N.Y. World Telegram: Digest and radio commentator. He likened Fifteen hundred people, most of them A.A. to “the mighty allied army which at. former drunks, assembled last night at this moment is ending the binge upon the Hotel Commodore to celebrate the which Nazi Germany had set out”…. 10th anniversary of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, and it was as From the N. Y O Herald Tribune: humbling and as wholesome as a walk in ….The report which the founder delivered the open fields at twilight… on Alcoholics Anonymous’s ten-year ….One of the members speakers was an history was impressive. In its first year, extraordinarily attractive young woman he said, only fifteen alcoholics “were who spoke with the frankness of sunlight released” from the drinking habit. After and whose wit and philosophy could only three years there were forty have been derived from a terrible mental “conversions.” At the end of four years experience. the total was only 100. But after ten ….She told of her addiction to alcohol years there are more than 12,000 when she was 17 – “because I was shy members in more than 370 groups and unsure of myself” and one felt at throughout the United States and first as she began her story like a violator Canada, and a new unit is functioning of the confessional until realization came successfully in Hawaii… that here was the courage of truth, and the acceptance of realities, which is the From the N. Y. Sun: first lesson of an alcoholic on the road to ….Perhaps the thing which impressed the reform…. non-alcoholics among the diners most was the happiness of every last one of From the N.Y. Daily News: the women and men who had achieved ….Chief address of the evening was by release from their liquid obsession. Fulton Oursler, senior editor of Reader’s

January 1945 R, – Points of View: Arkansas Style A— I I

Arkansas “Moon” brings on a Business was brisk. We now have a membership in peculiar kind of mean insanity, fearsome Within a few weeks the Little Rock of approximately one in its throes even to our horney-toed membership included 25 men and two hundred; a women’s group under our hillsmen. Four of our first seven A.A.s women. wing and meeting with us weekly; a swell I had to be lassoed and hauled out of The troubles began early. Some of club room establishment; and several caves where they had been living with the men got the idea that they had joined branches in smaller Arkansas cities panthers and bears. Two of the other a wet nursing organization and including Camden, where an even dozen

1 three were easily taken: our local founder dug them up out of the sod – incorrectly diagnosed. The founder himself was a proceeded to turn it into one; the women turned out to be less alcoholic than unattached. One by one the members from Little Rock now work for the Navy. Four paramount lessons learned: You can treat the spiritual phase screwball trumpet player from one of the sloughed off. any way you choose in the group as a state’s oldest, most revered families – Results: three months after whole, but sooner or later it becomes-fundamentally incapable. founding, four charter members dominant in all the group’s activities. In A perfect foundation for an A.A. remained, two shaky. the beginning the group gave this phase group. At this time, prospects were given very little house. It’s the big motivation It all began on March, 1949, in the only the book, the weekly meeting, the now, accepted, recognized, revered, held mind and heart of a Little Rock (trumpet offer of association, and were more or in awe. playing) insurance executive, an alcoholic less on their own. One of the charter For his own good you mustn’t who had been dry for five years after members drafted a program which, after coddle a prospect. reading Peabody and practicing an several overhauling dietrated by tryouts, Slips? We’re now on our ‘steenth unlabelled brand of A.A. He had had very became known as The Little Rock Plan, policy and system for coping with slips. little success with fellow alcoholics and or the Approach Program. The sole All have worked in some cases, failed in when he read the first notice of A.A. he motive behind it was to improve others. went for the book. effectiveness of the group’s service to But, then, we think: something is He roped in a furniture salesman alcoholics. wrong if the group doesn’t periodically (without wares) and a broken down It is a big dose, a rough have its troubles and problems. (young) newspaperman who had buried assignment, highly controversial among Bud G., Little Rock, Arkansas himself (for keeps he thought) deep in groups familiar with it. It has served the the oblivion of the State Hospital for Little Rock group well. We like it. Nervous Diseases. (Detailed information will be furnished These pioneers in what Bill calls upon request.) the “mail order section” went to local Out of the application of the newspapers and obtained a modest Approach Programcame the sponsorship notice in each; rented a Post Office box; system: one veteran and usually a young began contacting ministers, police and neophyte conduct a prospect through the court officials, and exploring flophouses, program, which requires a minimum of poolrooms, courts. two weeks of the prospect’s full time.

Granite Vermont opens its Heart to A.A.

Curious things happen here. For wholesale and retail pork products (ten As you all know, Joe is a tireless instance, Bill and Doc were born here years dry this month, our real standby in worker for A.A., and on a recent trip to and perhaps they felt there was no need a pinch, and Wayne B., owner of large Montpelier we made many contacts. One for A.A. in this quiet, kindly, historic state. lumbering interests in Stowe, Vermont, of the most pleasant was lunch with our But they have not been here for some twenty miles away. Wayne has not Governor-Elect, a non-A.A. He had little time and things have changed since missed a meeting since the group was knowledge of our program and Joe then. started in October. Two other out-of-town covered it fully. He has promised to The beginning of A.A. in Vermont members are Dick L., merchant of come to one of our meetings some is credited wholly to Joe. About a minute Waterbury, which is twelve miles away, Monday night. He was informed that no after he deposited his bags on arrival, he and Dick C., a merchant of Newbury, funds are now available for the care and began to look over the “larger” cities thirty-eight miles away. Our one honorary treatment of alcoholics in any Vermont such as Burlington (23,000) and member, Bill F. (three years dry), is an institution. In fact, not even one bed is Montpelier (7,500). He found plenty to associate of Joe’s and is now in New available. By way of contrast, Joe told do. Joe had an A.A. group going in each York City. what New Jersey is now doing in thisof these cities in no time. The plan for now is to keep the respect. group small and to meet at the home of We of the Montpelier group feel In Burlington the group consists of yours truly. In the spring we hope to fortunate in having such an outstanding a printer, an electrician, an insurance come out with open meetings and take sponsor and such fine friends from New broker, and a sound engineer; and a on all comers. With this in view we just Jersey. We feel that we have the jump doctor is a good prospect for the next will not allow any slips. Each member on most new groups. meeting. Montpelier has a few more knows and understands the plan, having By combining A.A. with his regular members; there is Jim B., who owns an actually voted on it at a regular meeting. business trips about the state, our excellent dry-cleaning business; yours This means, of course, they just can’t Secretary hopes to start many A.A. truly with varied interests – office slip, which would be a catastrophe for groups in Vermont. We boast that we will machines, a taxi business, and an ice Vermont. After all, it’s Bill and Bob’s state have at least six groups going before cream and dairy store in town; George and it is the most recent to come into April. B., owner of a wholesale candy business A.A. Much credit needs to be given to (won a grand betting on F.D.R.); Ted K., We do not stop here, however, as the wives in our group. Each week two writer, farmer and breeder of Aberdeen the real back-field, Jim B., Wayne D., volunteer on the eats and we are yet to Angus cattle; Wayne D., right now selling George B., Ted K., and the secretary, be disappointed with any of the Christmas trees and farming – treasurer; are at it daily. We have spoiled lots of sandwiches, pumpkin pie, ice cream, Merrill P.; farmer; Ralph H., chef in the drinks in Montpelier, we know, and even cake, maple syrup and raised doughnuts, hospitable ad attractive Montpelier some non-admitting alcoholics are seen cheese and coffee, coffee, coffee. Tavern. We also have Elbert C., in the drug stores and coffee shops more We are also pleased with the fact than in the past. that two Ration Boards have granted gas for our work, so Vermont is in high spirits as this is written.

“Monty”and Ted K , Montpelier, Vermont

January 1945

WAR GAVE FLORIDA GROUP FLYING START A.A. would have inevitably have found much stimulation in inter-city come to Jacksonville some day, but we meetings. Recently a joint meeting are greateful to an Executive Officer of between the Daytona Beach – Orlando the Naval Air Training Station for bringing Jacksonville and Crescent City groups A.A. to us as far back as the beginning was held at Daytona Beach. of the present world conflict. Jacksonville is at last coming into By April 18, 1941, he had formed its own with the medical profession, a nuclcus of a group with four alcoholics, although war conditions have made it and we are very proud that these four impossible for A.A. or any organization to men a r e s o b e r , d e p e n d a b l e get any hospital interested in an alcoholic representatives of this city today. They ward. We are also looked upon with found the going rough, just as our mucg favor by certain members of the cofounders did in the beginning. But ministry, civic organizations and law today, we have risen from the original enforcement authorities, due to a great four men to sixty-eight men and women. extent to their attendance at our last Meetings were first held in homes; later annual banquet, where the principal a leading hotel offered the group address was given by the one and only accommodations one night each week. Bill W. This banquet helped to swing one When we got squarely on our feet with of the newspapers over to us, which is a about fifteen members, we moved into tremendous help. our own Club Rooms, and one year ago Yes, the ill-winds of war brought we found it necessary to again move to consternation and suffering to many in much larger quarters. We now have the Jacksonville, but by the Grace of God it use of a fraternal organization’s hall to brought a Naval Officer to us with A.A. accommodate our open meetings, Many A.A.s come to, and pass numbering one hundred and more through Jacksonville as the Gateway to members and guests. Florida. We extend a most cordial We are now in the experimental invitation for all to contact us at our Club stage with Squad Meetings, dividing the Rooms, 204 East Bay Street, telephone city into four zones, and this will produce 5-7646, open every night with closed a more closely knit system of calls and meetings Thursday nights. Open follow-ups on prospects, as well as meetings are held Monday night at 127 proper size classes for the study of the East Bay Street. 12 Steps and other fundamentals J. L.A., Jacksonville, Florida necessary for a successful group. The Jacksonville group has also

January 1 9 4 5

WOW 14 CALIFORNIA GROUPS GREW TO 22

Just over one year ago, Bill made We learned from Bill that A.A. is The result of this was courage for a two-month visit to the West Coast, one an answer to a universal need of free development and lessening of month of which was spent in Los mankind; that it cannot belong even to friction by enabling any members, Angeles and immediate environs. It, him, its founder; that it cannot be dissatisfied with the way their group was therefore, is natural that the twenty-two controlled by those who precede others conducted, to join another group or A.A. groups in the Los Angeles area in membership. launch a new group with persons they should, at this time, reflect on some of He taught us that only those have consider more congenial. the benefits reaped from his visit. a right to A.A. who use it with the Bill convinced us of the Ostensibly Bill did little or nothing singleness of purpose for which it was universality of A.A. – that it is as here but tell us informally what he founded and handed to us. He taught unrestricted as is its need. He made us thought about A.A., ‘how it happened to that those whose ideas veer from A.A. realize that we alcoholics out here are him,’ and how it worked elsewhere. He ideals get off the beam and, sooner or not California alcoholics, but just gave us no orders and left us no later, fail in sobriety when they begin alcoholics, branded by a global, not a mandates. He proved a past master at using substitutes instead of “practicing sectional, disease. dodging when a definite difficulty of a A.A. principles in all our affairs.” And this understanding has led to group was thrown into his lap for Bill remarked while here that more intelligent methods of operating – to solution. His answers always ignored that sometimes he is startled when he methods that are more tolerant of the problem but recounted how a group far regards the growth of A.A. and realizes opinions of others. away met a similar issue. That set the that, while he started it all, he does not In other words, Bill gave us the inquirer thinking and in most cases he control it, and has no desire to. He sees principle that no one need have too great solved the problem himself. The result that what he gave the world is the world’s concern about Alcoholics Anonymous was that Bill left us with a realization that to use. And if the man who needs it getting into “inexperienced hands.” he had tossed the ball right back to our misuses it he does so to his own loss We learned, as Bill expressed it, pitcher, with a kindly hint that we play alone. No one can hurt A.A. fatally. No that any good idea will work and any bad ball according to the A.A. rule book. And one can stop its growth. idea, when tried, will fail of its own that seemed to work. Bill’s visit here made us A.A.s weakness. One thing alone is a sine qua , For it made us realize that, in our realize that we were free to form our own non in A.A. – honesty with ourselves. group problems, as in our alcoholic A.A. groups in direct affiliation with the With it A.A. and its members are safe. problems, our “stories are all the same.” New York Foundation and that no senior Frank S., Los Angeles, California

I And so we all set to work to play the game better. One result is that twenty-two A.A. individual or group had district or territorial jurisdiction so long as the new group conformed to the Foundation’s groups exist now in the area which had requirements. We learned that, just as fourteen when Bill was here. The each member may interpret for himself membership then was about seven (with honesty, of course), so each group hundred. Now it nears two thousand. may do the same, with the same requirement of honesty.

January 1945

In Texas, Women Too, Are Wonderful

In May, 1943, Esther E. arrived in beginning we had only one meeting a Dallas! For the problem drinkers of this week in Esther’s home. Then we used city that is an historical news item, and the office of one of our members for what the history of the Dallas group of we called our business meeting, having Alcoholics Anonymous must necessarily our social gatherings in the various be a eulogy to that lady. homes. For quite a while we were only Esther is a comely gal with about seven in number, but that period personality plus, who had assiduously meant a great deal to those seven. Then carved out one whale of an alcoholic we began to overflow the office at our career for herself until she became disposal, so we hired a hall once a week innoculated with A.A.; result – she has at the Y.M.C.A. found not only sobriety but a happy life; The first year of growing pains she’s comelier than ever and that witnessed the customary fluctuating personality fairly reflects the beneficent membership, but we believe that the past influence of the A.A. way of life. seven months have brought us a certain For two years Esther had been coordination and that our future growth one of the most active members of the and expansion will be surer and steadier. Houston group, but upon her arrival in Now we have forty active members and Dallas she found herself High and Dry we definitely feel that at least we have (contradictory in our language but true) emerged from our swaddling clothes. without the life-giving activities of an A.A. The request for this article comes, group. So she really went to work. The it seems to us, at an opportune time, for material was here, of course, for Dallas we are a happy bunch. On December like any other city has a plentiful supply 2nd we held our business meeting in our of alcoholics – good, bad and indifferent; first home – if you can call a space in an but Esther’s first efforts among some of office building that. But it’s ours – the her former drinking buddies were pretty coveted Club Room, and we’re proud of discouraging. Then one of her Houston it. Meetings are held on Mondays and “Babies” (another lady souse) put in an Thursdays of each week but the Club appearance, and finally Esther found a Room is open on every other night as male alky – an A.A. from Oklahoma City – well as on week ends, so some of you just what she had been praying for, she traveling A.A.s remember to look us up. said. Merle S.,Dallas, Texas That was the origin of the Dallas group of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the

January 1945

LOCATED IN NEW YORK, COSMOPOLITAN CLUB TO SERVE ALL A.A.s A living room in a Brooklyn 405 West 41st Street is the brownstone, 1934-1939. A swank tailor address of the A.A. Cosmopolitan Club. shop on Fifth Avenue, full of bolts and It has been known as the Knox Memoriz! bolts of handsome tweeds – and assorted Chapel, for it was once used as e church A.A.s – spring of 1939. A vacant – more recently it has served as a man’s apartment on West 72nd Street, summer club. Let’s begin in the basement, which of 1939. The same tailor shop’s West is really the recreation hall: bowling alley, Side loft, with the cutting tables for seats, billiard and ping pong tables, plenty of the rest of the hot summer that same room for cards. The main floor is a year. A real meeting-room in Acolian panelled hall, two stories in height, with a Hall, fall and winter, 1939-40. Then, at deep balcony all around it. The seating last, the New York area A.A.s had grown capacity of the floor alone is seven enough to dare taking their own hundred – the balcony will hold many clubhouse, and in the spring of 1940 more. Also on the main floor is the “24th Street” was ours – A.A.s first secretary’s office, and on the second clubhouse anywhere. floor (the balcony entrance) are other Now, as the year 1944 ends, the rooms, one where newcomers can talk A.A. Cosmopolitan Club has been born. quietly and comfortably to older This is, at last, a club for all A.A.s from members. The third floor is a huge wherever they may come, passing meeting room – it seats five hundred through New York, visiting here, or living with a dining room and kitchen off it. The within reach of it. Here, the New York top floor is a fully equipped gymnasium area will hold its Inter-Group meetings with showers. every Tuesday night. Here the secretary Taking this club and supporting it will take the calls and interview the is a project of interested A.A. members, newcomers from all the New York area, individually, not of groups as groups. In putting them in contact with the group in other words, it’s yours, Mr. A.A., Mrs. whose locality they live. And here A.A.s A.A., and Miss A.A. Yours to use and will find each other, to talk with, to play yours to support. with, to grasp a helping hand or to extend one.

January 1945

Mail Call for All A.A.s in the Armed Forces

The first A.A. Seamen’s group ever organized was formed in Manhattan, June, 1944. Six months later, in December, the Seamen took over the first A.A. clubhouse ever opened anywhere (over 4112 years ago), at 334112 W. 24th St., New York, the clubhouse having been vacated by the New York A.A.s for larger quarters.

That sounds like quick easy going. Actually, the establishment of the A.A. Seamen’s Club was preceded by many months of consistent work by A.A. and doctors along the Eastern seaboard. As hospitals became overcrowded, the War Shipping Administration and the United Seamen’s Service opened 7 Rest Centers throughout the country, near the largest seaports, where for 3 weeks men of the Merchant Marine could recuperate from their nerve-racking trips at sea. In some of the Rest Centers, the doctors have taken particular interest in steering alcoholic seamen into the A.A. way of thinking. The A.A. Seamen’s Club does not confine itself to the Merchant Marine but hopes to include the Navy and Coast Guard as well – all types of seamen.

Already the A.A. Seamen are looking toward the day when they’ll have groups in San Pedro, San Francisco, Baltimore – in all the ports of the United States and, eventually, in all the ports in the world. One of the dried-up seamen among those making calls on the alcoholics in the seamen’s hospital at Staten lsland and Ellis lsland is a man who, until a few months ago, hadn’t bought himself a suit of clothes in 20 years. John W., always penniless after the binge that invariably followed his reaching shore, got his clothes from charitable institutions. The other day John, who was accustomed to getting “a flop at the doghouse at 60c a week,” for the first time in 20 years bought himself a new suit, new shoes, new overcoat – and put up at a big New York hotel at 6.50 a day. And he had one swell time. Sober. While formerly Drink was the only international language known to seamen when they got off their ships, an ever increasing number are learning the constructive language of the A.A. Seamen.

Treasurer of the Club is the non-alcoholic Vice-president of the Bank of New York, James Carey. Seaman Joe F. is Secretary, and among those on the Policy Committee are Horace C., an A.A. of six years standing and his non-alcoholic lawyer brother, Alfred.

(The Grapevine extends best wishes for 1945 to the new Seamen’s Club.)

February 1945

HOSPITALIZATION IN AKRON MODEL FOR A.A.

As in nearly all matters, A.A.s and society, and to assume their rightful To the fellowship of A.A. and 1 groups of A.A.s seem to follow pretty responsibilities. Hospitals are cooperating patients there are many advantages, much of a pattern regarding with us more and more as we prove our among which is the fact that the patient hospitalization for A.A. prospects. worth. conforms to the hospital rules, and if As long as eight years ago Dr. Outstanding among them has indicated gets a physical check up, gets Bob and the then small group in Akron been St. Thomas Hospital in Akron onto a regular diet, gets into regular were haunting old houses, sure that we where, starting three years ago with one sleeping habits. Doctors, nurses and could pick up one in which new men bed for our exclusive use, which was equipment are available for any could be inoculated with the A.A. germ. later increased to a two-bed ward and emergency. There are no second trips to We find that the new men and the then to a four-bed ward, the procedure the A.A. ward for slippers, which newer groups are still in quest of an old has been in operation long enough to eliminates some clown with a snoot full house, feeling sure that they can turn it prove the advantage of our using a explaining to a new man what a into a place to dry up drunks and make general hospital rather than the “goony wonderful thing A.A. is, and that he has it meet expenses. roosts” that have been available to us been in two years. At the same time it It always turns out to be a house until comparatively recent date. eliminates any chance that the hospital with 15 foot and even 18 foot ceilings, More than a year ago the good may get a reputation as a place where a with an antiquated and worn-out heating Sisters at St. Thomas made available to drunk can sober up. The hospital will plant, with leaky plumbing and roof, and us the solarium, in which they installed help us only when the patient wants to is practically impossible to heat because seven beds with private toilet and shower sober up and stay sober. we are always heating at least four times facilities for that room, and provided We are allowed A.A. visitors in as many cubic feet as necessary. They space where visitors could gather into a that ward from 10:OO A.M. until 10:OO are, without exception, so arranged that group of two, three, or more patients with P.M. No other visitors are allowed except the usable space for our purpose is A.A. visitors. This developed into by special arrangement. Other patients in generally less than one-third of the floor practically a continuous discussion of the hospital are not allowed to visit in this space, and what with the continual A.A. with the patients from around noon ward, and the patients of this ward are repairs necessary in these old buildings, until 10:OO P.M. There is an average of expected to stay in their own quarters. the cost per day per patient is prohibitive. 15 visitors per day, so that at the end of The matter of expense is cut to a Through the untiring efforts of Dr. a five-day period the prospective A.A. minimum because the space is efficiently Bob, in Akron, which demonstrated over has been exposed to from sixty to as used, and the general overhead of the a period of years that alcoholics are sick many as one hundred visitors. Certainly hospital naturally carries the overhead of people, and that a large percentage of among them there are always at least a the ward, thus affording the A.A. patient A.A. patients can be dried up and will few who click with the patient and who cheaper hospitalization than is available stay dry, the general hospitals even in are able to explain the workings of the in sanatoriums. the face of the present shortage of A.A. program. Thus the percentage of These beds have a higher hospital beds realize that they are men who are immediately helped runs percentage of occupancy than any other helping to put men in shape to take their considerably higher than average. division of the hospital except the places in the production lines and in

maternity ward, and so long as we show that we are eliminating the drinking problem, in a great percentage of cases, it pleases the hospital. The writer finds that where the groups will interest themselves in protecting the hospital against wasting its time and facilities by “certifying” the people they put in, and have the patient in as good shape as possible, and will within reason protect the hospital against financial loss, hospitals are in a receptive frame of mind with reference to A.A. activity, and will cooperate in helping us to make decent, helpful hospitalization available to qualified A.A. prospects (alcoholics who want to stop drinking). It is true that in the last ten years there has been public recognition and acceptance of A.A., so that general hospital administrators are becoming familiar with our work. As long as we conscientiously do our part, I think we can expect and have their cooperation. Dick S., Cleveland Heights, Ohio

February 1945

MEDICAL WARDS NOW FOR N.Y. ALCOHOLICS

The recognition of alcoholics as sick people in need of medical care is the basis of a new policy being put into effect in the city hospitals this month by order of Dr. Edward M. Bernecker, Commissioner of Hospitals for New York City. At ihe same time Dr. Gernec~erhas requestedthe seventy-seven voiunteer hospitals in the city io admit alcoholic patients to their medical wards. “If the voluntary hospitals reiuse,” he said, “they wili be asked to send alcoholics to the nearest general hospital of the Department of Hospitals in their district.” The acceptance oi aicoholics as medicai cases by city hospitals means an enlightened and encouraging step forward in the treatment of alcoholism as a public health problem. Dr. Bernard Wortis, director of the Psychiatric Division of Bellevue Hospital, says, “Alcoholics are sick people and must be treated as sick people. The change will mean better care. Alcoholism will be treated in the medical wards like any other problem.” In the past alcoholic patients have been sent to the psychiatric ward at Bellevue Hospital on the premise that they were mental cases. Now, hospital care will begin immediately.

March 1945

PHILADELPHIA STORY ON HOSPITALIZATION

The Philadelphia group considers their lives: AM I AN ALCOHOLIC? DO I per cent of our membership through itself very fortunate. One of the first WANT THIS PROGRAM? these visits to our West Philadelphia drunks contacted by Jim B., when he Dr. William Egbert Robertson, “Country Club,” as we affectionately call brought A.A. to Philadelphia five years internist of national reputation, is another it. We were again fortunate in Dr. ago, was a relative of one of our most of our great friends and counsellors. Turnbull’s successor, who has deep eminent surgeons: Dr. A Wiese Hammer When he can talk to us he really says sympathy with G i i i piGt;Iem and enlists ,

of the staff of St. Luke’s and Children’s something. His gentle manner and quiet the cooperation of the entire force 😮 help Hospital. Dr. Hammer spends two to four influence go a long way. US. hours with the group every Sunday We predict a brilliant future in the Another untiring aid to the advising and counselling, as well as treatment of alcoholics for Dr. John L. Philadelphia group is Dr. Russell S. comforting those members who gather at Green. Here we have a professional man Boles, a director of the Research Council the round table. He is one of our who “knew all about the treatment of on Problems of Alcohol and chairman of staunchest bulwarks. alcoholics” until he attended his first the board, Philadelphia General Hospital. !t is through Dr. Hammer that we meeting some seven months ago. Through his kindness many courtesies acquired the support and cooperation of Although not an alcoholic, “Doc” Green is and much help are given us at ‘the Dr. C. Dudley Saul, diagnostician, really one of us. He rarely misses a hospital. Although the hospital frowns on physician and medical director of St. meeting. In his talk to the group a few repeaters, it has never refused medical Luke’s and Children Hospital. Through weeks ago he told us he might learn treatment to any person sent by the A.A. Dr. Saul’s good influences, we were able something about alcoholism if he could committee, or by any of our older for many months to hold our open attend the meetings regularly for the next members. Through Dr. Saul’s efforts, the meetings in the hospital. This recognition hundred years. But we know he knows Trustees of St. Luke’s and Children’s by medicine that alcoholism is a disease plenty now. His efforts at Nazareth Hospital have set up an “Alcoholic furnished a tremendous impetus to the Hospital and Frankford are already Clinic.” This is the first semi-private movement here. It helped immensely in showing substantial results. institution to accept patients for the convincing new members that there was It was Jim B. whose unceasing treatment of alcoholism for anything like hope for them if they sincerely wanted pounding on the doors of the reasonable charges. True, others take us A.A. Philadelphia General Hospital reached in for arthritis, bronchial troubles, or the Dr. Saul’s remarkable genius in the understanding ears of Dr. William F. be!ly-ache or something, and sock us putting the medical aspects of alcoholism Turnbull, then superintendent, and Dr. plenty, but St. Luke’s will accept and into plain words so that any layman can John F. Stauffer, chief psychiatrist. They treat us for alcoholism. easily understand; his sincerity, his ability gave the group permission to send a Within our group we have many to explain and answer our problems in a “committee” to visit those suffering from talents and we want to say a word about manner that can be accepted by us, alcoholism. This group goes over every them. Dr. McM., Dr. R. and Dr. F. are have been of inestimable help to the new Saturday and practically holds a meeting physician members who can and are people :i$ng to make :he decision of right there. We have enrolled about 30 doing much work themselves at other

hospitals. Dr. G. and Dr. H. are dentists who run across other alcoholics whom they and the group can help. Robert M., psychological consultant, and H.H.H., lay therapist, do great work, and we must not overlook the girls. Gertrude M. (nonalcoholic but the wife of a member) is a R.N., Marion H., (non-alcoholic), a professional social worker. Florence H., voluntary social worker, has been connected with the Jefferson Hospital for seven years, and Catherine P. with the Philadelphia General. In Philadelphia we ask all members to keep in touch with their clergymen and physicians as a means of learning whether they have anyone we can help. When we find someone who needs our help we see to it that person is called upon at least once a day until discharged, that he or she has cigarettes or a dollar or two with which to get little things of comfort. We seldom have the same person call twice as we want the patient to know that he (or she) is going to have many friends when he leaves. We do the usual follow-up when these patients are returned home. And if they have no home we see to it that they are housed and clothed until they get on their feet. In other words, we do what all you other alcoholics are doing: we do the best we can. Winslow T.. Philadelphia. Pa.

Our hospital arrangement has adopted at the state insti!o!isns, anc! the worked satisfactorily for several years. question of whether or not any The Dayton State Hospital is a state cooperation will be extsndsd to A!,. is a institution for the insane. The Icca! matter entire* wi?ithinthe prcvince sf th: superintendent has been very local superintendent. Here in Dayton we cooperative and agrees to admit A.A. have been particu!arly fc*dna!e in hsuing patients for a ten-day stay a! !he Hssplta! a superintendent who is interested and withcut the usual Probate Cour! anxious to cooperate with us. Sincc proccedings. These persons are admitted facilities of the Dayton Hospital are not not as insane persons, but as potential available for a patient more than once, members of A.A. They are given we have found that the atmosphere at hydrotherapy but no other treatment the Weber Rest Home, in Columbus, is unless their condition calls for special very beneficial for the members who attontion of some kind. We have a have experienced difficulty aftor being in special privilcgc of visiting any day from the group for some time. Here they can 9 A.M. to 9 P.M., and of course it is the have a five-day rest in A.A. environment. practice of members of the group to see Ted Weber and the Columbus that thc patient has plenty of visitors. The group have that burning enthusiasm patients are given liberty of tho grounds, which is bound to be effective if a patient but are obligated not to leave the desires to correct the situation. reservation. The cost is insignificant, and William M. At., Dayton, Ohio in more than 50 per cent of the cases, it has started the patient on the road to recovery. This plan is not generally

March 1945

Tampa’s First Birthday After a year of the usual “way-ups telephone too. ” and “low-downs,” trial and error, failure Chairman of the meeting was Roy and success, thirty solid A.A.s were Y., whose pet caution to his little flock is proud hosts at an open meeting of the “A.A. must be kept free from now firmly established Tampa group. We personalities.” An impossible task to this are all so proud that we think no one writer who has watched Roy’s tireless else ever had so much before. And yet I effort; seen the unselfish spending of his think that this group is about the poorest time, his energy and his money to help there is. There isn’t a moneyed member, this bewildered gathering of lost sheep but with our limited resources we had a find its way back into the green pastures wonderful party. One girl did a lovely of life. He was never too tired; it was thing; she made a corsage and never too late; no distance was too far to boutonniere for everyone. 125 people go. Many times his patience was strained wearing flowers is quite a sight. to the breaking point, but the tolerant, About 15 came from the Orlando loving-kindness of this man never failed. group, the same from Daytona, and a To try and shut out this personality would few all the way from Jacksonville. Their be like trying to cover up the sun with a support meant much to us. They came, 10-cent eye-shade. and with gasoline so hard to get, it meant Roy, as you other A.A.s may sacrifices. Then we had one of those know, was cofounder of the Houston, lucky blessings that seem to befall good Texas, group and Dave A. says that his A.A.s at the right time. Ed F. and Connor counsel and encouragement is partially F. from Philadelphia, and Fred M. from responsible for the splendid growth in Baltimore, were here to be on the Orlando. Roy is now turning his eyes program. Relatives and guests gave across Tampa Bay, where he plans to awe-struck attention to what can be help Fred M. organize a group in St. achieved by the A.A. plan of life, and the Petersburg, and he has also laid the Rev. Bramm of St. Andrews Episcopal groundwork for a group in Bay Pines Church said in his address that what he Veterans Hospital. had seen and heard was truly a miracle. So now Tampa wants its place on After the meeting, the super- the A.A. map. We are proud, we are supper (a decided credit to our five happy, and we are truly and humbly feminine members) was served in our grateful to God. Mary S. clubroom. Yes, we have one now, and a

June 1945

10th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the meeting out of which A.A. was born, the Cleveland groups have arranged a two-day program carrying through the afternoon of June 10 while the Akron groups will be host at a dinner on the evening of the same day. Dr. Bob and Bill W. are scheduled as the speakers in both cities. Their meeting 10 years ago, when they fused their ideas into what are now the principles of A.A., is the occasion which the programs celebrate. The Cleveland program will open Saturday, June 9, with a tea for A.A. women at 3 p.m. Other features will be a dinner, a dance and open house, with nationwide representation of A.A. groups anticipated. Headquarters for the affair will be the Carter Hotel. The climax of the Cleveland program will be the anniversary meeting Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in The Music Hall in downtown Cleveland, with Dr. Bob and Bill W. as the speakers. An organ recital will precede the meeting. In Akron, the Founder’s Day Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., June 10.

June 1945

EDUCATIONAL PLAN The Wilson Club, one of the four reading of an address by a greatly St. Louis A.A. groups, is now using a revered Jesuit priest, Father Dowling, very satisfactory method of “educating” who really started the St. Louis groups. prospects and new members. It has done At the third Thursday meeting, all much to reduce the number of slippers chapters of the book proper are highamong new members. In brief, it is lighted and discussed, followed by the somewhat as follows: Each new prospect reading of a talk given us by a very is asked to attend four successive prominent Protestant minister, who has Thursday night meetings, each one of read the book many times and has made which is devoted to helping the new man Alcoholics Anonymous the subject of learn something about Alcoholics several of his sermons. Anonymous, its founding, and the way it Then at the final meeting, the A.A. works. The new man is told something literature is reviewed, including our own about the book, and how this particular pamphlets, and the Wilson Club group functions. operation is explained to them in detail; At the first meeting Bill’s such as our methods of revolving background is sketched – his drinking chairmen, the functions of the board of career and the various events which led directors, how to hospitalize prospects. to his drying up; his trip to Akron, his We finish with a serious talk on practicing meeting with Bob, and the subsequent the 12th step, closing with, “You have the growth of A.A. up to the time it reached tools and need not fear being unable to St. Louis. We give some of the local explain A.A. or reluctant to make calls.” history on the formation of the Wilson Wilson Club members are not Club. During a fifteen minute recess, considered full, active members until they each man is asked to write in a few have attended these four educational words just what he considers an meetings. They are then presented with alcoholic to be. Then a few answers are a Wilson Club membership card – a white read, followed by the reading of an one. At the end of one year’s sobriety address made by one of our best doctors this is replaced by a gold card, not discussing what an alcoholic is from the exactly solid gold, but covered with gold medical angle. paper. The second Thursday covers the Dick N,St. Lou& Mo. spiritual angle, trying to help clarify many of the 12 steps. This is followed by the

July 1945

Epic Gathering Marks Tenth Annivemary

Symbolizing the unity of A.A., over Dr. Bob, in turn, expressed his friend appeared with the news he was 2,500 members of the fellowship and gratitude for the divine source of strength suffering from an illness not only of the their friends from 36 states, two on which we all may call and receive…for mind, emotions, and body, but of the the meeting with Bill In Akron “made soul…how he had discovered from his Canadian provinces, and Mexico gathered in Cleveland’s Music Hall on under divine guidance”….for the selected friend he had been,living his life on a June 10 to commemorate and pay tribute human agency that caused that demand basis…how he would have to to Bill W. and Dr. Bob on the 10th meeting….for all of the people who in the lose his life in order to find it. anniversary of the founding of the early days of and before A.A., “were a movement. source of help and inspiration in my Honesty First Held under the sponsorship of trouble”…for his pastor and the ladies of Greater Cleveland’s 44 groups, the near A.A., and Anne, hie wife who shared with This friend, Bill explained, showed him capacity Music Hall audience heard Bill him a common interest, and without he would have to become honest with and Dr. Bob characterize the gathering whose cooperative spirit “I would not himself…he would have to make peace as an unprecedented outpouring of the have maintained my sobriety”….for those with his fellow man…he would have to grace of God; heard them strike a A.A.s of Cleveland who took the time and envision and live a new kind of giving keynote of gratitude, humility, unity, and trouble to come to Akron while the the kind which demands no return. simplicity “born on that wave of destiny fellowship was still young…for the Shortly after, Bill continued, he that comes out of Heaven itself.” members of The Alcoholic Foundation found himself in the hospital again, Entertained Saturday (June 9) who have met once a month “for roughly where, in a deep depression he finally afternoon and evening by five Cleveland eight years without compensation”…for called on the God against Whom he had open house group meetings, parties, and having acquired a wealth of returned and always rebelled, to show Himself. a tea, a thousand from the historic Music new-found friends…for those at the Music “Release came. And with it a new sense Hall meeting (Sunday afternoon) later Hall whose presence “gives us an added of freedom filled my being,” Bill quietly dined at the Carter Hotel to conclude the incentive to be more cooperative and said. “It was as simple as that.” firs! glorio~~s decade of A.A ….sober, helpful to each other.” Following this spiritual experience, grateful. happy. united. Bill voiced a final tribute to Dr Bob Bill told how subtle conceits soon entered Inspired in his address to the in the same vein of joyous thankfulness his life. Laughingly he recounted how “I largest crowd of A.A.’s ever assembled in when he said, “Although we have had set out to sober up all the drunks in the one place, Bill, who preceded Dr. Bob on many differences, we have never had an world. I was determined every drunk the program, traced the development of angry word.” should have his hot flash.” A.A. He voiced the hope that A.A. would Concluding with the thought that Without a single convert six always remain simple….that while we there never was a real beginning of months later, Bill found himself in Akron were quite settled on the fundamentals of A.A ….”This could not have been but for on business where, following a bitter the movement, the process for seeking others,” Bill opened his Music Hall talk disappointment, he was faced with a an answer to the question, “What kind of with a brief re-telling of how he had been wave of self-pity. society is this?” was still evolving…that condemned by an eminent New York “For the first time I realized,” Bill “the problems of A.A. are the psychiatrist to die unless he stopped explained, “i needed to talk to a drunk touchstones of our progress.” drinking….how a few months later an old just as much as the drunk needed to talk to me.” Whereupon the “strange chain of

circumstances” unfolded which responsibility, he also deplored the sobriety. And, he stated, “I most certainly Culminated in Bill and Doc’s frequent neglect of the new man and the don’t care to get tight any more.” meeting…the random selection of the failure in some instances to give him his “Blindly groping for the truth,” Dr. minister’s name….the long list of people shot at A.A. In this regard, he referred to Bob continued, “the early development of who fai!ed to respond….the final spark in the excellent sponsorship system in the activity in Akron was not easy. It was Henrietta S….the eventual meeting with Cleveland, urging closer inspection for mostly by the trial and error method. We Dr. Bob after a mother’s Day bender. those interested in well-conceived 12th had no precedent whatsoever, gleaning “Something passed between us,” step work. a fact here and there as time went on. Bill stated. And a “beginning greater than Currently, Bill concluded, there’s Eventually a generalized procedure was either one of us was made.” the problem of leadership despite claims discovered with a reasonable hope of there are no leaders nor elected acceptance.” A Word for Anonymity officers….the problems of remuneration The religious group to whom he for A.A. secretaries, janitors, and all had gone for help to solve his alcoholic Back-tracking from the present, those falling in this area of special problem, Dr. Bob went on, told him, “to Bill talked briefly on how the book was functions. On this latter matter, Bill bury the past and not visit the grave too written four years after his meeting with voiced the feeling that spiritual activity often.” Wryly, he commented….l want a Dr. Bob…how he considers himself not was never paid for, although functional faint recollection of the past – but not too its author but the umpire for all of the activity, just as everywhere, was. faint.” contributors to it…how from literally While on leadership, Bill said, he Proceeding along a spiritual line, scores of suggestions it was titled regarded a leader as one who has Dr. Bob told how we have all been taught “Alcoholics Anonymous” instead of “The learned to love the best in men; one who to avoid religious discussion or argument. Way Out” (there were 13 books that had has worked at the program; one who has But he said that he has averaged at ieast been published, called ‘The Way Out’ stayed sober; one who has come to the arr hour’s reading each day for the past and that was not only too many, but realization that “A.A. is much bigger than 10 years on some spirituai subject. unlucky,” Bill smiled)…how there have any of us,” and, as a result of that However, he hastened to say, he has always been in A.A. differences of realization, has stepped aside for others always returned to the simple teachings opinion over our anonymity, and how to share the limelight. As for himself, Bill of The Sermon on the Mount; the Book most of the “older folk hope that it is humorously finished, he and Dr. Bob look of James and the 13th Chapter of kept unless there is some “very grave or upon themselves as purely “a couple of Corinthians in The Bible for his good reason to the contrary,” adding that old, cracked antiques who have had a fundamentals. “to be truly adult in this is to be little more experience than others.” modest”…how there is a fortunate Man’s Triumvirate absence of a “professional class” in A.A. Dr. Bob’s Reasons Nor is A.A. without its “sins,” Bill Stating that the A.A. program is not an pointed out. Not the least of which, he Dr. Bob, in a different vein, intellectual program, Dr. Bob talked of explained, were those A.A.s, often indicated we need to follow the steps in the three divisions of man – the physical including himself, who “viewed with alarm our program as long as we live, man, the mental man and the spiritual the A.A. movement and the problems particularly himself. For he realizes, he man. And he uttered the hope that he within it.” Citing a personal experience said, he has the best reason except Bill was developing into a well-integrated wherein he was derelict in his for not taking a drink….his 10 years of individual.

“Because the spiritual search is a long search and requires unrelenting effort,” Dr. Bob said, he has attempted to acquire a satisfactory understanding of the teachings of The Bible. On the Twelve Steps, he stated they’ve been alive for seven years. And that there’s been no suggestion of a change in them. Furthermore, he hopes there will not be a change, unless they can be bettered. Some of them, he pointed out, interfere with our personal schedules. “And we sometimes feel we don’t need all of them – although there has never been a protracted success with a modified program.” “So we’s better accept it in its entirety,” Dr. Bob advised. “For John Barleycorn’s a tireless and relentless instructor. Today, thousands of people are sober because they’ve followed the program.” Winding up his remarks, Doc indicated that “our program must be followed by each individual. And each individual is the only one who can do it for himself. Let none of us ever forget – Ivve arid service keep us dry …love fur our Father and our neiytibours…love, through service, in never refusing our aid to anyorle.”

Jotin J. Cievelarid, Ohio

July 1945

Where the A.A. Beacon Was Lit

Akron, “the hill where the A.A. Attendance at the dinner reached beacon was lit,” was a mecca for approximately 80 percent of the approximately 400 other A.A.s on the membership of Akron’s eight sizable and same evening (June 10) that the highly active groups. anniversary meeting in Cleveland was Drawing on the fact that the name drawing to a close. “Akron” is derived from a Greek word The occasion was the Founder’s meaning “summit,” Bill said at one point Day Dinner, held at the Hotel Mayflower, in his talk: and the group of speakers included those “It was here that the miracle really who helped to light the beacon. Bill W. happened. This is the hill where the A.A. and Dr. Bob, hurrying over from the beacon was lit 10 years ago. From here Cleveland meeting, spoke, as did Bill D., the light spread outward to guide others of Akron, who was a part of that A.A. and is now casting its glow over a nucleus. Other speakers were Jake H., widening area.” one of the organizers of the Plttsburg Both Bill and Dr. Bob recalled group; and Earl T., of Chicago. Joe P., of brietiy the beginnings oi A.A. and with Akron, was toastmaster and Wally G., obvious gratitude and pleasure referred also of Akron, was chairman of the again to their first meeting in Akron. “No dinner committee. wonder,” said Bill, “that we have a particular feeling for Akron.”

July 1945

The Grapevine: Past, Present and Future

By Bill w

In a burst of local pride The Besides the volunteer staff, we The Grapevine has just completed now boast one part-time paid secretarial the first year of its existence. Scores of Grapevine staff mailed the first printing to worker to help handle details. This work, enthusiastic letters are coming in. They all the groups in the United States. No however, continues to mount, as does are written from all over the United pressure or soliciting. They just mailed it. the volume of potential editorial content. States and from some foreign countries. Subscriptions began to filter in from More paid help will probably become They congratulate The Grapevine staff everywhere. No longer a trickle, they are necessary and the size of the magazineand ask them to keep up their good today a stream. The Grapevine now has may have to be expanded, all of which work. subscribers in every one of the 48 states would require a slight increase in the To these felicitations I’d like to add and even abroad. subscription rate. The Grapevine is selfmy own. A grand job has been done by Foreseeing a broader activity, supporting now and should be kept that the volunteer staff, who gave freely a members of The Grapevine staff were way always, rather than be dependent on vast amount of time and labour. And good enough to ask me a few months subsidies or gratuities, to insure its some of them gave money, too; you ago if I would take an interest in the continuity, quality and service. don’t start a paper on hay. To the retiring venture for the coming year. They told Though The Grapevine is young, it volunteers, I want to say, along with me they thought the magazine might be is commencing to have its own tradition. every Grapevine subscriber, enlarged to national dimensions; that Every member of the staff aspires to “Congratulations and thanks.” ultimately it should be incorporated, and make the paper a true voice of A.A. All of How did the Grapevine start, and finally, perhaps, hooked up with The us are very sensitive to the thought that where does it go from here? Alcoholic Foundation, which, as nearly it ought never to be sectional in its Last summer several N.Y. A.A.s every A.A. knows, is the sponsor of our appeal nor should it take sides on any decided it was about time the groups in Central Office and all our national controversial question. While it must our metropolitan area had a monthly undertakings. constantly talk of people, in its news and publication. At first there was some This conversation made it views, it ought never to glorify or belittle discussion about getting it suitably abundantly plain that while rotating anyone, nor lend itself to commercial endorsed by the local groups, The squads of volunteers might always undertaking, nor become a mere Alcoholic Foundation, or somebody. But continue to procure and edit pieces for The Grapevine and participate in setting mouthpiece for any of us, even the no one could endorse a magazine that Central Office or The Alcoholic hadn’t yet appeared. The Grapeviners its policy, there could be no doubt that Foundation. Of course, everybody will went ahead anyway on the theory that if continuous paid help and enlarged see pieces in The Grapevine now and their sheet was good enough it would working facilities would soon be then with which he will not agree. So it take on; if it proved too corny or dull it necessary. They asked if I would help must always be understood that these would flop automatically – and quickly! with these arrangements and perhaps pieces reflect the thoughts and feelings People could, the Grapeviners said, “take contribute a piece occasionally. These of their authors but not necessarily those it or leave it alone.” things, health permitting, I agreed to do. of The Grapevine. To crystallize these

traditions and principles we ask for more We of The Grapevine once more contributionsfrom all parts of the country. affirm that this is your periodical. It will be Meanwhile please don’t expect too the vehicle for your thoughts, your much of us too quickly. We are still feelings, your experiences, and your understaffed; we can’t possibly answer all aspirations – if you care to make it that. your letters and inquiries. I am afraid that While we can only publish a fraction of will have to go for me, too. I shall be the material which will come to hand you unable to engage in personal may be sure that we shall do our fairest correspondence. I can only write a piece and best in making the selections. to all of you now and then. Always wishing to reflect A.A., and If agreeable to the subscribers, I nothing but A.A., it will be the ideal of would like to discuss in coming issues The Grapevine always to serve, never to such topics as anonymity, leadership, dictate or command. Please help us public relations, the use of money in make it a true voice. ‘A.A., and the like. Upon matters such as these, our tradition and practice is by no means well settled. Like most older A.A.s I have come to place great reliance on the ability of our groups to work out correct principles, once given sufficient experience. The purpose, therefore, of the forthcoming pieces will be to present the current thought, the pros and cons, on these moot questions. These articles will be suggestive only. Their object will be to promote further discussion rather than to announce any new principle.

July 1945

HISTORY OFFERS GOOD LESSON FOR A.A.

A.A.s need to warn each other Older temperance organizations The Washingtonians were about becoming too confident. Over- had to stand aside – or climb onto the confident. They rebuffed overtures of confidence can have sorry bandwagon. The new society was getting older temperance organizations, they consequences. Individual A.A.s need to the headlines. It organized a mass scorned old methods. Local groups went take the warning to heart; A.A. as an meeting in City Hall Park in New York their separate ways, made their own organization of individuals can also profit City in 1841 that attracted more than mistakes, leamed their own lessons. from it. 4,000 listeners – the speakers stood on Some, with larger membership, dipped All of us, attending meetings of upturned rum kegs – and it had 1,800 into their treasuries to finance their own our various groups, have heard, and new members when it closed its publications. There . was no over-all taken part in, conversations like this: campaign in that city. direction of educational policy. Editors of “D’ja see that story about A.A. in There were triumphal parades in local society publications got into this week’s Squint? “Not yet, but Joe was Boston – where historic Faneuil Hall was squabbles with editors of other talkin’ about it. Any good?” “Yeah, a jammed to the doors to hear the speaker temperance papers. pretty good piece. You know, those – and in other eastern cities: Speakers editors must think we got somethin’.” toured the West and South. Factions Within “Sure, they wouldn’t be giving us space, The press of the day gave the what with the war and all, if they didn’t society uncounted columns of publicity. There was division, in those times, think a lot of their readers wanted to The society petered out. among the older organizations. Some of know about us.” The “why” contains a lesson – and them plumped for total abstinence as a Rosy contentment settles over a moral – for A.A. rule of conduct; others hedged and speakers and listeners. There was no ONE reason, of wanted to direct their efforts against use How many of the readers of The course. A reason was that older of spirituous liquors, accepting use of Grapevine have heard about the temperance organizations hired some of wines arid beers as normal conduct. Washington Temperance Society? the society’s better speakers. That Some of the more hardy souls already . IT was quite an organization in its reason couldn’t have wrecked the society were clamouring for legislation that would time – in the 1840’s. Its organizers called if it had had its feet solidly on the ground. outlaw the traffic in beverage alcohol. All themselves “reformed drunkards” and Another reason was that of these factions pulled and hauled on they set about “reforming” other politicians looked hungrily at its swelling the society’s members. drunkards. membership. Some of them climbed Older temperance organizations Does the idea seem familiar? aboard the wagon (there is inference that were finding it increasingly difficult to in those times, at least, some politicians interest the public in their aims. The Claimed 100,000 In 3 Years could qualify for membership) and they Washingtonians with their unique helped to wreck local groups through methods – their missionary work among They did all right, too. They got their efforts to line up votes. drunkards, their open-air parades and going in the spring of 1840, in Baltimore. The Abolition movement was mass meetings, their “experience” In early 1843, they were claiming that gaining strength and there was division programs that afforded a thrill-seeking they had persuaded 100,000 habitual within groups as men took their stand on public the opportunity of enjoying drunkards to sign the pledge. the issue of slavery. vicariously the degenerate experiences of

sodden sinners – were stealing the show. Washingtonianswere not atheists; A.A. IS new, a new partnership The older organizations borrowed it just hadn’t occurred to them that God with God in a useful endeavor. History Washingtonian speakers and m e t W s to as we understand Him could help them NEED NOT repeat, in the case of A.A., draw larger audiences to their meetings. to stay sober. In fact, some of them ihe sorry story of the Washingtonians’ Because the Washingtonian believed that if they invited God into their rise and fall. movement, in its beginnings, was councils, sectarianism also would push There are, however, lessons to be concerned only with the reclaiming of its way in, and their movement would be learned from history. drunkards and held that it was none of its taken over by one or another of the C.H.K,Lansing, Mich. affair if others used alcohol who seemed churches. ————-to be lime harmed by it, the makers and The society wasn’t on God’s side *The editorial quotation is from sellers of alcoholic beverages looked and, consequently it disintegrated. John Allen Krout’s book The Origins upon the new movement with a tolerant, of Prohibition, published by Alfred even approving eye. The habitual drunk Source of Strength A. Knopf, Inc., in 1925. was no more welcome in the nineteenthcentury grog-shop than he is in the An editor of that day wrote: present day cocktail lounge. “That the exclusion of all religious forms and the entire abstraction of O& Fatal Omission religion from temperance, was necessary for the reclamation of the drunkard, we But in its zeal to increase its have never believed….The drunkard may membership as rapidly as possible, the have felt hostile to religion while in the society pledged many persons to total bar-room and amid the fumes of liquor, abstinence who were intemperate and he may feel so after he has drinkers, probably, but who were not reformed and been taught to believe that alcoholic in the present-day definition of he is better than a Christian, but never the term. did a poor drunkard go up in sincerity to The Washingtonian movement sign the pledge, without feeling himself a might have survived, however, might prodigal, commencing a work of return to have triumphed over its mistakes, and its his Heavenly Father, and needing that enemies (and well-wishers), except for Father’s help; and who would not have one fatal omission. gratefully knelt and listened to a prayer Its organizers believed they could for that help on his new endeavors. And get along without a Higher Power. we believe that if the hundreds of It wasn’t a particularly religious thousands of signatures in our country time. And inebriates, then as now, had had been accompanied with prayer and generally lost touch with Him. Many of some religious enforcement, their power them, in fact, were outspoken in their and efficiency would have been denunciations of all of His works, incomparably stronger.”” especially as demonstrated in the Is it necessarily true that-there’s activities and attitudes of so-called nottdng new under the sun,” or that Christian folk. The meetings of the “history repeats itself?” society’s groups were conducted usually without reference to Him.

August 1945

Shelby Group Helps Carolinian Find Himself In the fall of 1939 the first A.A. of 1940. It was there that I first saw the meeting was held in Shelby, North A.A. Book. However, I only read a few Carolina. A group of three men met in pages, closed it and thought: this is the office of Dr. M., the sponsor of the some more religious stuff and not for me. group. Since then the group has moved Some months later I finished reading it in meeting places several times. At present the same hospital and in the same ward. we have clubrooms in an uptown hotel. When I left the hospital this time I had This location is ideal, being in the center high hopes for myself. of town. We have the usual club Upon my arrival home in a small furnishings, lockers, showers, piano, town, some or most of my dreams faded radio, pool table, reading room and a away – not having anyone to talk A.A. seating capacity of one hundred and with me. I only lasted a short while. Soon twenty-five. I was back in a sanatorium again. Within The membership has grown from a month of my release I had lost my job. three to forty solid members. Since 1939 My wife needed little persuasion to leave more than a hundred members have me. passed through the club, many of whom I was fortunate in getting a job in are now in the armed services; others a city some twenty miles from Shelby. In have gone to work in war plants, while three months I lost that. No job, no some have moved for business reasons. family, I was willing to try anything – so I In the past year, the Shelby group has came to Shelby drunk, checked in at a been instrumental in starting clubs in hotel. On my arrival someone must have Ashville, Charlotte, and Gastonia, in reported me to A.A., for soon there were North Carolina, and in Spartanburg and several men in my room to see me. Rock Hill in South Carolina. Some of Some I had met in various hospitals in these groups in the larger cities have different parts of the state; others were grown fast and are doing outstanding strangers. They came day and night. All work; all have got over most of their looked well and happy. It was this that growing pains. All of these towns and gave me my first hope. Several days cities being nearby, we have many inter- later, while still shaky, I secured a job club meetings, which have been most with a local firm. helpful. This all happened a year ago, and Since Shelby is a small city of since that time many blessings have some twenty thousand people it is almost been mine. I an now living with my wife impossible to remain anonymous. For and children, and needless to say, we this reason we do not reach some who are happy. I will ever be thankful to A.A., undoubtedly need A.A., but, on the other Dr. M, and Shelby. hand, we enjoy a very close fellowship. W.B. McL., Shelby, N.C. I first heard of A.A. in an alcoholic ward of the State Hospital in the summer

August 1945

A.A. Inspires Formation of The Seekers Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Group

In the formation of a unique club, – I Ile ioijiidei of The Seekers and T I Learning that while in prison Richard had iike-minded inniaies decided they soid $;00,G00 ii1.war bonds to The Seekers, conceived and developed by inmates of San Quentin Prison on couid gei iogeiiiei in iiie same spirit as iniiiaies wiiii indepeiideni means, San Francisco Bay, Alcoholics A.A., they too, could help themselves coiiecied $3,500 foi iiie Red Cross, iecei.”.ed a ciiaiioil from Secretary Anonymous is the inspiration for a and others – and that, like the A.A.s in moving story. their work with alcoholics, only those who ivioigeniiiau foi his War Gorid saies – and The new club, as reported in the had been criminals knew how to make that he had lately joined A.A. – the judge, press, was originated by a naturally the appeal necessary for personality instead of imprisoning him again, put him introspective man who, during his first change and rehabilitation. on probation for five years, and weeks in prison, came to see himself as The members of the new club are cautioned him to stick Close to A.A. he really had been – living for himself dedicated to pay their debt to society by alone. His spiritual awakening brought salvaging both themselves and all newthe determination to regain his self- comers they can encourage to join their respect through service to others. group – especially first offenders. The All around him he saw how the Seekers hold regular meetings, which young inmates teamed up with the begin with personal stories and are former “big shots.” To them these followed by questions and answers, gangsters and killers were heroes. He general discussion and summing up. knew what little chance the youngsters Warden Clinton Duffy, who from had under such influence. He found other the start has co-operated wholeheartedly inmates who shared his convictions. In with the San Quentin A.A.s, has given working out their own lives to a better the new club his full approval. purpose they hoped to lead the young in San Quentin’s is only one of many the prison to do the same. A.A. groups within prison walls in the They observed the amazing U.S.A. accomplishments of the A.A. group in Peekskill A.A.s have been San Quentin, which has been thriving for instrumental in forming a group in Walkill three years. Men whose crimes were do Prison, near Newburg, N.Y. Forty to alcoholism were being rehabilitated inmates attended the first meeting….The right there before them. They saw some first anniversary of the A.A. group in New of these A.A.’s – those whose terms were Jersey State Prison was celebrated in completed – go out into the world June. Warden John L. O’Hara says the changed men, buoyant with new hope group has grown from 15 to 103 during and secure in the knowledge that “out the year …Richard S., who had completed there” they would find the cooperation a 40-month term in Leavenworth (Kan.) irien~s;-lip of iousai1ds oioii-ler penitentiary, again got into trouble and A.A.5. was on trial tor passing forged checks.

September 1945

ROCHESTER PREPARES NOVICES FOR GROUP PARTICIPATION

(Editor’s note: This i s the third in even be possible to evolve from such discussion a coordinated general plan or The time when the novice’s a continuing series of articles outlining the framework within which all A.A. groups progress has reached the point of various indoctrination plans followed by could work. Certainly, “a consummation acceptance of the program varies different groups throughout the country. devoutly to be wished.” according to his mental capacity, his In forthcoming issues, methods used in Our plan differs from the Wilson eagerness to learn and the sincerity of Chicago, Los Angles, San Francisco and Club plan in this respect: Our prospects his self-examination. It is not measured Cleveland will be presented.) or novices, as we call them, are given a by the yardstick of any lapse of time or personal “Canvass or workout” by their the length of his sobriety. The sponsor’s Dear Editor: The educational plan of the Wilson Club of St. Louis which sponsor or sponsors before they are judgment of when his novice is ready is was outlined in the June number of The permitted to attend a group meeting. accepted by !ha s r w p IS f i x ! and the Grapevine was read by the members of These personal talks follow the line set sponsor then brings him to his first the Genesee Group of Rochester, New forth in a booklet prepared by our group meeting. There he listens to four York, with considerable interest. As the for that purpose. It was designed to successive talks based on the 12 Steps. education of our “novices” has been the assist in bringing a prospective candidate and the Four Absolutes. There are up to his first meeting with a thorough twenty-minute talks given by older chief concern of our group since its knowledge of the aims and purposes of members of the group and the steps, for inception a year ago, we were all A.A. and the obligations he will have to convenience and brevity, are divided into particularly keen to know that other impose upon himself if he undertakes four sections. The first three steps groups are accenting that feature of group activity which we believe to be of membership in our group. It has been constitute the text of the first talk. The the greatest importance. our observation that bringing men into next four, the second; the next four the the group indiscriminately, and without third; and the last step is considered to Our Genesee Group plan utilizes adequate preliminary training and be entitled to a full evening’s discussion the same technique as the St. Louis information, can be a source of by itself. Group but has the additional, or more accurately, preliminary feature which considerable grief and a cause of great harm to the general morale of the group Followingthese constructive talks, seems to us of sufficient importance to itself. We feel that unless a man, after a a general summary is then given of the justify this communication. We hope to course of instruction and an intelligent whole program. From this point on the invite comment, suggestions or criticisms presentation of the case for the A.A. life, novice is on his own and his growth and from other groups or individuals who may has accepted it without any reservation, development in A.A. will depend entirely have ideas along this line or who may have some other method of instruction he should not be included in a group on his own sincerity and his active which they are now employing. From membership. When his sponsors feel that participation in all the group’s affairs. such an interchange of thoughts and the novice has a fair working knowledge opinions through the medium of your of A.A.s objectives and a sufficient grasp We feel that we have at least of its fundamentals, he is then brought to given him an opportunity to understand columns much good may come. It might his first group meeting. what A.A. is and it is his free choice from that point on as to how successful he will be.

Of course, this plan is n ~ a! rigid one nor is it exclusi\~e, but w e h s ~ e found in practice, at least in our own group, that it has to a great extent, not completely, of course, eliminated failures and has erased from our vocabula~that distasteful, inaccurate and much overworked word “slip.”

It also helps us to develop a sense of leadership among our members, a prime essential in the operation of any successful group. We feel that the objective to which such leadership must devote itself is not, as some may think, a vague, idealistic formula. On the contrary, it is the essence of our way of life, the only way worthy of a free man. The basic concept of the A.A. way of life is the integrity and dignity of the individual human being. This same idea is the core of the Declaration of Independence and the principal concern of our Bill of Rights. A.A.s 12 Steps comprise the Alcoholic’s Declarationof Independence.” hf.L. Getresee Group, Rochester, N. Y.

October 1945

The Book Is Born By Bill – Great numbers perhaps! While some of and publicity would be a cinch – just a Inrecent attention has us had always clung to this possibility, campaign of high powered selling been drawn to the fact that A.A. is still in the dream now had real substance. If 40 directed at our American tycoon and the process of forming a public relations alcoholics could recover, why not four editors would quickly settle that question. policy, that failure to crystallize a sound hundred. four thousand – even fortv How could they resist when they saw – -a policy could seriously cripple us. thousand? what we had? Just watch us drunks. During the first three years of A.A. Once this spectacular notion Actually a few of us were pretty nearly as no one gave a thought to public relations. gripped us, our thinking underwent a bad as that! No circus barker was ever It was a time of “flying blind,” -when we . sudden chanae. Our alcoholic so enthusiastic or extravagant in his cries feverishly sought the principles upon imaginations ce&inly had a field day. By as were some of us in the fall of 1937. In which we might stay sober and assist the temperament most of us are salesmen, fact, I can recall having done a great few alcoholics who came around wanting promoters. So we began talking very big. deal of the barking myself! to do likewise. We were entirely Mere boxcar numbers wouldn’t do. We Now suppose the promoters of preoccupied with the life and death went astronomical. Undoubtedly, we said, those pioneering days had not been question of personal recovery. It was this was the beginning of one of the slowed down. Suppose that our public strictly a man to man affair. We hadn’t greatest medical, religious and social relations policy had been left fully in their even agreed upon a name for our developments of all time. We would show hands. Suppose they had been able to movement. There was no literature. the medical profession and the sky pilots raise millions, to flood the country with By the fall of 1937 we could count where they got off! A million alcoholics in A.A. propaganda and wild claims. Where what looked like 40 recovered members. America; more millions all over the world! would we be now? Nowhere, obviously. One of us had been sober for three Why, we only had to sober up all these We would not only have fallen out with . years, another two and a half, and a fair boys and girls (and sell them God) our best friends, religion and medicine; number had a year or more behind them. whereupon they would revolutionize we would surely have beendiscredited As all of us had been hopeless cases, society. A brand new world with ex- among the very people we wished most this amount of time elapsed began to be drunks running it. Just think of that, folks! to reacht- alcoholic men and women. significant. The realization that we “had Publicity? Why of course! Millions Much money would have meant a large found something” began to take hold of of words! Money? Sure! It would take staff of professional A.A. therapists or us. No longer were we a dubious millions, naturally! The matter of money “do gooders,” and promoters plus money experiment. Alcobo~cscould stay so be^ would surely have meant ballyhoo on

L

‘ every subject under the sun from The first discussion of our public back to this: How, we inquired, could ine . ,_ prohibition to Communist Russia. relations in 1937 at Akron will always live “go slow boys” sleep nights when they Internally, if we still existed at all, we in my memory. The promoters could reflected but three small groups; that would have been torn apart by political think of nothing but getting the glad news America had a million alcoholics dying controversy, religious dissension. it of our recoveries to a million alcoholics, like flies; that within gunshot of where we happened to the Washingtonians. Who, overnight if possible. If this were done, sat there were perhaps hundreds who then, has saved us thus far? God would do the rest, they said. But the could get well if they only knew what we The people who did the saving job conservatives did not think God did knew? And did alcoholics in California then, and who have continued to save us business that way. have to wait for relief to get there by much trouble since, are a class of The conservatives then word of mouth only? And wasn’t there individuals with whom most A.A.s are proceeded, with terrific impact, to make grave danger of our successful methods impatient. mese people are the the point that The Man of Galilee had no being badly distorted unless reduced to conservatives, They are the “go slow,” press agent, no newspapers, no writing and put in book form? And if we “think it over,” “let’s not do that” type. Not pamphlets, no books – nothing but word made no written record of what we had . many of them are to be found among us of mouth to carry the spirit from person found, might not columnists get funny alcoholics but it’s certainly providential to person, from group to group. Why and start deadly ridicule? Caution, we that we have always had a few such would we deviate from His example? agreed, ought to be observed by all I around. Often accused of being a drag Were we about to substitute ballyhoo for means, but still didn’t we need a book of– I

on progress (as they sometimes are) personal demonstration? Were we to our ownisome publicity? they bring nevertheless a priceless asset. favour personal glorification in public in Such was the gist of the They bring the rest of us down out of the place of quietness, humility and discussion out of which came the clouds; they make us face the realities of anonymity? discussion to publish the book, Alcohoics exper’lence; they foresee dangers which These were good questions; they Anonymous. This led to publicity, to the most of us would blithely ignore. made us promoters stop and think. establishment of our Board of Trustees Sometimes their conservatism is over- Though obliged to concede much to the (The Alcoholic Foundation), and to the done; they needlessly “view with alarm conservatives on principle, we still felt creation of the Central Office at New for the good of the movement.” Knowing their counsel was that of perfection. It York where alcoholics and their families that mere change is not necessarily wasn’t practical. The conservatives can write for literature and direct help. progress they instinctively resist change. retorted that while promoters had built Our rapid and seemingly healthy growth They never wish to take an irrevocable many a successful enterprise they almost the past few years has pretty well step; they often shrink from those final always bankrupt what they had built if demonstrated the wisdom of these early d6cisions from which there is no retreat. they were left long enough in charge. We decision. They keep out of trouble by making sure promoters (and I was one of them) came never to get into it.

The point is obvious. If these vital matters had been left entirely to the promoters like me, we would surly have gone hog wild and spoiled everything. Had these affairs been left exclusively to the conservatives it is probable that few of our present- membership would yethave heard of A.A. Thousands would have remained miserable. Many would have been dead. So it seems clear that sound . policy can only be made by rubbing the conservatives and the promoters together. Their discussions, if free from personal ambitions and resentment, can be depended upon to produce the right answers. For us, there is no other way. Having now shown how our first step in public was taken, I would like, in forthcoming pieces, to tell more of our recent experiences in this field, with emphasis on the desirability of continued modesty, anonymity, and fidelity to one objective only: That of carrying A.A. to the alcoholic who wishes to recover.

October 1945

CHICAGO’S NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS Key to Simplicity in a Metropolitan Area

The first A.A. member in Chicago Spirit of Simplicity contacted the Akron group in the fall of – 1937 and slowly over the next two years This spirit of simplicity extends to considerable rush of prospects appeared. assembled a group of six members, at the activities of the group as a whole. Each was sponsored by an older which time the first formal A.A. meeting Organization at all times has been only member but there was no arrangement was held. Since that time – September to such extent as to insure against over- on the part of the group as a whole for 20, 1939 – regular weekly meetings have organization. Fortunately the Chicago meeting or helping the new people been held in Chicago. It is interesting to except by casual contacts at Tuesday I group early in its existence was given note that three of the first six in the group meetings. Two of the older members this advice by the leader in Akron: When were advised to try A.A. by physicians. conceived the idea of an informal bull the time is right and you are right, Since that time the friendly sympathy of session with the men under their Providence will show you the way. many Chicago physicians of alcoholic sponsorship at the time invited to a home Six months after the group moved patients with whom they had struggled in to sit around for the evening and discuss into the Loop for regular Tuesday vain has contributed greatly to the growth any particular problems of their own. This meetings it became apparent that the of the group. experiment was so successful that other general meeting itself was not a proper From the beginning the Chicago place for the discussion of business informal gatherings at unstated times ,

group has adhered closely to the A.A. affairs. We, therefore, set up an earlier were held here and there throughout the fundamentals as absorbed from the meeting on the same evening for any city. Presently it became apparent that Akron group. The feeling has been that matters of business which might come the idea could well be systematized. The growth should be steady and sound. up. This meeting was without officers and city was divided into 10 areas and a There has been a considerable amount any member interested could attend. For discussion group to meet regularly on of favorable publicity in the Chicago lack of a better name it was called the Tuesday nights was formed in each one. newspapers and all of it has been Set-up Meeting. This has continued, As each group has acquired new unsought. It is an unspoken tenet of the although now one member from each members it has divided and in some group that the restoration of each neighborhood group attends and at this cases subdivided until there are now 60 individual to a calm. orderly way of living meeting the members may present for in the Chicago area. It has been found is of more importance than promoting the diswssion any subject in which their that the value and pleasure in these group in public. Experience has been groups are interested. group meetings lie in a rather small that there is a very great power in the The plan for the neighborhood attendance. Some of these groups have example group members have given groups developed naturally with no been reluctant to divide because of close those who knew them before their impulse to organize for the sake of association in their early days of A.A. entrance on the program. organization. At about the same time the and remain large. The general feeling, Set-up Meeting was formed a rather however, is that from six to 15 members is the ideal size of a group for a discussion meeting.

south side soon set up their own we have tried, with considerablesuccess, Tuesday night meetings in the Saturday night open house and since to continue this program on this basis of Loop are at present held in the then another regular party has been as little publicity as possible. Engineering Building at 205 West established on the north side and one We were fortunate in having the Wacker Drive. This is the fifth meeting- each on the northwest and west sides. services of a non-alcoholic secretary place required by expansion of the donated at the beginning of the group. group. Many members and their wives The Alano Club She is still with us, having grown up with have dinner in the building before the the group. Now on a salary basis, she is meeting. In general the procedure on Another activity is the Alano Club in charge of the details of the central Tuesday nights follows the early pattern on the sixth floor at 189 West Madison office at 209 South State Street and has which is a program of speaking Street. This project is sponsored and all the experience and tradition of this conducted by a chairman. The practice supported by members of the group as well as the Foundation office at now is that four or five speakers, each metropolitan group, administering it her fingertips, and with an assistant allotted 10 minutes, give the Tuesday separate from the central office but handles all inquiries, visiting firemen, programs. entirely in keeping with A.A. principles information bureau, and acts as nerve As time went on the increasing and practices. Open house with coffee center for the Chicago group. number of newcomersappeared to justify and cake at the Club at lP.M. a special instruction meeting. The first of Throughout its existence the Wednesday and at 8:30 P.M. Friday. Chicago group has held the belief that its these was held informally in one corner In the experimental field the of the large meeting hall by a volunteer strength as a means of supporting each Chicago group has had success with individual member and as a means of older member who gathered the newer patients at the Chicago State Hospital on ones and talked to them and answered reaching others lies in its adherence to the Northwest side of the city. By special A.A. fundamentals and to simplicity in their questions. This haphazard plan was arrangement the group has been enabled practice. Early in the group’s history it so evidently successful that a definite to send men and women in need of was decided by common consent that regular meeting was arranged to precede hospitalization and to obtain treatment for any new suggestion, ifapproved even by the main meeting. them without putting them through the Another Tuesday night meeting a minority, should be given a trial; if it is regular process of commitment. Regular good it will endure – if it is unwise it will was organized for the benefit of old A.A. meetings are held at the hospital not. That has proved to be sound in members who were concerned with Wednesday nights, conducted in turn by every instance. – E.T. sponsorship. the neighborhood groups. Members Even before the Chicago group submitting to this course are received began its regular Tuesday meetings in into the group without distinction. The the Loop the need for companionship results have been good. The work was was recognized and met by a Saturday originally started some four years ago in night open house at the home of one of a small, quiet way with no publicity and the members. The group soon outgrew the accommodations of any home and moved the Saturday night festivities into a hotel in Evanston. Members of the far

October 1945

FIRST SOUTHERN REGIONAL MEET SET FOR 0CT.8 Birmingham, Ala., A.A.s will act as hosts and hostesses at the first regional meeting to be held by southern groups Oct. 8. The Tutwiler Hotel in Birmingham will be the scene of the meeting, which will open with a breakfast at 9 A.M., featuring three talks by A.A.s from out of the state. Five other out-of-state speakers will be heard at the meeting to be called at 2 P.M. Chauncey Sparks, governor of Alabama, and members of the newly created Alabama Commission on Education with Respect to Alcoholism, will be among the most interested guests at the banquet to be held in the Terrace ballroom of the Tutwiler that evening. Dr. W.D. Partlow, chairman of the commission, will speak briefly and Marty M. will give the principal talk at the banquet. She will remain in Birmingham to meet the following day with the commission.

November 1945

THE GRAPEVINE ADOPTED AS NAfIONAL PERIODICAL, WILL BE MADE LARGER Beginning with the December issue, four more pages will be added to The Grapevine to allow for additional features, and letters and contributing articles from A.A.s throughout the country. The enlargement is in line with the adoption of The Grapevine as the national A.A. periodical, as announced in the recent letter from Bill W. to the secretaries of the more than 600 A.A. groups. Following expansion of the size of The Grapevine and because of increasing overhead due to mounting correspondence and other clerical details, the subscription rate will be raised to $2.50 per year and 25 cents per copy, beginning with the January, 1946, issue. This rate was decided upon to assure financial security and independence for future operations. Subscriptions received up to December 15 of this year will be accepted at the old rate.

December 1945

ST. PAUL’S FOUR DISCUSSION GROUPS A Method of Outlining A d . to New Members

(Continuing the series outlining the various evening. New members are urged to questions of general interest here, while plans and methods followed by different groups attend all of the sessions in the proper other questions seem best referred to throughout the country.) order. It is emphasized each time that discussion with the sponsors or others the discussions are not to replace any who may be better able to give help on The present plan of discussion for them. new members in the St. Paul group, with other A.A. activity, but to supplement . – them and to serve as an outline into Older members also are urged to modifications during use, has been in attend discussions and many do attend. operation for seven months. At its which the new member can fit his past experiences, his present objectives and Their contributions in the question period inception, about a dozen persons are very valuable. The plan in the interested in the work met and his progress toward these objectives. AT every meeting the three present stage of evolution seems to formulated a tentative plan based on the show sufficient improvement over earlier experience of one of the squads and the objectives of A.A. are kept before the group: 1. To attain and maintain the methods to justify its approval for another material presented in the Washington, six-months period. It is our hope that we FACT OF SOBRIETY. D.C., pamphlet and obtained from other can continue to progress in this as one of 2. To RECOVER from those sources. the ways of helping others. things which caused us to drink. Four discussions covering the A.A. Discussion No. 1: The Admissions: 3. To HELP OTHERS who want program were outlined. Two members for 1. The admission of alcoholism, as a what we have. each of these prepared and presented result of our experiences with it – what By adherence to simplicity in their discussions before the remainder of we are and how did we get that way. concept and in presentation in all the group. Critical attention to these 2. The admission that we want to discussions, we try to give aid to the new “previews” enabled each individual to do something about it – the qualifications member in understanding how to reorganize or rewrite his discussion so for A.A. membership. progress toward these objectives. that it would contain what the group as a 3. The belief that we can obtain Attendance at discussions whole considered an adequate help – which is not debatable. indicates the fact of sobriety, so that the presentation of the subject on the basis A brief outline of the purpose and emphasis is placed on a Program of of their collective experience and what scope of the discussions is stated. A Recovery. Each of the 12 Steps is they knew of experiences elsewhere. brief history of A.A. and a statement of considered in respect to its place in the In general, the plan is to cover the whole program rather than for its value the motives, methods and scope is A.A. program as clearly, concisely and made. A short consideration of what per se The four discussions are integrated completely as possible in four 45 minute constitutes an alcoholic and a statement each time by brief review of what was discussions, with time for questions at of alcoholism as a disease, along with covered before and preview of what is to the end of each. The arrangement of the the progress in public thinking about be the content of discussion to follow. club rooms permits all four discussions to alcoholics and alcoholism, are included. Questions are encouraged at the be presented at one time, each in a The objectives in A.A. membership are end of the discussions and frequently separate room, every Wednesday pointed out and certain mechanisms for require as much time as the discussion. Some attempt is made to consider

– getting over the tough spots are Steps 2,3,5,7 and 11 are read and 3. The last part of the f2thStep is mentioned. discussed in their relation to our discussed as a way of life that This material is covered by each objectives to the remainder of the encompasses our motives, our methods of the persons giving this discussion program. Open mindedness, tolerance and our accomplishments in A.A. It according to his own methods and is and personal understanding of A Higher insures continuance of sobriety, varied to meet the needs of the group Power are stressed as essential to happiness in what we do and peace of present so far as possible. At the end, progress in this part of the program. mind in the knowledge that we are each new member is given a small card. “Easy Does It” is the watchword in this progressing in our Program of Recovery On one side of this card is a list of the discussion. with the help of a “Power greater than activities at the club rooms for each night The 12th Step is used as the ourselves.” – L.S.L., St. Paul, Minn. of the week, with the address of the club basis of a summary of the Program of rooms. At the top is a reminder – “I made Recovery, as our “insurance” in A.A. and a 24-Hour Deal Today,” at the bottom – as a way of living in keeping with normal “Easy Does It.” human behavior and experience. The On the reverse side of the card is three parts of the 12th Step are an outline of the Program of Recovery, discussed separately. which is also the outline of the 1. Spiritual experience is discussions. Space is provided for the discussed as sudden conversion to a name and telephone number of the new way of life or the more common sponsor and co-sponsor. The new result of the cumulative effects of all – — member is also given a single sheet of experiences in working at the program which result in a personality change. information about the St. Paul group and Continuance of spiritual experience is other brief information which may be of emphasized. value to him. 2. Making calls on prospective Discussion No.ll: Inventory and Restitution: members is cited as only one of the The steps concerned with things considered in working with others. inventory are read and discussed with Personal aggrandizement, zeal to reform regard to what constitutes an inventory, and increased membership are how to go about it and when to do it. discussed as unsuitable reasons for Emphasis is on honesty, thoroughness, making calls. Sincerity of purpose in clear thinking and “follow through” in helping others, humility in the knowledge practicing the 10th Step. Restitution is of our own power to help, and confidence approached in the same fashion and the in our understanding of our capacities in steps concerned are discussed as means A.A. are indicated as states of mind likely to an end. The 5th Step is mentioned as to help in working with others. a further aid in self-understanding and as a way to do something about our character analysis. Discussion No.lll: Spiritual Aspects of the Program:

December 1945

A.A. at Work for the Seamen

In reference to my work at personal belongings and become untidy necessitated his staying ashore for Seamen’s Church Institute in Manhattan, and dishevelled it falls to me to replace several additional months. As he was a I submit an analysis briefly covering the their gear from razor and comb to new former painter, he was able to obtain a rudimentary details of my job, including a clothing. job in New York as a painter, and typical case history. After attending to their obviously immediately paid back his debt incurred I think I may best explain my important, immediate needs I then at the institute. At this stage, he realized relations with these men by presenting approach them with the A.A. program, that he was a ready prospect for the A.A. then as a group, as their individual give them literature to read, invite them movement, and he became very active, experiences are strikingly similar. These to meetings, and endeavor in every way speaking at various meetings, and men, for varying reasons, have been possible to sincerely interest them in the bringing in as new members several of drinking for a periods of from a few days movement. I am very happy to be able to his old acquaintances. After the to several weeks, have, for the most part, state that the great majority of these men conclusion of his treatment at the Marine been in fights and arguments, usually not only take an active part in the A.A. Hospital, he had become an active A.A. requiring both medical and surgical program but many even bring their member, had been sober over four attention. Their money is invariably gone, former friends and drinking companions. months, and has returned to sea. -Bill F. papers lost or stolen, and many are on Often, under the strong psychological the verge of the “shakes” or delirium influence that a return to sobriety brings, tremens. At this stage I take them to the a great number of these men once again alcoholic ward at Bellevue Hospital, turn to religion. where they are kept from one to three or To further clarify the preceding four days until their medical condition is explanation, I cite the following typical corrected and their appetite at least case history of one of the many young partially restored. seamen with whom I have worked. This Upon release from the hospital seaman, who had been on a prolonged many are placed in a rest center for an three week drinking bout, finally ended additional period. Others are given up where they all do, at the Credit lodging and meals, and a temporary Bureau, which referred him to me. shore job until they are once again fit to Because of his jittery nerves and inability return to sea duty. While attending to to eat, I personally took him to Bellevue their immediate needs, I also take care of Hospital where he remained a few days. their personal problems of every nature, I then called for him, brought him back to assist them in their financial dealings, the institute, got him food, lodging and and, perhaps most important to them, duplicates of his papers. As a result of a obtain duplicates of their papers, which hold-up a year ago, he was sent to the usually takes from one to two weeks. As Marine Hospital for some extensive the majority of these men lose even their dental and plastic surgery which

February 1946 *i.

A.A. Ward at Knickerbocker Proves Success

As A.A. groups throughout the 3. Select ethical practitioners to take filled per day. To say that a great deal of country expand, the need for real A.A. charge and visit the patients at least time and effort is required to keep the . hospitalization will grow apace and in once each day. plan going is putting it mildly. It takes searching for a workable plan or set-up 4. The charge to be a flat $10.00 per work, lots of work. For example: 22 men the group will encounter the same day to the hospital. per week were assigned as orderlies difficulties and discouragements as we of performing without compensation, other the Manhattan Group did here in New We are assigned a floor in the private wing consisting of private and than the satisfaction derived from helping York about one year ago. Our the other fellow, the simpler routine experience, the disappointments and semi-private rooms together with a small six bed ward and comprising in all 19 tasks. To date 700 persons have been discouragements we encountered, may hospitalized and expansion continues. help others seeking to enlarge their beds. The first patient was admitted Easter Sunday, 1945, and from then on The average length of stay id five hospital work. days, which allows the patient a chance A review of the former situation the plan was a success. Form time to – time changes in routine were made and to get the alcohol out of his or her here is in order. A drunk had two added rules of our own were formulated; system and to learn the true nature of choices: Either the psycho-wardof one of the two most important being that a the affliction and what the answer is. He our large public hospitals, or a private patient is admitted once, and once only, has come in contact and talked to any hospital where acceptance was based on and while in the hospital is visited only by number of A.A. members, he is served the man’s ability to pay and pay plenty. A.A. members. by an A.A. volunteer worker and meets At the time the position taken by The single admission stops the sympathetic understanding treatment the ten New York hospitals approached project from deteriorating into just from the nurses and the two doctors, one was either “our facilities are already overanother drying-out spot and the second of whom is an authority on alcoholism, taxed at this time” or, they were brutally rule serves the double purpose of the other a competent interne. frank….”alcoholics would create such a protecting the man, trying to get over the When he is ready for discharge he disturbance as to wreck the routine of the jitters, from a nagging wife or well is met by his sponsor and brought to a rest of the hospital.” meaning but misinformed friend and to meeting. Should he decide he needs Finally Knickerbocker Hospital, a assure his absorbing some of the A.A. he is welcomed. If he still feels his small general hospital of not more than fundamentals of A.A. The entire drunk was the well known “accident” or if 200 beds, supported entirely by voluntary atmosphere is maintained to impress he is one of those “it can’t happen to me contributions, listened with sympathetic upon the patient the idea that his is a types” – well and good. His hand is and with fingers crossed finally serious illness and, while it is no disgrace shaken and good-byes exchanged. consented to a trial period of three per se to have become an alcoholic, it is The hospital authorities are happy months, under these conditions: a disgrace not to do anything about it. about the whole thing, though they are 1. A.A. to guarantee payment of all bills. The growth was steady until now somewhat at a loss to understand why, 2. By the end of three months’ period we average between 15 and 18 beds contrary to all expectations, the alcoholic maintain an average of six beds. floor is the quietest and best run unit in

the entire hospital. There are many reasons why this is so but the principal one is that we all – patients, sponsors, visitors and volunteer workers – speak the same language and it is the old story of “it takes a drunk to handle a drunk.” The hardest job we have is to explain to the uninitiated that what we offer at Knickerbocker is not a “cure.” A wife sees her husband, possibly on the tag-end of a month’s drunk, leave her a sodden hulk only to return home brighteyed and clear-headed. Then the sales job has to be done on both. He is not cured – he is only dried out, solely for the purpose of absorbing the methods and practices of A.A. He has only taken the first step along the path of sobriety and, believe it or not, Mrs. Doe, he must come to the meetings; he must revisit the hospital and he must do the work the rest of us do, the work which is so beneficial to us. Knickerbocker Hospital and its course of treatment is but the means toward an end and NOT AN END in itself.–J.G., Manhattan

April 1946

Twelve Suggested Points for A.A. Tradition

By Bill

Since personal calamity holds us in acquired sufficient experience to state Nobody invented Alcoholics bondage no more, our most challenging clear-cut policies, on these, our chief Anonymous. It grew. Trial and error has concern has become the future of concerns? Can we now declare general produced a rich experience. Little by little Alcoholics Anonymous; how to preserve * principles which could grow into vital we have been adopting the lessons of traditions – traditions sustained in the that experience, first as policy and then among us A.A.s such a powerful unity heart of each A.A. by his own deep as tradition. That process still goes on that neither weakness of persons nor the conviction and by the common consent and we hope it never stops. Should we strain and strife of these troubled times of his fellows? That is the question. ever harden too much the letter might can harm our common cause. We know crush the spirit. We could victimize that Alcoholics Anonymous must Though full answer to all our perplexities ourselves by petty rules and prohibitions; continue to live. Else, save few may never be found, I’m sure we have we could imagine that we had said the exceptions, we and our brother alcoholics come at last to a vantage point whence last word. We might even be asking throughout the world will surely resume we can discern the main outlines of a alcoholics to accept our rigid ideas or the hopeless journey to oblivion. body of tradition; which, God willing, can stay away. May we never stifle progress Almost any A.A. can tell you what our stand as an effective guard against all like that! group problems are. Fundamentally, they the ravages of time and circumstance. Yet the lessons of our experience have to do with our relations, one with Acting upon the persistent urge of old count for a great deal – a very great deal, the other, and with the world outside. A.A. friends, and upon the conviction that we are each convinced. The first written They involve relations of the A.A. to his general agreement and consent between record of A.A. experience was the book, group, the relation of his group to our members is now possible, I shall Alcohoks Anonymous. It was addressed Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole, and venture to place in words these to the heart of our foremost problem – the place of Alcoholics Anonymous in suggestions for An Alcohofics release from the alcohol obsession. It that troubled sea called Modern Society, Anonymous Trsdtion of Re/at/ons ‘ contained personal experiences of where all of humankind must presently Twelve Points to Assure Our Future= drinking and recovery and a statement of shipwreck or find haven. Terribly relevant those divine but ancient principles which is the problem of our basic structure and Our A.A. Experience Has Taught Us have brought us a miraculous our attitude toward those ever pressing That: regeneration. Since publication of questions of leadership, money and Alcoholics Anonymous in 1939 we have authority. The future may well depend on 1.- Each member of Alcoholics grown from 100 to 24,000 members. how we feel and act about things that are Anonymous is but a small part of a great Seven years have passed; seven years controversial and how we regard our whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of vast experience with our next greatest public relations. Our final destiny will of us will surely die. Hence our common undertaking – the problem of living and surely hang upon what we presently welfare comes first. But individual welfare working together. This is today our main decide to do with these danger-fraught follows close afterward. concern. If we can succeed in this issues! adventure – and keep succeeding – then, Now comes the crux of our 2.- For our group purpose there is but and only then, will our future be secure. discussion. It is this: Have we yet one ultimate authority a loving God as

c He may express Himself in our Group as clubs or hospitalswhich require much services for which we might otherwise conscience. property or administration, ought to be so have to engage non-alcoholics. Such set apart, that if necessary, they can be special services may be well 3.- Our membership ought to include freely discarded by the Groups. The recompensed. But personal “12th Step” all who suffer alcoholism. Hence we may management of these special facilities work is never to be paid for. refuse none who wish to recover. Nor should be the sole responsibility of those ought A.A. membership ever depend people, whether A.A. or not, who 9.- Each A.A. Group needs the least upon money or conformity. Any two or financially support them. For our clubs, possible organization. Rotating three alcoholics gathered together for we prefer A.A. managers. But hospitals, leadership is usually the best. The small sobriety may call themselves an A.A. as well as other piaces of recuperation, group may elect its secretary, the large Group. ought to be well outside A.A. – and group its rotating committee, and the medically supervised. An A.A. Group groups of a large metropolitan area their 4.- With respect to its own affairs, may cooperate with anyone, but should central committee, which often employs each A.A. Group should be responsible bind itself to no one. a full time secretary. The trustees of The to no other authority than its own Alcoholic Foundation are, in effect, our conscience. But when its plans concern 7.- The A.A. Groups themselves ought General Service Committee. They are the welfare of neighbouring groups also, to be fully supported by the voluntary the custodians of our A.A. tradition and those groups ought to be consulted. And contributions of their own members. We the receivers of voluntary A.A. no group, regional committee or think that each Group should soon contributions by which they maintain A.A. individual should ever take any action achieve this ideal; that any public General Headquarters and our General that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole solicitation of funds using the name of Secretary at New York. They are without conferring with the Trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly authorized by the groups to handle our The Alcoholic Foundation. On such dangerous; that acceptance of large gifts overall public relations and they issues our common welfare is from any source or of contributions guarantee the integrity of our principal -paramount. carrying any obligation whatever, is publication, TheA.A. Grapevine.All such usually unwise. Then, too, we view with representatives are to be guided in the 5.- Each Alcoholics Anonymous Group much concern those A.A. treasuries spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. ought to be a spiritual entity having but which continue, beyond prudent are but trusted and experiencedservants one primaypupose – that of carrying its reserves, to accumulate funds for no of the whole. They derive no real message to the alcoholic who still stated purpose. Experience has often authority from their titles. Universal suffers. warned us that nothing can so surely respect is the key to their usefulness. destroy our spiritual heritage as futile 6.- Problems of money, property and disputes over property, money, and 010.-No A.A. group or member should authority may easily divert us from our authority. ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, express any opinion on outside that any considerable property of genuine 8.- Alcoholics Anonymous should controversial issues – particularlythose of use to A.A. should be separately remain forever non-professional. We politics, alcohol reform or sectarian incorporated and managed, thus dividing define professionalismas the occupation religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous the material from the spiritual. An A.A. of counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. groups oppose no one. Concerning such Group, as such, should never go into But we may employ alcoholics where matters they can express no views business. Secondary aids to A.A., such they are going to perform those full time whatever.

11.- Our relations with the outside world should be characterized by modesty and anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.

12.- And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a truly humble modesty. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.

May it be urged that while these principles have been stated in rather positive language they are still only suggestions for our future. We of Alcoholics Anonymous have never enthusiastically responded to any assumption of personal authority. Perhaps it is well for A.A. that this is true. So I offer these suggestions neither as one man’s dictum nor as a creed of any kind, but rather as a first attempt to portray that group ideal toward which we have assuredly been led by a Higher Power these ten years past.

P.S. To help free discussion. Iwould like to amplify the Twelve Points of Trrtdition in future Gwevhe pieces.

May 1946

Rapid Growth Reported From Western Canada

On the west coast of Canada A.A. is making colossal strides. In Vancouver a group just 14 months old now numbers 150, the number having been quadrupled in the last six months. There is an active group nearly a year old in Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia, and in the past few months groups have been started in New Westminster, West Vancouver, Chilliwack, Kelowna, and a number of inland points. One of the Vancouver Group’s most interesting meetings was attended by a city police magistrate and a leading psychiatrist, the latter giving an address on the problems of the alcoholic, and saying that he had come to find in A.A. the most promising of all available therapeutic methods for helping such people. Steps are under way to establish A.A. in Oakalla prison and the penitentiary at New Westminster. The Vancouver police court has an A.A. member in daily attendance to assist the magistrates in alcoholic cases. Growth in membership has led the Vancouver Group to move to new clubrooms at the Kitsilano Lawn Bowling Club and to establish regional groups in the city.

May 1946

New York City Sets Up “Clearing House”

The A.A. Cosmopolitan Club of New York has begun two new “clearing house” services for the metropolitan area. The club distributes a folder listing 46 meetings held weekly in Long Island, Connecticut, and New York City; and the secretarial staff notifies each regional group when a new member from its locality contacts the Club. Twenty-six groups in the area meet at 30 separate addresses in such diverse quarters as medical buildings, a museum, fire department headquarters, a woman’s club, a Girl Scout hall, civic and political clubs, hotels, churches, YMCA’s and YWCA’s. More than half the meetings are open to non-alcoholics.

June 1946

GROWING PAINS HERE AND ABROAD

– – The founding of a new group of Differencesof opinion as to policy, where example, it is indeed muckless difficult Alcoholics Anonymous is considerably to meet, what kind of meeting to have, to found a new group now in the United more difficult and complicated than how to pay the rent, what to do about States where A.A. is well and favorably opening up a new roadside hot dog “slips,” and all of the other tribulations known from coast to coast and border to stand. that pop up are to be expected. border – much less difficult than to start a Although this fact is self-evident it A.A. is now enjoying its most rapid new group in some other country where does seem to be occasion for surprise growth. New groups are mushroomingall it is not known. and discouragement here and there as over God’s acres. The difficulties of Below are excerpts from a letter ‘ new A.A. groups get underway starting new groups are therefore received by a member here from the throughout this country and other obviously not preventing the spread of sponsor of the first group in Australia, or countries. Frequently the enthusiastic A.A. throughout the world. as he writes, the first group in the British sponsors of new groups become baffled But, the difficulties may be Empire outside of Canada. After reading to the point of despair when called upon minimized and the wear and tear on of the troubles they have been to share in the growing pains of a new members who help start new groups will experiencing in Sydney, those group. Some are apt even to become be lessened by a better understanding of encountered in this country may not disillusioned when they learn that a new the obstacles. Many will find much seem as large. And it is most group cannot always be started with a reassurance and guidance by directing encouraging to note from the letter below merry wave of the hand, and that the first their thoughts back to the story of how that notwithstanding the difficulties, the meeting does not necessarily set in A.A. started. That the first group new group in Australia – now 17 months motion a steady and serene growth. consisted of just two men. Then there old – is growing. Perhaps it is natural to expect that was a third. For a long, long time there “After many false starts we an idea as inspiring and demonstrative was only a handful. They had no money, eventually managed to get a branch of as A.A. can be planted easily, will take no clubrooms, no publications to help A.A. going in Sydney. This was about root quickly and will grow rapidly, almost them spread the word, no sympathetic twelve months ago (as of Jan. 21, 1946). without any further care and cultivation. audience to listen, no inspiring record to Now we have a group of about twenty. In his own boundless enthusiasm, the support them. They had no sympathetic Some of our members relapse at times A.A. whose anticipation runs this way is public to help them and wish them well. but many are much better than they forgetting that although the idea his is The press didn’t know them, nor did the were. It is becoming our experience that attempting to plant and make grow is ministry or the medical profession. most of our members after being sober good, he is still dealing with alcoholism, But out of that discouraging for some weeks are sure that they have which sprouts many tough weeds. beginning, the whole of A.A. began. the thing beaten, have one drink and The proper A.A. mental stance by No matter what the troubles of then we have the devil’s own job with the would be sponsor or sponsors is the starting a new group may be today, they them. first step in the founding of a new group. scarcely can compare to the troubles that “It would seem that it takes one or The sponsor who realizes that new the first A.A. group experienced. But it is two relapses to convince most members groups inevitably experience a variety of not necessary even to go back that far to that they have no control over their troubles will be prepared for them. find comparative encouragement. For drinking. This was probably your experience in the U.S.A.

4” I 2

“We also are finding out that as approached by members, by relatives of meeting and to analyze and discuss the group continues to grow, clashes of inebriates to ‘get them off the booze.’ At them.

I opinion occur amongst members as to policy. We are having many ups and downs but in spite of all of this we are the present time we can do nothing. I take a few home but this is unsatisfactory. Members are trying to get “I am looking forward to meeting you at some time in the future, perhaps in America, perhaps in Australia. making definite progress. If you could a home with three or four beds to nurse Wherever you are rest assured of my see the branch after 12 months you them but the house shortage is so bad good wishes and that I am ever grateful would heartily agree. Inquiries come in that this is impossible at present. A to you for your friendship.” the whole time and inebriates themselves syndicate of business men is flirting with are beginning to turn to us for help. They the idea of starting a private hospital for know that they are beaten and we are the treatment of wealthy inebriates. This the only ones capable of helping them. would solve some of our difficulties. Also “We are meeting many difficulties. the government may start a clinic to treat In the first place none of our members inebriates in hospitals instead of in gaol. yet know enough of A.A. This is the first “Our third difficulty is finding club branch formed in the British Empire rooms….and office accommodations (Canada, of course, excepted) and whilst cannot be found in Sydney today. we are full of enthusiasm our technique “It was yourself that gave me the is poor. We still require much more idea of A.A. and to you we feel eternally experience. grateful. M got on the booze and “Americans are more religious was picked up dead in one of the lowest than Australians and the religious side is slums in Sydney – a tragedy that should the greatest difficulty our members face. have been prevented. But we hear of This will come later but very gradually. In these things happening every day and other words we have not yet learned how we want to prevent them. Please God we to interpret A.A. principles to suit will be able to do so in the near future. Australians. We want guidance and often “Icertainly would like your version I have wished that your visits to Australia of the 12 Steps. I personally feel that in would be very frequent to keep us free the rapid expansion during the past 12 from error and show us the right path. months we tend here to lose sight of When one of your members can come to these Steps and that is why so many of Sydney to spend a holiday he will be our members have relapsed at times. We kept very busy explaining A.A. and now intend to read the 12 Steps at each showing us what mistakes we are making and why we lose so many prospective members. “In the second place our greatest stumbling block id the drying out of members. Time and time again we are

June 1946

Tiustee Vote Fixes Po/icy On Gifi Funds

(f) That we must, at all costs, avoid the our special knowledge of the alcohol Discussing this topic in last month’s problem? Are we to tell society, even Grapevine we made the following professionalization of A.A.; that simple 12th Step work is never to be paid for; though we might make superior nurses, observations: doctors, social workers or educators in (a) That the use of money in A.A. is a that A.A.s going into alcohol therapy should never trade on their A.A. the field of alcohol that we cannot matter of the gravest importance. Where undertake such missions for fear of its use ends and its misuse begins is the connection; that there is not, and never can be, any such thing as an “A.A. professionalizing A.A.? That would point we should vigilantly watch. certainly be far fetched even ridiculous. therapist.” Surely no A.A. should be barred from (b) That A.A. is already committed to a such employment because of his qualified use of money, because we (g) That A.A. members may, however, be employed by us as full time workers membership with us. He needs only to would not think of abolishing our offices, avoid “A.A. therapy” and any action or meeting places and clubs simply for the provided they have legitimate duties over sake of avoiding finances altogether. and beyond normal 12th Step work. We word which might hurt A.A. as a whole. may, for example, surely engage Aside from this he ought to be just as (c) That our real problem today consists secretaries, stewards and cooks without employable as the non-alcoholic who in setting intelligent and traditional limits making them professional A.A.s. would otherwise get the job and perhaps upon our use of money, thus keeping its not do it half as well. In fact, I believe we disruptive tendency at the minimum. Continuing now the discussion of still have a few A.A. bartenders. Though professionalism: A.A.s frequently consult bartending, for obvious reasons is not a (d) That the voluntary contributions or local committees or The Alcoholic specially recommended occupation I pledges of A.A. members should be our Foundation saying they have been have never heard anyone cry out that principal, and eventually, our sole offered positions in related fields. these few members are professionalizing support; that this kind of self support Hospitals want A.A. nurses and doctors, A.A. on account of their very special would always prevent our clubs and clinics ask for A.A.s who are social knowledge of barrooms! offices from getting out of hand because workers, universities ask for A.A.s to their funds could readily be cut off work in the field of alcohol education on Years ago we used to think A.A. whenever they failed to serve us well. a non-controversial basis and industry should have its own hospitals, rest wants us to recommend A.A.s as homes and farms. Nowadays we are (e) That we have found it generally wise personnel officers. Can we, acting as equally convinced we should have to separately incorporate those special individuals, accept such offers? Most of nothing of the sort. Even our clubs, well facilities which require much money or us see no reason why we cannot. inside A.A., are somewhat set apart. And management; that an A.A. group is a in the judgment of practically all, places spiritual entity, not a business concern. It comes down to this. Have we A.A.s of hospitalization or rest should be well the right to deny society the benefit of outside A.A. – and medically supervised.

Hospitalization is most definitely the,job Now what about donations or we do not. We are no longer poor. We of the doctor backed, of course, by payments to A.A. from outside sources? can, and we should, pay our own way. private or community aid. It is not a There was a time, some years ago, when Of course, it can hardly be counted function of A.A. in the sense of we desperately needed a little outside an exception to the principle of selfmanagement or ownership. Everywhere aid. This we received. And we shall support if a non-alcoholic friend comes to we cooperate with hospitals. Many afford never cease being grateful to those a meeting and drops a dollar in the hat. us special privileges and working devoted friends whose contributions It is doubtful, too, if we should refuse the arrangements. Some consult us. Others made possible the Alcoholic Foundation, relative who sends in his $5 mite; a employ A.A. nurses or attendants. the book A/coho/ics Anonymous and our token of appreciation for the recovery of Relationships such as these almost Central Office. Heaven has surely someone close. Perhaps we would be always work well. But none of these reserved a special place for everyone of ungracious to refuse his gift. institutions are known as “A.A. hospitals.” them. They met a great need, for in But it is not these small tokens of those days we A.A.s were very few and regard which concern us. It is the large We have also had some experience with farms and drying out places which, very insolvent! contributions, especially those that may though outside A.A. and medically But times have changed. Alcoholics carry future obligations, which should supervised, have nevertheless been Anonymous now has more than 24,000 give us pause. Then too, there is managed and financed by A.A. members. members whose combined earnings this evidence that wealthy people are setting Some of these operations have done year ought to be many millions. Hence a aside sums for A.A. in their wills under well, others very badly. And with one or very powerful feeling is spreading among the impression we could use a great deal two conspicuous exceptions, the worst us that A.A. ought to be self-supporting. of money if we had it. Shouldn’t we possible set-up has been that in which Since most members feel they owe their discourage them? and already there A.A. groups , with group money and very lives to the movement they think we have been a few alaming attempts at management, have gone into the “drying A.A.s ought to pay its very modest the public solicitation of money in the expenses. And isn’t it, they ask, high time name of Alcoholics Anonymous. Few out” business. Despite exceptions, these A.A.s will fail to imagine where such a that we commenced to revise the “A.A. hospitals” seem the least promising course could lead us. Every now ,and prevalent idea that an alcoholic is always of all. The group which takes one on a person who must be helped – usually then we are offered money from so usually finds that it has contracted an called “wet” or “dry” sources. Obviously with money. Let us A.A.s, they say, be unnecessary responsibility and a heart dangerous this. For we must stay out of givers. We are not helpless now. Neither breaking amount of dissension. Being a that ill starred controversy. Now and then are we penniless any more. Were it group project it cannot be “taken or left the parents of an alcoholic, out of sheer possible to publish tomorrow that every alone.” Either it has to be abandoned or gratitude, wish to donate heavily. Is this it remains a raw sore on the body politic. A.A. group had become fully selfsupporting, it is probable that nothing wise? Would it be good for the alcoholic I These experiments have well himself? Perhaps a wealthy A.A. wishes demonstrated that the A.A. group will could create more good will for us than such a declaration. Let our generous to make a large gift. Would it be good for always have to be a spiritual entity, not a him, or for us, if he did so? Might we not business concern. Better do one thing public devote its funds to alcohol research, hospitalization or education. feel in his debt and might he not, supremely well than two things badly! especially if a newcomer, begin to think Those fields certainly need money. But he had bought a ticket to that happy

destination, sobriety? by Several motion picture concerns about In no case have we ever been able the possibility of an A.A. film. Naturally to question the true generosity of these money has been discussed. But our givers. But is it wise to take their gifts? Trustees, very rightly I think, will take the Though there m a v e rare exceptions, I ~ositionthat A.A. has nothing to sell; that share the opinion of most older A.A.s we all wish to avoid even the suggestion that acceptance of large donations from of commerce, and that in any case A:A., any source is very questionable – almost nationally speaking, is now selfalways a hazardous policy. The supporting. struggling club may badly need a friendly To my mind, this is a decision of gift or loan. Even so, it might be better in enonnous importance to our future – a the long run to pay as we go. We must very long step in the right direction. never let any immediate advantage, however attractive, blind us to the When such an attitude about money becomes universal throughout A.A.1 we possibility that we may be creating a shall have finally steered clear of that disastrous precedent for the future. Strife over money and property has too often golden, alluring, but ever treacherous wrecked better people than us reef called Maten’alism- IN the years that lie just ahead temperamental alcoholics! Alcoholics Anonymous faces a supreme It is with the deepest gratitude and test – the great ordeal of its own satisfaction that I can now tell you of a prospedty and success. I think it will recent resolution passed by our general prove the greatest trial of all. Can we but service committee, the Trustees of The weather that, the waves of time and Alcoholic Foundation, who are the circumstance may beat upon us in vain. ~ustodiansof our national A.A. funds. As Our destiny will be secure! a matter of policy, they have just gone on record that they will. decline all gifts carrying the slightest obligation, expressed or implied. And further, that the Alcoholic Foundation will accept no earnings which may be tendered from any commercialsource. As many readers know we have been approached of late

June 1946

A. A. Discussed on “We, the Peop/eNProgram

Editor’s note: In answer to numerous requests. The Alcoholism, I an glad to use my name. that has always surrounded this subject Grapewne reprints that portion of the We The The purpose of the National Committee will no longer work in the face of such People radio program on Sunday. May 4, in wh~ch figures, and that by bringing it out into Marty M. explained Alcoholics Anonymous and the is to teach people the truth about work of the National Committee for Education on alcoholism – that this is a disease – and the open we may contribute one step Alcoholism. alcoholics are sick people. By using my toward combatting the problem. name and telling my story, I believe I can BOULTON: (Master of Ceremonies): further that truth. My name is Mrs. Marty M: Mr. Boulton, I’m so glad you said The story of the young lady who is Mann, and I live here in New York City. that, because that’s the reason I beside me now at our microphone, can consented to come on this program be told in just seven words. I want her to B: Mrs. Mann, it seems incredible that tonight. I don’t enjoy airing my personal repeat those seven words for you. a young and beautiful woman like you life, but perhaps others may profit by my should have once been an alcoholic. counsel. Marty: For ten years I was an B: Mrs. Mann, will you tell us now how alcoholic. M: Mr. Boulton, I still am an alcoholic. or why it was you started to drink to excess? B: That’s a shocking statement iso’t i!? 8: But – I thought you’d been cured. And what courage it must take to make M: First let me tell you a little bit about such an admission. But it’s just that sort M: Oh, no. You must realize that my background. I was born in Chicago, of courage that has made this young lady alcoholism is a disease – a disease which and my family had a good deal of who is our guest on We he People one today is as prevalent as tuberculosis or money. I had everything a girl could ask of the leaders in the fight against cancer. My illness has been arrested, for. I went to a boarding school, finished alcoholism. She is a member of and I think and hope it will s!ay that way, abroad, and had the usual coming-out Alcoholics Anonymous and executive but people like me can never safely party when I returned. I was young and director of the National Committee for touch alcohol again, so you can never happy and gay and thought it was fun to Education on Alcoholism. Welcome to say we’re cured. drink. We The People. B: Mrs. Mann, before you continue 6 : How old were you then? M: Thank you, Mr. Boulton. The name your story, I want to tell our listeners why Alcoholics Anonymous speaks for itself. we invited you to be our guest tonight. M: Eighteen. If that seems young to We are a group of alcoholics who have Alcoholism is mounting at an astounding you – remember that was in the early anonymously banded together to help rate in this country. Reliable sources 20ts, and that was the era when decent ourselves and each other get well. We have informed us that there are an young men thought it was smart to carry have preferred to remain anonymous for estimated three million alcoholics, and hip flasks. I didn’t know then in fact I obvious reasons. But – as director of he that one in every six are women. We The didn’t find out until seven years ago – that National Committee for Education on People feel that the hush-hush policy I’m one of those people who should

never have tasted liquor. I thought I startled me, and I began to read. As I could drink in moderation. I thought I read, the truth became apparent, and I could stop anytime I wanted to. admitted to myself for the first time – I was an alcoholic. 8: When did you discover that you couldn’t stop? B: Well, then – I assume that Alcoholics Anonymous is responsible for M: A couple of years before I landed in your rehabilitation. a sanitarium. But those years in between were frightful and frightening. I had M: Indeed they are. They didn’t lecture married an alcoholic. He should have me, or look down on me, or make me been an example to me , but he wasn’t. sign a pledge. They did advise me to After our divorce I drank even more. promise myself that I would not drink for Then my family suffered financial 24 hours, and when the 24 hours were reverses, and I had to go to work. My past, to make myself another promise. drinking still seemed under control. Then They taught me to live without alcohol. I 1 remember later telling myself I was slipped once or twice in the beginning, drinking for business reasons. Still later it but today, because of their help, I’m well. was to calm my nerves, for by then the We know the alcoholic can be helped liquor was beginning to affect my and is worth helping. We feel this is a nervous system. I thought I was going public health problem, and therefore a crazy. I had to have a drink to make public responsibility. We want the public myself feel normal. I reached the to realize drunks shouldn’t be jailed, but melancholic stage and twice tried to sent to hospitals – because a drunk is as commit suicide. I was a confirmed drunk sick as a man with a mortal disease. But – and didn’t know it. It was then that my he can, with proper treatment, become a useful citizen. I am proof of that. And I friends persuaded me to go to a sanitarium. am devoting all my energies to aid those who are afflicted with this dread disease. B: What treatment did they use there?

M: Psychiatric treatment and it helped a lot – but not enough. Then one day my doctor handed me a copy of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. I was furious with him. I was not an alcoholic! In a fit of temper I threw the book across the room. The book landed on the floor open. More angry than ever I went across the room to pick it up and my eyes lighted on the words, “We cannot live with anger.” The words were so apropos of my mood it

July 1946

VETERANS OF TWO WORLD WARS FIND HELP IN OWN HOSPITAL GROUP

The first A.A. group in a veterans’ his release. A.A. had confidence in him, hospital, although stated primarily to aid arranged for his discharge from the World War I servicemen, is proving hospital, and got him a job in the vicinity. equally effective in helping uncontrolled Joe made good, later got a job in his drinkers who served in the recent war. home town, and has since been reunited In the fall of 1941, an A.A. with his wife. member living near the Northport (L.I.) Ted, an aviator of the First World Veterans’ Hospital told the commanding War who had kicked around with A.A. officer of that facility about A.A. and his since its inception without making the willingness to carry the message to grade, ended up in the Northport alcoholic patients. Three years later – in Veterans’ Hospital in 1939. In 1941 he – November, 1941 the officer took him up managed to get a commission in the Air on the offer. Corps, but within a short time he drank Two World War I patients at the himself out of the service and back into hospital had heard about A.A. and the hospital. Recently he was again wanted additional information. After the discharged from the hospital after several A.A. talked to them, arrangements were more trips in and out. But now he has made to form a group at the hospital. that “something” that gives A.A.s faith in About a week later, eight patients a fellow-member. – – all veterans of World War I attended Medical officers and employees of the group’s first meeting. Meetings have the hospital give the group their support been held every Sunday night since, and and co-operation. One employee, Charlie at present are attended by 15 to 30 C., got his start in A.A. through the patients. Only World War I veterans were group. He has since been instrumental in present at early meetings, but now the forming a group at Kings Park State attendance is divided about equally Hospital on Long Island. between veterans of both world wars. The A.A.s who are contributing to To date about 60 members of the the success of the A.A. group at the group have been discharged from the Northport Hospital hope that they are hospital. Although no exact check can be laying the groundwork for a program long made on them, only ten have returned, needed by veterans. Through this kind of most of the ten have been discharged. work, the many veterans with alcoholic – One member of the group Joe, a tendencies returning from the recent war veteran in his early thirties with may be able to recognize their ailment submarine service in the recent war – without waiting fifteen years or more – as had been committed to the hospital by many World War I veterans did. his wife. Because of her past Fred S., Manhattan. experiences with him, she refused to sign

July 1946

The Individual In Relation to A.A. as a Group By Bihl

It may be that Alcoholics he says so.; that we can’t deny him his deference to your views, that Point does Anonymous is a new form of human membership; that we can’t demand from look just a little impractical to outsiders. society. him a cent; that we can’t force our beliefs After all, the whole world today is but the The first of our 12 Points of A.A. or practices upon him; that he may flout sad story of how most men have lost I

I Tradition states “Each member of everything we stand for and still be a their conscience and so cannot find their Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part member. In fact, our Tradition carries the way. Now come you alcoholics (unstable of a great whole. A.A. must continue to principle of independence for the people, too, you’ll admit) and you blandly live or most of us will surely die. Hence individual to such an apparently fantastic tell us: 1. That A.A. is a beautiful our common welfare comes first. But length ,that, so long as there is the socialism – most democratic. 2. That A.A. individual welfare follows close slightest interest in sobriety, the most is also a dictatorship, its members aftetward.” This is a recognition, common unmoral, the most anti-social, the most subject to the benign rule of God. And in all forms of society, that the individual critical alcoholic may gather about him a finally, 3. That A.A. is so very must sometimes place the welfare of his few kindred spirits and announce to us individualistic that the organization fellows ahead of his own uncontrolled that a new Alcoholics Anonymous Group cannot discipline its own members for desires. Were the individual to yield has been formed. Anti-God, anti- misbehaviour or unbelief. nothing to the common welfare there medicine, anti-our Recovery Program, could be no society at all – only self-will even anti-each other these rampant Crux of Our Creed run riot; anarchy in the worst sense of individuals are still an A.A. Group if they that word. think so! “So, continued our friends, “within Our non-alcoholic friends the society of Alcoholics Anonymous it Apparent Contradiction sometime exclaim, “Did we hear you say appears to us that you have a that A.A. has a sound social structure? democracy, a dictatorship and an Yet Point Three in our A.A. You must be joking. To us, your Tradition anarchy, all functioning at once. So these Tradition looks like a wide-open invitation Number Three looks about as firmly sleep quietly in the same bed – these to anarchy. Seemingly, it contradicts grounded as the Tower of Babel. In your same concepts whose conflict is tearing Point One. It reads, “Our membership Point One you plainly say that group apart our world of today? Yet we know ought to include all who suffer welfare comes first. Then you evidently that A.A. works. So you people must alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none proceed, in Point Three, to tell every A.A. have somehow become reconciled to who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. that nobody can stop him if he thinks and these great forces. Tell us, if you can, membership ever depend on money or does exactly what he pleases! True what holds A.A. together? Why doesn’t conformi@. Any two or three alcoholics enough, your Second Point speaks A.A. tear apart, too? If each A.A. has gathered together for sobriety may call vaguely about an ultimate authoritu, ‘A personal liberty which can amount to themselves an A.A. Group.” This clearly loving God as he may express himself in license, why doesn’t your A.A. society implies that an alcoholic is a member if our G r o u ~ conscience.’ With all blow up? It ought to, yet it doesn’t.”

Our friends of the world outside, alcoholic on the list had been given a Anonymous. It all boiled down to a so puzzled over this paradox, are apt to good exposure. Most of them had simple question of ‘do or die.’ I had to miss a most significant statement as they attended A.A. meetings for several conform to A.A. principles – or else. No read our Point One. It is this: “A.A. must months. After slipping and sliding around more anarchy for me. So I’m back.” continue to live or most of us will surely they had all disappeared. Some said they This illustration shows why we of die.”. were not alcoholic. Others couldn’t stand A.A. must hang together “or else hang That stark assertion carries a for our belief in God. Many had separately.” We are players at a stern world of meaning for every member of developed intense resentments toward drama where’ death is the prompter to Alcoholics Anonymous. While it is their fellows. Anarchists at heart, they those who falter. Could anyone imagine perfectly true that no A.A. group can could not conform to our society. And a more powerful restraint upon us than possibly coerce an alcoholic to contribute because our society did not conform to this? money, to conform to the 12 Steps of our them, they quit. But only ternporari& Yet the history of uncontrolled Recovery Program or to the 12 Points of Over the years, most of these so-called drinking shows that fear alone has A.A. Tradition, each A.A. member is, failures have returned, often becoming chastened but few alcoholics. Much more nevertheless, most powerfully compelled, magnificent members. We never ran after than fear is needed to bind us anarchists in the long run, to do these very things. them; they returned of their own accord. together. Several years ago, speaking at The truth is, that is the life of each A.A. Each time I spot one newly back, I ask Baltimore, I ran on at a great rate about member, there still lurks a tyrant. His him why he has rejoined our fold. the terrible sufferings we alcoholics had name is Alcohol. He is cunning, ruthless. Invariably his answer runs like this: endured. My talk must have had a strong And his weapons are misery, insanity “When I first contacted A.A. I learned flavor of self-pity and exhibitionism. I kept and death. No matter how long we may that alcoholism is a disease; an referring to our drinking experience as a be sober, he always stands at each obsession of the mind that compels us to great calamity, a terrible misfortune. After man’s elbow, ever watchful of an drink, and a sensitivity of the body that the meeting I was approached by a condemns us to go mad or die if we Catholic clergyman who genially opportunity to resume his destruction. keep on. I also learned that A.A. worked, remarked, “I heard you say you thought Like an agent of the Gestapo he ever at least for some alcoholics. But I then your drinking was a great misfortune. But threatens each A.A. citizen with torture or disliked A.A. methods, hated some of the it seems to me that in your case it was extinction. Unless, of course, the A.A. alcoholics I met there and I still toyed your great good fortune. Was not this citizen is willing to live unselfishly, often placing the welfare of A.A. as a whole with the idea that I could do the job of terrible experience the very thing which ahead of his own personal plans and quitting all by myself. After several more humbled you so completely that you ambitions. Apparently no human being years of terrible drinking, which I found I were able to find God? Did not suffering can force alcoholics to live happily and was powerless to control, I gave up. I open your eyes and your heart. All the usefully together. But Mr. John returned to A.A. because it was the only opportunity you have today, all this Barleycorn can – and he often does! place left to go; I’d tried everything else. wonderful experience you call A.A., once Arrived at this point, I knew that I must had its beginnings in deep personal Rugged Souls Return act quickly; that I must adopt the 12 suffering. In your case that was actually Steps of the A.A. Recovery Program; that no misfortune. It was your great good A story will illustrate: Some time I must cease hating my fellow alcoholics; fortune. You A.A.s are a privileged ago we made a long list of our seeming that I must now take my place among people.” failures in the first years of A.A.. Every them as a very small part of that great whole, the society of Alcoholics

*- even if they did insist on thinking me happiness’throug’h power and acclaim. Searchlng the Motives their teacher, Ishould actually feel myself Finally, some incident, perhaps a sharp That simple yet profound remark their pupil. I saw that I had been living reverse, opens our eyes still wider. Then, affected me deeply. It is a landmark in too much alone, too much aloof from my as we learn our new lesson and real& my life. It set me thinking as never before fellows, and too deaf to that Voice within. accept its teaching we enter a new level Instead of coming to Baltimore as a of better feeling and doing. Life takes on about my relationship to my fellow A.A.s single agent hearing the message of a finer meaning. We glimpse realities It caused me to question my own experience, I had come as a founder of new to us; we apprehend the kind of love motives. “why had I come to Baltimore Alcoholics Anonymous. And, like a which assures us that it is more blessed anyway? Had I come only to enjoy the salesman at a convention, I had been to give than to receive. These are some applause and approval of my fellows? wearing my identification badge so that of the reasons why we think that Was I there as a teacher or a preacher? all might well see it. How much better it Alcoholics Anonymous may be a new Did I fancy myself a great moral would have been, had I felt gratitude form of society. crusader?” On reflection, I shamefacedly rather than self satisfaction – gratitude Each A.A., group is a safe haven. admitted to myself that I had all these that I had once suffered the pains of But it is always circumscribed however, motives, that I had been taking a alcoholism, gmtitude that a miracle of by the tyrant Alcohol. Like the men on vicarious and rather self-centered recovery had been worked upon me from Eddie Rickenbacker’s raft, we who live in enjoyment out of my visit. But was that above, gratitude for the privilege of the haven of A.A. cling together with an all? Had I no better motive than my serving my fellow alcoholics and intensity of purpose which the outside natural craving for prestige and applause? Had I come to Baltimore in gratitude for those fraternal ties which world seldom comprehends. The anarchy bound me ever closer to them in a of the individual melts away. Self love response to no better or deeper need comradeship such as few societies of subsides and democracy becomes a than that? Then followed a flash of men have ever known. Truly did the reality. We begin to know true freedom of realization. Underneath my shallow and childish vainglory I saw Someone much clergyman say, “Your misfortune has the spirit. The awareness grows that all become your good fortune. You A.A.s is well; that each of us may implicitly greater than 1 at work! Someone who are a privileged people.” trust in Him who is our loving Guide from sought to transform me; who would, if I permitted, sweep away my less worthy within – and from above. Anarchy Melts desires and replace them with truer aspirations. In these I might, were I humble enough, find peace. My experience at Baltimore was At that moment 1 saw ever so not unique. Every A.A. has such spiritual clearly why I really should have come to landmarks in his life – moments of insight Baltimore. I should have journeyed there which draw him closer to his fellows and with the happy conviction that I needed to his Maker. The cycle is ever the same. the Baltimoreans even more than they First we turn to A.A. because we may die needed me; that I needed to share with if we don’t. Next, we depend upon its them both their burdens and their joys; fellowship and philosophy to stop our that I needed to feel at one with them, drinking. Then, for a time, we tend once merging myself into their society; that more to depend upon ourselves, seeking

August 1946

CHICAGO ASSURES YEARLINGS A PART ON THE PLATFORM

One of the initial acts of the newly formed Policy Committee of the Chicago Group was to recommend a new pattern for the large, joint meeting which is held each Tuesday night for all of the Groups in the Chicago area. The new policy, adopted by the Set-Up Committee which remains the final authority in Chicago Group affairs, provides that each Tuesday night program will have four first year members as speakers with a fourth, fifth or sxth year member as chairman. The policy was evolved out of the thought that if the speakers’ lists were reserved for the older members who continued to appear on subsequent anniversaries, they would displace the one-year people and, at the rate of the Chicago Group’s growth, the multiple anniversaries would exceed the first appearances. Under the new policy, the Program Committee has divided the Chicago area into subdivisions with one committee member having responsibility for a number of adjoining groups. Each area will provide speakers for a night, set well enough in advance to assure proper preparation.

4, – October 1946

“DOWN UNDER” A.A.s REPORT STEADY GROWTH

AUSTRALIAN BRANCH NOTES No.1 work; this place can accommodate 20 or Our greatest asset (apart from our (By One of the Original Members) so people and in it we have our meeting founders) is one Frank Sturge Harty. He room, where we congregate twice is a veteran of World War I, and now weekly. runs a radio session of the personal The Australian branch of An Australian A.A. census has problems type. Frank is an untiring Alcoholics Anonymous came into being never been taken, but we estimate our worker for A.A., both on the air and off it. in October, 1944. Its founders (all non- membership at 150. It is too early to Tall, dark and soldierly-looking, he is to alcoholics) were the Reverend Father state how many have completely be seen at almost every meeting and T.V. Dunlea (parish priest of Sutherland, recovered, but probably no more than 12. frequently visits our home at Sutherland. N.S.W.), Dr. S.J. M i n o q u e Fifty-odd have shown very marked Although not himself an alcoholic, his life (superintendent of the Rydalmere Mental improvement, their relapses occurring has been as varied and has had as Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W..), and Mr. A.V. less frequently as time goes on. The rest many ups and downs as that of the Mckinnon (a mental nurse in a Sydney are just floundering around. average inebriate, which naturally helps mental hospital). Our greatest difficulty has been to him to understand us the better. – RexA. Father Dunlea is a born persuade many new members to carry benevolent in his early fifties, his hand out 12th Step work. No matter how much forever dipping into his pocket to help we talk, plead or point out the dreadful those in distress. Dr. Minogue belongs to consequences of failure to help their the same generation as the priest, is fellow drunk, these lads and lasses just kindly and tolerant of disposition and has listen and continue to follow their policy A letter from Dr. Minoque, who is made alcoholism a life-long study. Mr. of selfish and masterly inactivity. Then identified in the above correspondence, McKinnon is just on the right side of they crash. And we tell ’em why they brings more heartening news: forty, and although ottrclally a layman, hrs crashed – failure to implement the 12, “Since my last letter things have knowledge ot alcoholrcs and ot and particularly the 12th, Step. We help taken a decided tum for the better. The alcoholrsm IS advanced. them to their feet again, get them jobs picture, ‘Lost Weekend,” did us a power Our first meeting was held in a and away they go, keeping sober, buying of good. R. wrote an article on A.A. and , ramshackle humpy in the depths of themselves new suits and frocks, but inebriates and this was published in our typical Austrdiiarl bushiand duii green utterly and completely ignonng the 12th leading newspaper. I also gave an and with that solemn melancholy of and most ot the Other Steps, trll they interview to another daily and the article which our poets so often write. Now, in crash agarn and nave to pawn tnetr new treated the whole subject, for a daily 1 June, 1946, we have a convalescent home at Sutherland, capable of housing 20 or 30 patients, who are in need of suits and frocks to keep up their supplies of liquor. We don’t know what you Americans do with these lads and newspaper, most sympathetically. Both these articles were sought on account of the interest created by “Lost Weekend.” mental and physical rehabilitation, and iassies, but we wouid like to, for they The picture has had a very mixed have taken over a residential in Sydney give us dreadfui headaches. reception. While few have liked it, it has where members live, pay rent and go to

had a very good run and still continues to become too small! We did find that, as draw big crowds. our numbers increased, the personal YHowever, as a result of this touch was lost. We now intend to revert publicity, we have had numerous back to the original idea of Bill and to inquiries, many contacts and new meet .more frequently in each others’ members. The members we are now homes. In this way we hope to prevent getting are the type we have sought many relapses. since the beginning, professional men “A very good piece of news is that and business executives. Also, many a church organization in Melbourne who came are not the true inebriates, but (capital of Victoria, the second biggest men who realize that they are drinking city in the Commonwealth with a too heavily and must give it up. Returned population of over a million) sent over a soldiers predominate, especially those representativeto investigate A.A. He was with anticky shakes. The lot of these men so pleased that he is to select two is particularly hard. They are ignored by alcoholics and will send them to Sydney, the repatriation and no one wants them. 600 miles from Melbourne. We will board Last night, for example, I admitted here them at Christmas House and teach an officer who had been a P.O.W. in them A.A. methods. Japan for three and a half years. He has “A pleasing feature is that we feel been drinking since his return nine that we have broken down some of the months ago and now has lost his job and prejudices against us and that we are is threatened with divorce. getting more cooperation, however slight it may be. Doctors ring me up about New Interest Created patients and inquiries continue to come “We have split up our meetings, from all parts. On the 27th I am to one on Tuesday night, a social evening, address a meeting of the B.M.A. one on Friday night for inebriates only. (correspondingto your American Medical As the attendance on Fridays has grown Association) on alcoholism. This should to over 30, we are on verge of splitting further increase interest in A.A. amongst up into a number of sub-groups. A doctors in Australia.” chemist, Fred E., is to form one at Manly (a seaside suburb about 10 miles from the city), and R. is to form one at Millers Point, the docking suburb of Sydney Harbor. It seems like a dream – R. and B. meeting in my house for months, then at R.’s place; this in turn became too small. Then the rooms in North Sydney, then to Vianny House. Now Vianny House has

October 1946

TRUSTEES ISSUE STATEMENT ON FUND RAISING

At a special meeting on September 10, 1946, the trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation, through their Policy Committee, issued the following statement as a press release and a bulletin to all A.A. members. “It has come to our attention that several local and national organizations are soliciting contributions of money from the public through personal appeals and letters from which the public may infer sponsorship by Alcoholics Anonymous. “In view of this fact, we feel that a restatement of our policy in regard to such matters is necessary at this time. “No individual or special group of individuals has been or will be authorized to solicit funds under the sponsorship or with the sanction of the General Headquarters of Alcoholics Anonymous or The Alcoholic Foundation. “In view of this policy, Alcoholics Anonymous not only fails to endorse the present solicitations of funds but looks with disfavor on the unauthorized use of its name in any fund raising activity. “ALCOHOLICS – ANONYMOUS By: The Trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation. “Bill and Dr. Bob have asked us to urge secretaries of all groups to make certain that each member is familiar with the tradition and policy of Alcoholics Anonymous as expressed in the Trustees’ statement. Please read it to your group at one or more of its meetings; post it on the bulletin board if practical.”

October 1946

12th Annual Banquet To Be Held At Commodore Hotel

The Grand Ballroom of the Commodore Hotel will again be the scene of the annual dinner of Alcoholics Anonymous on Nov. 7th, when the 12th anniversary will be observed. Last year nearly 1,500 attended the dinner, and it is reported that most of the tickets for this year’s event have already been sold. The day’s program will include a reception at 4p.m., the banquet at 6, and the program at 3p.m. A number of representatives from out-of-town are expected to attend.

November 1946

What So You Think About Youth Group In Philadelphia? From Philadelphia

A group of A.A.s has been formed at Philadelphia for men and women, 35 years of age and under. This group was formed in January, 1946, with just six members, only three of whom had been dry the four months required for voting membership. This membership has since been expanded to about thirty, nearly half of whom have been dry over four months. We were under the impression when we began this group that we were trailblazers in the field, but reports from some of our visiting A.A.s have indicated that it has been tried before, although with very little success. We are not seeking pioneer credit in writing this letter, but rather, constructive criticism. We hope to hear from other groups throughout the country, giving us the benefit of your experience with young people and with such organizations as ours if they have been attempted. We were slow in getting started with our group and we are still proceeding with caution since it is apparent that our abilities lie more in the realm of prevention than in cure. Most young people have not been hurt badly enough or often enough, so they think, to feel that they are in any need of what we in A.A. have to offer. It is feared that for this reason we will experience more than a normal number of relapses, and that our progress will of necessity be slow. However, many of our later members have admitted that had it not been for this young group they would not have stuck to A.A. So, we are doing some good. Let’s hear from other groups. We would like your suggestions, advice, criticism and opinions on what we are trying

November 1946

Little Rock Group ‘Mothers’ Southwest

As the Little Rock, Arkansas group goes into its seventh year the title of “Mother Group of the Southwest” is being used frequently in tribute to the manner in which younger groups turn to it for advice and speakers. Batesville group recently celebrated its first anniversary with the speakers including its founder, inducted into A.A. in Little Rock, while a Little Rock member was the principal speaker. The chapter has furnished speakers at Community Chest Groups, Chamber of Commerce meetings, church men’s groups and civic clubs as well as principal speakers at Chattanooga, El Dorado and Monticello. For the Atlanta regional meeting the men of Little Rock chartered a plane and flew a delegation of 22 to attend. Many of the more than 300 who have completed the unique Little Rock program have established groups in the state and adjoining states.

November 1946

Moochers Down-Under AUSTRALIAN BRANCH NOTES No. 2 (By One of the Originals) From Sydney, Australia

The Australian Main Branch of Cold Shoulder Works Alcoholics Anonymous now holds two meetings weekly at its Headquarters, Our founders advised us not to ironically enough a delicensed public give them money or help them in any house in Sydney. These meetings are way; we first commenced taking this held on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting at attitude (feeling rather mean about it) on & P.M. On Tuesdays we may bring our Friday, July 5. At the subsequent wives, sweethearts, minister of religion meetings not one of them put in an and friends who are interested. Friday is appearance. So it seems there were set apart for alcoholics only, except that more interested in supplementing their founders and Mr. Frank Sturge-Harty incomes than in learning how to be dry (whom we regard as a sort of Deputy and happy. Founder) may attend if they wish. On A branch of Alcoholics Anonymous odd occasions one or more of them may has now been established at Manly (a appear, but mostly we are left to seaside suburb of Sydney) and another ourselves. is expected to be established at On Friday, July 5, there was a Katoomba, a mountain town 70 miles large attendance (some 50 or 60 being west of Sydney. There has for some time present). Six or seven were drunk, but no been a branch at Barellan in central New one took much notice of this. South Wales. Another branch may soon Of later months a certain element be established in Melbourne, capital city has been of some bother to us. They are of the State of Victoria. Melbourne has a male members who have been turning population of 1,200,000 as compared to up quite regularly – sometimes sober, Sydney’s 1,350,000. Sydney is the sometimes not. They move from member capital of the State of New South Wales. to member, getting a cigarette here, a Further, we are trying to urge the shilling or two there. They never under Australian Red Cross Society to establish any circumstances make the slightest a branch in Adelaide, capital city attempt to live the 12 Steps, and are, at (300,000 people) of the State of South times, a disorganizing influence at Australia. – R.A. meetings.

December 1946

1,700 A.A.s and Friends Attend Annual Dinner

More than 1,700 members of Alcoholics Anonymous and their friends – representing A.A. Groups from all sections of the United States – attended the organization’s 11th annual dinner on November 7, at the Hotel Commodore, New York. The dinner was sponsored by the New York Intergroup Association of A.A. Bill W., one of the two co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, delivered the principal A.A. address at the dinner. He reviewed A.A.s tremendous growth in the past few years and predicted its future. “If we remember that our first duty is face-to-face help for the alcoholic who still suffers from his illness, we need not worry about our future,” he said. Drawing a contrast between A.A. of today and a similar organization, The Washingtonians, of 100 years ago, he pointed out how important it is to adhere to simple principles if A.A. is to survive. He compared the principles of the Franciscan order of 700 years ago to the principles of A.A. today, and concluded with a restatement of the Twelve Points of Tradition that have evolved through experience in A.A. Dr. John J. Millet, well known psychiatrist, was the principle non-alcoholic speaker. Dr. Millet proposed more active cooperation between physicians and members of A.A. on the problem of alcoholism. Other speakers were a woman of A.A. and two men members. All told their stories of recovery from alcoholism through A.A. Rev. James P. Timmons of The Catholic Tmscnpt, Hartford, Conn., delivered the invocation and the benediction.

March 1947

Roundup In Texas Set for June 16-18

The Top o’ Texas National Round-upand Barbecue will be held at Amarillo on June 16- 18, it has been announced through the Weekly Bulletin of that group. Preliminary estimates of the attendance indicate 5,000 alcoholics and their wives as a possible attendance as the dates were arranged to fall in vacation season and on Monday through Wednesday when hotels and tourist courts, which have promised full cooperation, will be best able to handle visitors. The idea of a National Round-up of Alcoholics Anonymous was first brought up by Horace Fort, assistant director of the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism, in a meeting at Carlsbad, N.M. The plan was adopted enthusiastically at a meeting of the Amarillo Group and was first announced outside at the state convention in Austin, Tex., in October. Texas groups immediately endorsed the idea and pledged full support. The Weekly Bulletin is now going to all groups in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas in addition to the regular circulation to all Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma groups, and is being extended to cover the entire United States by April 1. Full information on plans and program will be carried. Nationally known speakers, a three-day rodeo, barbecues, dinners, luncheons and other entertainment are planned.

April 1947

lntergroup Office Handles inquiries For New York Area

Serving the greater New York area arrange hospitalization for sick alcoholics Auditorium, 29 West 39 Street, ~ e ~wo r k . seven days a week – including Sundays – who request it, to act as liaison between In addition, a monthly “special eventsn the lntergroup Association of Alcoholics member groups of the association, to lntergroup meeting is arranged in that Anonymous plays an important part in handle public relations for the New York auditorium. A.A.’s program of helping the sick area and to plan and conduct the weekly Each week a mimeographed alcoholic to recover in the New York area. lntergroup meeting. bulletin goes out from the office to the The association, which was To carry out its aims, the office is secretaries of the member groups. Once organized last winter and which opened staffed by two paid secretaries and a month, a bulletin, in color, goes out to its offices at 194 East 75 Street, New numerous volunteer workers who carry the groups announcing the programs of York, on December 1, 1946, is a non- out the 1 2 ~Step work. It is a busy place – the next two “special events” lntergroup stock, non-profit member corporation the office handles more than 140 meetings. From time to time, a printed list composed of delegates from more than 33 telephone calls daily and an average of 40 of the open and closed meetings of all A.A. groups in the New York metropolitan letters a day. groups in the New York area goes out to area. On weekdays, the office opens at the groups. The officers of the association – 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. On Sundays president, secretary, financial secretary and holidays, the office is open from 12 Volunteers Explain A.A. and treasurer and its board of directors noon to 6 p.m. A telephone answering are elected by the delegates. A steering service goes into operation when the A considerable amount of work and committee, composed of the five officers office is closed. an equal responsibility falls on the and four board members, directs the The paid secretaries spend a volunteer A.A. workers who are on duty in affairs of the lntergroup office. large part of their time arranging the office. Four desks for volunteer Two delegates from each hospitalization for alcoholics who request workers – both men and women – are participating A.A. group in the New York it. Most of the persons are sent to provided at all times. area form the general assembly of the Knickerbocker Hospital, New York, where These volunteer workers answer the association. At present the area includes A.A.s are allowed to visit the patients and telephone, if the caller is a personseeking the counties of New York, Bronx, Queens, inform them of the A.A. program of aid or information, talk the problem over Kings, Richmond, Westchester, Nassau recovery. Other hospitalizationis available with him. If hospitalization is indicated, the and Suffolk. in New York, however, and, depending on volunteer worker turns the call over to a the availability of bed space and the need, secretarj. Volunteers are the first person Acts As Liaison the secretaries make the arrangements. to see the visitors to the office. If the The planning and conducting of the visitor is an alcoholic interested in According to Fred M., president of lntergroup meeting of A.A. each week is becoming a member of A.A., the volunteer another function of the office. Speakers interviews him, tells him the story of A.A. the association, the purposes of the are chosen and a program arranged each And directs him to the group nearest his organization are: to handle inquiries and week for the meeting in the Engineering referrals for newcomers to A.A., to

home. As all of this type of work is Feeling better, the man was considered 12m Step work, the paid directed by the volunteer worker to the secretaries do not handle it. South Bronx Group, nearest his home.. At The following case which was present, the man is sober, an active A.A. handled recently, illustrates how the in the Bronx Group and has been lntergroup office functions: reemployed by his company. At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, a 35-year-old man visited the ofice. An Plenty of 12″ Step Work interview with a volunteer worker disclosed that the man not only needed According to the secretaries, the medical attention but was jobless and lntergroup telephone number will be listed without money. in all directories of New York in the very near future. At present the telephone Medical Attention Arranged number is Butterfield 8-9643. “We sure could use more volunteers,” one of the After hearing the man’s story, the secretaries said. “It’s the very best kind of volunteer called a doctor who is Step work,” said the other. sympathetic to A.A. The doctor agreed to see the man who was escorted to the doctor’s office by another volunteer worker. The man received the necessary medicines and an injection of Vitamin B. He was then escorted back to the office. Further talk with the man disclosed that he had been discharged from his job on Christmas Eve for drinking; that he had continued to drink until he became drunk, when he was rolled; that he had continued drinking and had drawn all of his money from the bank. When his funds were exhausted, the man begged, borrowed and stole to get liquor for a period of three weeks when his wife and family held a council of war to decide whether to commit him to an institution. Alcoholics Anonymous, however, was suggested and this suggestion brought the man to the ofice.

April 1947

Clubs In A.A. Are They With Us to Stay?

The club idea has become part of clubs degenerating into mere hangouts, When A.A. was very young we A.A. life. Scores of these hospitable even “joints;” they stress the bickerings met in homes. People came miles, not havens can report years of useful that do arise over questions of money, only for the A.A. meeting itself, but to sit service; new ones are being started management, and personal authority; hours afterward at coffee, cake, and monthly. Were a vote taken tomorrow on they are afraid of “incidents” that might eager intimate talk. Alcoholics and their the desirability of clubs a sizeable give us unfavorable publicity. In short, families had been lonely too long. majority of A.A.s would record a they “view with alarm.” Thumbs down on Then homes became too small. resounding “yes.” There would be clubs, they say. We couldn’t bear to break up into many thousands who would testify that they little meetings, so we looked for a larger might have had a harder time staying Need for Clubs Established place. We lodged first in the work shop sober in their first months of A.A. without of a tailoring establishment, then in a clubs and that, in any case, they would Toward a middle ground, for rented room in Steinway Hall. This kept always wish the easy contacts and warm several years now, we have been feeling us together during the meeting hour. friendships which clubs afford. our way. Despite alarms it is quite settled Afterward we held forth at a cafeteria, but Being the majority view, we might that A.A.s who need and want clubs something was missing. It was the home suppose that a blanket endorsement for ought to have them. So the real concern atmosphere; a restaurant didn’t have clubs; we might think we couldn’t get is not whether we shall have them. So enough of it. Let’s have a club, someone along without them. We might conceive the real concern is not whether we shall said. So we had a club. We took over an them as a central A.A. institution – a sort have clubs. It is how we shall enhance interesting place, the former Artists and of “13th Step” of our Recovery Program them as assets, how we may diminish Illustrators Club on West 24th Street. without which the other 12 Steps wouldn’t their known liabilities; how we shall be What excitement! A couple of our older work. At times club enthusiasts will act sure, in the long future, that their members signed the lease. We painted as though they really believed we could liabilities so not exceed their assets. and scrubbed. We had a home. handle our alcohol problems by club life Of our four largest A.A. centers, Wonderful memories of days and nights alone. They are apt to depend upon two are club-minded and two are not. I at that first club will always linger. clubs rather than upon the A.A. Program. happen to live in one which is. The very But, it must be admitted, not all But we have A.A.s, rather a strong first A.A. club of all was started in New those memories are ecstatic. Growth minority, too, who want no part of clubs. York. Though our experience here may brought headaches; growing pains, we Not only, they assert, does the social life not have been the best, it is the one I call them now. How serious they seemed of a club often divert the attentions of know. So, by way of portraying the then! “Dictators” ran amuck; drunks fell members from the program, they claim principles and problems we need to on the floor or disturbed the meetings, that clubs are an actual drag on A.A. discuss, I shall use it, as an average “steering committees” tried to nominate progress. They point to the danger of illustration of club evolution, rather than their friends to succeed them and found as a model set-up. to their dismay that even sober drunks 90

couldn’t be “steered.” Sometimes we For example, the early Manhattan club they at least might want to pay the could scarcely get up the rent; card A.A. Club had members from every salary of its secretary. She was really players were impervious to any section of the metropolitan area, doing an “area” job. Surely this was a suggestion that they talk to new people; including New Jersey. After a while reasonable request. But it never got lady secretaries got in each others’ hair. dozens of groups sprang up in our anywhere. They just couldn’t mentally A corporation was formed to take over suburban districts. They got themselves separate the “area security” from the the clubroom lease so we then had more convenient meeting places. Our Manhattan Club. So, for a long time, our “officials.” Should these “directors” run Jersey friends secured a club of their area needs, our common A.A. problem, the club or would it be the A.A. rotating own. So these outlying groups, originally and our club management were tied into committee? spawned from the Manhattan Clubhouse, a trying financial and psychologicalsnarl. Such were our problems. We began to acquire hundreds of members found that the use of money, the need who were not tied to Manhattan either by Clubs Separate Business for a certain amount of club organization convenience, inclination or oldtime and the crowded intimacy of the place sentiment. They had their own local A.A. This tangle slowly commenced to created situations we hadn’t anticipated friends, their own convenient gathering unravel, as we began to get the idea that . Club life still had great joys. But it had places. They weren’t interested in clubs ought to be strictly the business of liabilities too, that was for sure. Was it Manhattan. those individuals who specially want worth all the risk and trouble? The This irked us New Yorkers not a clubs, and who are willing to pay for answer was “Yes” for the 24th Street little. Since we had nurtured them, why them. We began to see that club Club kept right on going, and is today shouldn’t they be interested? We were management is a pure business occupied by the A.A. seamen. We have, puzzled why they refused to consider the proposition which ought to be separately besides, three more clubs in this area, a Manhattan Club the A.A. Center for the incorporated under another name such, fourth is contemplated. metropolitan area. Wasn’t the club for example, as “Alanon;” that the running a central meeting with speakers “directors” of a club corporation ought to Start As Central Function from other groups? Didn’t we maintain a look after club business only; that an paid secretaiy who sat in the New York A.A. group, as such, should never get Our first club was known, of Clubhouse taking telephone calls for into active management of a business course, as an “A.A. Clubhouse.” The assistance and making hospital project. Hectic experience has since corporation holding its lease was titled arrangements for all groups in the area? taught us that if an A.A. rotating “Alcoholics Anonymous of New York, Of course, we thought, our outlying committee tries to boss the club Inc.” Only later did we realize we had groups ought financially to support the corporation or if the corporation tries to incorporated the whole of New York Manhattan Club; dutiful children should run the A.A. affairs of those groups who State, a mistake recently rectified. Of look after their “parents.” But our parental may meet at the club there is difficulty at course our incorporation should have pleas were no use. Though many once. he only way we have found to cure covered “24th Street” only. Throughout outlying A.A. members personally this is to separate the maten’al from the the country most clubs have started like contributed to the 24th Street Club, nary spirituaal. If an A.A. group wishes to use ours did. At first we regarded them as a cent did their respective groups ever a given club let them pay rent or split the central A.A. institutions. But later send in. meeting take with the club management. experience invariably brings a shift in Then we took another tack. If the To a small group opening its first their status, a shift much to be desired, outlyin~qroups would not support the clubroom this ~roceduremay seem silly we now think.

a because, for the moment, the grwp as the main center of a city many a club groups of an area will usually support members will also be club members. moves to larger and larger quarters, with group funds these truly central Nevertheless separation by early thinking to retain the central meeting for activities. Even though the club is still incorporation is recommendedbecause it its area within its own walls. Finally, large enough for intergroup meetings and will save much confusion later on as however, circumstances defeat this these meetings are still held, the center other groups start forming in the area. purpose. of gravity for the area will continue to Questions are often asked: “Who shift to the intergroup committee and its elects the business directors of a club?” Valuable Social Aids central activities. The club is left definitely And “Does club membership differ from outside; where, in the opinion of many, it A.A. membership?” As practices vary we Circumstance number one is that should be. Actively supported and don’t quite know the answers yet. The the growing A.A. will burst the walls of managed by those who want clubs, they most reasonable suggestions seem any clubhouse. Sooner or later the can be “taken or left alone.” these: Any A.A. member ought to feel principal or central meeting has to be Should these principles be fully free to enjoy the ordinary privileges of moved into a large auditorium. The club applied to our clubs, we shall have any A.A. club whether he makes a can’t hold it. This is a fact which ought to placed ourselves in a position to enjoy regular voluntary contribution or not. If he be soberly contemplated whenever we their warmth yet drop any that get too contributes regularly he should, in think or buying or building large hot. We shall then realize that a club is addition, be entitled to vote in the cll lbhouses. A second circumstance but a valuable social aid. And, more business meetings which elect the seems sure to leave most clubs in an “off important still, we shall always preserve business directors of his club corporation. center” position, especially in large cities. the simple A.A. group as that primary This would open all clubs to all A.A.s. That is our strong tendency toward spiritual entity whence issues our But it would limit their business conduct central or intergroup committee greatest strength. to those interested enough to contribute management of the common A.A. regularly. In this connection we might problems of metropolitan areas. Every remind ourselves that in A.A. we have no area, sooner or later, realizes that such fees or compulsory dues. But it ought to concerns as intergroup meetings, be added, of course, that since clubs are hospital arrangements, local public becoming separate and private ventures relations, a central office for interviews they can be run on other lines if their and information, are things in which members insist. every A.A. is interested, whether he has Club evolution is also telling us any use for clubs or not. These being this: In none but small communities are strictly A.A. matters, a central or clubs likely to remain the principal intergroup committee has to be elected centers of A.A. activity. Originally starting and financed to look after them. The

April 1947

Mexico City Group Welcomes Visitors

There’s an added attraction now in Mexico for the A.A. There are two Americans in the Mexico City Group: Tourist – a small, but vigorous group in the capital, Mexico City. Pauline D., formerly associated with the Washington, D.C., and The group meets in the Y.M.C.A. on Tuesday nights and Los Angeles Groups, and Les F., formerly of New Orleans. the fact that the American vacationer lacks knowledge of the The only deterrent likely to affect rapid growth of A.A. in Spanish language does not detract appreciably from his ability Mexico immediately is that there is no abundance of evidence to thoroughly enjoy and participate in the discussions of the among Mexicans of the dividends of sobriety, such as the alcoholic problem. At least half of the discussion is in English; newer A.A.s of our country are able to see in our larger or at least the group arranges it that way when a unilingual meetings and in our business contacts. visitor such as the writer shows up at a meeting. In Mexico, where there is virtually no such evidence, it The first Mexican member of the group is Fernando I., stands out sharply as an aid to recovery. But, if the light to a lawyer who made contact with A.A. six months ago. His story show the path to prolonged and contented sobriety is faint in of the mental, physical and economic tolls of alcoholism is no Mexico now – as it was when A.A. was in its infancy in this different, in substance, from those heard in A.A. meetings country a decade ago – there still is the vigor of a young throughout this country but there’s an indescribable charm in organization to make the bumps in the road seem less jarring. the way he tells it – partly in English, a string of Spanish now L.J.. Mincola. N.Y. and then when his enthusiasm carries him away, and, through it all, a broad assortment of gestures that actually help tell the story. His favorite yarn concerns the night he broke his ankle. Seems he had to jump off the roof of the family’s one-story home because his wife had locked the doors. She knew that Fernando was bender-bent. Neither Fernando, nor his charming wife and their children must in any way bow to any American family in their faith in the A.A. program. Senora I., her oldest daughter and a sister all accompanied Fernando to one of the meetings I attended. A.A. was the only topic discussed when we lunched at their home. The devotion of his family to our program of recovery indicatedthat A.A. will grow in Mexico. Those who live there are convinced the program will prove to be a vital factor in improving national health as it is in this country. It seems that not all of the spouses live north of the border.

May 1947

Adequate Hospita//iafion-..One Great Need

Despite the general effectiveness extremely conducive to a good first recovered on the spot or later came back of the A.A. program we often need the presentation of A.A. The vary fact that he and found their sobriety. help of friendly agencies outside A.A. has now landed in a hospital impresses This careful and considerate Nowhere is this more strikingly the new man with the seriousness of his attention can nowhere be better given true than in the field of hospitalization. situation. If he has gone there voluntarily than in the confines of a hospital. More Most of us feel that ready access to (which should be the case if at all and more, A.A. groups are adopting the hospitals and other places of rest and possible) he usually regards idea of “sponsorship.” Each newcomer is recuperation borders on the absolute hospitalization as the actual beginning of assigned a reasonably stable A.A. necessity. While many an alcoholic has his sobriety. It puts, as it were, a “period” member whose ward he becomes during somehow got over his bender without to his drinking. It is an admission that he his brief period of introduction to our way medical aid, and while a few of us hold needs help; that his drinking is out of of life. The “sponsor” helps make hospital the view that the hard “cold turkey” control; that he cannot do the job alone. arrangements, takes his man there, visits method is the best, the vast majority of Often enough, hospitalizationis the event him frequently and sees that he is visited A.A.s believe the newcomer whose case that beautifully clears his path to by other A.A.s whose experience might is at all serious has a much better acceptance of that all important 1st Step: be specially helpful. Hence a prospect so chance of making the grade if well handled has received a powerful shot of hospitalized at the outset. Indeed we see A.A. and a good preview of what our many cases where recoveries without society is like before he ever goes to a medical help would seem virtually meeting. At the hospital he has time to impossible, mentally so beclouded have soberly think through his situation, read With each passing year we they become, even when temporary our literature and exchange impressions increasingly realize the immense sober. with other alcoholics who are going importance of adequately presenting the program to every new prospect who is in through the same process. Contrast this Aids Receptivity with the frequent situation in which, for the least inclined to listen. Many of us feel this to be our greatest obligation to lack of hospitalization, the sponsor has to The primary purpose of try to “taper off” his prospect at home or him and our failure to do so our greatest hospitalizationis not to save our prospect drag him, half dazed, to an A.A. meeting dereliction. The difference between a the pain of getting sober; its real purpose where the new man proceeds to get a lot good approach and a bad one can mean is to place him in the state of greatest of confused impressions or unfounded life or death to those who seek our help. possible receptivity to our A.A. program. principles. While many of us have made We have seen excellent prospects who Medical treatment clears his brain, takes our first contact with A.A. under these receive nothing but our brief and casual away his jitters, and ifdone at a hospital unfavourable circumstances, and have notice continue their stumbling journey to he is kept there under control so that stuck nevertheless, there are probably the undertaker, while seemingly everybody knows just where and when many who do not stick on such a poor impossible cases who had received he can be visited. Moreover, the contact; people who might have careful and considerate attention atmosphere of most hospitals is remained with us had they been properly

hospitalized and sponsored. So, out of what is now a huge Though the trend is now in the Visiting A.A.s are admitted and meetings experience, our conclusions are these: right direction it has not yet produced any are held within the walls. While no That hospitalization is imperative in many large scale result. Except the fortunate asylum can, of course, be used as a cases and because the hospital provides few, most A.A. groups are up against it. simple sobering-up place only, it is true such a firm basis for good sponsorship is Reasonably priced or free hospital that asylum doctors are now often willing desirable even in the serious situation if accommodations for alcoholics is still to take cases on less evidence of the prospects are drinking or “foggy” woefully scarce. Each group has to do psychosis than formerly, provided they when contacted. They definitely have a the best it can. and the nearby A.A. group feel that a better chance if hospitalized. Let’s take stock, therefore, of what permanent recovery is possible. The Until recently few hospitals have is generally available today and what doctors are also more willing to commit wanted us alcoholics. We almost never kind of relations we can best cultivate promising patients for much briefer got really well; we had to manage and with existing agencies. Let us also periods and liberate earlier those who disturbed other patients; we were consider what part we ought to play in seem to be making good A.A. progress. regarded as sinners more than as sick securing improved hospitalization. So any A.A. group near an asylum which people and, as a class, we were Many A.A.s have been state contains alcoholics capable of recovery asylum inmates. While our treatment at can usually form these desirable financially irresponsible. The average these institutions has been far better than relationships with the authorities but they hospital management has always said, many suppose, it is a fact that the should nevertry to tell the doctors how to and with good reason, “why bother with average asylum superintendent still run the place! drunks? We can scarcely handle the prefers to handle insane persons. The We must never blame any doctor people who are ‘legitimately’ sick, people average mental case stays put for a who has not yet seen A.A. at work for his we can really do something for. Sobering while. Then too, for mental cases an skepticism. Let us remember he probably up drunks is a sheer waste of time and asylum could feel it was really doing has good reasons to be that way! money.” something either by way of custody or cure. But the average alcoholic, unless Cooperation Growing Attitude Changing permanently insane, was a headache. Brought in temporarily balmy he would Our experience with public Happily this attitude is changing promptly recover his sanity, at least hospitals in large cities has been varied. because it is now becoming clear to legally speaking, and’ would clamour to Here we usually find much reluctance to physicians and public alike that a true get out only to return in days or weeks. keep our good prospects even a few alcoholic is really sick, however lacking in No wonder the average institution days, unless, of course, they happen to character he may be. Hope has now disliked alcoholics. be delirious, psychotic, or physically taken the place of centuries of despair Now that so many of us are injured. These hospitals feel they have that anything much could be done for coming out of asylums to stay, the no right to use precious beds to sober up problem drinkers. A.A. and other authorities are everywhere becoming run-of-the-mill drunks. But as public agencies are now proving that recovery more cooperative. In many institutions hospitals become aware that we are is possible to hundreds of thousands and the alcoholics able and willing to recover bringing recovery to a substantial number that adequate hospital care can and must are placed in a ward of their own. They of their regular habitues they become play a vital part in this process. are no longer mingled with the insane. more hopeful and cooperative. Visiting

privileges are extended to us and realized, even by those who might be personalities, too many cooks spoiling promising case5 are kept severa1,days. tempted to take liberties with us, that the broth, usually bring about the The developmeot of these relations takes cooperation with A.A. is more profitable abandonment of such attempts. We have place slowly. The hospital has to be in the long run than non-cooperation. But reluctantly been obliged to see that an thoroughly coovinced that we are it must always be remembered that on A.A. group is primarily a spiritual entity; bringing recovev to enough patients to the whole our treatment at these places that as a group the less business it has justify any special consideration. is good – some of them are staffed by the to transact, the better. While on this Because public hospitals are mostly free warmest friends we have. I cannot forget theme it ought to be noted that practically or very moderate in their charges, we too that the first physician ever to take a all group schemes to finance or often abuse our privileges. We are serious and helpful interest in us is still a guarantee hospital bills for fellow tempted to asF special treatment for staff member of a private hospital for members have failed also. Not only do “slipees” who have no present idea of alcoholics; that the first psychiatrist to many such loans go unpaid, there is stopping drinkiog; we often insist on see the possibilities of A.A., and one who always the controversial question in the visiting at all hours and in any numbers; had the courage to go to bat for us group as to which prospects deserve we are likely to brag about A.A. as the before his profession, is the staff member them in the first place. only remedy for alcoholism and thus of a sanitarium. When such excellent In still other instances A.A. groups, incur the displeasure of hard working places offer us friendly cooperation we driven by their acute need for medical nurses and doctors who might otherwise surely ought to return it in kind. aid, have started public money raising be glad to help us. But these natural Many sanitariums and private campaigns to set up “A.A. hospitals” in mistakes are u$ually corrected and we hospitals are necessarily too high priced their communities. These efforts almost finally come up with a friendly, clear-cut for the average alcoholic. Public hospitals invariably come to naught. Not only do relationship which is often handled in being too few, asylums and religious these groups intend to go into the large A.A. centers through our Intergroup institutions too seldom available, the hospital business, they intend to finance Central Offices or hospital committees. average group has been hard put to find their ventures by soliciting the public in spots where prospective members can the name of Alcoholics Anonymous. Private Doctor$ Helpful be hospitalized a few days at modest Instantly all sorts of doubts are expense. generated; the projects bog .down. We enjoy fine privileges with many This urgency has tempted A.A. Conservative A.A.s realize that business private sanitariums and “drying out” groups to set up drying out places of ventures or solicitations carrying the A.A. places. Occasi~nally the reverse has their own, hiring A.A. managers, nurses, endorsement are truly dangerous to us been true. Here and there we have found and securing the services of a visiting all. Were this practice to become general some tendency to exploit alcoholics – too physician. Where this has been done the lid would be off. Promoters, A.A. and much sedative, too many “tapering off” under the direct auspices of an A.A. otherwise, would have a field day. drinks, too long ~ n too d expensive stays, group it has always backfired. It has put an inclination to misuse the A.A. name the group into business, a kind of Rest Farms One Solution for business purposes, etC. But the business about which few A.A.s know tendencies are disappearing. It is anything at all. Too many clashing This search for reasonably priced and understanding medical treatment has

r l i 1 brought into being still another class of The question often arises about which we are extremely grateful. Quite facilities. These are rest farms and what to do with a severe case when no recently, other private and semi-private “drying out” places operated by individual hospital is available. First of all, we general hospitals have begun to show A.A.s under suitable medical supervision. ought, if possible, to call a doctor. We great interest. Sometimes they go so far These set-ups have proved far more should ascertain for the doctor’s benefit as setting apart wards for A.A. use, satisfactory than group directed projects. how long our man has been drinking and a d m i t t i n g a l c o h o l i c s on our As might be expected their success is in particularly whether he has been taking recommendation only, giving us exact proportion to the managerial ability much sedatives. We must leave this generous visiting privileges and very and good faith of the A.A. in charge. If he strictly to the doctor. reasonable rates. Arrangements of this is able and conscientious, a very good sort already functioning have been so result is possible; if neither, the place Treatment Up to Physician satisfactory to both hospitals and A.A. folds up. Not being a group project and that many such set-ups should soon be not bearing the A.A. name, these In some places A.A.s take turns active. In these situations we do not ventures can be taken or left alone. The sitting the clock around tapering off a participate in hospital management. We operation of such establishments is man with a bad hangover. Though this are afforded special privileges in always beset with peculiar difficulties. It can sometimes be done, the patient will exchange for our cooperation. is difficult for the A.A. manager to charge usually insist on tapering himself “upn high enough rates to make the venture instead of “off.” Now and, then we have Much Aid From Outside include a fair living for himself. If he to adopt the desperate expedient of does, people are apt to say he is putting a man in jail, especially if violent. It surly may be that the future professionalizing, or “making money out But when absolutely necessary, patience, looks bright. Much more hospitalization, of A.A..” Nonsense though this may often persuasion, and a doctor’s help will based on the certainty that we are a sick be, it is severe handicap nevertheless. generally do the trick – if the patient will people and that plenty can be done Yet, in spite of the headaches really try. If he won’t, there is little to do about it, is now on the way. We ought encountered, a good number of these but let him drink on until he has had gratefully to acknowledge the work of farms and sobering-up spots are in active enough. those agencies outside A.A. who are operation and can seemingly continue Among A.A.s one hears much strenuously helping this life-redeeming just as long as they are tactfully discussion about the merit of the several trend along State, county and municipal managed, do not carry the A.A. name, treatments. Actually, our only concern governments, large universities are and do not publicly solicit funds as A.A. about physical treatment is that of being agitating our cause. They are being ably enterprises. When a place has an A.A. in satisfied that the physician in charge seconded by various hospital and other charge we sometimes so take understands alcoholics. associations. While traditionally A.A. thoughtless advantage of the fact. We Two other promising prospects for does not ever exact any political or dump alcoholics into it just to get them good and reasonable priced promotional pressure, we can, as off our hands; we promise to pay bills hospitalizationare in view. These are the individuals, make our great need for and do not. Any A.A. who can various general hospitals which continue sufficient hospitalizationknown to all who successfully manage one of these “drunk to open their doors to us. Vary early in might be interested; emphasizing, of emporiumsn ought to be congratulated. A.A. history Catholic hospitals in a few course, that though we believe It is a hard and often thankless job midwestern cities saw our need and took hospitalization to be primarily a medical though it may bring him deep spiritual us in, regardless of denomination. Their ‘ problem for communities and physicians satisfaction. Pehaps this is the reason example has led other religiously to answer, we A.A.s would like to so many A.A.s wish to try it! oriented institutions to do likewise, for cooperate with them in every possible way.

May 1947

National Roundup In Texas Cancelled

Postponement of the national A.A. roundup and barbecue planned by Top-0′- Texas Group of Amarillo has been announced through The Weekly Bulletin of that group. Originally announced in The Bulletin for June 16-18, later discussions brought out that delayed opening of the clubhouse, lunchrooms and other activities, together with crowded conditions in hotels, made it advisable to defer plans.

May 1947

Dr. Silkworth Honored By New York A.A.s

More than 1,000 A.A.s attended a special Intergroup meeting in New York recently, a testimonial to Dr. W.D. Silkworth, of the Chas. 8.Towns and Knickerbocker Hospitals. Dr. Silkworth not only endorsed the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, when it was first published, but has worked tirelessly for more than ten years to lead sick alcoholics to A.A. Bill, who was helped tremendously by the little doctor even before A.A. assumed any importance, led the tribute. The degree of interest among A.A.s in the meeting was emphasized by the fact that some 500 persons had to be turned away from the Engineering Auditorium where the meeting was held!

May 1947

Hollywood Party Aids Building Fund

Big names were plentiful at the second annual party for the building fund put on by the Central Hollywood Group of Hollywood, Calif. The first half of the program included a vaudeville show in the theatre, seating 1,000, at the Hollywood Legion Clubhouse. Leon Errol and Charlie Irwin appeared for the second time with Bob Hope, Donald O’Connor, Keenan Wynn, Eddie Garr, Art Wayne, Billie DeWolf and others. At 9 o’clock, the voice of Bill, one of the founders, was brought in by wire for a short talk and later the theatre was cleared for dancing while downstairs in the cabaret room, which holds 600, the entertainment continued with games and refreshments. Although Central Hollywood took the initiative in the building fund, the building will be for all local groups for any A.A. purpose, business or recreational.

June 1947

LACK OF MONEY PROVED ADAD BOON

Thousands of newer A.A.s inquire, “Just what is The Alcoholic Foundation, “Missionaries?” what is its place in A.A., who set it up, Much discussion in a little meeting these very dreams. Providentially, neither why do we send it funds?” called by Dr. Bob and me at Akron in the the A.A. hospital nor our wholesale Most members, because their fall of 1937 developed a plan. This plan missionary dreams came rue. Had these groups are in frequent contact with our later proved to be approximately one- then materialized, A.A. would surely have Headquarters in New York, understand third right and about two-thirds wrong – been ruined. We would have gone that place to be a sort of a general familiar process of trial and error. professional on the spot. service to all A.A. Reading The A.A. Because the development of the first Then there was still a third dream. Grapevhe each month, they know The groups had been such a slow, hard That was to prepare a Book of Grapevine to be our principal monthly journal. But he history of The Alcoholic process we then supposed that none but – Experience the one we know today as Foundation and its relation to those vital seasoned pioneers could start new ones. Alcoholics Anonymous. We were sure functions, and to A.A. as a whole, they Though we had misgivings, it seemed that unless our recovery experiences scarcely understand at all. inevitable that about 20 of our solid were put on paper, our principles and Now for a bit of history. During its members would have to lay aside their practices would soon be distorted. We first years, Alcoholics Anonymous didn’t personal affairs and go to other cities to might be ridiculed in the press. Besides, even have that name. Anonymous, create new centers. Much as we disliked did we not owe at least a book to those nameless indeed, we consisted by late the idea, it appeared as if we must take alcoholics who couldn’t get to our 1937 of but three small clusters of on, temporarily at least, a squad of A.A. hospitals, or who, perchance, weren’t alcoholics – Akron, Ohio, he first group; missionaries. Plainly, too, these reached right away by our advancing New York City, the second, and a few missionaries and their families would missionaries! As everybody knows, he members at Cleveland, our third group to have to eat. That would take money – A.A. book dream did come true – the be. There were, I should guess, about 50 quite a lot of it, we thought. other dreams didn’t. members in all three cities. The very But that was not all. It was felt we But it surely looked, in 1937, as early pioneering period had passed, Dr. needed A.A. hospitals at Akron and New though we must have considerable Bob and I having first met at Akron in the York, these places being regarded as our money. Perhaps it was because I lived at spring of 1935. We were becoming sure twin “Meccas.” There excellent medical New York, where there is supposed to be we had something for those other care and high power spirituality could, we lots of it, that I was designated to set thousands of alcoholics who didn’t yet were sure, be sprayed on drunks who about raiding funds so our nameless know any answer. How were we to let would flock from all corners of the nation movement might have its “field workers,” them know; just how could the news be – once the magic word “cure” got around. hospitals and books. How simple it spread? That was the burning question. Even as many newer A.A.s still have appeared. Did we not already have (in such fancies, we oldtimers did dream pridefulimagination) the beginning of one

of the greatest social, medical, and call up and find out.” On what little thought, were over. If money was the spiritual developments of all time? events our destinies sometimes turn! answer, we had surely come to the right Weren’t we drunks all salesmen? Hadn’t How could either of us know that a place! I been a Wall Street man? How easy to simple phone message was to open a Following introductions, each raise money for such a cause as ours! new era in A.A.! That it was to alcoholic told his own personal story, The awakening from that money inaugurate The Alcoholic Foundation, the these accounts being enthusiastically dream was rude. It soon appeared that book AlcoholicsAnonymousand our A.A. confirmed by our ardent friend, Dr. people with money had little interest in Central Office. Silkworth. After which (with becoming drunks. As for our grandiose scheme of reluctance!) we brought up the subject of banding alcoholics together in squads, Encouragement money. As our hearers had seemed platoons and regiments – well, that was much impressed by our recovery stories, plainly fantastic, wasn’t it? Drunks, Two days after my brother-in-law’s we made bold to expand on the urgent people said, were difficult enough, one at call, we sat in the Rockefeller offices need for hospitals, “field workers” and a a time. Why present each American talking to Dick R. The most lovable of book. We also made it clear that this community with an organized regiment of men, Dick was the first of that early would take money quite a lot. them? Hadn’t the donors better put their series of non-alcoholic laymen who saw money into something constructive – like us through when the going was very Turn in Destiny tuberculosis or cancer? Or, why shouldn’t hard; and without whose wisdom and they invest in the prevention of devotion the Alcoholics Anonymous Then came one more tum in A.A. alcoholism? One more attempt to movement might never have been. When destiny. The chairman of the meeting, salvage hopeless drunks couldn’t he had heard the story, our new friend Albert Scott (now deceased), a man of possibly succeed. Such were the showed instant understanding. He large affairs, and profoundly spiritual in answers to our plea for money. immediately translated understanding into his nature, said in substance, “I am Then, one day, in the midst of action. He suggested that some of our deeply moved by what I have heard. I discouragement, something momentous alcoholic brotherhood meet with several can see that your work, thus far, has happened. It was another of those critical of his own friends and himself. been one of great good will .- one turning points in A.A. of which we have Shortly afterward, on a winter’s alcoholic personally helping another for seen so many that no man can call them evening in 1937, this meeting took place the love of the thing. That is First coincidence. At the office of my physician at Rockefeller Center. Present were Dick Century Christianity in a beautiful form. brother-in-law, I was bemoaning, in R., A. Leroy C., since known as “Chip,” But aren’t you afraid that the introduction typical alcoholic fashion, how little we Albert S., Frank A., and my brother-in- of hospitals and paid field workers might poor drunks were appreciated, especially law, Leonard S. Dr. Bob and Paul S. change all that? Shouldn’t we be careful by men of means. I was telling my came down from Akron. The New York not to do anything which might lead to a relative for the tenth time how we had to ex-topers numbered half a dozen and professional or propertied class within have money soon – or else. Listening were accompanied by Dr. William D. your ranks?” patiently, he suddenly said, “I’ve got an Silkworth, who, as the first physician ever These were great words for idea. I used to know a man by the name to champion our cause, had already Alcoholics Anonymous. We alcoholics of Dick R. He was somehow connected given us measureless help and admitted their weight. Disappointed that with the Rockefellers. But that was years encouragement. Of course, we alcoholics our hope of substantial money help ago. I wonder if he is still there. “let me were delighted. Our money troubles, we seemed to be fading, we confessed,

nevertheless, that we had often had such gave US a Sum which turned out to be, misgivings. But, we persisted, what are Foundationshould, we insisted, have two however, about one-sixth of the amount we going to do? It has taken us three Frank had suggested. His gift came in he classes of trustees alcoholics and nonyears to form three groups. We know we alcoholics. But, legally speaking, what spring of 1938 and its result was to help have a new life for those who die or go was an alcoholic anyhow, he queried, Dr. Bob and me through that very trying and if an alcoholic had stopped drinking, mad by thousands each year. Must our year. We ,could not have actively was he an alcoholic any more? Then, story wait while it is passed around by continued without i. Yet, money wise, our why two classes of,Trustees? That, said word of mouth only, becoming hopelessly budding movement of alcoholics was still our attorney, was unheard of. We garbled meanwhile? Finally our friends left very much on its own – just where it explained that we wanted our friends with agreed that something needed to be should have been left, too, however us. And besides, we urged, suppose all done. But they did continue to insist our difficult that seemed at the time. We still movement ought never be of us alcoholics should get drunk at had no “field staff,” no hospital and no once, who then would hang on to the professionalised. This struck the keynote book. money! Surmounting many such of our relation to these men of good will These were the events that led to obstacles, The Alcoholic Foundation was for all the years since. Rightly enough the formation of The Alcoholic finally inaugurated. It had four nonthey have never secured us large sums Foundation. The need for a volume alcoholics and three alcoholic Trustees. of money. But each has given of himself describing our recovery experiences They could appoint their own successors. to our cause, generously and loomed larger than ever. Were such a It was chartered to do everything under continuously; how much, few A.A.s can ever know. book to appear a great flow of inquiries the sun. So it had everything except from alcoholics and their families might money! Seeing clearly that we must now start. Thousands, maybe. These appeals spread the recovery message faster, they would certainly have to be cleared then suggested we might carefully through some sort of Central Office. That experiment with a small rest home at was most evident. Akron. This could be presided over by Dr, Bob who was, after all, a physician. Everything but Money Where upon early in 1938,Frank A., on his own time and with expenses paid by For these saner purposes, our his associates, went to Akron to friends suggested the formation of a investigate. He returned most Foundation to which givers might make enthusiastic. He was inclined to the tax free contributions. We alcoholics opinion that $30,000ought to be invested in a center for alcoholics. Our friend, Dick endlessly discussed this new project with R., showed Frank’s report to Mr. John D. them, consuming hours of their business Rockefeller, Jr., who at once manifested time. Frank A. and a friendly attorney, a warm interest. But Mr, Rockefeller also Jeff W., put much effort on the original expressed anxiety about Foundation Trust agreement. The lawyer professionalising us. Nevertheless, he had never seen anything like it. The new

Newspaper Series Helps Growth In Bermuda A series of 12 weekly articles on A.A. is currently being published in the Mid-Ocean News, Hamilton, Bermuda, and the response has been good according to the St. Georges, Bermuda, Group. The cooperation of the editor and publisher and the staff of the newspaper has done much toward a better understanding of alcoholic problems and the A.A. approach to recovery. Charles Jackson, author of The Lost Weekend, spoke informally at a recent meeting, emphasizing that until the public ceases to look upon the drunk as a humorous character, progress will be delayed in the general program of education on alcoholism. Although not an A.A., Mr. Jackson’s writing and talks have accomplished much 12thStep good. Visitors are invited to write Box 50, St. Georges, or phone 7395. Because of the wanderings of the rather cosmopolitan members the group varies, the latest news showing J.L.C. in Iceland on a new job; H.V.W., returned home to England after 10 years absence; R.G.R. and J.E.D. temporarily in the States; R.A.G. and C.R.T. back in Bermuda adfter leaves at home in the States.

June 1947

No A.A. Movie

Hal B. Wallis, motion picture producer, has cancelled plans to make a full-length motion picture about Alcoholics Anonymous. Present heavy schedules would defer production of a full-length picture about A.A. until late 1948, Mr. Wallis said. In view of this and the fact that several motion pictures have been and are being made on the subject of alcoholism, the trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation have decided to postpone indefinitely permission to make a full-length A.A. picture.

June 1947

One In A Million In All London

Strange and wonderful stories passport by airmail and was admitted to together for the first time. have been told of the things that happen the country. Eventually he arrived at a Consider the odds against the to A.A.s throughout the world. Usually, large hotel in London. meeting of this American A.A. and his they involve curious coincidences, odd After rearranging his clothing as British benefactor! There were only five events, out-of-the ordinary experiences. best he could, he took a seat in the A.A.s in the entire city of London. From London comes another which may lounge to ponder his desperate situation. A few weeks later, the man and his be classified as coincidence, luck or He had no personal friends in London. He wife were walking along the banks of a something more remarkable. was broke. All of his valuables were river in England. He turned to her and An A.A. who has had indifferent missing. He was tired and nervous and, said: success with the program for five years, by God, he needed a drink. “I have been thinking about my arrived in Paris on a business trip, Glancing at the large clock in the friend in London. I believe I know now accompanied by his wife. The temptations hotel, the man found he was so foggy he what the spiritual part of the program of the city were great; his faith was small. couldn’t read it, and neither did he know means.” Soon he was drunk. the date. He saw a well dressed The man disappeared for three Englishman seated on a divan and asked days. The wife, accustomed to the him for the time. A conversation drinking pattern of her husband, assumed developed. When he told the Englishman that he could not make the boat train for his story, the latter said: London as planned. She decided not to “It must be more than a take the train but to wait at her hotel in coincidence. Do you realize that there are Paris. only five A.A.s in the city of London and However, on the day planned for that I am one of them? Somehow we have the trip to London, the man awakened on met here.” the boat train. Rumpled, shaky and The rest of the story is unshaven, he pulled himself out oif a seat commonplace. The English A.A. took the to see the fast moving country-side in the man in tow, provided refreshment and window. A hurried examination disclosed friendship. He insisted that the man come that (1) he had no money and (2) no to stay with him at his house in London. passport. His watch was missing. Later, when the man was joined by his wife, all three attended the first A.A. Alone In London meeting ever held in England – a meeting that had been arranged by another On arrival in England, he convinced the American who was visiting England and authorities of his ability to obtain his who had brought the five A.A.s in London

June 1947

Hope Is Born for the Hope/ess Behind Doors of State Hospital

From Forrest Hills, N. Y: After having been a member of spiritual experience in that almost and it gave me much to think of. The A.A. for six months and thinking I had instantly, a wonderful feeling of serenity sacrifice and humility of this man stirred been doing a “good job,” I found myself such as I had never know, pervaded my me as no speech from an A.A. platform in Creedmore State Hospital, as the soul and a great strength of spirit upheld ever had. I had absorbed the A.A. result of about six weeks’ intermittent me, so that I was ready for the trial program in Creedmore as I had never drinking. I had once again taken the “first ahead. It is indeed a trial for an alco%olic before been able to. I learned A.A. I drink.” To a person with no knowledge of to be confined in a hospital with mental practiced A.A. I lived A.A. I was able to hospitals or mental institutions, this is a patients. assist other alcoholics and in many rude awakening to say the least. To me, From that moment, it was evident cases, to assist mental patients who it was the end of my entire life, or so I that God did completely “take over” and were there because of a drinking thought. But A.A. had taken hold and it from the beginning to the end of my stay problem of loved ones in their homes. took just this experience to prove to me at Creedmore, it was He who guided and In state institutions, various how it “works” inscrutably. strengthened me, smoothed the rough occupations are assigned patients as On the night before going to path one finds in such a place, shielded soon as they are prepared to work. I did Creedmore, I stood at the window of my me and finally released me with peace stenographic and secretarial work in the room in Bellevue Hospital, knowing the and joy and love in my heart. office with the staff psychiatrists and next day I was to enter this institution When I entered Creedmore, I was while the approach to alcoholism on the and feeling crushed to earth. The curious to know the kind of treatment part of the psychiatrist is far removed despair, torture, fear were indescribable. provided for alcoholics. Being in good from the A.A. program, this A.A. group at I looked out at the moon shining on the health, I soon found out as far as I was Creedmore has been able for more than river and thought how good the world concerned, there was no medical five years to successfully carry on in outside was; how desolate my future treatment, but that there was in this perfect harmony with the hospital staff. looked; confinement to what I did not institution and had been for the past five Alcoholics arrive in Creedmore, know, or for how long. I was terrified. years, an A.A. group therapy conducted broken in spirit; they are sent to A.A. In the past early days in A.A., I by a member of the Forrest Hills Group, meetings once a week and the majority thought I had given my life and will to a man who has been a patient at leave Creedmoor with hope for the future God, my Higher Power, but it suddenly Creedmoor more than six years ago. for they have found A.A. They are able to came to me that I had done so with Through these long years he has been rehabilitate themselves in society, find many reservations, even unconsciously. going weekly to the hospital to conduct happiness for themselves and others and It was then I saw how it could never fail A.A. meetings for the benefit of best of all, they do not return as a charge me. I must do this thing unreservedly. In alcoholics committed to this institution, of the state. this moment of retrospection, I made the arranging for their release, occupation The field is wide open in all state complete renunciation of life and will, and rehabilitation afterwards. All this he hospitals for A.A. work among akoholics. laying them before my God, asking only had been doing in an obscure manner. It is a most natural thing in a mental for physical strength to bear whatever the It was the only bright spot for me hospital for alcoholics to find each other future held for me. Truly this was my in all of my 126 days stay at the hospital and to cling together. With the operation

of A.A. group therapy once a week, it becomes a daily therapy where alcoholics are in close contact. The older members assist new members and to both it is a source of great comfort. In Creedmore the alcoholics look forward to Thursday evening as a special occasion. Since my release, I return weekly to “lend a hand” to this man in charge of the group at Creedmore and is the best medicine I can think of for an alcoholic. When I reflect upon all I secure in doing this, it is not surprising that the founder of this group has more than six years of sobriety behind him, that he enjoys a way of living rich in serenity, in peace, in joy and in love, – M.M.

June 1947

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN MEMPHIS

The Southeastern Regional Conference of A.A. has been scheduled for Memphis, Tenn., September 19 and 20 with several thousand men and women from 10 states expected to attend. Registration will begin Thursday afternoon, Sept. 18, with an informal gathering of members that evening. The program proper will require two full days. In addition to a number of inspirational and educational talks by A.A.s, plans are being made for special conferences on special topics in which there is keen interest, such as problems of group secretaries, A.A. club room management, ‘ sponsorship, hospital and public relations and others. Families, wives, husbands or best friends may attend. Activities are being planned for them while the A.A. sessions are being conducted. More specific information on the program and rates for accommodations will be sent out by the Memphis Group in a series of bulletins. All hotels in Memphis are cooperating and reservations are already being made. Address of the Memphis Group is P.O. Box 1364.

June 1947

NEWS ClRCUlT

– Institution Feels A.A. ~ f f e c tAn article, “Five Years of Progress,” published in Tle Clan’onof California Institution for Women, says: “In December, 1945, the initial meeting was held of Alcoholics Anonymous with a membership of 15. That group has now grown to 120 with regular meetings every Monday and open meetingswith outside groups the first Sunday of each month. The entire campus has felt the effect of this A.A. program for a better way of living.” In another part of the anniversary publication is an account of the visit of an A.A. Group from North Hollywood which concludes, “Live one day at a time. Be selfish to the extent that you let nothing come between you and your sobriety. Outside influences cannot effect you if you build from the inside out.”

July 1947

Book Pub/ication Proved Discouraging Venture

By Bill

(Second li, a series of articles recording the history help that would surely follow publication. share. Our confidence must have been of A.A.) boundless. Not only were we selling Nor might a commercial publisher, During the summer of 1938 we anxious for sales, advertise it as we common stock on a book to cure drunks solicited the well-to-dofor contributionsto would like it. – the book itself hadn’t yet been written. fill that brand new receptacle, our Amazingly enough, we did sell that stock, Alcoholic Foundation. Again we Publishers Without a Book $4,500 worth, to alcoholics in New York, encountered a strange indifference to New Jersey, and to their friends. No one drunks. Nobody was interested. We didn’t of the original 49 subscribers put up over These reflections led us straight get a cent that I can remember. We were into a typical alcoholic fantasy! Whv not $300. Almost everybody paid on monthly pretty discouraged; apparently instalments, being too broke to do publish the book ourselves? Though told providence had deserted us. With the otherwise; save, of course, our good by almost everybody who knew anything modest fund from Mr. Rockefeller running friends at Rockefeller Center. of publishing that amateurs seldom out, it looked like a lean winter ahead. Our agreement with the Works . produced anything but flops, we were not There could be no book, no office. What Publishing subscribers was that out of dismayed. This time, we said, it would be good, we complained, was an Alcoholic the first book income they were to get different. We had discovered that the Foundation without money! their money back; also that The Alcoholic bare printing cost of a book is but a By this time there had been Foundation was to receive the 10 percent fraction of its retail price and a national roughed out what are now the first two royalty I might have had from the magazine of huge circulation had offered chapters of the book now known as to print an article about us when our publisher. As for the shares of Works Alcoholics Anonymous. Our friend Frank book was furnished. This was a clincher. Publishing, the 49 cash subscribers were referred us to a well known publisher How could we miss? We could see to have one third, my friend Hank one who suggested the possibility of books selling by hundreds of thousands – third, and I one third. We also obtained a advancing royalties to me so the book money rolling in! loan of $2,500 from Charles B.T., could be finished. That made us feel fine What a promotion it was! An A.A. proprietor of a nationally known hospital until it was realized that if I ate up a lot of friend and I hastily organized the Works for alcoholics. A friend indeed, he was to royalties while doing the book, there Publishing Co. My friend Hank P., then wait years to get his money back. could be no more payments for a long bought a pad of stock certificates at a But, as anyone could then see, time afterward. We saw, too, that my 10 stationary store. He and I started selling everything was all set – everything, of per cent royalty would never carry the them to brother alcoholics and any who course, but writing and selling the book! office expense of answering the pleas for would buy at the bargain price of $25 a Hope ran high. Out of the new financing

i ,

h e could keep a small office going at Five thousand copies of Alcoholics we could sell no books? Yes, that A.A. Newark, New Jersey. There I began to Anonymous lay in the printer’s book venture was, I fear, very alcoholic. dictate the text of Alcoholics Anonymous warehouse, except the few we joyously Thus was the good book to Ruth H. (our first national secretary). passed around. Each stockholder and A/cohol/i=s Anonymous born into Rosily we saw scads of money coming each story writer got one free. The New bankruptcy. Some of the creditors got in, once the book was off the press. Still York Tines did a good review. We restive; the sheriff actually appeared at ,ore, we expected the new book would hastened to the national magazine to tell our Newark office. The promoters were turn right about and help finance our them we were ready for their promised very low – financially and otherwise. The poverty stricken Foundation – which, article. We could see A.A. books going house in which my wife and I had lived at strangely enough, it really did years later. out in carload lots! Brooklyn was taken over by the bank. Finally came 1939. The book was We took up residence in a summer camp done. Tales of recovery for its story Things Weren’t Rosy at All loaned us by an A.A. friend, Horace C. section had been supplied by Dr. Bob and his family. My friend Hank fared no and his Akron brethren. Others were What a debacle! At the office of better. Things certainly looked bleak. Still ‘ supplied by New Yorkers, New the great monthly periodical we were only three active A.A. groups, we had Jerseyites. One came in from Cleveland gently told they had entirely forgotten to acquired besides a bankrupt A.A. book, and another from Maryland. Chapters let us know, nine months before, that one unpaid but loyal secretary, a tiny had been read and discussed at they had decided to print nothing about Central Office that might have to close meetings. I had though myself the author us. The editors had concluded that any day and an Alcoholic Foundation of the text until I discovered I was just drunks were too controversial a subject! with no money in it. That was the score the umpire of the differences of opinion. This stunning announcement left us in a after four years of Alcoholics After endless voting on a title for the new daze. The whole Alcoholics Anonymous Anonymous. work we had decided to call it The Way movement could buy less than a hundred Out.But inquiry by Fritz M., our Maryland books, as it had only one hundred alcoholic, at The Library of Congress members. Besides, we had given away disclosed the fact that 12 books already 79 free ones! What were we to do with bore that title. Surely we couldn’t make those other thousands of books? What our book the 13th. So we named it could we say to the printer, whose bill Alcoholics Anonymous instead! Though wasn’t half paid? What about that little we didn’t know it, our movement then got loan of $2,500 and those 49 subscribers its name – a name which because of the who had invested $4,500 in Works implication of humility and modesty has Publishing stock? How could we break given us our treasured spiritual principle the awful news to them? How could we of anonymity. tell them that since we had no publicity

Last Seven Years Have Made A.A. Se/f-Supporting

(Third and concluding article in a series On receipt of Mr. Rockefeller’s letter, recording the early history of A.A. In later issues, ‘Launched’ at Dinner the series will be resumed with articles recording many of his guests responded with recent A.A. development and growth.) donations to the Alcoholic Foundation. In March, 1940, the dinner came This so-called “Rockefeller dinner How we ever got the book and our off. Mr. R’s friends turned out in force. An list” has since been almost the only office through that summer of 1939 1 A.A. member was placed at each guest source of “outside” money gifts to The shall never quite know. Had it not been table. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, who Alcoholic Foundation. These donations for a truly sacrificial act on the part of had superbly reviewed our book, spoke averaged around $3,000 annually and Bert T., an early N.Y. A.A., I’m sure we of A.A. from the spiritual viewpoint. Dr. they were continued for about five years couldn’t have survived. Bert loaned the Foster Kennedy, noted neurologist, gave – 1940 to 1945. This income The defunct Works Publishing Co. $1,000, his hearers the medical outlook. We Foundation divided between Dr. Bob and obtained by signing a note secured by alcoholics were asked to talk also. At the me to enable us to give A.A. a good part his own business. This act of faith was conclusion of the evening Mr. Nelson of our time during that critical period. Not followed by two more pieces of good Rockefeller, explaining that his father had long since, The Foundation Trustees fortune which barely got us through the not been able to come because of were able to write the original dinner year. In the fall of 1939 Libewmagazine illness, went on to say that few things contributors, with great thanks, that their published a piece about us. This more deeply affecting or promising than help would no longer be needed; that produced a flood of inquiries and some Alcoholics Anonymous had ever touched The Alcoholic Foundation had become orders for the A.A. book. Those few book his father’s life; that he wished his friends adequately supported by the A.A. Groups receipts kept our little Central Office to share this experience with him. and by income from the book Alcoholics going. Then came a burst of articles in Though great wealth was present Anonymous; that the personal needs of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This started at the dinner meeting that night, little was Dr. Bob and myself were being met out a prodigious growth of A.A. out there and said about money. Hope was expressed of the book royalties. created a little more demand for the A.A. that A.A. might soon become self- The significant thing about Mr. book. supporting. But the suggestion was made Rockefeller’s dinner, of course, was not Nor were our friends at that until A.A. became self-supporting a only he money it raised. What we did Rockefeller Center idle. One day in little financial help might be needed. need then, even as much, was favorable February, 1940, “Dick” R. reported that Following the dinner meeting Mr. public recognition; we needed someone Mr. John Rockefeller Jr. had been Rockefeller wrote a personal letter to who would sand up and say what he following our progress with intense each guest, expressing his feeling about thought and felt about Alcoholics interest; that he would like, for the A.A., and concluding with the observation Anonymous. Considering the fact that we inspiration of his guests and for the that he was making us a modest gift. were then few in number; that we were benefit of Alcoholics Anonymous, to give Accompanying each letter was a reprint none too sure of ourselves; that not long a dinner. We regarded this as a ten of the talks given at the dinner and a since society had known us as common strike. copy of he book Alcoholics Anonymous. drunkards, I think Mr. Rockefeller’s

wisdom and courage was great indeed. the so-called “mail order” groups now office expenses ourselves and rely no The effect of that dinner meeting commonplace all over the world. Even further upon outside charity or insufficient was instantaneous; the news press wires then, we had started correspondence book sales. The two Trustees also all carried the story. Hundreds of with many isolated alcoholics who were suggested that The Alcoholic Foundation alcoholics and their families rushed to to form groups later on. be made a regular depository for group buy the book. Our little Central Office Despite this progress, the funds; that the Foundation would was flooded with pleas for help. It soon approaching Saturday Evening Post earmark all group monies for Central had to be moved from Jersey to Vesey piece worried us. While our Cleveland Office expenses only; that each month Street, New York. Ruth H. got her back experience had given assurances that the Central Office would bill the pay and forthwith became our first our few established groups would survive Foundation for the straight A.A. expenses National Secretary. Enough books were the impact of heavy publicity, what could of the place; that all group contributions sold to keep the office going. So passed we possibly do with the thousands of ought to be entirely voluntary; that every 1940. Alcoholics Anonymous had made burning appeals that would now swamp A.A. group would receive equal service its national debut. our little New York office then staffed by from the New York office, whether it Ruth H., a typist and myself? How could contributed or not. It was estimated that Rapid Growth Underway three people handle the thousands of ifeach group sent The Foundation a sum frantic inquiries we expected? We equal to $1 per member per year, this Just a year later, the Saturday needed more office help – ‘and quickly – might eventually carry our office, without other assistance. Under this arrangement EveningPostassignedJack Alexander to or prepare to throw heartbreaking do a story about us. Under the impetus appeals into the waste basket. the office would ask the groups twice of Mr. Rockefeller’s dinner and Cleveland We realized we must, for the first yearly for funds and render, at the same Plain Dealerpieces,our membership had time, ask the A.A. groups for assistance. time, a statement of its expenses for the shot up to about 2,000. Our Clevelanders The Alcoholic Foundation still had no previous period. had just proved that even a small group money save the $3,000 a year “dinner Our two trustees, Horace C. and could, if it must, successfully absorb fund” which was helping to keep Dr. Bob Bert T., did not come back empty great numbers of newcomers in a hurry. and me afloat. Besides, some of the handed. Now clearly understanding the They had exploded the myth that A.A. situation, most groups began contributing creditors and cash subscribers of Works must always grow slowly. From the to The Alcoholic Foundation for Central Publishing (the A.A. book company) were – Akron Cleveland area we had begun to getting anxious again. Office expenses, and have continued to do so ever since. In this practice the A.A. spread into other places – Chicago and Detroit in the mid-west. In the east, $1 Per Member from Groups tradition of self-support had a firm Philadelphia had taken fire. Washington beginning. Thus we handled the and Baltimore were smouldering. Further wo of the alcoholic members of Saturday Evening Post article for which west, Houston, Los Angeles and San our Foundation travelled out among the thousands of A.A.s are today so grateful. Francisco were taking spark. Growth The enormous inpouring of fresh A.A. groups to explain the need. They continued at Akron and New York. We presentedtheir listeners with these ideas: members quickly laid the foundation for took special pride in Little Rock, That support of our Central Office was a hundreds of new A.A. groups and they Arkansas, which had sprung up with no definite responsibility of the A.A. groups; soon began to consult the Central Office personal contact with A.A., having caught that answering written inquiries was a about their growing pains, thus on through books and letters from the necessary assistance to our “12th Step confronting our Service Headquarters Central Office. Little Rock was the first of work;” that we A.A.s ought to pay these with group problems as well as personal

has a staff of twelve. Because of our inquiries. The office then began to Publishing from their very beginnings. A prodigious growth and the continuous publish a list of all A.A. groups ‘and it good book-keeping system was installed entry of A.A. into more foreign countries, furnished travelling A.A.s with lists of and regular audits became an prospects in cities which had none. Out- the headquarters will presently need established custom. twenty. Popularly known to thousands as of-towners we had never seen before About 1942 it became evident that “Bobbie,” our A.A. General Secretary began to visit us, so starting what is the Foundation ought to complete its now serves world A.A. On the Board of today the huge network of personal ownership of Works Publishing by calling The Alcoholic ‘ Foundation three of the contact between our General Office staff in the stock of the outstanding cash early trustees, whose contribution to A.A. at New York and A.A. groups through-out subscribers of Works. Several thousand is incalculable, remain. New faces are he world. dollars were required to do this and, of seen at the quarterly meetings, each as The year 1941 was a great one for course, group funds could not be used anxious to serve as the original group. the growing A.A. It was the beginning of for this purpose. The A.A. Grapevine, our national monthly a huge development to follow; our So the trustees, spearheaded this periodical which made its appearance Central Office got solid group backing; time by our old friend “Chip,” turned three years ago, is now taking its place we began to abandon the idea of outside again to Mr. Rockefeller and his “dinner among our General Headquarters’ charitable help in favor of self-support. list.” These original donors most gladly Services and is almost paying its own Last, but not least, our Alcoholic made the Foundationthe necessary loan way already. Out of its Works Publishing Foundation really commenced to which enabled the Foundation to acquire income, the Foundation has accumulated function. By this time linked to the A.A. full ownership of our A.A. book (Works a prudent financial reserve for the future. Central Office because of its Publishing Inc.). Meanwhile, Works That reserve now stands at more than a responsibility for the group funds being Publishing, being now partly relieved of full year’s Headquarters expense, which spent there, and to Works Publishing (the supporting the Central Office, had been still remains not much above he very low book Alcoholics Anonymous) by partial able to pay its own creditors in full. Later figure of $1 per A.A. per year. Two years ownership, the trustees of our Alcoholic on, when out of A.A. book income the ago the trustees set aside, out of A.A. Foundation had already become, though trustees offered to pay off the Foundation book funds, a sum which enabled my they did not realize it, the custodians for debt, several of the lenders would take Alcoholics Anonymous – both of money wife and me to pay off the mortgage on only a part payment – some none at all. our home and make some needed and tradition. Alcoholics Anonymous had At least we were in the clear. This event become a national institution. improvements. The Foundation also marked the end of our financial troubles. granted Dr. Bob and me each a royalty Quietly, but effectively, the evolution of our Foundation has since of 10% on the book Alcoholics Now Worldwide in Scope Anonymous, our only income from A.A. continued. Several years ago the trustees had a certified audit made of sources. We are both comfortable and The last few years of A.A. have deeply grateful. The Alcoholic Foundation and Works been phenomenal. Nearly everybody in This account of the stewardship of America knows about A.A. Seemingly, Alcoholics Anonymous during its infancy the rest of the globe will soon leam as brings us to the present the year 1947 – A.A. travellers go abroad and our with continued A.A. growth and A.A. literature is translated into other tongues. service the future’s promise. Today our General Service Headquarters

August 1947

Cleveland Is Host To 400 Visitors

More than 400 visitors came to uninterrupted success. Cleveland June 14 and 15 to participate J. Paul S., gave the wives of the in the observance of the 12th anniversary early members much credit for their faith of A.A. There were four from Vermont, and early encouragement, and stated wo from Florida and one from Texas. All that this was still vital today. of the intervening states were well J. Richard S., brother of Paul, represented, the largest contingents completed the program and gave coming from Michigan, New York, North interesting information relative to the Carolina and Ohio. Alcoholic Foundation (of which he is a The 83 groups in Cleveland trustee) and added factual information on entertained on Saturday with three open conditions 12 years ago. In 1935 there houses. were but four members; at the end of Sunday evening 900 persons 1936, there were 10; and in 1937 there attended a banquet in the large dining were 40. Now, he estimated, there are room of Masonic Auditorium and the two- 1500 groups with an excess of 50,000 on hour affair included group singing and their rosters. short talks by 20 “stalwarts” who included Another interesting fact disclosed two women who had contributed much to by Dick was that the 69th person of the the movement in Cleveland. A meeting 75 whom Bill tried to dry up followed in the Masonic Auditorium, unsuccessfully before A.A., had just attended by 1500 persons. come in a year ago – 11 years later. An operation made it impossible In the course of leave taking we for co-founder Dr. Bob of Akron, met a man from Pulaski, N.Y., who originally scheduled to be chairman of stated that he had been the 70th man the meeting, to attend. whom Bill contacted. It took him more The chairman explained that the than nine years to see the light and he gathering was called on a theme of has enjoyed two and one-half years of thankfulness as he introduced the first sobriety today. speaker of the all-Akron cast, Bill D. who The meeting closed with the was referred to as the “guinea pig” for recognition of visitors from other states, Doc and Bill. He told how he was “dried who rose to acknowledge the applause up” after waking up in City Hospital as heir states were called. (Akron) 12 years ago; and how Doc and Cleveland enjoyed being host; Bill had asked him the questions which many ideas were exchanged with the now are fundamental; how important visitors. working with others was in achieving -H. W D., Cleveland

August 1947

AUSTIN ENTERTAINS AT STATE MEETING

A.A.s travelled far to attend the wo-day Texas State Conference held at St. Edward’s Gymnasium, Austin, last month. The principal speaker was Ha P. of New York City, and members of various Texas groups took part in he program, which included also a showing of the March of Dimes film, “Problem Drinkers,” and recorded talks by Marty M. and Bill. The lighter side of life was enjoyed at a turkey barbecue, a Sunday brunch, Sunday night supper, and swimming party. Several of the visitors enjoyed the hospitality of the clubhouse at 405 West 18th Street.

From the September 1947 Grapevine have not taken a drink this day,” and is not uncommon, certainly not fatal. LPttle Rock Plan sign his name. The executive committee is com- At the end of this period he returns prised of representatives from each the diary to the club, is again wel- squad. The squads meet once a week comed and is admitted to full mem- on nights other than the regular meetbership, the privilege of the ballot ing and transact actual AA business. One of a 1947 series on group methods and techniques and an unrestricted part in the activi- We spend much time in planning reater Little Rock AA was seven him, he musi leave his work or posi- ties of the Fellowship. He is then and executing the new member’s gradyears old last March and has tion for at least two weeks. Usually assigned to a squad, given some defi- uation from the freshman stage. We helped establish most of the groups the prospect is required to spend that nite task, and encouraged to work, carry him slowly and carefully through within the state. More than five hun- entire time within the confines of the guided by some older member, with the “Prospect Squad”; admit him to dred men and women have been initi- club rooms, studying, preparing a new prospects. membership; keep our contacts with ated into AA through the Little Rock case history, meeting and filling In dealing with the new person, him through that critical period, the Approach Plan since its creation assignments laid out by the sponsor. there are other procedures. First of first month or so, through his daily seven years ago when five men got to- If, after two weeks, he has dis- all, in addition to being required to diary; put him in a squad after he begether and began to use the book AI- charged his assignments to the satis- adhere strictly to the assignments re- comes a full member and then if he coholics Anonymous, which had just faction of his sponsor, he is brought quired by his sponsor, he serves his slips, put him through again (and been published. before the executive committee and apprenticeship in what is known as again if necessary) by way of the It is interesting to note that of these there his request for membership is “The Prospect Squad.” Here he “Slip Squad.” imen, the founders of the movement presented by his sponsor in his pres- learns from a squad leader various Credit is due the State Hospital and here, all are alive and only one ever ence. In some instances, because of phases of the work of AA, mingles Fort Roots, one of the Southwest’s had a relapse. They are living, walk- the peculiarity of the case, he may not with other neophytes, hears their ex- largest veterans’ hospitals, where we ing proof of the statement that “it be admitted for varying periods as periences and contributes his own. If have complete cooperation from the works.” high as six months in some cases. he needs guidance or advice this is entire staff of doctors and psychia- The Little Rock Plan was, we be- However, if he is deemed eligible by where he gets it, along with other trists. From Fort Roots especially, lieve, the first of its kind in the coun- the committee, he is brought before newcomers, seeking the way out. come more and more prospects, havtry. By adhering strictly to the Plan the next meeting, receives a warm There is the “Slip Squad,” where ing been told by the psychiatrists, hundreds have been brought into AA welcome, is handed a copy of the the member who has suffered a set- “We can do nothing more for you, and because this group has kept “Approach Program” and the back, n o matter how severe or how your best bet is AA. It works.” The , accurate records and statistics, we Twelve Steps. light, must serve from two weeks to courts of law in Arkansas in general can report that our success is better This is not all, however. We do not six months before he is again recog- and Little Rock in particuIar without than the national average of 75 per- simply say, “Now here you are, you nized as a full-fledged member. Often exception lend a willing ear and help cent – or to put it another way, our have had it all, go your way, and may the slippee is assigned tougher, more ing hand to unfortunates who stand “slip” record is lower than the 25 God bless you.” No, we do not cut strenuous assignments than when he before the court and even so much as percent expected and reported from him off in mid-air, so to speak. We first was admitted. Here he discusses intimate that they would like to quit other groups over the country. give him a small diary and ask that the slip freely with those who, like drinking. While we have gone far and It is not easy to become a member each day thereafter for twenty-eight’ himself, have “missed the boat” progressed much, no small amount of this group. When a person has ex- days, he record his impressions of the somewhere down the line. He tries to of credit is due to all these factors pressed a desire to achieve sobriety day, any event, whether a happy one find out why he made the mistake and plus the attitude of all businessmen of and has had-a sponsor appointed for or a sad one, and enter therein, “I learns again that “to err is only hu- this city. man” and that a slip in the beginning G. H. B., Little Rock, Ark.

September 1947

ANNUAL N.Y. DINNER TO BE HELD NOV. 6

Announcement has just been made that the annual dinner of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Commodore Hotel in New York City at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, November 6th, under the auspices of the lntergroup Association of New York. Tickets may be obtained from the lntergroup Office at 194 East 75th Street, New York 21, and are priced at $5.50 each.

September 1947

Clinics to Highlight Convention in Memphis

Two thousand members of Thursday afternoon, September 18, with Alcoholics Anonymous are expected to an informal gathering of early registrants gather in Memphis, Tenn., this month for scheduled for that evening. the third annual Southeastern Regional Vern W., chairman of the Convention, September 19-20, at which resetvation and registration committee, Bill W. will be the principal speaker. says that the registration fee of $5, A unique feature of the convention payable on arrival, includes a ticket for will be a series of clinics to be held each the steamboat ride and he barbecue; morning on a variety of group and extra rickets may be purchased for individual problems such as: Club Room friends foe $1 each. Hotel reservations Management; Meetings; Methods of 12th may be made through P.O. Box 1364, Step Work. Memphis, Tenn. Data for the clinics was obtained In one of a number of bulletins in questionnaires sent out to sent out to members by the convention southeastern groups and has been committee, the chairman said: “We are in correlated for presentation by discussion no sense endeavouring to promote a leaders. Eight clinics have been national convention or set Memphis up scheduled. as headquarters for such a meeting. Other activities include a However, we feel that A.A.s from regions steamboat ride on the Mississippi, a other than the Southeastern will be barbecue in the park, both open and interested and that much can be gained closed meetings, and an informal, special by an exchange of ideas by A.A. from pow-wow. A.A. members are invited to widely different sections of the country.” bring wives, husbands, families and friends, for whom the schedule provides plenty of activities. The meeting will be held in the Memphis Auditorium. According to Maryan H., chairman of the convention committee, registration will begin

September 1947

ROCHESTER, MINN. GROUP MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

On July 27 the Rochester, Minn., others; in phase one he acknowledges introduced the visiting groups from other Group played host to 300 members and God, in phase two he worships God. Rip communities. friends of this and nearby communities. stressed the point that the surest way to Dr. Harold Trost, representing the Attending the first anniversary banquet reach phase two was through action and clergy, stated that in the past the church and reception were representatives from through development of A.A. ideals which had found itself quite impotent in dealing Souix Falls, South Dakota, South Dakota; he listed as charity, faith and humility. with the problem of alcoholism and that Fort Dodge, Waterloo, Waverly, Dubuque, Following are other highlights of whatever success was gained was usually Cedar Rapids, and Monticello, Iowa; La Rip’s message which we wish to pass on: of short duration. He praised the ideals of Crosse, Sparta and Eau Claire, “In the University of A.A. there are A.A., stating that they could be made fit Wisconsin; and Owatonna, Blooming no graduates – all are students.” subjects for sermons. Prarie, Hastings, Mankato, Caledonia, St. “Alcoholics Anonymous have won Dr. M.N. Walsh of the mayo clinic, Paul, Faribault, Winona, West Concord, a war by giving up the struggle-and representing medicine and psychiatry, Grand Meadow, Wykoff, Fountain, surrendering to A.A. principles of life.” likened his experience with alcoholism to , Stillwater and Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Alcoholics Anonymous have won his experiences with the medical corps of Local representatives of the judiciary, a battle against the greatest enemy of the army in the theatres of action. He clergy, social agencies and of medicine as man-man himself.” stated that he could minister to the well as other interested friends were also “We are gathered here to celebrate physical and mental ills of the men in in attendance. a miracle performed, not by science, not service, but against destruction in battle Following a message of welcome . by the wisdom of man, not by will power, he was quite helpless. So also he felt by Lou B. of the Rochester Group and an not by tragedy or the pleas of mothers, inadequate to the task of combatting the introduction by toastmaster Andy A., wives and friends, not by any human ravages and destruction caused by H.A.R. of Eau Claire, Wis., better known agency, but by the 12 Steps of A.A. which alcoholism. Dr. Walsh stated that A.A. has as Rip, gave a thought-provoking constitute the staircase to lasting sobriety taught psychiatry many things about the message built around what he termed the and peace of mind.” value of group therapy and has given two phases of A.A. “Humility lowers a man to his suggestions for the treatment of other In explaiqing the two phases of proper size without degrading him.” psychiatric disorders. A.A., Rip ointed out that in the first phase the L gets A.A. and that in the second phase A.A. gets the man. The first “Good ideas will make you money, but good ideals will make you happy.” The meeting was also addressed Judge Vernon E. Gates of the District Court stated that throughout his service on the bench it has been his duty phase represents knowledge of A.A. as by Pat C. of the Minneapolisgroup and by to commit many persons to penal or outlined in the 12 Steps whereas the local representatives of the clergy, the correctional institutions, and in many second phase represents the practice of judiciary and medicine. cases he has recommended that if a the 12 Steps; in phase one the A.A. Pat C. also represented the Mid- solution could be found for their alcoholic serves himself, in phase two he serves West Council on Alcoholism, and tendencies, leniency should be shown in

shortening or commuting their terms. According to Judge Gates no such solution was found until Alcoholics Anonymous, with its appreciable success in rehabilitating such cases. Judge Gates also stressed the value of A.A. to the community, the state and the nation.- W.C.H.

September 1947

ANNUAL N.Y. DINNER TO BE HELD NOV. 6

Announcement has just been made that the annual dinner of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Commodore Hotel in New York City at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, November 6th, under the auspices of the lntergroup Association of New York. Tickets may be obtained from the Intergroup Office at 194 East 75th Street, New York 21, and are priced at $5.50 each.

October 1947

Texans Travel Far

To Get Their ADAD A.A.s of West Texas are adding to the stock of tall tales which grow up so naturally around the Lone Star state, our correspondent at San Angelo reports. “In a land where there is plenty of room for everyone to breath deeply all the time, Texas A.A.s think nothing of driving 100 miles to attend meetings,” the correspondent writes. “One rugged individualist of our group drives 165 miles each way to meet and mingle with his fellow alcoholics. Others, fortunate enough to be with city groups, pile into cars for the weekend and carry the message to struggling bands 400 miles from the home base. “Of course, this is the state where ‘take it easy’ originated. The loose-limbed amble of the A.A. is a natural for West Texans, whose only commuter’s clock is the slow roll of the seasons. With the livestock watered and turned out on the range, a 200-mile trip once a week to attend meetings is regarded as only one step in the 12 – a philosophy which suits the ranchers so well that they believe Bill and Dr. Bob are Texans who happened to be born in the East.”

December 1947

Prison Group a Year Old

From Salt Lake Civ, Utah The first anniversary meeting of the Golden Key Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous proved strange, surprising and interesting. Strange because the 50 members of the Golden Key Group are inmates of the Utah State Prison, and it was there in the prison’s old, second-story chapel the members assembled. It was surprising because of all places where sincerity would be so seldom expected, there it prevailed. Interesting because it produced true stories of men who ignored pride and pretense in realizing and confessing their shortcomings. They discovered that in being unlike the man who measures success in worldly attainments, they asserted an even greater strength in being humble. Of 13 guests invited, ten were fellowmembers of the A.A. brotherhood from Salt Lake City and Ogden and three were state officials, Warden John E. Harris, Deputy Warden VanFleet and Dr. Leslie D. Burbridge, a member of the Utah State Board of Corrections. The officials, before attending the meeting, had gone over figures which showed that out of the 15 A.A. members paroled from the institution since the Chapter had been formed, none had violated the conditions of their parole agreements. In leaving the meeting, they probably had evidence less tangible but more convincing than that which can be printed. – W.W.

December 1947

I New .”.. A.A. Ilooklet A1nilc.d

December 1947

Dr. PEALE ADDRESSES 13th ANNUAL BANQUET

“Alcoholics Anonymous is not an realized that there was a way out. organization. It is a movement. Moreover, The third speaker, Lucy P., urged it is one of the greatest movements for women alcoholics to come into A.A. She good of our generation,” said Dr. Norman said that women undoubtedly have a Vincent Peale, pastor of the Marble harder time “admitting that hey have an Collegiate Reformed Church of New alcoholic problem” but assured the York, and guest speaker at the 13th audience that A.A. welcomed members anniversary banquet of A.A., held in the of her sex at all times. Hotel Commodore, New York, on Bill W., who introduced the guest November 6. speaker, spoke briefly on the need for The banquet was sponsored by unity in A.A. He cautioned that “success the New York Intergroup Association of is a heady wine” and that the time had A.A. and executed by the association’s come for all members to stick together banquet committee acting under the “to preserve our unity.” To emphasize his supervision of Hank G., of the Mt. Klsco, ,point, he read and commented on the 12 N.Y. Group. Traditions of the fellowship. In addition to Dr. Peale, three Throughout the evening, members of A.A. spoke. They were: messages from other sections of the Norman B. of the Forrest Hills, N.Y. country and abroad arrived at the Group, who acted as toastmaster; Joe speakers’ table. One cablegram from the C., of the Brooklyn, N.Y. and Forrest Dublin, Ireland Group, read: “Best wishes Hills, N.Y. Groups; and Lucy P., of the for a happy birthday from your Irish Bronxville, N.Y. Group. brothers.” The first speaker, Norman B., told Large delegations from almost all the story of his recovery from alcoholism states in the nation began to arrive in through the A.A. Program. He pointed New York early in the week for the out that “once an alcoholic, always an annual event. On-November 5, one alcoholic.” To prove his pint, he told a delegation arrived by chartered airplane. personal experience. One hundred and eighty-two out- The second speaker, Joe C., of-town members of A.A. were described the progress of his alcoholism entertained at the traditional A.A. to the point where he was drinking when luncheon on the day of the banquet. he didn’t want to. He said that although he promised after every binge that he would stop he knew in his heart that he couldn’t keep his promises. After seeking help through A.A., he continued, he

December 1947

Hold Vermont All-State Dinner

More than 350 Vermont A.A.s, guests and friends attended the first annual statewide A.A. dinner at Montpelier, Vt., on October 18. The dinner was also the occasion of the third anniversary of the Montpelier, Vt. Group. Principal A.A. speaker was Bill W., co-founder of A.A. who emphasized the need for attention to the principles of A.A. and declared that these principles would go far to assure its perpetual unity. Principal non-A.A. speaker was Father James Timmons, editor of The Sign The large crowd caught the Vermont A.A. Intergroup Committee, sponsor of the meeting, unaware and hastily erected seats had to be prepared to handle it. The committee reports, however, that everyone was comfortably seated and that the dinner was a huge success.

January 1948

WESTERN NEW YORK GROUPS PLAN TWO-DAY SEMINAR

Discussion seminars will feature a twoday regional conference of Western New York groups to be held January 24 and 25 at Rochester, N.Y., winding up with a dinner at which Bill W. will be the principal speaker. The program announced by the Rochester Group will open Saturday morning, January 24, with registration at the Hotel Powers. The seminars will get underway at 10 a.m. of the first day and run concurrently through both open and closed meetings, with findings of the groups to be reported at a closed meeting Sunday, January 25, at 3 p.m. Data compiled will be he basis for the official report of the conference, copies of which will be sent to groups and the A.A. Foundation. A wide variety of questions of great interest to all A.A.s is slated for discussion. The announcement of the conference stressed he point that “this is a participational rather than invitational” type of meeting with all groups having a part in conducting the sessions. For example, the Sunday night open meeting will be arranged and conducted by non- Rochesterians. Hotel reservations should be made direct with the Hotel Powers. Inquiries and dinner reservations should be addressed to the secretary at 79 Brooks Avenue, Rochester 11, N.Y.

January 1948

No Froth on the Tea A t Dublin’s First Birthday From Dublin, Ireland

A dinner was held at the country Shop, November 27, when 33 members, their wives and friends got together.. Many of us looked around furtively to see if anyone had noticed our pouring water into our glasses and one or two absentmindedly attempted to blow the froth off the tea. But a real happy evening, which spun out far later than we had realized, was spent by us all. We led off with a cable from C. and a special message written to our own group by Bill. These had a grand reception. Then our founder spoke of A.A. and in particular of the invaluable advice, aid, information and practical assistance received from The Foundation so far away, yet so closely in touch. Our doctor advanced the proposition that alcoholism is not heredity from a family sense but it is from a racial point of view. He said Poles and Irish were the two people most addicted to alcoholism. A musical performance finished with Auld Lang Syne, and the party reluctantly dispersed. The keynote of the party was the surprisingly happy atmosphere – and the “we must have more of this” attitude. Our thanks to A.A. for giving 33 men and women an opportunity of having their return to society and for recovery itself. It wasn’t a large number judged by American parties, yet we all felt that behind those 33 of us hovered the spirit of happiness engendered by all the 50,000 in A.A. A happy Christmas and New Year – and may we have the pleasure of seeing a lot of you in Dublin in 1948. – S. M.

February 1948

Anchorage, Alaska Now Boasts a Group Fmm Anchorage, Alaska

I wish to inform The A.A. Grapevine that a new group was formed in Anchorage, Alaska, one month ago (November), composed of former members of different groups in the States. We have had several newcomers already and have plans for club in the near future. Our address is P.O. Box 551, Anchorage, Alaska. This country certainly needs A.A. in the worst way. Anchorage has a population of about 15,000 and over 80 drinkdispensing establishments – 14 in one block on the main street! – J.R.6.

February 1948

Bill Starts A.A. Tour Bill W., accompanied by his wife, Lois, left New York this month for an extended tour of large A.A. centers in the United States and Canada. His itinerary includes parts of Canada, the West Coast, Texas, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago. Because all stops have already been scheduled it is impossible to change the itinerary, Bill said. He added that both he and Lois regret being unable to drop off in many more cities and towns to visit with A.A. groups.

March 1948

Frisco ‘s “Derelicts” Mark Year of Sobriety

From San Francisco city. At the Salvation Army chapel, the The South of Market Group of San group held two meetings a week. Since Francisco Fellowship of A.A., housed in moving into the St. Vincent de Paul the heart of San Francisco’s notorious clubhouse, it has held four meetings a Skid Row and drawing almost exclusively week – three in the evenings and one from that area for its membership, Sunday afternoons. The average became one year old on January 20, attendance has been 150 men. At the last 1948, and observed its birthday with its business meeting, 153 qualified as voting regular meeting on that night. members, the requirementsbeing sobriety Speakers included Major George for 30 days or more and attendance at at Ferguson, chaplain of the Hunt Street least one meeting a week. On that date, chapel of the Salvation Army, also in the 84 members, all former derelicts of heart of Skid Row, where the first society, were usefully employed and had meetings of the group were help. Another been sober from three to 12 months. An speaker was Edward Wrenn, secretary of even half dozen had been sober since the the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which group’s first meeting. succeeded the Salvation Army as In recent months, word of the landlord-patron of the group and gave the apparent stability of a group in the heart of group the use of the society’s day shelter Skid Row has spread so widely that at 235 Minna Street as both a club-house scores of A.A. visitors from all parts of the and a meeting place. United States have attended South of The closing speaker of the evening Market meetings while in this city. was Juanita W., known to the boys of the Members of the San Francisco group as the A.A. who “needled” the men Fellowshipwho took part in the pioneering of the San Francisco Fellowship to make of the group and gave the new members the South of Market Group possible and aid until the latter were ready to handle who took part in the pioneering of the their own affairs, feel that in a small early meetings. measure they have tried to meet the More than 4,000 men attended one obligation set forth in the Big Book ‘to or more meetings of the group during its carry the message to alcoholics who still first year. That large figure is explained by suffer.” – 0.K.P. the transient nature of the neighborhood, which is the proverbial “wino belt” of the

April 1948

NEWS CIRCUIT

– New Group in Federal Prison A new A.A. Group was recently formed at the Federal Prison, McNeil Island, Puget Sound. Meetings are held every Wednesday night with two members from the Tacoma Group in attendance. Liquor has been responsible for the imprisonment of many on McNeil Island, and A.A. offers new vistas of courage, hope and security on their release. Many are attending the meetings regularly, digesting the A.A. literature and the Big Book. These boys have an understanding friend and sympathetic counselor in the chief medical officer, who while not an alcoholic has seen the results of A.A. throughout the country and is in complete accord with the Program. Near Fort Lewis the state of Washington has an “Honor Farm” where prisoners are brought from Walla Walla. Many of these trustees are in A.A. and are not neglecting their weekly meetings while in this camp. Several of the Tacoma Group have attended these meetings and have found them interesting and refreshing. Two men recently released have jobs, attend the meetings and are doing a good job as A.A. members.

April 1948

OVER 300 AT ANNIVERSARY

More than 300 persons attended the first anniversary meeting of the St. Nicholas Group, New York City, held February 29 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, West 133rd Street. Chairman of the meeting was Jimmy S. of Washington, D.C., and the program included three non-alcoholic speakers, Congressman Adams Clayton Powell, the Rev. John Johnson, and the Rev. Sheldon Bishop. The St. Nicholas Group, which first held its meetings at Judson

April 1948

P.O. BOX 459 IS INTERNATIONAL HUB

P.O. Box 459, just an ordinary used to answer ietters and fill orders for the staff has grown to 16 full timO looking Post Office box number, but into it the book, Aicoholics Anonymous. In those employees in the General Servid daily flow letters postmarked all over the days, before the groups had been Headquarters, four of whom are member5 world. It is internationallyfamous because organized in all parts of the world, many of A.A. it is the address of Alcoholics Anonymous alcoholics dried up by mail. Persoriai Into the office come approximately General Service Headquarters,New York answers to ietters make up a great part of 200 travelers each month. Many of thesB City. the functions of the General Service travelers, who through the years have To many active and even ardent Headquarters. built up a friendship by mail with Bobbie i3, A.A. members, what goes on at General It wasn’t long before the business and Charlotte L. (who came to the Sewice Headquarters is a mystery. of A.A. drove other business out of the General Service Headquarters a9 Because many have inquired as to how little office in Newark. It grew to such associate secretary, in 1946) meet for the the office functions, The Grapevine went proportions that larger quarters were first time these G.A. workers who befor8 snooping around and found that the only necessary. It was moved into offices on have been oniy signiiures on letters and mystery to the General Service Vesey Street, in downtown New York. bulletins. Headquarters is how it operates so The Vesey Street office was a Travelers ask all sorts of questions smoothly, so efficiently and what is most luxury. It was really one large room but a – and get the answers – or sound important – so personally. slight partition made it seem like two suggestions based on experience of how The General Service Headquarters rooms. Those who were in that office to proceed. And much experience has is a service center for all Alcoholics downtown say that in those days a piled up since the book Alcoholics Anonymous Groups. It is directly traveler took his life in his hands to set Anonymous was written in 1939. At that responsible to its Board of Trustees. foot in the door. He was immediately put time there were 100 members; now there Acting as a clearing house, to work! No visitor ever left the office are approximately 60,000. General Service Headquartersrepresents without a stack of mail to be delivered to One of the most common A.A. as a whole to the general public in the post office! questions asked is how to open a club anything of national or international About six years ago, Bobbie B. house, or club rooms, sponsor a radio nature. became general secretary, replacing Ruth program, and bring knowledge of the A.A. It publishes and distributes A.A. H. At that time there were 100 groups in program !o other sick alcoholics with no literature in English and Spanish; it the whole of A.A. Now there are more money. maintains and upholds the traditions as than 2,000. Naturally the whole operation No one in the General Service practiced in the groups. of the General Service Headquarters has Headquarters will tell a questioner what to Like all other A.A. groups and increased tremendously. do or how to do it – but she will tell what activities, General Service Headquarters In 1944 another move was happened to other groups under the same has grown through the years. It had its necessary. The offices were moved into circumstances – she will tell of how a beginnings in what was Bill W.’s business the present quarters at 415 Lexington group got the where-with-all to open club office over in Newark, N.J. Here Ruth H. Avenue, with five employees. Since then rooms, how another started a radio

program, and was successful, how and why another failed. The traveling questioner can listen to the “voice of experience” and take his choice as to what would be the most practical way to proceed with his problem. Answering these questions personally makes up the large intangible part of the services of this headquarters. Besides requests by mail there are countless telephone calls they may be from the executive of a large corporation who has an employee with an alcoholic problem – how can he get the man hospitalized – whom can he contact. Whoever it is or whatever the nature of the call, it is answered with understanding and personally by one of the members of the General Service Headquarters staff. These are only a few things done at the General Headquarters. The Grapevine will do some more snooping to tell in detail other phases of the activities here at General Service Headquarters. For instance: Did you know that more than 2,000 letters come into the offtce each month? We will tell you all about the mail handling next month.

May 1948

Convention Dates Set

The third annual Texas Conference and Southwest Convention of A.A. will be held in Austin, Texas, on June 18, 19 and 20. The second annual Virginia State Assembly of A.A. will be held in Norfolk, Va., on May 28, 29 and 30, with the Tidewater Group acting as host. Headquarters will be at the Monticello Hotel where registration will begin May 28. Highlighting the Assembly will be a banquet in Saturday evening when outstanding speakers are scheduled to appear. All members of A.A. are invited. The Southeastern Regional Convention will be held in Jacksonville, Fla., on September 3 and 4. Convention headquarters will be at the George Washington Hotel, where registration will begin September 2. All communications may be addressed to southeastern Regional Convention of A.A., P.O. Box 621, Jacksonville, Fla.

July 1948

Akron, Ohio Marks A.A. 73th Anniversary With Large Turnout

From Akron, Ohio The Akron 13th Anniversary of the founding of A.A. was a history-establishing meeting. It was attended by 4,000 members living in this area, who showed their appreciation and gave thanks to Dr. Bob and Bill W., the cofounders, and the non-A.A.s who were instrumental in making their meeting possible and most helpful during our formative period, also Bill D., the first firm believer in Dr. Bob and Bill W.s idea. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Rev. Walter F. Tunks, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He first speaker was Honourable Judge Bernard J. Roetzel, who outlined the rehabilitation that has been done in this community, through the works of A.A. The second speaker was our Dr. Bob who introduced the non A.A.s who were helpful and instrumental at the beginning of our formative period, gave a description of the early history and the basic teachings of A.A. The third speaker was Bill W. who talked on A.A. Traditions and yearly Conference Plans.

September 1948 I IIEN a r d wl~creancl how did Following this ~neetingplans for W A l c o l l o l i r s Anonymous be- the Lcginning of the movement

A.A. BEGIN?1 I gin? \Y’l~rna r d how was the were very cautiously and carefully : ‘~icoholicsFountlation I)egun? 1’11ese end many other qurstior~sare asked HOW DID weighed. Empl~asis was placed on the desires of the founders to keep daily by menhers of A.A. this n~ovemcnt entirely apart from To date no complete and accurate I any religious organization or cult. history of the movement has been A, Stress was laid on the fact that the written. In the early days t l ~ epio- With his new sohiety came a ings in the kitchen of one of the movement which was to become Al- ‘qecr members kept no written ac- business venture wl~ichbrought him members. coholics A n o ~ ~ y n ~ o u hads no conncccount of their activities so that any- to Akron, Ohio. The business ven- Bill had remained in Akron until tion wlmtever with any religious de- ‘ I ! thing written now is based almost ture failed and he was again faced October, 1935 when he returned to nomination, the Oxford Group or entirely upon the memories of these with the comforting thought that he New York and began working n i g h any other group or movement of this men. could be a success, for a brief time, and day to help other alcoholics I In the earliest beginr~ingthe story with a bottle of .gin.’ It was at this recover. It wns thougl~tthat perhaps a hos- 1 o l Alcol~olics Anonymous is the low point that he prnyed-and In the early beginnings these re- pital or rest home near Akron would story of two men, Bill W. of New promptly set out to find another al- covered alcoholics werc in close as- 11e advisable and it was with this thought in mind that Mr. Amos was . York nntl Dr. I k h of Akron, Ohio. , jhjs story of their personal strugi:ol~olic. He contncted an Akron minister socititior~with t l ~ eOxford Croup hut by 1937 all relations between them asked to visit Akron and make a gles for sobriety is known to most. who gave him a list of members of had ended. This was the beginning careful survey of the situation there. After a long and clisastrrous nlco- the Oxforcl Croup ant1 by sheer nc- of the new and independent group The result of this survey by Mr. holic history, 110111 Ilill W. and Dr. cident Ile called a family who knew working only for the recovery of al- Amos caused him to report that the Bob were introduced to the Oxford an alcoholic who was in need of coholics, which was to become Alco- work being done in Akron was short , croup. help. A meeting for the two was holics Anonymous as we now know of miraculous and thnt continued , Dr. Bob beean~einterested in 1933 arranged for the next day. So it was it. and deserved financial support ubon his release from a sanitarium. that on Mother’s Day, 1935 Bill W. In December 1937 Bill W. nr- should be given. As a result of this Prior to his meeting with Bill in met Dr. Bob. ranged an appointment with Mr. W. a contribution was received which ,1935 he made every attempt to ob- The message Ilill brought was a S. Ricl~ardson. He told his story to would keep the work going in Akron 1 tain sobriety but seemed unsuccess- simple one. “Faith without works is Mr. Richardson and was evidently so until May 1, 1939. ful in spite of his eflorts. dead. Show me your faith, by my sincere and convincing that Mr. This contribution only took care I Bill’s first contact with the Oxford works I will show you mirle.” With Richardson called on three of his of the minimum needs of the Akron , ,’Group came during the winter of the exception of one short binge Dr. friends for consultation. A dinner work and it daily became clear thnt I 1934 when a childhood friend, also Bob has never had another drir~k. meeting was arranged and Bill again the situation in Metropolitan New an alcoholic, came to his home- In order to maintain his own so- told the story to the three friends, York also required support. , sober. briety, Dr. Bob, had to find some- Mr. Albert Scott, Mr. A. Leroy Chip- Such financial help as had been This friend impressed upon Bill one to I~elp. With Bill W. lie went mah and Mr. Frank B. Amos. given thus far had been from the the thought that he could remain so- to an Akron l~ospitaland found Bill Present at this meeting werc two meager funds of other alcoholics. ber only if he helped someone else. D. who has neve; had another drink other non-alcoholics, Dr. W. D. Silk- Plans were made during the Spring ‘ ,This Bill tried but after six discour- since thnt time. worth and Dr. L. V. Strong and six of 1938 to start a campaign among aging months he had not dried up By the Summer of 1936 a group of alcoholics from the New York area people who it was believed would be ,one drunk-except himself! five men were holding morning meet. and Akron, Ohio. interested in this movement. It was

also clccidcd at t11is time to publish accept soch contributions as might 8 a book which would serve as a text he made. hook for those seeking rel~al~ilitatior~ Upon advice of attorneys and i through the spiritual approach. after considerable and tl~oroug!~ con- With these plans in mind and with srrltation with alcoldics and the interested non-a)coholics, it was dethe long range view of carrying on cided to form what is known ap, a ‘whatever wns wise nnd necessary to Trust. The legal forms wcrc drawn promote this cause, it wns decided to up and OH Arrg~rst11, 19311, the first form an un-incorporated, non-profit, meeting of Thc Alcoholic Fbundacharita1)le organization under the tion was held. lnws of the State of New York. This (Editor’s Rlutc: Other briel chapters ‘orgnnization would have general su- on the evolution 01 A.A. will nppear in pervision of the work, and could strbzci/~rcnt issues.)

I

October 1948

First, it was discovered that 12 other Looks had already been given t11e name chosen for the alcol~olicbook, The lYay Out. Second, the national magazine which had promised to The Alcoholic Foundation print an article about the new way out as soon as the book was pubbusiness ofice but gradually was turned over more and rnore to the lisl~ed, changed its mind, quite un-new work. They kept the oflice by

Was’ Brimming With Hope dcrstnndably because of the controversial nature of the subject and because the new technique had several narrow squeaks, a deputy sl~erilractunlly appearing once with a paper to disposses them. scarce1y proved itself. Uut one of the original group The first problem was solved hap-mortgaged his own business to raise pily with the selection of the title, a loan of $1,000 to keep the wolf at Alcoholics Anonymous. No one least with no more than one foot (Second in a series diving o condensed getting the story out to other fellow knew it then but tl~ntwas when the inside the front door and there folhistory 01 A.A.) drunks who had not yet heard that nlovement actually got the name by lowed two fortunate turns of destiny, which it l ~ a sbeen known since. The or whatever you may want to call it. T HE first meeting of the newly there was a new way to sober up formed trust, The Alcol~olic with at least some degree of perman- Foundation, on August 11, 1938, ency. wos brimming with hope, but little The group decided to publish the xcond disappoin~ment,however, was rnore acute because h e magazine ar- In the fall of 1939, L i l c r l y mi~gazinc published on article about this new ticle l ~ a d been anticipated as the way out and shortly afterwords the else. The handful of drunks- book themselves and raise the money chief stimulant for the sale of the Cleveland Plain Dealer Iwblished a scarcely 60 counting Akron, Cleve- to do it, through sale of stock. The book. series of pieces. The movement Leland and New York-still had no Works Publishing Co. was organized So, the fledgling authors and pub-gan to grow, particularly in Clevefunds, no public standing and no and stock was sold to fellow alco- lishers were left with 5,000 copies land and Akron. name. holics and anyone else who could of an unwanted book, except for the Then, the Rockefeller ‘ friends Elforts to solicit contributions from be tagged at a price of $25 per share. few they had given away free. The came through again, this time wid1 a “interested persons” who proved to Forty-nine persons bought shares, printer’s bill was only half paid, dinner given by Mr. Rockefeller in be not too interested, for The Alco- none over $300 worth and the mn- not to mention the 49 subscriptions March, 1940. Although Mr. Rockeholic Foundation yielded zero. Ex- jority in smaller lots. This eITort amounting to $4,500 and the $2,500 feller was unable to attend because . cept for a gift from John 1). Itocke- raised $4,500 and in addition a loan loan which were to have been re- of illness, his son, Nelson Ilockefeller, the work might have died of $2,500 was obtained from Charles paid out of the sale of the book. feller, explained his father’s deep ina-borning during the winter of 1938. B. Town, proprietor of Town Ilospi- Whctlier the year 1938 or 1939 was terest in the new movement and Iris Nor did things get any I~etterfor tal in New York, where A.A.’s good low ebb for the new movement could intention to give it further financial several months, notwithstanding a medical friend Dr. W. D. Silkworth be debated, but perhaps the latter help. The gifts resulting from that great fanning of new hope kindled was chief of stam. should get the edge for gloomy out- ditiner averaged about $3,000 annuaround the idea of publishing a look. ally for five years when The Alcobook. Two chapters of the book HE book was finished by April, holic Foundation was able to send had been roughed out by 1938 in T1939, and the spirit of the yet URING this period, the group out word that they were no longer response to earlier discussions of the unnamed A.A. soared. But almost need for this kind of a medium for immediately came two setbacks. D was using an ollice in Newark, needed-A.A. which originally had been Bill’s porting. had become self-sup- (To be continued)

NOVEMBER 1 9 4 8

-. – rate of one dollar per member per Service Office, The A.A. Crapevine year was devised and became the and the Works Publishing Co. practice of A.A. self-support which “The movement is exclusively a has prevailed since. The Foundation spiritual endeavor,” the statement THE A.A. MOVEMENT became the repository of funds, with all contributions from the groups points out, “whose only aim is to attain personal recovery and to carry

GAINS PUBLIC RECOGNITION^ earmarked for central office exileme the message of the way to recovery only. and funds from the sale of the to others. The movement is the allbook net aside for other expenses, important thing. It is in no sense such as printing, and for the accumu- governed by the Foundation. .. .” – lation of a prudent reserve. The Foundation also became the “The Movement is a spiritual entity,” the statement continues, “com- (Third in a series giving a condensed that first “little handful of drunks” custodian of A.A. tradition and pol- prising in substance the individual history of A.A.) watched in amazement, and joy, as icy. In 1942, the original trust was members of A.A. and the Groups, in thousands flocked to the new way to changed to a corporation to assure the local activities of which most, but , continuity. All assets and liabilitiesnot all, members participate. The

T HE Rockefeller dinner in March, 1940, not only yielded desperately needed funds for the new movement during a critical period, sobriety. The growth of A.A. has been accelerating ever since and the membership now, numbers about 75,000 with hundreds more coming were transferred to the new corpora- precepts of A.A. grew out of experience, the experience of individuals tion. The Alcoholic Foundation., Inc… and the former trustees became the and the experience of Groups. So in every week. directors, although they are still re-far, the basic principles of A.A. are but it also provided another missing ferred to more commonly as “trus- reflected, as to personal rehabilitaelement-favorable public recognipea’ than as “directors!’ tion, in the Twelve Steps to Recovery; tion. S the movement evolved from a News about the banquet traveled A tiny group of hopefuls to an as to relations, in the Twelve Points ruatees, five non-alcoholics to Secure Our Future, sometimes over the country on all of the press expanding army of successful exwire services and almost immediately drunks, so did A.A. service agencies THE and four alcoholics, serve with- called the Twelve Points of Tradiinquiries began to pour into the office begin to take more definite shape. out compensation and nominate their tion.” in Newark. The articles published One of these was the Alcoholic Foun- own successors. Although there is no previously in the Cleveland Plain dation which had held its first meet- Dealer had begun a growth of mem- ing on Aug. 11,1938, but which even fixed term of olfice, the prevailing opinion among the trustees is that “T HE Movement represents a spiritual ideal in process of bership in the Cleveland and Akron in the midst of the great growth talc- new nominations should be made growth. It can be imperilled by secuareas which reached about 2,000 in ing place in 1941 still had no money every four to five years in rotation. lar problems of money, property and A statement on record, defining the authority. These problems are ina few months. Now the growth spread except the Rockefeller “dinner fund” out through the country, to Chicago of about $3,000 a year. The flood of policies and activities of the Founda- volved with organization. … Organition, emphasizes the distinction “be- zation, therefore, has been and should and Detroit in the mid-west, Phila- inquiries coming in were clamoring delphia, and Baltimore in the east, for attention; some plan for han- tween the A.A. movement which is continue to be kept to a minimum.. .. and Los Angeles, Houston, San Fran- dling them and spreading the word not an organized body and the activi- “The Twelve Points of Tradition cisco and Little Rock in the west. to more alcoholics was needed, and ties of the Foundation which is an developed out of concern for the The new movement was catching this would inevitably require some incorporated body dedicated to serv- common welfare of A.A. They are fire in 1940 and with publication of financing. ing the members of A.A. individually applicable at all levels: Individuals, Jack Alexander’s article in the Saiur- At this point the plan of voluntary and collectively through its subsidi- group, regional and central. Among day Evening Post the following year, contributions from the groups at a ary facilities,” such as the General other things the Twelve Points re-

afirn~ out of experience that God inquiries from individuals and alone is our ultimate authority; that Groups; they cor~ductcertain neceswe have but one primary purpose- sary business and legal aflairs; they to carry the message to the alcol~olic endeavor to protect the Movement who still suffers; that the principle of from objectionable publicity where Anonymity has primarily a spiritual the problem cannot feasibly be hansignificance-to practice a truly hum- dled at a local level; in general, they ble modesty; that A.A. should re- strive to safeguard the established main forever non-professional and tradition and policies derived from that only special services in extraor- the thought and experience of memdinary circumstances should be paid bers everywhere. for; that the least possible organization is required; that all contribu- GAIN, more concretely, the tions are to be p r e l y voluntary and “A Trustees feel that they will the accumulation of excess funds dis- best safeguard tire established tradicouraged; and that matters of busi- tions of A.A. by seeing to the apness, ~olicy, money and property plication of the Twelve Points of should be separated from the spirit- Tradition to A.A. activities at their ual concern of A.A. to the extent of central point, insofar as practicable, delegating such affairs to appropriate in the following respect: Compliance instrumentalities. in spirit and letter with the principle “The Alcoholic Foundation is such of Anonymity; rotation in office or an instrumentality at the national position; observance of appropriate level. Its Trustees (Directors) … standards in compensation of paid have jurisdiction over matters of workers; limitation of volume and large contract and important policy scope of activities at the general and in all matters they constitute a headquartere office; . .. tribunal of final decision. “It is the considered judgtner~tof “The Trustees are primarily cus- your Trustees that if the A.A. Movetodians of money, policy and tradi- ment remains unshackled by the fettion. More concretely, they have cus- ters of organization and is kept free tody of funds contributed by Groups from the corroding efTect of political and derived from the sale of the procedures which stem from overbook Alcoholics Anonymous and the organization, it will grow in vast monthly publication The A.A. Grape- numbers and beneficient influence vine, although the latter is not yet among those who are open to its self-supporting; they maintain a gen- message.” eral headquarters office to deal with

December 1948

E T H E A.A. l 1 ri(yb(j, Fkillo~~ ().. \ \ I I ~ , l ~ r oitd d L i l d arid that it was fillii~ga d perhonle measure of li~~ancial l)y writing out a c:hcck to cover t h sta1)ility lorn~i~lg cidetl a useful service, Bill W. &the status of ‘I’lie Crupevincl eutimatccl printir~g bill for thc first should be submitted to the groups. issue. ltouglr duiriniics I d been pre- On October 3, 1945, a lettcr was sent

– – the story of your magazine – – pared for this n~eetingand Lois K., out from General Service Headquara bout with tl~e”Ilu,” ters asking whether the groups want- ~~otwitlrstai~dir~;; I or perhaps because of it, came up ed The Grupevine continued and out of a fever witli the name, “Crape- whether they wanted to designate it tine.” as the official periodical of A.A. The

crazy” A.A. who bad the The initial issue came out in June, answcrs with one exception w re fa- 19M, after much worry and sweat, vorable. Following this The rapemany meetings and long hour? for vine was incorporated as, “The A.A. e ( T h e last o/ a series) a( all of the stan’. Ahout 1,200 cop- Grapeviiic, Inc.,” and to meet legal . T’S just a crazy idea, but. . .” z:yrT: idea was Lois K., a mem- 66 I The crazy idea that was born in the early spring of 1944 is now The A.A. Grapevine, the ber, of one of the New York area groups who felt that some kind of a regular publication might serve as a ies were put in the mail mostly to requirements officers, members of the A.A.s in and around New York, but staff, were named. also to a few OIII through the country ~ r o kthe lirst issue, the guiding and to a limited number of non-A.A. purpose of The Grupevirrc has been , national monthly, pocket-size maga- useful bond for all members in this to publish niaterinl adjudged to be friends. zine of A.A., which has reached a region. She first took her idea to consistent witli A.A. and helpful to paid circulation of about 15,000, Dill W. and Marty M., neither of sobriety. The editors seek to include without any promotion or pushing, whom thought it was “crazy” at all. issue entailed a considerable in each issue sonictliing of interest and which is growing at a rate of Then followed a preliminary meet- E E 6 u . t of ial)or, as mislit be ex- and help to both newcorners and oldover 300 new subscriptipns a month. ing of four women A.A.s, Lois K., pected, all of which was done vol- timers, and to make each issue a Like so many A.A. projects, this Marty M., Priscilla P., and Grace O., untarily by the staff after the daily kind ,of international monthly rneetone seemed to have special guidance early in 1944, at which they discussed close of their regular jobs. Looking i r ~ gin print and a place for the exfrom the start and to come along at such matters as format, editorial hack on those early beginning, one of chan6e of thoughts by members just the right moment to fill a need. policy and finances. After a second that staff recalls, “We were aston- throughout the world, Originally conceived as no more than meeting of the same group, they sud- ished each month that we had really a local publication f d ~the groups denly realized that the male con- gotten out another issue!’ tingent in A.A. probably should he in the New York metropolitan area, the founders of The A.A. Crapcvine represented in the project and de- But The A.A. Grapevine never missed an issue and still hasn’t. M EMBERS of A.A. as a whole are really the editors of The A.A. cided that Chase H. and Abbott T. It came out later some months than Grapevine. The majority of the arti- 1 were mor surprised than anyone to see their c eation grow steadily from the first issue, pick up subscriberswould be good additions to the staff. On April 19, 1944, a third meetothers and there have been times cles printed each month are conwhen the filling of eight pages seemed tributed by .members in all parts of by request-out through the country ing was held by this same group with an utterly impossible task, b ~ i twith the U. S. and abroad. The new pocket and finally go regularly to many two or three other A.A.s who later this issue it now has a publication size format which began with the parts of the world. dropped out, and one good non-A.A. record of 54 consecutive months. September, 1948, issue and the edi- Wlicn it I)egnn to appear from the torial tcxt follow preferences indisteadily growing circulation that cated in a reader survey taken in A.A.s wanted a publication of this March, 194.8, when a questionnaire

was sent out to all subscritwrs ; ~ s l \ i n ~G r r i l w ~i ~ t t are tlol~c. Ily four p i c l tliern to signify what type of articles \\ork~rr–the riinl~agi~i;:editor, the and nmkeup they wanted. circulation matlager and two assist- For practical business purposes ants. The A.A. Grapevine is organized as There is no set ~ ~ u n i b eofr nssoany consumer publication. Corre- ciate editors. These men and women sponding to the publishers of any volunteers each lend their expert magazine or newspaper is the A.A. talents to making a succcss of The Grapevine Board of Directors. This A.A. Grapevine. Each has his porboard has a membership of scven and ticular assignment and contributes to is headed by the senior editor of the the editorial content, the art work magazine. Included in this Inern- and the business technicalities of runbership is one non-alcoholic and one iug the magazine. These men and alcoholic member of the Board of women and the paid staff are con- Trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation. stantly on the alert and are working * 7 l i m e men serve voluntarily and de- daily to keep abreast of the magacide h e over-all policy and business zine’s continued growth. matters of the publication. Not yet self-supporting, though For the first two years the job of rapidly approaching that point, The getting the magazine out was done A.A. Grupevine has been subsidized entirely by non-paid voluntccrs. But by special approprialiorls from the as circulation grew arid more and Alcoholic l:our~dation in modest sums more articles were received and more as needs have arisen. and more corresponde~~ce from indi- Four and onc-half months ago, vidual members called for answers, larger quarters hccame necessary and the work load became too great for The A.A. Grapevine ofice was moved only after-hour attention. from a small office in Greenwich Village to 241 East Broadway. HlLE there is still a staff of non- After its modest beginning, the LL crazy” idea has really , Wpaid volunteers, the senior editor and the as- taken root. But The A.A. sociate editors who meet Grapevine will continue once each month to discuss to be put to the test of and plan the editorial con- whether it is performing tent of the magazine the a useful service and will daily work mechanics of continue to be published and producing The A.A. only so long as it does.

FIRST THINGS – FIRST

AA GRAPEVINE, DECEMBER 1948

By: The Trustees of ‘I’lte Alcoholic Fountlation, Inc. (Editor” Note: T h e jollowing stuternent war nut prompted by the incidents rnentiurtcd in the Editorial on the opposite yoge but rejers to other departures Iron1 urtonyntity and to inherent value 01 preserving the principles.)

M EETING in regular session, h e trustees of The Alcoholic Foundutior~,issued to wl~ornit may concern the following statement regarding “Anonymity”, and h e use of the name, Alcoholics Anonymous: “The practice of at~onymityin our public relations already has had a profout~defCect upon us, and in the years to come it will undoubtedly remain one of our vital traditions. “We would like to tnke this opportunity of thanking the press, radio and motion picture companies of the nation for the splendid job they have tione and are doing to respect our tradition of anonymity. “Occasion~llly, h e r e occurs a break in this tradition; the nanle o r picture of an A.A. member may be publicly printed, o r he may speak o r be spoken of by name in a radio interview. The responsibility for tl~eseregrettable, sometimes sensational, situations may rest with the outcome of talks recently given, press reports carrying my A.A. himself. There are no rules o r regulations h a t can bind him ull name have appeared. to the tradition if he chooses to disregard the wishes of the movement Since two of the 12 Points of A.A. Tradition emphasize the g ~ c i ~ t as a whole. In some of these instances the general public does not importance of maintaining personal anonymity at the level of press realize that the alluring temporary benefits of personal publicity must and radio, I naturally feel uncommonly embarrassed and co~~cerned be ignored by us in favor of the long-term benefits of anonymity. at l ~ a v i t ~ g been the subject of these anonymity breaks. Just how or why “So, if you are an A.A. member, or a friend of Alcoholics Anonythese lapses occurred, 1 have not yet learned; I had thougilt suital~le mous, we earnestly request your personal cooperation in helping to m we cautions had been taken againet them. Perhaps they were liartly muintain a world-wide policy of anonyn~dya; the public level as exdue to my own failure to caution reporters present at these particular pressed in the Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. “Our relations with the general public should be characterized by In any case, I feel that all A.A.’s are entitled to this explanation and personal anonymity. We thiuk A.A. ought to avoid sensational advcrto my sincere apologies. tising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not to be brond- Everywhere the press has been ~ t n i f o r m i l ~ cooperative on anonymity cast, filmed o r printed publicly. Our public relations should be guided ,when it is explained as a vital protection to the Alcoholics Anonymous by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There never is movement. May I therefore urgently request all A.A. groups to care- need to praise ourselves. We feel that it is better to let our friends fully cover my anonymity on any future appearances and 1 shall, of recommend us! course, try to take far greater care myself. “Finally, no person is authorized to speak for Alcoholics Anony- Let us never let go of this vital principle. mous, nor, obviously, should anyone introduce, publicly, the A.A. name into his own personal aflairs o r controversy at the public level.”

December 1948

ORE tllnri 2,000 rneml~ersof A1- Lor~~e Associntio~~,Manl~nttan, was coholics Anonylno~~s und pests the p r i ~ i c i l dspcukcr. Mr. MncCorjampacked the rrrnin I~nllroolnof the :nick spoke of tllc good A.A. hod Ilotel Commodore, New York City, donc a d also of the excellent work recently to celebrate the organiza- the organization is doing in rnnny tion’s 14th anniversary. pellnl institutions throtrghout the nn- ‘rhe event, an nnnrral I ~ a ~ ~ q u e was t, tion. sponsored by the New York Inter- Otller sponkcrs wcro ~ ~ r e l n l ~ c whors group Association of A.A. told ~~erson;il s~oricsof cxpcriet~cesin For the first time in A.A.’s history living I~eforeand afler joining A.A. many of its earliest friends and supporters met r~trdcrone roof with Bill W. nnd Bob S., foundcrs of 111amovenlcnt. Among tile early fricrlds were Dr. W. D. Silkworth, formerly of Towns Hospital, Mnnlrattnn, a d now in charge of the alcollolic ward of Knickerbocker Hospital, Manhattan; Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, well known psychiatrist of Blythewood, Greenwich, Conn.; and Dr. Snrnuel M. Shoemaker, pastor of the Calvary Kpiscopal Clr~~rch,Manhattan. Austin MacCormick, former cornis- , sioner of correction for New York City, and trow tlre director of tile Os-

January 1949

Their undersocialization and antisocial attitude is well known. Being away for long periods at sea, seek- The ing no social contacts other than the habitual haunts of seamen, they lose, after a time, any connection ashore Helmsmen Club they may have had. Many alcoholic seamen, or in the vernacular peculiar From New York, N. Y . to themselves, gashounds or performers, have no other contact than that F ROM its beginning four years ago, the growth of The Helmsmen’s Club, in New York City, has been as rapid and phenomenal as of the waterfront bottle gnng and no other hangout or home than the so callcd snake ranches, which are the growth of Alcoholics Anonymous merely furnished rooms where the itsclf. It has done much toward so- gang congregatds. This strong atbering up the much talked about tachment, plus the fact that his fel- , drunken sailor. low alcoholics turn on him when he The seamen who founded this club does sober up makes it very hard to would not at first accept A.A. We’re get the alcoholic seamen started on different was their cry. A.A. is for constructive paths. The A.A. Helmslandlubbers. We are away weeks men’s Club in the past four years has and months at a t i m e a l l seamen undertaken this vast job. Today one drink, its part of the job of going finds here at the club ex-gashounds to sea. and performers, some who are li- Those who know the seamen and censed officers aboard ship, who are their habits realized the difficulties able to go out to sea for long periods they faced when they set out to sell of time, secure in the type of A.A. A.A. to these men. The problem of they got here. alcoholism is no small matter in the Shipping companies, social workmaritime field. For the majority of ers, doctors and psychiatrists have these individuals who take it upon had their eyes opened as they see themselves to live unnatural lives men return, not to bum or give fuaway from shore tie8 avoid the re- ture headaches, but to express thanks, lationships ashore that bring satis- to apologize for past actions, to tell faction to the average citizen. Their of A.A. so that other alcoholics may easy-come, easy-go attitude towards be helped. one another is reversed to suspicion One thing sure has been changed of all outside their circle. Being a among seamen and that is the idea sucker is part of the seaman, making of having to drink while going to him the very resentful and arrogant sea. It is now well known that some person he is to deal with. seamen are smart not to drink.-T.J.F.

February 1949

vent uew excuses-which for some ficers. Membership increased, groups London reason or other I always thought were formed, group-leaders appointed, advisory committees, and essential-al~hough I was determined to get “it” anyhow. for a short while even a treasurer. I can relax. I don’t need to think With the increase of members, the up a reason for having a quick one growing pains multiplied. Of course From London, England. at times when no one else would we had them, and of course we had I-IF, escape again?? Yes, but dream of having one. I don’t need struggles and resentments, intoler-

T this time from the traffic noise and the petrol smell of the Big City, into the quiet and peaceful to watch the time, waiting for the bar to open. I can drive home to. morrow, not bothering about the ance, criticism, and all the busybodies you all know, and the panhandlers and gossips. countryside of Sussex. possibility of the chambermaid dis- But A.A. and its Tradition, its Also to escape from the uninter- covering the empties I had to leave Principles and 12 Steps of Recovery rupted ringing of the telephone in Lehiud. proved stronger. We overcame the the “Private Office of the British The rooms here hnve no numbers, growing pains, with the help, ex- A.A.H.Q.” they have names. “Sunshine” is the perience, and guidance of the Founone I occupy. A ridiculous name for dation and so we are happy to say I I am staying for just this weekend a foggy, cold December morning. that the London Group has topped in the same old country house where But the sun is shining for me. More its “First Hundred!’ In January two many times before I spent my weekends. My eyes look around this than a year ago I felt its first warm- new groups will be formed. One in enormous room, with all its curtains, ing rays, when A. A. came into my Lancashire and one in Kent. There life. Through my psychiatrist I met is a small group in Scotland, a mem. Victorian furniture, old-fashioned Bob the Canadian, who during the ber of which recently made the first huge fireplace and all the little cupboards which at times provided first year succeeded in getting five British A.A. broadcasts from Edin- “hiding places” for just those bot- members together. These five repre- burgh. I am glad to report the resented the British A.A. sult was excellent. tles, for just those occasions. I joined them with all my heart, Not all of our members live in You know, when it was too cold my hopes, my ambitions, and the London, and most of those living in to get up without having just a drink to warm you up, and another one remainder of my brains and energy. other counties travel up to London A.A. got hold of me more than al- to attend our meetings. You have to just before having a stroll through the park or a ride through the cohol ever did. I live, I think, I know British travel facilities to apdream of A.A. and it has become my preciate what this means. woods. A drink to steady your only hobby. Thus the story of British A.A. in nerves or to cure the, hangover from its first year. So as one of the first the night before, or just a drink, We started the way you started. just because. .. Small gatherings in private houses six members, I feel sure that I can ! express the thanks of the whole The room with its overpowering over plenty of coffee and tomato British Group to its Big Brothers and decorations is the same. The hiding juice. Our story is the same as the Sisters in US.A. and wish The A.A. places as well, but things otherwise story of all starts of new groups. Grapevine and all A.A. Groups have changed. The cold no longer We succeeded in getting the medical everywhere. an excuse, nor do I need to strain profession interested. We invited re- A DRY AND HAPPY 1949.4,. T. my slowly drying-UP brains to in- porters, probation and welfare of-

February 1949

1

South Africa From Durban, Natal, Union of South Africa

WEonestarted with two alcoholics, of whom had first had A.A. is to try to convince the provincial authorities that we should have a experience in Dallas, Texas, and the few beds in the public hospitals for other in Johannesburg, South Africa. alcoholics, because at present there We then worked with a third who is no place for the inebriate who is proved a hard nut to crack. He has suflering from a bad bout and needs now moved to Johannesburg and is she1ter and care. a leader of the group there. We have a preponderance of male The two of us who were left got members. Of our present total mema newspaper woman in Durban suffi- bership of about 26, only three are ciently interested in us to write an women. Up to now we have met in article for the Durban paper. As a members’ homes but we have now result we got a dozen or so miscella- outgrown these quarters. neous inquiries. We followed all the Since the first of the year we have leads and managed to gain two new been using one of the small rooms and presently steadfast members. in the City Hall. We are also now The article in the paper excited having alternate open and closed most interest in an asylum nearby, meetings. We have had the usual slips in the among the inmates who were com- group but so far have lost only one ‘ mitted for alcoholism. We then made a Sunday trip and talked to the inmember. We are making a pledge . to ourselves for the New Year. Each mates. As a result they come to us when they are released. We offer of us will do at least one A.A. task every day. We have to fight a ten- ,them association and friendliness and dency to be too satisfied with the real otherwise try to be helpful to them. progress we have made in the six One of our number has contacted months since we have become a the mayor of Durban, the judges and welded group.-R.C.M. public prosecutors, and has excited more curiosity about A.A. The clergy and the medical people are now referring cases to us and we have been able to be helpfal. Our next step

June 1949

A New Group ‘ From Honolulu, Huwaii N the island of Molokai, one of the Hawaiian chain, there is a leper O colony. The people there live as nearly normal as is possible under their isolated conditions. In the town of Kalaupapa they have their own civic government, their own stores, including package liquor stores, their own laws aud jails. Now they have their own A.A. group. In answer to an appeal from the superintendent of the colony, four men from Honolulu Group flew to Molokai. With them went the Big Rook, A.A. literature and the March of Time film. The unusual 12th Step coil was completcd with 12 of the 20 who had asked for A.A. being definitely interested. These very new members of Alcoholics Anonymous would like mail. TIie A.A. Crapevine will see that any letters reach them.-C.W.

July 1949

Anne S. N N E S. has taken her leave of us. She died on Wednesday June 1. At r o the hundreds who really knew her, this was a meaningful and moving event. With those who knew lwr not, I wish to share tlre inspiration which she gave to Lois and me. Anne was the wife of Dr. Bob, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. She was, quite literally, the mother of our first Group, Akron No. One.

HER wise and beautiful counsel to all, her insistence that the spiritual come M o r e anytl~ingelse, her unwavering support of Dr. Bob in all his works; all these were virtues which watered the uncertain seed that was to becon~eA.A. Who but God could assess such a contribution? We can only say that it was priceless and magnificent. In the full sense of the word, she was one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. Not a soul who knew Anne will say that she is really gone. F ~ c h knows that her abiding love and influence will live forever. And none knows better than Dr. Bob, Lois and I, who saw these things from the beginning. Nor do we think we shall never see her again. For, like nearly all our fellow A.A. members, we believe there is no death. She is only out of our sight and hearing for a little while.–Bill

July 1949

CaIIihg A. A. Doctors !

From Cape Vincent, N.Y. This gathering is to have its meetmany physicians now in A.A. ing place at my summer home, one TEe problems diITering from mile from Cape Vincent. Hotel reserthose encountered by other A.A. mem- vations may be had at The Carhon bers. Among them is the tremendous Hotel, Cape Vincent or at the Hubjob of educating members of our own bard House, Clayton, N.Y. These profession. Because we realize with should be made well in advance for deep concern that this problem of this is the height of the vacation season. , education is far beyond the power and ability of one individual I am Wives and families are welcome I suggesting a meeting of doctors in and I am willing to make proper A.A. arrangements in order to make the This meeting will be held at Cape meeting a success. Vincent, N.Y. on the St. Lawrence If your doctor friends in A.A. do River, on August 19-20. Discussions not have time to read their A.A. will be held on education, hospitali- Grapevine, will you please carry this zation, insurance and the care and message to any physician you know treatment of persons suffering from in A.A.-4.R.P. Box 27, Cape Vinalcoholism. cent, N.Y.

about growth, the same humility, 11 THE A.A. I charity, inner honesty, and sincerand Dr. 806 on their first meeting! These, too, are the ties that

1 GRAPEVINE 1 ity of purpose which motivated nil1 and Dr. Ilob in 1935 are the same that move all 80,000 of us today! bind The A . A . Grupevine. The very existence of your magazine i s itself a part of AA’s need to grow. Its capacity to serve will wither A itselfhas changed, i s chang- and die if ever we view it as any- Aing, and will continue to thing but an extension of those change. We’ve grown with our same first principles. We Crapeneeds. All that IMl and Dr. Bob uiners consider ourselves drunks Not So Much Changed required that historic Sunday was first–editors afterward! Neverthe- Annie’s kitchen to sit in, succes- less, it is true that a well-dreded ive pots of coffee, and the oppor- ex-drunk with a clcan collar and a AS – CHANGING tunity to talk it out. “Group therapy” was a mere m ~ t t e rof a sincrease in h i s trousers is usually a better man to send on a 12th Step gle handclasp. Anonymity was no call than some slovenly fellow. problem. It was automatic. The It is in that spirit that we have peed for “carrying the message to dared to change the Crapevine. We other alcoholics” was self-evi- BEHOLD! Your A.A. Grapevine looks a little different this beauty contests. And nobody knows any better than your Crapevine staff dent, and limited, then, to what two men could do one dav at a want to make a few ounces of paper, type, and printing ink reflect the humble self-respect regained month. The new cover itself prob that, I in this case, beauty i s only ably started you wondering what paper deep. These changes were time-and one night at last by 80,000 human goes on here. And a s you turn not made for looks alone. We’re at a time! eings. We want to create these pages, you9lI find that some- after producing a livelier, more Today there are thing new has been added on the interesting publication. It should manifestations of our which we can inside also.We hope you like what improve, issue to issue, a s we The Big Book is a s t a we’ve done to your magazine! master some new techniques of in nearly every library in The A.A. Crapevine i s a true production. Don% for a moment this country and othchild of AA, governed by precisely think that we have any notion of ers. F e have a Foundthe same human factors which daily changing the spirit of the Crape- ation. We get reams guide and change the lives of us vine.. But remember also that it’s publicity. Radio comeall. It’s growing by leaps and dians make jokes about e nroving spirit! bounds in circulation. It must also us. Medicine has put, and i s puting, us under the mic grow in its concepts of service to all AA members. Otherwise, we stand still, rest “on our laurels,” AA hae grown from two deeperate, lonely drunks in Akron back there in 1935. Today there The clergy diecusses us. All that i s a far cry from get smug! And thatVs a s risky for are more than 80,000 of usall over two drunks facing each your magazine a s it i s for you. the world. The figures do not im- other across a kitchen tab1 Y Yet, to this day, each one This issue i s probably the “pret- press us too much. But we are imtiest” we’ve published thus far. pressed, mightily impressed, by succeeds only t h o u So what? We’re not out to win any the fact thet in all this hullabaloo humble t i e s which

shortcominp, our defects, our to learn duringthe past hot summer common confusion, our fears, and months. So if you cpne Fross a our problems in these pages. linc that goes like hf’ orslke thi –please be rnercifu!! We’ll gef There may l e some slip-ups, for the hang of ‘it very soon. Mean- , we’ve undertaken a whole new pro- while, be assured that your humble cess o f producing the Grapevine. servants, the Grapevine staff, is Among other things, we’ll compose doing its levcl best to do a better our own type-an art we9ve had job in AA-just a s you are!

NOVEMBER 949

A A group, and for our far-flung side and with each other, they

TRADITION WEEK society itself? Yet many of us still take the basic unity of Alcoholics Anonystate our attitudes toward power and prestige, toward property and money. They would save us from mous for granted. We seem to for- tempting alliances and major conl get that the whole of modern so- troversies, they would elevate ciety is on a dangerous and con- principles far above personal amtagious “dry bender.” We evidently bitions. And, a s a token of this assume we are s o different from last, they request that we maintain other men and women, that dis- personal anonymity before the open integration can’t hit us. Our unity public a s a protection to AA and appears as a gift of Heaven; some- as proof of the fact that our society thing to be perpetually enjoyed by intends to practice true humility. us A A s quite without effort. For the information of the gene- Criticism is not intended, be- ral public and for the instruction cause our present attitude i s natu- of new AA members, the 12 Traral enough. It stems from the fact ditions have just been released in that no society in its infancy has a much condensed “short form” ever enjoyed more providential which we hope will be as widely protection against temptation and read and understood as the 12 then the 12 Steps of Recovery, T HE idea is in the air that AA might adopt Thanksgiving Week a s a time for meetings and medibringing to him a “personality change.” The shattered piospect untoward happenings than has ours. hlinor troubles we have had, but none serious enough to test our Steps of Recovery. Should this happen, our current growing pains will be lessened and we shall tation on the Tradition of Alco- feels reassembled; he now says he adult strength. It’s not strange commence to lay up a great store holics Anonymous. The friend who seems all one piece. We under that we are a bit complacent and of insurance for the years ahead. hatched this notion tells you– stand exactly what he means, for self-satisfied. Surely there need on another page–why he thinks he describes the state of being be no counsel of fear, nor lack of What then could be more approthe idea good. I heartily agree with ‘a at oneness”; he is talkihg about faith in the prediction that a far priate than to set aside Thankswhat he says and hope you will too. personal unity. We know he must greater time of trial may yet be giving week for discussion of the Pre-AA, we alkies could some- work to maintain it and that he ours. When we think our situation practical and spiritual values to times achieve that dubious state can’t stay alive without it. through, simple prudence and fore- be discovered in our Tradition? called ‘*sobriety, period.” How Will not the same principle hold sight will tell us that. We could thus reinforce our faith bleak and empty this alleged vir- true for AA a s a whole? Isn’t it The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics in the future by these prudent tue is, only God or a dried-up alro a fact that the alcoholic i s in Anonymous are a distillate of our works; we could show that we dedrunk can fully testify. The rea- no greater peril than when he experience of living and working serve togo on receiving that priceson? Of course every AA knows takes sobriety for granted? If vigi- together. They apply the spirit of less gift of “Oneness” which God it: nothing has taken the place of lant practice of sound principle is the 12 Recovery Steps to our group in His wisdom has so freely given the victim’s grog; he’s still a man a matter of life and death for him, life! and security. They deal with to us of Alcoholics Anonymous in of conflict and disunity. Comes why isn’t that equally s o for the our relations with the world out- the precious years of our infancy.

JANUARY 1950

The Serenity Prayer and then someone t e l l s u s that we have quoted it incorrectly. We have. T h e way it w a s originally written by Dr. Niebuhr i s a s follows: As it a p p e a r s in 7’hr A . 11. Grapevine, it reads: Cod give me the serenity LO ac-

…it’s origin is traced … God grant me the serenity To accept things I cannot change, cept things which cannot be changed; Give me courage to change things Courage to change things I can, which must be changed; And wisdom to know the dif- And the wisdom to distinguish ference. one from the other.

T long l a s t the mystery of the time. It w a s published in that Many t e l l u s that it should read: Dr. Niebuhr d o e s d t seem t o mind A t h e Serenity Prayer h a s been year in Dr. Robbins’ book of prayers. Cod grant me the serenity that h i s prayer i s incorrectly solved! Dr. Niebuhr s a y s , “Of course, i t To accept the things I cannot . . quoted. .a comma. .a preposition We have learned who wrote it, when it w a s written and how it may have been spooking around for years, even centuries, but I don’t change; The courage to change the things .. . .even severalverbs. .the meaning and t h e message remain intact. came t o the attention of the early think so. I honestly do believe that I cm; te In fact,” s a y s the good doctor, members of AA. W e have learned, I wrote i t myself.” And the wisdom to know the dif- “in some respects, I believe your too, how it w a s originally written, It came t o t h e attention of an ference. way is better.” a bit of information which should early member of AA in 1939. He lay t o r e s t a l l arguments a s t o read i t in a n obituary appearing in which i s the correct quotation. t h e New York Times. He liked i t T h e timeless little prayer h a s s o much h e brought i t in t o t h e been credited t o almost every the* little office on Vesey St. for Bill logian, philosopher and saint known W. t o read. When Bill and t h e staff t o man. T h e most popular opinion read t h e l i t t l e prayer, they felt on i t s authorship favors St. F r a n c i s that it particu1arl.y suited the needs of Assisi. of AA. Cards were printed and It w a s actually written by Dr. p a s s e d around. T h u s the simple Reinhold Niebuhr, of the Union little prayer became an integral Theological Seminary, New York part o f t h e AA movement. City, in about 1932 a s the ending Today it i s in t h e pockets of t o a longer prayer. In 1934 the thousands of AAs; it i s framed and doctor’s friend and neighbor, Dr. placed on t h e wall of A A meeting Howard Robbins a s k e d pcrmission rooms throughout the world; it apt o u s e that part of the longer prayer p e a r s monthly on t h e back cover in a compilation h e w a s making a t of your magazine and every now

FEBRUARY 1950

…it might have t o those who ;ire going through similar ones. After fifteen years AA spread like a chain letter. Rill had learned a great deal. in AA t h e old trying times are so At first he had tried t o put every far away and foreign t o Hill’s and alcoholic he met in the way of a LI I too , n e e d e d my present way of life that it spiritual experience just like h i s been the time… spiritual s e e m s like t h e experience of someone else. own. As AA grew, he realized that what had come t o him in a few development” dramatic minutes usually dawns

A F T E R Bill left the hospital for the last time, he began t o on others in months or years. Sometimes the alcoholic himself d o e s think of t h e thousands of alcohol- not even realize his own d e v e l o p i c s who wanted t o be rid of their ment, though h i s words and actions malady. If they could be made t o soon s p e a k for him, for he is doing

I T i s hard t o s a y just when Alc o h o l i c s Anonymous began. It may have b e e n a t t h e time a friend he w a s absolutely unable t o d o so, and we both then became terribly feel desperate enough, they might have a releasing experience just now what, of himself, he w a s una b l e t o d o before. He i s staying sober and helping other people a s confused and frustrated. Oddly like his. He would hold before came t o s e e my husband, Bill. Or enough he had been in ocher mat- them t h e medicalverdict that alco- never before. He i s gaining a sei t may have been a t the moment of t e r s a person of strong will power, holismwas hopeless, S o tirelessly, renity, a joy in living. Bill’s spiritual experience. Most but h i s will seemed t o melt aw y d a y and night, we worked. Our AAs feel it is t h e time s i x months later when h e met Dr. Bob in Akron and, together, they started t o help where alcohol w a s concernpi. I n h i s remorse and disappointment he w a s a tragic and heart breaking home w a s filled with alcoholics in v a r i o l s s t a g e s of sobriety. A s many a s five of them lived with u s w ATCHING Bill and the other men a t the meetings, I noticed many of them had begun t o grow other a l c o h o l i c s who wanted t o b e figure. I too f e l t myself a failure, a t one time. But none of them by l e a p s and bounds. T h i s made rid of their addiction. for d e s p i t e every endeavor, I had stayed sober for long,. Then started me look a t myself. I had been But for me it w a s t h e d a y I first not b e e n able t o h e l p him i n tjime, a long process of trial and error, given a sound religious upbringing saw t h e r e l e a s e d expression on my nor could I aid him in t h e l e a s t in certain i d e a s were retained, bur and felt I had done for Bill a l l a husband’s face. We had been mar- h i s final struggle for freedom. many discarded. good wife could do, although t h i s ried 17 years, and were compatible It w a s in June 1935 that Rill w a s strangely mixed with a s e n s e and companionable. Our i n t e r e s t s were similar and we both deeply T ODAY I c a n t a l k and write about t h e s e intimate d e t a i l s went t o Akron, Ohio on a b u s i n e s s trip. T h e venture failed. Iie finally of failure. At first it never occurred t o me that I too needed spiritual d e s i r e d and strove for the other’s of our life together. While Bill w a s contacted Dr. Bob, a n Akron sur- development. I did not realize that welfare. T h e only, but considerable drinking, I dared not e v e n s p e a k t o geon soon t o become cofounder of by living s u c h an abnormal life i I block t o our h a p p i n e s s w a s Rill’s my family about it and tried [ t o Alcoholics Anonymous. Bob too might have become twisted, losing, uncontrolled drinking. In t h e early hide t h e fact of h i s alcoholism in wanted above a l l t o s t o p drinking. a s e n s e of true values. After awhile y e a r s he s a i d that he could s t o p every way possible. Now that I He and h i s wife, Anne, had done I s a w that u n l e s s I jumped on the when he wanted and I thought I’d have learned that B i l l w a s actually everything they could. bandwagon too, I would be left s o o n b e able t o make lite s o com- a very s i c k man, t h a t awful feeling way behind. The AA Program I plete for him that h e would wish t o quit drinking entirely. Much later of d i s g r a c e h a s left me. I have a l s o learned how much help the telling of s u c h experiences c a n b e S OMETHING passed between t h e s e two men. There w a s real found could be most helpful to the non-alcoholic a s well, a fact thouwhen h e really did want t o stop, mutuality t h i s time. By example s a n d s of alcoholics’ relatives and they showed how it worked. T h u s friends now apply t o their own lives.

T h o s e Clinton Street d a y s are a f a l s e front. All barriers a r e down. full of memories. Some of them a r e Some who have f e l t o u t c a s t s a l l humorous, some tragic. But most their lives, now know they really of them bring back a warm glow of belong. From feeling a s if they hope and courage, of friendship were dragging anchor through life, and rebirth. For t h e feilowship in they suddenly s a i l free before the AA i s unique. T i e s are made over- wind. For now they c a n be of trenight that i t would take y e a r s to mendous and peculiar u s e t o others d e v e l o p elsewhere. No one n e e d s having a dire need like their own. ONLY THE 1ST STEP?

Q UITE recently a friend of mine came out with t h e remark, “Poor Rill h a s had another slip.” have found t h e way–if relax in my adherence t o any of I should

t h o s e S t e p s –if I should s o stray Now it was quite natural on hear- in my thinking again–to become ing t h i s that I should conclude intolerant–to l o s e my temper and that Bill had indulged again in a b e unwilling t o beg for pardon-little s e r i o u s drinking. Bur why, I t o speak unkindly and yet feel no Are You Unappreciated? have s i n c e asked myself, must a remorse or s e e k forgiveness–I slip–if t h e word h a s t o b e used shall have slipped just a s surely –only suggest a transgression of a s my unfortunate brother who had t h e 1 s t Step? Ours i s a Program I F you a r e a n e s p e c i a l l y a c t i v e and hard working member of usually i s in Alcoholics Anonymous. The most genuine, the sin- of 12 Steps. It d o e s not begin and end with t h e c e s s a t i o n of our imbibed again. And t h u s I find myself in agreement with the words of Frederick t h e Great, “Every I Alcoholics Anonymous, and you c e r e s t mark of appreciation i s t o I a r e going along, d a y after day, be taken for granted. drinking habit. It i s t h e adoption man must get t o Heaven in h i s unhonored, unrecognized and un- Beware of lavish attention, con- of a way of life. It i s t h e adherence own way.”‘–The Lifeline, Vansung–may I congratulate you? s t a n t e x p r e s s i o n s of your value, t o a credo a s laid down in those No higher mark of appreciation and overflow of thank-you’s. 12 Steps. And s o I feel–once I couver, D. C., Canada could be paid you than t o be taken It may be that y o u a r e a n e x c e p f o r granted. T h a t means that you tion t o t h e above rule and a r e just a r e accounted a s a n inner member lucky. But it i s more probable that of the inner circle, your s e r v i c e people a r e either not quire s u r e naturally expected, no problem about your staying i n line, or that about you s u s p e c t e d which might your reputation for s e n s i t i v e n e s s require solicitude or s p e c i a l i s well known and its demand attention. simply being met. Of course, s u c h a regard i s not T h e r e a r e few p l a c e s where just very thrilling. T h e person doesn’t being ignored i s s u c h a n honesf live who doesn’t like t o be appre- tribute a s in Alcoholics !bonyciated. But t h i s i s the way it mow.–Les, Waukeshu, Wisc.

Dr. Bob and I have been asked by the Cleveland-Akron Groups and by the Trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation of New York to announce: THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. This gathering of our fellowships will be held at Cleveland, Ohio, July 28-30, 1950, in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the founding of AA. Such an extraordinary meeting is proposed at this time for excellent reasons: First: Alcoholics Anonymous is moving from infancy into maturity, so this will beour “coming of agee’party. Second: by the vote of a large number of A A s , we hope at Cleveland to see our”Twe1ve Points of Tradition” s o contirmed that * none will ever again doubt where we stand upon these Principles. Third: we would like to make possible a series of discussions which could give us sound opinions on current problems as they affect our lives together and our relations withthe world. Fourth: naturally everyone will wish to see everyone else, and will be eager to attend the largest AA meeting ever held under a single roof! Yes, Co-Founder Dt. Rob, our good friends,the Trustees, the Grapeviners and the General Ofice Secretaries will be there. So will Lois and I, full of joy at seeing you, too. This idea sprang from the A A s of Cleveland and Akron. Though AA was born at Akron, the town couldn’t hold us now. So the hospitable Clevelanders (Pioneer Group No. 3) will hold our party in their city and, assisted by the Akronites, will take on the role of playing host. Every AAgroup in the world will soon receive an invite from their Confer-

get in your reservations early. Be seeing you at Cleveland!

J. ‘ r

AA GRAPEVINE, APRIL 1950 CHICAGO DAILY NEWS AN LNDIINDKNI NLWSIAPLL mUNDCD JANC’Am? 1. 1871

INTERGROUP OF NEW YORK 10.11 1. 111110112. #DlIOm -4 WBLIS1111

h b l l . b d Wtr by Ib. Cblnn hl 4w W& IIdh BL mmmms AT mar omcm b r cmc~o L e t ‘ s not kid ourselves. B e like t o r e a d complimentary words like SETS A PRECEDENT 14 * DART IRT PAJD -I AVC~hO~

MONDAY. FEBR t h e s e reprinted here. But let us, too, k e e p our h a l o s in place andour e g o s cut down to size! AS WE SEE IT- We i n AA and AA a s a whole a r e in a unique position and one AA Rejects a Legacy which might b e envied by other THE Alcoholics Anonymous Inter- organizations that must depend T” group Association of New York, congratulations for a courageous action. The upon public contributions for their funds. T h e s e groups need, in many group has rejected a legacy of $10,000 i n s t a n c e s , highly skilled probequeathed by a grateful woman member. Readers of The Daily News know of f e s s i o n a l s t o carry on their prothe fine service AA has performed in re- grams of help t o others. T HE Intergroup Association of AA o f New York, Inc. recently could be done with t h e money if t h e group a s s e m b l e d were t o acclaiming victims of alcoholism. In declining the legacy a spokesman for M said: In t h e final a n a l y s i s , the work of Alcoholics Anonymous c a n g o found i t s e l f o n t h e horns of a rather p l e a s a n t dilemma. It w a s faced c e p t it, and he t o l d of t h e p e r i l s which could a r i s e from t h a t accep- “Members have discovered they cannot mix money and its management with o n just a s it began. .. with one man helping another. We could, if .with a c c e p t i n g or rejecting a s i z e – tance. the spiritual nature of the work they are able legacy. .. $10,000, which T h e voting d e l e g a t e s made their trying to do.” we had to, go on helping s i c k alcoh o l i c s without t h e aid of our dearly had b e e n willed t o it by a wealthy d e c i s i o n and unanimously a c c e p t e d Each case of alcoholism must be re- beloved coffee and c a k e s . woman, an e a r l y member of AA. a resolution t o r e j e c t t h e legacy. garded as an individual matter. I t must be treated individually. The victim and We a r e indeed fortunate in hav- In traditional A A fashion, more T h e resolution read in part: ing proved t o ourselves and the than 100 d e l e g a t e s from t h e groups those who help him must give each case “WHEREAS, s u c h large be- personal attention. The problem cannot world that ours i s a truly working in t h e area, met t o talk t h e thing out. q u e s t s or donations will probably be handled by hired case workers. Those Tradition. Traditions Seven and Bill W. w a s a s k e d t o e x p r e s s h i s views. .. “This i s an unprecedented meeting,” he said. b e made in t h e future, “Now then b e it resolved, that who do the work most do it because they believe that the doing is its own reward. Eight work for us, but they might not f e a s a b l y work for others. it i s t h e e x p r e s s e d d e s i r e of t h e There should be a thought here for S o l e t u s not g e t t o o s e t up over -t t History c a n b e made, here, to- D e l e g a t e s of t h e Intergroup Asso- other organizations that seek to accomt h e s e fine tributes. L e t u s rather night, if you c h o o s e t o d o so. No one i s more committed t o simpliciation of AA of New York, Inc., in meeting a s s e m b l e d t o r e j e c t plish social or political reforms. Organization may be essential. But a big cam- look a t our accomplishments .. . . .” c i t y t h a n I. T h e n h e sketched s u c h imminent bequest and t o here paign fund b no substitute for earnest individual endeavors. One firm and wellour international headquarters, our fine c l u b s and meeting places, briefly t h e history and t h e e a r l y signify their intentions of rejecting informed volunteer advocate of a cause and humbly thank God that we have struggling d a y s of Alcoholics any s u c h future b e q u e s t s , d o n a t i o n s can do more by direct contact with his Anonymous. H e told of t h e t i m e s fellow men then a crew of paid exhorters. b e e n a b l e t o maintain them through or other offerings and, our own efforts. At t h e same time, when s i z e a b l e contributions from “BE it further resolved, that In too many organizations with t h e d e c e a s e d literally kept t h e worthy objectives, management of the l e t u s r e a l i z e that t h e Tradition of t h e s e D e l e g a t e s , heartily s u g g e s t machinery becomes the major bbjective refusing o u t s i d e aid throws a sheriff from t h e door of t h e l i t t l e and e n d o r s e similar action o n t h e office o n V e s e y Street. H e pointed and the t d wags the dog. greater burden of responsibility part of t h e T r u s t e e s of T h e Alco- o n e a c h one of us. out, too, t h a t many t h i n g s t h a t h o l i c Foundation.”

April 1950

I

1 HEADQUARTERS HIGHLIGHTS Make a note of these figures. They represent a small part of the work done by your General Service Headquarters during 1949: Total Membership: Approx. 90,000 Total Groups: Approx. 4,000 New Groups in U.S. and Canada: 832 New Foreign Groups: 67 Visitors at Headquarters: 1,000 Letters Rec’d: 22,160 Letters Sent: 60,761 (incl. 30,000 bulletins) AA Books Mailed: 29,647 Pamphlets Mailed: 915,000 Suggested Reading: Many AAs are familiar with the article about Alcoholics Anonymous by Jack Alexander which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1941. Mr. Alexander has written another story giving his impressionsofAAnine years later. It is in the issue of the Post on the newsstands March29. We think you w i l l be interested.

June 1950

than a gracious lady. She was one dear, you’re w i t h friends now-of four people, chosen by a liigher friends who understand” that fear Destiny, to perform a service to and loneliness vanished. Perhaps mankind. How great this contri- that’s why Anne always sat in the bution is, only time and an intel- rear of the meetings, so she could ligence beyond man’s can deter- see the newcomers a s they came, mine. With Dr. Bob, Lois and Bill, timid and doubtful … and make Anne Smith stepped into history, them welcome. not a s a heroine but as one willing to accept God’s will and ready to There’s a plaque on the wall of do what needed to be done. of Akron’s St. Thomas hosQtal Her kitchen was the battleground. dedicated to Anne. It’s a fine memand, while Anne poured the black orial. But there’s a finer one lying coffee, a battle was fought there alongside the typewriter as this i s being written–letters to Dr., ANNE SMITH which has led to your salvation and mine. It was she,perhaps, who Bob from men and women who knew first understood the miracle of what and loved her well. Each tries to (March 2 1st. 188 1 -June let, 1949 put in words what is felt in many passed between Bill and Dr. Bob. And, in the years to follow, it was hearts. They fail–and that’s the she who knew with divine certainty tribute beyond price. Forreal love, that what had happened in her home divine love, escapes even the would happen in other homes again, poet’s pen. again, and yet again. So, in the simplest way we know, For Anne, understood the sim- and speaking for every A A every- “She greeted strangers, and listened for their names.” plicity of faith. Perhaps that’s why where, Jet’s just say ‘Thanks, Dr. God chose her for us. Perhaps Bob, for sharing her w i t h us,’ We that’s why Anne never once thought know that she’s in a Higher Group OMEHOW we believe Dr.Bob’s It i s doubtful if now, only one of herself a s a ‘woman of destiny’ now, sitting well to the bark, with S beloved . Anne would prefer this simple tribute beyond all year after her passing, that the true significance of Anne Smith’s but went quietly about her job. Perhaps that’s why, when she said an eye out for newcomers, greeting the strangers and listening for others. It was written by one who life can be realized. Certainly it to a grief-torn wife, “Come in, my their names! knew her well. It came’ from the cannot yet be written, for the bottom of a grateful heart which warmth of her love, and charm of sensed that extravagant language her personality and the strength of and trumpetingphrases would serve her humility are still upon those only to obscure a life that had of us who knew her. deep meaning. For Anne Smith was far more

June

this response but the quality of the ers, but for very worthwhile pur- FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE interest shown is a further indica- poses. Personnel directors and top tion that AA has indeed ‘come of executives of large employer firms age’. A A s from everywhere have want to see the application of the been very specific about what they AA Program to their businesses. A RE ‘ORT want to discussand heardiscussed. This information is invaluable to They’re interested in the humanitarian angle, of course. But they FOR D R. BOB the committee in programming the Conference. Already they know they also want to understand the purely economic aspect of ‘reclaiming’ can schedule sessions for such valuable (but alcoholic)cmployees, purely AA subjects as ‘Sponsor- reducing their labor turnover, etc. Since all the fireworks in Cleveland come July 28-30 will be in celebra- ship’, 12th Step Work’, ‘Inter Group Doctors and hospital directors tion of Dr. Rob’s 15th anniversary-and the birth of A A itself- and since Operations’, ‘Anonymity’and many want to learn how AA has worked Dr.Bob, at the time this i s being written, is recoverind in St. Thomas Hos- others. There’ll be meetings de- with these institutions to get maxs pital in Akron-we’re addressing this Conference report tohim personally! voted to the special problems of imum results. They9re interested It will, we’re sure, make excellent reading for a speedy convalescence. AA women and to those of younger in how you work it there at St. people now coming into AA in lar- Thomas, Dr. Bob. And at Knickerger land larger numbers. And, after bocker and St. Johns in New York. being neglected pretty much since They want to know about rest Well, Dr.Bob, the Crapevine went Many of those who are planning the early days, the non-alcoholic homes and farms. out to Cleveland so as to make a AA wives and husbands are being Penal authorities want to,know to come, can’t know loo sure, for first hand report. Dick S. introduced heard from. They have a program of how AA has worked out in places one good reason or another, whethus to his committee. And it seems theirown and will play a largepart like San Quentin, Sing Sing, Walker they’ll be able to make it. So to us that the entire city of Cleve- in the Conference’s success. hill and other places of detention the unavoidable 11th hour rush will The greatest common interest, where there is enough experience land i s on that Committee and ev- be ter~ific.Thus, on behalf of Dick however, is shown in the AA Tra- to serve as a pattern for others. erybody working hard for the suc- and his Committee, we beg, imditions, A s we grow individually City magistrates also want to know c e s s of A A s First International plore and plead with Secretaries and collectively, we all realized how it all works at the municipal Conference and to make your 15th to get all reservations and regis- that we need to pool our experianniversary one of the most mem- trations in now! level. ence; to benefit by past mistakes; Thus there will be major sesorable events in all AA history! With almost two months still to and to be governed, not by hard sions on “AA in Industry”, “Hos- Cleveland i s all set to handle go, the response thus far has been and fast rules, but by Divine gui- pitalization and the Treatment of anywhere from 5,000 to 50,000 and little short of phenomenal. Of dance in our stewardship of a re- the Prospective AA,” “AA in whatever the final number is, there course, we’re used to phenomenons demptive movement which we only in AA but when you hear of people Penal Institutions, Federal, State will be accomodations for all! hold in trust for those who still and Municipal.” Naturally, everybody can’t have a coming from the 48 states, from need what we have been fortunate corner room in the Headquarters Canada, Europe, South Africa, the The ‘Main Events’, of course, enough to possess. Yes, ow Tra- will be (1) The Banquet, with A A s hotel. But if each group Secretary Middle East and the South Pacific, ditions will be at the very core will poll his members, get their it makes you marvel once again at from all over the world heard from of the Conference. via traveling mike. No formal registrations ($1.5Oper person) and what a tremendous force went into operation that day you met Bill! Outsiders will be in ow midst speeches. And (2) the main ‘Main their bids for room reservations in I as early a s possible. Not only the size and scope of inCleveland, not a s curiosity seek- Event’-the ‘Big Meeting’with you,

Dr. Bob, and Bill as the only ordinary train seat. At some point, speakers. That tremendous roar they’ll be switched into an ‘all you’re going to hear will merely be AA car’ and at still another point thousands of drunks from all over of convergence, these cars will be the world trying to tell you how hooked up into an all-AA train. So much we love you and how grate- some of the boys and girls will arful we are for what you have given rive in Cleveland in real style. us and our families! There will be caravans of auto- That’s about a s much as your mobiles, A A s from the same areas, Committee can tell you at the mo- north, south, east, and west, travment, Dr. Rob. Rut there will be eling together. There will be spelots more. Every Cleveland group cial busses and, perhaps, a charwill hold ‘Open House’ throughout tered plane or two bringing in some the Conference. There’ll be base- of the more ‘flush* bretheren. ball parties-the Red Sox will be A t any rate, Dr. Bob, it’s going in town that week-end. There’ll be to be the go1 darnest birthday pardances. There’ll be teas-with real ty you or anybody else ever had. tea served too. It’s something that no AA wants to m i s s for we won’t be having any- It will be a joyful gathering, Dr. thing like this except maybe once Bob. Many of the faraway A A s every five or perhaps 10 years. (whose registrations are in early So get good and well, Doc! enough) will start their trip in an It’s your party!

June 1950

(‘The Alcoholic I.’oundation i s , i n effect, a general s e r v i c e board for t h e AAmovement, It p u b l i s h e s t h e book Alcoholics Anonymous, m a i n t a i n s t h e General S e r v i c e Office in New York, g u a r a n t e e s t h e f i n a n c i a l a n d traditional i n t e rity of T h e A.A. Grapevine, and i s r e s p o n s i b l e for AA p u f l i c rel a t i o n s a t the national a n d international level. Address: T h e Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand C e n t r a l Annex, New York 17, New York)

N May lst, your General 0fromservice AA Headquarters moved the old location on Lexington remains the same: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N.Y. Same telephone number too: Avenue to rooms 203-204 at 141 Mllrray Hill 7-6523. East 44th Street. The new set-up The Editorial Offices of The is just around the corner from where A.A. Grapevine will also be at we used to be, right in the same 141 East 44th Street–room 205. area, and still handy to Grand Cen- Mailing address of the Grapevine, tral Station–so it will be just a s both Editorial and Business, reeasy as ever for visiting firemen to mains Box 85, Knickerbocker drop in. Station, New York 2, N.Y. The Alcoholic Foundation and All A A s everywhere are cor- General Service Office will now dially invited to come in and look have the additional space which over the new working quarters of has heen badly needed for quite General Service Headquarters and some time. The mailing address the Grapevine.

July 1950

( T h e Alcoholic Foundation-A.A.”l-leadquarters”-is in effect a general s e r v i c e board for t h e AA movement. It p u b l i s h e s t h e book .-llcoholics Anonymous, maintains the General S e r v i c e O f i c e in New York, g u a r a n t e e s t h e financial and traditional integrity of The A.A. Cra evme, and i s res p o n s i b l e for AA public r e l a t i o n s a t t k national a n d international level. Address: T h e Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand C e n t r a l Annex, New York 17, New York)

Bill and Lois in Europe

BILL and Lois are in Europe, lgth, they visited Bergen; then on visiting AA Groups. They flew to Copenhagen on the 31st. They over, taking off from Idlewild Air- were in Rotterdam June 1st. to 3rd. port, New York, in perfect weather Then their schedule allowed them the morning of May 11th. On the two weeks in Paris. They planned sides of their plane were the let- tovisit some of the old battlefields ters, “AA”–for American (Over- where Bill was during the first war. seas) Airways. Guess there must Ten days in England–ten days be more than one meaning to some in Ireland–and ten days in Scotof the signs we see. land completes their itinerary–to They landed inOslo on May 12th, bring them home by the third week to be there until the 18th. On the inJuly–in timefor Cleveland.

July 1950

ORIGINAL CLIPPING

Reprinted below is the original clipping of The Serenity Prayer which appeared in the New York Times obituary columns. An early A A member saw it and thinking. it particularly fitting for A A s , brought it to the old VeseyStreet office.Soon it began to appear on cards and in AA literature until it became an integral part of the AA way of life. I

Mother-God grant me the sereaity t o ac. cept things J cannot change, coura e to chtrnge things I can, and wisdom t~ know 1 the- – difference. – .– Goodhg. .–

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A.A. “Headquarters”-is in effect a general service board for the AA movement. It publishes the book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains the General Service Office in New York, guarantees the financial and traditional integrity of The A.A. Gra evine, and i s responsible for AA public relations at tRe national and international level. Address: The Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459,Grand Central Annex,New York 17, New York)

B ILL’S address to the American Psychiatric Association is now eties of this basic aspect of the program a s they occur in our felavailable in pamphlet form at five lowship. He tells of hismeeting cents a copy. (Bill i s the first lay- with Dr. Bob, of the early strugman ever to speak before this dis- gles and the later phenomenal tinguished professional group.) En- growth of the society of alcoholics titled “The Society of Alcoholics who had at last found a way out of Anonymous,”the address was read their nightmare and were finding at the 105th annual meeting of the effective ways of passing the good American Psychiatric Association news along to other alcoholics. in Montreal. It appeared in the Addressed to a professional group, American Journal of Psychiatry, this paper nevertheless makes easy November, 1949. Bill gives a brief reading; to quote from the pamphlet: account of his own release from It Being laymen, we have naught but drinking after being introduced to a story to tell, hence the quite perto the principles later embodied in sonal and unscientific character of AA. He describes his own spiritual this narrative.” This seems amrtst experience and discusses the vari- reading for the wel1;informed AA.

Wallet cards, with the Twelve Steps printed on one side and the Twelve Traditions on the other, are now available at $3.50 a hundred. These cards are laminated so they’ll wear well.

September 1950 I

i A A has had a significant summer, an historic one in fact. We flexed our mus- 1 cles a bit at Cleveland, pausing to admire our-

will never be any bigger WE COME OF AGE than one drunk helping another. So Easy Does It – the drunks are com- ing one at a time!

J 1 2 8 ; I Cleveland July 28-30,1950

, N A A s 15th Anniversary every- A s never before, we dedicated ourbody knew that we had grown selves to the single purpose of UP* There couldn’t be any doubt carrying good news of AA to those about it. Members, families and millionswho still don’t know. And, friends seven thousand of them spent three inspiring, almost awe- – a s we affirmed the Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous, we asked some days with our good hosts at that we might remain in perfect Cleveland. unity under the Grace of God for The theme song of our Confer- s o long a s he may need us. ence was gratitude; its keynote was Just what did we do? Well, we the sure realization that we are had meetings, lots of them. The now welded a s one, the world over. medical meeting, for instance. Our .

first and great friend Dr. Silkworth on salt water instead of gin? Then brought us a little dismay. How ently we folks on the outside know couldn’t get there. Rut his associ- the world alcohol problem might be could we fallible .4As ever mea- nothing of prison salesresistance. ate at Knickerbocker Hospital, solved overnight.” Rut that was sure up to Mr. Seltzer’s high hope The skepticism of San Quentin pris- New York, Dr. Meyer Texon, most our idea, not Dr. Texon’s. To him, for our future? We began to wonder oners and keepers alike had been ably filled thegap, telling how best many thanks! if the A A reputation wasn’t getting tremendous. They thought AA must the general hospital could relate About the industrial meeting: far better than i t s actual character. be a racket. Or maybe a crackpot itselfto us. He clinched his points Jake H., U.S. Steel, and Dave hl., Next came that wonderful ses- religion. Then, objected the prison by a careful description how, d u r i n ~ duPont, both A A s , led it. Mr. Louis sion on prisons. Our great friend, Roard, . why tempt Providence by the past four years at Knicker- Seltzer, Editor of the Cleveland Warden Duffy, told the startling freely mixing prisoners with outbocker, 5000 drunks had been spon- Press, rounded out the session story of our original group at San siders, alcoholic women especially? sored, processed and turned loose and brought down the house. Jake, Quentin. His account of AA’sfive- Bedlam would be unloosed. Rut our in AA; and this to the great satis- a s an officer of Steel, told what year history there had a moving friend the Warden, somehow deeply faction of everybody concerned, in- the company really thought about prelude. We heard a recording, soon convinced, insisted on AA. To this cluding the hospital, whose Board AA – and it was all g o d . Jake for radio release, that thrillingly day, he said, not a single prison was delighted with the results and noted AAs’huge collective earning dramatized an actual incident of rule has ever been broken at an specially liked the fact that its power somewhere between% and , A A life within the walls. An alco- A A meeting though hundreds of modest charges were invariably billions of dollars annually. In- holic prisoner reacts bitterly to gatherings have been attended by paid, money on the line. Who had stead of being a nerve-wracking his confinement and develops amaz- hundreds of prisoners with almost ever heard of 5000 drunks who drag on society’s collective pocket ing ingenuity in finding and drink- no watching at all. Hardly needed really paid their bills? Then Dr. book, we were now, for the most ing alcohol. Soon he becomes too is that solitary, sympatheric guard Texon brought us up to the minute pan, top grade employables who ‘ ingenious. In the prison paint shop who sits in the back row. on the malady of alcoholism a s could contribute a yearly average he discovers a promising fluid The Warden added that most prithey see it at Knickerbocker; he of $4,000 apiece to our country’s which he shares with his fellow son authorities throughout the Unisaid it was a definite personality well being. Dave M., personnel alcoholics. It was deadly pison. ted States and Canada today share disorder hooked to a physical cra- man at duPont, who has a special Harrowing hours followed, during his views of Alcoholics Anonymous. vins. That certainly made sense to eye to the company’s alcohol prob- which several of them died. The Hitherto 80% of paroled alcoholic most of us. Dr. Texon threw a lem, related what the “new look” whole prison was tense a s the fa- prisoners had to be scooped up heavy scare into prospective “slip- on serious drinking had meant to talities continued to mount. Noth- and taken back to jail. Many inpees.” It was that little matter of duPont and its workers of all ing but quick blood transfusions stitutions now report that this perone’s liver. This patient organ, he grades. According to Dave, his com- could save those still living. The centage has dropped to one-half, said, would surely develop hob- pany believes mightily in AA. Ry San Quentin A A Group volunteered even one-third of what it used to nails or maybe galloping cirrhosis, all odds the most stirring testimony instantly and spent the rest of that be. Warden DulIy had traveled 2000 if more guzzling went on. He had a at the industrial seminar was given long night giving of themselves a s miles to be with us at Cleveland. brand new one too, about salt water, by Editor Louis .Qltzer.Mr.Seltzer they had never given before. AA We soon saw why. He came because claiming that every alcoholic on spoke to us from the viewpoint of hadn’t been any too popular, but he is a great human being. Once the loose had a big salt deficien- an employer, citizen and veteran now prison morale hit an all time again, we A A s sat and wondered cy. Hence the craving for more newspaper man. It was about the high and stayed there. Many of the how far our reputation had got drinks. Fill the victim with salt most moving expression of utter survivors joined up. The first ahead of our character. water, he said, and you’d quiet confidence in Alcoholics Anony- Prison Group had made its mark; Naturally we men fall: couldn’t him right down. Of course we mous we had ever heard. It was al- A A had come to San Quentin to stay. go to the meeting of the alcoholic thought, “Why not put all drunks most too good; its implications Warden Dutry then spoke. Appar- ladies. But we make no doubt they

devised ways to combat the crush- prodigious shuffle.Lots of the new- sent ones. We were first reminded led ro the writing of our Tradition. ing stigma that still rests on those er localities held closed meetings of the absent by that A A from the Then I was asked to sum up, which poor gals who hit the bottle. Per- only, it looked like A A was going Marshall Islands who, though all I did, snyin~: haps, too, our ladies had debated exclusive. But of late this trend alone out there, still claimed his “That, touching all matters afhow to keep the occasional big has whipped about. More and more group had three members, to wit: fecting A A unity, our common wclbad wolf at a respectful distance. our partners have been taking the “God, the book ‘Alcoholics Anony- fare should come first; that AA has But no, the AA sister transcribing Twelve Steps into their own lives. mous’ and me.” The first leg of no human authority only God a s this piececrisply assures me noth- A s proof, witness the 12th Step his 7000 mile journey to Cleveland he may speak in our Group Conof the son was discussed. A won- work they are doing with the wives had finished at Hawaii whence science; that our leaders are but derfully constructive meeting, she and husbands of newcomers, and with great care and refrigeration trusted servants, they do not govsays it was. And about 500 girls note well those wives’ meetings he had brought in a cluster of floral ern; that any alcoholic may become attended. Just think of it, AA was now springing up everywhere. At tributes, those leis for which the an AA member if he says so we four years old before we could so- their Cleveland gathering they in- Islands are famous. One of these exclude no one; that every AA ber up even one. Life for the al- vited us alcoholics to listen. Many was sent by the A A lepers at Molo- Group may manage its own affairs coholic woman i s no sinecure. an AA skeptic left that session kai those isolated A A s who will a s it likes, provided surrounding Nor were other special sufirers convinced that our “forgotten ones” always be of us, yet never with us. groups are not harmed thereby; overlooked, such a s paid inter- really had something. A s one al- We swallowed hard, too, when we that we A A s have but a single aim, I group secretaries, plain everyday kieput it “The deep understand- thought of Dr. Bob, alone at home, the carrying of our message to the I secretaries, our newspaper editors ing and spirituality I felt in that gavely ill. One toast of the even- alcoholic who still suffers; that in and the wives and husbands of al- wives’ meeting was something out ing was to another AA who, more consequence we cannot finance, coholics, sometimes known a s our of this world.” than anything, wanted to be at endorse or otherwise lend the name “forgotten people.” I’m sure the Far from it, the Cleveland Con- Cleveland when we came of age. ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ to any secretaries concluded that though ference wasn’t all meetings. Take Unhappily he never got to the Tra- other enterprise, however worthy; sometimes unappceciated, they still that banquet, for example. Or dition meeting, he had been car- that AA, a s such, ought to remain loved every moment of their work. should I say banquets? The origi- ried off by a heart attack the poor, lest problems of property, What theeditors decided, I haven’t nal blueprint called for enough night before the Tradition meet- management and money divert us learnd. Judging from their telling diners to fill the Rainbow Room of ing and the birthday banquet fromour sole aim; that we ought to efforts over the years, it i s alto- Hotel Carter. But the diners did took place. But at length gaiety be self-suppbrting, gladly paying gether probable they came up with much better. The banqueteers took over; we danced till mid- ow small expenses ourselves; that many an ingenious idea. quickly overflowed the ~Hllroom. night. We knew the absent ones A A should remain forever non-pro- Everybody agreed that the wives Finally the Carter Co&e Shop and would want it that way. fessional, ordinary 12th Step work (and husbands)meeting aas an eye- Petit Cafe had to be cleared for never to be paid for; that, a s a opener. Some recalled how Anne S. the surging celebrants. Two or- Several thousand of us crowded Fellowship, we should never be in the Abon early days, had been chestras were drafted and our fine into the Cleveland Music Hall for organized but may nevertheless boon companion and adviser to dis- entertainers found they had to play the Tradition meeting, which was create responsible Service Boards traught wives. She clearly saw al- their acts twice, both upstairs and thought by most A A s to be the or Committees to insure us better coholism a s a family problem. Mean- down. Though nobody turned up high point of our Conference. Six propagation and sponsorship and while we AAs went all out on the tight, you should have heard those old-time stalwarts, coming ftorn that these agencies may engage work of sobering up incoming al- AAs sing. Slap-happy, they were. places far flung a s Boston and San fulltime workers for special tasks; kies by the thousands. Our good and why not? Yet a serious under- Diego, beautifully reviewed the that our public relations ought to wives seemed entirely lost in that tone crept in as we toasted the ab- years of AA experience which had proceed upon the principle of at-

traction rather than promotion, it filled’ an hour before hand. -Hun- That afternoon we filed into the AS evidence I shared a vision . being better to let our friends rec- dreds who couldn’t get near the Cleveland Auditorium. The big of A A a s Lois and I saw it unfold omnrnd us; that personal anony- meeiing packed its corridors and event was the appearance of Dr. on a distant beachhead in far Normity at the level of press, radio main lobby. People who have fear Bob. Earlier we thought he’d never way. The vision began with one and pictures ought to be strictly that A A is losing interest in things make it, his illness had continued A A who listened to a voice in his maintained as our best protection of the spirit should have been there. so severe. Seeing him once again conscience,and then sold all he had. , against the temptations of power A hush fell upon the crowd a s was an experience we seven thou- George, a Norwegian-American, or personal ambition; and finally, we paused for a moment of silence. sand shall always treasure. He came tp us at Greenwich, Connectithat anonymity before the general Then came the speakers, earnest spoke in a strong, sure voice for cut, five years ago. His parents public i s the spiritual key to all and carefully prepared, all of them. ten minutes, and he left us a great back home hadn’t heard from him our uaditions, ever reminding us I cannot recall an A A gathering heritage, a heritage by which we in twenty. He began to send letters we are always to place principles where the attention was more com- A A s can surely grow. It was the telling them of his new freedom. before personalities, that we are plete, or the devotion deeper. Yet legacy of one who had been sober nack came very disquieting news. actually to practice a genuine some thought that those truly ex- since June 10, 1935, who saw our The family reported his only brothhumility. This to the end that ow cellent speakers, had, in their en- first Group to success, and one who, er in desperate condition, about to great blessings may never spoil thusiasm, unintentionally created in the 15 pears since, had given lose all through alcohol. What us; that we shall forever live in a bit of a problem. It was felt the both medical help and vital AA to could be done? The AA from Greenthankful contemplation of Him who meeting had poneoverfar in the di- 4000 of our afflicted ones at good wich had a longtalk with his wife. presides over us all.” rection of religious comparison, St, Thomas Hospital in Akron, the Together they took a decision to So summing up, I then inquired philosophy and interpretation, when birthplace of Alcoholics Anony- sell their little restaurant,all they if those present had any objections by firm long-standing tradition we mous. Simplic icy, devotion, stead- had. They would go to Norway to to the Twelve Traditions of Alco- A A s had always left such questions fastness and loyalty; these, we help the brother. A few weekslater holics Anonymous a s they stood. strictly to the chosen faith of each remembered, were the hallmarks of an airliner landed them at Oslo. Hearing none, I offered the AA Tra- individual. One member rose with that character which Dr. Bob had They hastened from field to town ditions for adoption. Impressively a word of caution. A s I heard him, well implanted in so many of us. and thence 25 miles down the fjord unanimous, the crowd stood up. I thought, “What a fortunate occur- I, too, could gratefully recall that where the ailing brother lived. He So ended that fine how in which ence. How well we shall always in all the years of out association was in a bad state all right. Unwe of Alcoholics Anonymous took remember that AA i s never to be there had never been an angry word fortunately, though, everybody saw our Destiny by the hand. thought of a s a religion. How firm- between us. Such were ow thoughts it but him. He’d have no AA, no On Sunday morning we listened ly we shall insist that AA mem- a s we looked at Dr. Bob. American nonsense. He an a l c b to a panel of four AAs who por- bership cannot depend upon any Then for an hour I tried to sum holic? Why certainly not! Of course trayed the spiritual side of Alco- particular belief whatever; that up. Yet how could one add much the man from Greenwich had heard holics Anonymous as they under ow Twelve Steps contain no arti- to what we had all seen, heard and such objections before. But now stood it. What with church-goers cle of religious faith except faith felt in those three wonderful days? this familiar argument was hard and late-rising banqueteers, the in God as each of us understands With relief and certainty we had to take. Maybe he had sold all he Conference Committee had never him. Haw carefully we shall thence- seen that A A could never become had for no prof it to anybody. George guessed this would be a heavy duty forth avoid any situation which exhibitionistic or big business; persisted every bit he dared, but session. Uut church-goers had al- could possibly lead us to debate that its early humility and simpli- finally surmised it was no use. ready returned from their devotions matters of personal religious be- city i s very much with us, that we Determined to start an A A Group and hardly a soul stayed abed. lief.” It was, we felt, a great are still mindful our beloved Fel- in Norway anyhow, he began a Hotel Cleveland’s ballroom was Sunday morning. lowship i s God’s success, not ours. round of Oslo’s clergy and physi-

cians. Nothing happened, not one to place t i n y ads in the Oslo ne-xsd them olltved him a single pros- papers. Ife explained he &as a pect. Greatly cast down, he and recovered alcoholic who wished to his wife thou~htit high time they help others. At last a prospect got back to Connecticut. appeared. When the newcomer was nut Providence took a hand. The told the story and shown the White rebellious Norwegian obligingly Plains pamphlet, he, too, sobered tore off on one of his fantastic instantly. The founders to-be then periodics. In the final anguish of placed more ads.. .. 1 his hangover he cried out to the Three years after, Lois and I man from Greenwich, “Tell me alighted upon that same airfield. again of the ‘Anonymous Alco- We then learned that Norway has holics.’ What, oh my brother, shall hundreds of AAs. And good ones. 1 do?” With perfect simplicity The men of Oslo had already car- George retold the A A story. When ried the life giving news to other he had done, he wrote out in his Norwegian cities and these beaall but forgotten Norwegian, a long- cons burned brightly. It had all hand translation of a little pamph- been just as simple, but just a s let published by the White Plains, mysterious a s that. Louis B. Seltzer Clinton C. D u f y N.Y. Group. It contained, of course, In the final moments of our hisour Twelve Steps of recovery. The toric Conference it seemed fitting family from Connecticut then flew to read from chapter eleven of To the three non-alcoholics who rational highlight of the Confer- .

away home. The Norwegian brother, ,4lcoholics Anonymous. These were participated in ow International ence. Dr. Meyer Texon of New himself a typesetter, commenced the words we took home with us: CIonference A A owes a great debt Ywk’s Knickerbocker llospital Abandon yourself to Cod as you rrnderstmd (;od. Admit your faults to of Gratitude. Warden Clinton C. made, a personal, sacrifice as a l l i m and your ~eI101us.Clear away the wreckage of yourpast. G i v e freely of i c h you find, and join us. IVe shall he with you, i n the Fellowship Uulfy of San Quentin (where the last minute substitute for our o f t h e Spirit, and yorr roil1 surely meet some o / us as you t r u i f ~ et h e t i o a d first prison group was formed) beloved Dr. Silkworth. Dr. Texon’s of Happy Destiny. May Cod bless you and keep you -until then. traveled 2,000 miles to be with depth of understanding made us us. What he told us was worth realize once again our great obgoing 2,000 miles to hear. Louis ligation to the men of medicine. R. Seltzer, Editor,of the Clevelund To these three, a s symbols of Press, has many times proved the many non-alcoholic friends his devotion to the AA ‘way of in many fields who have helped life.’ His a d b e s s at the ‘AA In us, may we of AA say our heart- Industry’ session was the inspi- felt ‘Thanks!’

September 1950

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A.A.”Headquaners”-is in effect a general service board for the AA movement. It publishes the book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains the General Service Office in New York, guarantees the financial and traditional integrity of The A..4. Gra evine, and i s responsible for AA public relations at t f e national and international level. Address: T h e Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, New York)

this give’s the newcomer an ex- A LITTLE less than a year ago, the General Service Office sent to the secretary of each AA Group cellent grounding i n A A history, general practice, and service aca three-ring bound manual called tivities. And it may also give some ‘al/mdloolc For The Secretary. ” old-timers a bit or two of informa- It contains interesting material re- tion they never knew before. A lating to A A background and ex- glance at the title of the various perience and suggestions designed sections in the Handbook will infor the information and use of the dicate why and how the closed 1 secretary and the Group members. meeting use of the Handbook works The Handbook is not, of course, so well; these are the titles: a gift to any individual secretary Rackground, Traditions, Services, who may be serving at the time, Meetings, I i ~ s ~ i t a l i z a t i o n ,Neutbut i s rather to be kept a s a per- comers, croup Organiz&ion Secmanent source of reference for the tions are to be prepared from time Group a s a whole, with each suc- to time and issued to the secretary ceeding secretary acting a s cus- for inclusion in the Handbook. todian of the manual. If your Group has not yet put the In practice, the Handbook turns “Handbook For The SecretaryH out to serve a further very helpful to work in closed meetings, why purpose: the various sections of not try it? If the Handbook should the Handbook are being used a s be lost, a new copy may be obbases for discussion in closed tained from the General Service meetings. It has been found that Office for $2.50.

October 1950

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A.A.”Headquaners”-is in effect a general service board for the AA movement. It publishes the book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains the Geheral Service Office in New York, guarantees the financial and traditional integrity of The A.A. Cra evine, and i s responsible for AA public relations nt e!lt national and international level. Address: The Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459. G r c d Central Annex,New York 17, New York)

Last year, you will remember, it was suggested that Thanksgiving Week be set aside for study and meditation on the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. From reports which came to us from Rroups which devoted meeting time for the observance, it seems that both the group and the individual member gained much from it. Based on these reports, we feel that many of you will uwnt to repeat the observance of Tradition Week this year. Through this observance we can thus reinforce our faith and give thanks for our precious gift of “oneness.” out-of-towners who plan to ALL attend Bill’s 16th Anniversary Dinner in New York City at the group Association, and the editors and staff of The A. A. Grapevine. Hotel Astor on November 9th, are We’ve done it for the past couple invited to an informal reception by of years, and it has worked out fine the Trustees of the Alcoholic for everybody, so we’re doing it Foundation. The time i s 3:00 to again. Naturally, we would like 5:00 P.M. The idea is to give all very much to extend this invitavisiting firemen an opportunity to tion t o every dinner guest, but it get acquainted — or to renew cannot be done that way, because acquaintance — with Bill, Lois, there just isn’t enough room. So your Trustees and members of the the invitation, of necessity, is to General Service Committee, the out-of-towners only. Coffee and Secretarial Staff of your General coke by the gallon. Three to five. Service Headquarters, the Secre- Hotel Astor. November 9th. .See taries from the New York Inter- you there1

November 1950

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A. A.”Headquaners”-is in effect a general service board for the AA movement. It publishes the book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains the General Service Office in New York, guarantees the financial and traditional integrity of The A.A. Gra evine, and i s responsible for AA public relations at tRe national and international level. Address: The Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand Central Annex,New York 17, New York)

“the million who still don’t know.” YpressOUR General Service Headquarters Office wishes t o exdeep gratitude t o those of T h i s year, a s last year, groups are planning t o have special meetyou who haveresponded t o the let- ings t o study and discuss the ter sent out to the groups by Bill – Twelve important Points of AA the semi-annual request for volun- TraditionEverywhere AA i s “growtary contributions t o T h e Alcoholic ing up.” Heartily endorsed by rising Foundation. W e know that there vote of the membership present at are many more whose contributions the First International Conference, are in the mails even now, or will our Traditions are recognized a s a b e in the days to come before the powerful force which welds u s toend of this year. We are indebted, gether a s one – dedicated t o the too, for the many kind things you single purpose of carrying the AA have had t o say in your letters, Recovery Program t o those who concerning the services of this of- need u s and ask for our help. fice. Thanks for your cooperation We hope that Thanksgiving will and understanding of the need t o b e a happy time for AAs everymaintain these vital over-all ser- where, and that the meetings you vices. Your response i s heart- will hold this Tradition Week will warming t o us, and will enable u s have a special significance and t o continue t o carry the message t o meaning for all.

December- 1950

Dr. Bob The tragic news of Dr. Bob’s death came after this issue of the Grapevine had gone to press. No hastily written words can possibly describe the feelingsof the thousands of AAs who knew him personally. And only the loving God who has been s o merciful t o u s a l l c a n truly measure the greatness of his contribution not only to AA but t o all mankind. We shall make here no mere listing of his devotions t o AA. How inadequate for a man who i s a co-founder of something that h a s meant s o much t o s o many. But even ‘Co-Founder’ does not serve. For Dr. Bob w a s the rock on which AA i s founded. None who s a w and heard him last summer a t Cleveland will ever forget h i s characteristic statement – the last he made in public t’ – love and service are the corners t o n e s of Alcoholics Anonymous!”

In loving tribute, the January issue of the Grapevine will be dedicated as a Memorid to our beloved Dr. Bob.

DECEMBER 1950

The anonymity in Alcoholics ual str&tlth.Simplicity of the cju~l- Anonymous is a means of carryinp, ificat ions for membership is a p oli-\ out the intent of privileged com- cy.The request to the press 40 yemunications imposed ethically and spcct anonymity is a policy.It is a legally on physicians and clerqy- policy f& speakers and writer? to men. It is at once your strenqth and mention that the ideas expreped your bulwark. It should not be are their own and do not necessarlightly laid aside and never taken ily reflect those of Alcoholics’ from another without his authoriza- Anonymous as n whole. It is a pol- 1I tion. And finally if anonymity is icy not to conduct hospitals, re-‘ sacrificed, the perpetrator is ipso treats, research, education, re- 1 facto no longer AA. habiliation. It is a’policy to qake

On Anonymity Conflicting opinions arise largely out of a lack of precision i n speech and come to represent a contradiction in terms. Devices this way of life available to those who seek it. For these purposes various devices have ari’sen. The congregaassume the proportions of prin- tion of adherents have formed by Dr. Leonard V. Strong, Ir. ciples which in turn are confused groups and ha”e employed persohs with policies. to act a s liaison between the te- The principles of Alcoholics covered and the unrecoverqi. h- I Anonymous are contained in the tergroup committeesl havC arijen HE anonymity of Alcoholics ymous. Rut to the knowledge of T Anonymous is a relative term. You1 are not anonymous to your this writer, none has ever betrayed the confidence of his confreres title and i n the Twelve Steps plus the negative but important one of and serve a s clearinq houses to abet hospitalization and public reavoiding controversy which gen- lations locally. Sectional confer-‘ adsociates, to your family or to in either regard to anonymity or to erates resentments. ences have developed for a wider your fellows. You travel incognito the confessions that have been The policy of Alcoholics Anony- discussion of common problems. if you choose and largely to the made to him in private. Each cate- mous is consistent with the princi- The Vorks Publishing Company extent you choose. The press often gory is equally sacred and is held ples. Anonymity besides being a was formed to print a book which times, Lt some expense to them- a s privileged communicatibns. spiritual principle is a policy in would help some not otherwise selve’s, have’been most courteous that it averts both stigma and aq- approachable. in /mmring the spirit of anonymity The disclosure of one’s busiqrandizernent. Communal poverty The Alcoholic Foundation is a whether or not they sensed at the ness allairs, state of health, sois a policy in that wealth is a device by which individu Is and time the value it held for those cial, political, or religious affiliasource of controversy. It is policy I t kroups are related throughan pffice yet unrecovered, or could fully tions is reserved to that person’s not to participate in political or maintained for correspondence and comprehend the role it played in discretion, when he alone is insectarian issues for the same rea- which by its ability to Quster group recovery. volved. A doctor or priest may not Intermittently and for what ap- divulqe, and in most instances is , ‘ son. To have a minimum of organi- presgure can censor transgrejsors I zation avoids the temptationof in- and those who seek personal profit peared at {he time, good reason, estopped by law from divulging, ternal politics and conflict.The pol- or to use the good name of Alcdindividuals have laid aside its even on the witness stand, inforicy of attraction rather than promo- holics Anonymous for purpose not cl ak and represented themselves mation received i n the course of !\a s art icipants of Alcoholics Anon- carry inp, out his professional duties tion is a buttress to the other policies a s well a s a sourceof spiritin keeping with its stated p d i ~ y . ‘ Since it is a medium implem&ting

I , the Twelfth Step on an international Alcoholics Anonymous into disreplane and is s~~pportedby the pute. either by proselyting, comcroups or me,mbers i t must be’ re- mercializing, by violnt ion of anonsponsive a s ,well as responsible. ymity or by any other means must If it can only earn their support, be curbed or the efiects will connot alone financially but more es- demn many to insanity or. death. pecially in consolidating senti- Such a curb, if it is 10 be effectual ment, by some form of participa- and not create fadions must be tion on their part then that partici- exercised with the full’ conf idence palion must h welcomed. This is and cooperation of all. This conaxromatic and there are two other fidence is now mediated through the coequal axioms. One is: that the founders. flow is it to be perpetservices of the central office must uated if not by some form of parbe con)inued if many alcoholics ticipation. are not to die prematurely or to go Yet another device is available insane (only a small fraction have and that is thc Grapevine. It serves been permitted the opportunity of to reflect current thought and ac- AIcoholics Anonymous) and the tivities and can serve to keep other is:, that any person or p r – principles and policies alive by )sons acting to bring the name of reiteration. $8 – .

DECEMBER 1950 I I selves upward out of the alcoho , / which have enabled our Society to function and to erow. Acting on behalf of all, Dr. Bob ‘ sea. \!’hat a God-given mirac,ulou circumstance! 1 and 1 ask that you- the members of Through our rather fevqrish – A A now assume guidance of these infancy, the Alcoholic ~louAdation I Services and guard them well. The Board, unseen by’ many, quietly , , furrlre growth, indeed the very sur- played a qreat part in the, formdtion vival nf Alcoholics Anonymous may and spread of our wqll-llpvqd Socione day depend on how prudently ety.Acting through our General [Ofthese Arms of Service are admin- fice, the book Alcoholics Anonyistt-red in years to come., mous, and latterly the Grapevine, May we share with you a frag- the Foundation became directly re- YOUR THIRD LEGACY ment of history? Twelve years ago, warmly aided by great friends, Dr. sponsible for half our growth and , effectiveness both in quality andl Bob and I established a Headquar- quantity. There can be ,no qhesters for our then obscure Fellow- tion of that. I

by Dr. Bob and B i l l ship. Soon thereafter we transferred Suppose, then, all these year,s, this function to The Alcoholic we had been withoul those Foundation, which was organized Services. Where ,would d e be toa s a small Board of Trustees ded- day minus the A.A. Rook an4 our I ) icated to serve our ,cause. It’s standard literature which now pours (NOTE: This is a proposal to form “The General Service Conference of Board was formed of alcoholics out of Headquarters a t :the rate of ‘ Alcoholics Anonymous” – a small body of State and Provincial A A /)el- and non-alcoholic friends, who to- three tons a month? Suppose our e ~ a t e smeeting yearly, who could assume direct responsibility for the day number fifteen. When in the public relations had bken left lo Ruidanck of the A A General Service Ileadguarters at New York City – 5pring of 1930 our Foundation was thaushtless chance? 9upl)ose no not to be confusd with the 1950 Cleveland international Conference.) born, A A was but three years old. one had been assiqned to encourage We had only 50 members. The book good publicity and discouraqe the Alcoholics Anonymous was just an had? Suppose no accurate inforqa- , idea. None could then guess the tion about A A had beenavailable? ‘ magnificenck of the gift which Imagine our vital and delicate re- WE, A A , ofi who are the older members bequeath to you who are younyr, these three legacies – Being someday perishable, Dr. Bob and I now wish to deliver to Providence had begun to bestow. In the twelve years since, those lations with medicine and r~ligipn left to pot luck. Then, too, where the members of A A their third legthe “1ZISteps of Recovery,” the 50 early members have spawned would thousands, of AIA$ be today’ acy.Since 1938 we and our friends “12 Traditions” and now the “Gen- 120,000 more. A A stretches world- if the General Officy hadn’t anhave been holding it in trust. This efal Services of Alcoholics Anony – legacy is the General Headquarwide. Religion and medicine have approvingly raised us out of that swered their frantic letters and referred them to help? (Our New York ~~OUS.”TWO these O ~legacies have ters Services of Alcoholics Anonlone been in your keeping. Ry the ymous the Alcoholic Foundation, N o Man’s Land where we once foundered between them. U’e have Officereceived and answered 28,000 letters of all kinds last year.) Or b 12 Steps we have recovered from the A.A. Rook, Tk A.A. C r q e alcoholism; by the 12 Traditions ~ ~ i nand e the A.4. General Office. no enemies, our friends are beyond in what shape would hupdreds of we a e achieving a fine unity. These are the principal Services count. Like qleaming coral islands distant A A Groups now by if that ‘ f our thousands of Groups build them- Office hadn’t started them, by majl I I I

I

Third – In future years our ‘Trus- can’t expect to remain untouclred I or directed travelers to them? flow nowhere; that’s sure. could we ‘have m:!naqed without n So it is that by the “Steps” we tees couldn’t possibly function by the hour of serious trwhle. \t’ilth ‘ world Group I)ir~ctory?&’hat about hi~verecovered, by theUTraditions” without direct guidance from A.4 ir- direct support un;~vailal,lc,l\.rith110 those foreiKh (iroups in 28 coun- we have unified, and by our Head- self. Somebody m u s t advise thcn~. reliable cross-sectioh of A A ! opintries clamoring for trnnslntions, quarters Services we have been Somebody, or something, must t.ike ion, how coulLi our remotk ‘I’rusprove9 experience and encourage- able to function a s a Society, I the place of Dr. Ilob and Ilill. tees handle a Ilnznrdous emereenment? Would we be publishing the Yet some may still say – “Of Forrrtlt – Alcoho1ic.s /lt~o~vmons cy? This gaping “open end” in our’ ‘A.A. nook at Oslo, Norway and course the Foundation should go is out of its infxncy. Grown up, ‘present set-up could positively Lbndon, , I’nqland? What of those on. Certainly we’ll pay that small adult now, it has full right an;l the guarantee n clebacle. Confidence lone members on high seas or i n expense. f3ut why can’t we leave plain duty to take direct responsi- in the Foundation would bellost. I far corne(rs of the earth, those its conduct to Dr. I h b and 13ill bility for its ,own Headquarters. AAs would everiwhere say: ‘fBy prisqners, those asylum inmates, and their friends the Trustees? We It’ifth – Clearly then, unless whose authority do the Trustees thos veterans in service or in hos- z~lways have. Why do they now the Foundation is firmly anchored, speak for us? And how do they , f pitnls? Where might we one day bother us with such business? through State and Provincial rep- know they are right?” With Ah’s be if we never had The A. A. Grape- Let’s keep A A simple.”Good ques- resentatives, to the movement it Service life-lines tanqlqd and vine, our mirrbr of A A life and tions, these. nut today the an- serves, a Headquarters breakdown severed, what then might happen principal forum’ of written expres- swers are quite different than they will someday be inevitable. When ‘to the “millions who don’t know:” , sion? How grateful we are for those once were. its old-timers vanish, an isolated Thousands wouldcontinue to suffer Secretaries ,and those volunteer Let’s face these facts: I Foundation couldn’t survive one on orldie because we had taken ‘ng I ~ d l t o r sand :hose friendly Trus- I grave mistake or serious contro- forethought, b e c a ~ s ewe had fortees who have stood sentinel I First – Dr. Rob and Rill are versy. Any storm could blow it down. Its revival wouldn’t be sim- Rotten the virtue of h d e n c e ‘ . a l t ese’ years over ow prin- perishable, they can’t last forever. This should not conlel to pass. 11 c pal affairs. Without all these things, where would we be? You Second – Their friends, the Trustees, are almost unknown to ple. Possibly it cbuld never be re- That is why the Trustees!, ~ r . ‘ , vived. Still isolated, there would Bob and I now propose the ‘%enbe no means of doing that. Like a mukt have’ guessed it. We’d be the A A movement. era1 Service Conference of, Alcofine car without qasoline, it would holics Anonymous.” That is’ why . be helpless. we urgently need your dir’ect hClp. BMK I STMAS GREET I NG 1950 – Sixth Another serious flaw: Our principal service’s must go on A s a whole’, the A A movement has living. \Ve think’ the, General .%r- I jrom Doctor Sob and B i l l never faced a grave crisis. But vice Conference of Alcoholi~s I

I ‘T IIIS,is the fifteenth Christmas for Alcoholics Anonymous. Seldom has this tired world been more confused divided and disfraught. Yct never has the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous been someday it will have to. Human affairs being what they are, we Anonymous can be the agency to make that certain.

t I I I “

more alive, united und peaceable. Cod continues to bestow upon us – (Your group secretary has a few copies of the full “Conference” pIah His long benighted ones – abiding joy and boundless freedom of which the foregoing i s only Section I. As the Foundation couldn’t tf-, I

What great gifts of Crace! ford a full mailing to all AA members, additional copies may beqhad ‘at the Foundation for a nickle each.) I Do we listen, we can /rear Iiim say “Freely ye /rave recieved, freely, I

give Merry Christmas to you all” We of A A shall take these words to Thanks, heart as Aever before – For we, more than most ure privileged to know a @ ,

their full meaning!’

December 1950

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A. A.”Headquarters”-is in effect a general s e r v i c e board for t h e AA movement. It p u b l i s h e s t h e book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains t h e General Service Office in New York, g u a r a n t e e s t h e financial and traditional integrity o f The A.A. Gra e v i n e , a n d i s responsible for AA p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s a t t k national a n d international level. Address: T h e Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand Central Aanex,New York 17, New York)

T HIS i s a busy and happy time of year at Headquarters, with lots of out-of-town AA’s i n evidence. ,The New York Intergroup banquet brings a flood of visiting firemen, and the pre-holiday season keeps ’em coming. So right now our face-toface acquaintence with you whom we serve i s greater perhaps than at any other time. Still, of course, we can speak to the majority of you only by means of the bulletins and through the medium of these pages. To all of you, we want to say thanks – for your help and co-operation, and for your support of the Foundation during the past year. To AA’s everywhere, we wish a l l the deep ioy and peace that the combination of sobriety and the holidays can bring. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you from the Trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation and from the secretaries and staff of your Generol Service Office.

February 1951

METRO The super 25# tour o f A A in

T H E BIG C I T Y

Metropolis, they c a l l it. Biggest metropolis it’s big a s hell, loud in the world, the longest bar, and shape and s i z e – but just one flac i t y in t h e world. Melting pot.. . a s hell, and if you’re lonely … t h e most olives, and biggest, black- .. vor. Plain, ordinary A A flavor. .. c r o s s r o a d s . metropolis. Greek, it just i s hell. e s t &ball known t o man .and woman, too. One hundred and forty-four groups, a n even dozen dozen, w a s t h e t h a t is. Metro for mother and polis You came t o our Big Town t o for city. Mother city. It’s greek a l l make a million or dream a dream A A in the metropolis? Well sure count the other night, and probright t o some of u s who come here or find the girl who left home from tootin’, oui monsieur, and beqorra ably more by t h i s morning. T h i n g s from hlason City or Kokomo, and next door or just t o forget some- yes! All over the place. Five, grow f a s t here, and even through it’s Podunk and Yankee and Dixie thing and then find you can’t for- count them (5) boroughs.. .and up t h e hard concrete and the solid t o some of u s who come here from get i t b e c a u s e it got here before . Westchester w a y . . part of neigh- s t o n e t h i s city’s built on, t h e s e Athens or Istanbul or e v e n Lhblin vou did. There’s the t a l l e s t build- .. bor Connecticut. and Long Island roots d o g o down and flourish Town. But whatever you call t h i s ing in t h e world, the most money … and rgoups of every kind and mightily.

AA here? Why, sure, stranger. bulging full with phone numbers of and there’s Y for Young People, ka g e t s a thorough going over. It’s a l l around you, but probably Groups that a r e e a s t s i d e , and the 35-and-under AAs that meet in And there’s something s p e c i a l you’ll look f i r s t in t h e phone book w e s t s i d e and a l l around t h e town. 10th Street’s famous old Grace out i n Long Island’s Great Neck. there in P e n n Station, Grand Cen- Here i s t h e exchange of meeting church. Z, that’s a letter that’s F o l k s from far lands, and strange, tral or t h e s t e a m s h i p pier. “Alco- times, the notices t o p a s s on t o s t i l l open on our roster, but, if that work nearby a t t h e United Nah o l i c s Anonymous,” in big black the groups over yonder, and here you’ll pardon t h e pun, t h i s a r e a ‘ s .. t i o n s . f o l k s from countries that type just in c a s e there is some is t h e first look a t AA that many a brimming over with “exH’s. a r e friends and f o l k s from countries dim new e y e upon our shore. New John or J a n e or guy or dame h a s Old Timers would s a y t o s t a r t that aren’t friends, a l l sitting down York Intergroup, I 1 4 Lexington e v e r had. t h i s look-around a t 24th Street, t h e together and mixing languages, Avenue.. .that’s where your nickel Swinging outside t h e window i s . Seaman’s Group.. and long a g o and sharing faith in a world that rings, and if it’s January 31st, a s i g n for t h e tailor s h o p down- sorely needs it … and a s s o n s you might b e t h e 694th c a l l e r . . with a good, soiid v o i c e answering . . s t a i r s . . “Same Day Cleaning.” Up here it’s same day, same night the meeting place for Manhattan Group.. .and simply, in t h o s e d a y s , and daughters of a Higher Power joining together in a benediction T h e Club. Bill practically lived just like you were t h e first t o call. and stay-clean-or-fall-down-dirty, there then, and for a long while prayer that’s older than any troub- New York Intergroup.. nerve center of AA amon t h e s e millions, . t h e faltering rags or r o b e s t h a t enter t h e s e Intergroup doors c a n alt h e old door with the funny address, l e s Man h a s ever been a b l e t o cook up. And there are no v e t o e s 334!4 West ( a s p l i t number for S e r v i c e Station $i 1 for s t r a n g e ways come back on any day. drunks with s p l i t personalities, on t h e personal AA victories of o n e s who get t o Bagdad By T h e Here i s AA hard a t work for the someone s a i d ) w a s t h e furthest t h e s e UN people, and tolerance i s Subway and for natives who g e t s t r a n g e living here in Sprawling d o z e n dozen groups of t h e metrop- . o l i s . . Hilda and E v e and volun- . outpost from Akron.. i t w a s AA more than just some glib speaker’s word. completing the march t o one s e a . Manhattan. Twenty-Eighth and Lex, t e e r s named Albert A. or maybe And New Timers might s a y our Busy city.. .bustling city.. . nothing fancy,t~othingBigTime.just Betty R. And t h e phones funnel in newest group i s out there some- place t o make s buck? Yes, and another corner where two s t r e e t s the c a l l s that s a y “my friend i s where in t h e suburbs, where to- the butcher, the baker and even meet and just another s e c o n d floor sick” or “can someone help” or night there’s one guy, and the the candlestick maker a r e found on office space. Walk u p one flight “send me something to read.”You’d book, and h i s groping thoughts t o meeting nights around the town. and s a v e a dollar, the p a n t s store think t h o s e phone b e l l s down here make a brand new quorum. In t h i s perpendicular c i t y where s i g n s a y s around t h e corner, and would learn that “easy d o e s it”. .. S o let’s just v i s i t here and there. skyscrapers and subway caverns h e r e it’s walk up one flight and but they k e e p on ringing. Melting pot, d o they c a l l metropo- have given u s u p s and given u s maybe s a v e a soul. An old loft 9 u t let’s get out and have a n l i s ? Well, in t h e s e towers of Ba- downs ( a s if we couldn’t achieve I building, one long s w e e p i n g room, AA look around t h i s town.. . bel, AA s p e a k s a varied language, those on a Nebraska prairie!) we with battered d e s k s and tele- And where do we s t a r t on t h i s all right. Over in Brooklyn (that’s have members from walks of l i f e phones s t i l l smoking. Used t o be rubberneck wagon around t h e rne- a place, not a language, Bub) that range from tycoon t o taxidera perfume factory, and t h e Inter- tropolis, t h i s s i g h t s e e i n g bus there’s t h e Norwegian Group, but mist, and from burlesque queen t o group staff folks s a y “it used t o around Big Town’s AA c i r c u i t ? anyone who c a n s a y “skol” in any badminton editor. There a r e e v e n only smell here, now i t o f t e n Well, there’s a group right smack language c a n drop in. Up on 99th special groups t o fit AA into workreeks” and they g o on answering. a t Battery Park, and even ,further Street there’s Hispano, and aqui ing schedules. T a k e t h e Queens the h e a p s of mail or s a y i n g a pretty out t o s e a there’s S t a t e n Island if se habla AA, senor. Way u p on t h e Night Workers Group in Ozone small-town “howdy” t o t h e new you want t o make t h e rounds geo- e a s t s i d e there’s Finnish-American Park. Meetings a t 3 p.m., with plen- ‘ f a c e a t t h e door. graphically. Or, by t h e alphabet, and out in Farmingdale t h e meet- ty of daylight inside, and plenty Here a r e t h e f i l e s , and t h e big- there’s A for Alanon, t h e midtown ings come t o order in R u s s i a n , and outside e v e n o n the shortest d a y g e s t “little black book” i n town, c l u b house in t h e Roaring Forties; we’re told that the voltage of vod- of t h e year. And there’s t h e Civil

f ‘ Service Group, e s p e c i a l l y for ser- Hard c i t y… heartbreak-on-the- word goes out “to t h e new man or woman who may be here tonight.” You’ll know most of the people. There’s hfain Street, and Elm Cenv a n t s of John Q. Public. Graphic Hudson.. . c i t y of indifference? No, Arts, for members of t h e printing it’s not quite t h a t . . . s o many of Manhattan (did it have a cocktail, ter, and the 5unflower State written t r a d e s who know t h e difference now u s know i t isn’t. For, while t h e too?) s t a n d s noisily in i t s eternal a l l over them. You’ll know t h e between just plain pied type and clamor and t h e clutter and the wetness … surrounded by two ri- meeting place, too. It’s a room in pie-eyed type. And t h e Wall Street- c l o c k s of New York whir around, v e r s and a n ocean of some s i z e . . . a church, or a store, or a school, e r s , who meet in Downtown Group there a r e s t e a d y AA hands and but there are dry s p o t s where v o i c e s like a s not,and if you’ll just think a t 6 p.m., after t h e Big Roard’s AA h e a r t s at work in p l a c e s where in almost a dozen dozen d i a l e c t s back to l a s t Tuesday night back c l o s e d and cleaned up; and Con- . there i s no time.. and where e v e n r i s e cheerfully over coffee, and home, wel1,you’ve been here before. struction T r a d e s Group, where t h e stirring of a hope makes a the happy buzz of neighborliness Glad t o have you with u s in union c a r d s a r e put a s i d e in t h i s quiet sort of noise. In Knicker- s e e p s out over the city of strangers. metropolis. Let’s get together union of journeymen who s e e k so- bocker,, in St. John’s h o s p i t a l s , You s a y you’re a stranger here, while you’re here. And s a y , l e t an ber paydays. there a r e AA beds and AA volun- yourself? Well, there’s an A A meet- old c i t y slicker give you a t i p And there a r e meetings low- t e e r s who disregard t h e c l o c k . .. ing somewhere in town for you to- about t h i s Big Burg. Brother.. . bottom and meetings high-bottom, just t o b e on hand t o touch t h e night, and you’re mighty welcome. easy does it here! from P a r k Avenue’s s i l k s t o c k i n g fevered brow, or hold t h e shaking lane t o t h e Bowery’s never-never arm with a c l a s p of friendship land. There’s E a s t River Group, and t o s p e a k a gentle word of c l o s e t o t h e shadow of “desire und e r t h e El” pillars.. .where t h e fellowship. And in the jail and prisons, from awesome Sing “ROUND THE TOWN” dime t h a t ‘ s handed out t o weary Sing t o Riker’s Island, there a r e new v i s i t o r s for subway fare some- little bands of people from “outt i m e s never g e t s as far as t h e side” with a message of ent u r n s t i l e . . .but sooner or later i s couragement and kinship … from dropped back into t h e collection d e e p inside. And a t Rockland p l a t e by a cleaner hand that h a s State, and Towns, and half a found a way and time for washing, dozen h o s t e l s for the h e l p l e s s , # and thinking, too. There’s Twelfth AA volunteers walk in who have S t e p House that, with a helping taken time out from T i m e s Square smile, c a n give a helping hand on … t o lend a v o i c e that may a night’s flop, maybe a job, and ring c l e a r through someone’s perhaps some non-skid clothing for d e e p confusion. a s o u l that made t h e long crawl Seven d a y s and s e v e n nights a over from Skid Row. And there’s a week, somewhere in t h e Big City, midtown meeting in the plush-and- AA i s a t work. Underneath the Harleather club room of a C r o e s u s of lem moon, or far a c r o s s in Queens, a bank; and another in the station- a secretary lifts a gavel, and t h e wagon security of a neat parish hush f a l l s that s i g n a l s another h o u s e way up in old Suburbia, o r meeting among the dozen dozen whatever they c a l l t h e town t h a t groups. Up in the Bronx, a borough t h e 5:15 t a k e s you home to. for which a cocktail w a s named, a

February 1951

h& EDITORIAL: New York i s a state of mind a s well a s a large material fact. Here the alcoholic long ago found anonymity in – the vely vastness of his surroundings. His inner fears, -his guilt and s e n s e of failure were always in a

– bitter contrast.. .played against the tremendous – backdrop of the most powerful city on earth. — However, we believe that New York AAs, riding – their sardine-packed subways or moving, ant- — like, among towering skyscrapers, know the same – personal humility that a Texan feels when he be- / 0

Out o f Blood,

Sweat and Tears

THE NEW YORK INTERGROUP ASSOCIATION

AA MEMBERS in the metropolitan New York area are mighty proud of their Intergroup has become a smooth working example of near-perfect AA co-operation. ‘Twas not always thus, how- Association. Since 1746, when it ever. Today’s harmony was born was created in its present form, it of strife, sired by group jealousies,

A –

J.- and r e a r e d amid recurrent finan- As w e s a i d , there were already and then taken over into another t h e Twenty-fourth Street clubrooms. ‘l cia1 c r i s e s . central controls of AA a c t i v i t i e s corner t o b e ’12th Stepped.” Meet- Others, v i a the phone, were refer- Nor i s New York’s Intergroup s e t – in other metropolitan areas. We i n g s were held i n t h e clubrooms on e d t o t h e ‘group in your own comu p t h e first i n AA, not by a long could have learned from them. But Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday munity.’ Often the ‘group’ w a s one shot. In f a c t , when we c o n s u l t t h e New Yorkers, drunk or sober, ‘ra- nights. T h e entire metropolitan oper- man. For months and months one records, about the only ‘first’ New ther f a n c y themselves a s p a c e s e t – ation of AA took place under one Long Island group, formally listed, York AA c a n claim i s the move- t e r s , not followers. So, we did it roof. And ‘the corporation’ ran c o n s i s t e d of a lone alcoholic with ment’s first Clubhouse, t h e one the hard way. And i t must b e that things. a n imposing sounding p o s t office pictured on pages 35 t o 37. T h a t a Higher Power w a s watching over In order t o b e a voting member, box number. w a s i n 1940 and from t h e ‘manage- the violent arguments, the petty a person had t o be continuously By 1942, however, outlying ment’of t h o s e modest quarters h a s personal animosities and t h e plain dry a full year. T h i s w a s t o k e e p groups began t o be real e n t i t i e s , evolved t h e present d a y ‘ s well and fancy name c a l l i n g which e n – out t h e crack-pots, a rule which not mere extensions of the cluboiled machinery which s e r v e s t h i s sued. s e e m s t o have been based on t h e house gang. T h u s , the Subway Cirg r e a t c i t y s o efficiently. T h e torturous path began when illusion that, after 12 months of cuit came into being and any AA t h e T w e n t y f o u r t h Street Clubhouse sobriety, an alcoholic becomes – member who w a s a member made w a s rented. Somebody had t o s i g n i p s o f a c t o fully matured, and re- t h e Grand Tour. It became our t h e lease. In 1940,New York AA’s sponsible! Actually, membership proud boast that ‘youcan attend a n (whose number could e a s i l y b e in ‘the corporation’ of 1940 gave a AA meeting somewhere in the metticked ofl on one’s fingers) were guy t h e privilege of pondering the ropolitan area every night in t h e more than somewhat insolvent. regular monthly question, ‘Who’s week, except Saturday.’ (It wasn’t Among that little bankrupt band got a n extra buck t o c h i p in to- until 1944 that the Bronx filled in there w a s one who s t i l l had a small wards t h e rent?’ that g a p by bravely defying the ilbank b a l a n c e and whose signature Meanwhile, other groups were lusion that nobody will come t o a had a l i t t l e substance. He became, beginning t o spring up – i n New meeting on Saturday night.) automatically and forthwith, the J e r s e y , in Brooklyn, on Long IS- It w a s in 1942 that the first rec- P r e s i d e n t of ‘the corporation’ – land and in nearby Westchester ognizable forerunner of today’s and, brave lad, s i g n e d the l e a s e ! County and Connecticut. At first Intergroup Association w a s formed. ‘The Corporation’ didn’t need t o t h e s e were merely supplementary It w a s called the Central Commitbe much of a n organization. And i t meetings concocted by suburban- tee with ‘delegates’ from e a c h wasn’t. There were no other groups. i t e s who had been, and s t i l l re- group in the area. T h i s august body Growth w a s slow, but growth there mained, clubhouse ‘regulars.’ But met once e a c h month a t Twentywas. New drunks came t o t h e club- with t h e ~ u b l i s h i n gof J a c k Alex- fourth Street and, a s i d e from arhouse, were duly ‘processed’ by ander’s article in t h e Saturday ranging exchanges of meetings, did one of the voluntary s e c r e t a r i e s , Evening P o s t in 1941, t h e drunk little except deal with the always b u s i n e s s began really to flourish. present problem of how t o pay t h e

114 Lexington Avenue.. . T h e phones rang almost continuously and t h e nebulous suburban clubhouse rent. And, by now, how’ t o g e t up the pittance t h a t w a s cloth,es l i k e new, doumstairs.. . groups became useful in handling paid t o the two clubhouse secre-

new life, u p s t a i r s . . . t h e traffic. For the most part newcomers t a r i e s who, between them, manned t h e d e s k and phones 12 t o 14 hours s t i l l got their first look a t AA in every day.

T h e clubhouse continued t o b e tified a s ‘Manhattan’ meetings, t h e nerve c e n t e r of t h e new thriv- weren’t t h e y ? S o why should I, out ing AA activity in greater New here in J e r s e y (or Long Island, or York. It belonged t o everybody and Westchester, or Connecticut) h e l p i t had a d e e p sentimental attach- t o support their clubhouse? ment for t h o s e who first found their What a r a t race! B e c a u s e t h e sobriety within i t s panelled walls. mother of a l l N.Y. groups wanted T h a t affection s t i l l lives. Someday .to be a group itself, t h e c l u b that AA may have elaborate quarters had brought s o many of u s together here but t o t h o s e who first walked w a s losing badly needed support! down that long narrow hallway in It w a s our first t a s t e of group Twenty-fourth Street, there will jealousies! never b e anything t o replace t h e Actually t h e Twenty-fourth Street mantlepiece where w e hooked a n location had long s i n c e become t o o arm t o k e e p from shaking a s we small for t h e traffic of 1944. S o delivered our first AA ‘speech.’ No when Dr. Norman Vincent P e a l e food s e r v i c e will ever equal that offered u s a n abandoned church on little cubby hole where old Tom 4 1 s t s t r e e t , we grabbed it. T h e u s e d t o brew the meanest coffee Grand Opening took place a couple e v e r t o bite you back, poured from of nights before Christmas of 1944. a battered and smoke smudged pot It w a s a big barn of a place, into big, chipped cups. e a s i l y large enough t o accomodate AA w a s growing into many s e l f the e n t i r e metropolitan district, a s s u s t a i n i n g groups. It suddenly a central office, a clearing house dawned on many of the boys and for inquiries, etc. Rut obviously a g i r l s who lived, in hall bedrooms new kind of ‘management’ w a s needed. For t h i s w a s t o be a ‘big mostly, in t h e center of Manhattan and whose connection with AA w a s time’ operation. Sometimes the steering committee council t a b l e . . . tied u p exclusively with Twentyfourth Street, that they were a At a heated election a new body of officers took over. T h e y in turn more often a work table for v o l u n t e e r s . . . group also. So, in t h e spring of s e t up a different form of corpora- 1944, they offically brought t h e tion. T h i s time t h e requirement for Manhattan group into being. membership w a s not length of so- Fine. Except after the first few like the way things were being run. A s l o g i c r l a s t h i s move w a s , i t briety, but m0ney.A pledge s y s t e m months t h e revenue dropped, and But perhaps t h e biggest o b s t a c l e w a s a l s o the beginning of trouble w a s instituted. Anyone who s i g n e d continued t o drop until it got down w a s t h e recurrence of t h e Manhatand confusion. Gradually, the Twen- a promise t o pay a s l i t t l e a s $1 or around a mere 30% of t h e anticipa- tan Group bugaboo. ty-fourth Street Club became iden- no more t h a n $5 a month (this l a s t ted intake. E x c u s e s for t h e non- T h e Manhattanites, by now the tified a s a Manhattan group opera- t o put t h e quietus on ‘big s h o t s ‘ ) payment of pledges were varied. largest group in the area by far, tion. T h e y occupied i t didn’t t h e y ? w a s a membet of t h e corporation. Some just forgot. Others, alcohol- had moved in with us. They con- T h e Sunday, T u e s d a y and Thurs- Budgets were fixed on the b a s i s of ically, had simply overestimated tinued t o conduct their three weekd a y meetings held there were iden- t h e pledged income. their power t o pay. Others didn’t ly meetings in t h e new quarters,

paying a nominal rent for the meet- we were $6,000 in the hole! Phi- bers of the ‘corporation’ (heavily clubhouse with social ends in the ing room. The ‘Dry Manhattans’ a s lanthropy ala carte went out of loaded with Manhattanites) one of same establishment that caters to they called themselves, also had business – but quick! And the hat the most violent scenes in New the basic, spiritual work of AA. agreed to take over the night desk had t o be passed to pay off our York AA history took place. Epi- The two just don’t go together. after the new corporation’s paid creditors! thets made the air an electric blue Bill, whom both sides had tried to secretary’s day was over. Theout- Still it was the Manhattan group – ‘thief,’ ‘crook’ were among the drag into the free-for-all, knew lying groups still considered that “label” that kept the club from more printable! this and, from the sidelines, was this, like Twenty-fourthstreet, was being an area-wide service. So the This was the culmination of quietly underlining Traditions Five a Manhattan proposition. Board of Directors decided to make months of hurt feelings.Slips were, and Six for it s o happened that the There were other headaches too. the separation irrevocable! The alas, frequent. Old friendships Traditions were being put on paper Poker, for one. To some, gambling clubhouse, henceforth, was to be seemed blasted beyond repair. The at the very time all of this was was far worse than drinking had actively operated by dl groups; new constitution was passed by a going on. ever been and shouldn’t be allowed the meetings conducted within its narrow margin and the old Directors Thus it was the the new-born in an AA clubhouse. The scoffers’ walls were to be not only repre- resigned in a body for a new set of Intergroup moved out of a clubargument lost some of its sting sentative of the whole district but officers to put the new plan into house and into a modest storeroom when people who couldn’t affordto actually conducted, on a rotation e&ct! lose were getting hurt and, in some basis, by outside groups. Violence and near-riot! But out cases,getting drunk because of it. The Manhattan group, seeing it- of it came what we have today. The Then i t was discovered that sev- self being dispossessed, set up a cracked friendships have mended eral ‘sharpies,’ probably not alco- loud howl. There were also accu- nicely,thank you. And many of the holics at all, had got wind of the sations that the Manhattanites were wild-eyed antagonists of that brawl, game and had simply wandered in reluctant to give up getting first closer friends than ever now, smile off the streets t o take the boys crack a t the 12th Step work which indulgently today when.they recall daily for anywhere from $50 to $100. flowed through the club. Whatever it. And many of those who opposed Then we started a restaurant in the causes, the result was a wran- the new order have since served the clubhouse. It was perhaps the gle that might have been a scandal faithfully and well in governing most philanthropic eating place if it hadn’t been s o typically alco- the Intergroup Association born of ever to exist. Patronized heavily holic. While the fracas lasted, AA vituperation! for coffee and snacks, we also friends who had been practically The new Board realized what seemed to be doing a pretty good blood brothers were hurling insults none of the original Floundering business for full meals.Especially at each other and threatening much Fathers had seen. You can’t run a on meeting nights. It also became worse. Emotions were at the breaka handy way to start newcomers on ing point. We had what Bill somethe way back to job security. The times calls ‘an incorporated dry kitchen help, counter men and bus boys were invariably rather shaky bender’- and it was a little dandy! The Directors had drawn up a Thousands of inconqing c a l l s . . . AA beginners. And let it be said new Constitution which gave re- more t h m 500 12th Step calls here that many a good solid AA today got his start back to prosperity presentation to all groups. It has since proved to be a pretty sound in one w e e k . .. in that restaurant. But when the document but when it was presentauditors came in, after nine months, ed at a business meeting of mem-

‘ affair that had hospital officials, Intergroupand pays i t s group pledge AA’s and the drunks themselves in e v e n before it pays for i t s coffee a never ending turmoil. and cakes. Telephone inquiries got t h e full, In the meantime the traffic h a s patient and s e r i o u s attention they become so heavy that New J e r s c y deserved. T h e person on the other found it necessary t o s e t up their end of the wire whether it be a own Intergroup. In Newark, in a d e s p e r a t e wife, a blubbering drunk, clubhouse they bought outright, or someone ‘calling for a friend’ they have established their own w a s handled with dignity and given operation a s efficient, a s hearts p e c i f i c information; not a n emo- warming and a s wonderful a s t h e tional hodge-podge. one that now functions a t 114 Order came out of chaos. Dignity Lexington Avenue in New York overcame c h i l d i s h n e s s and, with City. It i s significant that, while it, t h e realization that we were the entire metropolitan a r e a w a s d e a l i n g with human lives, some- one in 1946, many Terseyites went times life and death itself. Gradu- through the famous ‘purge of 1946.’ ally the confusion lifted. Members T h e l e s s o n was well learned of suburban groups kept in s y s t e – and worth a l l the hullaballoo! matic touch with prospects who had contacted AA in the city, being a s k e d t o participate in voluntary work a t hospitals, etc., began t o t a k e real pride in their Intergroup. They were s e e i n g r e s u l t s , and were actively part of a n operation that w a s a t last beginning t o look and a c t like a truly community-wide one. In the beginning Between two and three hundred inquiries each w e e k . . . only about 50% of the groups subscribed t o Intergroup and helped t o many person$ interviews. .. defray i t s minimum expenses. Today, every group in the entire d i s trict is proud of i t s affiliation with somewhat off t h e b e a t e n path. There, volunteer helpers they began t o with new found wisdom and s o b e r whip things into shape. Proper judgment, it beqan t o d o one job only, and d o i t well – seeing that s p o n s o r s h i p began t o be a f a c t , not a hit-or-miss hope. Traffic into and In two w e e k s . . . 66 t h e stranger a t our door g e t s every out of h o s p i t a l s (particularly Knick- cases” p o s s i b l e c h a n c e a t AA. With t w o erbocker) became a n orderly propaid s e c r e t a r i e s and a battery of cedure rather than a clang! clang!

February 1951

New York’s long, hard road to

HOSPITAL FACILITIES

A s s o frequently happens in ONE of the many legends that have sprung up about Thomas A. Edison concerns that great man’s evolvement of The Big City’s more significant achievements, it was smooth acceptance of discourag- an “outsider” who lit the fuse ing data. that finally set off this great boom During one of his more stupen- in lasting benefits. dous ordeals of research, the story Jack N., an AA from Cleveland, goes, a laboratory assistant ap- blew into New York several years proached h i . Edison in his work- ago, glowing with constructive shop at hlenlo Park. enthusiasm. He was flaming with “It’s awful, hlr. Edison,” the righteous fury because there was man complained. “We have just not a top-level general hospital on finished our 50,000th experiment all the eastern seaboard that could – – and it failed, a s all the others and would give sympathetic, effechave done. We seem to be making tive, ethical professional treatment no progress at all.” to alcoholics, unreservedly ac- “No progress! “shot back Edison. cepting them a s sick patients. “We now have a vault jammed with Jack had no difficulty in finding 50,000 formulae that we know will New York AAs who shared his not work. We are making tremen- crusading ardor. At least a few of dous progress.” the men and women with whom he Apocryphal or not, the trite little talked were burning with inward anecdote t a p s out a happy analogy fires of their own, kindled by their for the experience of New York own fresh memories. They were members of Alcoholics Anonymous, still close enough to the cold and in thebeginnings of Knickerbocker aching past to know what a warm Hospital’s pavilion for treatment of and understanding institution might alcoholic patients. have done for them.

ministrators had been willing, a s and death that are far more im- full support of individual AAs and they were, t o give humanitarian portant.” a l l AA groups and i s , indeed, one principles a slight edge in some Such objections were not easy of AAYsoutstanding achievements instances over purely professional to sweep aside. – – it i s s t i l l completely indeconsiderations, the s a l e s argu- Also, there were financial con- pendent of AA, a s such. ments might never have worked. siderations. Knickerbocker Hos- In that very independence, the T o begin with, there was the ! pital was not and i s not a strictly movement demonstrates i t s loyalty age-old inclination to view habit- eleemosynary establishment. Bills to the Traditions of AA, particuual drunkenness forthrightly a s an have t o be paid. A drunk in the larly to that fundamental tenet especially detestable form of moral last throes of a binge i s not us- which urges AA never to lend i t s degeneration, uncontrollable and ually overstuffed with folding mon- name t o any other organization unmodifiable by medical science ‘ ey. Chronic drunkenness, then a s of any kind whatever. Brooklyn’s S t . John’s Hospital in any of i t s phases. Even the most now, was not included among the That independence has been charitable visionary could not con- accepted concomitants to a Grade- strenuously defended, in the face It was at the fag end of Win- ceive of a ward for alcoholics that A credit rating in our more fash- of many efforts to have Rehabilitater, 1945, that the working foun- could be anything l e s s vicious than ionable banks. tion of Alcoholics of New York ders of The Knickerbocker Plan a brawling, filthy, disorderly den But– and that “But” covers a Inc., mergc itself with other allied began t o tackle their job with of mischief and potential mayhem. world of territory — the official movements and become a part of earnest determination. The nursing profession, to state it board of Knickerbocker at last similar activities. There have been Because it enjoyed a high pro- mildly, was not madly infatuated agreed t o give the plan a trial. numerous times when a surrender fessional standing in every regard with those unhappy segments of The pavilion for treatment of alco- of this total independence would and because some of i t s guiding i t s routine which included the care holics was formally opened on have made tne struggle easier, spirits exposed a genuine — if of red-eyed drunks and bleary-eyed Easter Sunday, 1945. but the independence has been originally timid — interest in the hangover cases. To conclude arrangements and maintained. problems of alcoholism, Knicker- There was keen, almost bitter satisfy legal requirements, a cor- There i s a general feeling, more-‘ bocker Hospital, on Manhattan’s opposition from some physicians poration was formed among the over, that this fight has been Upper West Side, was made the and surgeons who practiced in the hard-working AA members to sign thoroughly justified, because the target of principal attentionby this hospital. This, too, was under- necessary agreements. The cor- Knickerbocker Plan has been nursmall band of single-minded zealots. standable, especially in times poration, chartered under the New tured, not alone for its immediate From the standpoint of sheer au- when hospital rooms and wards York State law which governs non- and self-sufficient purposes, but dacity and s u c c e s s against great were jammed, when it was virtual- profit organizations, was called: also in the devout hope that i t s odds, the triumph of this group de- ly impossible to find accommoda- “Rehabilitation of Alcoholics of operation might create a flexible serves a high place in the annals tions, even for emergency opera- New York, Inc.” pattern for other such projects in of salesmanship. Future Dale Car- tions, in any first c l a s s institu- The name i s significant. Al- other communities. negies and Elmer Wheelers may tion of the sort. though the group was composed of It would be a mistake to think well use this example a s a n in- “Why in the world,” these doc- AA members, three men and a wo- the troubles were over when the spiration for their pupils. tors wanted t o know, “should per- man, the name i s conspicuously alcoholic ward became a reality There were many traditional fectly good hospital s p a c e be clut- free of any AA connotations. Be- on the third floor of Knickerbocker obstacles, some real, some ima- tered up by a bunch of bums, sit- cause, though the work at Knicker- Hospital. In a way, troubles had ginary, t o be surmounted. And un- ting stupidly around, getting over bocker was started by A A s , is only begun. l e s s some of Knickerbocker’s ad- a drunk? There are c a s e s of life carried on by AA efforts, has the The lessons of operation have

The “sponsor” announced he was i s handled through the Intergroup run the wise and tender influence going downstairs to pay the bill – headquarters. of Dr. W, D. Silkworth, the disand that was the last ever heard The duties of these volunteer tinguished physician in charge. of the sponsor. Or the money. workers, in the beginning, were His sympathetic and searching in- Some patients have become un- varied and indefinable. They quiries into alcoholism and its ruly, exercised their legal rights ranged all the way from running treatment have made him an acand flounced out of the hospital errands for the patients to acting knowledged leader in that puzzling before treatment ever began. a s father confessors. These duties field of medicine. Dr. Silkworth’s One tragic instance caused the now have simmered down to a more cordial interest greets each new corporation to spend some $1,500 practicable pattern — including patient as heenters Knickerbocker of its ever-meagre funds to install always, of course, the natural and – and each patient leaves with Dr. heavy screens over the windows in unforced exercise of AA principles. Silkworth’s experienced advice ‘ the ward. Otherwise, “paying for Mostly, however, the duties may gently planted in his mind. ‘ mistakes,” such a s reimbursing be summarized in: The good work has spread. St. w i t h understanding guidance. .. the hospital in those early days “Help the nurse on the floor. John’s Hospital, in Brooklyn, has Dr. William Duncan Silkworth when “rubber checks” and other She’s the boss.” cooperated with the AAs of that been a s enlightening a s the les- typical alcoholic devices caused These volunteers are on duty borough in establishing an alcosons of organization. Experiences losses, have represented the only always, three men a day, 365 days holic ward that is doing magnifihave ranged from the ludicrous expenditures the founding corpora- in the year. cent work,with a plan of operation t o the tragic. tion has been forced to beard Edison’s laboratory assistant, somewhat different from that used In early days, for example, there That little capital, now report- with his 50,000 “failures,” could at Knickerbocker. were unhappy episodes that bobbed edly only about ample to keep a not hold an experimental candle And of course much of imperish- . upconcerning patients’payment of bank account alive, was raised by to the men and women who have able value has been learned – by their bills episodes which have individual subscriptions in a limi- seen Knickerbocker over the hump. both these institutions- from the resulted in a present inflexible ted appeal by the corporation Today, the plan i s a reality. pioneering work done by the Saul rule that the whole sum for the members. Those who stood among its stern- Clinic in Philadelphia, and from regular five-day period of hospit- Another development at Knicker- est opponents back in 1945, are the fine example set in Akron by alization must be paid a s the pa- bocker that has proved of incal- now among its firmest friends. Men the late and beloved Dr. Bob. And tient enters in cash; no checks. culablevalue i s the system of vol- in the medical fraternity who doubt- his loyal aide, Sister Ignatia. One occurrence (among several) unteer workers — whereby some ed the ethical dignity of such work It has been a long road and a contributed to the necessary se- member of AA is always on duty are now converted to its value. It hard road, at Knickerbocker. But verity with which the pay-in-ad- in the hospital, to help perpetuate has proved itself to the profession. the goal has been worth the heavy vance rule now i s invoked. A pa- the spirit of AA on which the en- Others of the original opposition, going. tient came in one night, attended tire operation is founded and, in- who looked with holy horror on a Perhaps one concluding sentence by a “sponsor” to whom the pa- cidentally, render any such assis- “bunch of drunks” in a hospital, can sum up the cordiality, the tient’s family had entrusted the tance he can to the hospital staff. have changed their opinion glad- smoothness, the success which has money for the fee. (Currently, that Here, too, lessons were learned. ly and wholeheartedly. They admit been won – better than any other fee i s $75, a s i s explained in the A system had to be evolved to in- that the alcoholic section of Knick- phrases that might be chosen: July, 1950, issue of The Grapevine) sure the presence always of such erbocker i s the quietest wing in all Even the nurses like to work The patient was entered, put to volunteers. Now, this, a s well as the hospital. with drunks — in the Knickerbed and made snug for the night. the routine admission of patients, Through it all, of course, has bocker alcoholic wing.

February 1951

Small o f f ice – Big job!

GENERAL SERVICE HEADQUARTERS

To your General Service IIeadquarters come visitors from all over the f r o m Australia t o Aroostook County country and far corners of the world. Sometimes they talk of group prob- . lems, sometimes it’s a social call.. but business or “just to get acquainted” one of the secretaries chats with them in the lomge. Last year these two receptionists at your General Service Office rolled out the red carpet of welcome to over 1500 visitors from all over t h e world. Company i s always welcome in your Headquarters located at 141 East 44th Street, New York City, but the main job of the staff of 19 people is t o “carry the message to other alcoholics.” There are five secretaries, alcoholics, who carry on the correspondence related principally to group problems, public relations and pleas for help from a l c o h o l i ~ sand their families. The general office work, bookkeeping and shipping is done by 14 I* nons.”Your Headquarters i s sup- One of the two general secretaries unswers hundreds of calls from the ported by voluntary contributions press, radio and AAs with questions. To her desk, also, comes all of the made by the groups twice yearly. daily mail to be sorted and channeled to its proper place.

.. Murray Ilill 7-6523. Good Morning. .. This i s often an anxious wife, friend or alcoholic’s first contact with AA. Through this switchboard come thousands of calls each year from all over the United States … sometimes from Canada and once.. . frorn otserseus.

If your group is registered with the General service Ilcadquarters i t i s recorded in this card file. Ilere, in the business onice are kept the records of approzimatel y 5000 A.4 Groups.

?’he large room where the secretnrics work i s the nmirr highway for rnost of thr Ileatlqunrters activity. Ilere, the e c r e ttrries ttrlrc ctrrc of thcir corrcsponrlcncc . .. hold constant conversations with the business olfice manager (standing.) Now added to the work of the secretary in the foreground i s the correspondence and the records of the coming General Service Conference.

The general secretary, in charge of groul~ relations, i s shown here discussing a question with the secretary who hantlles the foreign correspondence. Most group queries reach this generul secretary, rulro d o n g with her duties as “hlrs. Antlrony”‘ speaks to groups all over the country on the work being done by your Generul Service Olfice.

February 1951

During 1950, 72,958 pieces of first Survival o f the Fittest. .. ” c l a s s mail were sent out from your Headquarters. The large part of this was individual correspondence done by the secretaries. If you wrote last . month.. or last year with a problem or just to say hello, your letter and its answer i s filed here and h-ept in its proper place by two file clerlcs. 24 HOUR CLUB

01 by itself i n a tiny room i s the bookkeeping department. Ifere two major funds are accounted for t o the –upstairs the d r i n k is c o f f e e or coke-last penny. ( I ) Income from The B i g B o o k and all literature and (2) Group contributions. The sale of the B i g B o o k i s handled through Works Publishing and every one of your Group contributions are recorded on the books of the Alcoholic Foundation.

Surrounded by books, pamphlets, boxes and the tools of their trade, these boys in your shipping room sorted, wrapped and mailed, 12,54.C packages of books and literature during 1950, lncluded in these packages were 23,920 copies of the book, A l c o h o l i c s Anonymous.

entertainment sometimes planned, T HE s i g n outside s a y s ‘BAR’ in big red neon letters. As you s t e p i n s i d e from 26th s t r e e t you get sometimes spontaneous, but alw a y s fun. a nostalgic whiff of s t a l e lager and Hear t h a t tinkling piano over in the fireplace provides old bar rags. Steady on! E y e s front! the corner? L i s t e n closer. Famil- .. P a s t t h e s a l o o n door .twelve iar? It might be. F o r ‘the kid a t a quiet nook for good s t e p s , then turn right and up the narrow winding s t a i r s and – you’re the music box’ might very well own t h e s a m e name you’ve got on a A A conversation. .. in. T h e 24 Hour Club. s t a c k of phonograph records a t If you’re v i s i t i n g New York and home. Or the v o i c e a t t h e microarrive a t a n odd hour it might b e phone may have a familiar ring. A well t o c l e a r up a possible mis- torch singer who rushed down after conception. The name, 24 Hour her night’s performance in a Rroad- Club, d o e s not mean the place i s way smash hit; or a comic who open ’round the clock. It s t e m s ducked in to h e l p out between h i s from t h e P l a n of the same name. 10 Ph! and 2 AM s t i n t s a t a plushy One d a y a t a time, brother.. .and night club; or a concert a r t i s t ; or a if it happens t o b e a rocky one, musician who’ll pour out music ‘New York AA damned near ‘club- T h e 24 Hour pioneers didn’t predrop in. You’ll find t h e same sort with gratitude in every note. bed’ itself t o death.’ tend t o be running anything but a of a gang you’d find downstairs in T h e 24 Hour Club of a Saturday T h e 24 Hour Club w a s formed in hangout for guys and g a l s who t h e gin mill. Only upstairs t h e drink night i s probably t h e t r u e s t d i s t i l – 1946 a f t e r the h a s s e l a t the 41st liked e a c h other’s company. If you i s c o f k e , o r coke, and the thinking lation of t h e wacky cross-section s t r e e t location. A handful of AAs wanted your soul saved, go e l s e is straight. that is AA i n t h i s w a c k i e s t of a l l who liked the idea of a club and where. T h e no cards, no gambling If it’s a week day afternoon when c i t i e s . T h e famous, the near fayou arrive c h a n c e s a r e t h e c l u b . mous and.. no longer tragic.. . and ‘needed a place t o go’ quietly got together, put u p a few dollars, ban w a s not t h e idea of goody-goodi e s but merely the practical obser- ‘ will b e quiet. But there’ll b e some- the once famous. P e o p l e whose and rented a drafty but s p a c i o u s vation of oldtimers who got s i c k body around. S o grab a c u p of cof- paths never would h a v e c r o s s e d in room over a filling station on down- and tired of the eternal and petty f e e and have a little conversation. their drinking days. A Wall Street at-the-heel F i r s t Avenue. They arguments over the moral a s p e c t s After five, t h e big T s h a p e d room broker, a subway guard, a former ressurrected some sorry furniture, of trying t o fill a n inside straight b e g i n s t o liven u p good and by world’s boxing champion, names made coffee t a b l e s out of s a w hor- on t h e same premises where soul dinner time there’s s u r e t o b e a from t h e Social R e g i s t e r and names s e s and plain boards and on New searching w a s a l s o in progress. b u z z of yaddata- ad data. T h e a c – that aren’t even in t h e phone book. Years ’47 opened the, and we used With a copy of the 12 Traditions c e n t s may b e different but it’s s u r e It’s a membership club.Dues a r e t h e word advisedly – joint! But in their f i s t s a n d a quick look back t o b e t h e s a m e kind of conversation three bucks a month. No drunks what a joint!Asuccess from t h e over their shoulders a t New York’s you had night before last,back home. allowed. No 12th S t e p work. No of- s t a r t b e c a u s e i t eliminated the tra- unfortunate clubhouse history, t h e If i t should be Saturday night ficial connection with AA a t all. ditional mistakes of trying t o com- 24 Hour founders made the cleavage when you show up, the joint i s No meetings. No card playing. No bine AA ‘therapy’ with purely so- clear. And they’ve kept it that way likely t o be jumpin’. Crowded. F o r gambling. And every ‘no’ h a s a reason for being, learned from t h e c i a l a c t i v i t i e s ; mixing the manage- ever since. And, we might add, Saturday night i s Saturday night, ment of material property with the they’ve prospered. T h e 24 Hour drunk or sober, in Middletown or bitter e x p e r i e n c e s of the clubhouse spiritual quality of AA’s funda- Club is for AAs, but it i s not, of- Manhattan. Show night, with t h e rows when, a s one fellow s a i d , mental purpose. ficially of AA.

February 1951

* ” ,If you didn’t know better, you B y 1948 things had gone s o well t h a t t h e members voted t o take on might think i t w a s a small s c a l e Union L e a g u e or University Club. The world’s first . the obligation of better quarters in a higher rent district. So i t w a s Rut, no offense t o those worthy int h a t they moved into their present stitutions, you’ll find i t a little quarters a t 4 0 E a s t 26th street. quicker on the uptake, a little There’s a rug on t h e floor now. warmer, a little friendlier, and.. . T h e furniture i s good, oveistuffed, . well,. . a little clubbier. comfortable and serviceable. T h e kitchen i s larger and the food bar Remember, we warned you. T h e CLUBHOUSE s e r v e s full c o u r s e meals. T h e food 24 Hour Club i s not officially a i s e x c e l l e n t , and reasonable. T h e piano’s in tune and h a s a good part of AA. But, from t h e first hand that pokes out t o greet you, you’ll FOR hardly notice t h e difference ! tone. T h e lighting i s subdued and t h e atmosphere is restful, s a v e on Saturday nights. c o k e in, s i g n t h e guest book, and l e t your hair down! DRUNKS! I Saturday “nightclub”. ..dancing and floorshow. .. top t d e n t entertains “for free”. . i/ -. – __– :* ys N June 18, 1940, the cryptic \ tire metropolitan area for four and 0 l e t t e r s ‘AA’ went up on a battered green doorway in the undisa half years it w a s taken over, in December 1944, by t h e Seamen’s tinguished neighborhood of New group. Today, renamed the Helms- York’s once elegant C h e l s e a dis- men’s Club, refurbished and made trict. It wasn’t a very a u s p i c i o u s infinitely more attractive than it doorway, nor a conspicuous sign. used t o be, it s t i l l s e r v e s the s e a – Nevertheless, on that memorable faring drunks who s e e k t h e AA d a y New York laid claim to i t s only way of life. AA ‘shrine.’ And drunks, being wonderful hurry-up guys who think The hide-awaynothing of telescoping time, have, in l e s s than eleven years, endowed door un’th t h e I i t with l a y e r s of sentiment and t r a dition s u c h a s no ordinary institufunny number. .. -374 I tion could acquire in a century. T h e now famous ‘Twenty-fourth Street Clubhouse’ i s s t i l l actively in t h e AA orbit. After serving a s ‘General Headquarters’ for the en-

of course, people. But the center s h a l l I g o back for one more drink? of t h e room t o your newcomer’s e y e Onward! you say. And YOU open t h e inner door t o find – nothing! w a s t h e fireplace, pine panelled, with a plain wooden mantel and, Nothing, that is, e x c e p t a long, . over i t . . t h e first time you ever bare, tunne 1-like and mysterious . s a w i t . . t h e s i g n reading -looking hallway. Leading t o what? Actually t h i s is merely t h e pas- “Rut F o r The C r a c e of God.. ” . On the s e c o n d floor there w a s ansageway between t h e two h o u s e s other room of about t h e same s i z e back t o t h e oddity of a n ‘extra only somewhat lighter and airier, building’ built in t h e rear, over b e c a u s e of t h e skylight. Here, in what had once b e e n the ‘gardens.’ addition t o t h e secretary’s d e s k , It w a s B i l l who first christened – w a s what w a s c a l l e d . . .grandly.. . t h i s hall ‘The L a s t Mile’ hundreds of u s who s i n c e have reand . ‘the lounge’. .two wicker divans, Rill’s room u p s t a i r s . . luctantly trod i t s forbidding length three c h a i r s and a table! Off i n the far corner w a s a door agreed that it w a s , in truth, a lot leading to two tiny rooms that had J u s t mention t o a New York old like walking the corridor of doom. been L o i s ‘ and Bill’s living quartimer “Twenty-fourth Street” and You too are s c a r e d a little a s t e r s during a period when AA’s w a t c h h i s e y e s light up. T h e af- you journey the full length of ‘The financial affairs could e a s i l y be fection in which s o many hold t h e L a s t Mile.’ But ultimately you s t e p kept on t h e back of a n old enve- When Hill’s i n town, p l a c e i s not for its good points into t h e inner sanctum which, on lope. Today only Bill’s room rebut, a s i s t h e c a s e with human beings, for i t s frailties. f i r s t sight, h a s b e e n a lot of things t o a lot of people, friendly, humble, . mains.. and h e s t i l l s l e e p s in i t h e s p e n d s the night.

T h e funny entrance, s o difficult quiet, restful – and somehow a once or twice a week. Here, on the second floor, you day Evening P o s t in March, 1941. t o find, i s marked b y i t s cockeyed little frightening. address – 334 K ! Wedged in be- T h i s w a s t h e ‘meeting room.’ An were first introduced t o t h e AA program. Here you s a t and shook You heard the phones ringing incessantly; you did your share. old upright piano, a card table or tween two old-fashioned brickfronts, t h e ‘%’ number confirms the two, a ,few nondescript c h a i r s and, out your hangover — and your You were too damned busy t o old way of life. think much about your own probf a c t that t h e r e wasn’t supposed t o You went t o your first meetings lems. But, one day, it suddenly b e a n y doorway there a t all. Let’s pretend that you a r e weaving your in the ‘inner sanctum’ on the floor dawned on you that you were in t h e . below. You f e l t a n almost pitiful midst of something pretty wonderuncertain way along 24th Street attachment t o the strange assort- ful. And you looked around you and looking for a n a d d r e s s which your ment of people you met there. You began t o realize what t h i s funny 8 common s e n s e t e l l s you doesn’t soon knew them a l l not only by place, t h e s e two dingy rooms, had exist. L i k e s o many o t h e r s before their first names but by the grim come to mean t o s o many. And, beand s i n c e , you do find t h e place. With shaking hand you push open d e t a i l s of their lives – wrecked c a u s e you could afford t o feel a careers, broken homes, jail, hos- little sentimental again.. .you t h e door. You’re in a l i t t l e vestibule and, if you’re like most of us, pitals, violence, and heartbreak. You were there when J a c k Alexmight have s a i d t o your self.. “Why, G– damnit! I love t h i s . ,

y o u h e s i t a t e . . . t h a t final s p l i t s e c ond of indecision, s h a l l I g o in, or ander’s article broke in the Satur- place.. “.

February 1951

a c t of Providence plus an dates from late in the year of 1948. Low Bottom or High Bottom … AN a c t of improvisation equals a beginning on the Twelve Steps Since then 5,000 12th Step calls a year have gone out from here, by plus a pair of shoes to take s t e p s visiting “fly ing squadrons.”Mainin. In such an equation of alcoholic tained by voluntary sponsors, Alamathematics perhaps 4,000 New non dedicates itself “to serve a l l Yorkers have found the beginning Groups in the Greater New York of The Road Back through two area a s a central facility for indi- TWELFTH STEP WORKSHOPS unique recovery “clinics.” Alanon House and Twelfth Step vidual 12th Stepwork by their mem- . bers.. it i s an informal meeting- House are both co-operative ven- place for active AA’s who believe tures of AA individuals from met- in the necessity of an AA Open ropolitan groups; a s different from House.” Voluntary sponsors man T w o experiments that d o raise bottoms up! one another a s everything in AA is the desk and perform myriad duties. different, and yet akin t o one an- Any AA can find sober company other in their assembly line tech- here, and out-of-towners are invited niques of providing outer props of to use lounge, writing room, the . food, clothing and shelter along little rooms marked “Adam” and R IEve,” arrznge with the Desk with inner props of hope and spiritual help. Geographically, both Custodian for mailing privileges, houses are in Manhattan, and both the acceptance of phone calls and lie just this side of Paradox a s telegrams, and the recording of “official” AA reckoning goes. Nei- messages. A restaurant provides ther i s a Group nor a Club; neither soft lights for a coke, a meal, or i s inside the A A structure, but both a place to bring a date. A bulletin have been constructed by AA’s. board announces twoopen meetings . A postcard from Korea with the a week conducted by metropolitan simple address “Alanon House, groups, and a variety of personal New York” got prompt delivery to notices ranging from “Gladys: I the old brownstone front on 46th have your gray gloves” to “Joe D. Street. The house (only the base- called and has a job for Harold B.” ment and first floor are Alanon But the Alanon accent i s really space) stands equidistant from on the Newcomer, and come they Tenth Avenue’s Hell’s Kitchen do. For the referral or the happenand Broadway’s Great White Way. stance wanderer, there is sympa- And inside from twelve noon to thetic listening from Voluntary twelve midnight there’s a mingling Sponsors. For the sincere, there i s of folks from all the vastness of more than refuge; there i s often New York’s byways. Alanon i s an dramatic action. Shoes, arrangeoutgrowth of the first New York AA ments for nearby lodgings, small Clubhouse, and in i t s present form loans, an overcoat, or a pencilled

The first s t e p t o ~ u w dthe F i r s t Step – (z s h a v e – a s u i t of hmd-me-downs.. . Clothes may not malce the man, hut.. ….. note t o a neighborhood doctor. A “prep school” for AA, some .. C h a r i t y ? . no, i t i s more “I am of the individual s p o n s o r s c a l l it, my brother’s lenderHthan”keeper.” and point out that nearly every en- Monthly, a n average of 150 money tering “student” h a s the degree p l e d g e s are gratefully s e n t back to of L.L.B. — Lowest Low Bottom. t h e brownstone house that w a s a F o r t h i s i s t h e edge of Limbo where haven from t h e brimstone for guys names and y e a r s and t h e very purand g a l s who had walked their next p o s e of living disappear in dim t o t h e l a s t milewhen they found doorways amid t i m e l e s s cauldrons Alanon. of Sneaky P e t e and Smoke and other F a r downtown and the width o f panhandled ambrosias. Across t h e Manhattan Island away i s another s t r e e t from 61 Fourth s t a n d s John . h o u s e of refuge. .Twelfth S t e p Wanamaker’s store, but around the corner is the Ions Street of Nobo- House, barely a block from t h e bord e r of the Rowery. “That?”, and d i e s . Across t h e square from 61 i s the c o p on t h e corner will point, Cooper Union, where Abraham “That’s 61 Fourth Avenue, and Lincoln talked of s l a v e s . Ninety four flights up if you c a n make it.” y e a r s before t h e s l a v e s of t h e dark

given e a c h new applicant, “a place ises. Was here from opening a t where.. .prospects can be given noon until after tonight’s meeting. the working tools of AA indoctri- Shaved self. H a s week’s ticket for . nation.. ” and then channeled to Municipal Lodging House.” the AA Group most convenient for Wednesday — “Here twelve them.” hours today. Talked with new men A “happy” c a s e history would this afternoon and joined in quesrun something like this on the tion period a t meeting. Remembers Twelfth S t e p House record cards: a d d r e s s of married sister. Contact hlonday — “J o e D. Age about will b e made with her.” 38. Docs not know family’s address. Thursday — “Joe s a y s feeling L a s t worked a s a porter about five great now. Drought in 6 0 ~ earned y e a r s ago. Ifad h i s l a s t drink yes- a t odd jobs in neighborhood and terday afternoon. H a s mild s h a k e s , a s k e d if he could repay c o s t of but w a n t s t o ‘get squared off like first night’s flophouse charge.” Oil1 If.who came here l a s t Novem- Friday — “ffave job for J o e ber. N e e d s flop tonight.” starting tomorrow a t X-hospital a s Tuesday — “Helped clean prem- live-in porter. Outfitted him with

Up! >runnt Alunon.. . coflee Iruvor in the Rowing 1;’orties.. . .turlcey.. . l e f i m e r from AA Nero Years Eve jmr~ies January I . . Bowery found t h e half-hidden door And one more question.. .if you that l e a d s t o Twelfth S t e p House. s t a y sober five d a y s what kind of It isn’t a house. T h e street hall- joh could you work a t ? . way l e a d s t o s t e e p , long s t a i r s . . F o r t h e e m p h a s i s a t Twelfth S t e p House i s on work, s a y the AA four tortuous flights t o a great bare room. And a t 12 noon,40 figures in individuals who have s p e n t two r a g s and cast-offs wait for the y e a r s developing t h i s therapy plan. plain door t o open. Inside there a r e T h e newly arrived may find himchairs, and there i s warmth, and a self a s s i g n e d t o floor sweeping or bare desk. And someone t o talk t o some light chore within h i s f i r s t .. .someone sober t o t a l k to. hour. There is neither time nor s p a c e hcre for the man who will T h e interviews are simple and t o the point. Do you want to s t o p not, within h i s physical capabilidrinking? If you do, what’s your t i e s of the moment, make a n hon- . name.. or, sometimes, what d o you u s e for a name now? When did e s t attempt a t work even if it i s only the labor of h i s will to avoid you have your l a s t drink? Where that first drink. “A Twelfth S t e p a r e you going to s l e e p tonight? Work Shop,” s a y s t h e typed s l i p

February 1 9 5 1

. suit, shirt, tie and shoes. Loaned every month since he read of the $3 carfare to get him to new job.” work at 61 Fourth Avenue. Collec- Joe’s story could happen to al- tion baskets at the four meetings a most any of the day’s crop. The week often contain folding money recuperative power of the Bowery from visiting “high bottom” AA’s boys i s often phenomonal. a s well a s beer caps palmed-in by Any alcoholic i s welcomed at shaking “first day” hands. Christ- Twelfth Step House s o long a s his mas Day, 1950, the log book terbehavior does not interfere with sely says: “Attendance 75. Colthe welfare and progress of his lection $1.62.” fellow victims. Trouble makers, “goof ball” addicts and some spe- On the bulletin board is a large cial “problem fellows” may be chart headed “Information that may sent away on “suspensions” up be of help in making a new start.” to 30 days, say the by-laws, but Three types of information a r e , listed.. .”Lodging houses, rooms, no alcoholic who really wants to flops” … “Places to get jobs” attain sobriety can ever be permanently barred. … “Where to get deloused.” Volunteer workers state the case Statistics are roughly arrived at, of Twelfth Step House something but about 2.000 persons had at like this: There has to be a bottom least one or more days of sobriety rung someplace; this is it. This through “the course” in 1950. . isn’t “grass roots”. .it’s mostly One-thousand were given clothes in dirt roots, but they too can grow. the same 12 months. Twenty-eight flophouse accomodations for one Maybe it operates outside the AA structure, but it does get AA inside Ttuelfth Step … with stripes … night i s the standing record. About 780 were placed in jobs. Of these these guys. If it has open hands for outside financial support, it the A A helping hand reaches through iron bars i n … probably 400 will make full re- also passes help on with open coveries. Like Alanon House, Twelfth arms. And the workers add: “Excuse us from not having more time NEW YORK CITY PRISON PROGRAM Step House not only accepts con- to tell you about our workshop, but ‘ tributions of services, cash, clothes and food but must sometimes acthere are more feet coming up those stairs. Hear them?” T HE Assistant to the Commissioner of Correction of the City of New York felt that he had self pushed the typed reports aside and spoke directly to the visitor: tivelv “hustle” for the mainte- “Well, Mr. AA, suppose we did let Yes, there are new feet shamb- been very fair to the visitor, the you talk to say 1500 of our inmates nance of its brood of unwashed ‘untouchables.’ Mention of Twelfth ling up those long and hard four man who called himself “an A A within a year. How many of 1500 Step House in a national magazine flights of stairs. Feet in rags, and volunteer.” Even the Assistant’s would your AA business save?” article on Skid Rows brought manna feet that pause long to rest. Rut Assistant sensed that the crux of The volunteer pondered. Percentfrom strange places. An anonymous their sh*&ingdraws nearer.. .they this meeting was at hand. ages and statistics, that’s what Texas c&ributor has sent $10 are feet that want to CLIMB.. .. And then the Commissioner him- officialdom understands, and the .

8

. w h e e l s seemed t o be whirring out for s u c h v i s i t s are received sor in getting the AA word into Special meetings are held for some n e a t number. from t h e authorities or when other prisoners. Soon a dozen, some prisoners out on probation until “If we c a n explain AA t o 1500 the need for s u c h s p e c i a l ex-cons themselves were wangling they gravitate t o neighborhood men in one year, s i r . . ” . v i s i t s are indicated. 3. Interview and introduce AA t o v i s i t i n g permissions t o carry the word inside the grim, gray walls. groups. Most of them have had many . meetings “in stir” a s their train- “Yes,” t h e Commissioner waited. t a One man, sir.” people who a r e interested in In April of 1949, the faithful ing period. Attendance a t Riker’s T h e A s s i s t a n t jumped when t h e AA and who come from s u c h handful of volunteers made a n ap- Island (main c i t y prison) is limited chief’s v o i c e boomed out: “Sold! institutions and departments. peal through the New York Inter- only by meeting room s i z e , 270 You make s e n s e , Mr. AA. Your pro- 4. Write t o interested inmates of group Bulletin for more helpers. An often squeezing into a s p a c e comgram g e t s i t s trial!” a l l c i t y institutions. e v e n 100 responded. fortable for only 250. In four and one-half y e a r s t h a t 5. Offer general co-operation t o Keepers of t h e faith are now 150 Old timers of the volunteer AA , pre-date and post-date that inter- t h e Courts and Departments members pledged and banded to- prison workers hail the newly s a n c view in Manhattan’s Tombs P r i s o n in rehabilitation work with gether in Centre Street Committee. tioned set-up, but c a n tell off-theoffice, twice 1500 men behind bars alcoholics. A recognized AA group, i t holds record s t o r i e s of “unofficial” sanchave heard t h e AA m e s s a g e from Legal s a n c t i o n for the New l’ork one c l o s e d meeting a month t o tions through the early years from many volunteer AA visitors. And Program came after one more “dis- program the field work. Although friendly court employees, some 400 t i m e s t h e one promised man organized AA organization” proved 95% of the work i s with men in- s a y even sympathetic judges, and h a s found sobriety and a new way that t h e Twelve S t e p s c a n work mates, women have been added t o from AA c o p s whom they refer t o of life o n arriving “outside.” inside s t o n e w a l l s a s well a s out- the group. T h e y will not only carry a s “the finest of the famous fin- T h e AA a c t i v i t i e s within t h e s i d e them. It w a s one more mile- out the visiting s e r v i c e in the Wo- est.” city’s h o u s e s of detention, jails, s t o n e for one more facet of AA that, men’s House of Detention (ladies’ Andold timers s s y solemnly that * workhouses and penitentiaries a r e like T o p s y , just plain grew. jail in t h e heart of Greenwich Vil- t h e new progrsm of carrying hope no longer on trial. As recently a s B a c k in 1945, one more unfor- lage) but will a l s o v i s i t families and help through barred windows New Year’s week, 1951, a four- tunate, weary of breath, slipped of male inmates, t o s e c u r e c o – o p comes from an old AA recipe for page mimeographed outline of AA after a brief AA endeavor. T h e eration in t h e family unit for the -s u c c e s s f u l accomplishment pan procedures for prisons and institu- s l i p led t o trouble and a term in r e l e a s e d or paroled man of the hours of persistence. And they s a y t i o n s h a s been distributed v i a of- Manhattan City Prison. A letter house. A s p e c i a l sub-committee, that e a c h meeting with our incarfrom t h e cell-bound s l i p p e e reach- t h e Welfare unit, is headed by a cerated fellow men reminds them ‘ f i c i a l department c h a n n e l s t o 5 0 C i t y Magistrates, 20 Probation Of- . e d h i s sponsor.. a busy s a l e s m a n long-dry Sing Sing graduate and of a n old familiar motto. f i c e r s , and other guardians of the who knew nothing of jails, prison will try out a job-finding s e r v i c e law. By direction of, and with t h e regulations or institutional red for r e l e a s e d men who have shown You must have s e e n it in some b l e s s i n g s of Commissioner Albert tape. Perseverance by t h e spon- a s i n c e r e d e s i r e to become good meeting room, It reads.. .. Williams who h a s been a friendly sor finally resulted in v i s i t s t o t h e rashly importunate member in tem- AA’s. “But for the Grace of God ! … ‘

tower of strength t o t h e new AA C e n t r e Street Committee. porarily bad standing. T h e renewed “ROUND THE TOWN” Ilrondwny and 7 6 t h Street

P a g e o n e of t h e historic charter AA c o n t a c t acted a s a quick tonic, s t a t e s “Type of Work,” and list’s and a t e x e r c i s e time the prisoner t h e s e five approved activities: talked h i s revived AA t o a c e l l – 1. Conduct AA meetings a t C i t y mate who blamed alcohol for h i s institutions. new residence. On h i s r e l e a s e , the 2. V i s i t inmates when r e q u e s t s returned brother joined h i s snon-

A p r i l 1951

Dr. W i l l i a m ~ u k n Silkworth

Dr. Willianl I h n r i t n Silkworth d i e d of a heurt a ~ t a c k in h i s honw in New York.’rhursday n~orning,March 22. T h u s w e of AA have l o s t t h e physicill p r e s e n c e of the great doctor who w a s our first friend. He g a v e deep understanding and great enrouragcmenl to a n infant s o c i e t y in t h e clays when a l a c k of u n t f e r s t a n d i q or a word of discouragement might e a s i l y h a v e killed it. He freely risked h i s professional reputation t o champion an unprecedented spiritual a n s w e r t o t h e medical enigma a n d t h e human tragedy of alroholism. Without h i s b l e s s i n g , our faith might well have d i e d in i t s birth. H e w a s a luminous exception t o t h e rule t h a t only an a l c o h o l i c u n d e r s t a n d s a n alcoholic. He knew u s better than we know owselves…better than we know e a c h other. Many of u s f e l t t h a t h i s medical skill. g r e a t a s t h a t was, w a s not a t a l l t h e full meas u r e of h i s stature. Dr. Silkworth w a s s o m e t h i n g t h a t i t i s difficult e v e n t o mention in t h e s e days. He w a s a s a i n t l y man. He s t o o d in an unusual relationship t o truth. He w a s a b l e to see t h e truth of a man, when that truth w a s d e e p l y hidden from t h e man himself and from everyone e l s e . He w a s a b l e t o s a v e l i v e s that were o t h e r w i s e Lwyond h e l p of a n y kind. Such a man c a n n o t r e a l l y die. Our friend h a s only left us..for a while.

The M A Y ISSUE of your m a ~ a z i n ew i l l carry a complete biogruphy of Dr. Silkworth.

April 1951

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A.A.”Headquarters”-is in efiect a general service board for the AA movement. It publishes the book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains the General Service Office in New York, guarantees the financial and traditional integrity of The A . A . Cra evine, and’ is responsible for AA public relations at t& national and international level. Address: The Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, New York)

T HE article on AA in the February i s s u e of Fortune Magazine brought a flood of requests for T h e Permanent Revolution.” In t h i s i s s u e , widely different a s p e c t s of American history and of t h e reprints. Evidently AAs a l l over t h e present American s c e n e were porcountry liked t h e article very much. trayed. Under t h e title: “A.A. — So — by s p e c i a l permission of A Uniquely American Phenothe Editors of Fortune — reprints menon,” Fortune presents Alcohave been prepared by t h e Founda- holics Anonymous a s a typical tion. They a r e ready now, a t 8 American response — “by sponc e n t s each. taneous individual effort” — You’ll find that t h e Fortune re- t o a tough s o c i a l problem. print comes to you in a new form, a little different than our standard There s e e m s t o b e widespread pamphlet literature: a slightly agreement among AAs that the Edsmaller page s i z e , with relatively itors of Fortune have done a good more pages — making it e a s i e r t o job of describing our society, of read, e a s i e r t o carry, e a s i e r t o s l i p telling what w e a r e and how we in and out of your pocket or purse. operate. T h e article, and t h e re- T h e Fortune article (for those of prints, should help a lot in bringyou who didn’t s e e t h e original) ing t h e message t o “the million appeared in t h e February, 1951, alcoholics who s t i l l don’t know” i s s u e of Fortune titled: “U.S.A. about AA.

APRIL 1 9 5 1

FAMILY GROUPS HAVE NEW POST OFFICE BOX

INCE experience h a s proved that t h e AA Program i s a way of life S which c a n helpful t o the non-alcoholic a s t o the alcoholic, be as there a r e now 87 AA Family Groups registered with t h e Foundation and perhaps a s many more unregistered. T h e purpose of t h e s e groups is three fold. They a r e a s follows: 1. T o give cooperation and understanding to the AA a t home. 2. T o live by the 12 S t e p s ourselves in order t o grow spiritually along with our Alcoholics Anonymous. 3. T o welcome and g i v e comfort to the families of new AAs. T h e time h a s come when it s e e m s w i s e to unity t h e s e groups. A post office box h a s been secured in New York City to be used a s a clearing house, and L o i s W. h a s volunteered t o a c t a s temporary chairman. T h e following questions present themselves. 1. Do you approve of t h e name AA Family Group? 2. If not what name d o you s u g g e s t ? 3. Should we not adopt t h e 12 S t e p s a s written for AA without change or embellishment? As t h i s i s a clearing house, let’s have your i d e a s and suggestions. P l e a s e send them to P.O. Box 1475, Grand Central Station, N.Y. 17, N.Y.

The Little Doctor Who Loved Drunks

me and right through me. I felt a s A DRUNK i s lying on a bed in a hospital, and a doctor i s sitting b e s i d e the bed. T h e drunk i s if I were standing on a high mountain top.. . ,, talking e a r n e s t l y t o the doctor. (You’d think a doctor would be- … 1s a wave of depression came come hardened after listening t o over me,” t h e drunk i s saying. t h e s e drunks rave day after day. (1 I realized that I w a s powerless It’s a discouraging, thankless – h o p e l e s s – that I couldn’t help field .. . alcoholism.) myself,and t h a t nobody e l s e could T h e drunk continued: “I felt help me. I w a s in black despair. that I stood in the presence of God. And in t h e midst of this, I remem- I felt an immense joy. And I w a s bered about t h i s God b u s i n e s s . .. sure beyond a l l doubt that I w a s and I r o s e u p in bed and s a i d , ‘If free from my o b s e s s i o n with alcothere b e a God, let him show him- hol. he only condition was that I self now!’ ” share’ the s e c r e t of t h i s freedom (A doctor specializing in alco- with other alcoholics and help holism h e a r s a l l kinds of crazy them t o recover.” s t o r i e s from drunks in a l l s t a g e s T h e drunk paused and turned to of de-fogging. You’d expect him t o the doctor. “Ever s i n c e it haphave h i s tongue in h i s cheek a t pened, I’ve been lying here wont h i s point.) dering whether or not I’ve lost my “All of a sudden, there w a s a mind. T e l l me, doctor – am I inlight,” the drunk g o e s on, a tt sane – or not?” blinding white light that filled t h e T h e drunk w a s Bill W. *>”Dr. William Duncan Silkworth .’ x f , , whole room. A tremendous wind seemed t o b e blowing a l l around – Fortunately for Bill fortunately for AA -fortunately for the .*. + ~p., t. ‘?\, i

1873 – 1951 t i

pita1 to share his discovery with and without reputation or standing thousands of us who have come after – the doctor was Dr. Silkto the realization that we had lost a greater friend, a greater doctor, other alcoholics. Today – when of any kind – began its growth. worth. By great good luck or by a greater man than we had ever “carrying the message to others ” has become a very respectable We forget how halting and feeble that early growth was, how bedevilthe grace of God (depending on realized. It was particularly hard to your viewpoint) – the doctor was appreciate the greatness of the man part of an undeniably effective program – it i s easy to forget that led with obstacles in a world s k e p tical of spiritual experience and Dr. Silkworth. while Dr.Silkworth was yet with s t carrying the message” in the beus, because of his profound per- often hostile to it. It would have been s o easy to Dr. Silkworth from the beginning dismiss Bill’s experience as hal- sonal modesty and the disarming ginning was a highly unorthodox undertaking. It had no precedent threw all of his weight as a doctor, f

lucination, one of the many pos- gentleness, the unassuming and aland no history of success; most a neurologist, a specialist in alcosible vagaries of a rum-soaked most invisible skill, with which he authorities would have turned holism, into aiding the progress of brain. And a disparaging word accomplished his daily miracles thumbs down on it a s just plain this mongrel and highly unpedigreed from the doctor right at this point of medical and spiritual healing. screwball. society in every possible way. He could have choked off the tender We knew that he was a prodi- Again, we forget how our tech- committed social and professional shoot of faith and killed it. Alco- gious and relentless worker, but nique has been mellowed and re- heresy right and left in order to holics Anonymous might have got still it was a shock to discover fined by the wisdom of experience. publish and implement his burning . , started somewhere else, somehow. that in his lifetime of work with We know now that the blinding faith in a movement which as yet Or it might not. Certainly it would- those who suffer our disease, he light and the overwhelming rush of only half-suspected its ,own desn’t have started here. Very possi- had talked with 51,000 alcoholics tiny and which had to grope rather bly the life of every one of us AAs – 45,000 at Towns Hospital and God-consciousness are not necessary, that they are indeed very blindly to find terms for its own hung on the doctor’s answer to the 6,000 at Knickerbocker! faith in itself. rare phenomena and that the great question, “Am I insane?” Yet he was never in a hurry. When there was need for money majority of recoveries among us It was here that Dr. ‘Silkworth And he had no “formulas,” no to publish the book Alcoholics are of the much less spectacular made the first of his indispensible stock answers. Somehow he found contributions to AA. He knew by – out very early that the unexpected gradual and educational kind. But in the beginning, the “hot flash” Anonymous, Dr.Silkworth used his personal influence without stint to an insight that no amount of medical training alone can give a man was to be expected in alcoholism, and for a man who knew a s many was stressed nay, insisted upon. help raise the money. As a preface – that what had happened to Bill of the answers a s he did, he came Dr. Silkworth had his professional reputation to lose, and nothing to the book he wrote the chapter titled, “The Doctor’s Opinion,” was real, and important. “I don’t to each new case with a wonderknow what you’ve got,” he told Bill, “but whatever it is, hang on fully open mind . .. the great and classic example of which i s his whatsoever to gain, by permitting and encouraging this unheard-of giying AA his praise and approval without reservation or qualification procedure of one God-bitten drunk -at a time when there were only a to it. You are not insme. And you handling of Bill. trying to pass on his strange story thin one hundred of us dried up! may have the answer to your prob- And this gentle little doctor, of a light and a vision to other al- He was indeed our first friend, lem.” The encouragement of the with his white hair and his china man of science, a s much a s the blue eyes – child’s eyes, saint’s coholics – most of whom at that and indeed a friend in need. His time received it with lively hosspiritual experience itself, started eyes was a man of immense pertility or magnificent indifference. faith in uswas firmer than our faith in ourselves. Bill says: “Without AA on its way. sonal courage. It must be remem- Then Bill met Dr. Bob, and the Silky’s help, we never would have When Dr. Silkworth died of a heart attack in his home in New bered that he went much farther than merely encouraging Bill’s first few drunks, incredulously, be- got going or kept going!” Again, gan to make their incredible recov- his contribution was indispensible. York early in the morning of March faith in his spiritual experience. eries. The infant society, without Why did he do it? 22nd, even those AAs who knew He saw to it that Bill was permita book, without a program really, The answer to that i s the answer him best and loved him most awoke ted to come back into Towns HOS-

t o Dr. Silkworth’s whole career: a t Charles R. Towns Hospital, he insisted. “They drink compul- There i s not room here – nor h e loved drunks. Why he loved Ne’w York, a private hospital sively, a g a i n s t their will.” One of h a s there been opportunity for the drunks i s a s e c r e t known only t o s p e c i a l i z i n g in alcoholism and the early drunks whom Dr. Silk- n e c e s s a r y research to consider God and t h e doctor – and perhaps drug addiction. Here, Dr. Silk- worth treated, a big husky six- h i s s t a t u s a s a medical man. It the doctor himself did not wholly worth’s s p e c i a l s k i l l with alco- footer,dropped on h i s knees before c a n be s a i d that he held a position understand t h e mystery. “It’s a holics – and h i s growing under- the doctor, t e a r s streaming down of very high eminence in h i s progift,” h e u s e d t o s a y , h i s e y e s standing and love for them – had h i s face, begging for a drink. “I fession. He encountered opposition twinkling. full scope. Yet he estimated that s a i d t o myself then and there,” t o some of h i s views, and he w a s ‘ He discovered h i s gift very early the percentage of r e a l recoveries – Dr. Silkworth related, ” t h i s i s latterly the recipient of very widein h i s medical practice. He w a s among the a l c o h o l i c s h e worked not just a v i c e or a habit. T h i s i s spread recognition and praise for graduated from Princeton in 1876, with w a s only about 2 per cent. compulsion, t h i s i s pathological h i s work. It i s literal!^ true that and took h i s medical degree a t New T h e large number of h o p e l e s s craving, t h i s i s disease!” he w a s t h e world’s greatest prac- York University in 1900. Then he c a s e s , and the d e e p d e g r e e s of – He loved drunks but there w a s tical authority on alcoholish. His interned a t Bellevue; and i t w a s human tragedy and suffering in- nothing in t h e l e a s t degree fatuous pioneering work in the concept of while working a t Bellevue that he volved, weighed heavily upon the or sentimental about that love. It alcoholism a s a manifestation of found h e w a s drawn t o alcoholics, gentle doctor. H e w a s often pro- could b e a n astringent love, a n allergy h a s been validated by laand t h e y t o him. foundly discouraged. almost surgical love. There w a s ter experience and h a s been the When nobody e l s e could calm a T h e n came Bill – and AA. the warmest of light in t h o s e blue s u b j e c t of a great d e a l of medical disturbed drunk, Dr. Silkworth One who h a s known t h e doctor e y e s , but s t i l l they could burn interest and research just recently. could. And h e found, rather t o h i s intimately over many y e a r s h a s right through to t h e bitter core of Dr. Silkworth’s was a great conamazement, that e v e n the toughest s a i d t h i s about it: “Silky never any lie, a n y sham. He could s e e tribution t o the establishment and and most case-hardened of drunks told me this. It’s my own opinion. c l e a n through egotism, bombast, development of the alcoholic treat- would t a l k t o him freely and that Hut I believe t h a t AA w a s Silky’s self-pity and similar miserable ment center a t Knickerbocker Hosmany of them, even more amazingly, reward. All t h o s e y e a r s he plodded r a g s that we drunks u s e s o clever- pital in New York. In later years, wept. It became evident that he along – treating drunks medically ly t o hide our central fear and he w a s sought out for consultation exerted – or that there / w a s ex- – defending them – loving them – shame. and advice by doctors and by t h o s e e r t e d through him – some kind of and not getting anywhere much. And thenGod said: ‘All right, little – All t h i s he did without hurting in charge of s t a t e and city alcothawing influence o n t h e frozen anyone. While insisting rigorously holic treatment projects. There life-springs +f t h e alcoholic. man, I’m g o i n g t o give you and that recovery w a s possible only on was a s t e a d y stream of visitors, Yet t h e y e a r s t h a t followed were your drunks a lift!’ And when t h e a moral b a s i s – “You cannot g o some of them from foreign lands. full of discouragement. T h e r e were lightning struck, there w a s Silky, two w a y s on a one-way street” – Also, every day, there were long t w o y e a r s on t h e ~ s ~ c h i a t r i c staff right where he belonged – in the h e never preached, never denounc- d i s t a n c e telephone c a l l s from those a t t h e U.S. Army Hospital a t P l a t t s – midst of it!” ed, never e v e n really criticized. seeking further help, those seekburg, N.Y. during the ‘first world Early in h i s career, a t a time He brought you, somehow, to make ing h i s advice – a l l over the US. war, followed by s e v e r a l y e a r s o n when alcoholism w a s almost uni- your own judgments of yourself, There remain t h e s e things to b e t h e staff of t h e Neurological In- versally regarded a s a willful and t h e only kind of judgments that noted: Dr. Silkworth w a s a small s t i t u t e of t h e Presbyterian H o s p i t a l deliberate p e r s i s t e n c e i n a n a s t y count with a n alcoholic. How did man, well under medium height. H i s i n New York. T w i c e he entered in- v i c e , Dr. Silkworth came t o be- he d o i t ? “It’s a gift.” J u s t com- complexion w a s ruddy. His ret o private practice, only t o b e lieve in the e s s e n t i a l goodness of ing into h i s presence w a s like markable e y e s have heen mendrawn b a c k into h o s p i t a l work with t h e alcoholic. “These people d o walking into light. He not only tioned. H i s hair w a s snow white alcoholics. H i s work continued on n o t w a n t t o d o t h e things they do,” had vision – he gave vision. and no member of AA knew him

z ,

reached a n d brought back t o life – L?pd,*; : otherwise, for he w a s already well ?’q:+ along in y e a r s when our relation- t o AA – and t o God. And I have REFLECTIONS ;-;,:”.. P’J, 1

* shipbegan.You would s a y that the wanted very much t o write t h i s \ :*:. ‘;” ,’.. ,’ ;:’,, ‘. A,

habitual e x p r e s s i o n of h i s face w a s tribute faithfully and well, in the . .., \ , a s m i l e – until you thought about name of a l l t h o s e who s h a r e my 1 * %

. 7 ;. 3 –

.”” I . ,.-9′ . :<.;”,?&? , , … ‘> ‘ i; ‘1

.it, a n d r e a l i z e d that t h e features d e b t and my gratitude. And yet I 2.

w e r e r e a l l y nearly a l w a y s i n re- have realized from t h e beginning Heartful w e reflec! upon t h e lif= a n d dt&ds of our, < p o s e , and t h e impression of a that t h i s a r t i c l e will entirely p l e a s e friend and benefactor William Duncan Silkworth. ,,, .:, .IS,.$:+, ,>,.. ., s m i l e a r o s e a c t u a l l y from a certain nobody. T o t h o s e who knew and ‘ I,.

light about h i s face. (Too many of loved t h e s a i n t l y doctor, it will A s physician-saint t h i s rare man was, w e AAs s e e , .: . u s h a v e noticed it to be mistaken!) s e e m insufficient. And some of him, among t h e g r e a t e s t of God’s gentlefolk. He loved to be well-dressed – those who didn’t know him may w a s , in f a c t , quite dapper – and think i t overdone, for t h e truth We s h a l l remember him as one of the architects of our – 4 ‘.in t h i s h e w a s not withodt a certain about Dr. Silkworth i s strong med- , 4

whimsical and self-recognized icine in a materialistic age. well-loved Society. T h e first doctor ever t o befriend vanity. N u r s e s – t h e hospital staff T h i s dilemma would b e tolerable, – everyonq who worked with him were it not for a third difficulty: us, h e described the true* nature of our strange malady. < ‘ quite plainly and simply adored I have written a l l along in the eer, h e f i l l e d u s with high hope ig him. He w a s unfailingly gentle, ‘ u n e a s y knowledge that what i s I *

e; though a man of s c i e n c e h e boldy courteous, thoughtful. He w a s hap- s a i d here i s b y no means pleasing pily married, and h e and hlrs.Silk- t o t h e doctor himself. T h e inci- s e t h i s a&roval o n t h e book ~ ~ l c o b o l k r Anonymous ‘ ‘ worth s h a r e d a delight in growing dent of physical d e a t h certainly – t h i n g s in flowers in gardening. h a s not placed him beyond knowl- thus prescribing a spiritual remedy for our sinister He w a s utterly and completely edge of what g o e s o n here below. il1ness. Over t h e y e a r s that followed, h e stood b y the indifferent t o money, t o position, And he will not b e pleased with a l l t o p e r s o n a l g a i n or prestige of a n y t h i s , b e c a u s e while he w a s stern bedside of uncounted thousands, the healing art i n his . kind. about very few things, h e w a s h a n d s and compelling l o v e in h i s eyes. We – the He w a s a s a i n t l y man. We drunks c a n thank Almighty sternly and s e r i o u s l y opposed t o the publication of h i s own name Children of t h e Night – knew ,that h e understood; w e God t h a t s u c h a man w a s designa- and fame. a followed him o u t i n t o the light of Day. . t e d by t h e divine Providence t o ins p i r e and guide u s , individually I take comfort, however, in t h e fact that h i s s e n s e of humor most I n t h i s time y e know, too, tha; hi;,. i go&’i lady and all and as a group, o n t h e long way I

back t o sanity. certainly will h a v e survived h i s others near must s h a r e with u s the certainty that a And now – in t h i s anonymously r e c e n t transition t o a ‘New Home. I place has b e e n pcepared for him; that t h i s very d a y , written journal of a n anonymous And I feel s u r e that h i s disapproval society – I hope I may b e permit- of t h e present e s s a y will b e tem- h e d w e l l s i n one of our F a t h e r ‘ s mansions among ted, i n closing, t h e anomaly of a pered by amusement, and b y the personal note. You see,, Dr. Silk- priceless gift he gave u s all s o that great company of God’s gentlemen who worth s a v e d my life. I w a s o n e of freely while h e w a s yet a s we are have gone o n b e f a e . t h o s e “hopeless” o n e s whom h e – h i s great love.

May 1 9 5 1

ANADA Dry … that’s not a . where the wee drop or the vin petite . lumbia’s Oroville-Osoyoo’s Group … C mixer, that’s a fact and a new might comfort and solace. And and the camp meetings after a day’s work on Powell River, R.C. way of life for 7,25 1 citizens of the miles of mellow grain whose yield , .. .Thunder Bay at Ontario’s Port Dominion of Canada in 299 groups who are dry through the Twelve i s high in molten gallons t o the broad acre. . Arthur.. and t h e folks at Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. Steps from Detroit’s neighbor city But AA stands strong and se- Hosp ital cooperation throughout Windsor,Ontario, t o the far Yukon’s cure northward from the touching the Dominion i s generally good, iced-in Fhitehorse and arctic Yel- point a t Latitude 42 clear t o Raffin meetings” where perhaps four cof- most doctors are cooperative, and lowknife on Great Slave Lake. Land. And from 1200 members of fee cups will suffice the whole several penal institutions welcome Here in the vast northern half of Vancouver, British Columbia, on quorum assembled. visiting Groups. Royal Canadian the whole North American continent “the Coast” t o the 2-member Group For the song of faith, the song Mounted Police have suggested i s a proportion of AA’S in the scat- of Weymouth the land’s breadth of mutual service, rings in this contact with AA’s for several tered population almost exactly away in Nova Scotia there i s the rugged land up north. And there strays, including one far northern ‘

equal t o that of the United States, steadfastness and pioneer courage are singing names where these gent who compensated h i s two-week’ despite a much later AA start, and that makes the Twelfth Step a livdespite great handicaps of distance ing thing in the Dominion. In the meetings come t o order … Flin old home brew by dropping ice from Flon, Manitoba and i t s North of 53 a 10,000 year old glacier in it to communications, language barriers and festive traditions older than larger cities, Intergroups and Central Committees serve wide areas, Group . .. Portage la Prairie Petitiodiac of New Brunswick. . …. give it age and tone. AA h a s conquered vast spaces Yankees know. and by trial and error have worked Ministik of Kamsack in ~ a s k a t c h e – in Canada. The hand of under- Even Nature conspires t o Can- out splendid programs for inter- wan.. ,and Nipawin Group nearby standing h a s spread across the ada’s wetness, not t o a Canada change of speakers, ideas, mutual .. .Tignish on Prince Edward Is- wide land in faith and in fellowdry. Three oceans touch the farflung land, and there are lakes that aid. And in the hinterlands lumberjack, trapper, prospector and sal- . land.. Mont-Joli of Quebec . .. ship. From Frontenac to Fundy there i s the firm c l a s p of friendship Medicine Hat with its good medlare inland s e a s , and rampant rivers. And lonely places and open s p a c e s mon fisher employ ski and kayak and amphibian plane for “intergroup cine in Alberta … and not far that s a y s “In this land, too, Easy away Red Deer Group.. British CO- does itl”

May 1951

rVt,ri; ii~c~.s[rrvir(i gtcfct/lo ( , ( i ~ ~ t i t i r ~ ‘ ~ Ant1 in t h i s midland o/ t h e Domin- . e s t ~ o p u l a t i o n . . a s a nation, and ion there i s Midland Group, a n d in AA. One hundred and twenty-SIX Niagara Falls’ Rainbow Group a n d Sometimes they couldn’t even

Ontario groups, 33 in Toronto alone. And what’s in a name? P e r h a p s AA meaning in Port Hope Group, or Kincerdine’s Blue Water Group. a n d Port Arthur’s Thunder Bay Group. Here in Canada’s rich /arml a n d there is immense AA growth. . get started until the bunch arrived from Detroit, they were that small. T o o much emphasis cannot be placed on t h i s international aspect of AA here. It i s the very foundation upon which Windsor AA something about it. He contacted Detroit, having become the great- Detroit AA. He went, saw, and e s t automotive centre in the world, listened — and brought AA back h a s made \Vindsor t h e g r e a t e s t to Canada. It w a s just a s simple automotive centre in the British a s that. Commonwealth. But there i s a s t i l l Three months later there were two better reason why Windsor AAs in AAs here. T h e s e , in turn, carried particular wouldn’t want t o turn t h e message t o a third. T h e Norton back the clock: Detroit and Wind- Palmer, biggest hotel in town, gave s o r have become t h e first truly in- them rent-free quarters in which ternational AA fellowship anywhere to hold their meetings, ,and they in t h e world. S o far a s w e a r e con- were on their way. cerned, there i s no international From Windsor the message boundary. spread t o Leamington, Wallaceburg, Windsor i s the most southerly Tilbury, Chatbam, Kingsville, and c i t y in Canada. It’s a c o z y little almost every other town and c i t y place; friendly, too. P e o p l e from in Southwestern Ontario — a l l of nearly every country in Europe which are now affiliated with Dehave found refuge here from per- troit through a representative on secution and fear, and a l l r a c e s the recently formed District Comand c r e e d s live together here in mittee (of the General Service Conharmony. T h i s border c i t y h a s al- ference) which will a c t for all ways held out open arms t o a l l Southwestern Ontario and Southr a c e s –as w i t n e s s the flight here e a s t Michigan. But t h i s i s anticiof “Uncle Tom” — and it i s bi- pating — let’s get back t o t h e lingual. It i s a l s o a grand spot for Norton Palmer. a binge: contrasted with Detroit’s T h e first meeting there registered stingy 32-ouncers, Canadian quarts another first: It w a s postponed two

WINDSOR facesnorth across the Detroit River. Y e s , north, for t h i s border c i t y l i e s due south of been a b l e to make them budge since. S o here we Windsorites are, geographical misfits, and nothing hold a full forty! Not that we should brag. L i k e w e e k s while one of t h e originals went on h i s honeymoon. Luckily, AA i t s e l f , Windsor AA had very he returned sober, s o t h e meeting Detroit. It s e e m s t h a t some 250 we c a n d o about it. humble beginnings. Back i n 1943, w a s a complete s u c c e s s . But some y e a r s a g o t h e Y a n k s took over that Not that we’d want to,of course. a l o c a l drunk got tired of getting of t h o s e early meetings must have part of C a n a d a and nobody’s e v e r Actually, we ought t o b e grateful: drunk and honestly wanted t o do been pretty pathetic.

Indianapolis, to give a talk. something about it: He started a they gave us a cautious break, but ‘ Windsor AA has a telephone — new group in Leamington. That experience has now caused them to 2-3842 — with 24-hour switch- was in September, 1945. Today back us to the hilt. Both doctors board service. It is listed merely the “defensive” efforts of that and hospitals now lean over backa s Alcoholics Anonymous -address, no further information. It no lonesome alcoholic have borne rich fruit. Leamington now has . wards to help us.. It makes a fellow feel pretty humble. Because i s doing a good job and has started its own AA Hall, has branched out all of this came to pass when a many a local alcoholic on the road like a grapevine, and one of the Windsor drunk, over eight years back to sobriety. We also have a town drunks of a few short years ago, honestly wanted to do somecoffee shop. It has quite a history. ago i s now a city alderman. thing about his drinking — and Back there in 1943 Woolworth’s Leamington carried the message did it! was the only coffee shop in town to Tilbury, Chatham and Kings- I was guilty of understatement where we could sit and gab indef- ville, all of which now have solid when I said Windsor is bi-lingual. It gave Windsor AAs the initely without ‘getting thrown out groups of their own and are spread- It is tri-lingual! Here, we speak daily meetings they needed for on our ears. The management was ing the message far and wide. We French, English and Alcoholic -their sobriety — meetings which swell about it and encouraged us tocome there even though we were get a lot of speakers from these the latter mostly in police court were not available anywhere in our towns and we contribute a lot to the morning after the night before. city at that time. And it gave the occupying a lot of space which them. After all, they are all within For Canadian ale and liquor are local group the courage to carry could have been used by paying a radius of 50 miles and it isn’t pretty potent and get many a good on, knowing that mighty Detroit customers. We met there every much of a chore to get around. man down. Our field here, therefore itself had stemmed from the same morning– and sat there some- (Kingsville, by the way, i s one of i s wide. But it i s a rewarding field. one-man toe-hold a s themselves. times far into the afternoon. the show places of Canada. It i s The three helpless drunks of al- Happily those days are gone More recently an “Upper Room” the site of the Jack Miner Bird most a decade ago have now exforever. There is a meeting every had been inaugurated for night Sanctuary, where thousands of panded into five sturdy groups night in theweek in Windsor nowa- workers. It also i s rent-free, oc- nature-lovers travel each year to each bearing within itself the days and, in addition, a monthly cupying part of the second floor of view the CanadaGeese, Wild Duck seeds of still further expansion. inter-group meeting. Windsor AAs the offices of one of our AA Wind- and Wild Swans which foregather And out in the County the story i s make little journeys to the outly- sor contractors. The gang gathers there in huge flocks.)And Wallace- the same — new groups, new ing groups hereabouts, and these there every Thursday morning — burg, a little farther away and an groups, ever new groups. same groups come here. For ex- and not all night workers, either- offshoot of Windsor, and also a If you want to find AA in Windample, a few days ago a busload and talks AA, drinks coffee and great industrial center, i s doing a sor call “Operator” or look in the made a pilgrimage to Birmingham, dunks doughnuts. It’s the best prop- good job and carrying the AA ban- telephone directory. Indeed, it Michigan, and two weeks hence osition we’ve yet had to offer the ner high a s well. might pay you to do so. We’ve got ‘ . another busload will be on its way night shift– it’s handy, homey Windsor hospitals have been something worthwhile for you here, here — speaker and all — from and convenient, and gets a big play. It looks like a fixture. tops. They have accepted AA pa- drunk or sober. Windsor has al- Leamington, to take charge of the tients (some of them pretty tough) ways been called the Sun Parlor monthly meeting. We get speakers About two years after AA came without question, and have accord- of Canada, but this has taken on a from as far away a s Chicago and to Windsor, one of the original ed us virtually unlimited privi- special meaning since the coming I New York, and once in a while three went to Leamington. He got leges. Our medical men, some of of AA. You’ll find out what we one of our own speakers wanders lonely. He missed his meetings them A A s themselves, have also mean when you dial that telephone. j away to Cleveland, Toronto, or and was getting wobbly. So he did been wonderful. In the early days — R. 0. H., Windsor, Ontario

May 1951

followed very shortly thereafter by been ‘little’ ones! another Torontonian who had be- We soon established quarters a t come overly fond of h i s dram. Gor- 1170 Yonge Street, a spot which don B. had made h i s peace with s t i l l s e r v e s a s our reception cen- AA i n Chicago then, a prodigal ter. For the first two years it w a s s o n , came home to pick up the not only our ‘headquarters,’ it w a s pieces. a i l of Toronto AA. It s a y s in the Big Book that W1e s k i p a t 1945, and Stage 11. ‘wherever two are met in the name Growth – and dissension. Fortuof sobriety there i s a n AA g o u p . ‘ nately, growth was outdoing l i s – S o Toronto could, technically, s e n s i o n and growing pains can be claim t e n years of existence. Flow- very painful. Our pains were mostever, let u s b e somewhat conserva- ly located in the area of the pantive in t h i s matter. Laurie and c r e a s – or the ‘gripe’ area. The Gordon did yeoman service. T h e complaint took the form of ‘wef i l e s of the General Service Office don’t-like-the-way-things-are-being i n N e w York testify to the fact that -run.’ It was later diagnosed a s lathey ‘carried the message’ up and bor pains. It w a s t h e , birth of down the Don and Humber rivers Group number two. and along the waterfront of Toronto In the ensuing s i x years the i t s historic hangover. By now near- I N 1813Toronto w a s t w i c e loote d by U S . troops. T h i s i s s a i d in some quarters t o h a v e c a u s e d a ly a thousand Toronto alcoholics (some of whom a r e 7th and 8th Ray. But history isn’t changed in a day. T h e s e e d sown on over-satbirth rate h a s mounted steadily. We have 33 little groups running urated ground s e e m s simply t o around the house these d a y s , Thrivresentment. A totally unknown his- generation d e s c e n d a n t s of t h o s e have fermented rather than to have ing little beggars they are. Well torian h a s pointed out that, d a t i n g original ‘loot toot’ drinkers) f e e l germinated. At any rate, for the mannered too. No brats. If you, by from t h i s unneighborly incident, that they have a c t u a l l y got t h e bet- next couple of years AA in Toronto some happy fate, were to drop in there w a s a marked illcrease in top- ter of the bargain. languished. for a visit, you’d find the entire e r i s h tippling in Toronto. Every No one remembers what w a s ly- We have s i n c e come t o learn t o family most happy to welcome you one knows that drinking o n t o p of ing around loose for t h o s e rude ma- expect only the unexpected in AA. warmly. a n empty resentment l e a d s almost rauders of 1813 t o carry off. But Logic, a s so-called normal people T h e U.S. – Canada line i s the inevitably t o alcoholism. T h u s a l l are agreed that whatever i t w a s usually look upon logic, i s usually longest unfortified international Toronto h a s a n ‘excuse’ straight it could not have b e e n nearly s o reversed in t h i s s o c i e t y of ours. border in the world. But even if out of t h e history books for turning valuable a s that which Toronton- Certainly Toronto’s s t a r t w a s a yoli’re a Yank bent on looting like out a distinguished array of anony- i a n s brought back a c r o s s t h e bor- paradox. It w a s a non-alcoholic those uncouth fellows in 1813, mii. F e w other c i t i e s c a n make der 130 y e a r s later. who had the persistence t o keep come right along. We’ll gladly let’ t h a t statement! AA beginnings here were feeble, a t i t until a few of u s lifted our you take anything that isn’t nailed Today, however, a l l i s forgiven. faltering and, for a time, futile. h e a d s out of the rumpots for long down. Because we know that no enough not only to hear – but t o ‘ T h e s l a t e i s wiped clean. For if Early in 1941 Laurie C., a self-con- one c a n take away our most chert h e Y a n k s really were r e s p o n s i b l e f e s s e d member of t h i s strange soc i e t y who had got her b a s i c trainheed! So, in 1943, Toronto AA ished possession the happy, confor Toronto’s century-long binge, could b e s a i d to be launched. tented sobriety we have found in i t w a s from t h o s e same Y a n k s that ing in New York, had moved back Since then a l l of our troubles have AA here in Toronto. Toronto borrowed the solution t o t o her native Toronto. She w a s

a n t e c e d e n t s , cultures and aspi- guaranteed t o make even t h e trirations. color look like the Star Spangled There i s evidence here again of Banner, s t a r s and all. that great AA f’miracle.” The Many of u s are fortunate enough Province of Quebec, a verdant is- t o know more French than i s reland clinging to i t s age-old tradi- quired to read the usual restaurant tions in t h e f a c e of the constant menu. T o u s f a l l s the happy lot t o pressure of (to them) “foreignH travel about and interpret, rather t r a d e r s from o v e r s e a s and gee-whiz than translate, t h e precepts of AA s a l e s m e n from a c r o s s t h e 49th par- in t h e Province of Quebec. Like allel, with a l l their attendant fan- unknowing drunks everywhere, this, fare and propaganda, d o e s not t a k e they s a y , i s what they’ve been e a s i l y or kindly t o innovations in looking for. Soon they are singing either the spiritual or material Alouette, happily, instead of in realms. T h a t t h e AA gospel i s bibulous dissonance. For t h e first reaching i n t o the four corners of time, you understand the words. t h e Province, and the d e s c e n d a n t s ( F o r the uninitiate, Alouette i s the of t h e hardy pioneers who settled French-Canadian equivalent of New F r a n c e , a r e finding L a P a i x that other inebriate special Sweet from t h e inspired vision of two Adeline. Anglo-Saxon Founding F a t h e r s in T h e Story of the formation of t h e Akron, Ohio, U.S.A., i s T h e Miracle! Quebec City group adds another But find P e a c e they do. yarn to t h e extraordinary list piled P e r h a p s , too, it i s more difficult up by AA. Claude,a new member in Montreal, and a native of t h e

FRENEH WITHOUT TEARS for t h e French-Canadian to find that inner and sober Peace. T h e Maritime Provinces of Canada, w a s love of wine comes naturally and transferred t o Quebec City. He hatwould s e e m t o course along with e d t h e idea. In h i s drinking d a y s of French-Canada. From a n AA the lifeblood; and, although t h e he took a n aversion to t h i s tourist 0 NE of t h e joys of membership i n AA in t h e Province of Queb e c s t e m s from t h e twofold and point of view t h i s i s of mere a c a demic interest. What i s , or should “foreigner” h a s pushed, i s pushing and will continue t o push t h e mecca. (He s w e a r s there’s no connection.)He’d never s e t foot in t h e sober ]oie d e vivre of a bilingual be, noteworthy, i s that in the AA merits of e a u d e vie, t o k e e p away place. He just loathed it alcoholcivilization. international family today t h e Prov- from that sparkling nectar that ically. He spoke nary a word of T o u r i s t folders will t e l l you i n c e of Quebec i s t h e only spot comes from t h e vineyards of t h e French, even h i s English w a s a t h a t Quebec c o n t a i n s t h e only wall- where the principles of AA a r e a s Mother Country of France i s any- little bit different. As in t h e c a s e ed c i t y in North America; that it clearly understood, lived by, and thing but facile. But keep away of t h e honeymooners, here w a s anw a s from here that Ben Franklin a c t e d upon by two peoples of div- they d o t h e s e lovable and hospit- other instance of vive lc diierence. w a s s e n t packing back t o Phila- ferent r a c e s and c r e e d s , living, a b l e French-Canadains, t h e s e ex- Claude had the name of one pros-. delphia, and that pea soup, large o u t s i d e of national c r i s e s , a s har- ivrognes, t h e s e Gallic d i s t i l l e r s of pect, a French-Canadian. He got f a m i l i e s and handicrafts are, s o t o moniously a s possible under t h e whiskey b l a n c and caribou – two in touch with t h e lad, and sure s p e a k , t h e s p e c i a l i t e s d e la maison s p e c i a l circumstances of different indigenous hangover s p e c i a l s , enough, that old AA co-incidence

May 1951

Rendezvous a t Halifax! Throughout two world wars the s h i p s silently assembled and as silently slipped out into the danger zone. The weak travelled bow-to-stern with the strong. T h e convoy’s pace w a s geared not to the f a s t e s t ship, but to the slowest. Then, defying the terrors of a sub-infested s e a , they did togctl,er what none could have done alone!

* For AAs the comparison i s obvious. Aione, each of u s w a s a sinking ship. Always a t s e a without chart or compass, . – we floundered in a perpetual fog unable t o discern the telltale periscope of our submerged, always invisible enemy! Then, the miracle! Over the wet horizon came our convoy! A ragtag fleet it looked – tankers, tramps, bumboats, interspersed with sturdier craft. Yct withal it sailed with a certain grandeur. T h e miracle convoy caught u s u p and immediately we moved forward! On course a t last I A stronger, surer Hand w a s on the wheel. And, a s h a s happened long before on the S e a of Galilee, the turbulent waters were somehow calmed. If we stay ‘ i n convoy’we’ll make port – together! Rut the enemy s t i l l lurks alongside, waiting to strike a t any ‘strays’ who may wander off course. So check your compass, ‘

mate! Keep a sharp lookout for dere l i c t s off the starboard bow and a kcen ear for h i s feeble SOS. Meantime, we’ll all be looking out for e a c h other – from hcre to Halifax!

which i s a great deal more than pital ant! from bar to institution just mere co-incidence, came up and from one bad job to a worse again. The two had crossed paths one. Today he holds one of the in the Army overseas. In their sub- most responsible positions (in two sequent and separate drinking ca- languages) in one of the world’s reers they had even forgotten each largest industries. other’s names. In the s p a c e of Will it be Jean or Jacques next? about two months the Quebec City Marie-Ange or Gaby? What matters? group had grown t o more than thirty If they are a s good members a s the members. Here, truly a major present roster in the Province of Victoire! Quebec they’ll do all right. Two- In Arvida, the group i s only half fisted drinkers in the old pre-AA a s large, but just a s active. It was days, these French-speaking memformed two years ago and Omer, bers know that in their drinking, the founder, was given his two- a s in their driving, the warning year token a while back. A middle- Arretez means Slop, and that AA aged man, Omer had run the usual provides the twelve-notched brakes. drunken gamut from tavern to hos- — C. C.,Montreal, Quebec

Nay 1951 liustwmd to Prince lidwurd Island, 4 New llrunstuick, and Nova Scotia I s l m d s ~ o fgreat harbors. d n n d harbor now for fifty- I

S o it w a s with AA in t h i s a r e a – N O T even their most ardent a d v o c a t e s would seriously urge that t h e Maritime Provinces of for although there were “loners” before 1947 i t w a s not until that C a n a d a (Nova Scotia, New Bruns- year that the first group in the wick, P r i n c e Edward Island and hlaritimes w a s organized and reg- Newfoundland) rank high on t h e istered with the Foundation -(New l i s t s of Social Pioneers. T h e 1 % Glasgow, N.S. in January 1947). million inhabitants of t h i s most When t h e AA tide struck, however, e a s t e r l y a r e a of Canada, who think it s t r u c k with a l l the force of a Conservative but fairly consistent- “rip” on the Peticodiac. In k e e p ly vote Liberal, t a k e s e r i o u s l y Al- ing with t h e paradox of AA “coinexander P o p e ‘ s advice, “Be not cidences” t h e Message of AA came t h e first by whom the new a r e tried; almost simultaneously not from nor yet the l a s t t o lay t h e old one direction but from a t l e a s t four aside” – they a r e content t o allow with little or no connection between o t h e r s t o d o the experimenting and them. T h e furtherest came first. c o l l e c t t h e h e a d a c h e s , but when Christmas, 1946, Fred P . of the they d i s c o v e r something that’s New Orleans Group visited h i s good they move in fast and quietly home town of New Glasgow, N.S. annex it. for the first time s i n c e he found

$<= X

the Program in t h e South.He p a s s – Christmas and New Years proved e d on the m e s s a g e to some of h i s too much of a hurdle and t h e inciboyhood friends. Then by a two- pient group died a-borning. It w a s line personal in t h e local paper h e not until nearly a year l a t e r that collected a d o z e n or s o who were A1 M. (whose interest had been willing t o admit they had aproblem kindled by literature s e n t by h i s and wanted “out.” Before Fred s i s t e r from Rrockton, Mass.) made left just after New Years 1947 t h e t h e “grand tour” of Montreal, first Maritime Group meeting had Rrockton, Roston and New York. been held. A1 caught t h e spark and after h i s Next came Prince Edward Is- return to Halifax he rounded u p the It land. Here in the spring of ’47 two or three” of 1946, recruited Walter B. Of Charlottetown, who others. Before year’s end regular had received h i s inspiration in meetings were being held. Early in (or from) Toronto, rounded up a 1948, Rill F, the Sage of 24th ‘ handful of “Spud-Islanders” who Street, New York, spent a whirlhad reached t h e “necessary degree wind week in Halifax and t h e group of desperation,” and Charlottetown w a s well launched. T o t h i s d a y and Summerside duly made their Bill i s quoted in Halifax and one ton. T h i s w a s modeled closely on Montreal, Brockton, hlass., H o d a p p e a r a n c e on the AA hfaritime map. Now hfoncton, N.B. – in J u l y of their favorite i s “When you s t a r t taking bows in t h i s outfit t h e New York Intergroup but in ton, Maine, and Boston II – what a look out ’cause you’re a p t t o bow operations there w a s a difference pot pourri” t h e Program must b e of 1947 C l a i r e C. of hlontreal, d e cended on t h i s city. Aided by some yourself right into t h e spittoon.” b e c a u s e of geography – since it “way down East” in theMaritimes l o c a l friends who had earlier spot- T h a t makes for humility. t a k e s some Maritime d e l e g a t e s with that polyglot variety of foundted some likely “prospects,” s h e T h e year 1948 w a s one of ex- two days i n s t e a d of two hours t o ings – no uniformity, no agreeplanted a group i n the Railroad Hub pansion and consolidation with attend the quarterly meetings. As ment on what’s orthodox, no preof t h e Maritimes. It flourished and Moncton and Halifax spearheading yet, not a word fromNewfoundland, scribed ritual. That’s right brogrew from t h e start. ( T h i s w a s “re- t h e new groups in New Brunswick t h e fourth of the Maritime Provin- ther nothing in common s a v e t h e payment i n kind” s i n c e some two and Nova S c o t i a with Alaine and ces – well, fittingly enough, t h e Big Book and the 12 Steps and 12 or three y e a r s e a r l i e r t h e Fellow- Montreal helping out in t h e Rorder “Oldest colony” reserved i t s en- Traditions and that Honest Desire s h i p in Montreal and been firmly areas. T o mention only a few, St. trance into A A t o coincide with i t s which i s s o essential. e s t a b l i s h e d largely through two entrance into Canada. In 1949 the Here’s t h e Maritime AA (Approx- John, Fredericton, Edmondston, “transplanted” hlaritimers, Dave group a t Cornerbrook w a s started imately Accurate) Box Score: Rathurst and Campbelltown in New 8. of St. John and J a c k P. of Hal- Brunswick joined the fold. Yar- by Jerry M., a crusading C a p e Apr. ’48 Apr. ’51 Breton Irishman, who had qualified ifax.) L a s t in t h i s chronology of mouth, Bridgewater, Antigonish, No. of Groups 6 60 * h i s t o r i c 1947 comes the “Eastern Kentville and Truro got under way for membership in Montreal and 100 1200 Members C a n a d i a n Port” o f World War I1 – in Nova Scotia. Three groups were joined u p in New York. Shortly thereafter a group w a s organized * Not yet including Sober Island, Halifax, N.S. It might have been added on t h e “Island” and in Oc- “First i n t h e E a s t ” b e c a u s e two tober of that year the “Maritime i n St. John’s t h e c a p i t a l city, and off the Guysboro shore where a l l or t h r e e had gathered together i n Intergroup Association” w a s or- other groups habe s i n c e got under 19 voters went solidly “wet” t h e summer and fall of 1946 but – ganized with headquarters a t Alonc- way in the newest province. New Orleans,Toronto, New York in the l a s t provincial liquor referendum.

the local fight, round after round, to me for several years past. Aland are ever on the alert for more though the cost of most foodstuffs contestants. is rather frightening, I am quite — Anonymous, N o v a Scotia convinced that the cost of eating MEMBER df the Yarmouth A A decently i s not within shouting A Group, a man of 53 years, a drinker for at least 30 and definitedistance of the high over-all costs of drinking. My mentality, it seems ly an alcoholic for the last 15, to me, i s improving. after an initial period of member- I am sure my power of conship and sobriety for about three centration i s rapidly returning. Remonths had the following to say in cently I have been able to arrive open meeting:- – at decisions on different matters “Realizing that I am a very re- which formerly would have rolled cent convert to the 12 Steps of A A back and forth, or up and down in and not at all qualified to lecture my mind, cursed at, reviled, and THE editor and publisher, the barrister and solicitor, the agent and sales manager, the drugto be had with his boon, bosom and and boozing companions, so he or get up in meeting and testify, nevertheless I feel that I should finally consigned to some dark recess, preserved in alcohol, for took his book along on his next gist and the real estate broker, all visit to the druggist who was then put on paper some of my thoughts some future day’s settlement. Profive past masters of all degrees of in alcoholic consultation with the and impressions during this early crastination is certainly a virualcoholism, met on the night of lawyer – now the ball was rolling stage. It will serve me as a record lent ofispring of alcoholism!!! April 8th 1948, in sober and solemn and gathering weight – and they to be read over in the future and The spirit of tolerance, friendmein – thus came into being an- promptly sent for the sales manager perhaps will help me to remember ship and willing assistance that I other group of “Alcoholics Anony- and the broker – and then began the debt of gratitude and loyalty find among my fellow AA members is to me a cause for much serious mous.” Perhaps it is wise ‘not to round o n e of a championship fight. I owe to m y fellow ex-drunks for re-call much of the pre-birth and Remember, these were men who on their assistance, both spiritually thinking, a s well a s wonder and bearing down pains preceeding this awakening in the morning had an and materially, in directing my amazement. Surely the Grace of advent, suffice to say that the la- t t eye-openerw before dressing, footsteps along the path by which God enters here somewhere not bor was quite excruciating and ex- then a “bracer” before shaving, I may regain my status a s a decent even an unbeliever would be brash tended over a long period. next a “pick-me-up” while pre- citizen of my community. Even in enough to deny that. Some time previous to this meet- paring the coffee, and an “appeti- the short time since joining I find If, and when, (more procdastinaing, a friend in the U.S.A. who was zer” before breakfast (if any?) – a great change, both physically tion!!) 1 think myself fit to ask the. Almighty for a resumption of dipmuch interested in the welfare of then after these ceremonies t h e y and mentally. I awake in the mornour editor and publisher, sent him had their first drink for t h e day! ing in full control of myself and lomatic relations, you may be sure a weighty volume entitled “Alco- Now they were all set for another with the determination that this I will humbly and earnestly imholics Anonymous.” At first glance day of confusion and frustration. day I will accomplish something plore His help and blessings on all of this baok our editor experienced These were the men who now worth while. even if it i s only an- AA efforts in re-habilitating our mingled feelings, mostly cynicism, stood up and before God and their other short step along the road to fellow men, as well a s render sindoubt, scorn and derision. The fellow men admitted “that they recovery. My appetite for food has cere thanks for strength and guisecond glance partly penetrated his were powerless over alcohol” and bounded back with a bang and I am dance received in the past.” alcoholic haze – but just enough “that their lives had become un- now able t o enjoy a wholesome To which, we all say Amen. to sense some possible amusement managable.” These men carried on breakfast which hasn’t happened — C. C., Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

May 1951

,!,,*,< ,’, ,,,.., . . . ., .,4 , . , , . . . ,, . toba.. this i s the great cet~tral

“he PRAIRIE PROVINCES plain thai runs to the Rockies. Twelfth-steppers on the range.. ready for anybody’s personal . stmnpede of trouble. ……..

By this time Sandy was getting from about a dozen groups, seven I T WAS a 13-year “wing-ding” that brought Sandy into the fellowship of Alcoholics Anony- SO he went out to Calgary, Alberta, where one of western Canada’s early groups was already formed. help from Shif, who had been practicing AA for some time in a neighof which were direct off-shoots of the Regina group. About 250 atmous; and it was through Sandy boring town all by himself. tended the banquet in Hotel Sas-. There he studied procedure with that AA got i t s start in Regina. By March, 1949, the Regina katchewan. A roundup meeting was the idea of getting a group started group had 20 members. A basement also held at Davidson, which was At the end of 13 years in the in Regina. squirrel cage Sandy touched bot- room in a church was obtained for attended by northern members un- It wasn’t until after the begintom. He had lost all hope of re- ning of 1948 that he found a couple meetings; also the recreation room able to get down to Regina. in a downtown plant. These were Fully 150 attended the New covery from h i s alcoholism and of drunks willing to take the first used alternately for meetings until Year’s party this year. Present through the fog could s e e only the two s t e p s and try out the Program inevitable end. late summer. By then the group had membership in Regina i s about SO, ‘ a with him. These met for a time in grown t o 40 and permission was of which about 40 are fully ‘active.’ Sandy had travelled the full h i s home, but after a few weeks course. It took him inside both obtained to use the recreation Since December, 1950, ‘squad’ fell away from AA and left him by jails and hospitals and led him himself through the summer and room for a l l meetings. meetings have been held in a local into most of the disasters common fall of 1948. The second New Year’s party fraternal society hall for the benet o u s all. was attended by more than 100, fit of new members. These are It wasn’t until early November Characteristically, AA caught including wives and husbands. attended by all groups. that h e got another little group up with him accidentally. Early in Attendance fell off in the sum- There are now three groups in together. Four alcoholics started 1947 he came across a reprint of mer of 1950 but last fall it picked Regina. The Wascana group was meeting in Sandy’s house on Nov. Jack Alexander’s well-known ar- up rapidly and membership grew to formed in the summer of 1950 and 4; 1948. That was the actual start ticle in the Saturday Evening Post. 75 active members. the Queen City group last January, of AA in Regina. He sent to the Foundation for In October the movement was both off-shoots of the Regina group. By the end of December membervigorously stimulated by the first At the time of writing a co-orliterature and on March 20, 1947, ship had grown t o 12, and the New Saskatchewan roundup of AA mem- dinating committee is in the prohe had h i s l a s t drink. Year’s Eve party in Sandy’s house bers in the province. c e s s of being formed. By August, 1947, Sandy was was attended by 20 people, infeeling the need of 12th Step work. cluding wives. This was attended by delegates — H. A.M., Regina, Saskatchewan

rueful smile, h e laid low the ogre, knew then, that t h e s e two men were that A A had become Big Business. great spiritual leaders, even though You s e n s e d h i s great relief that Dr. Bob (or Bill) would probably *e “Smitty” had made the meeting s a y , Now don’t louse i t up, by that day. He told you t o o how AA calling u s names.” You a s k e d had started in Norway. yourself, where, or when, or how So there you had it. T h e Group often, in your lifetime, had you in the Leper Colony, t h e man from heard of men who founded anything the Marshall Islands, the members who did not claim the right of leadfromsouth Africa, the story of Nor- ership, and demand the privilege of way, the story of Ireland s e v e r a l authority. T h e s e two men were s o groups in England some in Scot- unselfish, and what you a s k e d land – many on the continent. In yourself i s spirituality, if it i s not many far outposts you s a w them unselfishness, that they want t o l i s t e d in your AA directory, some- s t e p down, s o that when their time times, God B l e s s them, they were comes t o p a s s on, that nothing that “loners.” i s AA need ever p a s s with them. You s a w Dr. Bob leave the s t a g e , Later you were happy to learn of soon after Bill s t a r t e d to talk and the General Service Conference OU journey t o the F i r s t Inter- auditorium. T h e c l o s i n g meeting of you knew that Bill w a s concerned P l a n , and you thought of the Tra- Y national Con/erence iit Cleveland, t o hear t h e T r a d i t i o n s conthe conference. You have heard that Dr. Rob is gravely ill. He had about him, but almost immediately carried on. T h a t told you something ditions again and you had Faith that AA had been guided t h i s far firmed. You d o not h e m t h e Tradi- not appeared a t a n y of t h e s e s – too. You thought of t h e Traditions, by a n ever loving God, who would t i o n s confirmed. Six fine looking sions. Would h e b e a b l e to make i t and you knew then, a s you had nev- continue t o manifest himself i n a n men, from varying w a l k s of life, t h i s d a y ? Four men come o n the e r known before why they renounce Inter-Group Conscience. with varying a g e s of sobriety in- – stage. T w o of them you know by leadership and/or authority. You T. C., Winnipeg, Manitoba terpreted. Bill summarized: T h e sight. T h e third i s Rill, and the Traditions a r e l e s s o n s gained in h a p p i n e s s on h i s f a c e t e l l s you experience, written physically by who t h e fourth i s , and t h a t Dr. Rob h i s hand, a c t u a l l y by t h e Group h a s “made it.” As t h e s e two men C o n s c i e n c e ; h e thanked God t h a t f a c e e a c h other on a public plath e h a d never been allowed t o a s – form, maybe for t h e l a s t time, you sume a mantle of l e a d e r s h i p o r a r e again part of a s t a n d i n g ovaauthority. T h e n you found t h a t you tion, which l a s t s many minutes, had r i s e n to your f e e t with every and which is laden with gratitude, other person there, and were adding You were thinking, “Where would your little bit, t o the thunderous I b e today, if they had never met?” and s t e a d y applause. No you did Dr. Rob’s beautiful m e s s a g e , given not h e a r t h e Traditions confirmed. in a c l e a r strong voice, you will You f e l t them confirmed. remember until t h e e n d of time. A hot Sunday afternoon. A large T h e n Bill s t a r t e d t o speak. With a

CALGARY e d in search of h e l p for t h e husband of one of h i s congregation. needs of t h e province. It i s yet on a temporary b a s i s with t h e Chair- T h e meeting of t h e s e two men in man in Kamrack, t h e secretary September, 1945 marked t h e offi- treasurer in Lumsden and an extra c i a l beginning of the Calgary Group. member in P r i n c e Albert. T h e s e T h e y reached another milestone towns a r e at l e a s t two hundred when they rented a hall and insert- miles apart but by letter and telee d a n a d in t h e daily paper. After phone they manage t o give the that it w a s more difficult t o – “take province problems thought and it e a s y and not push things.. Now, i n Calgary many of t h e .” consideration. T h e realization of the n e c e s s i t y seemingly untamable broncos no for s u c h a committee came about longer buck and rear and snort.. , after, i t i s s a i d , t h e Regina Group they meet quietly and happily in a w a s cleaned up at the steam launnew and beautiful corral.. a large dry and obtained t h e Saskatchewan home purchased by t h e Alberta Hotel for i t s first Roundup. Provincial Government for the ex- And s o A A dreams and grows t o clusive u s e of t h e Calgary AA make the dreams come true. Dis- . Groups.. three of them with a p proximately 200 members. . t a n c e i s n o barrier.. whether it it b e in Calgary or Lumsden, Re- Over i n t h e Prairie Province of gina or Misistik, t h e AA Roundup Saskatchewan, AA growth h a s grows. moved a l o n” e with t h e u s u a l quota of growing pains. From Lumsden, Saskatchewan, recently came a re- ACK in t h e spring of 1945 a Calgary’s untamed broncos. In a n mark that it w a s a n experience of B n o n -a 1coholic r e s i d e n t of Gal- early letter t o t h e National Head- laughter mixed with t e a r s t o know gary, Alberta, inaugurated a Cal- quarters he said, “We’re trying t o that from t h e very outset t h e growgary Stampede of h i s own. It a l l t a k e it e a s y up here.. .trying not ing p a i n s of New York groups were began with a s i n c e r e d e s i r e t o a s – t o push t h i n g s t o o fast.” no difkrent from t h o s e suffered in sist h i s alcoholic brother out of During t h e spring and summer of t h e prairie country.New York, they h i s difficulties. 1945, things did move slowly.. . s a y h a s nothing on Regina when i t H e contacted the General Ser- almost discouragingly so. T h e comes t o t h e location of their cenv i c e Headquarters and w a s imme- non-alcoho l i c and h i s now s o b e r t r a l office. ..they g o New York d i a t e l y referred t o t h e s e c r e t a r y brother pursued many prospective one better. Regina h a s meeting of t h e then small Vancouver Group. AAs, with almost no s u c c e s s ex- rooms over t h e West E n d C l e a n e r s Armed with t h e Big Book, pamp h l e t s and literature from t h e c e p t that t h e alcoholic member of t h e team w a s happily s o b e r himand t h e Regina Steam laundry.. if you don’t g e t cleaned one place, . Foundation and s u g g e s t i o n s on self. In September, came t h e in- they s a y you d o in the other. group procedure from Vancouver, quiry that started t h e c h a i n re- Saskatchewan h a s now formed a t h e non-alcoholic s e t about riding action i n Calgary. A minister call- central committee t o guide the AA

May 1951

ould bf Prince Rupert in Refuge Bay.-c.rims It would seem a likely haven for oup rernmittance men.

_-,;&,Blasted be Careers! % , But we did! a

., – In recent years,’however, we’ve To you people in large metro*- – W- *, \

. taken on a couple of letters. Twin , politan areas, twenty ot thirty AA “,3 A’s. Tams in B.C. it is’a delight- ,groups may not’sound like much. %

ful coincidence that A is the only ,,You’ve gat $at many within a half 1:ppwhich can’ properly and ua- * hour’s drive, -probably, But up. dltionally be placed before B and ‘ , here, twenty odd uP-ptovince P u p s C. ,The combination has pr0vcd.a + -.represents something of a miracles b,% uble A, B.C.! Ele- : of communication, navigation, and 2 ,% , I . I*deterrnination..@d pergaps ‘odd: we propose to keep AA in -is the right word for ears not -,, taty a s the alphabet. *-” trained to t h i sound of sa$e of our aned in”Tancou,per., B.C. names… all about-it.-.inmthe * Let’s just try on a few for size, English novels of the Victorian hangover we found relief only in following pages. Meanwhile, if to see how they fit your tongye. era you’ve no doubt heard about AA. Anyhow, it’s nice to have had you’ll look at your map you’ll see Right down on the U.S. bord&, ‘remmittance men.’ this visit on paper. We’d like it that there’s an awful lot more to smack dab on it, four AAs hold Ofthand we can’t say that we better if you’d come up for an in- British Columbia. Greater Vancou- forth in Osoyoos and lay claim to know any remmittance men in AA. person visit. We hope that soon ver constitutes about one half of being positively the biggest group However, we do have a group B.C. will be seeing you!

May 1951

in a private sanitarium resulted in untary committals” was approved. his taking AA back to Edmonton Regular AA meetings were estaband firmly starting a group there. lished within the first year. It was in February, 1947, that In addition to pioneer work in province’s 26 month old AA sent hospitals, a program wasdirected a delegation t o the Cabinet for at penal institutions.Starting with British Columbia to a s k that funds group meetings in Oakalla Prison be appropriated to establish a hos- Farm, Vancouver’s provincial pital exclusively for alcoholics gaol, groups have been extended and that an education program on to the federal penitentiary in New alcoholism be inaugurated, The Westminster. A

hospital funds have never materia- Vancouver AA now directs i t s lized, but $20,000 was s e t aside entire program toward the non-mafor education and the study of al- terial aspects of recovery from alcoholism i s in the B.C. school coholism. The Big Book and the curriculum. Twelve Steps and Traditions are One year later another mile- an ever sufficient therapy, and stone was reached by Vancouver’s there are more than a thousand united AA groups when the doors men and women here who can offer of the Provincial Mental Hospital the proof of themselves to the a t Essondale were opened wider to newcomer. Here are helping hands alccholics and a system of “vol- H E R E i s Canada’s third largest city, and here i s the majestic port through whose e y e s the Doroll.” Members who have staved dry since their l a s t group meeting answer the call of their name with for those who have sincere hearts.

minion s e e s the Pacific. And here “Here,No!”; those who have slipi s safe port for those who are wea- ped reply, “Here, Yes!” Pros and ry of grape and grain, and who cons of the system s t i l l form the seek the pacific serenity AA has b a s i s of interesting and somebrought to this shore. times heated discussions. Six-and-a-half years old, AA in But here, no! staved ahead from Vancouver. It was back on Decem- the beginning, and growth amazed ber 15th, 1944, that five grimly de- B.C.’s founding five. By May, 1946, termined men held the tirst meeting there were 230 in regular attenof a l l Western Canada. That “dry dance and the first separation into launching” was in the home of a smaller groups took place. Nine non-alcoholic Vancouver business- groups were s e t up within Vanman. Within a month there were couver and there were already offeight members, within a year 118. shoot groups established in Cal- And from those first meetings gary, Chilliwack and across the stems a custom perhaps unique to Strait of Georgia in Victoria. Vancouver AA … “calling the Twelfth Step work on a patient

June 1951

A s this issue goes to press 37 A A s are ‘carrying the message’ a n e w message – across the U.S. and Canada. A s delegates to the First General Service Conference they now return to their homes, not a s the ‘voice’ of A A but a s its ‘conscience.’ They participated io an historic moment. One to compare with the providential meeting of Bill and Dr. Bob; with the Rig Book; with the 12 Steps; with the 12 Traditions. In the name of all A A s everywhere they have claimed our heritage – and begun the task of taking over responsibility of our beloved society and to perpetuate it for ‘the millions who still don’t know.’ To Serve Is To Live by BILL

0 UR first General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous gathered at New York City Why did each witness of the’conference feel s o deeply about it? I think for two reasons: the Group in April, 1951. It was composed of Conscience of all Alcoholics Anonthirty-seven U.S. and Canadian ymous was heard to speak for the delegates plus AA’s General Ser- first time. And we realized, a s vice Headquarters staK and Trus- never before, how perilous “faith tees. The single purpose of our without works” might really be- Conference was: to serve AA come. So it was, that AA’s Group throughout the world. Conscience heard its first high This unexciting statement now call to service. carries a deep meaning for all who Making this plainer, let’s look were there. We came to believe that for a moment at a single AA mem- AA’s future had been made secure. ber. Faith alone does not save him. We became certain that A A could He has to act, do something. He live for so long a s God might need us. must c m y his message to others,

practice AA principles in a l l h i s be thoughtlessly left in the s o l e d e l e g a t e s , “Soon you must lend a Voice of Alcoholics Anonymous. affairs. E l s e he slips, he withers custody of our isolated, unknown hand. T h e s e a r e AA’s Arms of T h e s e were the words: ‘.’To serve and h e dies. Look now a t an A A and unsupported I3oard of Trustees. Service, t h e s e a r e our Traditions. AA i s t o live.U1e gladly accept our Group. Can pure faith, mere belief T h e work of our Foundation and Come and help u s administer them; Third Legacy and may we guard it in right principle and sound tradi- AA’s “GHQ” would h a v e t o be- times have changed, we oldsters well and u s e it wisely. God grant tion, make the Group a goin8 con- come widely understood and di- are perishable. T h i s i s your Leg- that the Legacy of Service remain cern? Not in t h e least. Each AA rectly backed up by AA itself. acy of Service. P l e a s e accept it ever s a f e in our keeping. Group, a s such, must a l s o function, Nothing was plainer, thought t h e now and guard it well.” In that fine hour the torch of d o something. It must serve i t s delegates. When therefore, you next On i t s next pages, Grapevine Service did p a s s from the hands of appointed purposes or it, too, s e e your local Conference member, will report our Conference in some us who a r e older to yours, which withers and falls apart. you may find him talking something detail. So I paragraph here only a are younger; it passed to every on- Now our Conference delegates like this: little of what I know t h e delegates coming generation of those Childwere a b l e to apply t h i s principle “Thanks for sending me t o New , carried home in their hearts. ren of the Night whose darkness, t o A A as a whole. T h e delegates York. I’ve just spent three d a y s a t T h e Conference s c e n e that Sun- God willing, shall b e banished could s e e far beyond the single AA’s World Headquarters. Our day afternoon we l a s t met will al- within t h e Society of Alcoholics AA and h i s particular Group. In a Trustees, General Office and Gape- ways be a precious memory in the Anonymous all through the bright flash, they took in the stark fact vine people turned the place in- annals of AA. For in that historic years which Destiny surely holds that AA as a whole must continue s i d e out s o we delegates might assemblage we could a l l hear the in store for us. t o function or e l s e it might well vision i t s past, present and future. suffer that common p a l t y of faith What we s a w and felt w a s startling. without works. Which is: disinte- Very suddenly we got t h e feelgration. Gone w a s t h e comfortable ing of AA a s a whole. We looked illusion that should e a c h AA Group out upon a fellowship of surpasstend strictly i t s own affairs God ing unity, one on which the s u n would then reward our shortsight- never s e t s , a world communion four e d n e s s by guarding AA a s a whole thousand times larger than a sin- entirely by himself including our gle AA Group. Headquarters, AA’s public relations We then realized that t h i s wonand t h e welfare of the “Million der had been made possible by the who s t i l l don’t know.” T h e dele- devoted service of a few; those g a t e s s a w that t h i s would s p e l l Headquarters workers whose decfaith without work and without re- a d e and more of labor had enabled sponsibility. That could never be. u s in distant fields t o g a m e r that Of course much work would always great harvest of 120,000 fellow have to b e done, much responsi- sufferers into the safety of our bility would have to be taken by fold, and into the affectionate remany. T o AA a s a whole, every s p e c t of the whole world. Our unmember would need t o give a little. s e e n servants a t the Foundation Of a g e now,our fellowship would had done a l l t h i s because Dr. b o b have t o begin looking after i t s and Bill had asked them to. o m vital Services; t h e s e couldn’t But now they were saying t o u s

June 1951 Bill W. and the late Dr. Rob. The unanimous in saying there should

Conference Report first two legacies, already held in trust by the membership, are the Twelve Steps of Recovery and the be no curtailment whatever in the services rendered by the General Office; they were in complete agree- Twelve Traditions of AA. ment that all the services were I .. The Third Legacy is .the privilege o/ accepting full present and both vital and effective and that none of these services could be ‘LY,effectively, with nei- a similar gathering of the Second QE fuss nor fanfare – and therefore in the best traditions of Panel of the Conference – comprising representatives of the re. lulure responsibility for the General Services o/ Alcoholics Anonperformed locally at all. In tnis inaugural acceptance of the Third Legacy, AA, through ymous. AA – history was impressively maining states and provinces. These services include The Al- this excellent cross-section of its written inNew York City during the The high importance of subjects coholic Foundation, the A A Book. membership, was stepping forward ‘

the four days of the First General considered by the Conference The A. A. Grapevine and the diverse to assume responsibility for its Service Conference of Alcoholics seemed not only to justify, but to functions of the AA General Ofi- own affairs. AA was beginning to Anonymous, April 19 through 22, demand t h i s measured and unhur- ces. These are the services that come of age. 1951, ried approach. This first group, have enabled A A to serve and to If any doubt lingers about the Thirty-seven delegates from half chosen by an informal, yet an al- grow into worldwide usefulness; net resultsof the 1951 Conference, the states and provinces of the most idealistic concept of the dem- the services upon which all future that doubt concerns one point alone United States and Canada joined in ocratic process, came together for growth and, in fact, the very sur- – whether it was the delegates deliberations and worked out ad- a cogent purpose. These well- vival of A A depends. themselves, or the Foundation visory plans of action, in harmon- chosen and representative mem- Since it was new in concept and Trusteesand General Headquarters ious collaboration with the trus- bers of A A gave initial impetus to since it represented no more than personnel who learned more of lasttees of The Alcoholic Foundation a historic advance. half the territory covered by AA, it ing value from the deliberations and with staff members of the (;en- On behalf of AA members in their is manifest that the First Panel of and the discussions. Without any era1 Offices and The A. A. Grapevine. respective territories, these dele- the Conference could not presume Alphonse and Gaston pretenses, This was the First Panel of the gates met primarily to decide to express the opinions of A A a s a each group insists its own rewards Conference, strict1y a whether to accept the Third Legacy whole. This was a beginning. It were the greater. division, to be joined in 1952 by handed down from AA’s founders, will take several years, perhaps, After registration of delegates for the full Conference to take during opening day, April 19, the final form and assume the respon- Conference prepared itself for the sibilities it proposes to bear. The coming mutuality of expression by delegates did, however, g’:ve unan- assembling that evening for a reimous opinion on vital phases of ception and informal discussion of the overall AA Program. Group problems, held on the main First- they expressed whole- ballroom floor of the Commodore. hearted willingness to assume To give the delegstes an opporguidance of the A A policy and to tunity to familiarize themselves take responsibility for financial with the physical aspects of the support of The Alcoholic Foun- services they had come to disdation and its related services. Further, the delegates were cuss – the morning of Friday, April 20, was set aside for a visit

– ” to the General Service Headquar- the essential services rendered tion also owns the beneficial in- I t was also requested, by a vote ters and The A.A. Grapevrne Edi- and a review of their expansion and terest in The A. A. Grapevine, Inc., of the delegates, that Bill W. make torial office at 141 East 44th St., development through the years. whose function i s the publication a recording of his talk on the Third and to The A.A. Grapevine Down- From this point on, this account and distribution of our monthly Legacy, this to be available for town Business Office at 241 East will make no attempt to maintain magazine.” general sale and all groups to be Broadway. Following a luncheon chronological sequence in the as- Detailed operation of the head- notifid by the General Office when at the Commodore, attended by the sembly’s development. Events, quarters operations were explained it i s ready for distribution. To supdelegates, the other conference major and minor, dovetailed too to the delegates, who learned that plement this and other information members and the wives who were smoothly to permit any arbitrary the total 1950 income of The Foun- on the General Services of AA present, the session immediately separation by clock or calendar. dation was $114,200, with total which compose the Third Legacy got down to its serious business – Hank G., Chairman of the Gen- expenses of $134,200, showing a it was voted that the October preceded by a cordial address of eral Service Committee and Pres- loss for the twelve-month period of issue of The Grapevine be devoted welcome by Bernard Smith, Chair ident of Works Publishing Inc., $20,000. to these services. man of The Foundation’s Board of tendered the 1950 report on the The financial report was approv- The Conference, having chosen Trustees, financial status of The Alcoholic ed by the First Panel delegates – its own Chairman and Secretary in To lay the groundwork for dis- Foundation, Inc., and for the sake who expressed unanimous surprise the persons of Bernard Smith and cussion, Bill W. gave the group a of clarity, redefined it and its that s o much in service had been Helen B.,respectively, also named concise historical outline of The afliliated activities a s follows: accomplished with so little ex- its own committees, with a New Foundation, with which he com- “The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc., penditure of money. Of particular Yorker chosen a s chairman in each bined an intimate interpretation of i s a membership corporation whose note in the summation was the fact instance save one, because of a general purpose is the rehabilita- that five years ago the General Off- closer familiarity, at present, with tion of chronic alcoholics. This ice needed one paid worker for the relationship of the General corporation owns the outstanding every three thousand AA members; Offices to AA a s a whole. stock of Works Publishing, Inc., today it requires one paid worker These committees were: whose functions are the publica- forevery six thousand AA members. Advisory Budget – Hank G., tion of the A.A. Book and pam- It was suggested and unanimous- Chairman; Nic N., San Francisco; phlets, and the operation of the ly approved that quarterly reports Bill D.,Cleveland; Ward hi.,~~ring- Headquarters Office. ‘The Founda- will henceforth be made on The field, Ill., Ken G., Arkansas; Page Foundation’s financial status, so D., Conn. that the General Service Conference Report – Bob R., Chairman; may be kept abreast with its con- Fiske McI., Muskegon; Tom S., dition. Jacksonville, Fla.; Adam C., To- The First Panel delegates recom- ronto; Ralph B., New York. mended toThe Foundation’s Board Advisory Agenda – Earl T., of Trustees that the 15%royalty on Chairman, Chicago; Icky S., Housthe A. A. Book provided for by the ton; John R., North Carolina; Dave board and approved by the dele- M., Missouri; Jack W., Virginia; gates be payable to Bill W., or to Skeets G., Pittsburgh. Lois W., if she should survive Advisory Trustees – Tom Y., him, for their life-time regardless Chairman; George R., Philadelphia; of the expiration of any copyright. Mike E., Detroit; Charles D., Van-

couver; George C., Louisiana; minimum of $2 per member for the with them to their home groups. as, Utah, Virginia, Washington, I”

Clifford W., Los Angeles. year 1951, and that the primary re- States and Provinces represented West Virginia and Wisconsin. A t the instance of the Agenda port to the area groups and A A in the First Panel, or 1951, ses- To be invited in 1952, a s the Committee, it was voted that non- members should be a visual presen- sion of The General Conference of Second Panel, are: Alberta, Arizoalcoholic members of the Board of tation of the General Services ren- Alcoholics Anonymous were: Ala- na, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kan- Trustees be continued in office dered, combined with the recom- bama, Arkansas, British Columbia, sas, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, and that it was the unanimous mendation that none of these ser- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maritime Provinces, Maryland, Missense of the Conference that such vices be curtailed. District of Columbia, Florida, Ill- sissippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nemembers will continue to be need- Slides which graphically visua- inois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, vada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, ed on the Roard -a question which lize the services will be available Massachusetts, Michigan, Minne- North Dakota, Orepn, Quebec, arose through the modest proposal to each State Committee, and it sota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Rhode Island,Saskatchewan, South of some of AA’s non-alcoholic was voted that each State Com- York, North Carolina, Ohio, Okla- Carolina,South Dakota, Tennessee, Trustees that they now step aside. mittee purchase its own series, homa, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tex- Vermont and Wyoming. It was the opinion of the Conference, also, that the alcoholic memshould they so desire. The Conference recommended to **** bers of the Roard of Trustees the Board of Trustees that a scroll should have a fixed term of office. be presented to the heirs of Dr. Rob Among other suggestions of the and of Dr. W. D, Silkwotth, expres- Conference which were voted, on sing the appreciation of AA memmotions originating under the Agen- bers for their years of dedicated da Committee, were that in future service. years, all standard A A Textbooks It was also unanimously resolved and literature shall have Confer- that the Conference go on formal ence approval; that the temporary record, by letter, as declaring its charter of the Conference, a s it deep appreciation to Bobbie B. for appears in the Third Legacy pam- her years of faithful service a s phlet, i s approved a s suitable for Secretary of AA General Headquarthe next three years; that the 1952 ters and the General Service Office. , and succeeding Conferences be A similar expression was voted to I limited to Conference members Trustee Emeritus Willard Richardonly, in the interest of efficiency. son for his intense devotion to A A Among the approved recommen- and his untiring aid in forwarding dations of the Budget Committee its interests. were that all A A groups be acquaint- The final vote of the Conference ed by the delegates with the Headquarters budget for 1951, which is was one of thanks to the Trustees and Directors of The Alcoholic $107,000; that each delegate re- Foundation, Works Publishing and port to his state committee a sum- to the staffs of General Service mation of the financial report; that Headquarters and The A.A. Grapegroups wishing to contribute to vine, for providing the delegates The Alcoholic Foundation give a with full information to take back

July 1951

(The Alcoholic Foundation-A. A.”Headqua~ers”-is in effect a general s e r v i c e board for t h e AA movement. It p u b l i s h e s the book Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains the General Service Office in New York, guarantees t h e financial and traditional integrity o f The A.A. Gra evine, and i s responsible for AA public relations a t t k national and international level. Address: T h e Alcoholic Foundation, P.O.Box 459, Grand Central Annex,New York 17, New York)

HERE are recordings of two of T the meetings of the First International Conference in Cleveland, few years ago, is also available now at $5.00 (two sides of one L.P. Record.)There are a few sets 1750, on sale at your General Ser- left of two recordings made by Rill vice Office. The Big Meeting (four some time ago; A Talk by Bill, sides of two Long Playing Rec- 1947, sells for $3.30 (two records, ords) Dr. Rob and Bill speaking, 78 rpm); Milestones of AA, a sinsells for $8.50. The Traditions gle record (78 rpm) sells for $2.25. Meeting (four sides of two L.P. rec- Orders for all recordings must ords)with Bill and six other speak- be accompanied by check, cash or ers, sells for $7.00. Roth meetings money order. Parcel post mai ling ordered together are $15.00. is included in the quoted prices. Dr. Bob’s last major talk, re- For railway express add 50Q; for corded by a member in Detroit a air express add $1.00 extra.

– HICAGO AA in a nice, hum- : C ble way, of course i s proud ..of its unity. to-heart and man-to-man relationships tend to be lost. To keep these an integral part of Steps. Effort has been made, from the beginning, to learn them, to important material thing in the alcoholic’s life. teach them, and to observe them. An early day story tells of a ‘”‘ Going into its 13th year, Chicago Chicago AA, groups were encour- Chicago has sought to keep its young member grousing to the old- ‘ vAA has thousands of members and .scores upon scores ot groups. aged to separate and to divide and to re-divide a s their memberships AA simple. est member the group wasn’t be- ‘ Most Chicago AAs believe in ing run right, what about this slip- These groups meet in homes and grew. God a s the power in and the source per? what about that? etc.,etc.,etc. in halls, a t various hours of the Chicago AAs can form any kind of AA strength. There has been no At long last the oldest member day and night, at Saturday night of group they desire, meet whenattempt to force that belief upon turned on his heel and, over his open houses, at Sunday morning ever and wherever they desire, those who can not so believe. AA shoulder, asked; “What the hell I breakfasts, at Sunday afternoon conduct their discussions a s they in Chicago has not been narrow, are you hollering about? You’re get-togethers. desire. The elders encourage this intolerant. Chicago AAs are too sober, aren’t you?” – But the members meet, too, reg- sort of thing. There i s no thought grateful for that. This was no short answer but a f ularly each week in joint sessions that these are dissidents or rebels. basic truth. It dawned on the younga s members of The Chicago Group. After all, there i s the knowledge Chicago AA has found that AA er member a s it has dawned on ‘And they regard themselve.~, pri- of the alcoholic personality, the can pose no problem that the Steps most Chicago AAs: What does an ,marily,as members of The Chicago knowledge that AA is a highly inand the Traditions cannot solve. AA have to holler about if he is I Group. dividualistic program, the knowl- There have been no leadership sober? There i s in Chicago one of the edge that the more intimacy in AA, Place sobriety in one tray of the difficulties in Chicago. There is a ‘%’

.paradoxes frequently encountered the greater its gifts. humble recognition that no man scales. Place the problems, the ,in AA. Unity comes because of, Each of these groups i s auton- has done one ten-thousandth a s difTiculites, the personality con- ,not despite separation. omous. Each, through committees, much for AA, a s AA has done for flicts, the gripes in the other. has a voice in the affairs of The him. The need for anonymity on the One sees quickly, clearly the Always Chicago has recognized Chicago Group. Each recognizes public level, a need both practical weight and value of sobriety. the need for the small, closely knit its responsibility for the overall and spiritual, has long been a part – That seeing that nothing matgroup. This i s the way all AA groups start. As they grow, the inwelfare of AA in Chicago. Chicago AA accepts the Twelve of the Chicago creed. ters so much a s sobriety – has There i s the common sense rea- made for Chicago’s unity, Chica- \bimacy, the informality, the heart- Steps and the implications of the lization that sobriety is the most go’s progress, Chicago’s growth.

September 1951

EARLY HISTORY movement directly from the foun- , ASmous a group, Alcoholics Anonyin Chicago started 12 tainhead in Akron. The early mem-, ‘ bers accepted the founders’ preyears ago this month. One individual, who had found sentation that AA i s essentially AA in Akron, his former home, had spiritual, to be practiced with sim then been dry a year. Five others, plicity and humility. During th four of whom had also been indoc- years, these fundamentals have been passed on from sponsor to trinated in Akron, had been on the Program a few weeks. One Tues- new member and a s a result the ,I I day evening in September, 1939, Chicago group they met in the home of the senior a healthy growth dry in Evanston, Chicago’s first has continued to maintain a suburb on the north, and the Chi- spirit of unity centered cago group was born. basic ideas. Apparently none of those present were aware of the historic nature From Suburb to Loop of the occasion, for to this day they can’t agree on the date. However, the important thing, they In Akron, the pilgrims from Chi- ; say, is that on every Tuesday cago had been told, among other P since then there has been an AA things, “If you want to keep this ‘ meeting in Chicago and the six you must give it to others.” That have now become approximately was taken to mean in a 5,000. sense that the new group must get; out of the suburb and into Inspired by Akron if it was to fulfill its apparent assignment as the movement in a Looking backward, Chicago AAs believe i t was good fortune that month, in October. brought the fundamentals of the The result was immediately

c ,

fthe’new group became a fore others. Someone suggested ..group in fact, with its that a s a substitute, all present a ‘ d influence radiating from might observe a moment of meditaenter out through a populous tion. The idea was so we1 l received ritory 50 miles across. This pat- that it was repeated and now the II tern of a central group fostering quiet time” has come to be standneighborhood groups and providing ard at all group meetings in Chithem with essential services has cago. And has, in fact, spread continued, with 200 plus affiliated throughout the world where AAs groups at present,and has, in fact, gather. become known a s the Chicago idea.

AA “For-Family” Plan Lake and Wabash Memories

These early meetings establish- The first downtown meetings ed the policy that AA is for the were held in the hiedical 81 Dental family. The non-alcoholic spouses Arts building, at Lake St. and Wa- of members were made welcome at bash Ave. where the top two floors the Tuesday group meetings and at contained a tea room and a lounge the weekly “open houses.” Sin’ce with fountain with gold fish. The then, a plan of weekly meetings for deal .is recalled with misty eyes. alcoholics only has been put into A table at the daily noon luncheon in Fair store, where Use of the lounge was free in con- effect, but there also have been from 50 to 100 AAs gather daily . sideration of the group’s patronage special wives’ meetings started in of the table d’hote dinner, then 65Q. some parts of the Chicago area ed the only opportunity to talk of but the basic idea of keeping AA , ‘, i … Thus there was no call for money, and the main principle of making such things, there was distraction. meetings free of business is still which was fortunate, for the group AA an interest of the whole family The solution proposed and adopted effective. The daily routine of 1 was able to give full attention to has been preserved, was to have a “set-up” meeting handling calls by person, telephone 1 feeling its way. The meetings fol- 1 before’ the group session at which or mail i s carried on by the central <!lowed procedure in Akron. Members any or all members might submit office for the benefit of all the’! acted a s leaders in turn, opening Separation was solution ideas for the material welfare of neighborhood groups. Matters of ‘ 1 the meeting with a short prayer the order. policy, finances and public rela- : and then relating personal history. . \ Another practice that was adopted early and still i s in effect was Growth with “Grace” tions are considered by committees which are representative of all the., I groups. On the neighborhood level, ;, “Quiet Time” Approved the separation of the pure AA dis- where the membership averages 20, $ cussion from the so-called “busi-

At one meeting the leader exness” affairs of the group. There wasn’t much in the line of business The Chicago group’s business has expanded to keep pace with contacts with the downtown office. are handled by a secretary, thus leaving the group meetings free tor 1i pressed reluctance to praying be- but a s long a s the meetings afford- the needs of the growing group, give full attention to the program.!

– 8,

history of the Chicago cen- vice upon the downtown office. It Central Office “Idea” were so fortunate a s to inherit froI ‘ ce, both the idea and the was this system and its quite rapid the mother lodge in Akron’. p h o d of organizing it will always growth from the beginning that – to mind the memory of Grace :<bring made it possible to move Grace The so-called Chicago “idea” Auditorium for $5 a Night , ‘1 ,Cultice. A non-alcoholic, her po- into a more fitting office. The first that of a central ofice from which t sition in AA in Chicago was unique. such was a suite in the Republic the local groups have their origin During the time when the central. She was the friendly helper of all building, 209 S. State’street; from instead of an affiliation of local office was coming into existence in the new little group and at the there the move was made to 123 W. groups setting up a central facility; and the neighborhood groups were time of her sudden death in Janu- Madison St. in January, 1948. in other words from the center out growing through fission the Tuesary, 1948, this acquaintance was Grace didn’t live to occupy the rather than from the rim inward. day meetings continued to be at: ‘shared wi;h countless AAs from new place, but she was the one Chicago AAs claim no superiority tended by all members. The origi- New York to San Francisco. who selected it and made the ar- for their system. They speak of it nal meeting place in the Medical rangements for occupying it. Now rather a s a manifestation of the and Dental Arts building was large. The “Mainspring” her picture hangs in the reception simplicity which the early members enough for a year or so, then sev– I room of the new suite and a brass While the group was still in the plate identifies it a s the Grace fledgling stage in Evanston, Grace Cultice room. Cofiee bar at the Alano club . was its mains~ring. She did the , [

.telephoning and she made the spa- droups Become Autonomous ghetti for the Sunday open house. When it appeared, a year or s o later, that some rudimentary sort of In the beginning the neighbordowntown office would be desirable, hood groups were intended only for the group without question turned the benefit of brand new members to Grace. At that time the Chicago who could be encouraged to bring qoup’s first venture at a club house out their problems more freely in a was under way in the office build- small intimate group of alcoholics ing at 127 N. Dearborn Street and than at the large open meetings. Grace established herself at a kit- As time went on they gradually bechen table in the entry way to the came local entities, with pretty club room, and with that simple be- much the same standing a s individginning AA’s metropolitan service ual groups in any other area s o far was launched. a s conducting their meetings and By that time the idea of one week- working with newcomers i s conly meeting exclusively for alcohol- cerned. However, there has con- . ics had been instituted and was rinued to be a strong attachment to effective throughout the area. At the central office, not only because first there were 10 neighborhood of the practical services rendered districts, Now through sub-division but also a s the center for considerthere are more than 200 neighbor- ing matters of policy and a s the hood groups all depending for ser- keeper of local AA tradition.

d’*, .’! . t 8 ‘ sera1 other places were occupied for four speakers under a chairman. A ” ?,brief ‘periods until 1941, when an After some experience it became a $especially 5 fine arrangemen: was settled rule that 10 minutes was : made with the Central YMCA, 19 time enough for a speaker. These South LaSalle Street. A large au- things have since acquired the ditorium was had for $5 a night and force of tradition in Chicago. ‘ in the cafeteria prime ribs of beef

were 40 cents. Magazines Boost Membership

Beginners Meeting norn A11 this time the growth in numbers was brisk and steady. The ; It was during the YMCA session first noticeable impulse was, a s period when the beginners’ meeting with other groups of that period, was started. The first session was the piece printed in Liberty magaconducted by a member who found zine in September, 1939. This was himself with three prospects on followed in March, 1941 with the hand at once and he got them in first Saturday Evenins Post article ‘one corner of the meeting room half by Jack Alexander. The new peoan hour before meeting time. ple resulting from these two pieces, Before that session was over provided the numerical strength to several others had drifted in to maintain the facilities and very partake of the discussion and the much enhanced the feeling that A A idea of a meeting was formed. had definitely proved its merits Since then the beginners’ meeting and was on its way. Corner of conference room at Chicago central headquarters where has been a regular feature at the The files in the Chicago office A A s drop in for chats, help and literature Tuesday meetings all over town. tell the same story a s those else- ! where. About 50 per cent of those other, are not able to grasp and Chicago, most of them on Saturday ! exposed to the Program catch on at practice the principles. nights. An outgrowth of the basic i ‘” 10 Minutes per Speaker once and hang on without trouble. idea has been the Sunday morning { About 25 per cent experience dif- “Open House” Popular breakfast. II ficulties more or less but eventual- I ‘ ! ‘During this period also the Tues- ly find their way back. In some in- One of the first activities adopt- Policy Committee Formed I day meetings, with the larger at- stances individuals in this category ed instinctively by the young Chi- I

. tendance, necessarily became more have come back after 10 years’ ab- cago group was the Sunday eve- The simple set-up committee ‘ conventional. It became apparent sence, lending evidence to the be- ning open house. It was attended started early in the group’s history at the rate of one speaker a night lief noone can be sure that anyone by members and wives or husbands continued to function during the many would never have the oppor- i s ever lost. As in other groups and afforded a regular meeting in a first eight years, the only change tunity of appearing on the platform, Chicago AAs have found the other social atmosphere. Open houses being that instead of all members ‘so it was decided to have three or 25 per cent for some reason or are now held in various parts of attending, each neighborhood group

legate. As ah overail isory body, a policy committee v..*’. a s established, with representa- Now – Three Tuesday Meetings a?.tives of the north, south and west .,–side city groups and the north, %

:”south and west suburban groups. From the beginning the Chicago :This committee worked with the group has been flexible, ready toset-up committee. change its ideas or methods of administration when such a change . ! seems desirable. The ‘ original Public Relations and Finance Tuesday meeting attended by all members from all parts of the metro- 1 politan area has given away to It became necessary also to form three separate Tuesday meetings, a finance committee to control the , one in the Loop, one on the south ‘ . central office budget. Income at side of Chicago and one in Evansthat time was entirely from collec- ton for groups in the north of Chitions taken at the Tuesday meet- cago and along the north shore. ings and from individual pledges. When it seems desirable other A committee on public relations Tuesday meetings will be set up. , . also was formed to prepare any Woman with alcoholic problem talks to secretary of Chicago’, I .

news releases that seemed indica- Central oRice at 123 West Madison Street I ‘ ., :L ted and to deal with requests for Recovery Prime Objective speakers before non-alcoholic HE first two Chicago AA wom- ‘ meetings. Such matters of practical nature T en were contacted in the summer of 1737, a few weeks after the learn more about this plan of re-1 covery. Both adopted the Program immediately and one still is an a s have appeared necessary have book, Alcoholics Anonymous had active member of the Chicago group. Area Representation been attended to but at all times the feeling has been that the prinbeen released. At that time there There were six persons 5 was no Chicago group. There was at Chicago’s first official meeting ,’ ”5 ciple objective of AA i s the re- only one man ih the area, Earl T., in September of that year. While; , , r .;:. 1

This simple arrangement was in covery of the individual members. who had effected his recovery the group started to grow slowly ,.; :;.. effect until three years ago, at The central office and the various through the Akron group and had from this point, women prospects *,.I*-.,’ which time the number of neighbor- committees have one purpose and been sober for two years at that ,’ ‘F?. remained scarce. The handful of ;;.’FI hood groups had increased so that that i s to serve the members, Chi- time. AA was without a name and b;,; women working in Chicago would a’i’-r,j the set-up committee had become cago AAs insist that the Chicago its total membership was less than have found the going ‘difficult had ., , ,,:.. I .

unwieldy. It was then decided to “idea” is nothing more than the 200. Women members were scarce. ,$X* not the mer, been wise enough to ,.,gg$ substitute a rotating committee principle that AA i s found com- The two women were advised to adopt an attitude of domplete equal: ~ , ~ whose members, to be chosen by pletely in the fundamentals a s pre- go to Akron for a week or two of ;$”.:d; lot, would represent the groups by ity. From the beginning, women in -*,,$

areas. With some slight modificasented by the founders and these are exprcssed i; ‘the two words, indoctrination -to see the recover- the group were made to understand :1’ tions this plan i s now operating. “simplicity and humility.” ed alcoholics there in action and that sex had nothing to do with 5,

September 1951 ‘ , 6

AAs. Women also serve on the va- . was that a re- rious committees the $$&vered worn41 had a s much to of- central services a s well a s the prospect as did a recov- regional activities and have conmale alcoholic. Consequently, tributed materially in working out were not limited to working plans for and supervision of hospitalization. . ,’with I ( women alone. Any such curtailment would virtually have de- There i s another group of women : ‘, prived the first few women of s u f – for whom Chicago feels deep gratijficient opportunities for Twelfth itude. These are the non-alcohol- :,step work. ics- the wives, sweethearts, mo- -?,- Chicago has never segregated thers,and sisters with whom it has nor laid any emphasis one way or been blessed. From the very first the other on its women. The wom- wife of the very first member, Chi- :an is accepted, simply, a s another cago AAs have received encourage- . alcoholic, and it is taken for grant- ment, sympathy and intelligent co- , ed that her problems are nearly operation from this important quaridentical with those of any other ter of the group. Their faith in its ;.member of the group. success and their willingness to ‘ “Outside of AA, women may en- give in !<wing service has added ‘encounter ignorance and a consequent narrowness of view,” Chicamore of stability and serenity to this area than can ever be meas- HOSPITALS 1 9 1 ured in words. go’s first woman AA commented. “However,within the understanding The Chicago group has become known for its unity, for the absence THERE is an axiom in AA that when the need arises the need a group known as the washington-“{: ians thrived for a time in combat-.i of her group associates in Chica- will be filled. This could not be ing alcoholism. As the result of go s h e has never been made to of friction and for its smooth oper- more strikingly borne out than in this movement there was estab-! feel that her sex may handicap her ation, There i s a climate of tran- the evolution of hospital facil~ties lished in Chicago in 1863 a hos-/ recovery or place her one jot lower quility in this large area that has for Chicago AAs. pita1 known a s Washingtonian ~ o m e ;F.’ in the social or moral scale than existed from the beginning. Those Enthusiastic cooperation was for the express purpose of helpind :! her brother alcoholic.” who have watched the development given the group from the start by alcoholics. Supported partly by en-r’:. At the end of the first two years and growth in this midwestern many doctors individually. Several dowments and partly by fees it has: in Chicago, women averaged only center of AA feel strongly that a health resorts, sanitariums and continued to treat alcoholics. Many/ , 6 per cent of the total membership. great part of this peaceful and har- other institutions of the kind wel- years ago it branched into general’ -‘ *If3 Today, 10 years later, their ranks monious atmosphere i s due to the comed AA prospects and cooperat- hospitalization, because of a lack ,.I ‘ account for 14 per cent of the total. very real fellowshipexisting among ed with members. State and local of enough alcoholic patients. I .C Thesc figures represent only those all members of the group. The men government institutions alternately Success in treating alcoholic^ . women actively participating in and women alcoholics, together cooperated and cooled toward AA. was never achieved however. Per: 3 group life. with the non-alcoholics, all seem But for many years the group had sons would be dried out, only tq ; The staff of the Chicago central to sense the equal importance of no single acceptable hospital where return again. The Home supplied1 service office i s composed of four their respective contributions to it could take its prospects. all that medicine could4 But id women, three of whom are active the working whole. In the middle of the 19th century found this wasn’t enough. 1 ‘ .I I.+

I Men and Women’s Wards source for 12th Step work for mem- automatically thinks of Washibers at almost any hour a s well a s ingtonian. Ii ” In 1948 a group of AAs talked to fdirectors of the hospital, outlined Thirteen regular beds and seven emergency beds were established helping sick ones see clearly the path that lies ahead for them if they want it. The hospital has continued to take non-AA cases for treatment in fact these exceed those spon- – AA hopes and results to date, and in a separate floor of the institu- sored by AA. The two groups, how’convinced the board that an AA tion. A game room and meeting “Washingtonian” Plus AA ever, are kept severly apart, on ward should be established on an room was provided. Every prospect the theory that those in the Ah , eexperimental basis. The project had to be sponsored by another AA Officially, there ‘is no connection ward want sobriety, while many of was undertaken a s an individual and approval for admittance was between Washingtonian Home and those in the non-AA section may, one by AAs within the Chicago obtained from the Chicago central Alcoholics Anonymous, in line be there only to sober up or through group, not a s a group project. service office or from a committee with the tradition of not aligning compulsion. I of men who took over the operation the fellowship with any outside in- So impressed is the institution:^ More Than Drying-Out of the project. stitution, however laudable. The board, however, that it has indicat- So successful was the plan that project i s merely one of cooperation ed unofficially, that it will be glad : Results were immediate and pos- in December, 1747, a small group between the hospital and a handful to confine its alcoholic treatment : itive. The hospital, whose not-for- of women was formed, similar to of AAs within the group. But s o facilities entirely to AAs if the profit charter sets forth its purllose that of the men, and a women’s successful have been the results time arrives when there is a suf-r of helping alcoholics insteaa of ward was opened, This contains of this cooperation that when Chi- ficient number to warrant such merely drying them out, saw hope- four beds and four emergency beds. cago thinks of hospitalization it conversion. I : less addicts come into the AA ward In cases of great emergency ad; for treatment. Then soon they were ditional facilities can be set up. Two AAs talk to two men in the AA ward coming back weekafter week, sober The women’s ward operates in the at Washingtonian home. and happy, to talk to new patients. same manner a s the men’s. Here was achievment of purpose From August 1, 1948, to May 1, after more than 75 years of opera- 1751,a total of 1,048 men had been tion. AA by example sold itself hospitalized. From December 1949, and cooperation to most any A A to last May ‘1, 175 women had been suggestion was immediate. handled, or more than 1,200 most Regular prices for five days of whom came into the group, in treatment were $125 for men and two and a half years. $150 for women. Rut AA sponsored The wards are partially self-supsick ones were admitted for $58 porting, with the four and five day for men and $78 for women. patients helping the nurses and A ward was set aside and A A doctors in caring for newer paprospects were segregated so that tients. AAs do not help with the their only contacts were with them- hospital care a s in some cities. selves or other A A s . The latest Formal meetings are held for and best medical treatment was the patients in addition to ~ e r s o n a l provided and A A s were given the contacts. This has had a two way run of the place to talk to patients. benefit, for it provides a constant

September 1951

I en in AA, Efforts have also been themselves known and the press; made to print local and national run moved up to 4,200. history of the organization, to bring About 5,500 copies are now print-. ,” a few breezy jokes and chatter in ed monthly. Three or four hundred relation to alcoholism, and to dis- of these go to all parts of the world, . ‘ cuss problems a s they arise, not some to A A s who have moved from with the idea of attempting a solution but to set forth all facets of the problem. Chicago, but most to persons who : have sent in subscriptions. No ef- I fort i s made for out of town circu-‘1: lation for fear of competition with’s i Here’s How has served to keep the Grapevine, and because $1 a1 the membership files up to date. year represents a financial loss to”1 The first run of 4,000 copies found Chicago. 1 a great many returns. In fact, only The pubIication evolved from 4, about 3,300 copies got into the natural need within the group and”I hands of active members. But .those seeks nothing more than to serve who didn’t get a copy soon made that end. J

HERE’S HOW HlyERE’S How, Chicago’s montheight page publication, came into being in May, 1949, Prior to to secure voluntary contributions at the rate of $1 a year for 12 monthly issues, but subscriptions this time there had been little need a s such, are not necessary. The for a paper. Closely knit a s the deficit incurred during ,the first group had been, word of mouth con- two years has been made up from tact had been sufficient to keep general group funds. It is hoped circulating the happenings of in- eventually, to issue the magazine terest to AAs. purely as a service function of the When the group membership Chicago group, altho this has not moved past the 4,000 mark, how- been possible thus far because of ever, a need for splitting the tra- insufficient finances. ditional all-city Tuesday night The magazine confines itself to meetings was felt.To offset in part the Chicago area and has no wish this lack of weekly contact among to compete with the Grapevine. It all sections of the city, a publica- seeks to include news of general tion was decided upon to help re- interest in the city and suburbs, tain the inherent unity. some straightaway AA, and general The paper is sent to every rnem- inspirational material. A great deal ber of the group. >Aneffort is made of emphasis has been on the wom-

September 1951

EVOLUTION (One of the earliest active lights in the Chicago group left a year or s o after he joined. Since then he has been a member of groups in several c i t i e s a n d has visited hundreds of others across the country. Bill was a s k e d to write about Chicago, from the standpoint of a national member who has been around a bit. His remarks follow.)

F there is such a thing in AA, I I’m a cosmopolite. But the AA I learned a t Pop Dearborn’s knee love their own voices and their own patented methods.of drying up. Each small neighborhood group has served me well. Like a sur- has its representation. No Chicago prisingly large percentage of Chi- AA individual i s too small t o be cago earlies I’ve kept my powder heard, and if his idea i s sound dry without interruption for 12 enough he may s e e his pipe dream years. UI like most, I was uprooted embodied in AA tradition. from the Chicago scene and have I want to talk a little about the had a n opportunity to study groups early evolution in Chicago, because on the firing line in the e a s t , west Chicago has something vital that and south. In one of these groups – may help other groups. I’m a l s o a Pittsburgh – I remained a member little homesick with a wholesome almost a s long a s in Chicago. Now nostalgia, one that makes the rims I live in New York. of the eyes punkish even if it does ,

The Chicago influence i s s o not draw a tear. Another corner of the Alano club , .’,A *,y wholesomely hearty that it spread r – . y4t t o many groups in the south and H i s First Meeting *:3 capped the climax.$ From a guy other member of the small, enthu- ,5 . w e s t , where it i s the habit of human beings t o love one another My first meeting was in the audoubtful of his standing a t the start of the meeting, I suddenly s i a s t i c group. Gl without too much introduction. You can always s e n s e a group that has tumn of 1939 a t Earl T.’s house. He, his non-AA wife, another AA rose to a guy whose looks the Everyone – but Everyone gang seemed t o like. been s o influenced when you visit man and Sylvia had contacted me Before long editors came in from *,. My first prospect was a dud and it, for you’re made welcome. earlier. I was not specificially in- big papers, then other newspaperhe still may be oozing a t every vited but was told I’d be welcome. men, clergymen and a banker. With :’ +

-* Democracy i s Keynote There were only s i x or sevenmembers and they weren’t too sure of pore. But I learned that not every drunk i s a n AA prospect. Shortly after I landed a fish – Chan F. these thin skinned fellows there were butchers and bakers, adver- ,:,,,y )I From a national outlook, the im- themselves. I liked the looks of tising men, salesmen, bricklayers, by letting him take the hook. To- .-:;S portant reason for the successful things. I resented the prayer and growth of the Chicago group i s i t s some Bible reading (since abangether we made every AA call we could get our mitts on for many steelmakers, a postman, cops, bar- . tenders, at least one Fuller brush $’, ‘ 1 : .4 basic democracy. There i s no steer- doned). Then Earl told me I better man, and an Indian. People got months. Eventually we were swim- , .k,. ing committee of a few biggies who get out and do some AA work. That married in AA; some were divorced. 2 : ;! ming in AA fervor a s was every t -:,

. * a C / e r e , born: An AA judge rmed the marriages. There plenty of lawyers to get the kee, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Des Moines, Birmingham, Little Rock, New Orleans and throughout downstate Illinois. During the bitter blizzard of 1940 Chan and I carried drunks getting back to their families, finding new jobs, or just jobs. The Tuesday night meetings were the show case. The Thursday and Friday night closed meetings rections. A lot of the personal at-,;’ tention I received a s an AA begin; 4 ner in Chicago i s gone for good,.(” except in small, local groups. ?.* There is no doubt that after a few 1 4 Check on Absentees the gospel to Minneapolis. By the wotking sessions. This remains years of international conferences, ./ > like the one inCleveland last year, / spring there were 200 members there. s o today. Speakers downtown were The group grew. The meeting universally local boys or girls, us- AA as such will begin to assert i i shifted from Earl’s apartment to a Saturday Night Klatsches ually three or four to a program. itself above the local frames. !.j %’-diningroom in the Loop. Sylvia’s But whatever happens we shall”ji friend, the late Grace Cultice, a The weekly open house, started It has been many years since I all be more completely warmed by i,! i non-alcoholic, became secretary of in Sylvia’s apartment, became lived in Chicago. When I look back the spirit of helpfulness and love@ Y the group. At each meeting she standard equipment. Soon there and think how fast AA has grown that has made Chicago a fertile.. A? ‘$would look over the audience and * jot down who was missing. After

‘ t h e meeting we’d check into the were open houses on all sides of town, where AA members and their , families gathered on Saturday I realize how hard it has been to steer its many parts in right di- 1 field for s o many lonely hopeless.$:( guys and gals. ,’ . i * >

r.,: v7

absences. nights to exorcise the Demon by A card game in the Alano club, part of several pIaying cards, bingo and indulging recreational activities. Neighborhood Groups Start in heavy conversation, with coffee and food added, A downtown club The group had now reached 150. was organized, then another and’ The first neighborhood group for another. closed meetings was set up in my house, the first get-to-gether of Enthusiasm Rampant the neighborhood group idea that has spread throughout the country. The weekly Tuesday night meet- This smaller meeting was suc- ing downtown was to endure undicessful and the Chicago group was vided until a c’ouple of years ago. broken up into neighborhood groups They were open to AAs, AA prosthat today number more than 200. pects and AA families and provided a meeting ground in which weekly Midwest Hears Message . improvement could be gauged in the eyes and crow’s feet of those Johnny came in, kept sober, and attending. took a traveling job. He carried There was always an incomparthe AA message along Chicago able zing in the atmosphere. Chilines into the southwest, helping cagoans are no folks to cry long in to establish AA outposts in Kan- their beards. The faces were smils a s City, Topeka, Tulsa and Ok- ing and enthusiastic and the atlahoma City. Other Chicagoans mosphere electric with the grins helped organize groups in Milwau- and laughter of once hopeless

5 PARTIAL VIEW OF T H E THOUSAND OR SO /\AS WHO GATHER EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AT ENGINEERING BUILDING AUDITORIUM

I * T h e s h o w c a s e of Chicago AA where Members, Prospects and F a m i l i e s listen t o three or four speakers under a Chairman, in talks limited t o ten minutes.

September 1951

I

GROUP MEETINGS We wgndered if the rest of the neophytes were getting proper attention. Or even if some of them, care of quite a few of the babies.” “But maybe they’ll come in to STRANGER sat on the edge, of the bubbling fountain in all these rummies proper sponsorship? How could we be sure even feeling neglected and rejected, fast. . .” were not at that moment slaking “If they do we’ll just hev of the Medical Arts club- that some of them would not be their resentment at some bar. ration one or two AAs to eight Wabash Avenue in Chi- completely neglected after coming One of us said to the other: d .&* 10 new babies until we get th ;+sago’s Loop. The newcomer, a to a meeting and maybe not come aa How about inviting two or three under control.” ;:somewhat bleary looking gent nam- back? of the new babies over to your Well, they didn’t come in th .,’I ed John D., seemed out of place in Adding to our panic was the apartment some night this week. fast, but we did have that s m ?.’ the comparatively lavish surround- knowledge that Jack Alexander’s We could also ask two or three old gathering the next Thursday e :; ings, But he was the center of a piece was due to come out in the timers, feed ’em all doughnuts and ning at Bill’s apartment on ‘s, little cluster of AAs who had just Saturday Evening Post the next coffee ‘and give these guys the real near north side. b; finished their weekly meeting in week. treatment.” It was a combination df get .:’L the clubrooms that the depression “‘ had turned into a public meeting We had visions of being deluged by hundreds of palsied sobriety- And the reply: “Sure, sure . .. quainted social and AA primer( and George and Hank could do the course. The evening was a g . : hall. They were listening to John’s seekers. And they could hardly be same thing and that would take s u w e s s because everybody qot t o . ? “story.” expected to AA by them- ‘A Johnis story was “different.” selves – or “carry the message” Tuesday night scene at the Georgian Hotel A very successful business man, to each other before they had a where many AAs gather in Evanston ‘

.. he had been a teetotaler until he I

chance to get the message themwas 50. Then he retired and began selves. ,to drink socially. In the next two Out of that panic came an idea and a half years he drank his way that set the future pattern for Chiinto the gutter. cago metropolitan AA. Because of But to us “old timers” at the it all Chicago AAs have the benemeeting, John was a symbol and a fit of intimate, closed neighborhood portent. (With one exception, none meetings that never grow big beof us “old-timers” had been in AA cause of a tradition of division more than a year and a half.) That and subdivision. At the same time, – night John was one of twelve – it binds the 5000 AAs of the area count ’em – AA neophytes! What together in one unified over-all we had both hoped and feared had metropo litan organization. come to pass – drunks were join- The idea hatched long after miding AA in droves. night that Tuesday night early in What to do? The cozy and heal- 1941 when two of us stopped at a ing intimacy of our fellowship restaurant for a nightcap of coffee. seemed about to be destroyed. We had just shepherded two new- Secretly, some of us had won- comers home after a three-hour dered if AA wuld continue to work kaffee-klatsch that followed the when it got big. How could we give Loop meeting.

spread through the group via the and establishing of “leaders.” grapevine and everybody wanted in. This setup has developed intoj ! The next week, two other mem- more than 200 neighborhood groups. bers announced “closed” meetings for Thursday night at their homes. This created a new problem – the Most meet on Thursday evenings, some on Fridays and a few on other days. The neighborhood 1 – i1 new meetings held on a voluntary groups are tied together by sec-,’ basis could become competitive tional open houses and Tuesday and cause hard feelings and per- night large “open” meetings, and1 haps even slips. by their common support of and in-j Somebody came up with a sen- terest in the central service office! sible solution. A committee was in the Loop. , appointed to obtain a big map of A typical neighborhood “closed”‘ the city and suburbs and set up meeting follows a traditional patsome geographical divisions. The tern: It opens about 8:30 P.M. with . committee members decorated the a quiet time in some member’? livmap with red pins – one for each ing room. The host usually servef . AA member, nearly a hundred in as a “moderator” and the discusall by that time. sion is invariably round table Around each nine or ten pins a with every member present getting – ‘ ‘ -Typical neighborhood group meeting. Two hundred of these boundary was drawn. It came out a chance to express himself. This .~ are held weekly on Thursday and Friday nights. with 10 “districts,” some large requires that no one talk more than ‘: and some smaller in area. And thus five minutes. The topic may be any: 4 -.r =r;’ talk a lot (there were only 10 of tation at the homes of members. was inaugurated a s a permanent, thing relating to Ak or alcoholism; ‘ us and we weren’t listening to a They started shortly after noon on regular feature of group activity, Newcomers ate encouraged to un: \ “speaker”.) And one of the two Sunday and lasted until after mid- a closed weekly neighborhood burden themselves and a neophyte . neophytes at the closed meeting night. Entertainment consisted of meeting. is less reticent because only alr .’; came up with the most fantastic a card games, conversation and food. In some neighborhoods, the coholics are present. The meeting<ti ‘I: drinking history yet heard in these There were no other regular ga- closed meetings are held in the usually closes about 9:45, when ‘: ., therings – but on other days and homes of members on a rotating light refreshments are served and ‘ , parts. That was a test of humility $’ for the ”old timers.” evenings AAs visited each others’ basis. In other districts, the meet- the meeting breaks up into conver- ‘ The Chicago group routine until homes and made “gang” Twelfth ings are held in YMCA’s or com- sation. ! 6 that evening consisted of the Tues- b.. day night meeting at which alco- Step calls. ‘Now something new was being added the Thursday night closed munity houses or church recreation rooms. Chicago AAs non-alcoholic husbands and wives understand t h e p

8.. , holics and their wives and/or husbands were welcome – which had I!. ‘: moved to the Loop hall after the . neighborhood meeting. We didn’t have to urge others in the group to A pattern was evolved early: value of the closed meeting in the ‘ Keep the neighborhood groups recovery of the alcoholic. And they small; when a group gets a s big a s are not shut out from participation . 1 % gang got too big for anyone’s liv- hold “extra” meetings for the induction of newcomers such a s we – 18 or 20 it i s time to divide the in group activities the non-alco- $, ‘ ; ing room. And the Sunday open hous e s , purely social affiirs. The open had done at Bill’s apartment. News group. And the division i s always on a geographical basis holic members of the family are that welcome at the Tuesday meetings houses were held in haphazard ro- of the “new type” closed meeting avoids “choosingw of members and the open houses. . t?,’ >,”

September 1951

will be easier to bear, and to pre- roans set aside for the purpose. pare him to face the world when A second type i s the “speakers” ; he has completed his stretch. meeting. For these, two or more.:.-j groups are assembled and visiting . AAs and selected inmate members Anonymity Eliminated tell their views on how AA works.

Prior to organization of the pri- Record Cards Marked A A son groups articles were published on AA in the Joliet Stateville Time, Names of all members are placed ; f the penitentiary newspaper. Talks were given over the prison inter- on file with the senior captain of ; : communication system. Anonymity the guard. The bureau of identifi-$ was necessarily eliminated. This, cation marks a man’s record card'” to many prisoners at the start, was “AA.” About a third of the mem-, ividual eUort of 100 A A members has helped a stumbling block. For parole bers are Negroes. Two thirds of :: boards look with disfavor on alco- the members have a year or more.:! of Alcoholic inmates holics because there are s o many to serve before discharge or pos-r repeaters among them. sible parole. There are even lifers*’ Three groups totaling 47 men out in the group. $’

of a prison population of 3,000 New members are added when

PRISONS were soon formed. This number member turns in the name has now swelled to several hun- prison number of an inmate dred, organized in many groups at wants to join. The applicant ist,l Stateville, Old Prison at Joliet screened by inmate members, who can be obtained or made within and a t the Honor Farm. explain the program to him and HAS assumed a role of AA major importance in illinois’ prison system a s the result most any prison from anything from potato peelings up. make sure his purpose i s really AA and not some ulterior motive, Two ~ y p e sof Meetings of efforts of about 100 men within the Chicago group. Launched in April, 1948, not a s a group project but a s an individual effort by members, the work has taken definite Instill A A Philosophy Two types of meetings are held. One, led by inmates, usually dis- Discharged AA Qets Sponsor . ,:.I4

Many inmates are there a s a di- cusses basic AA. A member from On discharge or parole, and mem-‘1 shape, has highly impressed au- the “outside” sits in with the inrect result of alcohol. It i s to these bers are urged to await discharge I thorities, and has helped hundreds men that AA makes its appeal. The mate members and takes his turn the inmate member is given a spon-‘4 $3’

k. , 4 of men. To those who don’t know their way around prisons the thought of alcohol seems remote. But despite major effort is not s o much to dry out a man a s to instill in him the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonywhen called on for remarks. Copies of the Big Book, the Grapevine and other AA literature are furnished 1 sor in the town to which he i s go-. ing, Effort is made to induce the men to settle in communities away,/ , the inmates. Meetings are held in from extremely large centers of I the most stringent supervision it mous, s o that his stay in prison G,

September 1951 d – P

$., population where temptations from ,

,., ” former companions could lead td ‘ trouble. : Joseph E. Ragen, warden, and world. While all of these men have not’ made the grade, the number who have i s large enough to more THE CENTRAL than justify the experiment. Other parole board members, solidly back AA. As penalogists they find it prisons in downstate Illinois are taking up the Stateville plan in co- OFFICE successful in rehabilitating men operation with downstate members. for release. As an aid to discipline Sporadic contacts have been within the walls, it has proved in- made over the years in the Bridevaluable. AA members get into far well (city) and county jails, but less trouble than the general run these have never crystalized into of prison population. an organized effort. A small group of women, however, has worked 123 W. Madison St., Chicag Experiment Justified steadily and quietly for several central headquaters, where years among women dcoholics in new prospects make first Highly successful reports have the County jail and notable re- contact with AA. Center of come in from men released into the sults have been achieved. all service facilities in are

OMMON need, common inter- small, well-trained central office C rest, common aim – these spell staff functioning economically but AA unity. Each g,roupts single pri- efficiently for all. Get the picture:.: mary purpose (Tradition 5 ) is to A seedy, miserable little man 1 , carry the message. Similarly, Met- turns unsteady steps into an u e 1 ropolitan Chicago’s central office pretentious structure at 123 West ‘ has one shining, valid reason for Madison Street in downtown Chi-‘ existence: to serve the message- c a p . Leaving an elevator at Floor 1 bearers. 11 he stands timidly in the corri-: Selflessly, without fanfare, hav- dot, fighting to focus watery eyes[ ‘ I ing no executive authority and and to keep his skin on. An erratic surge of energy car-‘ / wanting none, this service center fits snugly its assigned place in ties him to a door marked “1101.”~ AA life. Busy as an ant colony, Desperation, rather than courage, quiet a s your heart-beat, it just propels him into the reception room goes on pumping helpfulness to the of a modern, well-appointed, four; ‘ I 5,000 members of 200 odd groups room suite. in its teeming, far-flung area. He shifts nervously, drops hid Those of the fellowshi? who hat, picks it up, mops his brow; marvel that sprawling Chicago spots Ruth at her desk, prepares achieved and maintains consistent to break for the door. Ruth is on . unity, down through the years, will the phone but smiles at him and mark well the adhesive power of a points to a chair. He lurches over

for that,” he grins a t h i s wife, ception room. He’s been waiting’ 8e and whowants one shot anyway?” exactly four minutes, which have In room No. 3, a large chamber seemed like four hours. often ‘used by committees, Margie She bundles little Mr. Hungover i s consoling a distraught wife into her cubbyhole and g e t s two ‘$. & ‘”

whose sodden mate hasn’t yet f e l t things done swiftly. F i r s t s h e de- ,f that e s s e n t i a l urge t o reach for termines expertly that he’s a real -‘ 1 3 AAs help. stiffy, down, out, sincere, desperate. I’ ,: Gently Marge c o u n s e l s patience, T h e n s h e convinces him that s h e ‘ s a n alky, too, and h a s actually sur- 4 s u g g e s t s little things t h e wife may do, warns mildly about the futility vived the perils of sobriety. T h i s of needling and coercion. Gradual- done, they begin t o click. ly a b l e s s e d transition from de- And in t e n minutes he’s marching s p a i r t o hope i s accomplished. out armed with (a) literature; (b) ” H o p ” is a key word of Doro- a b a s i c knowledte of AA; (c) a d a t e thy, secretary of t h e Metropolitan for tonight in h i s North Side home 1 4-$’ s.: Chicago Group and manager of the with a couple of fellow alkies; and i , % central office. It’s in her mind, now, ( d ) a smile reflecting the first glim- :ji, a s s h e pops out of her little office mer of hope h i h a s dared t o enter- . A prospect explains his problem to a secretary in the Chicago and g r e e t s Jittery J o e in t h e re- t a i n in years. central office and is promised contact in his neighborhood

; a n d sits. w a n t s t o clarify a policy matter. Chicago central office secretary in charge of all service 4 L i k e three sister-employes, Ruth A s s t a t e d , t h e central office makes facilities for the Chicago group ;is an alcoholic whose d i s e a s e AA no policy; but it prepares a n d f i l e s : has happily arrested. J u s t now, policy committee minutes, a s well -performing a prime office function, a s myriad other records; and in- . s h e is relaying a n SOS from one s p e c t i o n of a certain f i l e r e s o l v e s .judged ripe for picking t o t h e s e c – the old-timer’s confusion. – retary ‘of a South Side group in While there, h e a l s o examines w h o s e territory the c a l l e r r e s i d e s . t h e finance committee’s current . T h i s chore is complete only when s t a t e m e n t and budget estimate. In p l a n s for t h e Twelfth S t e p c o n t a c t round figures, which a r e good have b e e n perfected. enough for him, he l e a r n s that In a room nearby another staffer, $20,000 of a $30,000 yearly budget Helen, is c l o s e t e d with a West c o v e r s t h e full administrative ex- Side graybeard and h i s wife, who pense. He n o t e s with pleasure t h a t knows a s much AA a s h e does. a l l s e r v i c e s rendered, including Wives a r e in frequent touch with some t o remote points, c o s t e a c h the office, supplying invaluable member a n average 3 3 1/3 c e n t s a l i a i s o n service. month. 8e Mr. Graybeard, as it happens, Today you can’t buy one s h o t

indispensible. A modern suite high in the Republic Building, 209 South ,.. J and over: ‘If they leave with a Street, was occupied in 1743 and r smile, you’ve given them something remained the hub of fellowship acto cling to.’ My teacher, of course, tivity for five years. ‘ was Grace Cultice.” The work expanded in step with She has mentioned a magic name. the enlarged membership. Services The late Grace Cultice’s benign were increased, the staff grew to face smiles at Chicago AAs from four and more space was needed. a black picture-frame on the office AA got off State Street for economy wall. Her doughty spirit and rich reasons; the present quarters were humanness pervade the center she taken over in 1748. founded. A non-alcoholic rarity, Nowadays Chicago AA revolves she combined true understanding happily about this busy center dedwith an insatiable urge to serve. icated to “Service,Not Authority.” ‘ Grace helped build Chicago AA, Anonymity is rigidly maintained at starting from scratch. She was the first secretary, Dorothy’s only pred- – ecessor; and her first “office” was in Sylvia’s Evanston apartment. She was everybody’s “sponsor” when the membets were a handful. She typed the Twelve Steps on cards. She made spaghetti for the open house. She knew, by some Foundation; to the national and in- the m u s i c he turns out. * **I

miraculous instinct, when to re- ternational brotherhood; to puzzled – New Years Eve a saloon some- ‘buke a derelict and when to mother him. But she never talked employers and heartsick families of still-stubborn alkies; but espe- CC EY! Give the piano player a H t i n k . , ‘ m e left hand keeps where in Halsted near Harrison gamblin’ room upstairs. The guy rolling; the days move – no “lull “down” to an alky and always tried to make him hope. cially and most importantly, to the in the joint.” The right hand tos- – isdrunk pulls a gun fires three? feeble but incessant cry of some shots through the tin ceiling. The In 1941,when a modest club was opened at 127 North Dearborn St., wretched soul reaching out for AAs message of hope, ses it down, Chicago – the toddlin’ town – gang boss is wild – walks up t o , , the joker; hits him over the head ‘ $ the adjoining room became Chica- Alcoholics in Chicago dislike Capone, Dago Lawrence, Mangano, with a big water bottle. He’s o*, %go’sfirst “downtown office.” Katie t t organization” a s much a s those the Genna boys. “Knocktwice and cold. Five minutes later the law,.f,+ D., then a public stenographer, ‘ tookdesk space and became Grace’s elsewhere, and insist on holding it say Benny sent ya!” New Orleans music had moved walks in – into the back – tht “Staff.” to a minimum. In their cooperative. ly maintained central office, where up the Mississippi to the Windy pay-& The band crawls out from’ ‘:; City. Hot and dirty – dance on a behind the piano. ,( ‘ Two years later the club fell many are served by few, they seem Looking for reasons why the apart (Chicago AAs never have to have found an ideally simple dime. “I Wonder What Became of musician drinks? Nervous tension? been strongly addicted to clubs), agency for teamwork in the pursuit Sally” brought a tear to the eye and a buck to the kitty. Jitters? The customer who hacks : .but the service office had become of their one primary purpose., –

‘.I , – I . 3 : I” 1

– 8, – . at your’ears. The wife who They hadn’t changed. They still could answer for each other like, in mothballs. The truth i s oesn’t appreciate or understand liked music. Into the very uphol- t t what t o do when the customer in- hol” doesn’t loosen up your ou (the dancer in the show does). stered sewers we played in, they sists you have a drink” or when Just plain sobriety pays off onc You could have been with the sym- came to help us – 50 cents for a the yakety-yakin front of the band- that score. As to inspired perfwi, *; phony if you’d gone on and studied. coke and they sat there practic- stand talks above the music; or re- mance – for the sake of weafi and 2 1 i

But alongcame the war; or the first ally holding our hands while we quests a tune then doesn’t hear it tear lost to argument, let’s admi?] \::

baby; or-the boss’s favorite; busi- sweated through those “early eve- and 10 seconds later accuses you that if a guy could take four or five. ness i s bad, s o let’s get a new nings.” of not playing it. No, you don’t hit drinks he’d gain a certain amounkj 5 band. Out of work again. If only As you must know, Chicago is a him over the head with the’clarinet. of inspiration s o let’s forget ic;;’ I

$$ the breaks weren’t against me. spread-out town. If you lived in We have found that the musician “We can’t guarantee our behavioy. $ Possibly we drank because it in- Rogers Park, and knew a musician in AAdoesn’t neid a special group; after the first drink.’.’ If we coulf spired us we played better. living on the south side that you not special attention. He needs a take four or five and stop, we’d: F We originated the word sponsors wanted to get together-with; bro- group. He needs attention. He needs still be doing it. Truthfully, we h a i l ‘ tt a guy who sets them up free” – ther, pack a lunch. Still, we thought meetings. He’s no more selfish, found that inspiration comes fro^ 3, the willing and cheerful giver – it possible that we could get a self-centered, fearful, bewildered, being able to lose oneself come apart – – be< forget our surround-l the customer. We doted on them. nucleus of a musician group start- alone than the rest of you. He may b I ‘t ;’ Surely we can keep on drinking. ed. So with the Alano Club a s a be a bit screwier. Most of us still ings, get unconscious of peop\ei No financial worries Nuts. It – base, and 4 p.m. afternoon as the are exposed nightly to alcohol. The staring, a sort of reaching,out intq! .’ didn’t work. The money went, any- right time, we gave it a whirl. At greatest number of our boys work space, hearing sounds, capturing way. We drank the best. That didn’t no time was this meeting “just for in bars, taverns, night clubs. Five them, and relating them to our lis- – – help and so, “Curtain Call.” musicians.” The boys are on the nights a week the Demon is at your teners. I warned you; we maybe la ‘r We came to believe we who – road a lot. They live scattered elbow. You see him; you smell him, bit screwier. But living the AA 5 had said, “If I’m crazy I hope to around. But the big reason against you’re exposed – So what! So is Program puts you in tune. You, don’t lose your talent if you ever ., stay this way.” We who believed, 4. a “just for musicians” group was the bartender, only more so. What :. “Let’s get drunk and be somebody” this We had to learn to live with about the waiter and waitress? The had it. No doubt your performanck we, around whom the world re- tt just plain people;” the poor fish cafe owner? They’ve found “a new changes. But there’s no loss. Like the one armed trumpet player witp’, volved; surrendered. That a power who got up at 6 a.m. and rode jam- way of life.” Well, what about the : greater than ourselves (oh, man, what torture to accept) could re- med up street cars the suburbanite, who “mowed his lawn.” The . battle cry “But I can’t play good unless I’m inspired?” You can twice the strength in his “one; wing” – there’s always con):$ s t squares.” We’d always figured pensation. store us to sanity (God, what a job wrap that and your button shoes up you’ve cut out for yourself. Texas Guinan was right – Hello New Years Eve celebration roll- Sucker – We needed to “change : ed along. The first group celebra- our thinkin’.” We needed people. tion in Chicago and two of our The curves started coming boyswere there on Wabash Avenue, “Keep an open mind” – “Just for – – I

playing for the gang piano and 24 hours” “Accept things we string bass. More groups were formed; there were more celebracannot change.” On and on how long it went on before it began to tions, and we were there. These seep in. There were six of us at were our people, and not a few first meeting. After that possibly were formerly our best sponsors. four or five. Some questions we

ptem

ed that first meeting. Today the weekly attendance i s from60 to weekly attendance i s ‘from 50 to 75. Another Sunday morning ,.break- 4% f a s t i s held at Wagtayle’s r&tau;’i;l rant on the north side. This i s in-4 Members Perform K P formal, there i s no speaker as- ,. signed, and the affair i s confined! to cross table conversation. I i In 1946, another south side breakfast club was started, called 1 the Beverly Breakfast, but which Uniform Procedure II .

now meets at the Field house at br

1* 96th Street and Longwood Drive. Members provide the food, do their Procedure at the Chicago break-?’ own cooking and dish-washing. fast clubs i s fairly uniform. Afterf- Approximately 60 members are breakfast, which i s usually served; served each Sunday. from 9 to 10, the meeting i s opened with a quiet time, atrnouncementsi are read, followed by introduction Five Years Without “Repeater” of the speaker who talks for a half-‘ . hour or s o on a prepared theme.; This i s followeci by remarks from! On Oct. 20, 1946, the West Side various members in the audience’ S r e a k f a s t club has i t s first meet- who either volunteer or are called* ing in the Austin YMCA. Meetings on by the chairman. Meetings are have continued weekly without in- closed by the entire group repeat-‘ i terruption and without a “repeaterw ing the Lord’s Prayer. speaker for five years. This group now embraces about 135 members. Breakfast Members 600 . . I

! I I The Chicago Sunday morning: breakfasts are open only t o mem . i bers of AA, some of whom have nq.i church affiliation. Many others fin4 time to attend their own church services and the breakfast meeting a s well. i All in all, about 600 members attend Sunday morning AA break! f a s t s in the Chicago district, ‘ Id

September 1951

.’. , WIVES Neighborhood “Family Groups” an alcoholic, usually a woman, dressing us. The talks are concern- f ed with the AA Program of living/$ I.. 6: HICAGO~Sfamily group idea, AAs, the name was changed to In many sections of Chicago, of self-improvement, a discussioqP C – which flourishes throughout the city, stems from a meeting in “Family Group.” several neighborhood groups band together monthly for a joint meeting. in the form of a question box, or ofiany subject which will be helpful c

“Stand by Quietly and Help” These groups are usually an off- to the family a s a whole. We open. Akron 14 years ago. At that time shoot of an original neighborhood .’ the wife of Chicago’s first AA at- our meetings with a quiet time and “We of the family group are deep- group that was forced to split be- close with the Lord’s Prayer. . tended a meeting of wives in Ak- cause of size. In turn the split t I . ron, which had been suggested by ly grateful .and privileged to share Many groups have sprung up i4 ,. ‘ Dr. Bob and other AAs in that city. in the program of living,” said the groups were divided. While the Chicago and suburbs, in fact all; I

wife who journeyed to Akron. “This AAs hold their closed meetings at over the country. We feel a Dr. Bob’s wife, Anne, gathered to- these monthly sessions the “famigether the wives of alcoholics to does not mean, however, that we Iiness, a close bond, uniting u infringe on or interfere in the alco- ly” group retires to another hall with each other and with the A A s I help them in any way she could. and holds its meeting. Then, after It holics’ plans or working of the Pro- For after all, are we not “Family Group” Cooperates gram. We simply stand by quietly both meetings have been concluded, the two groups get together for ing in this new way of life whej; and help in any small way we can ther alcoholic or nonalcoho1ic)l when called upon to do so. coffee and cake. Have we not attained a peace of1 The purpose of the family group t 1In the family group two volun-

in those early days was the same “We have enjoyed since the start mind and serenity beyond our ex-‘/ of AA here the privilege of the al- teers serve for three months and pectations? We are all deeply grate-q ‘ a s it i s now. This was stated at coholics’ wanting us to attend one arrange programs which include ful for the many blessings AA has: that time by Lois, Bill’s wife, two speakers each meeting from showered on us a s families work- I when she said a family group open meetingwith them each week. As there i s a closed meeting an- our own group, with occasionally ing together as a team.” I should give cooperation and understanding to the AA at home; live other evening each week, we feel I -by the Twelve Steps in order to we are not depriving them by at- i grow spiritually along with the tending the open meeting, and we AA; and to welcome and give com- gain much thereby. fort to the families of new AAs. Organization Taboo .”Wives Group” inspiration II In our family group meetings The first family group in Chicago we have no place for controversy, came into being 10 years ago when gossip, criticism or the discussion the AA group was comparatively of our alcoholics’ drinking escasmall. The wives felt a need for pades. We try to keep in mind our self-improvement and understand- three-fold purpose and to conduct ing. In close cooperation and friend- our meetings with a s great simshipwith the alcoholic they banded plicity and merit a s the alcoholic together a s “The Wives Group.” conducts his. We meet once a month As the nucleus grew and encom- and have no need for organization, passed husbands and relatives of officers or money.

September 1951 I –

an “exceptional” case. normal life is a s In the Catholic church, we call my kind of people “candle burning EARLY, MEMBER Catholics.” They are the citizens who crowd the churches on Easter lifted from his eyes.

and Christmas mornings. As was Technically Dry 4′ ,-!. (The following remarks were contributed by one of the fitst once said of aneminent movie star, 12 AAs in Chicago who was asked to write something for the Chicago issue. The writer i s a newspaperman who moved to they are ready to die for their faith, but not willing to live for it. But somewhere between thaf sense of exaltation and the other i Washington, D. C., a year a two after he joined the fellowship. The article doesn’t concern the operation of AA in Chicago but IIumdrum Sobriety extreme of humdrum acceptance of sobriety there must be a happieri: I , it does present a problem that older members throuRhout the country have come in contact with. ) medium for us spiritually dried-up I suppose you could dismiss my old rummies. We should find some situation a s a case of spiritual satisfaction by expressing our 1. ;w \’-

HAT have I got out of AA? that ingrate in the New Testament draught. To an alcoholic in the bit- itude in deeds which would who was cured of some malady by ter and despairing struggle of de- fer the benefits of our 7; That was the first question !->that came to my mind recently cision, to a man with the six-inch to the needy. Our Lord, and didn’t bother to ‘ when I was asked to do an article shakes, praying for release from When an alcoholic has the mis:/ ‘ check in with Him again, to give a ,for the tall-Chicago” edition of simple expression of gratitude. his affliction, either through death fortune to slip the whole route and: or through success in staying dry, get drunk after months or years of l ;the Grapevine. That fellow has been the object of my problem would seem a little apparent success with the AA Pro-i : ,-I Something was wrong with the scorn for a couple of thousand silly. gram, it is usually possible to puif,: i question. It set unevenly in my years, but I can’t help but feel sor- .,mind, like a piece of a jig saw ry for him. He probably went to his Yet I suspect there are a good a finger on the reason for his slip.^^^ !J many old timers in AA like myself, The sponsor who knows the back-i Dspuzzle that almost, but doesn’t grave with the uneasy realization ?quite fit, and you try to force it in that he had received much and who feel that they have somehow ground can see where the victim,,! :,anyway. I’m the worrisome type given little. missed the boat, that they have ignored or failed to come to come to accept the blessings of with some specific step in the ‘.who is eventually overcome with .1: shame if I force a wrong piece in A “Marginal” AA sobriety a s the normal course of Program. i events,and are prone to forget that It should be equally simple, i n / ‘ ;place in a puzzle, or peek at the ‘concealed cards in solitaire. they, like the newest and shakiest the case of those of us who have:,. After all these years of sobriety, ; So I went back to my first ques- member of the group, are suspended -Zfcn technically dry for years, but, during which I have received bless- above personal disaster by the who have drifted away from the dy-, ‘tion. The defect was obvious. I’ve ings beyond measure, I find myself slender margin of the first drink. namic practice of the Twelve Steps, ,j.f -been dry more than 11 years, with a “marginal” member of Akoholics ;the help of God and the AA Pro- Anonymous. That means I rarely I am well aware, of course, of to isolate the cause of our failure; ‘ :gram.The question should have read: attend meetings, and even more the impossibility of recapturing either to achieve the fullness of; ; , What has AA got out of me? rarely perform Twelfth Step work. the spirit of exaltation that fills the program or to return to it what1 : Now the atmosphere i s clearer, I blush toadmit it, but I have drift- the once-desperate heart of the al- it has given to US, .! I .

and under the cloak of anonymity, ed into a certain snobbishness in coholic during the “spiritual awak- ‘my typewriter fingers (four all told) this matter of preaching the gospel ening” of his first six months of Sixth Step His Answer t

itch to cop a plea. of AA. I would resent spending an success with the AA Program. In f ‘ For a long time I’ve felt like this period the daily exercise of a As I look into my own case, 1.. . evening with anyone who wasn’t I .

September 1951 pr -i . e.an.uneasy feeling that I have ‘ when he became’impatient with the en’paying only lip service to the tediousness of some group meetth step, in which we “were en- ings, when he tried to shove off on ” e l y reidy to have God remove the more eager beavers the duty of fall these defects of character.” visiting a strange prospect, or . The Rev. Edward Dowling, S.J., when he shrugged his shoulders ‘.a St. Louis clergyman who i s be- over the failure of some bumptious ‘ loved wherever AAs gather, has said that this sixth step divides . t h e men from the boys in AA, and character to solve the drinking problem. THE NEGRO IN AA .I’m afraid he’s right. After more Short on Tolerance .than eleven fortunate years of phy- : sical, if not spiritual sdbrietjr, 1 This i s more than an academic HERE are nearly 300 Negroes : realize with some chagrin that there i are some subtle defects of characquestion of spiritual capacity, because if I came down drunk next T among Chicago’s 5,000 AAs. Because of the neighborhood group became the Evans Ave. Wednesday group and the Evans Ave. Thurs-. :’ter which I still cherish. In my own week, I would need from others the day group. The six groups now; way, I have been a s devious with patience, the charity, and the tol- plan they are concentrated largely functioning meet deliberacly on:: myself a s the drinker who accepts erance which I presently find my- in five groups on the city’s south different nights each week to foster , the first step with secret modifica- self in short supply, because of my side. A sixth i s in Evanston. visiting each other. Once monthly tions, because he wants to avoid unwillingness over the years to The experience of the Negro al- the groups gather for a joint the disastrous effects of drinking read the fine print in the Sixth Step. coholic follows the same pattern meeting. more than he wants to cut whisky a s that of his white fellow. If he A morning meeting i s held by out of his life. Rededication or – has an alcoholic problem and honestly wants to do something about one group oil Saturdays and a Sun-. F day afternoon meeting i s conducted 1 “Willing or Ready” As I go back over this copy, I it he i s accepted and enjoys ex- by another. The daytime meetings can s e e some of my old time as- actly the same status a s any other , for night workers are attended by

/1 Father Dowling, in an interview sociates in AA snorting with justi- member. Chicago adheres to basic visitors from out of town and local published by The Queen’s Work of fied irritation that I’m crying with AA tenets that the only require- alkies seeking a haven in the day St. Louis, emphasizes the differ- a loaf of bread under my arm. Why ment for membership i s a desire to time. In addition, all members at-‘? I ence between “almost willing,” don’t I stop feeling sorry for my- stop drinking and that creeds, races, tend one of the three city wide which the Sixth Step might have self and use the tools at hand to sects, or social divisions have no Tuesday night meetings held on.:{ said, and “entirely ready,” which rededicate myself to the Program, place in the fellowship. the south and north sides and in d . i t does say. and give back a little of what I’ve Considerable effort was put out the Loop. i! “This Sixth Step i s impossible had from it? before the f i s t Negro member found It must not be thought that the:-\ without a love of God based on a I’m too languid to argue the point himself for a permanent stay in AA members of the Evans Ave. groups 1 humble sense of reparation, thanks- with my aggressive colleagues, more than six years ago. Gradually remain apart from the main stream:.l giving, and adoration,” he said. however. Maybe 1’11 get around to a group got underway. The follow- of Chicago AA activity. The city 4 If a jaded old member of AA like doing something about it one of ing year it had grownuntil its s i t e , and sectional meetings are well myself really chewed up the Sixth these days. from Chicago standards, became attended and Negro members serve, , ,Step carefully, he might realize I just hope nothing happens in unwieldy and it was split into two ably on the various committees of i that he was violating that Step the meantime. groups. So, the Evans Ave. group the Chicago group a s a whole. !.

October 1951

T HANKSGIVING Week, has again been designated a s Tradition week. Many groups have, for the in the development of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement. In “hlilestone of AA,” for expast two years, arranged special ample, Rill summarizes highlights meetings during this time for the of many critical periods in AA. observance of the Twe1ve’~radi- “AA Traditions” records one of tions of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the key meetings of the Internationorder to ease the work of your pro- al Conference at Cleveland in 1950 gram chairman, may we suggest where Bill and other AAs discussthat the following recordings might ed the importance of the Twelve be helpful and interesting to a11 Traditions to the future of our AA members. society. “The Rig Meeting” records the A talk by Rill on “The Third final session of the Cleveland Con- Legacy of AA” is the latest in the ference and is unique a s the only series of recordings prepared by recording on which both Rill and the General Service Office for dis- Dr. Bob may be heard. tribution to the groups. This re- “Dr. Bob’s Last Major Talk,” cording is in effect a condensation recorded in 1947, four years before of Bill’s remarks opening the his- his death, outlines the early days toric first meeting of the General of AA, with special reference to service Conference in New York the growth of the first “group” last April. in Akron. The two long-playing (33 l/3 rpm) An earlier recording known simrecords which reproduce the talk ply a s “A Talk by Bill’ has beare available to the groups for come a “collector’s item.” It i s $9.00. For shipment by Air Express no longer possible to make copies add $1.00. For Railway Express, from the master record and the add 50 cents. existing supply has been exhausted. Through other recordings the Detailed information on all regroups today (and tomorrow) can cordings handled by the General get an intimate and eye-witness Service Office i s available through panorama of many crucial phases group secretaries.

November 1951

got US on the search for non-alco- money. Our grandiose ideas of holics who had money. Or who hospitals and missionaries had could get some for us. evaporated, but we were still very Many have heard me tell the sure we ought to publish a book of story how, through my brother-in- recovery experience. Earlier in the law,&. Leonard V. Strong, we met year, Mr. Rockefeller had set aside Mr. Willard S. Richardson, one of a sum in assistance to Dr. Rob and the finest friends A A can ever have. me personally. But the end of that In our early extremity we certainly was in sight. The book project thought he had great promise for, definite1y needed funds. you see, he was a close friend and This was the point at which the associate of Mr. John D. Rocke- Alcoholic Foundation took shape. feller, Jr. His interest in us was A trust agreement was drawn in immediate and lively. Our money May 1938. Those named above, problems were solved, we felt sure. save Messrs. Scott and Rockefel- Providentially, that was not to be ler, became trustees. We already the case. Nevertheless Mr. Rich-, relied upon their careful judgment ardson quickly assembled a com- and unabating interest. Moreover, pany of non-alcoholics who were AA badly needed friends, people at once infected with his own en- who would stand right up in public thusiasm for what we were doing. and say what they thought about us. Those early friends, Dick Rich- Just a s Mr. Rockefeller himself ,

ardson, Leonard Strong, Frank did, two years later. Amos, A. LeRoy Chipman and Al- Out of that Foundation creation MEET THE bert Scott will surely appear in the forefront of any history of Alcomes an amusing recollection. None of the alcoholic members of

NON-ALCOHOLIC TRUSTEES coholics Anonymous to be written. At first, though, they were rather disappointing; these men were the newly named board were sure they could stay sober. Who, then, would look after the money if all not s o sure we needed large sums the drunks got drunk? With this of money – an opinion still more potential catastrophe in mind, we strongly held by Mr. John D. Rock- inserted into the trust agreement a there in 1937 we figured we needed efeller, Jr. when approached later provision that the number of non- W HY does AA’s Alcoholic Foundation have eight nonalcoholics on its Board? What do a lot of money. We considered going into the hospital business and on. Little did we guess that the wisdom of these new friends was alcoholics on the Board must always exceed the number of alcothey do,and how did they get there thought of putting out some sort of soon to save Alcoholics Anonymous holics by one* Just in case! in the first place? There are some paid AA missionaries. Even more from professionalism and the perils All during the summer of 1938, mighty good answers to these oft sure, we would have to publish a of great wealth. with the best of recommendations, heard queries. book. Since we didn’t have that By the spring of 1938, however, we solicited money for our shining kind of cash, we had to look around. most of our new sponsors conclud- new Foundation. There was no re- It all started this way. Back These needs, real (and imaginary!), ed that we could safely use a little sult whatever.So in the fall of that

year, under the name of Works Pub- A s time passed, new faces ap- A. LeRoy Chipman – associate lasting gratitude. lishing, Inc., the New York alco- peared, both non-alcoholics and of Mr. Rockefeller, a very early Dr. I.~onard V. Stron~ The holics. and their friends, forty-nine alcoholics. Right now the Roard h a r d member, a watchful con- one whose connection with Mr. in all, raised funds for the publi- numbers fifteen, with a ratio of scientious treasurer, whose great Willard Richardson led to the crecation of the A A book. The Foun- eight to seven. So comes to mind devotion to our cause ought to be ation of’the Foundation. He’s been dation itself had practically, no t h i s question: “What i s the need better known and appreciated. secretary virtually ever since. No cash until 1940 when Mr. Roc’ke- for non-alcoholics on the Founda- – Frank Gulden new to the Foun- one has attended more meetinqs feller gave his much ~ublicized tion Roard today?” dation. A prominent churchman, nor worked harder than Leonard to dinner for Alcoholics Anonymous. We are apt to forget how remote member of the Roard of St. Johns bring the Foundation where it is That resulted in approximately the Foundation is from the average Hospital (which cooperates closely today. He happens to be my brother- $3,000 annually for the Foundation A A Groups, a situation that chang- with Rrooklyn A A ) and owner of in-law. In the last days of my ‘ over a period of five years. The ed only last April with the advent the noted food enterprise which drinking, his unfailing confidence Rockefeller family later loaned of the General Service Conference. bears his name. We deem his keen and medical attention probably funds to pay off the cash subscrib- Even this body will meet but once discernment a real find, saved my life. ers to the A A book thereby com- a year. In this unique and isolated Dr. ) o h Notris- Chief Psysipleting the Foundations ownership. situation the non-alcoholics have, cian, Eastman Kodak Company. Mr. Willmd S. Richardson, Trus- This was about all the money the time after time, proved their im- Recently seated at the Foundation tee Emeritus.This good friend, re- Foundation ever had from “out- mense worth to AA. Recause of Roard,Dr. Norris bears a high r e p tired now, is affectionately rememside” sources. t h e i r detached position they have utation in the field of industrial bered by all who served with him Right then, the character of the often shown better judgment than medicine. He i s notable for his a s the one who infused wonderful ~ o u i a t i o nbegan to change. After we mercurial and prejudiced alco- knowledge of alcoholics and i s spiritual substance and fine wisacquiring the book, the trustees holics. Not only have they stabil- responsible for the wonderful re- dom into our Foundation activity came successively into posses- ized our Headquarters operation, lation that exists between East- from the beginning. Behind his sion of A A ‘ s public relations, its they have definitely saved the man Kodak and Alcoholics Anon- back, we call him “Uncle Dick.” contributions for support of the Foundation from disaster on sev- ymous. That speaks volumes, doesn’t it? General Office and, in recent years, eral occasions. What greater trib- Fulton Oursler – Senior editor Leonard V. Harrison – NO roll The A A Crqevine which had ute than this could we possibly of the Readers Digest. Enjoys call would becomplete without him. originally been founded by a sep- pay them? world-wide renown a s an author He served a s Chairman of the arate group of journalistic AAs SO, shake hands with our non- and public relations expert. Thou- Foundation Board during those here in New York City, alcoholic trustees. Here they are: sands of A A s have r ead his “Great- very uncertain years of AA’s ado- So you can see that what began lack Alexander – author of the est Story Ever Told.” There i s no lescence when we shivered for a s a simple committee to help Dr. 194 1 Saturday Evening Post piece more lovable and ardent AA fan fear the forces which would rend Bob and me along has since evolv- that made A A a national institution than Fulton. us apart might win out. In this ed into an A A Service Roard of and brought release to thousands. How well we love that Jack! Rernmd Smith – Chairman of period of severe strain, our friend’s custody for our principal affairs. A t the Foundation Board, well-known steady hand at the Foundation helm first concerned only with the prob- Frank Amos – advertising and corporation lawyer, a friend of ex- kept us off many a shoal. We here lem of money, the Board today oper- newspaper owner, now of Cam- ceptional vision and good will. record our timeless thanks. ates chiefly in the field of over all bridge, Ohio. Frank’s tireless in- His ceaseless advocacy of the Now you have met our non-alcopolicy and business management terest and patient counsel in the General Service Conference idea holic trustees. Where would AA of the AA General Office and The early days and since, will ever be from the moment it was first pro- have been today without them? As A. A. Grapevine. thankfully remembered. posed entitles him to our ever- for me, I’d rather not guess.

88 Formal recognition of A.4’s s u c c e s s in treatin alcoholism a s a n i l l n e s s and i n blotting out i t s s o d s t i g m a . “

The Lasker Award Statuette … replica of the classi ca 1 Winged Victory of Sam1thrace, symbolizing vi ctory awer death and disease.. .now’o c cupies a place of honor In your General Servic:e O d ice.

1951 LASKER AWARD Presented, October 30, in San F r a n c i s c o , to the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous for Distinguished S e r v i c e in the F i e l d of Public Health.

No AAanywhere can be unmindful of the tremendous significance t o himself and t o the ‘millions who don’t yet know’ of this, t h e greatest public honor to come to A A thus far. We are a l s o grateful to the Lasker Committee for the manner of i t s presentation. Bernard L. Smith, non-alcoholic Chairman of our Foundation, accepted and Bill (introduced anonymously a s ‘an early member,) responded. T h u s AA had been accorded national recognition. and our Eleventh Tradition had not only been preserved but had .. been underlined with the quiet dignity of AA selflessness.

The symbol of this recognition mon understanding and stimulating is a silver statuetee – a small action in a great cause. t a This is not a reform movement, replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace – signifying the tri- nor i s it operated by professionals ‘

umphs of AA over the death and who are concerned with the prob- HEALTH GROUP HONORS disease s o long harvested by the ravages of alcohol. lem. It is financed by voluntary contributions of its members, all of

i ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS The A.P.H.A. citation which was read at the ceremony used whom remain anonymous. There are no dues, no paid therapists, no 1951 Lasker Award Presented For “Distinguished Service” by these words: paid professional workers. It en- American Public Health Association “The American Public Health joys the good will and often the Association presents a Lasker endorsement of many medical and HOSEN for the conspicuous nal honor -a tribute all the more award for 1751 to Alcoholics Anon- scientific groups -no mean achieve- C honor by the American Public Health Association, Alcoholics appreciated because it was directed at a lay group instead of the proymous, in recognition of its unique and- highly successful approach to ment in itself for an organization run entirely by laymen. t a Anonymous has been formally pre- f essional individuals and organiza- that age-old publi’c health and so- Historians may one day point sented with one of the highly sig- tions which are traditional recipi- cial problem, alcoholism. to Alcoholics Anonymous a s a sonificant Lasker awards for 1751 t a in recognition of its unique and ents of the Lasker awards. This a* Since its founding sixteen years ciety which did far more than preliminary session was attended ago, Alcoholics Anonymous has achieve a corlsiderable measure of highly successful approach” to an by some 3,000 A A s , their families, brought recovery to more than success with alcoholism and its “age-old public health and social by doctors, public health experts, 120,000 chronic drinkers formerly stigma; they may recognize Alcoproblem.” clergymen and leading citizens. thought hopeless. Today this world holics Anonymous to have been a The presentation, made in San Speakers on this more intimate pro- fellowship of 4,000 groups, resi- great venture in social pioneering Francisco on October 30, took place gram were Bill W. and Bernard dent in 38 countries, is rehabili- which forged a new instrument for in that city’s famous War Memorial Smith -the latter, a s n o n a l c o h o l i ~ tating 25,000 additional persons social action, a new therapy based Opera House, the same distinguish- chairman of the Board of Trustees yearly. In emphasizing alcoholism on the kinship of common suffering, ed setting which surrounded the of the Alcoholic Foundation, also a s an illness, the social stigma one having a vast potential for the birth of the United Nations and the receiving the prized testimonial associated with this condition is myriad other ills of mankind.” Japanese Peace Treaty. The award the following night on behalf of being blotted out. The actual inscription on the is one of the eight made possible Alcoholics Anonymous. “Alcoholics Anonymous works statuette reads like this: each year through benefactions of upon the novel principle that a re- “The Lasker Award – 1951. Mary and Albert Lasker, New York At the presentation, when the covered alcoholic can reach and Presented by the American Pubphilanthropists, and was presented A.P.H.A. had 1,500 AAs and their treat a fellow-sufferer a s no one lic Health Association to Alcoholduring the recent A.P.H.A. conven- families a s guests, Bill and Ber- else can. In s o doing, the recover- ics Anonymous for pioneer work tion held. in the California city. nard were seated on the platform ed alcoholic maintains his own so- in successfully attacking the pub- On the previous night, October which held, besides high officials briety; the man he treats soon be- lic health problem of alcoholism 27th. AA conducted its own cere- of the association and other distin- comes a physician to the next ap- and, in s o doing, developing a new monies in the Opera House, a s an guished speakers, Governor Earl plicant, thus creating an ever-ex- social instrument which holds prom- ‘ expression of gratitude to the donors Warren, of California, and Mayor . panding chain reaction of libera- ise for other human ills.” of the award and to the association Elmer E. Robinson, of San Fran- tion, with patients welded together After his brief acceptance, Berwhich designated AA for the sig- cisco. by bonds of common suffering, com- nard Smith introduced Bill W., who

added his own words of humble Publishing Company; Jack Alexan- ‘ ‘ gratitude on behalf of AA.. der, author of the eye-opening orig- The prelude the night before inal article in The Saturday Evethe award – was arranged in all ning Fost; Dr. Harry M. Tiebout; its details by the Northern Cali- Fulton Oursler, the wriier and edifornia Council of AA. The session tor, and by no means least of all opened with the traditional moment – Sister Ignatia, of St. Thomas of silence, followed by an invo- Hospital ‘in Akron, were among the cation by Father Meagher, of St. many crusading “outsiders” whom Matthew’s Catholic Church of San Bill included in his credits for Mateo. Welcoming remarks were AA’s 1fLyear career of expanding made by Jack I., of San Francisco, benefits. He listed all of the forewho told the invited delegates of going on the roster of AA’s “foundthe A.P.H.A. of the appreciation ing fathers,” reaching back 800 felt by all A A s for the eminent years to ecclesiastical history for ,

honor the association had an- still another: St. Francis of Assisi, nounced. who, said Bill, was author of the Bill W., in his talk to this van- conviction that the movement should guard session, paid feeling tribute remain corporately poor, in order to the multitude of non-alcoholic better to pursue its mission. friends who have helped AA on its “AA has many founders,” he way and expressed specific grat- concluded, “men of the cloth, men itude to the newest increment of and women of medicine, members 13,000 supporters, the members of of the press. Their friendship cli-

-, the A.P.H.A. maxes here today a s we embrace Bernard Smith; the revered Dr. also the men and women of the William D. Silkworth; John D. Rocke- American Public Health Associafeller and his sonNelson; Dr. Harry tion in our great family of friends- Emerson Fosdick; Curtis Bok, of a great distinction and a great the famous Philadelphia Curtis honor a s well.”

p* (63, K,s>, q+, (;L

9;5′;:> Y’

$*2′ ./=\.’c -/ +- 4. -&

he-‘,”< & y –

&yijc- -\&4 , . * I

I ;p-* -\

1 – .4yy’;L. ‘ ‘ C – < > ~ , . —** A t+.- \ ‘I?, I

January 1952

1951 — A G K A P W l N f : ~ …. Nt:’WS S U M M A R Y . alone, is no ‘cure’ “.The National general hospital within the county Research Council assigned US. began to accept patients on the di- MILESTOMS FOR MllllOUS government grants for a two-year agnosis “chronic alcoholism.” In study of the problems of alcohol. Buffalo, New York, the Blue Cross

WHO DO NOT YET KIYOW. … Reports in 1951 included an an- decided to continue payments for nouncement of direct physical tie- all admissions of alcoholics. in between emotions and alcohol There were debuts in 1951 of was a year of hope and a s discovered by Dr. Oskar Diethelm new mutual help societies using T “I” help from an awakening lay public for the alcoholic. The calmon course of action. It was the emergence from areas of conflict of Payne-Whitney Psychiatric Clin- the word “anonymous.” Organizaic in New York. A Research Coun- tional progress was announced by over affairs within groups to an endar year that has just closed area of constructive concern over cil project at the University of “Gamblers Anonymouso and a contained momentous news about an entire fellowship and its future. Texas suspects that alcoholics Chicago meeting of “Divorcees alcoholism for non-alcoholics. And have inborn deficiencies in body Anonymous” proclaimed chapters for Alcoholics Anonymous, 1951 Outside AA, 1951 was a year of chemistry. Most medical workers in six cities. was a year of growth in stature, in numbers present and accounted light .. . of probing new rays from many searchlights into the darkwent on believing that Dr. Roger In November, 1951, in the midst Williams’ vitamin treatment gets of world strife, Bruce Barton sugfor. ness of people, those friends and at the effect, rather than the cause gested a more serious society. Inside AA, the box score a s of relatives and employees and the of alcoholism. Cortical hormones — Pointing to the recovery of an althe old year’s closing was: public spectacles, “who drink too ACTH, cortisone and adrenal cor- coholic friend through AA, narton tical extract (ACE) showed prom- wrote in his daily column: “Human Total Membership.. … 130,000 much.” ise in preventing delirium tremens, nature is pretty much the same, Total AA groups …… .4,480 In the medical field there were but no new effectiveness in reha- whether in men or in nations. I just Groups in hospitals. …..”112 new beams exploring the dark. A bilitating the chronic alcoholic. wonder if the way out for Europe Groups in prisons.. ……. “79 special subcommittee of the Ameri- Last year marked new steps by isn’t for its people to enroll them- .. Other Countries with A A -38 can Medical Association issued, in – June, a first neneral statement to legislative bodies and new legal selves in Europeans Anonymous.” Inside AA, the year’s outstand- concepts that alcoholism, the It was a year of widened educaphysicians accepting responsibility ing developments included assets disease, needed arresting and that tion, broadened horizons for s o of the problems of alcoholism. In funds used to arrest and jail al- many. AA looked on the passing of inventory ranging from the Lasker Award and the first General September, 1751, doctors of medicine and psychiatry from six na- coholics might be used more profit- scene outside .. . but with a new Service Conference to the final bit tions, a s an intergovernmental ably. By year’s end, 39 states had year beginning, the first of the of business just before midnight, health agency of the United Na- legalized centers for information Twelve Traditions and its empha- December 31st, 1751. .. a Twelfth Step call made by a total of two tions, issued their joint report on and rehabilitation. The dry state of s i s on growth withine 1 AA took on Mississippi opened a $750,000, new meaning … our common 1 a recognition of alcoholism a s a AAs from one group to one person public health problem.” 200-bed, alcoholic ward. welfare should come first.” who did not yet know.. . The U.S. Food and Drug Admin- Industry saw many more plants While even church bodies asked setting up special programs to re- AA if its program would work “to Inside AA, the group and state istration approved Antabuse for selection of delegates to the first general use by American physi- claim alcoholic workers and aid the aid and comfort non-drinkers,” one panel of the General Service Con- cians, limiting it to sale by pre- manpower shortage by cutting down old timer in AA gave 1751 a shon 1a

ference was a milestone in order- scription only. A United Press re- absenteeism from Monday morn- valedictory. ing colds.” One county in an east- “We don’t save souls,” he said. liness and in enthusiam in a com- port tersely remarked “Antabuse, ern state made news when every “AA just wrings them out!”

February 1952

SI””””The allBook,”AA iands embodied in line of AA practice, but so, we comes out know, has every area populated by of The Oook, it stands to reason our brothers-in-the-bond. And, a s that AA anywhere i s basically the do our brothers, we have an es- . same, modified by the character of pecial and jealous love for our the area in which it grew up, the own methods, even while we adnature of the people who helped to mire and respect the differences in shape it, area-wise, and the cir- method that are practiced elsewhere. cumstances that surrounded them. AA in Los Angeles i s a s open Los Angeles i s big and sprawl- a s a barn door. That is, perhaps,

10s AWCELES ing – s o i s Los Angeles AA. Los its most immediately obvious char- – Angeles grew fast too fast, some acteristic to the visitor. Anyone people say – so did AA in Los can attend almost any meeting – Angeles. Los Angeles i s a melting our very few “closed” meetings pot; whatever you can find in the are closed – in most cases- in wide, wide world, you can find at the sense of “men only” or “womleast a little of here. It’s the same en only.” Restrictive or exclusive with AA in Los Angeles – what- rules just don’t exist in Los Anever has happened in AA anywhere, geles. How can you have them in good or bad, has happened in AA a melting pot? The visiting AA (or here; whatever you will find in AA the non-alcoholic who suddenly . anywhere, we have (or have had) gets an explorer’s yen to see what at least a little of it. AA i s like) can have his choice of But one thing we are proud a dozen or more meetings on any of – and shamelessly proud, since night in the week – and a good we know i t i s due to the values in- many in the daytime, too. The LOS herent in AA itself, rather than to Angeles AA member not only can any undue virtue in the typical Los have his choice, but takes it. He Angeles drunk: in Los Angeles, may attend his home group rewhich has brazenly exploited every ligiously, but he “gets around,” fantastic cult and ism that ever and he’s aIways welcome. Outside, assaulted public taste and morals, we may be poles apart: in AA, we Alcoholics Anonymous has been, are a s interchangeable a s Ford and is, conservative, middle-of-the- parts. You’ll see winos in Beverly road, straight out of TheBook. and, Hills, and silk-sheet exdrunks at STRAIGHT OUT O F T H E give or take a few errors on the the Midnight Mission. part of an expectable percentage of If you ever are a visitor to LOS “BIG BOOK” AND OPEN screwballs, a s close to our Twelve Angeles, be chary of trying to MINDED AS A BARN DOOR Traditions a s human frailty permits. characterize “Los Angeles AA” – – – THAT’S L.A.’s A A True, we have our own forms of observing and following the general unless you’ve attended at least a dozendifferent groups, in all parts

new experience, or where some one of two) and t h e speaker t e l l s wine-wrinkled, humor-leavened old- h i s story, following t h e c l a s s i c timer t r i e s to explain the unex- pattern a s s e t down in T h e Rook plainable miracle by passing on “what we used t o b e like, what h i s experience t o a room-full of happened, and what we a r e like skittery (and frequently half-stiff) now.” After t h e first speaker, new- ~~~iwcomers. comers a r e a s k e d to make them- You c a n laugh a t u s , too, if you s e l v e s known by raising their hands like. Many of our groups (and mem- – “so that we may know and welb e r s ) a r e uninhibitedly happy to come you” – and like a s not, t h e p a s s out and receive birthday c a k e s leader will then a s k a l l members – t h e givers and r e c e i v e r s alike t o raise their hands – “so that you sharing t h e joy and the miracle of new people will know you’re among S y e a r s of sobriety; some groups friends.” Follows the second speakgive AA pins … some don’t, and would b e duly and, of course, er; announcements by the secretary ; next, “we have no d u e s or f e e s , shocked if some new committee but -” and the hat i s p a s s e d ; and member suggested it. Yes, i t t a k e s finally, The Lord’s Prayer, followa l l kinds, and, thank God, we’ve ed by coffee and doughnuts, and got ’em. the heart-to-heart, personal AA T h e “averageo AA meeting in that s e e m s t o clinch and solidify PSYCHO COURT: Historically significant, i t s “Alcoholic L o s Angeles (meaning a majority a l l t h e good things of t h e meetin,<. School” saw first AA Book in L o s Angeles. Point of first AA of them) will go something like But w e have meetings with three c o n t a c t for many present-generation AAs. t h i s : T h e leader welcomes you, speakers, and t e n speakers, and no of town and country.’ We have a s humility and a six-year man c a n , t e l l s what AA i s , a s b e s t h e c a n , s p e a k e r s a t a l l ; we have d i s c u s s i o n many types of groups, almost, a s properly b e called “junior.” Speak and then – Fe c a l l s o n J o e Doakes groups where you c a n write queswe h a v e t y p e s of drunks. \Ve d o S p a n i s h ? Try our Latin-American (or J a n e Doe, or a n y member) to tions and drop them into a hat t o h a v e , a somewhat standardized groups. L i k e the warmth, t h e good- r e a d the Steps. b e drawn out for answering by a l l meeting format, followed by many humored patience and t h e deep- T h a t l a s t c l a u s e is italicized and sundry – good answers, too; groups, but you’ll find d o z e n s of rooted integrity of Negroes? You’ll b e c a u s e , of everything you find in and men’s groups where t h e AA i s variations of it, and d o z e n s of de- find brotherhood i n our colored our AA, t h e reading of Chapter a s straight and direct a s a punch partures from it. groups. Want t o get down t o bed- F i v e , from its start, through t h e in t h e nose, and women’s groups We h a v e large groups and small rock AA? Visit t h e 12th S t e p House first o r second paragraph following where the female ex-drunks c a n b e for men, t h e Midnight Mission, va- T h e Steps, i s our most cherished themselves without shocking t h e groups and in-betweens; groups where everyone s e e m s well-heeled, r i o u s jail groups, or t h e regular tradition. From t h e time of our first Kuppenheimers off t h e thin-skinned open meetings in o n e of our s t a t e recorded open meeting t o the pres- male. We have a group composed and groups where nobody h a s a hospitals. ent, almost every meeting in t h e entirely o f “slippers,” and damn sound s e a t in h i s pants; groups for younger people, beginners’ groups L i k e t o s e e AA working a t t h e L o s Angeles area begins with T h e fine AA it is, too. You name it, we g r a s s roots? C a t c h a beginners Steps. Rut t o continue: T h e S t e p s have it, c h a n c e s are, of various types, and “Saturday meeting where new people haltingly having b e e n read, t h e leader intro- T h e n there’s t h e Alsup Club, a Evening P o s t Groups” where a and gratefully t e l l their shining d u c e s h i s first speaker (usually fraternal fellowship of men who .nine-year man c a n e x e r c i s e h i s

meet once a month to enjoy dinner oft-heard statement.) together, have a few laughs, and ‘Such phrases a s “It says in The discuss their common problems. Big Book” or “Our Book tells us -” Not an AA group, in the generally are strung through every talk you accepted sense – just members of hear around Los Angeles, and the AA, who find that this type of meet- statement, “I’m a ‘Book man’ my ing offers its own highly specializ- self” is the proudestclaim of many ed type of pleasure and therapy. a solid AA. We have “family groups,” where We’re good patrons of the Works the non-alcoholic wife or husband Publishing Company; You’ll find a can grow and learn and develop in good selection of free literature at AA; where the benefits of shared most any group, along with our experience and group strength can ever-growing directory and a cerhelp the puzzled, hurt and fright- tain beloved “little brown pamened spouse of a newly-dry drunk phlet,” a simple explanation of AA to understand and accept this new written years ago by two men of way of life that promises s o much the early groups. In passing, no- – and delivers even more. body except the printers ever made The contributions of the non-al- a dime from that pamphlet, and they coholic here (as everywhere) have didn’t make much. given AA much of its strength and Yes, it takes all kinds. And growth. While the sober ex-drunk is again, thank God we’ve got ’em. carrying the message to. a shaky We hope always to “keep it open WONDERFUL NUMBER: 2200 West Seventh, Home of L.A.’s “Mother novice, the non-alcoholic, carrying for all kinds” – because we want Group;” spiritual cradle of AA for many who came in after summer of an equally hopeful message to the any kind to be sure of finding his 1941. Still houses “Mother Groupv and other meetings. new non-alcoholic, i s doing much own kind in our ranks. to insure the newcomer’s “latching In the old days, pioneers took neighbor, and s o on. boss, a woman deeply stirred by on” – and staying on. tinder, brought flint and steel to- In 1939, in Los Angeles, there the stream of human misery which One of our luckiest breaks, Bill gether to create a spark; the spark was plenty of AA tinder (as yet swirled in and through the court, has told us, i s that, in the begin- caught in the tinder, and nursing unlighted) but the flint and steel listened to his idea of an “Alco- . ning, we had no old-timers, no produced a tiny flame. Fed with had not yet drawn together. holic School,” liked it, and in ‘ Senators or Deacons, no Old Mas- twigs, it slowly grew until it spread In July, 1939, a young psycholo- September, 1939, this test-tube of ter Barbers to “set us straight.” enough to enwrap larger twigs, and gy major (a non-alcoholic) went to culture into which the germ of Al- Our grand-pappies in AA literally the larger fire spread among branch- work in Psycho Court “Special In- coholics Anonymous would evenhad to “take it from TheBook,” es, and finally, with a great en- vestigating Officer, Superior Court, tually fall, opened its first session. and you’ll find no meeting where veloping warmth, the pioneer had Grade 1 (Psychopathic)” – and it Alcoholics, “sentenced” to the TheBook isn’t “sold” a s well a s a living bed of coals. When a neigh- was not long until hisdeep interest school a s a part of their probation, “offered for sale.” (“And if you bor moved in, the first pioneer in his fellow humans was set boil- took to it like a wino to muscatel. can’t afford one now, your sponsor took him a “chunk of fire” ta start ing by the number of non-psycho- Why not? It was better than a State will lend you one, or this group a fire of his own, and coals from pathic patients (alcoholics all) who Mental Hospital, and if you kept will s e e that you get one-” – an the second fire went to the third paraded daily before the court. His your tongue stuffed firmly in your

c cheek, and a bottle in your over- who knew a l l about the Alcohoiic s t a r t a group in Denver, and who And t h e fire grew. c o a t pocket, what harmcould i t d o ? School upstairs, and t h e so-far un- now came to make h i s own contri- T h e r e w a s confusion a t t h o s e Of c o u r s e , the younq man of good s u c c e s s f u l efforts of t h e young bution to AA in L o s Angeles. first meetings. Nobody knew how will would batter h i s head a g a i n s t man with t h e idea. J u s t a s he needed t h e AAs he a meeting should b e conducted. But a s t o n e wall, but if he i n s i s t e d on ‘J’ould t h e lady with T h e Rook found in L o s Angeles, s o did they there w a s T h e Book, and i t s promtrying t o d r y up drunks with psycho- c a r e t o meet the young man who need him. Within a month ok s i x i s e s , and i t s instruction. And there therapy and mental hygiene – and w a s looking for stronger medicine weeks, two things of significance w a s t h e warmth a n d security of on h i s own time, mind you – what for h i s a l k i e s ? Would t h e flint c a r e happened: the woman who had being together and working together. could he expect? t o meet t h e s t e e l ? brought t h e Book to L o s Angeles And there must have been a touch But t h e flint and s t e e l were draw- There should b e bigger type t o of t h e same inspiration that guided left again, and the Denverite who ing c l o s e r together. tell of that meeting, but after a l l , Bill’s hand when h e wrote T h e Rook. had inherited t h e leadership plan- A non-alcoholic woman, on whom flint and s t e e l don’t make much T h e b o s s of t h e young man who ned, with t h e help of the first L o s a bitter experience with a n a l c o – noise, or produce a great explosion. had provided the tinder in h i s Alco- Angeles AAs what i s s a i d to b e holic husband had left no effect T h e spark f a l l s into the tinder; if the first public meeting in L o s holic School remembers that first e x c e p t a n increased d e s i r e t o h e l p it isn’t nursed carefully, it g o e s meeting vividly. And s h e remem- Angeles. people seemingly beyond help, had out. n u t t h i s one didn’t go out. b e r s most vividly that a quotation Many a L o s Angeles AA member come t o L o s Angeles. With her s h e T w o “students” in t h e Alcoholic came to her mind a s s h e watched h a s p a s s e d the C e c i l Hotel on brought a n odd s o r t of book written School devoured T h e Book, and the f a c e s come a l i v e with hope: Main Street between Sixth and Sev- , , by a n ex-drunk (with t h e help of a their excitement infected some “There is no power on earth like enth (Skid Row’s “Broadway “1, hundred o t h e r s ) who had gotten orher reluctant s o u s e s . T h e need without giving i t a sentimental a n idea whose time h a s come.” s o b e r by following some simple but rather unusual principles. With t h e for a place to talk about it w a s there for anyone t o s e e ; t h e non- – February, 1940 meetings moved thought – but i t was on t h e mezt o a h o u s e on Gower Street- the zanine balcony of this hotel that book in her hand, s h e had told i t s alcoholic woman had a l i t t l e h o u s e non-alcoholic woman had come what came t o b e called “the Mother story t o newspaper women and on Benecia Street, in West L o s back t o L o s Angeles. And growth Group” had i t s inception – probp r i e s t s , editors and policemen, but, Angeles, and just a s t h e flame w a s beginning. A woman AA from ably around May 15th, 1940. And a s i d e from a story or two, published naturally folIows t h e spark, the back E a s t believed that two meet- our legends s a y that i t w a s a t t h i s . when n e w s w a s s l a c k , s h e had need and t h e place and t h e d e s i r e ings a week wouldn’t b e too many, first meeting that the custom of drawn nothing but blanks. added up to a meeting. and t h e P a s a d e n a Home Group w a s reading the first two-and-a-half Around December 1, 1939, when December 19th, 1939 – a n im- born. T h e third “scholar” from p a g e s of Chapter F i v e came into t h e young man in t h e Alcoholic portant d a t e in L o s Angeles. A Psycho’s Alcoholic School had, being. School of P s y c h o Court w a s a b o u t wire went t o Rill that night: “Held during that February, hired a Ma- T h e benign fever that drunks convinced that h i s c h a r g e s needed OUT first A/\ meeting in Los Angeled.’ s o n i c Hall o n P i c o for a meeting or have to cure other drunks is t h e something stronger than mental hy- And t h e fire w a s on its way. Small, two, and another had been held in self-perpetuating draft that k e e p s giene – a s h o t in t h e head with a of course, and feeble, but there a n apartment in the Southwest. T h e t h e AA fire spreading that’s true ,38, for example – t h e woman with w a s a great need, and there were fire w a s licking among t h e twigs. everywhere.The spread of t h e thing T h e Book accompanied a friend t o people t o nurse i t along. And in l a t e March, 1940, a train in L o s Angeles w a s high-speed P s y c h o Court, and a s usual, w a s T w o meetings a t t h e h o u s e on from Denver dropped a big branch from the start. One meeting had beprimed t o t a l k about t h e miracle n e n e c i a Street, and t h e lady went on t h e fire – a dynamic drunk who come two meetings within a month; that w a s happening t o drunks b a c k to Honolulu – but not before o n e of had sobered up solo, with o n l y T h e sporadic meetings popped up in E a s t . Rut t h i s time, something t h e new AAs had promised h i s ~ o o k ,in Palm Springs in December homes here and there from s h e e r happened. She talked to a woman Glendale home for the meetings. of ’39, had tried unsuccessfully t o AA hunger and enthusiasm, and i n

March, hardly three months after next meeting, and this time the nishing the “social hour” uhich broke on the two-million-plus cirthe first meeting, the first attempt walk were swelled with too many has come to mean so much to all culation of the Post.For a while, at a combination club-and-rehabili- people. Two months, three months of us. the fire almost got out of hand, tation center was made, in a rented of ups and downs at the Embassy, B eginners’ Meetings: Started a s Wherever any mention had ever house on Crescent Heights Drive. and a move was made’to “the ideal a “pre-meeting” cram session to been made publicly of Alcoholics A non-alcoholic woman doctor (one spot,” the Patio’ Room at Los post the newcomer on basic funda- Anonymous (and that included Los of the few medicos of that day who. Angeles’ fabulous Elks Club. And mentals of AA; usually held in Angeles) a stampede of sick alcohad much sympathy for drunks) again, things happened. the kitchen. holics and their eager, hopeful nongave her assistance, and there was enthusiasm and hope (but not much Many regard this brief period at the Elks Club as perhaps the most And finally, in March, 1741 … alcoholic partners swamped the few AAs who had “found it the The Jack Alexander article in else) to go on. So, like many other significant in our growth. Only, at the Saturday Evening Post. hard way.” attempts to walk during the crawl- that time, growth was slow, One Everyone in AA knows what hap- Within a few weeks, the Patio ing period, this effort died on the old-timer who came in in December, pened everywhere when that deep- Room at the Elks had split at the vine. 1940, remembers that “it wasn’t searching, understanding article seams, and another move, caused . Thus far, you can see that AA in easy to find Alcoholics Anonymous, Los Angeles followed the classic and- we kept it that way. A care: pattern. First, drunks needing help, fully selected group of priests, jud- CENTRAL SERVICES: Visiting flreman, drunk needing help, plus The Book, equals a meeting. ges and policemen knew about AA; worried non-alcoholic, or seeker after Information … all are More drunks come, and there are our phone number wasn’t listed, welcomed, all are helped, who visit our Central Ollice. two meetings. Meetings get too big and could be gotten onIy from Infor the-home, and you hire a hall. formation; in that way, we knew And then you need some organi- that any newcomer who found us zation. had, generally, made enough of an At the Cecil Hotel, the “Los effort to guarantee the sincerity of Angeles AA Group” began to have his desire for sobriety.” its growing pains. Committees were But, during this period from formed, listed in still-existing re- December, 1940, to sometime in ports made by the first non-alco- the late Spring of 1941, events, holic secretary under such headings large and small, which forecast the a s “Board of Directors,” “Con- direction ir. shich we would grow, tact,” “Entertainment” and “Pub- and which set precedents for tralicity.” Both alcoholics and non- ditions, came along. For example: alcoholics served. First AA Phone: at the home of Sometime in October, 1940 (a con- a member, on San Vicente. sensus date), the group had grown First Daytime Group: established . too large again, and in a burst of to help a member suddenly placed optimism, the great auditorium at on the swing shift, who otherwise the Embassy Hotel was hired. With- would have had no contacts or out enough of a crowd to deaden meetings. the echo, a room of more modest Coffee und Doughnuts: served at dimensions was bespoke for the meetings by non-alcoholics, fur-

by growth, had taken the L.A. all sprawled out – what’s the mat- Group to Townsend Hall, in the ter with having another meeting, Regent Arms Apartments on Sixth close to home? Street. But the fire was beginning So, through 1941, in South Pasato roar, now, and soon (best re- dena and Long Beach, in San Bermembered a s “probably the middle nardino and North Hollywood, in of May, 1941”) another move was Orange County and South Gate and made, and one which established a’ the Glendale-Burbank area, new certain address in the minds of groups sprang up. (But not necesthousands of AA’s who came into sarily in that order. .. nobody rethe movement in the years since. members for sure.) 2200 West Seventh. The house In November, 1941, the AA phone on Benecia Street may be a shrine; was given up, and replaced by a the Cecil Hotel may be a most his- Post Office Box in Hollywood. Still toric landmark; the Elks Club be- gun-shy of publicity, and still conloved of “The Saturday Post Boys” vinced that if a neophyte had to – but to the thousands who reeled seek earnestly for AA, he had and stumbled and crept into AA proved he wanted it, the founders after May, 1941, “2200” has a spread little news of meetings and INTERGROUP ASSOCIATION: Election meeting of Nov. 18, 1951; special and tender significance – meeting places. Letters to the Post delegates meet to accept re-organization plan, new “zone plan.” the spiritual cradle of their own AA. OfTice Box were relayed to group A step toward adoption of “Secretary’s Handbook” plan of gov’t. From this point on, the tale of secretaries, and calls and contacts growth becomes almost monotonous. were made on a thorough, business- constituted. .4A easicr to tind. Perhaps the first A few highlights: like, “follow-upand follow-through” A fellow came through here three group in the area to offer the mes- . The Beginners Meeting became a basis. years ago from Flint, Michigan, and sage of AA openly was the South full-fledged, separate meeting, The war came, and gas rationing made a profound observation: “When – Pasadena Group they ran a weekmoved to Monday (as an accommo- made de-centralization even more people disagree in AA, we don’t ly ad in their local newspapers, dation to the brothers for whom a attractive – which meant more lose an old member, we gain a new group.” So, God moves us along in inviting inquiries to a box number, with their subsequent growth point- Lost Week-End had provided the groups. .i Great Incentive?) And let’s face it, another basic his own good way, making us use ing the way to broader policies for The Big Meeting adopted a new alcoholic quality helped, Bob our very character defects for the all groups. format – first half of the meeting, Benchley once said: “The Irish general betterment. Hurt feelings, AA, from its start, grew and dewide open; second half, closed to are a great race, fond of dancing wounded ego – and bang! a new veloped by trial and error. In view- I alcoholics only, with non-alcohol- and light whines.” And we alco- group. We can and do improve ing a work s o perfect a s The Book, 1 ics going upstairs to hold their own holics are great people, fond of through defects. an outsider might say: “You had meeting. loving and bickering, loving the Some of that fission which caused been all through it by 1939,” But AA seems to be like alcohol – idea of tolerance, but having no sparks to fly in all directions from he would h a w overlooked a vital sentence in the book: “We are notgive an alcoholic a little of it, and great talent for it, and quick to the original fire came from profound it s e t s up an intolerable craving disagree with “authority,” even beliefs that meetings should be saints.” Trial and error goes on, for more. One meeting a week was (maybe especially) when it’s au- more “open,” not only in accepting and God willing, it always will. not enough – and Los Angeles i s thority that we ourselves have the non-alcoholic, but in making Where else does progress come from?

short talks from volunteers in the first introduction to the real regroup. And there are many more, sponsibility of the recovered alcoeach group having its own methods. holic – to make this thing avail- The wonderful thing, of course, able to the drunk who needed it. is that all of the different meeting One of Bill’s first suggestions formats, all the different group was that a couple of representatives government structures, are success- from each group get together to ful in accomplishing their prime talk about forming a Central Compurpose – “to help thesick alco- mittee. First of all, it was an open holic to recover, if he wishes.” forum, with Bill attending. Certainly, if a member doesn’t From that first “Central Comlike the way it’s done in his group, mittee” came new and stronger he can find another where it’s done foundation stones. Among them: a to his liking. Central Office,with a full-time paid Strange how a need in AA is secretary, and an open phone numanswered before it’s recognized. ber; a program of public relations By 1942, the “Mother Group” had that brought us into contact with realized AA needed some protec- city government, with industry, tion, since its growth was attract- with hospitals, with the clergy, SOCIAL LIFE: Portion of comfortable, rambling ing opportunists whosaw in the dy- service clubs, courts, and civic “6300 Club.” Dances, cards, lunch bar, conversation . . . and threeA A meetings weekly. namic new movement a means to their own ends.It was incorporated groups; our first institutional AA efforts; the assuming of responsi- Perhaps every method of leader- make every member a committee about July, 1942 – and state laws bility (by the Central Committee) ship hasn’t been tried by Los member – all you have to do i s necessitated (for corporate pur- for supervision and support of the Angelesgroups,but if one we don’t put your name on the list. poses only) an anomaly in Alco- Central Office. know about comes along, some Beginners’ meetings also.follow holics Anonymous – officers, no A year later, the Central Hollygroupwilltry it,youcan make book. .various forms. The oldest of these less. And so,for a brief period, we wood Groupestablished a call board The leader-and-co-leader (for i s directed from off-stage by the had a president, vice-president, to supplement the day-time phone long or indefinite periods) was our committee of the “Mother Group,” and all the appurtenances. But the in the Central M i c e- a labor of first method. A few groups still and boasts a rotating panelof eight incorporation still left a need un- love, manned by volunteers, th$t maintain it, for three or six months. solid old-timers known for their answered -the need for centralized affords phone service from 5:00 P.M. Most lean to a rotating committee ability to explain the message in services and direction. to 9:00A.M,, and on Sundays and of four to six members, each mem- its simplest and most potent forms. In 1943, a few AA s wanted to holidays. It is still in operation. ber serving for four to six months, The Arlington Group appoints a re- make a motion picture, but, realiz- As AA grew by groups, the Cenand, on his appointed night, having sponsible leader (from the parent ing they should clear it with some tral Committee, composed of delecharge, responsibility and leader- group) for a three-month period; he. authority, found there was no au- gate and alternate from each group, ship all in his lap. Others elect selects his own rotating panel of thority to clear it with. Out of grew too unwieldy. Early in 1948, it .-“steering committees” for a year, speakers. The North Hollywood their need, the “first member” him- voted to “streamline” itself; dithe committee appointing leaders Group has two well-known members self came to Los Angeles. NO vided the area into 12 zones, all of meetings from among the mem- who alternate as leaders, explain- greater log than Bill ever fell on groups in each zone having a I t group resprsentative,”from which bership. Still others automatically ing AA in “short takes” between our fire. Out of that visit came our

this year, of the “Inter-Group As- passes it on to the other fifteen sociation,” composed of a delegate district representatives at State from each group. Still following the Committee meetings (or mails it or 12-tone plan, this group, in No- phones it, if it’s in a hurry). They, vember of 1951,elected a new pan- in turn, pass it on to the groups in e l of 12 committee members, six the district they represent. It’s of whichare toserve for two years, educational. For example, it i s a six for one year, with each safe bet to say that more people in election choosing six new mem- our area know about the Grapevine bers who will serve for one year. than ever b e f x e – at least, more Neatly parting our Intergroup ef- people are subscribers than ever forts toward progress in the middle, before. a new responsibility fell in our As with AA everywhere in large laps early this year. The pamphlet areas, our Central Office i s our maon “The Third LegacyH reached jor nerve center. Into it come 99% u s – “would we accept it?” – and of all calls from sick alcoholics or like AA s everywhere, we were their friends, of calls for informahumbly grateful for the chance. tion on AA, of calls for speakers It “FRIENDLY HOUSE:” 12th Step Zone” experience proved val- for AA groups and non-alcoholic home for alcoholic girls; it sprang uable; taking in a larger area, we organizations. from a need, grew from love, divided it into 16 districts, “sweat- “The Office,” a s it i s familiarly hard work and prayer . .. ed out” the book-work and corre- known, has on file the phone num- .

* FELLOWSHlPAT WORK: Our 12th spondence necessary to gather the clans, and, miracle of miracles, completed sixteen simultaneous, bers of group secretaries, to whom it relays 12th Step calls according to the district from which the call Step House for men; it has given separate district elections in the comes. Inter-group information and. hundreds of beaten and discour- same room in 15 minutes! Yes, like liaison i s a function of the Office; aged alcoholics a new l e a s e on AA s everywhere, we bicker, but a l s o a good deal of catch-as-catchlife; offers lodging. meele, clothing. when the common welfare i s in- can public relations when the propjobs -and, best of all, fellowship. volved,and we need unity, we have er public relations conn~itteeman it. But we did have help, for Bill cannot be located on a hurry-up was with us. matter. And, from this 16-man committee Visiting AA s are welcomed, composed of “solid ” AA s from given information, and referred to a “zone representative,” (or Cen- Meeting, held in January, 1949, Bakersfield to Indio, a new process groups or to other AA s ; literature tralCommitteemember)was chosen voted to accept, in spirit, the sug- of unifying the ranksof AA has de- and books are made available to t o represent a l l groups in his zone. gestions of the handbook, and the veloped, and now, for the first time, groups who do not buy direct from Minor flaws in this structure had name of the Central Committee was everyone in AA can learn of the New York, a s well a s directories of become evident by the time the changed to “Inter-Group Service. structure of the Fellowship. The meetings and our local “little brown “Secretary’s Handbook” was issued Committee.” Another s t e p in the Foundation feeds information to our pamphlet.” from New York in 1747. A General same direction was the forming, General Conference Delegate, who The Call Board, with its volun-

teers, coming on duty a s it does in Generally speaking, up to 1948, mittee provides books, literature and more opportunities are given the evening, when the desperate iqstitutional AA had been on a hit- and directories to those groups us for service. alcoholic i s most likely to be near- or-miss basis. A zealous group or which cannot pass the hat, and One of our most fortunate opporing his breaking point, frequently a few zealous members, knowing of hence have no funds of their own- tunities for public relations work ‘ handles more calls than the Central an institution housing alcoholics, actually, a majority of the groups in this field was presented in the ‘ Office during the day. Since 1949, would establish a meeting or a fall into this category. Fall of ’49, when, by invitation, it has been a part of our Central regular group, and these non-con- One of the important sub-commit- the Institutional Committee put on services. nected groups and meetings were tees of the Institutional Group i s a t 8 typical AA meetingw for the Expenses of the Central Office in operation throughout Southern the Psycho Court Committee. Two complete staff of the State Departare met by voluntary contributions California. or more members of this committee ment of Mental Hygiene, in the from various groups. Service i s ex- In 1948, at the forming of the s i t in Psycho Court at every ses- State Building. actly the same to groups who do new “streamlined” Central Com- sion, are given a list of alcoholic Meetings with associations of not contribute a s to those who do. mittee, one of the committee mem- patients who will appear before the custodial officers and probation In the course of Bill’s visit t o bers was directly charged with the court, talk with the families of officers, opportunities for close . Los Angeles in 1943, a discussion responsibility for supervising and those up for commitment, and are work with city, county and state of the need for AA in institutions expanding institutional AA, and permitted to visit the patients after bureaus, thousands of personal conled to some fast action. Fired up putting it on a more organized basis. the court hearing.”Follow through,” tacts between responsible and sowith super-charged doses of AA, In 1949, the first Institutional which i s the unwritten motto of the ber AA s and the personnel of Bill, with members from both North- Plan of Operation was presented Institutional Committee as a whole state, county and city jails and ern and Southern California, made to the Central Committee, and upon , has its best example in AA Psy- hospitals have produced an amia trek t o San Quentin, found a wel- its acceptance, a new committee cho Court procedure. able climate of mutual respect in come from the warden, and held the was formed – composed entirely of A concise but complete report i s which both AA s and their old enefirst institutional meeting in Cal- people actually engaged in AA in- taken on each patient committed, mies, “the authorities,” can help ifornia. stitutional work. The purpose of and this is sent to the head of the and be helped. From that first carrying of the the committee was to provide a committee sponsoring a meeting at At County Jail, women members message to people behind bars, monthly meeting where those who the institution where the patient of AA now have the privilege of this particular branch of AA has sponsored or conducted AA groups is sent for the proverbial “care private interviews in the attorneys’ received plenty of time and atten- in jails, prisons, road camps, state and treatment.” Thus, the AA who rooms with women prisoners; one tion. Much of it (especially the hos- hospitals, sanitariums, and rest regularly visits the institution state hospital asked two women pital side) stems from Psycho homes could gather to present their knows about the new incoming pa- AA’s to hold regular interviewing Court – natural, since this dingy group’s problems, and to exchange tient in advance, can meet him a s sessions with the families of alold room in our now obsolete Gen- information and help. Another broad soon a s he comes out of the re- coholic patients; AA s who have eral Hospital played such an im- purpose was, of course, to s e e that ceiving ward, and let him know that demonstrated their trustworthiness portant part in AA’s first begin- any institution wishing AA might AA i s there for him if he wants it, and selflessness are almost liternings here. have a group, to s e e that groups and that individual AA s are inter- ally allowed the run of many maxi- A good deal of AA’s public re- were re-established wherever they ested in his welfare. mum security institutions, both lations savvy i s based on institu- had died by the wayside, and to As the work of AA committees penal and medical. And these are tional work, since, in s o many in- help those in operation to remain and AA s have become better known onlya few of many instances where stitutions, we had to tread with in operation. to institution officials, more doors increasing knowledge of, and congreat circumspection in order to get By a mild form of solicitation are opened to us, acceptance is fidence in, AA have broken down one foot in the door. once a year, the Instutional Com- quicker and more whole-hearted, barriers and opened new channels

for getting the message to the ciples placed above personalities, ticles. In general, our Public Re- The Club’s facilities are readily sick alcoholic. AA in Los Angeles has been f o r lations’Committee has been s o suc- available for any outside group; At present, more than 50 such tunate in avoiding embarrassing or cessful in “selling” our tradition within the scope of its membership institutional groups are in healthy injurious public mention. of anonymity that radio, newspapers rules and house rules, its facilities existence, with ‘well over 100 Breaches of the tradition have and television deal with us en- and affairs are open to all AA s. meetings per week. At Tehachapi, been few and far between, and thusiastically but correctly, and As an organization, the Club has prison for women, at Chino, San there have always been plenty of without friction. always been forward in supporting . Quentin’s “southern .branch,” at good AA s willing to explain to the The deep need of the alcoholic any worthy AA need – affairs to the juvenile detention prison at transgressor firmly, if not always to laugh and play, a s well as to raise funds for the Central Office, Lancaster; at county jail farms, in gently, the significance of tradition. face the more serious factors in for rehabilitation centers, and the city tanks, in county jails, at state On the positive side, much pro- clearing away the wreckage of the Foundation, have been many. hospitals, county farms, sans, pri- gress has been made in establish- past, have made clubs one of the Groups in all areas furnish their vate hospitals, drying-out places, ing AA a s a potent, a recognized, natural corollaries to AA. own social life – dances are a and rest homes, AA i s available. and an accepted force in the com- A s in other areas, we have had regular feature in AA; the AA pic- Some of our bright spots are the munity. Our members are called our ups and downs, our discussion nic is a beloved tradition all over periodic parties at certain institu- upon to speak before civic groups, and dissension, our failures and Southern California. You can or- tions Christmas parties, annivera service clubs, church groups and our successes, where clubs are ganize an AA softball league at saries, dances, and such. Alco- congregations, industrial clinics, concerned. Of course, “clubs” the drop of a first-baseman’s mitt, holics liked t o whoop and holler college classes on sociological (meaning social clubs) and “club- and, in general, no alcoholic who when they were lushing – and they and probation work, state, city and houses” (meaning meeting places joins AA in Los Angeles can comstill do when they are sober. And, county medical and social workers, and service centers)are not always plain that it’s allwork and noplay. to the alcoholic in an institution, and before groups of many other the same, although they frequently To the highly controversial alusually resentfully considering the kinds. There i s probably no group, offer the same functional services. coholic, some things are more confact that maybe he ought to do interested in the problem of alco- In our area, a clubhouse may be troversial than others, and “rehasomething about his drinking, such holism that does not have at least owned by a group, (such a s North bilitation” – a s a word, at least, parties are a reminder that, to one AA on its board. Hollywood), or jointly by a number if not as a principle – is one of quote the girl in the story, who in- A well known “public service” of groups in a sub-area (as in the them; principally, perhaps, because dignantly refused a cigarette and a television show, some two years Santa Monica Bay area goups). it smacks of regimentation, organdrink, but accepted an invitation to ago, invited four AA members to be These clubhouses are used a s ization, administration, and money. a little romance, “you can have guests – masked, of course. The meeting-places, service centers, But, when every 12th Step call, fun without smoking and drinking!” tremendous interest and response andsocial clubs (dances, cards, e t d every quarter you slip a drunk, Since the days of the first Cen- has made AA aregular twice-a-year One of our “musts” for thevisit- every time you sign a drunk out of tral Committee, we have been con- feature on the program. Other tele- ing AA is the 6300 Club, purely a hospital, pass on an old overcoat scious of the value of public re- vision appearances of AA s are social club, and established a s to a less fortunate brother, or find lations – and the danger of a faul- fairly regular; many outstanding such, in accordance with the tra- some a job, is, in essence, “rety policy. Clinging to our tradition radio shows (dramatic, a s well a s dition – organized by individual habilitation,” we will always have of growing by attraction rather participation and discussion) have. AA s, but having no official con- it in AA as a principle, no matter than promotion, seeing that, when made Alcoholics Anonymous a nection with Alcoholics Anonymous what we call it. , possible to control, any public household word in Southern Cali- or with any AA group. The 6300 We have two shining examples . mention of AA will be in the best fornia; newspapers have found us Clubdoes have meetings,but these in Los Angeles – the 12th Step traditions of anonymity, with prin- sources of many human interest ar- meetings are held by outside groups. House, for men, and Friendly House,

for women. T h e y aren’t “rehabili- men, nearly 6 0 per month. They a dime – neither the “guest” nor naturally) h a s played in our recovtation” i n t h e dictionary, or s o – were offered a minimum of 5 d a y s h e r sponsor. ery. Nobody pushes h i s God down c i a l worker s e n s e – they a r e brotb- s e c u r i t y , 1 0 d a y s if they needed it, God knows where t h e money any other member’s throat – we’re erhood, and sharing, and lriend- more in s o m e c a s e s . Many of them c o m e s from. But He s e e m s t o help just t h e same about t h e “spiritual ship, a n d encouragement. T h e fact g e t drunk, of course, t h e next day, t h e d e v o t e d AAs who sparked t h e s e side” in L.A. a s you are, wheret h a t t h e s e spiritual q u a l i t i e s a r e or drift away. But t h e h o u s e is al- two houses t o it up” some- ever you are. e x p r e s s e d in s u c h earthy terms a s w a y s full. During that period, 472 how.Many a time there hasn’t b e e n A s o n e of our members s a y s : s h e l t e r , food, clothing, and job- men were completely outfitted with a $10 b a l a n c e left a t bill-paying “It works, by God! Y e s , it works finding makes them n o l e s s spiritual. c l o t h e s – not new, but good, clean, time, and o n c e in a while t h e book- – by God.” Everything in AA had t o grow a n d re-furbished. T h i r t e e n hundred keeping h a s t o b e delayed while T h i s isn’t a story of AA in L o s from a need. T h e 12th S t e p H o u s e meals per month a r e served. There last-minute, prayerful h u s t l e s bring Angeles, because a story has, a c t u a l l y grew out of t h e AA meet- is a regular T u e s d a y night m e e t i n g in enough t o nose out the red ink c l a s s i c a l l y , a beginning, a middle, i n g a t t h e Midnight Mission, where a Friday night “get-together” fel- i n a photo finish. But every day, and a n end. We’ve had a beginning, s o m e ex-winos who loved old prac- lowship meeting – a s a matter of more and more people become in- we’re a t some point, e x a c t s p o t unt i c i n g winos a c h e d with t h e ob- fact, there’s some kind of a n AA t e r e s t e d , and month by month, more known, in our development. God v i o u s need for a place t o s h e l t e r meeting going on in some corner s o l i d AAs a r e showing up a t out- willing – and we know He i s men who otherwise would b e sleep- orother, from 6:OOA.M. t o 11:OOP.M. s i d e meetings, and saying: “I got there’ll never b e a n end. i n g behind billboards after t h e Any man who i s sober, who i s in my first AA a t Friendly House,” o r At a meeting south of here, t h e meetings were over. need, and who c a n bring a n y AA t o “I got s o b e r a t t h e 12thStepHouse.” other night, a deaf old ex-drunk, Friendly House grew from t h e a t t e s t t h a t h e may h a v e s o m e in- Because, some 1 7 y e a r s ago, a with a n a l l too inadequately geared desperation and frustration felt by t e r e s t in s t a y i n g s o b e r is eligible. drunk got t h e i d e a t h a t h e could hearing aid, approached t h e speakwomen AA s who faithfully held T h e h o u s e is full a l l t h e time, but perhaps s t a y sober by helping er. After some preliminary shouting, meetings in county and c i t y jails, there’s a l w a y s a couch t o s l e e p other a l c o h o l i c s t o s t a y sober, lip-reading and s i g n language had a n d who s a w women prisoners, on. Nobody p a y s a dime -neither about 130,000 people a r e a l i v e and e s t a b l i s h e d contact, t h e old man s c o o p e d up from Skid Row, r e l e a s e d t h e “guest” nor h i s sponsor. Con- happy today who didn’t figure t o b e s a i d : “Maybe you c a n t e l l me what . w i t h n o place e l s e t o g o but b a c k tributions a r e welcomed, of course. e i t h e r if they hadn’t sobered up. I stumped t h e committee with t o E a s t Fifth Street. At Friendly House, in a good And knowing t h a t t h i s is so, t h e how d o I s t a y sober when I can’t It isn’t e a s y t o r a i s e money – neighborhood not t o o far from Wil- average AA member h a s hardly got- hear a blankety-blank word?” H e i n AA or out of i t – for a worthy s h i r e Boulevard, women a l c o h o l i c s t e n t h e s a w d u s t off h i s b a c k before p a u s e d a minute, and then said, purpose. You c a n b e s i c k of frus- from jails and prisons a r e given h e w a n t s t o help t h e s i c k alcoholic “1’11 t e l l you why, young man. t r a t i o n before you g e t enough t o not just comfort a n d shelter, but who is s t i l l suffering t o g e t u p T h e r e ‘ s a spirit in t h i s room that’s c r a c k t h e first month’s nut. T h e r e t h e atmosphere of a gracious home, off t h e floor. a blankety s i g h t more powerful probably weren’t a hundred AA’s a n d t h e friendship of women AA s Aside from e a c h individual’s than anywords you c a n find for it!” i n L o s A n g e l e s who would have who have made t h e place, a s well own seeking, there h a s never been, b e t e v e n money t h a t e i t h e r of t h e s e a s i t s g u e s t s , “their baby.” Wo- s o far a s anyone knows, any con- He’s right. And w e know you’ve t w o p l a c e s would e v e r b e more men’s AA groups from a l l over L.A. troversy o r argument about t h e p a r t g o t i t in your meetings, wherever t h a n a wistful dream. But t a k e a a l t e r n a t e in bringing a Thursday t h a t God ( a s you understand him, you are. God b l e s s you! quick look. night meeting t o Friendly House; Using t h e 9-month period of again, there’s AA a v a i l a b l e in April t o December a s a control, Friendly H o u s e on practically a 1 2 t h S t e p H o u s e registered i n 525 24-hour basis. Again: nobody p a y s

February 1952

4 ‘ t CALIFORNIA INTERLUDE DURING T H E INTERMISSION B E T W E E N T H E T H E GRAPEVINE OFFERS A SNACK BAR O F C A S E HISTORIES O F T W O E A R L Y S E T T L E R S S T A T I S T I C S , SIDE T R I P S AND SIDELIGHTS … L OSAngeles and San Francisco are only two of 194 separate California cities that are listed in the 1951 AA Worldg Everything grows inCalifornia’s rich and varied soil. Twenty brand new AA groups are on application for listing .. . one 2 the Husband and Wife Group of Oakland. And three special r i ; r o u p Directory. talifornia i s the second largest state in area (howdy, T e /./ “I.,j cheers for another newcomer Encino. .. .the Helping Hand Group of and second largest in population according to the U.S. C e g S % Of old established groups take special note of Eureka and According to AA records, California is first in numbe P ‘ ‘I\ its AAs who like what they have found; mark the modesty of with 446 listed a s of January 1st. 1952, and first i n ; m $ h 4 > \ Modesto; pride with point if you will at Needles; observe the tion with Tw5. . . . – – – – – . – . .. — – 4q!j’)l%A– open door policy of Los Gatos.No group is listed for Capisttano San Diego’s AA C e g + ~ l ( a l h – i t $ & t s more than ip$j/M.’,f;l\\ ” – h e r e apparently the swallows are merely an external problem. bers, Santa Monica z 5 — plus, and Fresno, ~ i c h m o n ‘dAnd’ Saq a / Ana each report 150. —,- – 11 ‘y California AA leads the nation in prison groups with 19, nearly 24% of all those in operation, and a good share of hos- I Smallest reported group cork%& of t&ymembers in Blyt):, pital groups. California. It’s also the newest. A poet n a h e d ~ h e j l e y(no a At last year’s General Service Conference in New York, AA Native Son) gives a fitting thought for thjs-pygnpm~~n&iants … 88

– Hail to thee, Blythe ~ ~ i r i t ! ‘ I – r – < – – ~ – delegates from California are reported to have shared Florida orange juice with the delegates from that state. AA is uuly A pickle manufacturer once &S.rtised 57 varieties. S tolerant and wonderful! 1

the 1951 Directory listing, > + i y Y 57 new groups have Astronomers have built the world’s most important observaorganized in ~ a l i f : ~ ~ i a – $ ~ – 6 8 8 unpickled members. – -c. ber of cloudless ~alifornia;cf_ajk rightfully the geologic High Bottom pionship ofj_he:United States with Mount Whitney, 14,50 above se2-revel. Low Bottom title goes to California’ ~ount~-w,&-~)eath~a 276lle~ feet below the sea. (Whene think- $&e’in a depression ask us. Bordering Death Valle the ‘n_Otih&~t are the Grapevine Mountains!)

February 1952 SAN FRANCISCO On Telegraph Hill… in the Community Center the first meeting took place..

February 1952

BAN FRANCISCO IT i s tough for a Californian not t o be a little grandiose, in spite of himself and his AA philosophy. that it isn’t complacent and that it i s tolerant of its mistakes a s it. tries philosophically t o plod along, So when San Francisco claims that seriously carrying the message. it undoubtedly fathered the first The first months of AA in San prison group, perhaps initiated the Francisco are hazy and hectic. The first Skid Row group that “took” stories of the early beginnings are and probably officiated at the first hazy, the stumbling pursuit of the AA wedding, it will be running true prospect hectic but inspired. The t o climate and environment. bewildered interpretations of the juvenile clashes over procedures .. . . . . San Francisco AA doesn’t claim to be mature that it i s growing yet, but it knows growing in all added up to the growing pains felt by any new group in the world, numbers and growing up. It believes then or now.

4, – Although the files of TheGeneral to get some of these people togeth- bers have long since lost touch with tain San Francisco Group came by er to form the nucleus of a group to its members through happenstance Service Office show that there was an inquiry from San Francisco a s work together to aid the many who her, but she i s believed to be living on a ranch near Sacramento. . .. they had no means of direct contact with those searching for early a s June, 1939, it appears that have written to us from San Fran- Although the date i s lost and cisco and vicinity requesting as- most all the members present are help. It was through one of these sistance. We would like very much gone, there i s memory of a meeting happenstances that San Francisco t o have the man you wrote to us held sometime early in January, gained a woman member, another about get in touch with Mr. Ray W., 1940. Present at that meeting was man and a “foster-father.” c/o Clift Hotel, San Francisco.” a man who had had some AA in It was probably in February or The New York AA was given Cleveland. He had contacted the March, 1940, when this man and books and set out for the Coast. few AAs in San Francisco through woman, who happened to be sober According to other letters in the the New York Office and with his for the moment, called on a woman General Service files, he contacted coming the first small effort toward in the psychopathic ward of the San several of the men who had made more formal procedure was made. Francisco Hospital. This poor wominquiries who … “got together for a talk and to try to make a begin- The ex-Clevelander, who i s still around S.F., became the first inan, whose capers had brought her into public print, never recovered ning toward a Fellowship of AA in formally appointed secretary. but unknowingly became a factor in San Francisco.” In those early days the uncer- AA growth. After the visit of the New Yorker the late Ted C. seems to have become the main contact between the General Service Office and San Francisco. Ted, an invalid, lived Son Francisco’s waterfront presented another need in the home of Mrs. Z.W. Oram, an … the Seven Seas Club was organized In San Francisco, the first understanding non-alcoholic, who, “inside” group. .. a s the beginning of AA i s remembered inS.F., was believed to have the real impetus toward some more first contacted New York and orderformal group came after the Fulton ed the first Big Book for her lodger. Oursler article which appeared in So the question of “Who brought Liberty Magazine in September,l 939. The Book over the mountain?” An early letter in the General seems to be moot, but not too im- Service file, dated November 9, portant. The important thing i s that 1939, refers to this inquiry made in The Book did get over the mountain. June, 1939. .. it reads in pan: “Pursuant t o our correspondence It was, however, Mrs. Oram who invited those early, faltering AAs of June of this year regarding AA, to meet in her home … possibly t h e first real meeting of the little one of our New York members is arriving a t San Francisco on No- group. Thus the landlady, Mrs. vember 14, for a stay of ten days, Oram, became one of the founders during which time he will endeavor of AA in San Francisco. Early mem-

Her v i s i t o r s met Dr. Poliak, who a p p e a r e d … home living rooms h a d recently come t o the C o a s t were out-grown.The time had come from Bellevue Hospital in New York. whe’n a regular meeting place w a s T h e doctor had met Bill W. and needed. s e v e r a l others. He had become im- S o in the heart of a n art colony p r e s s e d with their philosophy. It and the Italian wine-tippling neighw a s h e who told the man and t h e borhood of what is known a s T e l e woman about A A and who lent them graph Hill or North Beach, t h e San F r a n c i s c o G r o u p found its first real home . .. a room in t h e Telegraph Hill Community House a t 1736 Steps One and Twelve … Stockton Street. T h e place is typthey attacked gleefully … ically San F r a n c i s c o ; a rustic, in- —- formal, arty affair, entered through _– a a patio. Here a t the bottom of t h e 7- – ._ long stairway leading t o t h e first r AA meeting place many a newcomer h a s gazed upward, for t h e first time, with hope newborn. Over t h e old rooftop benignly peer t h e twin c r o s s e s on t h e s p i r e s of t h e nearby Cathedral of S a i n t s P e t e r and Paul. h i s own copy of T h e Big Book. What a crew it w a s t h a t first met T h e y contacted t h e little group, at the Community House. T h e s e survived the first h e c t i c y e a r s and neophyres would readily make the are s t i l l around. admission of t h e F i r s t S t e p then S o i t w a s in t h e Spring of 1940, s k i p blithely on t o that portion of t h a t S a n F r a n c i s c o boasted a n AA t h e Twelfth S t e p that refers t o group of undetermined numbers, a n t q carrying the message.” How they i n t e r e s t e d doctor, a woman member liked that Twelfth Step. T h e y a t who could t a k e on some s e c r e t a r i a l t a c k e d i t g-leefully! d u t i e s b e c a u s e s h e had a telephone. B u t w h a t of t h e s t e p s in-between? T h e next move w a s t h e formal e l e c – “Oh,” they’d answer, “in t h e E a s t t i o n of a secretary, a two-fisted they t a l k about t h o s e Steps, but w e drinker who had roated into A A in t h e West a t e more liberal. We through t h e Liberty a r t i c l e and a h a v e notning a g a i n s t them and if p a t i e n t sponsor. T h e little band you like them, OK.” At the end of a dead end street was San Francisco’s Brat s l i p p e d and s l i d through t h e Spring T h e n one night t h e l a t e T e d C. df 1940, but continued t o grow in returned from a “vacation” in t h e clubhouse . . . 137 Harlan Place. A light burned the over

typical AA fashion . .. new pigeons Mendocin:, S t a t e Hospital. He open- door, a beacon to many a frightened newcomer . . .

4~ ‘ ! i

ed h i s Big Rook and began talking Right on the heels of the first about God, He stayed sober for feeble reachings toward the spirit- .several months with that “God ual values came the first serious stuff” and the first effective im- battle. The melee was caused over pression of AA’s spiritual values a proposed open meeting. Tempers , w a s made on the little band of were short and the arguments bitter path-finders. … three members walked out. In those days the meetings closed Only one ever returned. When the with the recital of the Lord’s Prayer, smoke cleared and serenity regainbut the members remained seated. ed, the open meeting was held. One night some visiting AAs attend- The chairman and the two speakers ed the meeting and rose during the that night are still active. Prayer. The San Franciscans rose Unstable and small though the with them … they were shamed into it! (it was more than two years group was, it was about this time that it received its first recognition later, in 1943, before the opening from the local newspapers and of the Examiner ried on December 31, 1940.

News. hh. Barry published an es- happiness the first mad era of AA era1 Eastern groups.) say, “Just for Today,” copies of in San Francisco came t o a n end. which were mimeographed by the When Jack Alexander’s article

It was in the winter of 1940 that bets of the San Francisco Group San Francisco’s first claim t o AA had acquired a year of continuous fame occurred and the General Ser- sobriety. Half a dozen more had had vice Office was put briefly into the varying s u c c e s s but a l l were ready role of Dorothy Dix .. . giving advice t o the lovelorn. The couple t o answer the bell when the article appeared and brought with it a flood

were the prospects for a success- ed daily, and every one was anful marriage in AA? A letter asking swered … even though some of for advice was sent to Ruth H., the sponsors were almost a s shaky then General Secretary of the Head- a s the prospects. quarters Oflice. Ruth replied with Growth and progress had begun. . congratulations saying that the Four members from the San Franmarriage would be the first AA mar- c i s c o Group who lived in the East riage on record, t o her knowledge. Bay started the Oakland Group, The letter i s still a cherished mo- another member who lived in Palo mento of the couple who were mar- Alto inserted an advertisement in

the local newspaper and waited for miles, round trip, to San Francisco calls. He was about to give up until they learned of two fellow when his first baby appeared. townsmen who had been in touch The slow march of AA through with New York Santa Rosa … … Vallejo and from a hospital Northern California and along the call in Oakland, Then northward to Peninsula was on! Stillsomewhat from happenstance Marin County .. . A traveling man came to AA in S.F. and after three the whole area became speckled with AA groups . .. meetings w a s sent on a long trip a worried sister from Sacramento bundled her to the north … did he have the brother into a car and drove him tonerve to start a group in Eureka? Eureka! He did. All highlights, these, of the pioneers who plodded along seriously carrying the message. Meanwhile the San Francisco Group, itself, slowly groped its way at the Telegraph Hill Community House. After two years it was decided to move to the center of town. During this period they made two moves then news came from New York. Bill W. was to make his first trip to the Coast. This was in November of 1943. In order to have a place large enough for the visit, the Closed Meetings Were the moved to Native Sons Hall. Here, Early Trend ….. a t a closed meeting, Bill spoke to a record crowd. Fifty members were a meeting inoakland. .. .. result. present. He spoke, also at an open the several Sacramento groups. A meeting before an audience of 250. Stockton drunk went to Sacramento The group was elated! He was later out of curiosity … the Stockton to return in 1748 and twice in 1751, Groups! And s o it goes all up and to speak before 3000 each time, down the atea . ..San Jose, Wat- .. . sonville, Salinas and Monterey It was inevitable that sooner or later someone would suggest a club. a San Francisco member bought an Naturally, there was little cash in hotel in Fresno and took AA with the till but that was a detail to be . .. him. Richmond and Santa Cruz easily surmounted. The hat was two men drove twice a week, 146 passed. An ideal place was found Graphic Business Survey of San Francisco (by an alcoholic visitor)

in February, 1944, with 35 present. The Alano Club is now housed Before the year was out the group in a convenient and beautiful new had outgrown the hall and a move- home at 111 O’Farrell Street. The ment began to find a larger place. Central Meeting is now held in the While plans were going forward for downstairs auditorium of the same. an expansion move, the group was building. bitten by another bug … the incor- Other needs have been met … poration and by-law bug. other facilities developed. There The by-law movement, started in i s the Seven Seas Club at 9 Misthe summer of 1944, became a real- sion Street, conducted by the Mariity on January 3, 1945, when Al- time Group; the Mission Day Group e

coholics Anonymous, San Francisco Fellowship, acquired a State Charter. The awesome document was ratified by solemn vote of the “voting members” on March 6, 1945. The expansion movement ended in a cavern-like, second story loft at 143 Bush Street. The big hall, reached by a forbidding flight of stairs was later to care for crowds up to 350. The first meeting was

f * BILL – The San Francisco Alano Club occupies comfortable,roomy and beautiful quarters on the third floor a t held here April 13, 1945, and from then on the Fellowship mushroomed. From it developed the neighborhood 111O’Farrell Street. Here are some groups and the real growth began. interior views, showing the fire- In the winter of 1947, a new need place and the coflee bar. The li- became apparent. One Sunday night brary and television room cannot two men, just released from the be seen. County Jail visited 143 Bush Street. They were uncomfortable and lost. opened the Twelfth Step House at . . . a cozy little studio that had Thus began the South of Market or 25th and Alabama Streets and a been a blind pig during the 1920’s. Located at 137Harlan Place, at the Skid Row Group. It first met in the Salvation Army Hall, in the heart of Skid Row. It now meets and has … new group opened ~ r a d i t i o nHouse at 505 Market Street these are all designed to help the sick alcotop of a dead-end alley, its entrance was marked by a light in an its own clubhouse in a shelter con- holic. To help bind all together, old-fashioned iron frame. The light ducted by the St. Vincent De Paul the Fellowship started a monthly that had guided many a drunk to the Society, 235 Minna Street. A year newspaper, Good News and the old blind pig now became a beacon later another need was met with the city,too, has lent its hand by openof hope for many. formation of an inter-racial body, ing a free clinic for alcoholics at The first meeting was held here the Fillmore Group. 150 Otis Street,

a few months later by Midtown- Ridinghoods considerably upset s i d e issues, AA in San Francisco Out of the hectic, tumultuous d a y s Sunset-Parkside-Richmond and Gold. the equilibrium. moved along. Groups outgrew their of the past h a s come the San Franc i s c o Fellowship, moving along e n Gate … t h i s was the first “open” group. From t h e s e four pi- Again the inevitable happened. In the F a l l of 1946, a move was startmeeting places, the Friday Night Discussion meeting was taken over . now quietly, unsensationally and steadily. The varying elements have oneers stemmed a l l the present ed t o separate AA and the club. by a neighborhod group,formed for settled down into suitable channels neighborhood groups. There are now Tempers were lost, relationships that purpose. New neighborhood or they have developed their own. 34 and the Family Group, a group strained and general chaos reigned. groups sprang up and a Central . T h e San Francisco Fellowship of non-alcoholic wives and hus- After months of pyrotechnics, the Committee was formed in the Spring h a s s e t out t o live and progress bands, a l s o started in October, 1945. separation was completed. The of 1947. This committee conducts according t o Tradition .. . that AA is a program of principles and not T h e Fellowship and the clubhouse went along a s one for another newly incorporated Alano Club of San Francisco took over the quarthe Central Office, the Central Meeting and the over-all business personalities. year and a half with the strain be- ters a t 143 Bush Street on January of the Fellowship. Each group was T h e first of the neighborhood coming greater each month. Drunks 27,1947. The AA Fellowship moved declared an autonomous entity, groups was the Mission, followed and panhandlers, wolves and Red its offices and i s now located a t 406 functioning in harmony with the Sutter Street. Undaunted by the Twelve Points of Tradition.

Another interior view of the San Francisco Alano Club . ..

February 1952

NORTHERN cil consists simply of a representative selected by each participa- CALIFORNIA ting group. These men and women

COUNCIL conduct the discussions and the business of the Northern California Council. At the beginning and in line with SAN QUENTIN the earlyday thinking in San Francisco, the Council meetirgs were A PPARENTLY an unique phase of AA activity is the Northern closed to AAs only. During the HE Sari Quentin Group was the terest which has never before been California Council. The Council meets four times each year for serpast five years, however, the trend has changed toward open meetings Tf ir s t “inside” AA group to be expressed by any group of citizens ious business , for know ledge of s o that now,at the annual meetings recorded in the General Service Of- in the problem of helping and asnew approaches to AA, for renewal more than 3000 AAs and their fam- lice. Since its beginning, more than sociating with ex-convicts. Yes, of old acquaintances … and for ilies and friends have been reported a s those present, Attendance at nine years ago, groups have sprung these men offer practical and s o up in prisons in all parts of the human companionship for men on making a bit of sane and sober whoopee. the quarterly sessions has run up country. parole. This feature alone makes Conceived at a meeting of the to more than 400. It was Clinton T. Duffy, former the program worthwhile,” Oakland Alano Club on March 23, The format of The Northern Cal- Warden of San Quentin, who spark- It i s said around San Francisco 1948, the first Council was attend- ifornia Council i s simple. An over- ed the organization of thefirst pris- that the man who first contacted ed by interested AAs from most of a l l topic i s usually chosen for on group and San Francisco’s AAs the AA group in behalf of the prison the counties of the North. Since each Council. Speakers are select- who carried the message inside the was a former prison chaplain, JuIthat first ‘meeting the Council has ed from the cities participating, walls. ian Alco. cc been held in Sacramento, Stockton, who give their interpretations of It was apparent to us,” said San Jose, Vallejo, Santa Rosa, different phases of the chosen sub- Warden Duffy, “that the alcoholic The rest is history. There are Santa Cruz, San. Mateo, Monterey- ject. One of the outstanding fea- presented a probfem which the pris- now 78 prison groups in the United Pacific Grove, Oakland and San tures of the meeting is an hour’s on program was not meeting.” States and one reported in South Francisco. On two occasions it discussion of group problems. At A solution to the problem was Africa. At present, San Francisco, has been called upon to make ar- times this has become quite hectic sought by the prison officials and Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo, Marin rangements for special events .. . Bill’s visit last Fall for the Gena s members throw their views and problems out for discussion. Each hope of its success came when the County and Santa Rosa work on a then young Alcoholics Anonymous rotation plan, visiting the prison. eral Service Conference Assembly, group participating sends two offi- was, brought to their attention. After The peninsula groups have now t o elect a delegate to the Confer- cial delegates, who are the only investigation and consideration the succeeded in gaining entrance to ence. Then again in October, 1951 speakers recognized at the discus- program was put into effect under the Agnew State Hospital and the to arrange for a meeting held, “in sion sessions. the guidance of the Captain of the StocktonStateHospital. Santa Rosa gratitude for the Lasker Award.” The fifth Annual Conference will Yard who was more or less respon- has a program going at Mendocino sible for the morale of the men. State Hospital and there are groups Although this i s a loosely knit organization, it is constructed s o be held next month in Sacramento, in conjunction with the Assembly Of AAs working inside the walls, in Folsom Prison and Soledad … . .. that calls such a s these can be answered quickly and effectively. called to select the delegates and the committee for Panel Two of the Warden Duffy has said, “The spon- so it goes sorship and pidance of these men of the message . .. the steady carrying to the county on the ‘outside’ evidences an in- jailsand even to the old folks home. , The loose structure of the Coun- General Service Conference.

F e b r u a r y 1952

him a s m a l l AA pamphlet only t o ber offered t h e u s e of h i s home for have himgive it a quick glance and a meeting place.

. . …. p i t c h i t into t h e s t o v e for him. Somehow it wasn’t t h e Alexand e r article kindled a spark of in- Within a month, during which they eagerly spread t h e word t o every drunk who would listen, t h e t e r e s t i n him and with trembling

OAKLAND AND new group acquired about a dozen hand he wrote a letter t o New York members and looked around for larrequesting s p e c i f i c information. He ger quarters. T h e y managed t o w a s s e n t a few names t o contact s c r a p e up $5 a month from the mem-

THE EAST BAY in Oakland and t h e long climb t o bership and rented a small room i n sobriety began. t h e Oakland Y.M.C.A. for weekly T h e s e e a r l y Oakland members meetings. T h e y held open meetings traveled t o S a n F r a n c i s c o for meet- now and then and on t h e occasion ings and gladly took t h e newcomer of Bill’s first visit, in November of along. Pretty s o o n they decided t o 1943, about a 150 hopefuls were s t a r t their own group in Oakland, crammed into t h e small loom. T h e y were only four and one mem- Bill’s message instilled in t h e

The Oakland AA Center and Alano Club occupy a beautiful old colonial home on the shore of Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland. CROSS t h e b a y from S a n Fran- cities of Berkeley, Alameda, Hay- A cisco .. . just a few swift ward,San Leandro, Piedmont, Richmond and many small townships .. . minutes v i a t h e famous Bay Bridge l i e s t h e sprawling, booming metropolitan a r e a known a s t h e and unincorporated a r e a s – a l l serve d by the E a s t b a y Intergroup Office. E a s t Bay. I t s population c e n t e r i s From the first falterinq f o o t s t e p s t h e c i t y of Oakland … humorously of a d e s p e r a t e l y s i c k alcoholic, who attended h i s first meeting in referred t o by transbay commuters a s “The Bedroom of S a n F r a n c i s – S a n F r a n c i s c o in March, 1741, t h e co.” F o r many a l c o h o l i c s it h a s growth of t h e E a s t b a y s o c i e t y h a s b e e n more than just a bedroom. It been constant. T h e current large h a s b e e n a sick-room bar-room – membership is divided into about 25 court-room and c o n v a l e s c e n t ward. thriving groups centering in Oak- With a population nearing t h e one land and spreading out into t h e million mark, the E a s t b a y area h a s surrounding suburban territory. a considerable quota of alcoholics. ‘ I t a l l s t a r t e d back in 1941, on Many of t h e s e live in t h e sanctuary March 15, when a “low-bottom” of t h e AA F e l l o w s h i p but many drunk read the article by J a c k Almore s t i l l stumble h o p e l e s s l y in exander in t h e Saturday Evening t h e shadow-world of alcoholic d e – P o s t . Some time before, t h i s man’s lusion. T h e E a s t b a y i n c l u d e s t h e h a r a s s e d wife had hopefully handed

small society a feeling of kinship holic Foundation. have been helped through trying tional Committee performs a vital with other alcoholics across the nation and solid growth began. The Open meetings are conducted in a large hall in downtown Oakland days of drying out .. . those tense periods well known to many … AA function in carrying the message to people whose problem ups and downs experienced by all twice each month and a few groups when recriminations and ghosts swept them all the way out of sonew groups of these early days in outlying areas hold open meet- of the terrible past threaten to ciety into confinement in the sevleft some stragglers by the wayside ings under their own auspices. knock the props from under the new eral institutions and the Santa Rita .. %

but of the original Oakland member- The Intergroup Office is now lo- life. Rehabilitation Center. in reality ship three are still active in group cated in the same building a s the Like all large population cen- the County Jail. In recent years work, some are inactive but still Alano Club but remains a separate ters, Oakland has a Skid Row and local authorities have come to readry and others have moved to other entity. The two function smoothly a Skid Row Group. Officially desig- lize that alcoholics present a unique cities. a s an AA Center housed in a spa- nated a s “Number Seven,” this problem and that punishment by I n 1944, a corporation was form- cious old colonial mansion, beauti- group is a steadfast AA entity. legislative action i s valueless a s ed which included the AA Group fully situated on the shore of pic- From an obscure beginning, when a a treatment for disease. and an affiliated club known a s the turesque Lake Merritt, in the heart few uptown members, themselves AA enjoys the enthusiastic sup- Alano Club. The membership num- of Oakland. The building provides former denizens of the alleys and port of the local judiciary, clergy bered about a hundred and had out- a large lounge, coffee bar … glass enclosed veranda for card a doorways, became interested in the plight of the alcoholic down-andand medical profession a s a result of the success of its approach to grown the room at the Y.M.C.A. s o a larger meeting hall was ob- players and television fans, a s outers and helped them form a the baming problem of the incar- ‘ tained uptown. It soon became evi- well a s numerous other rooms for group, Number Seven has won the cerated alcoholic. This work brings dent that internal conflicts over meetings, beginners groups, and respect of all. The group has spa- hope and help to those whose lives club policy and AA public relations discussion groups. cious permanent quarters on “The seem utterly blighted, with all hope would destroy the singleness of The Nolano Club, composed of Row.” gone. AA meetings are held in menpurpose s o essential to the unity of non-alcoholic members of AA fam- TraditionaI with Number Seven tal hospitals and the prison farm AA and the corporation was prompt- ilies, also uses the facilities of are the Thanksgiving and Christ- on a regular weekly basis. At regly dissolved. the building for its meetings, and mas dinners when the doors are ular intervals open meetings are The Alano Club formed its own its members have furnished the thrown open to all who have no convened where AA speakers from corporate structure and AA was on building with new drapes, a touch place to go. It i s routine for the outside groups share the platform its ownwith a tiny office in a down- of paint here and there, and gener- group to feed a sumptuous holiday with inmate speakers. down building. The entire East Bay ally added much to the friendly at- feast to a s many as 600 lonely hu- As in other regions throughout was divided into zones, with a mosphere of the centes. mans and to provide them with their the land, the original Oakland group captain for each zone to handle Incidentally, East Bay’s non-al- &st glimpse of the bounty AA offers. started an expanding movement Twelfth Step calls. Groups soon formed in these zones until they covered virtually every area and coholic Family Group i s one of the oldest in the country and pursues a highly successful program de- God alone knows where the provisions come from to supply these banquets and even he won’t tell, … which has spread all through the surrounding territory extending a s far a s Sacramento, the State neighborhood in the metropolitan signed to spread understanding but it i s the very essence of the Capital. The Sacramento story i s district and adjacent communities. among thosewhose lives have been Twelfth Step in action. Many re- a colorful bit of local AA lore. A The Oakland-Eastbay Intergroup battered out of shape from years of spected and successful members of woefully beset woman in Sacramen- Office performs those services for intimate and heart-breaking associa- the East Bay community glimpsed to, whose brother was about to disgroups and individuals which are tion with the sick alcaholic. It i s their first ray of hope over a cup of appear down the drain of alcoholic now a part of our three-fold legacy largely through the work of the hot coffee at Number Seven. despair, somehow got the name from Bill, Dr. Bob and the Alco- group that many East Bay families The East Bay Intergroup Institu- and address of one of Oakland’s

first four AA s. She telephoned feet. As soon a s he was steady and poured out a story of complete enough they took him to a meeting distraction … a story well known to AA people and their families. and when it was over he grabbed the first bus to Sacramento. There She loaded the sodden brother in he went into action … collaring her car and drove the hundred miles his drunken friends and organizing to Oakland. Refusing to take no for a new group. When he finally roundan answer, the desperate woman ed up a few who would attend a dumped her befuddled brother into meeting he telephoned his friends the laps of an almost befuddled in Oakland for help. The Oaklanders group of alcoholics who were them- pooled their slender resources, selves still in the “baby” stage promoted a rattle-trap jalopy, and of sobriety. took off for the State Capitol to With typical alcoholic zeal they conduct its first meeting of Alcoshot the newcomer full of paralde- holics Anonymous. hyde and started a drying out process, They watched over him like S o the story goes.. .all through hawks -each member standing a the East Bay,down into the valleys, shift and after loading him with up into the Sierra Nevada … the same story of growth that AA it’s vitamins, food and the recovery program they finally got him on his experiences wherever it starts.

March 1952

OOD evening. Our name is G A.A. Grapevine, and we are an alcoholic. To qualify ourselves, let since we have &red to read about … Grapevine a s the subject matter f a rneetiogs That the Grapevine yours. Ow big problem is the pretty us say that we have been trying to be a member of every group i n AA for nearly eight years now. Wej simple one of reconciling our printing costs, paper costs and such with p n o f the Eleventh Tradition. … is a powerful ally to take on Twelfth Step calls that our covers are pretty.. .that the Grapevine makes come along every month, and we’ve “Ow public relations policy is a fine anniversary gift. But what seldom ever gotten up here and based on attraction rather than we want to read are some order talked about ourselves. promotion;” is the way it reads. blanks nicely filled in. The A.A. Grapevine (see bottom We have been trying to attract We thought you might like to of the back cover) is the interna- enough readers to break even with know who does get the Grapevine? tional journal of Alcoholics Anony- our production costs. So far, we Well, out of 130,000 or more AAs, mous, devoted to those seeking haven’t reached that break even less than 30,000. Or less than six furth& knowledge on the problem point. We get lots of compliments people in each of the 4,480 groups. of alcoholism, with the hope that it will help all alcoholics every- .. , but we need more readers!! We are told that many groups use the For instance, let’s look at the “Big Ten” M states. where. The Grapevine is your magazine; Tot& No. of Total Bulk the articles it presents are written

, , t t members, with occasional buest’*non-~~ volunteer contributors. In the January, 1952, issue California AA Population Grapevine Circulation ~irtei Groups

386 Sales To Groups

we had contributions from 14 differ ent states, from Australia, from Obi0 277 Scotland and from the Nath Pole New York 263 Group, “Somewhere North of the Arctic Circle.” Illinois 70 plus We need more contributions. Af- Texas 152

.. . ter all, it’s no harder than talking at a meeting and for some pew ple who are “platform shy” it is M ic&igan Pemsylvmia 158 160

… easier to write what you think. NO poetry, please but articles, case histories, opinions, criticisms New Jersey Minnesota 113 45 plus (especially of the Grapevine’s style, Florida 84 … contents and appearance). We p y for nothing we read everything sent in.. .and we love you whether Thank you, f a letting us speak. It does you good somewe print you or not. times, n hear, when you’re all full of your own problems to just iii We thought you might like to get up and talk. Right now, we have to hurry along and get know something aboutour problems, ready f a next month’s issue. So, s o long, ‘ti1 Aplil. I

June 1952

they attributed their recovery t o contributions t o the AAs in Washthe Book and the Twelve Steps, ington, professionally and a s a t o the group therapy of meetings, t o confidant and friend, unfortunately understanding help extended t o escape exact indexing 12 years similarly sick drunks, and aid from afterwards but they were of mema Higher Power. They called them- orable proportions. selves Alcoholics Anonymous. Bob Erwin occasionally attends “What’s anonymous about a a meeting where he finds some drunk?” the scrivener, one of a solid old friends. He would scorn craft that traditionally h a s been in a medal, because, he s a y s , the renowise notable for tee-totalism, s u l t s of h i s stories afforded him wanted to know. some of the deepest satisfactions “Not much, generally,” the M.D. he h a s ever known. He since h a s admitted, “but these men have found something that works, s o far, where everything e l s e has failed.” written similar AA articles for newspapers in Jacksonville, Flori da, and Louisville, Kentucky. – “White ribboners? Crack pots? Alcoholics Anonymous had al- Reformers? Do-gooders?” queried ready been, more or less, organized the reporter. in Washington since December (8 Not in a thousand years,” the 1939. Earlier attempts t o get the doctor replied firmly. “Maybe you movement going had proved unsuc- . better have a look. I’ll lend you the cessful, but from a gathering of a book and take you t o a meeting.” handful of drunks in a room a t the S o Robert A. Erwin, non-alco- YWCA on that early winter night holic newsman, wrote s i x articles AA has marched on its own,at first which the Evening Star published uncertain, but soon stalwart feet. serially in May, 1940 and brought There have been on the District the story of the infant AA movement AA records the names of some t o a wide circle of readers in the 3,500 candidates for recovery.

I N the Spring of 1950 a friendly medical man tipped off a reporter on The Evening Star that a good feature might be developed around a group of desperate drunks who amazingly had found a way t o sober up Nation’s Capitolwhere the per capita alcoholic intake was statistical- There are from one t o four meetings each night in the week somewhere in the Washington area, not countly the highest in the country. and s t a y that way. Most of these drunks, the doctor said, had been diag- The medical man was Dr. Joseph ing the numerous sessions of nosed a s compulsive, some a s hopeless, who had found a “cure” after A. Mendelson, former colonel in squads, the lessons, and the disother methods had failed and who were imbued with a passionate itch the Army Medical Corps, who had cussion groups, and t o them come t o carry their message of recovery t o a l l the problem drinkers in Wash- long been stumped and saddened by alcoholics from every strata of the ington, D.C., and the country roundabout. the human wastage he saw in alco- Capitol’s diverse society. A new- They had a Big Book written by a fellow named Bill in Brooklyn and holism and the inability of h i s pro- comer with a spot in the Social some of the alcoholics he had helped t o sobriety, and Twelve Steps of fession t o d o much about it. He i s Register occasions no surprise, recovery. They needed no pills, took no powders, subscribed t o no now superintendent of the Ohio neither does a visitor in workhouse diet regimens, rest cures, or psychiatric travail or comfort; instead State Hospital in Dayton. His early overalls, a refugee from Gallinger

Hospital, or an assignee from the newspapers in Washington have safety for the folks away from home one single element in human re- District clinic or the Municipal been helpful, observing meticulous- groups. On the other hand many lationships that the arrested alcourts. In the Capitol City of the ly the anonymity of members and members come into AA here, s e a t coholic must never forget it i s that of Government and the Defense richest nation in the w a l d there are bound t o be some snobberies, spreading AA work in feature and news articles and in i t s special- Establishment, and then are transferred t o other parts of the world. . .. these other positive AA guys are alcoholics, too individuals in their own right and branded often but AA remains a robust social ists’ columns. It h a s been the leveller, here a s elsewhere. ‘ best of public relations – by at- Washington members have been re- with the alcoholic mark that in T h e successful start of AA in traction, not promotion, and it h a s located in Egypt, India, Japan, some way somehow made u s be- Washington was due in large part extended t o the radio stations. Hawaii, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, lieve we were “special guys,” only t o the presence of threeof the early Today the activities of AA cen- France, England, and Germany. One other people were too smug, stubalcoholics who had found reprieve ter in the big Area Headquarters a t active member latched on t o AA born, obtuse, uncharitable, or too through personal contact with Bill 1410 Columbia Road N.W., which in Guam. indurated with their own moralities, in New York. One of them, Fitz. once housed the parishioners of In the recollection of Old Timers t o recognize it, we used t o feel, M., who wrote the chapter, The the Mount Pleasant Congregational there lingerreverberations of things even while we admitted that some Southern Gentlemen, in the Book, Church. It i s operated by a n Area pleasantly experienced in some of drunks were not only sick, but was one of the sweetest, in the the early meeting places, or clubs, often unmitigated nuisances. ‘ s e n s e that the heart of a sturdy Group Committee representing each of the satellite groups in the Met- .. that on 17th Street over a bar, Now Washington for one thing i s old oak i s sweet, humble, patient, r o p o l i t y District. the one on Massachusetts Avenue, a Southern City. It margins the sozealously intelligent men Washing- The red-brick, high-windowed ed- reached through a sub-street level called Bible Belt although it enton AA h a s known. His memory i s ifice on a tree-lined street houses passage of Stygian darkness when l i s t s i t s population from a l l p a n s cherished closely by the Old Timers an office, a meeting room that will the single bulb was buned out, on of the nation. S o in the early days who pay pilgrimages t o his grave s e a t 600 persons, a co&e bar, 14th Street, Euclid Street, H Street the evangelistic zeal of some of in a Maryland churchyard. lounges, conference and recrea- and the others. the newly recovered stirred sharp Another was a lawyer, a Yale tion rooms, and kitchen. It h a s Out of a little nostalgic glow resentments. There was no occagraduate, who despite the predic- been occupied a s Area Headquarters memory registers those first exer- sion, some of us felt, why anyone tions of his medical and psychia- since August, 1950, and marks not c i s e s in a new-found humility, of should drag in a professional temtric advisers,. found recovery, and only a sort of dream come true, but growing faith and gratitude, of perance lecturer to address us; he with a prayer, “Oh God, don’t let an AA home of our own after pro- giving the broke, scared and be- didn’t know our problems because me think this way,” passed the gressive moves from s i x previous wildered guy or gal an unselfish he hadn’t experienced them, and temptations of familiar bars until central-city meeting places. lift up toward sanity and sobriety, the shouted menace of Hell fire h i s d i s e a s e was arrested, and he Richard Harding Davis once of escape from the overblown pre- had proved no active deterent from was on solid ground. And there was wrote that if an individual s a t on tensions and timid jitters of sick whisky in the past. We wanted t o a woman, among the first t o accept the terrace of the Cafe d e la Paix egos, of, in short, participating in help the Salvation Army folks and t h e AA program. long enough he could see every- many minor miracles. Our past, in we do, but we could handle our . retrospect, seems like that today own problems with the help we knew, They became the leaders, the way-showers and the construers body in the world who mattered. Washingtonduring the last 20 years … warm exciting and electric. But it was not a l l even sailing. and w e didn’t want our sobriety on a n emotionally evangelistic and of the Twelve Steps and slowly the has become something like that. group grew. The articles in The Everybody comes here, a t least In any clear, objective r e c a d of scared basis. Stm helped swell the AA ranks in once, and fa a growing number of the past there c a n be recalled About a telephone! How c a n a – the pre Jack Alexander Saturday Erlening Post days, but a l l the visitors AA in the Capitol has afforded a refuge and a haven of plenty of differences, some pretty acrimonious and harsh. If there i s group be anonymous and have a public telephone? T h e “dispatch-

ers,” those s e l e c t e d members who thinking! Hut unless some drunk frustration, slipped himself, and at 14th Street ~ n dRhode island took over t h e assignment of t h e should miss h i s chance a t recovery, had t o begin the road b a c k a l l over. Avenue late in 1941, more than 300 Twelve S t e p c r e w s week by week, many similar efforts a r e s t i l l going Some few didn’t come back. There persons were a t the opening meeting. had telephones in their homes, in Washington, except for medica- were, in short, a lot of questions T h e r e were some individuals s o didn’t they? One of them could al- tion; our amateur physicians and for which a n s w e r s had t o b e found constituted, however, they simply ways be reached. “You put a tele- psychiatrists now c a l l a doctor or within t h e spiritual resources and had t o g o doctrinaire a s they exphone here in t h e club and t h e first s e e k hospital c a r e where that i s physical e n e r g i e s of t h e group. plained t h e S t e p s of Recovery t o thing you know everybody will know indicated. Only somewhere in t h e Bill and Marty M.came down from t h e new-comer. “Either you take who everybody i s in t h e group!” middle years a policy of cold turkey New York occasionally with advice it t h e way I t e l l you, or else!” repor “While s o far a s I am concerned treatment came along, and w a s gen- and encouragement, Jim R. from resented a n attitude in a n organi- I’d just a s soon the White House erally, although certainly not en- Philadelphia did t h e same. Early zation that certainly h a s no c l o s e t knows I belong t o Alcoholics tirely, accepted. There w a s t h e in A.4’s Washington history members room for bigotry. T h e individual Anonymous, but some of the fellows c a s e of t h e Twelve Stepper who motored t o Baltimore o n c e a week who argued that s o long a s t h e have t o b e protected!” w a s conked into unconsciousness t o h e l p s t a r t a budding group there. Higher Power had got him sober We put i n a telephone and it w a s with a milk bottle; there were t h e We tried t o h e l p in Richmond and that t h i s Power could make him a listed in t h e directory, but t h i s w a s c a s e s of s t o l e n clothing and t h e Charlottesville and elsewhere, a s controlled drinker, needed c l a s s not until after J a c k Alexander’s kited checks, there w a s t h e fellow far a s Atlanta. There w a s a brnc- instruct ion. first article on AA had appeared in who offered h i s home a s a n asylum ing climate of helpfulness every- T h e c l a s s e s were started in 1744 March, 1941. It seemed for some t o sober up a drunk who refused t o where. by a couple of Old Timers who weeks thereafter that almost every- move out until t h e AAs exasperated In i t s second or third y e a r s the again e l e c t e d t o lay down t h e one in Washington, even if he or wife s u e d for a divorce, and there Washington AAs extended their Twelve S t e p s cold turkey, and t h i s s h e were not a n alcoholic, knew were the itinerant c a l l e r s who hav- meetings t o t h e d i s t r i c t jail and instruction remained a regular Monsome one who needed our help, ing wangled generous handouts in t h e workhouse a t Occoguan. T h e y d a y night feature on the s c h e d u l e s right away. T h e c a l l s for straight Washington promoted other handouts were warmly received. Members al- a t Area Headquarters.The teaching police work in the guise of Twelve in neighboring c i t i e s a s they made s o reported t o t h e municipal courts AAs a r e carefully selected, both Stepping were heavy, and a t first AA regular ports of c a l l i n their and offered t o a s s i s t probation of- for their grip on the program and we took a lot of t h e s e calls. travels. ficers. T h e y s t i l l do. Some of t h e for ability t o construe and explain T h e time w a s t o come, however, Don’t make a mistake here. s o l i d e s t AAs in t h e Capitol City t h e S t e p s and e a c h t a k e s over three when some s u b s t a n t i a l horse s e n s e T h e r e w a s no question a s t o t h e came into t h e groups through t h e of the S t e p s in a n evening. Four w a s t o slow down t h e early T w e l v e good Twelve Stepping d o e s t h e efforts of t h e s e volunteer workers. Monday nights are required for t h e Stepping fever that s a w AAs rushing alcoholic who t a k e s t h e call. T h e r e A recent group w a s started in t h e “Course” and thereafter the c l a s s about t h e c i t y and country-side d a y w a s no hard core of uncharitable- F e d e r a l Penitentiary a t Lorton. members generally form d i s c u s s i o n and night in s e a r c h of drunks, n e s s or smugness in t h e s h i f t of Now t h e AA program i s a simple or c l o s e d meeting squads, or join some of u s dangerously administer- policy and n o withholding of t h e one. Speaker after speaker h a s up with one of the e s t a b l i s h e d ing medication, turning our homes helpful hand when a n honest voiced t h i s conviction. On t h e other groups. T h e c l a s s e s have proved into h o s p i t a l s and free pensions, d e s i r e for recovery w a s evident. hand t h e mentality of t h e alcoholic eminently successful. p a s s i n g out money we could i l l Instead there w a s some c o n s i s t e n t is a p t t o b e pretty complex, and During t h e war y e a r s feeling s p a r e to get alleged a l k i e s off thinking about maintaining one’s s o o n after Jack Alexander’s first ar- w a s mounting that Alcoholics Anoncreditors’ hooks, dragging reluctant own sobriety b e c a u s e there were ticle, AA in Washington had grown ymous in Washinqton w a s outgrowdrinkers out of bars, wet nursing far t o o frequent i n s t a n c e s when t h e from t h e initial handful into t h e ing a s i n g l e meeting place. Somegenerally.Too much zeal, t o o little AA, worn t o a nub by fatigue and hundreds. Moving into new quarters thing of t h e old helpful personalre-

lation that had marked the first larger than in any other locality in years was missing in the welcome the country, the Foundation office to newcomers, because they were said. coming s o fast and because the They have organized their own work of the seasoned A A s had to groups, have been tireless, intellibe spread out s o thin. Resides the gent and compassionate in Twelve gas and tire rationing made trips Step work, have toned down differto the central meeting place in- ences within the organization, have convenient. lent their hands to the decoration So without any dropping of al- and adornment of the meeting plalegience to the original AA outfit ces, and have, in fact, expressed a some members in the far northwest sense of gratitude that can make section of the city and suburban some of us sterner members thought- Maryland launched the Chevy Chase ful. And again the gals come from Group. At about this same time, every diverse strata of Washington’s Virginia members also started a big population. The impact of wogroup in nearby Arlington, across men, both alcoholic and the wives the Potomac. They still remained of alcoholics, on the movement in members of the parent group, but Washington merits an article of its the values of closer, more compact own, and one of larger length than neighborhood meetings soon were i s here possible. proving out well. And s o this i s a history of AA in The Georgetown, Friendship and Washington, violently foreshorten- Bethesda meetings were off-shoots ed, but seeking to touch the saliof Chevy Chase; Alexandria, Falls ences that have marked its growth. Church, Ballston, Vienna, grew out It aims principally to cover fundaof Arlington. There are now 19 mentals in the group thinking, and organized groups in the Metropoli- it omits inclusion of many things tan Area, including a fine negro that in a properdefinitive chronicle group, and there are numerous should be present, a s it omits the squads, meetings for discussions, identification of many who were in and neighborhood classes. all worthy respects the leaders. One should not attempt a viable The stories of broken, hopeless record of AA in Washington without lives coming back into grip and tribute to the wonderful women proportion with society must be imwho have found recovery on the plicit all through it. A news-writer program. It would tie like writing a in the group once wrote, “We have history of the American Revolution tried to make of ourselves fitting and leaving out Yorktown. At one habitations for the Spirit.” That, in time the prcentaqe of AA women all good conscience, is enough. in the District of Columbia was — Anonymous, Washington, D. C .

J U N E 1952

A Grtlpevirte Progress, H u m i l i t y , U n i t y , Milestone M a r k Sessions 0f ,Delegates Report

A A GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE Memo To The Folks Back Home

E V E N T Y – F N E AAs, chosen a s of last year’s inaugural conference t h e past year by headquarters ser- b e common t o AA groups through- S representar ives by the fellows h i p s of e a c h s t a t e , e a c h province provided t h e meeting in New York, held April 23rd through April 27th. v i c e groups, including t h e Gropevine; (2) heard Rill announce h i s out t h e country; (5) a s k e d t h e Gene r a l Service office t o provide cerof Canada, and 20 metropolitan cen- with the “broad, complete and re- shift from a c t i v e participation in tain additional s e r v i c e s for t h e t e r s of large AA population have liable cross-section of AA opinion” AA a c t i v i t i e s t o a five-year writing- tou ups; and, ( 6 ) registered certain aa written a new chapter in t h e his- upon which must r e s t t h e effective and-research project; (3) d i s c u s s e d advisory actions” on key questory of Alcoholics Anonymous dur- future of our s o c iet ~ ‘ s es r v i c e arms. and approved proposals t o strenqth- t i o n s of AA policy presented t o ing t h e four d a y s of t h e Second Crowding 11 s e s s i o n s into t h e e n s p e c i f i c headquarters service, the Conference. General Service Conference. T h e time from Wednesday evening until notably in t h e field of AA literature ; Refore reporting o n t h e transacjoininq of 3 8 Second P a n e l dele- late Sunday afternoon, t h e d e l e g a t e s (4) joined in “panel” d i s c u s s i o n s t ions and deliberations of t h e Cong a t e s with t h e 37 returning veterans (1) heard reports of activity during of s p e c i f i c problems that s e e m t o ference, it s e e m s only fair t o bring

you, and you there in the back row, 1952 Rrpwls To The Conference operations of the headquarters were 465,000 copies of A A pamphlets. explained to the delegates, who Group directories t o 4,000 Rroups,

‘ I . .. t o the international meeting by poxy by reporting the feeling and the flilvor of the four days at In the formal opening of the Conference, Mr. ilernard H. Smith, nonlearned that contributions from the groups during 1951 were approxiletters answering appeals for help and general information bulletins the Hael Commodore. alcoholic Chairman of the Roard of mately $21,000 above contributions were daily mail assignments, along This was not a convention. It Trustees of the Alcoholic Founda- during 1950. The General Service with 26,000 incoming pieces of mail was coffee, and ~ o o dnew friend- tion, preceded two days of progress office operated at a small deficit that required handlin~. ships, and “after hours” get-to- reports and financial statements by of 817.83 a s against a deficit for The A.A. Grapevine: An increase gethers in somebody’s room to talk sounding the spiritual overtones of the previous year of $12,853.00. of 6,000 subscriptions and group just solid A A and “how we do it the Second General Service Con- The A.A. Grapevine which had orders bringing the circulation of where I come from.”This was work. ference. Mr. Smith said: had an annual operating deficit the international journal to 29,600 Meetings of the Conference conven- ‘”We here must dedicate ourselves of $6,775 at the end of March, 1951, was reported to the delegates. ed at 10 a.m. sharp. Lunch was in to insure that there is never any showed net income of $593 for the To aid in bringing circulation up to .the same meeting room, and the povernment in the hearts of Alco- year ending in March, 1952. The a minimal 33,000, several delegates afternoon meetings began while holics Anonymous. And s o what we Grapevine still has a debt of suggested the possibility of having waiters were still clearing the ta- do here is designed to the purpose $13,660 loaned to it by the Alco- a Grapevine chairman in each group. bles. Dinner together was followed of insuring that there be no govern- holic Foundation. The “chairman” would be responby evening sessions.’At the request ment, no power, no money, nothing The net impression of the finan- sible not only for helping to get the of the delegates themselves, all save an assurance that somewhere cial statements is that the move- magazine into the hands of as many sessions opened with recitation of rests sufficient authority to insure ment is in a healthier position, fi- A A s as possible, but would also the A A Serenity Prayer and closed that these principles are main- nancially, than it has been since encourage the development of ediwith the Lard’s Prayer. tained.” the “explosive” expansion stage torial material. Criticisms and suq- Only one evening was open for Roard of Trustees: On behalf of of the Society got under way about gestions for the magazine were inthe delegates’ individual use, Sat-the 15 members of the Trustees of a decade ago. vited by the new editor, and a plea urday night. And many delegates The Alcoholic Foundation, a brief akneral Service Oflice: “It’s a was made for reports, articles and went t o meetinqs of New York report was rendered by Mr. Smith. question of lives that may be lost commentaries on A A from members groups or spent the time studying He noted that the financial situa- if AA does not survive,” Rill told everywhere. the reports and financial analyses t ion of the Foundat ion had improved the delegates in the presentation The big problem for the magazine’s that had been presented in sessions.and attributed a large measure of of the work of the General Service survival was reported by the Grape- One delegate had taken 124 pages the improvement to the work of del- Office. This office is the “long arm vine’s new treasurer a s the laxity egates t o the 1951 panel. Cbnges of longhand notes by Saturday night! of service” that reaches out to the of readers in renew in^ expired suba # loner,” the inquiring drunk “who A sense of dedication and seri- in the membership of the Doard scriptions. ous responsibility identified the since the 19) 1 Conference were re- has tried everything else,” and to ~ g n ~ delegates reported that delegates a s surely a s did the s i m ported with Jack Alexander, as- the newcomer, the oldtimer and the groups in their areas use the Grapeple badges they wore for admission soc iate editor of the Saturday Eve- group with letters, bulletins, books vine a s the basis for one meeting to the meeting rooms. These were n i n ~Post joining the non-alcoholic . and pamphlets. In the year ending each month,and other delegates remen and two women (one from Ver- majority of trustees and two a k a in March, 1752, 131,000 individual ported on the use of the magazine mont and one from Georgia) who holic members succeeding to the pieces of mail left 141 East 44th a s an aid in Twelfth Stepping and were intent upon the work at hand Roard in the rotation of minority Street. for “out there.” Twenty six- a s an anniversary gift. … the fulfillment of the Third Legacy. members. F inanc iaI Statements: Detailed thousand copies of the Big Rook were distributed and approximately New Literature for A A : Delegates previewed copies of the new pam-

phlet”AAfortheWomn,”firstin this is a problem that “tends to problems involved in running a groups from using the name,an aseries ofnewpublications which take care of itself. Criticism of clubhouse. Act of Congress should be sought willrepresentAA to the alcoholic the type of fellow involved may in- Other discussions in panel ses toincorporate the Society much as who is still drinking, and represent dicate that the critic is taking sions concerned central and interthe American Red Cross,D.A.R., AA to the general public,including moral inventory of the wrong person, group office set-ups and deviations Boy Scouts and other organizations relatives, friends,and employers several speakers suggested. Many from traditions andrelations with are incorporated. ofalcoholicsand theirmedicaland state andlocalalcoholic commis- One delegate asked: “‘Can we spiritual advisors. Another new their teeth into the AA program, sions. incorporate a way of life? Can we pamphlet,*The Alcobolic Employand it’s a mistake to be overly conincorporate a philosophy? Can we ee’is in manuscript. cerned about the problem,others Sessions On AA Policy incorporate principles that were Major literature projects for which commented. first presented to us nearly 2,000 a need has been expressed by the 、2. The problem of getting an ac Three policy sessions closed years ago?’ groups include the following: curate count of group membership, the Conference and were its proof It was voted totable the proposal (1) Sponsorship pamphlet, particularly where there is consid of true group conscience.For here and to appoint a committee to re* (2) Pamphlet on *’slips,”” erable visiting among groups. Variwere 75 voices to speak, where port at next year’s Conference. (3)A new “Sedatives”pamphlet. ous local census methods were disthere had once been but the voices Terms Of Office Of Delegates: Itwas recommended by the Delecussed,but all speakers indicated of the co-founders.Here now was The present two-year term for Congates committee on literature that that 90 days sobriety be considerthe wisdom of Maine joined with ference Delegates was discussed. allmaterial published by Works ed the least dryness to be counted. the experience of Manitoba.Here As significant, perhaps,as any- Publishing Company be inscribed Activity and willingness to assume wasourcommonwelfareconsidered thing that happened at the 1952 with “Issued by Works Publishing group responsibilities were offered by the many for one good. Conference was the recurring affir- Company, Inc., sole publishing as criteria by many delegates. Non-Alcoholic Trustees: Chairmation of the delegates that the agency of the Society of Alcoholics 3.The problem of non-AAs who man Smith stated that he had felt principle ofrotation atall levels Anonymous.Approved by the Gentend to dominate AA groups.lt was for some time, “as this Society of AA alfairs should be preserved eral Service Conference of AA.’ generally agreed by delegates that rapidly matures,that there is no and strengthened.No delegate even further need for the presence of Panel Discussions By Delegates remotely suggested that thc term that a forthright assertion of the non-alcoholics onthe Board.’Deleof office of the present panel should While the reports received eager unique characteristics ofAA is the gate after delegate rose to report be extended. listening from the delegates,it was sound approach.Several speakers that groups in his territory had in- Family Groups:This discussion in the three panel discussion sesemphasized that AA in some areas structedhim tovotefortheretenoriginally concerned whether or not sions that the liveliest interest owes its beginnings to helpful, tion of non-alcoholic trustees.”We “family groups of non-alcoholics was shown.Here was a forum for generous non-AAs…but occasionwant the non-alcoholic trustees. might or might not use the AA name many voices,and here was the poolally the clergy, politicians and They perform a very special serin connection with themselves. ing of many experiences. others miss the point of AA and vice that no money could buy,’ Pointing out that wives of the Local Group Problems:Four main associate it with temperance or one delegate phrased it. earliest members used to get tosubjects were covered.1.The probreligious objectives. It was unanimously and enthusi gether in Akron in the first days of lem of the “easy-does-it’ fellow 4.The problem of joint adminis astically voted tocontinue thenonthe Fellowship, it was reported who loafs around the clubhouse, trationof AAand“clubfacilities.” alcoholic trustees. that there are now more than 250 stays sober, but makes no effort to There was generalagreement among Congressional Incorporation: support himself, General agreement delegates that “strictly AA group groups ofrelatives ofAAswho are was proposed that to”protect’the in some state of organization and ofcommentfrom thefloorwas that services”must be divorced from name of AA and to prevent non-AA in some communication with other

s u c h groups. A y e a r a n d a – h a l f ago, problem of living;” and, a reference tions b e tabled b r c a u s e we were e n c e a n AA in spirit and in mind, not yet sure. our only difference i s that I haven’t there were only about 50 t o 70 groups. Representatives of t h e manual stating our t o t a l experience with t h e whole idea of s e r v i c e I ( And I cannot reiterate t o o strongly my feeling that u n l e s s we ‘suffered … but for a few brief moments, I would like t o tell you family groups have affirmed their functions. d i s t i n c t entity and a r e not s e e k i n g His new program for serving t h e a r e sure, u n l e s s we a r e certain, if a s I s t a n d here, from my livinq t o use t h e AA name. Fellowship means, Bill s a i d , “that there i s yet time left t o us t o m a k e with AA, what AA means t o me a s I will have t o become a great d e a l a d e c i s i o n , I regard no d e c i s i o n a s a non-alcoholic. You in AA have Development of family groups’ is viewed sympathetically in virtually of a recluse … It will mean, too, important a s t h e willingness in American s o c i e t y t o postpone uldone something with t h e concept, a l l a r e a s , d e l e g a t e s r e p a t e d , and that I won’t be available for a long ‘ Love T h y Neighbor,’ which h a s a resolution w a s adopted by stand- time t o make t h o s e treasured v i s i t s timate consideration. For again I removed it from t h e cliche. IIF a you have staked out a ing vote approving unanimously t h e t o a l l parts of the AA world.” like t o reiterate t h o s e t w o words: work that L o i s and Dill have done We s e e k not compromise hut cer- s p e c i f i c neighborhood. Conference Closlng, T w o Messages tainty. And if we c a n think of that “Out of t h e depth of your sufferto encourage and support the sound growth of the family group movement. In t h e final s e s s i o n of t h e 1952 concept, we will not here fail, w e ing you have been given t h e light Conference (Sunday afternoon), Mr. will not err, we will be right and t o s e e how black w a s the d a r k n e s s Rill’s Project: When t h e General Service Conference of 195 1 proved Smith addressed t h e delegates: we will never, I trust, be wrong. from which you emerged and t o feel s u c h a s u c c e s s , Bill told t h e dele- “What we d o here, and what we “I cannot t e l l you how profoundly for everyone who s t i l l blunders g a t e s t o t h i s year’s meeting, he have done here, great a s it h a s I w a s affected by t h e d i s c u s s i o n s along in that darkness, and what began t o ponder, “What particular been, is not nearly or remotely a s that took place here yesterday i s more important, t o d o something thing could I d o that would be of important, in my judgment, a s t h e morning on t h e motion that related about It. You in your own way have t h e greatest s e r v i c e t o the greatest fact that we are here. For it i s t h e t o the extension and t h e length of found that man i s not a lonely, number and t o the longest future.” e x i s t e n c e and t h e preservation of office of delegates. I am s u r e that f r i e n d l e s s creature, tossing help- T h e result of h i s pondering, a s t h i s General Service Conference. everyone here e n j o y s serving a s a l e s s l y about in a hostile world, for . he outlined it during the policy ses- that i s vital. T h e d e c i s i o n s we delegate. I am s u r e that everyone you here in A A have found how s i o n o n Foundation literature, i s a make here, important a s they are, would like t o b e a d e l e g a t e f a a s d e e p a r e t h e roots of t h e wellspring five-year writing-research project must in t h e l a s t a n a l y s i s , b e s u h – long a s people would have him. of human love and friendship. And I ,But complete and utter s e l f l e s s –

designed t o preserve and strength- bordinated t o t h e greater significance t h o s e roots c a n b e tapped’and t h e ! e n t h e unity of t h e s o c i e t y and h e l p of t h e e x i s t e n c e of t h i s Conference, n e s s w a s implicit in t h e discussion, world c a n look upon you who s i t I it t o reach out with increasing ef- for a s long in t h e future a s we c a n t h e feeling that e a c h individual who here and u p n the groups a l l over f e c t i v e n e s s t o “the million who s e e , a s a preserving arm of t h i s spoke never thought of himself but t h i s country a s evidence that hugreat s o c i e t y of ours. thought of t h i s great society, and man love and human friendship and s t i l l don’t know.” “Actually a s I look back, I feel t h e r e f a e decided that far more im- human decency i s s t i l l possible Briefly, t h e project involves a t h e most important d e c i s i o n s that portant than whether he should con- in t h i s w a l d of ours. new s e r i e s of anecdotical a n a l y s e s were here made were d e c i s i o n s t o tinue t o serve, w a s t h e question “We have learned t h a t t h e spiritof t h e Twelve Traditions (currently t a b l e decisions. And t o me that had that it w a s far better f a him not t o ual c a n take hold of our material appearing in t h e Grapevine); a a very, very profound implication. s e r v e than t o take t h e s l i g h t e s t r i s k world and completely t r a n s f a m it. s e r i e s of orderly, point-by-point For here,unlike a n y political group, with t h i s great and d e l i c a t e in- For AA s t a n d s b e f a e t h e world a s e s s a y s on t h e Twelve S t e p s ; a we . s e e k not compromise but cer- strument of yours. living proof and evidence that in kind of popular history of AA and “I am going t o t a k e t h e liberty i t s i d e a s of recovery, tradition and service; a book on the application tainty. And in s e e k i n q certainty, it is.frequently, a s we found in t h e now if you will permit me have been a l l through t h i s Confer- … I t h i s industrial, mechanized, materialistic world of ours, man need of AA philosophy t o t h e “total l a s t few d a y s , e s s e n t i a l t h a t mo- no longer cower i n the shadows

brought the e s s e n t i a l s of recovery struck. T h e n ensued our period of upon which our s o c i e t y intended t o but, functioning effectively a s a n flying blind, a t the end of which, t o me. stand. economic and s o c i a l being, walk Meanwhile, there w a s a little about 1037 or 1938, we realized No body of law w a s t h i s Tradithe earth fearlessly and erect in J e s u i t , Ed Dowling, laboring among that indeed, a t a b l e had been [we- tion. A s e t of principles, infused t h e sunlight before h i s God.” h i s flock, lame and telatively ob- pared in the presence of our enemy. with t h e spirit of our 12 S t e p s of A Renedlctlon From Rill . .. scure. He too, w a s t o light a can- And that the c a n d l e s upon that recovery and enshrined in t h e heart d l e for AA. table might one d a y s h i n e around of e a c h of us – that would be our “This t o o i s a n hour that will There w a s a nun in Akron who the world and touch every d i s t a n t protection, we thought, from any ever s t i r memory. With me, perhaps w a s t o become t h e companion of beachhead. There were more years hlows with which t h e outside world more than most, the wellsprings of Dr. Hob, who a s you know, w a s the of travail in that pioneering time might a s s a i l us,our protection from memory a r e a t flood tide. I think of , prince of our Twelfth Steppers. She which ended in 1941, with t h e ad- any temptations t o which we might a psychiatrist a t Zurich, Switzertoo, w a s t o light a candle for us. vent of t h e P o s t article.Meanwhile, be subjected within. Such w a s t h e . .. land, who had a patient, a n Amer- ‘ ican businessman treated him Even F r a n c i s of A s s i s i , holding f a the principle of corpotate povour book of experience had appeared. No lonqer need we travel in Tradition of .dlcoholics Anonymous. In t h i s period of infancy and in a year. T h e p t i e n t thought greatly erty, had lit a candle for AA. SO person. T h e message could b e a d o l e s c e n c e t h i s Society discoverof h i s psychiatrist, none ather than had William James, t h e father of taken through t h o s e printed p g e s e d that it had t o function. T h i s t h e famous Dr. Jung. T h e patient modern psychology, whose book, t o d i s t a n t o n e s who suffered. Conference culminates that long t h o u ~ h the was well, but leaving “The Varieties o/ Religious Ex- Our recovery program w a s really process of discovery through which the doctor, he found himself drunk. perience, ” had s u c h a profound in- complete. T h e n c a m e the t e s t we have learned how we c a n b e s t S o h e r e t v n e d t o Dr. Jung, who yet fluence upon us. He had lit a candle whether our growing groups could a c t t o carry t h i s message t o t h o s e unknowing t o t h i s day, i s one of f a Alcoholics Anonymous. live and work together, whether t h e who suffer. Yes, t h e advent of t h i s the founders of t h i s society. And Then, too, there were t o be enormous explosive quality of our Conference in full strength will he s a i d t o t h i s patient, “Unless you have a spiritual experience, couriers t o a l l t h e world. Harry fellowship would find in our princi- mark a great d a y in t h e a n n a l s of there i s nothing that c a n be done. Emerson Fosdick. Fulton Oursler ples of recovery a sufficient con- Alcoholics Anonymous. You are t o o much committed t o al- of Liberty. Jack Alexander. And taining power t o hold u s in unity. For me, it marks a time when I coholism t o be saved in any other t h e owner of t h e Saturday Evening Rut in t h e e n s u i n ~period of ado- must shift from activity t o reflection way.” Post. T h e y were t o become couriers. l e s c e n c e , we realized little by lit- and meditation and t o t h e t a s k of Our friend thought it w a s a hard They, too, were t o light c a n d l e s t l e that we of Alcoholics Anony- a c t i n g a s your scrivner, t o record sentence, but like many of u s s i n c e , for Alcoholics Anonymous. mous must hang together or indeed the experience of t h e s e marvelous he began t o s e e k s u c h a n experi- But back there in the summer of we should hang separately. years just past. I r e a l i z e that I ence. He found it in the confines 1934, the alcoholics of t h e world And in that exciting and some- s h a l l be but a reflector, a recorder of t h e Oxford Group, a n evangelical felt a s h o p e l e s s a s ever. And yet, times frightening experience, t h e only. I h o p the t a s k will be commovement of that time. He sobered a s you s e e , a t a b l e w a s being pre- Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous pleted, usefuland pleasing t o you.. a t once. There he found t h e grace pared in t h e presence of our ancient w a s forged. And a t Cleveland, in and pleasirg t o God. t o achieve it. It w a s then called t o enemy, John Barleycorn. C a n d l e s 1950, it w a s confirmed by our F e l – My heart i s t o o full t o s a y any- . lowship a s t h e traditional platform more, excepting a u revoir. h i s attention that a friend of h i s were already upon it, and meat and w a s about t o be committed for al- drink w a s there, but t h e g u e s t s coholism t o a n asylum in Vermont. Together with some other “Grouphad not arrived. T h e n came some g u e s t s and they * N O T I C E ers,” he interceded. T h e r e s u l t partook and t h e s p a r k t h a t w a s t o Tradition T h r e e o t the new s e r i e s ot a r t i c l e s by Bill erplaining t h e w a s our beloved Ebby, who first become Alcoholics Anonymous w a s Twelve T r a d i t i o n s will appear in the J u l y Issue.

July 1952

–

I T T L E Finland r i s e strongly printed matters here is difficulties L again in t h i s year t o the cons c i o u s n e s s of wotld a s it i s t h e t o t h e passage of AA’s exceptional thinking. We need a long time be; host of t h e Olympic Games. Most of fore t h e most inevitable thinks Americans have heard of Finland, have translated and further printed. or have s e e n i t s name on the news- Now we have but one pamphlet and paper. Very few, however, know three Finnish “Grapevines” and a how is t h e alcohol-question in pile of duplicates. Finland. P e r h a p s t h e land of thou- When Finland have paid i t s war. s a n d l a k e s and i t s blue-eyed peo- d e b t s t o USA, of it h a s made t h e ples have saved of t h e c u r s e of propaganda-trump: “Again Finland alcohol? Oh, no! Pay,” “The Land What Pay” etc. – T h e Finn a r e week-end drinkers. Now we have got some that kind *i Welcome to Finland! W e drink seldom, but a l l t h e more. And when we become alcoholic, w e from USA what we c a n pay never, but on t h i s time we have got it gift. drink every day a s when i t i s al- We have got AA, what is t o us alw a y s Saturday-evening. Doctor coholics same a s a new life. T h e Jellinek, who w a s here in t h e Jan- alcoholics from America have uary, and w a s a l s o a t t h e meeting holded out their helpful hands and of AA, s a i d that he w a s observed we have s t i c k t o it. in Canada different nationality and On t h e s p o r t d e l d our lands match their m a n n a of drinking. Somebody for honour. – – I think USA win A t w e e p t e a r s t o the g l a s s , Finnish match of AA there is matter of g r a s p to t h e knife. Our p o b l e m i s question for life or death. T h e winlargely in that violence what alco- ner i s surviving, the missing death. I ‘ Dear Editor: hol affect. We drink s o that we c a n But in t h i s match we aren’t against, I let l o o s e Rarrabas. Our national- we a r e a t the same side, and w e B e c a u s e tbe OIymbic Games m e in Helsinki at t h i s time, s o I thought drink i s wood-spirit, and on t h e c a n defeat both, and we defeat a s you will write a little of Finland. My knowledge of English is minimaly, w a i s t of t h e bottle there i s the lion. long a s God give his support t o our but 1 have tried however. T o me it is just the s a m e whdt yuu w i l l do What possibilities t h e life of AA aspiration. , with this. Also you c a n write y o u s e l j a n d draw some pictures /rom t h e s e h a s h e r e ? I s here a n y AAs. Welcome t o Finland, here is : samples. And if you will d o nothing, g o on t h e o l d way, it is very good Action of AA h a s been in Finland a l s o AA. wuy – a l s o t o me. four years. Here are Groups of AA — V.K., Helsinki, Finland on ten localities and their member- We have translated many a r t i c l e s /rom the Grapevine a n d t h i s is in s h i p a r e about 200. About twenty return t o you, but s o poor, 1 know it very well. Attempt is good a n d it of them have been sober over one is t h e b e s t – t o me. year.The result swims not t h e heat, but it give courage and make s u r e t h e growth. Cordially yours F a r away from AA’s birth-land V. K. and h e l p l e s s ahead of t h e English Secretary Helsinki, F i n l a n d

October 1 9 5 2

EDITOR’SNOTE: As of October 1, 1952, your General Service Headquarters has listed prison groups in all states of the Union except Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming. There is also a prison group in the Territory of Hawaii and in all Provinces of the Dominion of Canada. While total prison populations are, of course, among the world’s most accurate census figures, there are no records kept of the t a a l AA prison membership. It i s believed, however, that approximately 7,500 inmates are represented in the 143 prison groups listed, with memberships varying from 15 to 400.

November 1 9 5 2

I N MEMORIAM

And I n Thanks

wo y e a r s ago, o n November 16th. 1950, R. H. S., died i n Akron, Ohio. T It w a s Thursday, c l o s e t o noontime, one week before what would have been h i s 7191 ‘l’hanksgiving Day.

I t w a s fifteen y e a r s and five months after h i s own l a s t drink…and it w a s fifteen y e a r s and five months in which he had ministered a s friend and teacher and physician t o 5,000 alcoholics.

T o e a c h of them he w a s simply “Doctor Bob.” And t o history h e will b e “Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.” And t o Bill h e i s “The Prince of Twelfth Steppers” …and “The Rock Upon Which M I s FoundedW…end aimply “Smitty.”

H e met d e a t h serenely. for he h a d t o t h e fullest given himself to life. He left t h e rich gifts of simplicity and love and service.

We who have followed him i n T h e Way Out give him t h a d s anew for t h e m e s s a g e h e s o tirelessly carried. And we think t h i s man who learned t r u e humility would most like t h e memorial that is s t i l l t o come…thoee thousands now s i c k and deepairing who will yet find our way out of dilemma into recovery …strengthened by t h e invieible hand of Doctor Bob…

DECEMBER 1952

F Christmas… some A A history… ETWEEN noon of Wednesday, December 24th, 1952 and midnight of Iburs- with it lot more confidcncc. In those first few years we stuck close togethcr . . . B day, January Ist, lyS3, some 120,000 ~ilenlbrsof AA will have s e n their wc wcrc hclpcd by each othcr’s prcscncc, and we knew how much we needed one another.” dreams of a dry Christmas and their hopes of a sane New Year’s come safely true. It will be the 17th holiday season that AA has weathered in the mutual help of I3ill W. recalls only a quiet day in New York that Yule of 1935. There were fellowship. And, based on past experiences, it will be a time of many new hands a wry few . . . and who could know that in a mere 17 years perhaps 120,000 ex- . knocking on AA’s door. . of persons whose holidays and lives have at long last tlrtdis could want to know what happened the first AA Christmas ? 1:ivc years later, there was a place in New York for an AA Christmas party . . . ‘ proved unmanageable. Intergroups and central ofices have come to know that the first week of January means the year’s peak of phone calls and visits of inyuiry. the first AA clubhouse. And about the 24th Street Club there hangs a real Santa The first Christmas for AA was the depression year of 1935. There were three Claus story! old timers to mark it . . . hardly a dozen newcomers to share it with them. In Or rather, it is a Saint Nicholas story. Just one hundred years before, in 1840, Akron, Dr. Bob and Bill D. were going on their second six months. Four recruits the building was erected at Number 334% West 24th Street . . .the property of a had from four months to two months. In New York, Bill W. had thirteen months family named Moore who were large landowners in Manhattan Island’s Chelsea . sihce his last drink, seven months since his historic trip to Akron and the start section. And driving across the snow-covered lawn, Dr. Clement Clarke Moore of AA. began to compose (some say just as his sled runners touched what is now the In Akron, the six gathered with their families at Dr. Bob’s. l’liere was no cere- meeting room of AA’s first clubhouse!) his immortal gift to children of a11 mony . . . no exchange of presents. The Twelve Steps had not yet been formulated. agcs. . . . ” ‘Twas the night before Christmas.” I The Big Book was only a vague stirring that would not even be in manuscript until three more Christmases had been acl~icved.But there was joy that this most At first, the 24th Street property was occupied by a carpenter shop, with a stable . built in the west end . . . and then a tinsmithy. . and then a speakeasy. . and. dangerous of times for the alcoholic had arrived . . . and twenty-four hours by then a birthplace for many of those first AA groups that fanned out from New twenty-four hours was being mastered. York while others fanned out from Akron. “There were thanks,” remembers one of the two who survives that first Akron Again, this Christmas of 1952, AAs will gather in the clubhouse, and there Christmas, “that we had come this far. However, I am certain that there was still will be, some souls say, a tinkle just at midnight. No, not of ice cubes, they considerable fear and trembling . . . not fear that this new way would not work, gravely assure you. No, not of glasses clinking together in a Yuletide toast. But but doubt and uncertainty that we would be able to hold on to it. W e remembered listen carefully, they solemnly warn you . . . listen, for at just the hour of twelve our many failures and thanked God for what He had already granted us a d there are sleighbells that tinkle especially over this old house where eight tiny prayed sincerely for continued strength. reindeer took off from the gentle mind of a good doctor who loved Christmas and “The second Christmas was, of course, a lot more joyful and was celebrated all people who can be, for even a moment, Christmas children. . . .

April 1953

IN MEMORY OF BOBBIE By Bill ARGARET B., affectionately known throughout AA as “Bobbie,” passed away in her sleep on February 17th of an unforeseen heart lilment. She had headed our General Service Office at New York in all the years of AA’s adolescence-that exciting but fearsome period when no one could tell for sure whether our fledgling society would survive or not. Across her desk came thousands of pleas for help from individuals and hundreds from growing but anxious groups who wanted to be advised of the latest AA experience in meeting the problems that assailed them. It was out of this experience that AA’s tradition was formed. And upon our tradition her devoted labor set a mark which will endure so long as God will have our society last. Her pioneering work has proved an inspiring precedent for every Intergroup and Foundation secretary, and her departure creates in the heart of each of her friends a void which can only be filled by the memory of what she left us and the assurance that her destiny is happy and secure.

MAY 1953

(Ediror’s Note: As protniseJ last tt~onth,we are pleared to bring IOU a special adva)ice notice from General Service Headquarters announcing ptrblica~ionof ‘Bill’s new book, “The Twelve Steps . md rhr Twelve Traditions.” The Traditions appeared serially in Thr Grapevine in the past rwelve issues.) After nearly eighteen months of writing, editing, and pre-publication detail, ‘The Twelve Steps aria the Twelve Traditions” is about to be released. In this new volume, regarded by those familiar with the project as the most important AA publication since the “Big Book” first appeared in 1939, Bill draws upon his long experience, and upon that of other early members, to set forth his profound yet spirited interpretation of the fundamental principles of AA. Step by Step, Tradition by Tradition-in nearly 200 deeply stirring pages-Bill offers his unique insight into the full meaning of each of . AA’s tested guideposts . . the Twelve Steps through which individuals have achieved sobriety and the Twelve Traditions through which our group structure h u been maintained and strengthened. Advance interest has been so great that arrangements have been made to issue the book in two editions–one for distribution by AA groups, and another for bookstore distribution to the general public by Harper and Brothers. A h retains full control and copyright ownership of both editions through Works Publishing, Inc. When the book is released for sale in late May or early June, the bookstore price will be $2.75, and our agreement with Harper’s is that no books will be retailed for less than that price. T o AA groups otrly, the book will be sold for $2.25, enabling the groups to realize fifty cents on each copy re-sold to individuals. (Although two-thirds of General Service Conference delegates in a recent poll felt that this book ought to be sold without profit to the groups, to help build rn adequate Foundation reserve, neither Bill nor those at Headquarters felt this to be sufficient consent on a matter of such importance; hence the above discount.) Orders are now being accepted, by mail only, and all shipments will be made u soon after May 10 as possible.

May 1953

dish-pan : ‘I’i~erc nuy cvcn bc some, present repcwented only by “loners,” it has bcen unautl~orit:~ti~~cl su,gestcd, pcoplc in rcmotc sections who are folthat count tllc cigarcttc butts after a lowing the AA program “on their meeting . . . own,” s u s t a i n i n g t h e i r sobriety Since General Service Headquarters throug,h the AA Big Book and cornever issues instructions, rules and respondence with e d other and wich regulations or anything else that might their General Service Headquarters. suggest an AA “government,” the Each loner is the nucleus of a potential HOW MANY AAs? i compilers of AA’s annual census rely, by and large. on the faithful reporting by each group secretary of what apnew group. The new AA World Directory indicatcs that membership growth of Alcopears to be the more or less stable holics Anonymous appears to be levelcore of membership in the group. In in.9 otf and settling down to steady New York 3 staff of four toiled for progress, reflectins the gradual spread three months, processing the thous- of information and education about ands of information cards, and the the disease of alioholis~nwhich afllicts the first million is the hardest, according t o t h e intcrprctation o f I Alcoholics F Anonymous has done “when is a mcmber?” In addition, countless letters received from the groups who prcfcrred supplying the upwards of 4,000,000 individuals in the United States alone. The 1953 one-eighth of the job . . . worldwide many groups fail to report new mem- desired information in that form, to world “census” of AA completes an membership in our Society has passed bersl~ipfigures from year to year. produce the new Directory. cightcen-year rccord : the cighth-of-a-million mark, accord- Another variablc which follows an The 1935 total membership figure Year ~Uenrbers ing to the new 1953 AA World unpredictable pattern is the precise represents an increase of 13,637 indi- 1935 3 Group Directory: 128,561 strong, to method of “counting noses” used by vidual melnbcrs ovcr 1352, or about 1936 15 be exact. the various groups. Some suggest that 12 per ient. The tot.11 number of 1937 40 Exurt membership statistics in AA, those who attend and take part regu- groups incrc.lscd from 4,205 to 5,243 1938 65 however, are not and never will be larly in meeting declare themselves or roughly 2 i per cent. At Directory 1939 100 available, since protection of individ- members (or not, as the case may be) – press time there were 2,324 members 1940 500 ual members’ anonymity guarantees of that group; others may count evcry- in 38 hospital groups, m increase of 1941 2,000 that general membership rolls will not one who has been dry and shows up 16 new g o u p s in hospitals and rest 1942 6,000 be kept. The latest count of total fairly regularly for at least three camps; 9.3)-i members in 173 prison 1943 8.000 members in 58 countries around the months ; still others base the count on groups, . ~ nincrease of 40 new prison 1944 10.000 globe is based on reports from 5,243 a rough division of the average finan- groups; 15,675 m e m b e r s in 773 1945 14,000 groups and 127 “loners.” And, as all cial collection; some count only those . groups outside the United States, in- 1946 29,000 observant group members know, the who come out in bid weather, never cluding 51 loners and 91 Interna- 1947 40,000 active membcrship of a group may turn down a Twclftl~Step call, and tionalists (.4A seamen). AA is now 1948 60,000 vary at any given moment, sometimes are idways willing with the broom or on the map in 17 places where it never 1949 75,625 was before, bringing the total number 1950 96,475 of countries with alcoholics recovering 195 1 * 120,000 in AA to 58 (including the United 1952 114,724 States). Some of these far-flung areas are at 1953 . ~8,361 Esti~natrd.

I June 1953

A Grapevine 3- Milestone Report I4 on the Conferem a

Closing with the Lord’s Prayer at 1:56 p.m., Sunday April 26th, 1953, the ‘I’hird Annual General Service Confcrcncc of AA ended nine long and busy sessions which in four days did thcsc things: I . Considered more subjects than l~atlm n c before either the 1951 or 1952 ~ncctings; 2. h j e c t e d unanimously the 1952 proposal that AA be incorporated by an Act of Congress ; 3. I)isc~~sscdand c x c h a r ~ ~ c d advice and opinions on specific problems of AA groups back home; 4. Reviewcd financial reports and work reports of the General Service Office, Works Publishing Company, and The Grapevine; and 5. Expressed its convictions on more basic policy problems concerning the whole society of AA than any previous conference. Arriving at New York’s Hotel Rooscvclt by such diverse transportation as transcontinental plane from Delegate Walter H’s native British Columbia and by IRT subway express from Dclcgatc Wcslcy J’s native Urorlx, scvcnty-four AAs participated in the Confcrcncc as chosen rep-

resentatives of forty-six states, each homa; New Westminster, B. C. and to report on closing day on Literature, morrs reached $67,599; pamphlet province of Canada, and twenty Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Bethlehem Agenda for 1954, Finance, Policy, sales increased nearly $10,000 to a metropolitan centers of large AA pop- and Erie, Pennsylvania; Palestine and Trustees, and Conference Report. total of $36,411 in 1952. ulation. Thirty-seven delegates were Texas City, Texas; Provo, Utah; Then notebooks and pencils became Since last year’s Conference these hold-over veterans of the 1952 ses- Staunton, Virginia; Seattle, Washing- the order of the day, as four hours items have bccn released for distribusions; thirty-seven were newcomers ton; Huntington, West Virginia; of reporting by Headquarters person- tion to the groups: AA {or the who will be the elder statesmen of the and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. nel on their stewardship of AA filled Woman; The Alcoholic Employee; 1954 meeting. On Thursday, April 23rd, the Con- the afternoon and evening sessions. S ~ u r d a yEvening Post article by Jack ference opened its nine sessions with This was the inventory for one year Alexander (new format) ; Forrune For Freshmen Only the 10 a.m. session entirely filled with of service. Ma~azirre AA article (new format) ; For the first time in Conference a message from Bill . .. “The Mile- T o suggest the scope of AA Head- Your Third Legacy (the meaning and history, the panel of first-year men stones Ahead.” Speaking to the quarters staff’s 1952 activities, these plan of the General Service Confer- (and two new lady delegates) had a seventy-four delegates (their wives figures were given the delegates: ence) ; Sedatives and the Alcoholic; day of their own. Arriving in New were permitted to attend this session A A 4 4 Questions and Answers; only of the four-day meeting), Bill 115,000 letters and bulletins mailed out York they registered on Wednesday, 13.000 packages cleared through mail This Is AA; Slructure and Services April 22nd. At a luncheon, Bill gave mention to domestic relations room, of AA; Secre~ary’sHandbook (comopened this “advance session” with when he said: 30,000 inquiries of all types received and bining the World Direcrory with the “How many of us are there now who handled an outline of the business to come 28.000 copies of the Big Book shipped Secrelary’s Manual). and an introduction of Headquarters can go home with the same kind of out Delegates saw the first copy of love for a faithful and long-suffering personnel. This was followed by an wife that we have had down at the club- 498,000 pamphlets shipped, plus other . . Bill’s new book . Twelve Steps and inspection of the ofices at 141 East printed material Twelve Traditions, his first full-length 44th Street and various AA facilities house for our alcoholic brother? Lots commentary on AA since the writing of us can, but lots of us can’t-not yet Behind these figures were the human in the metropolitan area. stories of people “out there,” turn- of the Big Book. Barberton, Ohio, and Ashland, -because there has bccn a profound Bill reiterated his hope that a bedistortion of family life due to our ing to the long arm of service that is Massachusetts, contributed the lady day .after day reaching out from the ginniig can be made on a preliminary newcomers. The thirty-five third- drinking. There is a whole area of per- outline history of AA. It may be’ imsonal relationships which has not only few office rooms that are at first known panel men representatives came from to them only as “Post Office Box 459, possible to record the detailed history to do with sobriety, but with emotiorlal of the movement impartially for a Tuxaloosa, Alabama; Gould, Arkan- Grand Central Annex, New York.” sas; Beverly Hills and san Francisco, sobriety. It has to do with the joy of number of years, he reminded the living, and that is an area in which From the five Secretaries, Marian M., Glifornia; Denver, Colorado; Farm- Hclen D., Lib S., Ann M., and Eve delegates. Meantime, he said, prelimiington, Connecticut; Silver Spring, there is a vast amount to be learned and nary research is already under way to L., the year had seen an increasing Maryland; Gainesville and Miami a vast amount to Lxl donc. Are we able establish factual records on major flow of mail to inquiring families, Beach, Florida; Chicago and Paxton, ‘to carry tllesc principles into all our milestones in the birth, growth and employers of drunks, puzzled ncwillinois; North Wcbstcr, Indiana; affairs’ ?” development of the Society. comers to AA, bothered oldtimers, Dubuque, Iowa; Maplcwood, Louisi- and “loners” in far places. Recommended literature for the 3rd Legacy i n Action ana; Detroit and Grand Rapids. To carry the message, AA literature next year, reported on by the dele- Michigan; Mankato, Minnesota; Mon- I’hc Confercncc got down to work went out in 1952 in record quantity, gates’ own committee, stressed early roe City, Missouri; Maplcwood, New with thc second session. Thursday delegates were told with the audited need for a revision of Medicine Looks Jersey; The Bronx and Rochester, afternoon. Rcstrictetl to delegates and rcport of Works Publishing (see a! AA, revision of About the Alco- New York; Rich Square, North Caro- General Service Headquarters staff page 9 for a special notice). Net holic Htdsband to include alcoholic lina; Columbus, Ohio; Tulsa, Okla- personnel, committees were selected sales of the book Alcoholics Anony- wives, new pamphlets on AA for

young people, and a pamphlet on the 1’1 I J U U J d H u s p ~ ~ d s : ‘I’l~cre are lrrterponp Ojires: Dclegatcs f rorn than thirty dclcgates expressed themproblem of slips. now 180 AA prison groups with Massachusetts, California, Illinois, selves on this proposal, the conscnsus 9,304 members, and 101 hospital Maryland and British Columbia parti- being that more stress on the service The A A Grapevine groups with 2,253 members. This cipated in a panel discussion of inter- aspects of the Trustees’ work should Improved and niorc cflicient oper- total of more than 11,600 members group and central office facilities. Gen- be in the name, and less of the kterating procedures put AA’s interna- in prisons and hospitals alone is eral agreement stressed the fact that national aspects. It seemed gencrally tional journal safely “in the black” greater than the total AA membership efficient intergroup set-ups evolve agreed that “Alcoholics Anonymous” during the past fiscal year although at the time when many Conference slowly; agreement on administrative re- was desired as part of a new name circulation growth fell far bclow ex- delcgatcs were first introduced to AA. sponsibility and authority is important; and that the word “Foundation” pectations, the editor of The Grape- It is now clear that groups of this fair distribution of Twelfth Step should be dropped. vine reported. type have two specific needs that can work is crucial to success; and more Operating profit for the year ended be met most effectively through local central ofices are working more The Conference, was $3,942 compared with $533 dur- group action: (1) the need for visi- closely with the national General Serv- A A a n d Society ing the preceding twelve-month tors, speakers and sponsor-contacts, ice Headquarters. The crowded schedules of the period. It was emphasized, however, and (2) the need for literature do- Congressional Incorporation: Act- Third General Service Conference that substantial loans by The Alco- nated by local groups. ing on a report of a delegates’ com- came to a close on Sunday, April holic Foundation to keep the rnaga- Said one delegate at the prison mittee set up at the 1952 meeting, 26th, when Bernard B. Smith, Chairzine afloat in previous years still session: “When we think of the the Conference unanimously recom- man of the Board of Trustees and a remain to be liquidated. members in our prison groups, we mcndcd to the Board of Trustees that non-alcoholic, summarized the mean- Circulation of The Grapevine is might well recall the little sign seen AA should not incorporate by an Act ing of the 1953 meeting. The disnow 28,700, representing an increase so often where AA meets: But for of Congress. Drafted by Bob T. of tinguished international lawyer had of 429 copies over circulation totals the grace of God!” Mississippi, the recommendation stated been in England on a business trip a year ago. Present renewal rate on Foreign Groups: In five years AA “We believe that spiritual faith and when the Conference opened. Intersubscriptions is 58 per cent. foreign groups including Canada have a way of life cannot be incorporated rupting the trip for a hasty flight back Plans are now under way for a grown from eighty-two, with a mem- . . . Incorporation could conceivably for the meeting, he was stricken ill in careful readership survey to determine bership of approximately 2,000, to 773 become the opening wedge that might Scotland, was hospitalized, but with how effectively The Grapevine’s cur- groups with a total membership of engender politics and a struggle for all the fervor of an AA on his first rent editorial policy is meeting the more than 15,250. A new group in power within our ranks. . . . AA can Twelfth Stcp call, Mr. Smith came on needs and interests of the member- Duenos Aires, and two groups in and will survive so long as it remains to New York for the final two days of ship. Many delegates reported an in- Nassau were announced to the dele- a spiritual faith and a way of life to the Conference. T o the delegates he creased use of The Grapevine to pro- gates. all men and women who suffer from gave this unforgettable closing mesvide topics for meetings and *as a alcoholism.” sage : “must” in sponsorship of new A A and State Alcoholism Promembers. p m s : In a panel discussion, dele- Foundation Name Chan~e: That “Our Conferences are basically dedigates evolved a general policy that the “collective conscience of AA” is cated to the purpose of insuring that Service Program AA should always be on tap, but more than a mystic phrase was well our Twelve Steps and our Twelve Tra- Highlights never on top, when asked to assist demonstrated when the Conference ditions are insulated and protected, so In concise special reports on AA’s state-sponsored alcoholism programs. was asked to consider a proposal, pre- far as possible, for all time; for the broad-based services, the seventy-four Participation should always be as an viously reviewed by the Board of Trus- basis of our way of life is, after all, delegates heard these work summaries an individual, and strict adherence to tees, to change the name of The Alco- timeless. These Conferences serve, by the General Headquarters Secre- the Traditions was rccomrnended to holic Foundation to “Alcoholics therefore, to insure that the concepts of taries: AAs helping local agcncies. Anonymous International, Inc.” More life and of living which have brought

us our recovery are available to all who ‘Love thy ncighbor as thyself’, dis- . dispatched from bark 11omc. In faith Conference. . . “They never once may suffer from alcoholism today, one trust turned to love, despair to hope, and in humility they gave themselves forgot the primary purpose of Alcohundred or one thousand years from and fear to faith. to the many tasks . . . but through all holics Anonymous.” now. thc long hours of notc taking, parlia- This meeting, a new measure of the “But I say again that the important “Our real message to society is that aspect of our recovery-and our mes- mentary procedures and orderly busi- maturity of AA, is but another beckonwe have found a way to live in God’s sage to so&ty-is ness there was one still small voice ing hand to some confused alcoholic, that each AA, in that spoke most clearly within each another phone call answered, another world. While the discarded bottle may becoming one of us, a decision be the yardstick of our rccovfry from to abandon fear, to abandon despair, heart. messagc that we are strong enough to alcohol it is by no means the measure to abandon distrust. This be the proudest record of the give our help . . . he had a of our spiritual health. Our message to choice, and tllat was lo go on the way the world is not that we have succeeded he was going, and that was the easier in ceasing to drink, but that in SO ceas- way. But he made tile choice–a choice ing to drink we have succeeded in to live within the maximum of his learning to live. capacity, in keeping with God’s will “There is another message which AA and the doing of His will.” has for a sick society. This message is * * * implicit in our 24-hour concept . . . the concept of asking an individual who So clOsed the Third FIFTEENTH TRUSTEE has found his life unmanapble be- era1 Service Conference of the fellowcause of alcohol to refrain from drink- ship that is world-wide Alcoholics At their annual meeting, following the close of the Third General Service ing for 24 hours. That is all that the AnOn~mous. For the calendar year of Conference of A h , the Board of Trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation anindividual with a drinking problem is 1953, this was the Third Legacy, pro- nounced the election of Clifford W. of Los Angeles to fill a vacancy among asked to do-and yet, I have learned posed by Dr. Bob and Bill as the the alcoholic members of the Board. C. W. was a delegate to the 1951 and in these years in AA that this simple instrument of passing on to the mem- 1952 Conferences. concept of 24 hours has far greater bership the safe-keeping and the significance than the simple statement stewardship of the society they had ‘I will not drink for 24 hours’ would founded. connote … Goethe expresses it: ‘Yes! In this its eighteenth year of proof TOthis thought I hold with firm per- that “there is a solution,” Alcoholics s i s t e n c ~ h e last result of wisdom Anonymous has for the third year . stamps it true. He only earns hi, free- sent its servants to counsel and condom and existence who daily conquers sider the problems of many areas, to them anew.’ deliberate and recommend for the IMPORTANT NOTICE ‘ I “We who have learned to live welfare of groups, to ponder and plan through AA can remember-for we for the good of many. In order more clearly to identify AA’s publishing interests, the name of talk of it at our meetings-of the days o r the delegates these were when faith was giving way to fear, crowded days and nights filled with Works Publishing, Jnc., has been changed to Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, hope to despair, and love to distrust. reports, filled with thc wisdom and Inc., in line with suggestions presented by the General Service Committee. The With the help of those who had found goodness of Bill, filled with the dedi- new name appears in Bill’s new book, Twelve Steps a d Twelve Truditionr, recovery within AA, and who practiced cation of themselves to the purposes and in other recent Conference-approved literature. The mailing address still the Twelfth Step, based on the concept for which they had bcen choscn and remains Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N. Y.

July 1953

worth of Towns Hospital and the In the’ late summer of 1934, m y , famed psychologist, William James, well-loved alcoholic friend and schoold e d by some the father of modern mate “Ebbie” had fallen in with these psychology. The story of how these good folks and had promptly sobered streams of influence were brought to- up. Being an alcoholic, and rather on gether and how they led to the writing the obstinate side, he hadn’t been able of our Twelve Steps is exciting and to “buy” all the Oxford Group ideas in spots downright incredible. and attitudes. Nevertheless, he was Many of us will remember the Ox- moved by their deep sincerity and felt ford Groups as a modern evangelical mighty gra’teful for the f a d that their movement which flourished in the ministrations had, for the time being, 1920’s and early 30’s, led by a one- lifted his obsession to drink. time Lutheran minister, Dr. Frank When he arrived in New York in Buchman. The Oxford Groups of that the late fall of 1934, Ebbie thought at day threw heavy emphasis on personal once of me. On a bleak November clay work, one member with another. AA’s lie rang up. Soon he was looking at Twelfth Step had its origin in that me across our kitchen table at 182 vital practice. The moral backbone of Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York. the “O.G.” was absolute honesty, ab- As I remember that conversation, he solute purity, absolute unselfishness constantly used phrases like these: “I and absolute love. They also practiced found I couldn’t run my own life;” a type of confession, which they called “I had to get honest with myself and “sharing”; the making of amends for somebody else;” “I had to make restiharms done they called “restitution.” tution for the damage I had done;” They believed deeply in their “quiet “I had to pray to God for guidance time,” a meditation practiced by groups and strength, kven though I . wasn’t and individuals alike, in which the sure there was any God;” “And after guidance of God was sought for every I’d tried hard to do these things I detail of living, great or small. found that my craving for alcohol These basic ideas were not new; left.” Then over and over Ebbie t h q could have been found elsewhere. would say something like this: “Rill, But the saving thing for us first alco- it isn’t a bit like being on the waterholics who contacted the Oxford wagon. You don’t fight the desire to Groupers was that they laid great stress drink-you get released from it. I on these particular principles. And never had such a feeling before.” fortunate for us was the fact that the Such was the sum of what Ebbie Groupers took special pains not to had extracted from his Oxford Group interfere with one’s personal religious friends and had transmitted to me that views. Their society, like ours later on, day. While these simple ideas were saw the need to be strictly non-denomi- not new, they certainly hit me like tons national. of brick. Today we understand just

why that was . . . one alcoholic was a free man. And with this astonishing it was just as simple, yet just as mys- to leave me. There was, though, one talking to another as no one else can. experience came a feeling of wonder- terious, as that. bright s p t . My sponsor, Ebbie, still Two or three weeks later, December ful certainty that great numbers of These realizations were so exciting clung precariously to his new-found that I instantly joined up with the sobriety. 11th to be exact, I staggered into the alcoholics might one day enjoy the Charles B. Towns Hospital, that fa- priceless gift which had been bestowed Oxford Groups. But to their con- What was the reason for all these mous drying-out emporium on Central upon me. sternation I insisted on devoting my- fiascos? If Ebbie and I could achieve , Park West, New York City. I’d been self exclusively to drunks. This was sobriety, why couldn’t all the rest find THIRD INFLUENCE disturbing to the O.G.’s on two counts. it too? Some of those we’d worked there before, so I knew and already At this point a third stream of influ- Firstly, they wanted to help save the on certainly wanted to get well. We loved the doctor in c h a r g e D r . Silkwhole world. Secondly, their luck with speculated day and night why nothing worth. It was he who was soon to ence entered my life through the pages drunks had been poor. Just as I much had happened to them. Mavbc contribute a very great idea without of William James’ book, “Varieties of joined they had been working over a they couldn’t stand the spiritual pace which AA could never have succeeded. Religious Experience.” Somebody had batch of alcoholics who had proved of the Oxford Group’s four absolutes For years he had been proclaiming al- brought it to my hospital room. Fol- disappointing indeed. One of them, of honesty, purity, unselfishness and coholism an illness, an obsession of the Iowing my sudden experience, Dr. it was rumored, had flippantly cast his love. In fact some of the alcoholics mind coupled with an allergy of the Silkworth had taken great pains to shoe through a valuable stained glass declared that this was the trouble. The body. By now I knew this meant me. convince me that I was not halluci- window of an Episcopal church across aggressive pressure upon them to get I also understood what a fatal com- nated. But William James did even the alley from O.G. headquarters. good overnight would make them fly bination these twin ogres could be. Of more. Not only, he said, could spirit- Neither did they take kindly to my high as geese for a few weeks and then course, I’d once hoped to be among ual experiences make people saner, repeated declaration that it shouldn’t flop dismally. They complained, too, the small percentage of victims who they could transform men and women take long to sober up all the drunks i n about another form of coercion-somenow and then escape their vengeance. so that they could do, feel and believe the world. They rightly declared that thing the Oxford Groupers called But this outside hope was now gone. what had hitherto been impossible to my conceit was still immense. I was about to hit bottom. That ver- them. It mattered little whether these “guidance for others.” A “team” composed of non-alcoholic Groupers would dict of sciencethe obsession that con- awakenings were sudden or gradual, SOMETHING MISSING sit down with an alcoholic and after demned me to drink and the allergy their variety could be almost infinite. After some six months of violent a “quiet time” would come up with that condemned me to die-was about But the biggest payoff of that noted exertion with scores of alcoholics precise instructions as to how the alcoto do the trick. That’s where medical book was this: in most of the cases which I found at a nearby mission holic should run his own life. As science, personified by this benign little described, those who had been trat~s- and Towns Hospital, it began to look grateful as we were to our O.G. , doctor, began to fit in. Held in the formed were hopeless people. In some like the Groupers were right. I hadn’t friends, this was sometimes tough to hands of one alcoholic taking to the conmllittg area of their lives they had sobered up anybody. In Brooklyn we take. It obviously had something to do next, this double-edged truth was a met absolute defeat. Well, that was always had a houseful of drinkers liv- with the wholesale skidding that went sledgehammer which could shatter the me a11 right. In complete defeat, with ing with us, sometimes as many as five. on. tough alcoholic’s ego at depth and lay no hope or faith whatever, I had made My valiant wife, Lois, once arrived an appeal to a higher Power. I had But this wasn’t the entire reason for him wide open to the grace of God. home from work to find three of them failure. After months I saw the In my case it was of course Dr. taken Step One of today’s AA program fairly tight. The remaining two were trouble was mainly in me. I had be- Silkworth who swung the sledge while -“admitted we were powerless over worse. They were whaling each other come very aggressive, very cocksure. my friend Ebbie carried to me the alcohol, that our lives had become un- with two-by-fours. Though events like I talked a lot about my sudden spiritual spiritual principles and the grace which manageable.” I’d also taken Step these slowed me down somewhat, the experience, as though it was something brought on my sudden spiritual Three-“made a decision to turn our persistent conviction that a way tb very special. I had been playing the awakening at the hospital three days will and our lives over to God as we sobriety could be found never seemed double role of teacher and preacher. later. I immediately knew that I was understood him.” Thus was I set free.

In my exhortations I’d forgotten all preacher, I was an alcoholic who knew to state our principles something like The louder these arguments, the more about the medical side of our malady, that he needed another alcoholic as this: I felt in the middle. It appeared that and that need for deflation at depth so much as that one could possibly need 1. We admitted we were powerless over I wasn’t going to be the author at emphasized by William James had me. Driven by that urge, I was soon alcohol all. I was only going to be an umpire 2. We got honest with ourselves been neglected. W e weren’t using that face to face with Dr. Bob. It was at 3. W e got honest with another person, who would decide the contents of the medical sledgehammer that Dr. Silk- once evident that Dr. Bob knew more in confidence book. This didn’t mean, though, that worth had so providentially given us. of spiritual things than I did. H e also 4. We made amends for harms done there wasn’t terrific enthusiasm for the Finally, one day, Dr. Silkworth took had been in touch with the Oxford others undertaking. Every one of us was Groupers at Akron. But somehow he 9. We worked with other ;~lcoholicswithme back down to my right size. Said out demand for prestige or money wildly excited at the possibility of gethe, “Bill, why don’t you quit talking simply 5ouldn’t get sober. Following 6. W e prayed to God to help us to do ting our message before all those so much about that bright light ex- Dr. Silkworth’s advice, I used the these things as best we could countless alcoholics who still didn’t perience of yours, it sounds too crazy. medical sledgehammer. I told him l’hougli these principles were advo- know. Though I’m convinced that nothing what alcoholism was and just how cated according to the whim or liking Having arrived at Chapter Five, it but better morals will make alcoholics fatal it could be. Apparently this did of each of us, and though in Akro~l seemed high time to state what our really well, I do think you have got something to Dr. Bob. O n June lo, and Cleveland they still stuck by the program really was. I remember runthe cart before the horse. The point 1935, he sobered up, never to drink O.G. absolutes of honcsty, purity, un- ning over in my mind the word-ofis that alcoholics won’t buy all this again. When, in 1939, Dr. Bob’s story selfishness and love, this was the gisl mouth phrases then in current use. moral exhortation until they convince first appeared in the book, Alcoholics of our message to incoming alcol~olics Jotting these down, they added up to themselves that they must. If I were Anonymou~,he put one paragraph of up to 1939, when our present Twelvc the six named above. Then came the you I’d go after them on the medical it in italics. Speaking of me, he said: Steps were put to paper. idea that our program ought to be basis first. While it has never done “Of far more importance war the fact 1 well remember the evening on more accurately and clearly stated. Disany good for me to tell them how fatal lhat he was the f i r ~ tliving human with which the Twelve Steps were written. tant readers would have to have a their malady is, it might be a very whom I had ever talked, who knew I was lying in bed quite dejected and precise set of principles. Knowing the different story if you, a formerly hope- what he was talking about i n regard to suffering from one of my imaginary alcoholic’s ability to rationalize, someless alcoholic, gave them the bad news. alcoholism from actual experience.” ulcer attacks. Four chapters of t l ~ c thing airtight would have to be writ- Because of the identification you natur- book, Alcoholics A~~onymorrs, had bee11 ten. We couldn’t let the reader wiggle ally have with alcoholics, you might be T H E MISSING LINK roughed out and read in meetings at out anywhere. Besides, a more comable to penetrate where I can’t. Give Dr. Silkworth had indeed supplied Akron and New York. W e quickly plete statement would help in the them the medical business first, and us the missing link without which the found that everybody wanted -to bc chapters to come where we would need give it to them hard. This might chain of principles now forged into an author. The hassles as to what to show exactly how the recovery prosoften them up so they will accept theour Twelve Steps could never have should go into our new book were gram ought to be worked. principles that will really get them been complete. Then and there, the terrific. For example, some wanted a well.” spark that was to become Alcoholics purely psychological book which would 1 2 STEPS IN 30 M I N U T E S Anonymous had been struck. draw in alcoholics without scaring At length I began to write on .I T H E N CAME AKRON During the next three years after them. We could tell them about the cheap yellow tablet. I split the word- Shortly after this history-making Dr. Bob’s recovery our growing groups “God business” afterwards. A few, of-mouth program up into smaller conversation, I found myself in Akron, at Akron, New York and Cleveland led by our wonderful southern friend, pieces, meanwhile enlarging its scope Ohio, o n a business venture which evolved the so-called word-gf-mouth Fitz M., wanted a fairly religious book considerably. Uninspir~das I felt, 1 promptly collapsed. Alone in the program of our pioneering time. As infused with some of the dogma we was surprised that in a short time, p’ertown, I was scared to death of getting we commenced to form a society sepa- had picked up from the churches and haps half an hour, I had set down drunk. I was no longer a teacher or a rate from the Oxford Group, we began missions which had tried to help us. certain principles which, on being ,

cobnted, turned out to be twelve irt themselves by using such terms as “a number. And for some unaccountable Higher Power” or “God as we underreason, I had moved the idea of God stand Him!” Those expressions, as we into the Second Step, right up fron~. so well know today, have proved life- Besides, I had named God very liber- savers for many an alcoholic. They ally throughout the other steps. In one have enabled thousands of us to make of the steps I had even suggested tltat a beginning where none could have the newcomer get down on his knees. been made had we left the steps just as When this document was shown to I originally wrote them. Happily for our New York meeting the protests us there were no other changes in the were many and loud. Our agnostic original draft and the number of steps friends didn’t go at all for the idea of still stood at twelve. Little. did we kneeling. Others said we were talking then guess that our Twelve Steps altogether too much about God. And would soon be widely approved by anyhow, why should there be twelve clergymen of all denominations and steps when we had done fine on six? even by our latter-day friends, the psy- Let’s keep it simple, they said. chiatrists. This sort of heated discussion we111 on for days and nights. But out of it This little fragment of history ought all there came a ten-strike for Alco. to convince the most skeptical that nobody invented Alcoholics Anonyholics Anonymous. Our agnostic conmous. tingent, speared by Hank 1′. ~ n t l Jim B., finally convinced us that wc It just grew . . . by the grace of must make it easier for people likc God.

November 1953 1

Although space linritatiorzs do ngt permit rrs to report the many exciting AA regional cottlferences arourtd the cormtry, we are making an exreplion in the story of the very first AA conference meeting was a truly thrilling experi- fying results have been accomplished on the European con3inertt. The report is by an ort-the-spot ence for all of us. It was held in the through the publicity we received on participant. huge dining hall of the old mansion, the Roundup. so perfect for AA activities and only Of course, Agn at General Service incidentally the home of one of our Headquarters in New York is doing a magnificent job of communication, AAs Meet in First members. As we sat and listened to the good old AA philosophy being given us by the speakers it was as if, but it is surprising how many people are unaware of that medium of con-

European Round-up for that brief hour, we were each transported back to our home groups in the U. S. Even those uncomfortable tact. You Stateside members can be of great service in this respect. If you know of any AA who is in Europe, or folding chairs lined up in rows were who anticipates coming here, ask him/ . Wiesbaden, Germany-Avoiding any cult to appreciate the problems with wonderfully nostalgic. For this was the her to write to Ann, Box 459, Grand undue modesty, we wish to report that which the groups and members are . first real meeting of this type any of Central annex, New York 17, N. Y. the First European AA Roundup was confronted. The necessity for anon- us has experienced since leaving home, She will pass the word along and a howling success and we are darned ymity in the Armed Services, plus the and the very first for some of our new someone here will follow up. proud of it! Perhaps, in terms of reluctance of those in command to members. All in all, we feel that the Roundup Stateside activities, the get-together acknowledge that a rehabilitation pro- It must be appreciated that all our was another AA milestone. While all here on September 19-20 might be gram is either necessary or possible, groups are very small and many of us AAs understand the inspiration and regarded as “small potatoes.” T o the combine to limit publicity to a mini- are “loners.” The listing in the In- heart-warming derived from such a AA-hungry members scattered over mum. The chaplains have proved to termtional Directory looks very im- gathering, it is also felt that this event the face of Europe, it was a tremen- be our strongest allies in most in- pressive, but with the constant shifting should stimulate and strengthen the dous event. Registration showed mem- stances and without them we would about in the Armed Services, it is movement of the program in this bers from twelve different installations be truly stymied. often a case of “now you see it and part of the world. It is our purpose in Germany and three members and It might be interesting to note that now you don’t.” At the time of this and our resolve that, by our continued their families came from Verdun, the problem of difference in rank was writing, the only American groups we efforts in this direction, we may not France. The weather was terrible, of deftly handled by having all the men know of are those in Paris, Verdun, only receive the personal benefits of course, and some of them drove for remove their blouses along with their Metz, Munich and Wiesbaden. The sustained sobriety, but also serve to many hours over those dangerous caps. Minus these identifying bits of largest is that in Verdun, boasting strengthen the roots of AA on the autobahns to get here. Others came apparel, you couldn’t tell a Colonel twelve at present. There are plans for continent. W e would like to feel that, quite a distance by train and the gang from a Corporal and nobody gave it a groups to be started very soon in in true tradition, this heritage shall be from Munich made it in a helicopter! thought. Frankfurt and Heidelburg and we are passed on and on in “apostolic suc- At the informal get-acquainted Sunday noon brought the crowd still making every effort to locate cession.” gathering on Saturday night, it was back to 8 Blumenstrasre for a buffet members here and there. Some grati- E. H., Wierbaden, Germany enthusiastically agreed that this should lunch. This was followed bv an open be an annual event. Overall problems meeting, to which we invited the were discussed and ideas exchanged on chaplains and a few other interested methods of combating the obstacles people, including a Land Gerichtsrat peculiar to the climate of Service life. (German Judge) who is interested in Unless one has lived here, it is diffi- AA for the German people. This

November

t

Paulo, my brand-new “prospect,” turies by our arch-enemy alcohol. turned out to be a most interesting One night at the end of August, A Group Is Born chap. Mexican by birth, married, Paulo came to the apartment and told three children, slender, wearing the me of an emergency case about which traditional and ferocious “bigote” he had just heard. Alberto was a (mustache), and with a horribly de- prominent lawyer whose wife had just formed finger caused by gangrene left him, taking a11 their possessions South of the B o r h which set in after he had driven his fist through a window during a except for his tequila bottle, his clothes, and one cot. He had been in “borrachera” (spree), he had a case a stupor for weeks. We piled him history which would make oldtimers into the car with a11 his clothes, gave blush. Furthermore, and I was to him his bottle, and took him to the have it verified later, I had arrived at apartment. He was in critical condithe many thousand of “tapa- Apparently so. There were two alter- exactly the right psychological mo- tion. Nobody slept that night. Half tios” in Guadalajara, it was just natives: return to the safety of the ment. He was ready. A month sooner in Spanish and half in English, he another one of those beautiful June groups in the U.S.A. or start from or later would have meant failure. kept calling for “tragitos” (little days. But for me, the skies had sud- scratch right here. L decided to stay. I had found my man! A few days drinks). Next day we managed to denly become gray and ominous. I “What about the former members later, on Saturday, June 21, 1952, with get him, via several bars for sustainwas sitting in the little office of the of the group, Doctor?’ Perhaps I one “alcohcilico Mexicano,” one “alco- ing drinks, into Doctor R’s clinic for alcoholic clinic operated by Doctor could reform the group. Skies got a I hcilico Norteamericeno,” and one non- the three-day dry-out. R., who was listed as the leader of the bit grayer. alcoholic associate present, AA was For two months Alberto rode the AA group. “I don’t know where they are. I’ve born in an apartment in Guadalajara, proverbial AA pink c l o ~ d .He was a “No, I’m sorry,” he was saying, lost touch with them all,” he said. four hundred and ten years after the dynamo. He turned his sumptuous A sudden thought came to me. 1 birth of the city itself. office over to us for meetings. And “there is no longer an AA group here. I

It existed for a short time but went “Are you, yourself, an alcoholic, Discouraging days followed. At soon he was telling us what was wrong to pieces because it lacked a driving Doctor?’ the end of .two months, in a city of with AA. He wanted to rewrite the impulse. There was nobody here to “No,” replied. the doctor, and al- I more than three hundred thousand book. I did not understand the Mexi- 1 though I had the impressim he had souls, our little group consisted of the can temperament, etc., etc. But the keep it going.” done his best, I knew the reason for two of us. Of the alcoholics we con- Man Upstairs had a use for him. For Even with four years of sobriety tucked under my belt, the bottom of failure. Only an alcoholic understands tacted, none wanted to quit. Take Alberto brought Anfonio to us. And my stomach seemed to disappear. I an alcoholic. AA, as such, had never Bob’s case, for example. A fifty-six Antonio brought Jose F. to us. And, had just learned that in this vast re- really come into being here. At this year old student under the G.I. Bill, to date you won’t find two better or public of some thirty million souls, low point in the conversation a ray of . he has been saturated for years. When stronger or finer members in AA any- 1

there now existed but one AA group: sunlight suddenly pierced my gray we entered his mom we were greeted where. They are part of our “Faithful the Mexico City group, four hundred skies. by, “I know all about AA and it isn’t Five.” Alberto? He wound up in the and twenty-five miles away! Had my “I do know a young man, however, I for me. I don’t want to be saved.” clinic again. Grateful for what he had wife and I traveled all over Mexico who is definitely an alcoholic, who He is almost dead now. Step One done for them, Antonio and Jose F. only to discover that the city of our speaks excellent English, and who stopped him. He won’t admit that stuck with him like leeches for weeks, dreams, wherein we hoped to settle might be a prospect. Would you like tequila is his master. It appeared that hoping he would reach his bottom, for an indefinite period, lacked an to talk to him?” we were on a battleground that had but to no avail. Five repeats to the AA gmup so essential to my sobriety? Would I ! been dominated for too many cen- clinic, a tidcer that is behaving badly,

and Step One still has Alberto hrthermore, he knew the town alco- facts,-and you have some of the strengthened my sobriety. Those who U e d . Yes; cunning, baffling, pow- holics by their first names! Before answers. failed in our groups still have the kit erful: that is tequila. long he had his prospects meeting There is the picture after almost a of spiritual tools at their disposal. Now there were four of us. In the in the hotel bar and then proceeding year: two more groups in Mexico Who knows? Perhaps someday they meantime a local padre had been try- upstairs to the AA meeting room. for a total of three, and an almost may pick them up and go to work on ing his own approach on Alfredo W e still laugh at that one. impossible job ahead of us. But it a new personality. ‘

A., another well-qualified alcoholic. But how did he make out? .. . .. has been exciting fun. In spite of the language barriers, I’ve seen the miracle I think 1’11 stick around a while longer! Maiiana is only twenty-four Somehow he heard of our little group About two weeks ago our little group and brought Alfredo A. to a meet- took the rugged, five-hour, second of AA at work in new fields; I have hours away ! ing. The spade-work had been done class bus trip to Teocaltiche for a staunch, new friends; and I’ve Ray R., Guadalajara, /alisco, Mexico well. W e had a new member, one special, Saturday night meeting held I who could speak English, too. H e in our honor. How that Greater is still with us. Power must have smiled! A11 in all, For the next six months it was there were twenty of us present. The much the same old story. Diego, the result was the birth of a comradeship, utilities man, came for a couple of an understanding, a happiness, and months and then disappeared. Jose a knowledge that they were not G. the rug weaver left for the U.S.A., alone in their sickness. AA had but has been sober for more than a gained a little on this tough battleyear. Juan, the public stenographer, ground of Mexico. came intermittently for many weeks Now the question arises: why do we and then went back to his love: te- have but one member of AA in quila. Another Juan, a public guide, Mexico for each one million inhabicame for a few meetings, qualified as tants (approximate only), whereas we an alcoholic, and decided he could are one thousand times more successful handle the situation himself! Then above the border? Study the history there was Jorgc. Hc only slipped once and nature of the pcople here. Perhaps in three months, then slipped into Alberto was right; the temperament alcoholic oblivion. Finally, Paulo found of the people is different. Family Pedro, the ex-hotel manager, who had pride will cause a man to exclaim, “I become an alcoholic while working am a ‘macho’, a man. I can drink north of the border for eleven years. with the best of them!”-even when He still takes a coi~plenow and then, he is tottering on the brink of the but he hasn’t missed a meeting for grave with the D. T.’s . There is also three months! a reluctance to accept the fact that al- Paulo and his family left us in coholism is a disease. Add to this February and moved to his home town the poverty that exists on every hand, of Teocaltiche, a hundred miles away. the cheapness of excellent tequila, the It was quite a blow to us, but the Man lack of hospital facilities, and the ten- Upstairs had other ideas. Paulo had dency to take a church six-month nine months of sobriety when he left. abstinence pledge instead of facing

February 1954

which had been yrars in the making. Anonymous which was to bring so- As I sat watching this scene, I briety within reach of more than vividly remembered Dr. Bob’s strug- 5,000 alcoholics who were to pass gles to start Akron’s AA Group Num- through the alcoholic ward of St. ber One and what this dear nun and ‘Illomas up to the time of Dr. Bob’s her Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine death in 1950. But when that first had done to make that possible. I customer was shaking it out in the tried to envision all the vast conse- flower room way back there in 1939, quences which have since flowed from the Trustees of the hospital little their early effort. Seeking hospitaliza- guessed that St. Thomas had become tion for his new-found prospects, Dr. the first religious institution ever to Bob, I recalled, had begged one opcn its doors to AA. Akron institution after another to take Not long before Dr. Bob passed them in. Two hospitdls had tried for out of our sight and hearing, I was a time but linally gavc up in favor of asked to inscribe a plaque which could folks wit11 broken legs, ailing gall always be scen on the wall of the alcobladders, etc.-rcally sick people! I~olic ward and which would corn-: Then in desperation, the good Doc- memorate the great events which there tor bethought himsclf of Sister Ig- took place. natia, that shy but beaming nun who Two years after Dr. Bob’s death, handled admissions at St. Thomas Sister Ignatia was transferred by the Hospital in Akron where he had oc- Order to which she belongs to Charity r was December 13, 1953. The occasion was the first casionally operated. In an atmosphere Hospital at Cleveland. Iremodeled anniversary of the opening of Rosary Ha”, the newly alcoholic ward at Cleveland’s famed St. Vinof some secrecy he approached her with his proposal. In nothing flat, he But no account of the activity of church hospitals in this area would cent’s Charity Hospital. It had becn a great AA meeting. pt results. This rare pair immediately be complete without a recihl’of what The m a l l auditorium was crammed with alcoholics and bootlegged a shaking alkie into a tiny happened at Charity Hospital over the their friends. So was the balcony. One thousand people two bed ward. Because the new cus- years before her arrival there. now rose to their feet, clapping wildly. tomer kicked like a steer at this glar- Old-time AAs will r e d l the won- The slight figure of a nun in a gray habit reluctantly ing lack of privacy for his delicate derful publicity which the Cleveland approached the lectern’s microphone. The uproar re- condition, Sister Ignatia moved him to Plain Dealer gave us in the fall of doubled, then suddenly subsided as the little nun com- the hospital’s flower room. Here AA’s 1939. When these stories broke there menced to give her thanks. She was embarrassed, too. For co-founder Bob and Sister Ignatia was scarcely a score of AAs in the had not the program she’d helped write for the occasion ministered to this newcomer, who whole town. Because the pieces ap-‘ definitely stated that “The Sistcrs of Charity, and the presently left his bed for the world pearing on the Cleveland Plain Dealmembers of Alcoholics Anonymous who have assisted, deoutside, there to mend his ways and er’s editorial page were accompanied cline all individual credit.” Sister Ignatia’s attempted anonymity was busted wide open, for no one there wanted his broken life. by strong editorials and ran consecuto let her get away with it this time. And anyway, she Through Sister lgnatia and Bob, tively for about ten days, the ensuing was just about as anonymous in that part of our AA world God had wrought a divine conspiracy excitement in the town was immense. as baseball’s Cleveland Indians. This was a tribute to her of medicine, religion and Alcoholics The little band of alcoholics, m e of

them dry but mor~tlis,were lloodcll by Mcanwl~ileClcvcland’s mc~nbcrsliip and far wlio had solxrcd up in tl~csc .,,1.his was no proicss~otial jvh. ‘l’l~c hundreds of teleplione calls and fran- soared to liundreds in a matter of wondcrful institutions began to re- folks wl~dworkcd on tliis tl~ingI~ad tic pleas for Iielp. ??ie Plain Dealer months. There at Cleveland in the alize tlicir long-standing tlcbt of grati- ll~cirliearts in it.” More tlun $60,000 had said to the good people of Cleve- winter of 1939, tllcy proved that mass tudc. I’crinission was obtained 10 mod- in funds and night work was thus exland “Come and get it!” And they ~mduction of sobriety was a glad ernize cornplctcly tlic httcrcd old pndctl on tliis urgcnt labor of louc. certainly did. fact. This is Cleveland’s great and ward ; ~ tCliarity. Sistcr Ignatia, licljxtl In’ tllc one short year since Sister ‘fllis startling dcvclvpmcnt usl~crcd riglitful claim to distinction as a pio- by the hospital authoritics and the Ignatia came to Charity, one thousand . in an entirely new phase of AA. Pio- neer group. Sisters of her Order, and further but- ;ilcoliolics have there seen the light of neering had gone on since 1935 and But this prodigious effort had to tressed by an enthusiastic committee their new day. Sister Ignatia, wlio has the AA book was already off the II~IVC Iiclp from the town’s hospitals. of AAs, went to work. Moncy, and licpt in touch with many of them, press. but growth in Akron and New Such amazing results could have been much more, flowed in. With special Lclicvcs that about seven hundred are York had been discouragingly slow. obtained in no other way. As in dispensations from tlicir rcspcctive sober at this moment. A handful of Clevelanders had dried Akron, after the cxcitc~nent died unions, AA carpcntcrs, plumbcrs and Is it any wonder, tl~cn, that the up by contact with Akron but held clown, some of the hospitals got clcctricians worked long nights. Whcn ;innivcrsary meeting of die opening of no meeting of their own until early wcary of drunks. But Cleveland’s they were done, the ward gleamed; Itosary Hall was turned into a dcclara- 1939. It was then commonly sup- Charity Hospital never did. Since it was possessed of every modern dc- tion of our personal love for Sister posed that nobody but “grey-beards” 1940 it has admitted alcoholics and vice. Neither were two intlispensablc Ignatia and all hcr works? If the could look after new people. The has provided a ward for them. Tliough adjuncts forgotten- -the cliapcl and plumling inspcctor had been present supply of seasoncd AAs in Cleveland Cleveland was lacking a “Dr. Bob,” tlic cotice bar! A plumbing inspector i ~ this great meeting, he would have . was of course painfully small. What the Charity w d did rievertlicless su~iiinctlit all up wlwn, niter looking :tgain exclaimed, “This is no profescould these few do with the liundreds prosper nobly untlcr the guidance and ;I[ this ~slonishin!: rcwll, hc remarked: sionill job. It comes from the hcart.” of alcoholics who now descended on devoted interest of Sistcr Victorine them like a landslide? Was mass pro- and Father Nagle, the hospital’s duction of sobriety possible? Chaplain. Though work with the al- Well, those early Clevclandcrs coholics could take up only a fraction proved that it was. Cases were of their time, and though Fathcr dumped into hospitals willy-nilly all Nafile suffered constantly from ill over town. Whether their hospital health, they continued to press on bills would be paid, no one knew. An with such a result that their work AA would appear at a new man’s will always stand a shining mark in bedside, snatch him out and take him our annals. St. John’s Hospital in to a meeting. V i e new man would Cleveland, too, did provide a two bed thereupon rush to another bedside ward for a time under the devote? with tile glad tidiegs. Thcn and there Sister Merced, who was finally transit w u dixovered that very new peo- fcrred to Akron where she became pie could drive the opening wedge associated with Sister lgnatia and Dr. into a fresh case almost as well as h b . Out of this confused scram- With tlic arrival of Sister lgnatia at ble there soon evolved the great idea Cleveland’s Charity Hospital in 1952, of organized personal sponsorship for plenty more began to Iiappen. Sudeach and every new man and woman. dcnly thousands of AAs from near

March 1954

EN years ago, AA was carr~edto Australia by a travelling American. Ihree T y e a o later it came indirectly from Australia to Ireland, this time through a Jesuit. This priest was on holiday in Dublin in September, 1947 and was interviewed by an evening paper on the subject of a Boys’ Town with which he was connected in Australia. In the course of his talk, he commented at length on the success that AA was having in Sydney and expressed the opinion that Dublin would do wcll to take it up. This interview was read by a member of the Philadelphia group, an Irishman who had gone to live in the States, who was also over here on holiday. Spurred on by his wife, he determined to start a group in Dublin. With the I d p of a doctor and by advertising, hc managed to scrape together a small number of men willing to make the experiment. Their first public meeting was held in The Country Shop on November 25th ; and here on that night the first AA group in Europe was formed. As in America, the start was slow and uphill. Today it is firmly established in Dublin; there is a large group in Belfast; there are sizable groups in Limerick, Cork, and Galway, and smaller ones elsewhere. Public meetings are held every Monday night, still in Thc Country Shop, when attcndance ranges from 50 upwards to 100. The maximum attendance was at a meeting held in the Mansion House, when over 400 came along to listen to the co-founder of the society, Bill. At a conservative estimate, there are at last 500 members in Ireland. In Dublin alone, over 700 self-styled alcoholics have “joined,” but all are not hunters who blow the horn. A good many, though partially convinced, are not yet ready to make, and act on, the necessary admission that they are beaten by drink. Excerpt from an anonymous arlide iu “The firrow,” an Irish Carholic publicnfion

He learns but half who hears only one side.

April 1954

NEW PAMPHLETS READY

lI.’I.L(~:’I’IN(; the fact t h l growing numbers of women arc facing their R drinking problem and turning to AA for help, a new pamphlet 11.1s k e n written especially for the 11usband of the woman alcoholic: T/JC Alioholir IY’ile. It is a companion piece to The A l d ~ o l i r I l r r s h ~ ~ l J , which has dlso just been reissued, complctcly revised, to replace tlw reprint I’rom ‘I’lle Dig Ilook with whicll many AAs arc familiar. Iiotl~ p;~mphlcts are available from AA Publishing, Inc., Box 459, Grand Central Annex, Ncw York 17, N. Y. Although h u s b d s and wives of alcoholic matcs are “in tllc sanw hoat,” exlwricncc 11.1s sl~ownthat many fun~lamcntalattitudes and proh- Icrns—-both before and after sobriety, and on thc part of both spouses- – Jitier a great 1le;il. For this reason it was decided that two separ.11~ pamphlets were ilcsirablc. The two pamphlets explain in some detail w l ~ i thas k e n the mattc-r with a mate whose drinking is out of control, what may ,be expectcd to happen when he or she decides to follow the AA program, and how t l ~ c non-alcoholic partner can help. 1)angc.r points :unil misconceptions arc explained, and suggestions are made for the solution of some of thc “non’s” own ilificulties.

June 1954

courage to change the things we can

~ ‘ s hard to rcalize today that when o i how an AA group in Ohio or New Iholism the year ,944 began the word alco- Jersey conducted its meetings and its was still a hush-hush word, not affairs; that many AA groups were sc* to be uttered above a whisper, taboo to small ; I I I ~so anonymous they couldn’t most people, and unknowr~as a word to he fount1 by a travelling AA who had even more. I’he press was afraid of it, 11ot takcn the precaution of gtting. afraid of the public’s reaction to such an nmncs and addresses from the Central “unpleasant” subject-so much so t h t 01lic.e; t h t there were no AA publicaeven the phenomenal response tlie 5111- tions bcyond the Big Book and one or. urday Evrtring PUJI had received to tlie two pa~nphlets. now-famous Jack Alcxtnder article on 1% 11i;trkcd a turning point in all AA in March, 1941, had not convinced tl~is.’I’llc spring of 1944 was particu-. other publications that tllcy too might litrly rich in creative ideas about alcoholsafely publish articles on alcoholism ism, alcoholics, and AA. None of these and AA. itleis were new. They had all been done It’s hard to believe that in 19’1.i AA before in other fields. What was new was still struggling to become cs~ah- ;tnd cre.ttive was their application to our lished in many many puts of the coun- field of alcoholism. In February thc try; that the me~nbershipwas barely idea for an educational campaign to 10,000; that the cooperation of the change public attitudes on alcoholism medical profession, of hospitals, of em- was born; this became the National ployers and even of the fi~niliesand Committee on Alcoholism. In a arch friends of alcoholics was still a far-off tlie idea for outpatient clinics devoted dream. entirely to the diagnosis and treatment It’s hard to remember that, in 1044 of alcoholics became a reality with the AAs themselves had little opportunity opening of the first Yale Plan Clinic. of communicating with each other out- And in April the idea for an AA magaside of their own small groups; that an zine, of, by, and for AAs, created The AA group in Arkansas had little idea Grtrpet+te.

June 1954

infant Conference take its first steps, and have’seen it acquire form, s u b stancc and strength, are today utterly confident. W e believe that our Confercncc, when securely linked to similar Confcrcnccs in every distant land, can guarantee, nhmlrr~ely, thc survival, unity. and functioning of AA throughout rhc world. We feel the decp assurantc that this new beacon light of scrvicc can endurc cvery storm and p r i l that the passage of the ycars may cast upon us. For the first time, we are certain that AA is safe, and secure. Thcrcfore the great event of 1955 will be our decision to makc this new OUR FINAL GREAT by Bill born Conference of Service a permanent part of AA’s life. This irrevocable step will mark the full completion of

DECISION: AA’s structure-Recovery, Unity, and now, Service. It will mark that day when, before God and the world, we tleclare ourselves fully responsibl’e and come of age. year, on June 10th. As most of us know, this Confer- pid.ultc of AA by its own group ‘Then the third and last legacy-the N we shall EXT 1955, be celebrating AA’s 20th ence of ours is the instrument through consc-icnc-c, Dcleptes choscn from all Legacy of Service-will have passed the Statcs and Provinccs of the U. S. from the hands of the old timersbirthday. But that will not be all. For, which we hope that AA, worldwide, in the year of ‘ 5 5 . this Society will will presently be able to assume full and Cmada have been meeting with people like Dr. Bob and me-to you. take, I trust, the last great decision p i d m c c and control of its overall our l’r~~stees and service staff men and . .. You, who are the Alcoholics concerning its final form and substance. scrviccs and principal affairs; all those women here at Ncw York to detcrmine Anonymous of today, and of tomorrow. Now exactly what may this grave vital activities of service which have whethcr AA-as a whok-can actually Such will be the boundless signifidecision be? long ccntcrctl around our Foundation, function as such, whether it can now cance of the year 1955, the day of In April, this year, AA’s General our Gencral Service Office and in our safely gather into its own hands our our 20th anniversary. and the hour of Service Conference met at New York publication aecncies. thc AA Publish- Third Legacy of Service for all time AA’s final decision. c.

for the fourth, and the last, of its inC:and The AA ~ r ~ ~ c ~ i v c . to come. May this be God’s will for us allexperimental sessions. As a four-year experiment in the Wc who have anxiously watchcd our Amcn.

* First & p r y : 12 S I C ~ofJ Rtrovrry; Srrotrd Lgary: 1 2 Traditions 01 Uniry .-

the evening of May 1944 of the latter, to be sure! One of our 22, 0several N members of AA met in ~nonthlycolumns during that first ycar ‘

a small midtown apartment in Man- of publication was entitled, “Time on hattan for a very special and, to them, Your Hands,” and was designed to exciting session. As they constituted give useful suggestions to prevent the original editorial staff, they were boredom, the deadly enemy of so many assembled to inspect and pass judgment alcoholics. W e can assure you that on the June 1944 issue, ambitiously neither the lady editor who had the headed Volume I, Number 1, of The particular responsibility for that Grapevine. Long weeks of agonizing column, nor any other staff memlxr work, under somewhat diflicult condi- was left with any “time on their tions, had gone into the preparation hands.” of an eight-page, three-column paper, Other regular features of the early but at last it was ready for distribution issues were a “Guest Piece” by a nonto members of A A in the New York alcoholic friend of AA, distinguished Metropolitan area. for work in the field of medicine, A decade is a long time in anyone’s Iitcrature, journalism, etc.; an “Edilife and much longer than the survival torial” by an older member of AA; of many a new publication. Yet to “Points of View” (letters from readerthe astonishment of that original edi- membcrs of A A ) ; “Central Ofice torial staff and their many willing Notes” ; “The Pleasures of Reading” helpers The AA Grnpevine has now (very brief reviews or suggestions of reached its Tenth Anniversary. “The books, modern or otherwise, that might six inkstained wretches,” to quote from interest members) ; “Along the Metroan article in the first issue, felt politan Circuit,” comprising news of originally they had stuck their necks the local groups (assembled by a hardout a mile in attempting such a working volunteer) ; and always, as paper, even though it was conceived World War 11 was still very much in as an enlirely local venture. Yet in ‘ e the second ycar of publication it bcprogress, one complete page headed “Mail Call for All AAs in the Armed HOW IT ALL BEGAN came the national monthly journal and is now the international monthly of A A. 1:orccs.” This last mentioned feature was considered by all the editors as an essential , ., With this issue “The Grapevine” is ten years old, going on eleven. W e have been asked i o recall part of the paper. All service men and To calebrrte the occasion we asked the original “six ink-stained briefly what some of the early issltcs women membcrs of AA whose adwretches” who put out Number I , Volume I (and who ere still . happily sobar) to contribute articles. O n the following pages the were like and whether we had any clrcsscs we could in any way discover, great us. (Editor’s not.: drawings are sketches from life!! trials anti tribulations. W e had a few ttsually through Central Office files, CONTINUED ON PA6E 26

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 W c had no atlcquate way of know- sc;lrce and wc wanted good quality. had automatically h e n put on our free and workcd entircly, whether assembling after the first month’s issue ap- W e got an adcquotc supply somel~ow. mailing list for “the duration.” W e ing copy, proof-rc;~dingor mailing out pcarctl w l ~ e t i ~ ewe r woultl scll enough When we leascd our oflice, we devoutly hoped a monthly AA paper the paper to early subscribers ant1 our copics and Invc enough subscriptions purchased a long architcct’s table, six would he cspccially helpful to them, Cree list, in cach othcr’s apartments. to pny for t l ~ csecond, but a frec copy chairs, a big stantling lamp and a as u s ~ ~ a l l y they wcrc cut off from group ‘I’llis was plcasant but not very ellicient. llad bcen mailed to most of the Group big coffee pot. At last, we felt we meetings and direct contact with other With perhaps two exceptions, the Sccrctarics across thc country (300 at werc really in business and now we members. W c think that it did prove a s~df-nic~nbcrs at first were entirely Icast) antl the rcply in subscriptions hat1 a central s p c e for records. Our boon to many. Although the service vnguc as to the meaning of suc11 terms w ~ svery gratifying from many areas. first nlccting in “our office” in members furnished most of thc ma- ;is “rnastl~cad,” “dummy,” “printer’s Our nailing faciiitics to take care of Scpianbcr, 1944 was really as much terial for their page in letters to us, galleys,” etc. One of the exceptions subscriptions were at first very clumsy of ;I tl~rillto us as the one of May 22 the somewhat harassed Treasurer and was our vcry capablc head editor, “sort of circulation man” was rcspon- sclcctctl by the rcst of us for her sible for the editing of the page. It “know-how” antl Iler refusal to be evcn was frankly the part of his job that v;~guclyp c r t u r l d by any of ‘the many provctl the most enjoyable, and con- ~~ol~lc~ wl1it.11 n s confronted us. The stant correspondence with a number ‘I’rcasurcr had had financial training of these members in the service was a but none in this field and even when, very rewarding experience. aftcr several months, our energetic When the paper was started, the “chief” found us a one room apartdificulties to bc overcome seemed mcnt conveniently located, for an office, rcally fantastic and the odds against its therc was no scparatc set-up for Edicontinuance and growth almost insur- torial antl Business staffs. W e all , mountable. However, was this not true pitched in on almost anything. of the start of AA itself? W e had T h e head editor and treasurer-editor enthusiasm, faith and fine teamwork worked frantically, and closely toas about our only assets. O n the gctllcr, on much of the constantly infinancial side, several of our more creasing detail, correspondence, new afiluent cditors, a long time friend of subscriptions, mailing lists, etc. At A A (husband of a member), and one Icast twice a month all six of us asother enthusiastic rncmber had con- scmbled. ‘l’he first meeting was largely Iwt wc cnlistctl the scrviccs of an AA wl~cnwe inspcctcd thc first i s k W e tributed enough to pay for the trial to sclcct from all available copy the Crientl, familiar with this type of now fount1 many willing hands to balloon of thc first issue. Incitlcntally, ~natcrial that might bc most hclpful prohlcm antl soon 11c llad made ar- hclp out, still all A A mcmbers; exthe cost of that first issuc of some to our A A rcatlcrs and the second t o rangcmcnts with a direct mailing pcricncctl proof readers, typists, etc., 1,200 copies was approxirnalcly $1 25. proof-read intlividually the printer’s house. A rcputablc bank hatl finally ant1 not until thc vcry last issues of Today, we are told, each issue costs galley sheets. Our venture seemed wild acccptctl our account. Our printer (for Volume I came along did wc have one about $2,500 for some 10.000 copies, eno11g11to most of our AA friends and economy reasons) was locatctl in New part-time paid employee to type exclusive of mailing costs, but your wc wcrc tlcterminetl to produce only a Rocl~ellc, 25 miles away antl not al- Icttcrs, manuscripts and hclp with magazine is now entircly self-sustain- professional looking paper. Alcoholics ways convcnicnt as gasoline was subscript ions. in~–“)virabde dicrlr !” usunlly like to d o things the hard way rationctl antl only onc of our staff hatl W e had lots of fun and mnclc thc For several months we had n o office and we did just that. a car, anyway.– so often we had to venture stick. rcly entirely on the mails. Paper was A. T.,New York Ciry

June 1954

which means that the groups will pay full retail prices to AA Publishing. This 4th action, later confirmed by the full Conference, takes effect July 1, 1954. The General Service plan is to build up the reserve fund, I I Conference af AA which now stands at about one year’s ‘1, 1954 operating expense, to the amount needed for approximately three years, thereby protecting AA’s service headquarters against any possible emergency.

GREETINGS FROM BILL In his opening remarks of greeting to the Delegates, Bill W. expressed his confidence that the Conference itself would be the actual successor to the founders of AA as custodian of the program and its services. lic relations. More than 600 inquiries Report One full day was devoted to reports were received from members of the on General Service operations from the clergy, the medical profession, students by Bill \v. as “a cross- in a city to be selected by a committee staffs of General Service Headquarters, and representatives of industry. Head- D roads Conference,” ESCIUBED the Fourth appointed by the conference. The Graper~ine,AA Publishing, and the Board of Trustees of the Alcoholic quarters continued to help writers and editors in checking factual references to Annual General Service Conference of In ten separate sessions at the Hotel AA met in New York April 21-25 with Commodore, the Delegates reviewed Foundation. Some highlights: AA in their manuscripts. To cite one seventy-five Delegates from the U. S. the entire financial structure of AA, the Last year, the service staff processed of many examples, AA staffers assisted and Canada attending. Members of work of the General Service office, The 34,000 separate pieces of incoming mail a writer of the New York Daily News General Service Headquarters and Grapeviue, AA publishing, and ques- and sent out more than 120,000 pieces in preparing four articles. which re- Grapevine staffs and Trustees of the Al- tions affecting AA as a whole. of mail and 16,718 packages. These sulted in an enormous number of incoholic Foundation also participated. packages included 23,296 AA books ; quiries. At one historic session on April 29,567 copies of “Twelve Steps and Nine proposals set before the Con- 23rd, Headquarters, Grapevine and Twelve Traditions” ; 547,000 pamph- MEMBERSHIP GROWS ference were acted upon in accordance Trustee representatives withdrew from lets; 243 sets of records; 157,000 In the year ending March 31, 435 with opinions expressed in pre-Con- the Conference, while Delegates met ference group meetings throughout the “on their own.” Among other subjects wallet cards. new groups were registered at Head- United States and Canada. In addition, considered at this session was the prob- “This Is AA” was the most popular quarters, provided with literature and the Delegates agreed to present AA’s lem of building a prudent financial re- pamphlet last year. A total of 85,600 the Handbook and added to the active Third Legacy of Service to the move- serve for the continuance of national copies was distributed. Other pamphlet mailing list, bringing the total of ment as a whole at a twentieth anniver- and international service functions in best-sellers were “44 Questions and groups throughout the world to 5,401. ; sary international convention of AA, to the event of a depression or recession. Answers” (78,320 copies) and “Medi- AA groups outside the U. S. and ‘ be held next year, immediately after the After a thorough discussion, the Dele- Fifth General Service Conference and gates agreed overwhelmingly to disconcine Looks At AA” (36,940). AA maintained the Tradition of “at- Canada now number 354 in 58 countries. and have an approximate memopen to all AAs throughout the world, tinue discounts on books sold to groups, traction rather than promotion” in pub- bership of 9,360, an increase of about

2,000 for the year. Prison groups increased from 176 to 234 and their membership now totals more than 12,- 000, an increase of 3,000 over a year Be it resolved … go. Hospital groups increased from From the conference Report: “At this session of the General 101 to 154. Total worldwide mernber- Service Conference, attended only by area Delegates, this being ship as reported in the 1956 Directory the only means and method we have of conveying our heartfelt of AA Groups is 128,296. sentiments, it was moved”: The AA Grapeuinr opcrated in the That this General Service Conference extends to Bill W. our black for the third straight year, Editor love, admiration, appreciation, and deep gratitude for his untiring Sig S. told the Delegates. In the past efforts over the years in leading us into this way of life which has two years its earlier deficit of $28,000 brought to us indescribable peace of mind, contentment, happiness, has been reduced by $lo,000. Circula- and serenity, and we hope and pray for him and Lois good health tion is up to 29,953. and many, many years of inspirational service; and, without naming the members of the General Service Staff, to them and every clerk TRUSTEE REPLACEMENTS and other employee who have done such a magnificent job in carry- Bernard B. Smith, non-alcoholic As policy sessions got under way, the ing the message to the untold thousands who are yet sick and’ who Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Conference also: do not know, and for the guidance, help, and inspiration they have the Alcoholic Foundation, reported Approved a motion to change the given to each and every AA, our heartfelt thanks, and, we especially these changes on the Board: name of The Alcoholic Foundation to desire to express t o Bernard Smith our sincere appreciation and Cliff W. replaced Jerry M., deceased ; the General Service Board of Alcoholics gratitude for his wise counsel, guidance and help, and to each Daniel H. replaced Hank G., resigned ; Anonymous, Inc. The new name, it member of the Board of Trustees, our gratitude for the magnificent Sig S. replaced Tom Y., term expired ; was agreed, would more accurately and job they have done in carrying on. And, be it further resolved that Sig H. nominated to replace Jonas A., clearly reflect its actual functions. The this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this Conference and term expired. Foundation is no longer a charitable a copy of it printed in the earliest issue of the Grapevine. Hank G. has been engaged as a paid enterprise ; it is simply the custodial arm staff member, on a part time basis, as of the General Service Conference. General Service Manager, acting as Agreed that there was no need for iuture of the Third Legacy of Service. “Perhaps the first dominant theme, President of AA Publishing, Inc. and as delegates who have completed their Decided not to produce a pamphletnever actually expressed in so many Chairman of the General Service Coln- terms to return in 1955 as nlcrnbers of dealing with conditions and attitudes words, was the fact that the movement mittee. an enlarged Conference to deci~iethe seemed to have achieved a larger measthat lead to slips. It was felt that the ure of self-confidence in its ability to subject might be handled in other ways. The Conference also voted not to pub- accept and direct the Third Legacy of lish a pamphlet, “Religion Looks At Service. Bill and Dr. Bob, the Trustees AA,” as possibly controversial. and the Service Headquarters staff had always hoped that such a confidence THE SENSE O F THE CONFERENCE would materialize-which it certainly The 1954 Conference had two dis- now has. They had felt that the fellowtinguishing marks, according to “The ship, now crossing the threshold of ma- Sense of the Conference,” a draft re- turity, should be abundantly endowed port distributed to Delegates on the with collective wisdom, in matters both final day: spiritual and material, fully to assure

tlic surviv;il ;i11(1 SIICCCSS~UI fun~tioning I I I ~ L ~Iikc J , 2 sI~aJow,to tllc hrst OW. of AA. 1:or in cxprcssii~g its self-conlitlcn~e. tllc Conl’rrcncc pin and .~,q~in demon- N E W ATMOSPHERE NOTED stratccl its awarcncss t h t , in AA, rc- “Llut to m.iny AAs tlicmsclvcs, in sponsibility is alwi~yscolnposed of two prcvious ycars, h i s concept h.1d been i~nporlmtccimcnts: rcpnsibility to totally new, totally untricd. This ycar rcsprct local autonomy and rcspoasibilthere was a new and cornpletcly confi- ity to assurc the functioning and surdent notc in many of the dixussions. vival of the movement itself. . . . “As one Delegate phrased it: ‘The “If they indecd represented the nlovcmcnt is no longer afraid to t.ikc ‘sense of the Confercncc,’ the twin on its sharc of the great rcsponsibilitics themes of confidence and responsibility it now has come to understand and spcll the promise of a truly magnificent accept.’ future of service for the fellowship of “Perhaps the second mark was Alcoholics Anonymous.”

June 1 9 5 4

The year 1944 marked a turning ning. Kay M., Felicia G., and others point in all this. The spring of 1944 helped, and by June we had an issue was particularly rich in creative ideas ready. It was hard work, after hours . about alcoholisni, alcoholics, and when our own regular jobs were I AA. None of these ideas were new. done, often far into the night, but it One of our early women members They had all been done before in was rewarding, for the new magareports on other fields. What was new and crea- zine began to take hold. tive was their application to our field Subscriptions from outside the

AA and the Grapevine . / of alcoholism. In February, the idea for an educational campaign to change public attitudes on alcoholism was born; this became the New York area started to come in immediately following our first issue. This was so exciting to all of us that no one wanted to miss the openj The First Ten Years National Committee [now National Council] on Alcoholism. In March, ing of the mail. We used to hold the letters from our post office box until the idea for outpatient clinics we were all present and then make a devoted entirely to the diagnosis and ceremony of opening and reading treatment of alcoholics became a re- them. It relaxed us after hours of ality with the opening of the first editing, cutting, proofreading. was barely 10,000 [in 1979, it is Yale Plan Clinic. And in April, the All this time, 1 was also working estimated at over 1,000,000 world- idea for an AA magazine-of, by, on anofher project, which called for wide]; that the cooperation of the and for AAs-created the Grape- extensive traveling. Everywhere I I T’s H A R D to realize today that when the year 1944 began, alcoholism was still a hush-hush word, medical profession, of hospitals, of employers, and even of the families and friends of alcoholics was still a vine. When Lois K. telephoned and asked if she could come in town and went (and 1 traveled over 25,000 miles that first year), I also talked to AA groups-and there I was an emnot to be uttered above a whisper, far-off dream. discuss an idea with Priscilla P. and issary for the new Grapevine. I cartaboo to most people, and unknown It’s hard to remember that in 1944 me, we had no conception of what ried copies with me, talked about it as a word to even more. The press AAs themselves had little opporruni- was involved. But when Lois arrived with AA members, and brought was afraid of it, afraid of the ty of communicating with one an- with her little sheaf of papers and home material from distant groups public’s reaction to such an “un- other outside their own small plans, we were swept with enthusi- and members, names of possible pleasant” subject-so much so that groups; that an AA group in Arkan- asm. We agreed that a monthly pub- correspondents, and subscriptions. even the phenomenal response the Saturday Evening Post had received sas had little idea of how an AA group in Ohio or New Jersey con- ‘ lication for AAs in the greater New York area was needed. We agreed The Grapevine had its roots deep in AA, and as these roots spread and to the now-famous Jack Alexander ducted its meetings and its affairs; that if it was good, it might spread took hold, it grew in strength and article on AA in March 1941 had not that many AA groups were so small beyond New York. We agreed to value. Those of you who read this convinced other publications that and so anonymous they couldn’t be help, to try to get such a thing issue today, ten years later, take it they, too, might safely publish ar- found by a traveling AA who had started. And we all agreed on a for granted. That is good, for it ticles on alcoholism and AA. not taken the precaution of getting name-the Grapevine. means it is surely and firmly It’s hard to believe that in 1944 names and addresses from the cen- We talked with Bill [AA’s co- established, built solidly upon the AA was still struggling to become tral office; that there were IIO AA founder]-he liked the idea. We courage it took, back in 1944, to established in many, many parts of publications beyond the Big Book talked with Grace O., Bud T., Chase change those things we could. the country; that the membership and one or two pamphlets. I H., and drew them in on the plan- M.M.

July 1954

Should AA “Coimt Noses”? AN EXPLORATORY DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEM OF KEEPING TRACK OF AA MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

HO is a member of AA? Some groups count 3s a member W b i o st M s undoubtedly subscribe anyone who shows up with some to the standard which was first enun- regularity, even though he may do proaches to “counting noses” in AA, of the size of membership? Should ciated by Bill and which underlies the same at meeting of other groups with some groups holding to the idea there be any general guides in deter- Tradition Three, that a person is a in the area. At the opposite extreme that the principle of anonymity rules mining membership in a group, as dismember of AA whenever he or she are those groups with such rigid stand- out the keeping of membership rec- tinct from the fellowship of AA, for ards and qualifications that members ords entirely. Last year, in fact, some census purposes? says so. may be expelled, put on probation, or T o answer these and other questions 500 groups indicated no membership But this question-who is a mem- otherwise regimented to conform with figures at aII on their registration cards frequently raised both in correspondber of a given group? -is subject to group membership standards. sent to General Service Headquarters ence and in conversation, The Grapealmost as many different answers as In between these two extremes are for listing in the annual Group Direc- vine talked with the “census-takers” at there are groups. dozens of other methods and a p tory ! General Senice Headquarters, studied Nevertheless, for the past few years the Directory figures of the past few an annual AA “census” has been taken years, and heard some of Bill’s ideas and published, despite the innumerable on the subject. difficulties encountered in compiling The most important idea garnered the record and the heroic effort re- in this research is this: membership quired for even an approach to accuracy. figures in the Directory represent group Is the Directory an accurate record mernberrhip only, as reported to Genof AA membership figures? How re- eral Service Headquarters by the groups liable a guide is it to AA’s actuaI themselves, plus the addition of lone growth during the past few years? members and Internationalists (sea- Why is it desirable to have a “census”? men) from Headquarters records. The How can the groups help in the com- Directory was never intcnded to reflect piling of a reasonably exact accounting the total of the undoubtedly vast num-

bcrs of alcol~ol~cswho are now, or who date infonnation for each new Dircchave been, sobcr through contact with tory are listcd with the last information AA Worldwide Membership Alcoholics Anonymous and the appli- available, which in most cases is obcation of its principles to their drinking solete. (If such groups do not respond Spring 1754* problem. to inquiries after two years of silencc MEMBERSHIP That this figure is far grcater than have elapsed they are, by approval of Groups in U.S.A. ………….. 92,548 the actual reported membership is ob- the General Service Conference, drop- Groups in Canada ………….. 9,147 vious, and, if those who sobered up in ped from the Directory. Last year 234 Groups outside U.S.A. and Canada. 9,359 AA and went sober to their graves dur- groups were dropped from the active Hospital Groups …………… 4,425 ing the past nineteen years were added registration list for this reason.) Prison Groups …………….. 12,149 to the total, it would be a still greater Fourth, of those groups registered, Lone Munbers …………….. 168 figure. many do not give membership figures. Internationalists ……………. 98 It is the concept of total recoverier, Until recently, such groups were countprobably, that leads individual AAs to ed, for the sake of the record, as conquote membership figures which in sisting of two members. In the latest some cases approach the astronomical. (1954) Directory, however, a more * as reported to General Service Headquarlers for publication i n T h e Group Secrerarjs Handbook and Direcrory, April 1954 This, of course, is the individual’s realistic estimate has been reached right, to have and to express a personal through the device of projecting the opinion as to how many alcoholics average number of group members on have found the AA road to recovery. these non-reporting groups. In other nedion, it is emphasized that listing in were 435 new groups formed and Actual reported membership in groups. words, each group failing to report the annual Directory does not depend registered at Headquarters … a good however, is another matter, and can membership figures is assumed to have upon contributing to Headquarters; d l bit better than one a day! easily be checked by reference to the twenty members, on the basis of the that is necessary is for the group to fill To return to the question as to why latest Group Directory. Every group average of members in those groups out a registration card. Also, it is a “census” is desirable and how the registered at General Service Head- which did report membership figures. pointed out, those groups who do con- groups may assist in achieving a reasonquarters receives a copy of the Direc- Total worldwide membership, as re- tribute to the cost of General Service ably accurate one … during the first tory, which is entitled T h e Group Sec- ported in the 1954 Directory, is 128,296 are by no means required to observe the years of AA’s existence there were no returfs Handbook and Directory. in 5,401 groups. Groups or lone mem- full “$2 a head per year” yardstick, problems relative to size of membership. In using the Directory, however, bers are reported from 58 countries. which, Bill explains, was selected as a Practically everyone could crowd into several facts should be borne in mind. The 1954 Directory, according to its convenient guide for groups in appor- an old-fashioned kitchen. As AA grew First, as mentioned above, since no uni- compilers, comes closer, within the tioning their finances. it fortunately did not employ a host of form standards for counting members limitations outlined, to reflecting group Those members who are amazed that professional sociologists intent on nuexist, the figures reported by groups membership than previous ones which the official Directory of Alcoholics merical data instead of AA’s spiritual can not be regarded as an exact meas- sidestepped the problem of listing Anonymous does not show some objective. As a result, figures as to AA ure. Second, an unknown number of groups with “no” members. There are 200,000 members by now are advised to membership have not, as explained groups are in existence which have nev- indications also of greater exactness on bear in mind the many loopholes and earlier, been compiled in accordance er registered with General Service the part of groups in reporting active problems inherent in the whole question with rigorous scientificmethods. Headquarters and hence do not appear membership, since the inauguration, in of “counting noses” in AA, and to take So what? Why is that important? in the Group Directory. Third, groups 1952, of the system of listing group note, year after year, of the steadily AA has come a long way since those registered with General Service Head- contributions to General Service Head- growing numbers of new groups re- early days around a pot of coffeein Lois quarters which fail to provide up-to- quarters in the Directory. In this con- ported. In 1953, for instance, there and Anne’s kitchens. Today many

scientific organizations are interested in achieving consistency in membership groups set three months as a desirable member, ~t would seem, ought to havc alcoholism and we welcome their co- tabulation. Who, for example, is a preliminary to giving a talk at an open a group with which he clearly estaboperation as well as that of press and membcr of AA ? meeting, or going on a Twelfth Step lishes this. Ordinarily, but not in every radio. From time to time we are asked As suggested before, there is ample call. case, it will be the group in the comfor information, and rarely is our authority in the prepared literature for Suppose a person is dry six months munity where he resides. T o be conanswer accepted that “AA keeps no agrceing that a person is a member of or six years and has a slip? H e con- sidered a member of a group, should records.” The inquirer invariably urges AA whenever he chooses to say so. tinues, of course, to bc a member of AA not a person attend the group’s meet- “just give a rough estimate.” Therefore Elsewhere the statement is made that unless he decides otherwise, but should ings at least occasionally, participate in we try to supply figures that are as ac- the only qualification for AA member- he not accumulate a reasonable period group activity in some manner, take OCcurate as we can compile with reason- ship is an honest desire to stop drink- of sobriety, even as the newcomer, be- casional Twelfth Step calls, and introable effort. Moreover, reliable figures ing. This is one principle that might fore being counted among those who duce to his group new prospects who are needed if we are to have any clear well be rephrased. Of the many thou- have found recovery? live in the vicinity? It is hardly fair to idea as to whether we are continuing to sands of present members of AA, about Being a member of AA and being a a group with certain financial responsimake adequate progress. how many would you guess came in member of a specific group, as pointed bilities involved in “carrying the mes- In addition to the inherent difficulties with an “honest desire to stop drink- out earlier, involve two quite different sage” to consider someone a “member” ‘ previously described, the local group ing?” About how many had no desire and distinct ideas. A person gets sober who attends one meeting in a year and secretaries, who are the chief source of at all to stop drinking but were simply in Old Town and subsequently moves a drops a quarter in the collection box. information, arc not likely to be trained desperate or were casually “looking thousand miles away to New City but Each case, of course, should be constatisticians; but even if they were they about” at some other person’s insist- never goes near the New City AA sidered on its merits, but the total picwould need precise instructions as to ence? The fact is that a substantial per- group. H e surely cannot be counted ture is bound to be confused when a what and how to count, so that the re- centage, if not an overwhelming ma- with the New City membership. How- secretary counts as an active member porting would be consistent both geo- jority, need to be in AA for some time ever, our transplanted member no of the group a person who in fact u graphically throughout all of AA’s in order to acquire “an honest desire to longer maintains any connections with completely iriactive and who has neither structure, and chronologically from stop drinking.” The prior ‘principle, Old Town, either. How to get him into displayed any interest in the group nor year to year so that annual comparisons then, at least for census purposes, is the AA census? There is a way, which in any way contributed to its welfare would havc meaning. preferable: a person is a member when- will be described shortly. during, perhaps, the past six months. T o aid consistency of reporting, can ever he chooses to say so. Duplication of reporting can occur in Can we, then, in view of what has there be, without violating the spirit of That seems simple enough, but what those areas where there are many groups been said evolve some general princi- Tradition Three, some fundamental about such statements as, “More than and where some members regularly at- ples that may be helpful in achieving agrccmcnt about basic concepts such as 150,000 men and women have found tend two to four group meetings a a teasonable uniformity of method “who is a member of AA?” and “who rccovcry (or a hippy sobriety) in AA” ? week. Obviously each member should when making membership tabulations? is a membcr of this group?” Printed What is recovery or happy sobriety? A be counted by only one group. Each The following may be a beginning: definitions and suggestions setting forth problcm drinker seeks AA’s help today answers to these questions, for census and accepts all his new-found sponsors Suggested Guidsr in Det-mng Membership in purposes only, could go a long way to- tell him. Tomorrow he tells a dozen Tbe FeUowsbip and in Tbe Group for Cemuz P~lrposes wards achieving a reasonable uniform- people he is in AA. He is. But has he 1. A person is a member of AA uninterrupted sobriety at the time of ity of reporting within a fairly short really found sobriety? Isn’t it a little whenever he or she chooses to say so. tabulation. time. too soon to tell? Should not the new 2. When reference is made to thox The length of this period may v a y W e might try, by way of illustra- rnembcr be dry for some period of time who have found recovery in AA, the from group to group, unless r g e n e d tion, to see if we can develop some basic bcfore he can bc said to have recovered? figures quoted should include only agreement could be reached on an concepts that might be helpful in A week, a month, three months? Some those who have had a definite period of approximate period.

3. An AA member should be count- be in the community persons who at one Group Membership iu the US. and Canada* ‘ ” ed as an active member of a specific time were actively associated with AA UNI-I’ED STATES group only if he displays some interest and whoare believed to be still affiliated Reporled Reported in that group and periodically contrib- with AA in spirit. They are believed to AA Metrrbers SI,JIP AA Members utes to its welfare by attending meet- be sober and are not known to belong Slafe ings or by carrying out other group to any group. They might be termed Al~banu 3 Nebraska 369 responsibility at least on a minimal inactive members, for census purposes. Arizona 560 Nevada 188 basis. In the community also may be some Arkansas 857 New Hampshire 248 4. A member should be counted for former members of AA who neither California 11,020 New Jcrsey 2,256 census purposes by one group only, display any interest in the local group Colorado 911 New Mexico 652 generally the group geographicdly nor achieve any success at maintaining Connecticut 1,103 New York 7,223 nearest his home, unless he has estab- sobriety. There is no reason, it would Dclaware 354 North Carolina 1,884 lished clearly defined filiations with seem, for including them in any current District of Columbia 543 North Dakota 443 some other group. tabulation. If they really belong, time Florida 2,309 Ohio 7,954 5. In addition to active members will tell and they can be included in a Georgia 970 Oklahoma 839 filiated with a local group, there may later edition. Idaho 375 Oregon 61 3 Illinois 5,27 1 Pennsylvania 3,150 Indiana 1,702 Rhode Island 234 Iowa 1,689 South Carolina 962 In reporting membership for census Kansas 1,537 South Dakota 560 fore. If observed, the classifications purposes the secretary or other officer Kentucky 773 Tennessee 633 would merely facilitate counting and Louisiana 793 Texas 4,511 might use the following guides in ar- help to eliminate duplication. They are riving at the total number of members Maine 694 Utah 1,040 doubtless far from perfect and it is perto be reported to Geneml Service Head- Maryland Vermont 290 haps altogether impossible to devise quarters: Massachusetts 3,231 2*459 Virginia 1,743 definitions covering such broad con- (a) active members sober (for ex- Michigan cepts as “recovery” and “membership” ,i34 Washington 1,533 ample) three months or more. Minnesota to fit cvery case. Yet, if some definitions 713 West Virginia 770 (b) active members sober less than Mississippi such as those given were used and if the 2,184 Wisconsin 2,103 t h m months (or whatever period the Missouri groups were given an opportunity to ‘ 301 Wyoming 159 group decides). Montana become completely familiar with them (c) inactive members in the com- over a reasonable period of time, more CANADA munity who are believed to be affiliated precise reporting of census figures Reporled Reported – with AA in spirit, who maintain so- would almost certainly follow. An in- AA member^ Province AA Memben Provime briety, and who are believed not to be dividual group would know exactly 2,764 Alberta 512 Ontario filiated with any specific group. where it stands today as compared with These suggested classifications would British Columbia 1,453 Prince Edward Island 107 a year ago and with two years ago. The be solely to guide secretaries in de- same could be said with respect to the Manitoba 510 Quebec 777 termining the group’s size. They would movement as a whole or with respect to New Bmswick 587 Newfoundland 68 Saskatchewan 703 not give us any new kinds of member- any geographical section, such as a city 7 ship, nor set up any arbitrary member- Nova Scotia 647 Yukon or a state. ship “rules.” AN are AAs exactly as be- What do you think? * as shown in 1954 Directory. (See box on page 17 for totals.)

July 1 9 5 4

Thanks to the General Service Conference, the activities of its Delegates, Committeemen and to your better understanding of our service needs down here, we are of course far better off at present. Last year ilie Grapevine broke a little better than even. And thanks to increased Group contributions, the General Service Office bill was just about paid. Even so, there remained an over-all deficit of about $10,000 due to the fact that special contributions of the G r o u p to the expense of the General Service Conference fell that much short. Again it was book and pamphlet money that made it possible to hold the General Service Conference at all, despite the improvement that has reccntly taken place. The following letter was These are the facts of our history that show the need at all times for mailed to Groups in M a y a safe reserve fund in the Foundation. This is the money that guarantees the operation of AA’s world services, rain or shine. RER careful discussion, at the recent General Service Conference, it was Due to increased expense and inflation in recent years, our reserve fund now A voted to remove all discounts to U.S. and Canadian Group on the Big Book and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. slands a/ only nine monrhr’ operaring expense for the AA General Service Office. Their action was taken by a large majority-sixty-eight to seven-and repre- This-considering the uncertain times in which we are living-was considered sented an accurate cross-section of AA opinion. by the Conference to be much too low and very unsafe. The Conference realized It was suggested that I write you, telling v:ry this action was deemed so that a decline of even fifteen or twenty per cent in Group contributions and necessary. literature sales could again put us right out on the limb. Our experience here at AA Headquarters, in the fifteen years since it was set Hence the Conference action to suspend all book discounts until the Foundation up, definitely shows, indeed it shouts, that the Foundation must a l ~ a y shave on reserve reaches a figure equal to at least two or three yearsv operating expense hand a s a b ~ ~ i dreserve fund of bmi c u d to take care of the frequent deficits for the General Service Office. that occur and the future possibility of a depression or severe inflation, thereby This means that AA Publishing will now charge the Canadian and U.S. guaranteeing our world services under a11 conditions. Groups $3.50 for the Big Book and $2.75 for Twelve Steps and Twelve This isn’t a theory at dl. In the first two years of its operation, the entire Traditions. It was expressly stipulated that these additional monies were to be expense of General Headquarters was paid out of book and pamphlet receipts. placed by the Foundation in its Savings Bank Reserve Fund. And, should this Then, in 1941, the Groups, by voluntary contributions, commenced to assume the fund reach $300,000 during the next few years, then it was agreed the book General Headquarters Ofice expenses. But, in only five out of the thirteen yeas discounts would be restored to the Groups. When we think of the immense since 1941, have Group contributions paid the full bill of the AA General Service size and reach of AA, this $300,000 becomes a very small figure-it is a per- Office. And on nvo occ~sionsreserve book earnings accumulated in the manent investment of only $2.00 per member so that AA can never, under any Foundation have saved the General Headquarters Office from cloaing or conditions, fall apart at its very center. its service being sevemly curtailed. This action of the Conference gave me immense satisfaction and relief, for I remember one period, when the Groups failed to meet office exptases . it means that your Headquarters will be made depression-and-calamity-prod. by $2,000 8 month. At the same time the Grapevine was losing $1,000 a I trust that all Groups will see the great need for this protective accumulation month. For almost two years this rate of loas continued. I t was only by and, at the same time, will fully maintain their voluntary contributions out of reason of our reserve of book money in the Foundation that the Grape- which our current General Service Officeexpenses arc met. vine did not go completely out of business. And there would have been A thousand thanks to you all ! , sewn contraction of the General Service Office at the very time when our fast growing fellowship needed more services–not less.

: J u l y 1954 r

AA was built on that. I said I might buse, my hometown group being one, not agree with their method but I with intergroup headquarters in Oslo. A Trrveler Reports would defend their right to their own They operate a clinic that serves the ‘ conclusion. whole country and is supported by mu- After relating one or two alcoholic nicipal funds. A three weeks’ indocexperiences I told them what I had o b trination of antabuse and AA informatained in AA besides sobriety: a meas- tion is prescribed; God and spiritual AA In Norway ure of serenity and ability to accept life principles are omitted, with emphasis as it came on a daily basis, and that I on the medical and psychological as. had found God in my own way. pect. Two AAs connected with the I believe I passed the test, for the clinic and performing the administra- “old timer” took me to his home after tive office work of the intergroup are the meeting; a beautiful home, for he paid salaries from municipal appropril THE AA part of my trip really be- When it came my turn to speak I gins and ends in the city of my was tempted to argue back that physiis a successful business man. AA was ation. The explanation for this was discussed further and he gave me a that the groups could not support inchildhood, about an hour by train from cal sobriety alone was not the final and sketch of his alcoholic experience tergroup and clinic work. Oslo, the capital. This involved my first complete answer. That there is a de- which included hopsitals, doctors and Difficulties have arisen, however, meeting with the group two days after velopment of character and spiritual an attempted suicide. He took avnlmt and the AA name has been involved my arrival and a final dinner the night understanding involved, based on the as a last resort, with a box of tablets in public discussion. But they are enbefore my departure for New York. fundamental truths contained in the and a bottle.of whiskey on the table. tirely sincere, and assured me that they Interspersed during my stay were sw- Twelve Steps, in order to obtain a last- He kept this up for days until his aver- were working toward a stricter -amera1 talks and meetings with groups ing and happy sobriety. That we rec- sion was so strong that he couldn’t tion of the medical and social service and membus in Oslo. ognize a higher power according to our drink the stuff any more. activities from the AA groups. Them The meeting of my hometown group own conception. That the aversion for A remarkable strong character, 1 is also a national committee elected by was held at one of the hotels and upon alcohol created by anlabuse eventually told him. I mildly suggested, since the groups in yearly convention wemmy arrival the “old timer,” the one wears off and unless a member has ac- they are working only with married bled. The situation is somewhat inwho had helped in starting the group quired something deeper in heart and couples, that he still had the single volved, however, and one trusts that some five years previously, took me mind to hang onto, a recourse to drink- people and the down-and-outers to they will profit by mistakes such as we under his wing and when the meeting ing will surely follow. That their meth- work on. That would come, he said. have made over hem and in the end started he gave a preliminary talk. He od seemed to apply a degree of coer- Two days later I attended the Christ- be able to say: “Our experiences haw said that they worked primarily with cion; surely there was pressure by the mas party of the group; manbea and taught us that-.” a v m n (antabuse). The alcoholic wife to prod hubby into keeping up their families, about 150, were pm- . The second trend is of course those prospect is examined by a doctor to the schedule! That it was well to re- ent. Good things to eat, grimes, dulc- who disagm with the first, specifically ascertain if heart and organs are in member that we work by attraction in ing, entertainment and a Christmas in Oslo. They want to follow the Traorder. Then with the cooperation of AA and not by promotion. If I had tree. I had the honor to wind up the ditions u closely as possible, do away the alcoholic’s wife a j;raduated course said this it might have sounded as party with a fifteen-minutetalk before with antabuse or relegate it to the medof aversan tablets is administered for though I were shedding pearls of wis- closing at 2:00 A.M. A wonderful ical fraternity for development. To two years, couplcd with attendance at dom from a pedestal. But I didn’t. time, a wonderful bunch of people; I prove this they have started a clinic, AA group meeting*. He said that their I merely replied that he and his had found new friends. a private one, whcm antabwe is not group had experienced fewer “slips” group members, about twenty-five of There are three trends amcng the used but AA principles are exploioed tban any other group in Norway. them, were entitled to their opinion; AAs in Norway. The first is pro-ants- to the patient, with doctor and n u m

in attendance as well. what is religious seems to be the thing I believe the rank and file of AAs most needed over there, in my opinion. in Oslo favor the second contingent I spoke before several groups in and I found some sturdy AAs among Oslo and at the end of each talk many them. questions were tossed at me. How did The driving power of the third we do our Twelfth Step work? How trend is a group in Bergen, on the could they acquire lady members, of west coast of Norway. Many term this which they had none? What about group and their followers, because this meeting places (which was a problem group has influenced many groups with them) at reasonable rentals? They along the west coast, the “‘religious” were eager to know about AA, they groups. The Bergen group has trans- were earnest, they were friendly and lated, printed and circulated a great they had AA qualities. I feel that whatdeal of AA literature and they also is- ever growing pains they are passing sue a mimeographed periodical titled through will be overcome and many ‘The Road Back.” The translations alcoholics will become sober and happy have been accurate and references to through their efforts. Reported mem- God and the spiritual parts have not bership in Oslo is 2000, with about a been omitted. dozen groups. There are also groups in If a fusion could be effected between all the main towns from the North Trend No. 2 in Oslo and No. 3 it Cape to the southern point of Norway, might result in a satisfactory solution about 45 in all. so that a clearer division could be ef- Now to the end of my AA experifected, as we say here, between the ma- ence in Norway which took place in terial and the spiritual. It is probable my hometown the night before my dethat those following Trend No. 3 feel parture for New York. The “old timthat they have the “True AA Gospel,” er” invited me to dinner at which the but those of Trend No. 2 have a lib- Chairman and the Secretary of the eral view of things so that there should group were present. A delicious meal be no trouble in agreeing on the fact and an AA “jam session” until 1:30 that in AA we find God, each in our A.M. At the close I was presented with own way, as we understand Him and a silver platter with this inscription: we respect the opinion of others. For “Greetings from AA Friends in -.” it certainly is not well to say to a new- A lump came in my throat. After thircomer, “You must believe in God to ty-two years the hometown boy had reachieve sobriety.” By the same token, turned and they acknowledged that he we cannot greet him with, “Your prob- had “made good” in the truest sense lem is a medical one. Take these pills by offering him this gift. The good and you will stop drinking.” A deeper Lord has indeed been good to me. understanding of what is spiritual and H. S., New York City

August 1954

on when he d e d a good piece to moil of a drunk ever done, with balance off an issue. “The Place for words or pen*. Another former editor helps us celebrate our Tenth Drunks” is, in my estimation, one of In closing, I hope you’ll indulge me the finest pieces of writing we ever to the extent of allowing me to pay Anniversary (June 1944-June 1954) by choosing a ran. my personal tribute to others who favorite selection t o reprint. Here is all the emotional horror of made my job so easy. First, there’s the alcoholic, handled with the great B. H. who started designing our tenderness of humility which AA covers with the September 1949 issue teaches us. And with a final paragraph and is still doing them. Then there’s which will make even a hard-bitten R. McK. who used to do ‘The Chair- . drunk grateful for having Christmas man” every month. There were many come in August this year. others but these were the handful a Bill has characterized the years guy could rely upon to work into the when it was my privilege to edit the wee hours of the morning if necessary. G V as AA’s time of “Coming of age.” And, finally, there’s I. A. D., a Vice Part of the prwcss of growing up is President of the GV, who worked May The The first General Service Con- 1950. C Grapevine b a r even better ONGRATULATIONS! fruit fcrcnce in In reporting that one 1951. , the ability to laugh at ourselves. So I had to include some of G.G.’s drawtirelessly behind the scenes, reading proof, catching mistakes, right up in the next decade than it has in these we ran pictures, remember? Then we ings. In my opinion, these won&rful until his death last April. I’ll miss first ten wonderful years! ducked! And got a number of scathcartoons and wash drawings, more him and so will hundreds, yes thou- When you asked me to participate ing reminders about anonymity. One than any other one factor, helped the sands, of AAs around New York in this Tenth Anniversary by selecting I still rerncmbcr-from my dear G V to grow up as a publication. His who knew and loved him. The Grapemy own favorite pieces from The friend Bob H. of Richmond, Va. Here was the saddest moment in Alibi Albums were perfect mirrors. vine was, is, and always will be a lot Crdpevine during my time as its Edi- And I nominate the man-on-the-phone tor,* I thought it would be a cinch, A A history-the tragic loss of our of people! beloved Dr. Bob. If I were choosing as the best portrayal of the inner tur- A1 S., Greal Neck, L. I. and a pleasant one. Trouble is, it was too pleasant! Browsing through more the most significant thing printed in than three years of back issues revived the GV during my stewardship, it more memories than rediscovering an would of course be the January 1951 old family album. I ended up with so issue, dedicated to Dr. Bob and Anne many “favorites” you’d need six full who had passed on seventeen months issues tv reprint them. before. Here were stories by The Deacon, Even when I excluded these events, surely one of the most colorful drunks I was still in trouble. But I finally ever to find his way into AA. The settled on a piece that is completely old “calendar drinker” turned out out of season. It was the lead story in some of the liveliest writings ever the December 1949 issue, “Christmas seen in the GV, before or since. in the Place for Drunks.” It was Here too were Grapevine reports of written by Les D., then of West momentous A A events. The First In- Redding, Conn., and as reliable a conternational Conference in Cleveland in tributor as any editor ever had to lean Dec. 1948-Drc. 19S1.

August 1954

IS now ;~~ccptcd protctlure that the this tristi!ution Illcrature package as a job of wpplyirig spc;dxrs for the mnethod of supporting the institution regt11;ir r i l e e t i n g ~ ~r t hospital group groups. 71e Hand o/ Fellowship sh;~llbe &ided among several groups ‘fllc prison groups, also, 11.1vc in- In the are.!. This s c r w a doublc pur- cloascd in both group numubcrs rnd pow, in thi~tit rclic\~sany one group, in Hospitals and Prisons or group of melnbcrs, of carrying the membership tllis past ycx. A yeJr ago thcrc wcrc 176 prison groups load alone, and it provides the patients with an estirn~ted ~ncmbcrsllip of in the hospital with a broader under- ‘),(I()(). As of today* there arc 234 The exciting story of AA’s growth among men and women in standinp of the p r o p m and personal prison groups with an cstilnated meminstitutions, as told by the Institution Secretary of General contact with more outsidc AA mem- bcnhip of over 12,000. l’hc growth Service Headquarters t o the 4th General Service Conference b m . Since sponsorship has always of prison AA tllcse past feu. years Iias in April. been considered a part of any hospital been tlmmatic, and as these figures progri~n~’, it frequently happens that a cfemonstrate, this growth is conpatient will find among the speakers tinuing. a man from his home town who is happy to introduce him to AA in that C O O P E R A T I O N I N TEXAS ITH the co-ordination of the the second upon the cooperation of W work of all institution groups, the outside AA groups. community upon his release. Another examplc .of the increased The most inspiring examplc of cooperation and interest on the part of one great difference between the= As an example of the necessity of interest on the part of many AA mem- penal authorities occurred a few groups and regular outside AA groups this kind of cooperation, it would bers in the whole institution pro- months ago in the State of Texas, has become apparent. It has frequent- seem apparent that the large increase ly been said that it is only necessary in hospital groups in the past year, gram is the response to the special where the Prison Board recommended to have two AA members, in order to from 101 groups a year ago to 154 at literature package plan, which was in- that AA becomc an integral part of have an AA meeting. However, the the present time, is in large measure stituted at General Headquarters last thc entire Texas Prison System and success and growth of an institution due to the increased interest on the summer, in an effort to gain more that an AA group bc encouraged to group is dependent upon two outside part of many state hospitals as well support for the institution groups. function within each of the fourteen factors, as well as on the desire and as doctors, following the establish- This plan provides outsidc groups and units of the System. This decision of sincerity of the members themselves. ment of state commissions and the members with the opportunity of pur- the Prison Board of the State of First, any in-patient or inmate group legislative recognition of alcoholism chasing $4.00 worth of pamphlets, Texas could be the forerunner of is more successful if it can function as a public health problem. This, specially priced at $3.00, if intended similar action in other states, but it for an institution group. The Crape- is important to recognize that this coas nearly as possibk along traditional coupled with the increased awareness v h e cooperated in this so that thc operation on the part of institution lines, with its own officers and com- on the part of many AA members of total price of an institution litcrature ofticials is only one of the factors mittees, simila~ to outside groups. the enormous potential for Twelfth package, including a year’s subscrip- necessary to the healthy growth of an Secondly, the ultimate success of AA Step work available in hospital groups, tion to The Glilpeviw if desired, inmate group. It is up to AAs “on for both the patient and the inmate has stimulated a more concrete and comes to only $5.00. The overwhelm- thc outside” to provide these inmate is directly comparable to the support definite planning for the support of ing response was heartwarming in- groups with meetings, with literature, the group receives from AA itself. these hospital groups through outside deed. Over 300 orders were received ancl above all with the extended hand The first condition is dependent upon AA cooperation. For example, in many localities it in the first month after thc announcc- of fellowship. the cooperation of the institution and ment, and the groups are still using l’lic p s t year Ills delnonstrated

OIJI tl~crc ;ire 1i101.c J ; I L ~ Ii1Ol.C A A feeling oi sot.ial inferiority. t11.1t t!~c ~nemhers \v!io arc ~lrc.<tingthe chd- rlcoholic is most sewrely te11iptc.d to total of 465 inmatcs who have been admitted into the group membership. I~n,geoIic:.cd in I~clping prison A A . return to . ~ l i ~ h ~ l With. tl~cse pro-‘ either paroled or discharged this past They have continued to increase Altliou~!~ 1:1.1ny 1 0 . ~ 1 .I:~.I.; ~ . I Wlong qr.ln:j, Iw\vcwr, the inn1.1tc being rc- year, less than 10% have been re- their own services, and since “sharing l i d active 1ns:it~:ion C~~:iniiticcs who Ic.~sdtrn hc n – t rt the prison p t e , turned. Another smaller group has re- the experience,” has been the basis I~rvcbccn coo~xrati~i~q to the fullest .d his d w n t into the group is rl- ported a similar percentage: since the of SO much of AA, the inmatcs themwith the entire institution program, r-ady prcprcd. Th~ishe does not ice1 group was organized; 61 have been selves have made trerncndous progsuch as in the S t ~ t eof Cdifornia, in I;:s~t:~nt about his reception, and c m discharged or paroled, and of that ress along these lines. Whcn the inthc Boston area, an11 in New Jersey continue without inkrruption his cf- total only three have k n returned stitutional work first became coordi- (to mention but a few) this past year forts to build a new way of life. as parole violators. nated at General Service Head- 112s sccn the tlcvelop~nent of such quarters, t h m were approximately S C R E E N I N G N E C E S S A R Y eightcen inmate AA publications. At Committees, or I;cllows!~ips3s t!icy are sometimes called, o:i A shte-wide Although these two outsidc factors the present time thcrc are over 50 of basis: The Big Brotl~crs of AA in of institution cooperation and outsidc them, and most of them include as Ohlo; a Committee in Oregon; a AA cooperation are of tremendous many of thc inmate groups as pos- I:rllowship G r o ~ p ,pat:.:rned some- importance, the job that the inmatcs sible on thcir mailing list. In addiwll.~t along the lines of the Illinois themselves arc doing is an outstand- tion, tapc recordings arc invaluable 1:ellowship for Alcoholic Prisoners, ing one. They themselves are making for this basic sharing and the ex- 113s begun to function in the Statc of individual and collective efforts to change of tapes is also progressing W~shington;the State of Indiana has maintain the quality of the groups so rapidly. There are now tape recordals institu:ed a 1:Jlowship for Alco- that this cooperation, so deeply ap- ings available at twelve of the prison holic Prisoners; and there is a Fellow- preciated, may continue. For example, groups, two groups having as many ship in the Statc of Arkansas. Colo- the idea of screening in any AA as seventeen tapes on hand. rado has established a cooperative Wlat are the results of all this in- group is abhorrent to all of us who program involving the joint efforts of stitution activity? AA’s primary pur- are familiar with AA’s Tradition that GSH I N S T I T U T I O N SERVICE the inmatc group, the prison adminis- pose is to help the sick alcoholic to anyone is a member of AA who says Our services to the institution tration, the parole b o d and the out- recover through our AA program, if he is. However, most of the larger groups are based largely on this side gro:~ps of Colorado. he is interested, and since this institu- prison groups have discovered that “sharing of experience.” Exchange tiona! membership is an integral plrt some sort of screening process is nec- Bulletins for both the prison and hos- EX-INMATES ACTIVE of AA, a few figures which indicate ,tssary, in order that the group may pital groups are compiled bi-monthly All of these fellowships or move- the degree of success of the inmate not be disrupted by men who are not and are mailed to all groups and Inments, many of them sparked by ex- AA member upon his release are of sincere in their approach to the AA stitution Committees. Hospital lists inmate AAs, involve some sort of di- interest. program. This has happened in dif- and prison lists are compiled annurect contact betwren an individual out- One group with an active list of ferent ways in different groups. Some ally, and incorporated in them is inside AA member and the inmate dur- 103 members, which has been in ex- groups have a regular Screening Com- formation which can assist, also, in ing his pre-parole period. This elimi- istence a little over two years, has mittee on inmates, who interview the this “sharing.” For example, on the nates the transition period from the reported that out of 73 members re- prospective member. Other groups prison list, publications and tape ICprison group to the outside group Icascd, 64 are making good on the have plans whereby beginners’ meet- cordings arc listed, as well as inforwhich is so danpcrous to the ex- outsidc. One of the largest of the ings are held for a long enough pe- mation as to the restrictions and priviinmate, for it is during this period, prison groups with a reported mcni- riod of time to insure a degree of leges of correspondence. In addition, with its loneliness,’ frustrations and bcrship of 400, reports that out of a sincerity upon the part of the pros- each new prison group receives sugpective member before he is finally gestions on the formation of an in-

mate group, and “quotes from to faith and understanding, and the penologists.” sure knowledge that love is the key Such a report as this inevitably with which all of us can unlock the deals with the over-all picture, but let prison we have built around our us not forget that in prisons and hos- hearts. The following quotation was pitals as in AA everywhere, the indi- included in an inmate’s letter, and it vidual is the important thing. The seems to express this progress in felpersonal growth of inmate members lowship: “I sought my God, my God is something that we are keenly aware eluded me. I sought my soul, my of at Hcadquarters, for it is our privi- soul I could not see. I sought my lege to read their letters each day. It brother, and there I found all three.” is a constant source of inspiration, to by Eve, formerly watch the transition in correspond- Institution Secrefary, now ence, from bitterness and resentment, “rolafed” to a new job

September 1954

few months or weeks to be two no members throughout Norway, Sweden, longer ! Finland and Denmark. Some difficulties have arisen in this area during the This brief story illustrates the importance of linking people who can past year because of a difference of further our purpose of helping the thought concerning alcoholism and the alcoholic to find AA. There are many, best method of dealing with it. The many more such stories. A man in problem of Public Health in these Africa writes for a contact for a friend countries has been successfully dealt of hi stationed in Korea; a woman with so far through governmentwrites from New Zealand and asks ifoperated agencies. Therefore when there are women’s groups in the AA began to grow in Scandinavia and States and if so, how can she startthe question of service of?ices, literaone? A Chilean writes in Spanish ture, national publications similar to A REPORT ON that he has read about AA in a local The Grapevine, etc., began to be an AA ABROAD publication and how does a person urgent necessity, it was considered a get sober? Your General Service Of-matter of course that government aid AS PRESENTED AT fice provides the bridge which makes should be sought to assist the growth THE 4th GENERAL help a reality to these people. Theand progress of AA. results are an ever-increasing growth Part of the monies garnered through SERVICE CONFERENCE of AA membership throughout the the government-controlled sale of IN APRIL, 1954 . world. In 58 countries exclusive ofliquor has been allocated to AA. As Canada and the U. S., there are ap-a result a precedent has been set proximately 9,359 members in 354 which may take some time to dislodge. groups. Here are a few highlights. However, in every country there are groups or individual members who SCANDINAVIA are thoroughly grounded in our Tra- According to the latest reports ditions, and who wish to see the AA there we now approximately 3,500 movement as a whole in Scandinavia long ago a woman visited from a Spanish-speaking AA newly NorGeneral Service Headquarters as arrived in Buenos Aires via Tcxas where he had found sobriety. the result of a State Department referral. It turned out that she works His letter expressed an eager desire with the Ministry of Social Welfare to find other alcoholics with whom 10 in Argentina and is intensely inter- share the message of AA . . . as a ested in AA as a possible solution to result, the Senora left us with the asthe problcm of alcoholism in her surance that she would be contacted country. Had she come a few days on her rcturn home; and she assured earlier we might have had no one to us that she had every intention of rewhom to refer her in Bucnos Aires, ferring those alcoholics with whom as our lone mcmbcr thcre is frequent- she comes in contact in the course of ly out-of-town; but as it happened, her work, and she says thcre are many, on the desk as we talked was a letter to our little AA group of two, in a

follow along the lines which have nationals is now a reality in Munich. proved so successful here. Since there A German translation of the text por- one of our Internationalist membcts casts are making the gcncral public is no real unity concerning the general tion of the book “Alcol~olics Anony- who has left the sea and is living in realizc that alcoholism is an illness policy of how the needs of the alco- mous,” which was made by one of Rotterdam, a ncwssheet in Dutch is and that AA is a way to recovery. holic may best be mct, progress in our German members living in Eng- being distributed amongst the memdisseminating information about our land, has been sent to this new group bership. Work has bcen started on AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Traditions is necessarily slow. Thc for their use and two of our pamph- the translation of some of our pamph- The growth and development of taking of Antabuse in Norway and lets in German have been made avail- let literature. The usual problem of AA in Australia and New Zealand Denmark is an accepted part of the able to them for reprinting and dis- funds for papcr, postage, etc., has, as is continuing apace, with Central program and in some instances a re- tribution. yet, to be met. Service Offices reccntly established in quirement for a period of two years. THE B R I T I S H ISLES Brisbanc, Adciaidc and Melbourne in Another problem has been a lack addition to the already flourishing AA AA is now firmly established in the Sydney Services Council. The Ausof understanding or interest in what British Isles and many of the initial tralian newsletter “The AA Reviver” we refer to as “the spiritual side” of difficulties experienced by the groups continues to do its job of unifying the program. For instance, in Norand members in Great Britain have AA activities in Australia. Part of the way, a translation of the Twelve Steps now been overcome. A much wider solidity of AA “down under” stems omits the word God in Steps Five, Six understanding of AA on the part of from members who have visited the and Seven. It is to be hoped that new the mcdical profession has contributed U. S. to see how we operate, and translations which have been prepared to this progress, the result of a meet- AAs from this country who have gone here will do something towards bringing of the British Medical Association to Australia to visit or emigrate. ing about a realization of the fact that FRANCE at which AAs participated, and it is AA is unavoidably a spiritual pro. AFRICA In France, our group in Paris is no longer “hush hush” and disgracegram. While it might seem that here doing well. They have finally found ful to turn to AA for hclp-an atti- On the vast continent of Africa, is cause for “viewing with alarm for a permanent meeting place in the tude rather prevalent in the past. AA continues to grow and expand. the good of the movement,” in actu- American Church and several French- Members of the groups in Great There are approximately 35 groups ality we must keep in’mind what Bill men have been added to the group! Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with a membership of 1,139. The has referred to as the right of any There are also groups in Metz and meet together frequently to discuss most populous AA centers are Cape- AA group or member to be wrong; Verdun; both are composed of mem- common problems. Alanon Publica- town, Durban and Johannesburg. and also, that in spite of all these bers of the Armed Forces. A lively tions, Inc., is now established in Lonseeming “heresies,” alcoholics in Scan- ISRAEL exchange of meetings and visitors be- don. Soon it will be publishing and divania are continuing to remain sober tween the French and German groups distributing our books and pamphlet An exciting new development in the and to recover. goes on. A small group of Armed literature to groups, members and last year has been the growth of a GERMANY Forces members in Austria is progress- prospective members in the sterling group in Isnel. Stemming from an Last year we reported three groups ing rapidly and its members have areas, a solution of the difficult ex- inquiry received in New York, the in Germany. Since then, the member- visited both the French and German change and customs problem which group has now grown to approximatcship has grown rapidly, and there arc groups. has hetetofore been a bottleneck in ly eight. The prescnt group secretary now approximately twenty groups in securing literature from AA .Publish- who found AA through correspond- HOLLAND ing, Inc. The subject of AA and the cnce only and through the reading of Germany. As before, most of these groups are comprised of Armed force^ There are approximately five groups alcoholic is being brought out in the our literature, is doing a wonderful personnel, but a group of German in Holland and, through the efforts of open and some excellent newspaper job against very difficult odds-no and magazine articles and BBC broad- moncy, no Hebrew literature.

JAPAN During the last ycar we havc beell or) to Duocdin, Wc!lington, 1 wcnt mcrnbers continuc to practice the procorresponding with a Japnncse who to Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane. W c gram on their own, ever alert for – i s vcrv much intcrcsted in adopting — I have spoken at 3 1 meetings, one radio new prospccts so that “Loner” may the AA program for thc Japanesc broadcast, and on a forty-five-minute be turned into “Group.” An up-to- ~eo~le. 1 I Since at the present timc – tape recording. We have been entcr- date listing is kept of thcse “Loncrs,” the program which thci have insti- taincd royally, and dined most excel- so that they may correspond with one tuted differs so widely from AA as lently by our good friends down un- another, and in this way feel a part of wc know it, we have thought it best A der. Believe me when I say that this A A. to wish them God speed, but not to ncw kind of life has rewards, because Translations of three of our pamincludc them, for the time being, in in my twenty-four years of going to phlets, “AA–44 Questions and Anour rapidly growing international fam- sea I never have met so many gram1 swers,” “The Traditions,” and “The ily. The good news is that definitc pcople that it hurt to leave. It is like Fortune Reprint,” are available for steps are being taken to help the Jap. meeting blood relations 9,800 miles distribution in Swcdish, Finnish, Norancse alcoholics. from home. AA in the antipodes is wegian, Spanish, Portuguese and Our AA group in ~ o k ~ o fluctuatcr wonderful and I only hope that we French. In addition to this material, and changes as U. S. civilian and were able to help them, as much as mimeographed copies of the text por- Army personnel are transferred and t h y hclped us.” tion of the book, “Alcoholics Anonythere arc scattcred mcmbers through- A bulletin of excerpts from letters mous,” are available in Spanish and out Japan. A solid core remains, from “The Internationalists” is mailed French through the groups in Puerto however, to continue the work. to them from General Service Head- Rico and Quebec City respectively. quarters which helps to keep alive thc The picture of AA outside of the SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA feeling o,f fellowship between group United States grows brighter and more These countrics now havc a com- . members and enables news of the distinct every year . . membership bined membership of approximately group to reach each member, wherevcr overseas has increased by almost 2,000 375. There arc 15 groups in Brazil, he may be. in 1953. Reports of AA world travwhere most of the membership is still “LONERS” elers are evidence of the warm solrccntered in Rio de Janeiro. In addi- groups all over the world who have darity and friendship which exists tion in Argentina and Buenos Aires, becn visited by membcrs of this group In lonely outposts world-wide– amongst us all, in spite of our occathere are groups or members in Brit- are glowing. A letter from one of the Formosa, India, Java, Saudi Arabia, sional differences concerning methods ish Honduras, Costa Rica, Cuba, Nica- mcmbers aboard the H.M.C.S. On-‘ Spain, Trinidad, and the Australian and procedures. ragua, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, tario returning home to Canada after bush, to mention just a few-AA Ann M. Pcru and Venezuela. visiting Australia and New Zealand gives a little of the reciprocal feeling INTERNATIONALISTS AND LONERS existing bctween visitors and visited: The members of our Seamen’s cot. “I want to thank you on behalf of rcspondcnce group, “The Intcrnation- Ken, Prcd, Cy, Charlie and myself alists,” now numbering 98, continuc for your making our trip so enjoyable. to be our best AA ambassadors The first we knew of your letters was wherever they may go. Reports from at Hobart, Tasmania and from then

November 1954

Akron and a City Councilman. But and I still believe in God. But I guess he had landed in the Akron City Hos- He doesn’t believe much in me.” pital four times in the last six months. Then Dr. Bob said, “Well. Bill. Following each release, he got drunk maybe you’ll feel better tomorrow. even before he could get home. Wouldn’t you like to see us again?” So here we were, talking to Bill, “Sure I would,” replied Bill, “Maythe first “man on the bed.” W e told be it won’t do any good. But I’d like him about our drinking. W c harn- to sec you both, anyhow. You ter- I N MEMORIAM mcred it into him that alcoholism was tainly know what you are talking an obsession of the mind, coupled to about.” an allergy of the body. The obsession, Looking in next day, we found Bill we explained, condemned the alco- with his wife, Henrietta. Eagerly he holic to drink against his will and the pointed to us saying, “These are the allergy, if he went on drinking, could fellows I told you about, they arc the D., AA Number Three, died positively guarantee his insanity or ones who understand.” B in Akron ILL Friday night, September death. How to unhook that fatal compulsion, how to restore the alcoholic Bill then related how he hat1 lain awake ncarly all night. Down in the 17th, 1954. That is, people say he died, but he really didn’t. His spirit to sanity, was, of course, the problem. pit of his deprcssion, new hope had and works are today alive in the Hearing this bad news, Bill’s swol- sotnchow been born. The thoug!~t hearts of uncounted AAs and who can len eycs opcned wick. Then we took flashed thorough his mind, “If t ! q doubt that Bill already dwells in one the hopeful tack, we told what we can do it, I can do it.” Over and of those many Mansions in the Great had done: how we got honest with over he said this to himself. I:inally, Beyond. ourselves as never before, how we had out of his hope, there burst conviction. Nineteen years ago last summer, Dr. t ~ l k e d our problems out with each Now he was sure. Then came a gredt Bob and I saw him for the first time. other in confidence, how we tricd to joy. At length peace stole over him Bill lay on his hospital bed and looked suppose you’ve already tried it your- make amends for harm done others, and he slept. at us in wonder. self ?” how we had then been miraculously Before our visit was over Bill SUJ- Two days before this, Dr. Bob had Yes, she did have a customer-a released from the desire to drink as denly turned to his wife and said, said to me, “If you and I are going dandy. He just arrived in D.T.s. Had soon as we had humbly asked God, “Go fetch my clothes, dear. Wc’re to stay sober, we had better get busy.” blacked the eyes of two nurses, and as we understood him, for guidance zoing to get up and get out of here.” Straightway Bob called Akron’s City now they had him strapped down and protection. Bill D. walked out of that hospital a Hospital and asked for the nurse on tight. Would this one do! After pre- Bill didn’t seem too impressed. free man, never to drink again. AA’s the receiving ward. H e explained that scribing medicines, Dr. Bob ordered, Looking sadder than ever, he wearily Number One Group dates from that he and a man from New York had a “Put him in a private room. We’ll be ventured, “Well, this is wonderful for very day. cure for alcoholism. Did she have an down as soon as he clears up.” you fellows, but can’t be for me. My The force of the great example that. alcoholic customer on whom it could W e found we had a tough cus- case is so terrible that I’m scared to Bill set in our pioneering time will be tried? Knowing Bob of old, she tomer in Bill. According to the nurse, go out of this hospital at all. You last as long as AA itself. jokingly replied, “Well, Doctor, I he had been a well-known attorney in don’t have to sell me religion, either. Bill kept the faith-what more I was one time a deacon in the church could we say?

Tradition Eleven: Our public relafion~ policy is bared on attraction rafher Tradition Twelve: Anonjmify is tbe than promofion; we need alruays main- spiritual founhfion of all orr Tradifain personal anon mity at the level of tions, ever remindin us to place prinpress, radio, and d m s . ciples above persona!keJ. As never before the struggle for power, importance and wealth is We faced about and found ourselves Were lhcse sacrifices? Yes, they on a new high road where the direc- were. T o g i n enough humility and tearing civilization apart. Man against tion signs said never 3 word about self-respect to stay ali\-e at a11 we.had man, family against family, group power, fame or wealth. The new signs to give up what had redly been our against group, nation against nation. read, “This way to sanity and serenity dearest possession-~ur ambitions and Nearly all those engaged in this -the price is self-sacrifice.” our illegitimate pride. fierce competition declare that their Our new book, The Twelve S e p ~ But even this was not enough. Sacaim is peace and justice for them- JIJ Twelce Tradiriorts, states that rifice had to go much further. Other ‘ selves, their neighbors and their na- “Anonymity is the greatest protection people had to benefit too. So we,took ‘ tions . . . give us power and we shall our Society can ever have.” It says also on some Twelfth Step work; we behave justice; give us fame and we that “The spiritual substancc of anon- gan to carry the AA mesa@. W e sacshall set a great example; give us ymity is sacrifice.” rificed time, energy and our own monmoney and we shall be comfortable Let’s turn to AA’s twenty years of ey to do this. W e couldn’t keep what and happy. People throughout the experience and see how we arrived at we had unlcss’we gave it away. world deeply believe that, and act ac- that bclicf. now expressed in our Tr3- Did we demand that our new proscordingly. On this appalling dry bend- ditions Eleven and Twelve. pccts give us anything?.Were we &er, society seems to Ix staggering At the beginning we sacrificed 31- ins them for power over their lives, down a dead end road. The stop sign cohol. W e had to, or it would have for fame for our good work or for is clearly markcd. It says “Disaster.” killed us. But we couldn’t get rid of a cent of their money? No, we wen What has this got to do with anon- ‘ alcohol unless we made other sacri- not. \We found that if we demanded ymity, and Alcoholics Anonymous? ficcs. Big shot-ism and phony thinking my of these thing our Twelfth Step We of AA o u ~ h to know. Nearly had to go. Wc had to toss self-justi- work went flat. So these natural deeveryone of us has traversed this iden- fication. sclf-pity, and anger right out sires had to be sacrificed; otherwix, tical dead end path. Powered by al- the window. W e had to quit the c m y our prospects received little ot no cohol and self-justification, many of contest for personal prestige and big sobriety. Nor, indeed, did we. us have pursued the phantoms of self- bank balances. W e had to take per- Thus we learned that sacrifice had importance and money right up to the sonal responsibility for our sorry s t ~ k to bring a double benefit, or else little disaster stop sign. Then came AA. and quit blaming others for it. at all. W e beg” to know a b u t the

kind of giving of ourselves that had right to say who our members shdl tremendous personal oration in thc thosc two-column spreads about “Bill no price tag on it. be. We have abandoned do-goodism, pess and Alcoholics Anonymous got the Broker,” full name and picture. When the first AA group took reform and paternalism. W e refuse much of thc credit. His full name and the guv who was saving drunks by form, we soon learned a lot more of charitable money and prefer to pay picture, as a member of .4A. was seen the thousands ! this. W e found that each of us had our own way. W e will cooperate with by millions of fans. It did us plenty Then this fair sky began to be a to make willing sacrifices for the practically everybody, yet we decline of good; al~oholics flocked in. W e little overcast. Murmurs were heard group itself, sacrifices for the common to marry our Society to anyone. We loved this. I was specially excited be- from AA skeptics who said, “This welfare. The group, in turn, found abstain from public controversy and cause it gave me ideas. guy Bill is hogging the big time. Dr. t p t it had to give up many of its will not quarrel among ourxlves Soon I was’ on the road, happily Bob isn’t getting his share.” Or,again, own rights for the protection and wel- about those things that so rip society han&ng out personal interviews and “Suppox all this publicity goes to fare of each member, and for AA as asunder-religion, politics and reform. pictures. T o my delight, I found I Bill’s h a d and he gets drunk on us?” a whole. These sacrifices had to be We have but one purpose: to carry could hit the front pages, just as he This stung. How could they penemade or AA couldn’t continue to the AA message to the sick alcoholic could. Besides, he couldn’t hold his cute me when I was doing so much exist. who wants it. publicity pace, but I could hold mine. eood? I told my critics that this was Out of these experiences and reali- We take these attitudes not at all I only needed to keep traveling and America and didn’t they know I had zations, the Twelve Traditions of Al- because we claim special virtue or talkin.?. The local A h groups and the right of free speech? And wasn’t coholics Anonymous began to take wisdom; we do these things because newspapers did the rest. I was aston- this country and every other run by shape and substance. hard experience has told us that we big-name leaders? Anonymity was Gradually we saw that the unity, must-if AA is to survive in the dis- maybe okay for the average AA. But the effectiveness-yes, even the survi- traught world of today. W e also give co-founders ought to be exceptions. val–of AA would always depend up rights and make sacrifices because The public certainly had a right to upon our continued willingness to sac- we ought to-and, better yet, because know who we were. rifice our personal ambitions and de- we want to. AA is’ a power greater Red AA power-drivers (prestigesires for the common safety and wel- than any of us; it must go on living hungry people, folks just like me) fare. Just as sacrifice meant survival or else uncountcd thousands of our weren’t long in catching on. They for the individual, so did sacrifice kind will surely die. This wc know. were going to be exceptions too. Thty mean unity and survival for the group Now where does anonymity fit into said that anonymity before the gnerand for AA’s entire Fellowship. this picture? What is anonymity any- at public was just for timid people; Viewed in this light. AA’s Twelve how? Why do we think it is the all the braver and bolder souls, l i h Traditions are little else than a list sreatest single protection that AA can themselves, should stand right up beof sacrifices which the experience of rrer have? Why is it our gteatest fore the flash bulbs and be twenty years has taught us that we ymbol of personal sacrifice, the spirit- ishcd when recently I looked at those This kind of courage would soon d must make, individually and collec- unl key to a11 our Traditions and to old newspaper stories. For two or away with the stigma on alcoholics. tively, if AA itself is to stay alive and our whole way of life? three years I guess I was AA’s num- The public would right away see what healthy. The following fragment of AA his- ber one anonymity breaker. fine citizens recovered drunks could In our Twelve Traditions we have tory will reveal, I deeply hope, the So I cm’t really blame any AA who make. So more and more members x t our faces against nearly every m w e r we all seek. 1x1s grabbed the spotlight since. I set broke their anonymity, all f o r the trend in the outside world. the main example myself, years ago. good of AA. What if a drunk W ~ I’J Years ago a noted ball player so- W e have denied ourselves personal bered up through AA. Because his At the time, this looked like the photographed with the G O V ~ ?K ~ O ~ thing to do. Thus justified, I ate it up. Both he and the Governor deserved government, professionalism and the mneback was so spectacular, he got a What 2 bang it gave me when I read the honor, didn’t they? Thus’ we

roomed along, down the dead end America. The public understandins of definite public impression that AA was good for us. that war too bad! road ! alcoholism increased, the stigma on favored “education,” liquor trade style. We and AA’s Board of Trustees drunks lessened, and AA got new Though these two developments could go plumb to the devil. The k c members. Surely there could be noth- never happened to g t far, their im- tures were going on the air. ing wrong with that. plications were nevertheless terrific. This was a poser. Just by b r d i n g But there was. For the sake of this They spelled it right out for us. By anonymity and so using the AA name short-term benefit, we were taking on hiring out to another cause, and then for his own purposes, our friend could a future liability of h u g and menac- declaring his AA membership to the take over our public relations, get US ing proportions. whole public, it was in the power of into religious trouble, put us into the Presently an AA member began to an AA to marry Alcoholics Anony- advertising business and, for all thpublish a crusading magazine devoted mous to practically any enterprise or good works, the insurance company ta the cause of Prohibition. He , controversy at all, good or bad. The urould pay him a handsome fee. thought Alcoholics Anonymous ought more valuable the AA name became. Did this mean that any misguided to help make the world bone dry. He the greater the temptation would be. member could thus endanger our SOdisclosed himself as an AA member Further proof of this was not long ciety any time or any place simply by The next anonymity breaking de- and freely used the AA name to at- in sh~wing up. Another member \dopment looked ever rosier. A close tack the evils of whiskey and those started to put us into the advertising AA friend of mine wanted to go in who made it and drank it. He pointed business. He had been commissioned for alcohol education. A department out that he too was an “educator,” by a life insurance company to deliver of a great university interested in al- and that his brand of education was a series of twelve “lectures” on Alcoholism wanted her to go out and the “right kind.” As for putting AA coholics Anonymous over a national tell the general public that alcoholics into public controversy, he thought radio hookup. This would of course were sick people, and that plenty that was esactly where we should be. advertise life insurance and Alcoholics could be done about it. My friend So he busily used AA’s name to do Anonymous–and naturally our frier~d 43s a crack public speaker and writer. just that. Of course, he broke his himself-all in one good-looking pack- Could she tell the general public that anonymity to help his cherished cause age. she an AA member? Well, why dong. At AA Headquarters, we read the not? By using the name Alcoholics This was followed by a proposal proposed lectures. They were about 50 breaking anonymity and telling him- Anonymous she’d get fine publicity from a liquor trade association that per cent AA and 50 per cent our self how much good he was going to for a good brand of alcohol education an AA member take on a job of “cdu- friend’s personal religious convictions. do for us? We envisioned every AA and for AA too. I thought it an ex- cation.” Pcnple were to be told that This could create a false public view advertising man looking up a comcellent idea and therefore g v e my too much alcohol was bad for anyone of us. Religious prejudice against AA mercial sponsor, using the AA name blessing. and that certain people-the alcohol- would be aroused. So we objected. to sell everything from pretzels to AA was already getting to be a fa- ics-shouldn’t drink at all. What Our friend shot back a hot letter prune juice. mous and valuable name. Backed by could be the matter with this? saying that he felt “inspired” to give Something had to be done. We our name and her own great ability. The catch was that our AA friend these lectures, and that we had no wrote our friend that AA had a right the results were immediate. In noth- had to break his anonymity; every business to interfere with his right of of free speech too. W e wouldn’t oping flat her own full name and pic- piece of publicity and literature was free speech. Even though he was go- pose him publicly, but we could and ture, plus excellent accounts of her to carry his full name as a member ing to get a fee for his work. he had would guarantee that his sponsor educational project, and of AA. landed of Alcoholics Anonymous. This of nothing in mind except the welfare would receive several thousand letters in nearly every large paper in North course wou!J be bound to crcite the of AA. And if we didn’t know what of objection from AA members if the

path into which I might have led our of recovery to the whole world. ulf-efiacement will prove of more Bob’s m l monument is visible entire Society. Thus I learned that the If, through enough anonymity lapses permanent worth to AA than could throughout the length and breadth of temporary or seeming good can often we finally caused the press, the public my spectaculx public notoriev or fine AA. Let US look a p i n at its true bcr the deadly enemy of the permanent and our alcoholic prospects themselves mausoleum. . inscription . . one word only, which best. When it comes to survival for to wonder about our motives, we’d We d0n.t have to p to Alrmn, we AAs have written. That word is AA, nothing short of our very best surely lose this priceless asset; and, Ohio, to see Dr. Bob’s memorial. Dr. Sacrifice. will be good enough. along with it, countless prospective W e want to maintain 100 per cent members. Alcoholics Anonymous Edilor’s nore: delegates to AA’s General Service Confereme are at preJrnt anonymity for still another potent rea- would not then be getting more good consideritlg the advi~abilityof once more briefing prblishers on AA’J Tradition sbn, one oftcn overlooked. Instead of publicity; it would be getting less. of anonpity d the public level. ( A letter on this ~vbjectwas nailed r all xcuring us more publicity, repeated and worse. Therefore the handwriting major netvspapers, wire sert’ices und radio statiot~sjn 1950.) self-serving anonymity breaks could on the wall is clear. Because most of severely damagc the wonderful rela- us can already see it, and because the tion we now enjoy with press and rest of us soon will, I’m fully confipublic alike. We could wind up with dent that no such dark dav will ever a poor press and little public confi- fa11 upon our Society. dence at all. For a long time now, both Dr. Bob For many years. news channels all and I have done everything possible over the world have showered AA t:, maintain the Tradition of Anonywith enthusiastic publicity. a never- mity. Just before he died. some of ending stream of it, far out of pro- Dr. Bob’s friends suggested that there portion to the news values involved. should be a suitable monument or Editors tell us why this is. They give mausoleum erected in honor of him us extra space and time because their and his wife, Anne, something befitconfidence in AA is complete. The ting a Founder. Dr. Bob declined, v e q foundation of that high confi- with thanks. Telling me about this a dence is. they say, our continual in- little later, he grinned and said. “For, sistence on personal anonymity at the Hewen’s sake, Bill, why don’t you press level. and I get buried like other folks?” Never before had news outlets and Last summer I visited the Akron public relations experts heard of a cemetery where Bob and Anne lie. society that absolutely refused person- Their simple stone says never a word ally to advertise its leaders or mem- about Al~~holicsAnonymous. This bers. To them, this strange and re- made me so glad I cried. Did this frcshing novelty has always been wonderful couple carry personal anonproof positive that AA is on the ymity too far when they so firmly resqusre; that nobody has an angle. fused to use the word “Alcoholics This, thcy tell us. is the prme Anonymous,” even on their own reason for their great good will. This burial stone? is why, in season and out, they For one, I don’t -think so. I think continue to carry the AA message that this great and final example of

A p r i l 1955

–A – – r – _ – ;-.,- .-

Y L e S g n & c a n c e [o St. d o u i d to its near-miraculous and incredible past; that our Fellowship has now,camc. of age; that we now propose to take full possession and full respdnsibility for our inheritance coming from the early years of M–Lhosc~talegacies of Recovery, Unity and Service. N o longer will the unity tnd fd&g of our society depend upon its parents, elders or its founders, W w i l l b $ h e unique significance of St. Louis. This means that all of us-AA as a whol- – ,. . -: . ,,#

now mti& ready to take over full guardianship of the AA Traditions that guarantee our unity in time to come, and also to take complete charge of those World Services which are the means by which we function as an entire Fellowship, and from which radiate cur principal life-lines to those millions all over the globe who still need AA. , Maybe this sounds vague, abstract or visionay. But it m l l y isn’t. The basic:.’ idea is simple and praaicd. There comes a time in the life of my family when the parents must say to sons’and daughters alike, ‘You =,grown up, ,* here is your inheritance. Do with it as you will. W e will watch, we;will help, w next summer, m d it will k twenty years since I first set eyes on Dr. . ,.CoBob–twenty years since the spark that was to be Alcoholics Anonymous but we must no longer decide for you, act for you or protect you, ,You are henceforth responsible for your own lives and well-being. So now take your ..’was struck m d M ‘ s Akron Group No. I took form and substance. 4 destiny by the hand. And may God love you.” Everybody knows that o good . .I ‘ .This July, we are having our 1955 Anniversary at St. Louis-all of us who parent must do this. All parents, at some point, simply have to “let.go and cm get there, maybe ten thousand, maybe twenty. And all who can’t be there let God.” That’s exactly what we old timers will propose to you at.St. Louis. ‘. will surely be pment in spirit and will be bound to share those meaningful At least that’s what I plan to do as I believe such a decision will be healthy, and stirring hours with us as they read the reports. timely and right. St. Louis isn’t going to be just another anniversary for the very potent reason : -,’,,.,, 1

On the great stage of the St. I.o”is ~ u d i d r i wyou will xe your elected that there can never be, in all our history to come, another such occasion as representatives, the General Service Conference of )ikoholics, Anonymous. In this. the midst of them you will see AA’s Trustees and your’World Service Staff. As at all anniversaries of the past, we shall thank God for our deliverance When the final hour of our Convention coma, I shall, on &half of the old out of bondage; we shall pay grateful tribute to those near and dear who sat timers . . . . through the dark night of the soul with us; we shall gratefully recall those But shucks, here I am, spoiling the show. . friends in the world outside whose ideas, good will, and labor without stint . , , i – . 1

Here’s hoping that Lois and I will be seeing you at St. Louis! a , ,, , have done so much to make AA what it is today. We shall cry out our greetings to each other with a warmth seldom known anywhere. W e shall exchange experien- confess that our society has its faults, and ask God to show us how to Important Notice I,+ . remove them. W e shall ponder the mtaning of our shoa but exciting history All hotel room reservations in St. Louis for the Convention next July and, in confident faith, we shall accept whatever destiny Providence has in 1-2-3 must be made through: The Hotels Convention Rexrvition Bureau. store for us. All these things we shall do at St. Louis. 911 Locust Stmt, St. Louis 1, Missouri, on Convention application forms But we are also going to do some things that can never be done a g i n : we sent to all groups in November. If you need more application forms ue going to affirm that the infancy and adolescence of our society now belong write to Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17,’ New’York.

fricnds that wc urgcntly nccdcd moncy Alcoliolic Foundation was tax-frec, on -a lot of it, too. cliaritablc grounds, wc thought the One of them, a Mr. Frank Amos, rich would contribuk lavishly. But soon madc a trip to invcstigatc the nothing happcnctl. After months of Akron Croup. (Prank Iias, by t l ~ cway, solicitation, we failed to turn up with F rcmaincd a friend and trustce of Al- cvcn a ccnt Wlut could we do next? Part 1 coliolics Anonymous to this day.) He In the latc spring of 1938, 1 had rcturncd from the Wcst with a vcv draftctl what arc now tlie first two s OMEDAY tlic history of Alcoholics Anonytnous will bc written. Only then will most of us finally undcrstand of tlic Akron Group still tliougllt we ought to stick to tlic word-of-mouth proccss; but tlic majority felt that we optimistic report on the Akron situation, a cligcst of wliicli Mr. Richardson quickly laid bcforc Jolm D. Rockechaptcrs of the book Alroholirr Anorrytt~oas. Mimcographcd copies of these wcrc uscd as part of the ,prospectus what ovcr-all national and interna- now nccdcd our own hospitals, with fcllcr, Jr. This was early in 1738. for our futile fund-raising operation. tional services llavc mcant to our So- paid workers and, above all, a book Though much impressed, Mr. Rocke- At Foundation mcetings, thrn held ciety, how dithcult they werc to create, for othcr alco1iolics that could explain fcllcr dcclincd to give any large sum ncarly evcry month, our non-alcoholic and how vital it is to maintain them to tlicm our mcthods and results. This for fcar of profcssionaliting Ah. HC fricnds commiserated on our lack of over futurc ycars. For tlic purposc of would rcquirc considcrablc moncy- did, Iiowcvcr, donatc $5,000. Xiis succcss. About half of the $5,000 Mr. this Manual,* wc can only supply a millions pcrhaps. W c didn’t thcn w;ls uscd to kccp Doctor Uob and me Rockcfcllcr advanccd had been used brief historical run-down, a simple know tliat millions would have ruincd going during 1938. W e wcre still a to raisc the mortgage on Doctor Bob’s timetable of the cvents tliat have us cvcn more than no moncy at all. long way from hospitals, missionaries, homc. The rest of it, dividcd between brought our world serviccs and AA So tlie Akron mecting commissioned books and big moncy. This looked us, would of coursc soon be exhausted. Traditions into being, plus a con- mc to go to Ncw York and raise miglity tough at thc time but it was The outlook was ccrtainly bleak. densed report of thc total accomplish- moncy. Arrived home, I found the probably one of the best breaks that Then Frank Amos remembered his ment. Ncw York Group in full agreerncnt AA ever had. old-time friend, Eugene Emm, Re- One day in 1937, at Doctor Bob’s witli this idea. Several of us went to In spite of Mr. Rockefcllcr’s views, ligious Editor at Harpers. He sent me Akron homc. lie and 1 added up tlie work at oncc. wc renewed our efforts to pcrsuadc his to Harpers and I showed Mr. Exman score of ncarly thrce years’ work. For l’hrougli my brothcr-in-law, Dr. fricnds of o i ~ rcrying ncctl for moncy. two chaptcrs of our proposed book. the first time wc saw that wholesale L. V. Strong, Jr., we made a contact At length, thcy agreed that wc did To my delight, Mr. Bxman was imrecovery for alcoliolics was possible. witli Mr. Willard S. Richardson, a nccd morc moncy, ccrtainly cnough to pressed. He suggcstcd that Harpers W e then had two small but solid fricnd and long-time associate of the prcparc a textbook on our mctl~odsand might advance mc $1500 in royalties groups, at Akron and at New York Rockcfcllcr family. Mr. Richardson expcricncc. to finish thc job. Broke as we then City, plus a sprinkling of members promptly took fire and intercstcd a This dccision lcd to tlic formation wcrc, that $1500 looked like a pilc elsewhere. How could these few rc- group of his own fricnds. In thc of tlic so-callcd Alcoliolic Poundation of tnoncy. covered ones tell millions of alcoholics wintcr of 1737, a mecting was called in thc spring of 1738. Tlic first Board Nevertliclcss our enthusiasm for througho~~t thc world the great news? at tlic oficcs of John D. Rockcfcller, of Trustccs consistcd of tlircc of our this proposal quickly waned. With thc That was the question. Jr. Prescnt wcrc Mr. Richardson and ncw fricnds-Mr. Richardson, Mr. book finished, we would be $1500 in Forhwith Doctor Bob and I met his group, Dr. William D. Silkwortli, Amos and Dr. L. V. Strong. The dcbt to H a r p s . And if, as we hoped, with eightccn of tllc Akron Group at alcoliolics from Akron and New York, nlcol~olicswcre reprcsentcd by Doctor AA thcn got a lot of publicity, how thc home of T. Henry Williams, a Doctor Bob and mysclf. After a long Uob and n Ncw York mcmbcr. Sup- could wc possibly hire the help to steadfast non-alcoliolic friend. Some discussion, wc convinced our new plied with r list of prospects by our answcr tlic flood of inquirics-maybe * A Manrrdl on the Third L e p c y which Bill i~ now writing. This is Part I of it^ ncw friends, we alcoholics at New thousands! hiltoriral leitiorr tuhirh tue’ll rrrrt seridly for 3 ~ ~ o r t / h ~ . – – E d . York b c p n to solicit funds. Since tlic Thcrc was anothcr problem, too, a

serious one. If our AA book became the ncw book company to alcoholics the basic text for Alcoholics Anony- and thcir friends in New York. Thcy mous, its ownership would be in othcr just Iaugbcd at us. Who would buy hands. It was evidcnt that our Society stock, tllcy sad, in a book not yct ought to own and publish its own lit- wriltcn ! erature. N o publislicr, however good, Somchow, these timid buyers had to ought to own our best asset. be persuaded, so we wcnt t o t I r Yet the momcnt this idca was Rcadcr’s Digest and told the manng- I cver was an author. Meanwhile, the in debt up to our ears. The sheriff broached, opposition rosc on all sidcs. ing cditor the story of our budding alcoholics at Akron, New York, and appcxcd at the Newark Office where W e werc told that amateurs should Socicty and its proposcd book. He a couple at Clcvcland, began writing we had bcen working, and the landnever g o into tlv publishing business. liked the notion very much and prom- thcir pcrsonal stoties-twenty-eight in lord sold thc house where Lois and 1 They almost ncver succccdcd, it was iscd that in the spring of 1737, when all. Out west, Dr. Bob was greatly lived. She and I were dumped into claimed. But a few of us continued to we tl~ouglit that the book would be helped in assembling the tales by a the strcet and then onto the charity of think otherwise. W e had discovered ready, the Digest would print a piece newspaperman member.. . and here in AA friends. W e thought the printer, that the printing cost of a book is only about AA, of course mentioning the Ncw York, Hank and I kept prodding the Cornwall Press, might take over a fraction of its retail price. If our ncw book. the amateur writers on. the book. But Edward lackw well; the , Society grew, so would the book sales. Illis was thc salcs argument wc Wlicn thc book project ncarcd com- President, would have none of that. With such a big profit margin, real nccdcd. With a plug like this, the plction, we visited the managing edi- Hc continued to have faith in us, quite money would surcly come in. (Of proposcd volumc would sell by car- tor of the Digest and asked for the inexplicably. But certain of the alcocourse wc convcnicntly forgot all the loads. How could wc miss? The New promised article. H c gave us a blank holic stock subscribers didn’t share his other lieavy costs of book production York nlcol~olics and their friends look, scarccly remembering who we faith. Sometimes thcy used strong and distribution !) So wcnt the debate. promptly changed their minds about wcre. Then the blow fell. He told words, not in the least complimentary. But the opposition lost out because the Works Publishing stock. They ‘began how months before he had put our Such was the sorry state of our pub- Foundation had no money and wasn’t to buy it, mostly on installments. Our proposition to the Digest Editorial lishing venture. likely to gct any, that we could see. biggcst subscriber put in $300. In the Board and how it had bcen turned How we got through the summer of That was thc clincher. end we scrapcd up forty-ninc contrib- down flat. With profuse apologies, he 1939, 1’11 ncver quite know. Hank So two of us wcnt ahcad. A friend utors. They came up with about admittcd he’d plumb forgot to let us had to get a job. .The faithful Ruth and I bought a pad of blank stock $4500 over the next nine months. W e know anything about it. This was a acceptcd shares in the defunct book certificates and wrote on them “Works also got a loan of $2500 from Charles crusher. company as pay. One AA friend sup- Publishing, par value $25.” My friend, B. Towns, proprietor of the hospital Meanwhile, we had optimistically plied us with his summer camp, an- Hank P., and I then offered shares in whcre I had often gonc. This kcpt ordered 5,000 copies of the new book, other with a car. W e canvassed magafricnd Hank, mysclf and a secrctary Iargcly on a shoestring. The printer zine publishers in a strenuous effort namcd Ruth going until the job was had rclied on the Reader’s Digest, too. to gct something printed about our finished. Soon there would bc 5,000 books in Society and its new book. Ruth typed away as I slowly dic- his warehouse and no customers. The first break came in September tatcd the chaptcrs of the text for the Thc book finally appeared in April, 1937. Liberty Magazine, then headed new book. Fierce aagment over these 1737. W e got the New York Times by our grcat friend-to-be, Fulton drafts and what ought to g o into them to do a review and Dr. Harry Emer- Ourslcr, carrier a piccc called “Alcofcaturcd Ncw York and Akron Group son Fosdick supplied us with anothcr holics and God” written by one meetings for months on end. I be- really good one but nothing happened. Morris Markey. There was an instant ctmc much morc of an umpire than Thc hook simply didn’t sell. We were response. About 800 letters from

alcoholics and their families poured To speak for his father, who was plug for a tiriy society of struggling families showed continued interest, we in. Ruth wrote evev one of them, ill. Mr. Nclson Rockefeller thcn rose alcoholics. For these unknowns, he’d kcpt on writina. Aided by such letters enclosing a leaflet ;bout the new to.his feet. His father was very glad, gone way out on a limb. Wisely spar- anh the book ~ l c o h o l i c s ~ ~ n o n ~ m b u ~ book Alcoholics Atrotrynrous. Slowly he said, that thosc at tlic dinncr had ing of his money, he had given freely new AA groups began to take form. the book bcgan to sell. Then thc seen tlic promising bcginning of the of himself. Then and there John D. More importantly, we had lists of Cleveland Plain Dcalcr ran a series of new Society of Alcoholics Anonymous. Rockefcller saved us from the perils prospects in many cities and towns of pieces about Alcoliolics Anonymous. Scldom, Nclson continued, had his of property management and profes- the .United States and Canada. W e At once, the Clcvcland Groups mush- fnthcr shown morc intercst in any- sionalism. He couldn’t have done turncd thcsc lists over to AA traveling roomed from a scorc into many hun- thing. Ilut obviously since AA was motc. busincss men, mcmbcrs of already esdrcds of mcmbers. More books sold. a work of pure good will, onc man As a result, AA’s 1940 mcmkrship tablished groups. With these traveling Thus wc inched and squcezcd our way carrying the good news to thc next, jumped sharply to about 2,000 at the couriers, we corrcsponded constantlj thror~gl~ that perilous ycar. littlc or no money would bc rcquired. year’s end. Doctor Bob and I each and they started still more groups. For W e hadn’t hcard a thing from Mr. At this sally, our spirits fcll. When began to receive $30 a week out of the the further benefit of these travelers, Rockefeller since carly 1938. Uut in Mr. Nclson Rockefeller had finished, dinncr contributions. This eased us we put out a Group Directory. Fcbruary of 1910, he put in a dra- tlic wl~ole billion dollars worth of grcatly. Lois and I went to live in a Then came an unexpected activity. matic appearance. His friend, Mr. capitalists got up and walked out, tiny room at AA’s number one club- Because the new-born groups saw only Richardson, came to a Trustees’ mcct- leaving not a dollar behind them. house, 334% West 24th Street in New a little of their traveling sponsors, they ing, smiling broadly. Mr. Rockefeller, Next day, Mr. Rockefcller wrote to York. turned to the New York office for help lie said, wantcd to give Alcoholics all those who had attcnded and even , Best of all, the increased book sales with their innumerable troubles. By Anonymous a dinner. The invitation to thosc who had not. Again he reit- had made a National Headquarters mail we retailed the experience of the list showed an imposing collection of cratcd his complctc confidcncc and possible. W e moved from 75 William older ccntcrs on to them. A little hter, notables. W e figured them to be col- high intcrcst. Once more he insisted Strcct Newark, New Jersey, where as we shall see, this became a major lectively worth at least a billion dol- that littlc or no moncy was necded. the AA book had been written, to 30 activity. lars. Mr. Richardson told how John Then at the very end of his lettcr, he Vcscy Street, just north of thc Wall Meanwhile, some of the stock- D., Jr. had been watching our progrcss casually remarked that he was giving Street district of New York. W e took holders in the book company, Works with deep satisfaction and now wantcd Alcoholics Anonymous $1,000 ! a modest two-room oflice right oppo- Publishing, began to get restive. All :to lend a hand. Our money troubles When thc public read the press site the downtown Church Strcct An- the book profits, thcy complained, were ovcr-so we thought. stories about Mr. Rockefeller’s dinner, nex Post Office. There the famous were going for AA work in the oflice. The dinner camc off thc following many rushcd to thc bookstores to buy Box 658 was rcady and waiting to re- When, if ever, were they going to get month at New York’s Union Lcquc the book Alcoholics Anonymow. The ceive the thousands of frantic inquiries their money back? W e had to find a Club. Dr. Harry Emcrson Fosdick Foundation Trustees solicited the din- that would presently come into it. At way, too, of paying Mr. Towns his spoke in praise of us and so did Dr. ner gucsts for contributions. Knowing this point, Ruth Hock became AA’s $2500. W e also saw that the book, Foster Kennedy, tlic cmincnt ncurolo- the sizc of Mr. Rockefeller’s gift, they first national Secretary and I turned AIcoholics Atronymotis should now begist. Then Doctor Bob and I briefed acted accordingly. About $3,000 camc into a sort of Headquarters handy-man. come the propcrty of AA as a whole. the audience on AA; Akron and Ncw in, B clonntion which, as things turncd Through the whole of 1940, book At thc momcnt, it was owned one- York alcollolics xattcrcd among thc out, wc solicited and received each salcs wcre thc sole support of thc third by the forty-nine subscribers, onenotables at the tables rcsponded to year for just four ycars more. struggling New York oflicc. Bvcry cent third by my friend Hank and the qucstions, The p h c r i n g showccl a Mucli Iatcr wc rcalizcd what Mr. of thesc carnings wcnt to pay for AA remainder by me. rising warmtll and intcrest. This was Rockcfcllcr had rcally donc for us. At work done thcrc. All rcqucsts for As a first step, wc had the book it, we thought; our moncy problems risk of pcrsonal ricliculc, hc had stood help wcre answered with warm per- company, Works Publishing, audited were solved. up bcforc h e wholc world to put in a sonal Ictters. When alcoholics or their and Icgally incorporated. Hank and I

donated our sharcs in it to the Alco- vice tiad cvcn then commenced to take that Ruth ‘and I could never do it holic Foundation. This was the stock on form and substancc. alone. Form letters wouldn’t be that we had taken for services ren- Tllc spring of 1741 brought us a cnough. Every single one must have dcred. Uut the forty-nine other sub- tcn strikc. l’hc Saturday Evening Post an understanding personal reply. xribers had put in real money. They, dccided to do a piece about Alcoholics So volunteers with typewriters came and Mr. Towns, would have to be Anonymous. It assigned its star writer, to New York’s old 24th Street club. paid cash. Uut ivhcrc on earth could Jack Alexander, to the job. Having ‘Ihey knew nothing of selling AA by we get thc money? just done an article on the Jcrscy mail, and naturally cnough, they weak- The hclp we needed turned up in rackcts, Jack approached us somcwliat ened in the face of the avalanche. thc person of Mr. A. LeRoy Chipman. tongue-in-check. But lie soon bccamc Nothing but full-time paid help could Also a friend ond associate of Mr. an AA “convert,” cvcn though lie possibly meet this emergency. Yet thc John D. Rockefcllcr, he had recently wasn’t an alcoliolic. Working early AA book income would ncver pay the bcen madc a Trustce of the Founda- and Inre, 11espcnt a whole month with bill. Again-what to usc for money? tion. H c ~xrsuadcd Mr. Rockefeller, us. Dr. Bob and I and elders of the Maybe the AA groups themselves two of his sons and some of the din- early groups at Akron, Ncw York, would help. ~ h o u g hwe’d ncvcr asked had unlieard-of headaches, orators held I ner guests to loan the Fooundation Cleveland, Philadclphia and Chicago, anything of them before, this was forth, groups split wide open, memd $8000. ‘Ihis promptly paid off Mr. spcnt uncounted hours with him. surely their business, if it was any- bcrs turned professional, selling AA Charles B. Towns, settled some inci- Whcn lie could fcel AA in the very body’s. An cnormous Twclfth Step by the copy, sometimes whole groups dental debts and fully rcimburscd the marrow of his bones, he proceeded to job had to be done and done quickly. got drunk, local public relations went forty-nine original subscribers at par. write tllc piece that rocked drunks and Tllcse appeals must never hit the waste haywire-such was our truly fright- They then turned their shares in to thc their families all over the nation. It baskct. Money we must have. cning experience. Foundation. Two years later, the book was the lead story in the Saturday Post So we told the groups the story and Then the amazing story got around alcoholic^ Attonytnorrs had done so of March lst, 1941. they responded. The measuring stick that the Foundation, the New York wcll that we werc able to pay off this Camc thcn the dclug. Frantic ap- for voltrntary cot~tribrrrion was then ofice and the book AIcoholic~Anonp whole loan. Imprcsscd with this con- peals from alcoholics and their fami- set at $1.00 per member per year. The Inorrs were nothing but another racket siderable sliow of financial rcsponsi- lics-six thousand of tl~em-hit the Trustees of the Foundation agreed to for which John D. Rockefeller had bility, Mr. Rockcfcller, his sons and New York oficc, P. 0.Box 658. At look after thcse funds, placing them foolishly fallen. .This was just about some of the 1710 dinner gucsts gavc first, we pawed at random through the in a special bank account, ear-marking thc limit. half the money tllcy’d lent us back to mass of letters, laugling and crying tl~cmfor AA office work only. While W e had thought we’d proved that tlic Foundation. by turns. How could this heart-break- the first returns wcren’t up to full ex- AA could sober up alcoholics, but we These wcrc the transactions that put ing mail be answcrcd? It was a cinch pectations, they proved to be enough. were certainly a long way from provthe book A/col,olir~r A ~ t o ~ t y t ~ t o rin~ s The AA ofice took on two full-time ing that alcoholics could work totrust for our whole Socicty. Through workers and weeks latcr we caught up. gether or even stay sober under these its I:ounclation, AA now owned its But this was only a starter. Soon new and fahtastic conditions. basic textbook, subject only to royal- the pins on our ofice wall map showed How could AA stay whole, and how ties payable to Doctor Bob and mc. A h groups springing up like mush- could it ever function? Those were Since the book incomc was still the rooms. Most of them had no expe- :he anxious questions of our adolessole support of our Hcadquartcrs, the ricnced ‘guidance whatever. Their ccnce. It was to take another ten years Trustces quite naturally assumed tllc worries and problems wcrc endless. of terrific cxperience to provide the management of the AA office at Vescy Moochers moochcd, lonely hcarts surc m w e r s that we have today. Street. AA’s strt~cturcof world scr- pined, committees quarreled, new clubs (to be rontinurd)

June 1955

How could we best coopcrate with focal point around which the AA prcss, radio, motion pictures and, ‘Tradition was formed. By 1945, order HOW A.A.3 more recently, television? How would we deal with employers who wantcd had come out of what had been P chaotic public relations situation. On special help? What would be the all sides, the leadership of our society SERVICES right attitude toward the field of education, research and rehabilitation, asked for the experience and pidance of the New York office in these private and public? What would we matters. So much success attended say to prisons and hospitals that these efforts that the average AA Wr had started the year 1741 with we get into competition with either. wanted AA groups within their walls? member has always taken our excellent 2,000 members, but we finished If we appeared to be a new religious What were we to say to AAs who public relations record for granted. with 8,000. This was the measure of sect, we’d certainly be done for. And went into some of these fields and That was natural since these services the great impact of the Saturday Eve- if we moved into the medical field, were tempted to capitalize on the AA were largely invisible to him. Neverning Post piece. But this was only the as such, the result would be the samc. name publicly for advertising or fund- theless, this unseen public relations beginning of uncounted thousands of So we began to emphasize heavily the raisihg? What would we say or do activity has surely been responsible for pleas for help from individuals and fact that AA was a zudy of life that if A& were ever publicly exploited, much of AA’s unlxlievable growth. from growing groups all over the conflicted with no one’s religious defa&d or attacked by outsiders? Thus far in our Service story, we world that have continued to flow belief. W e told the doctors how much Right answers and workable solutions have seen the Foundation, the AA into General Service Headquarters to we needed hospitalization, and we to all these and many more such prob- book, the development of pamphlet this day. urged upon psychiatrists and dryingout lems would have to be found or else literature, the answered mass of pleas This phenomenal expansion brought places the advantages of cooperating AA would suffer. for help, the satisfied need of groups another problem, a very important with us. At all times, religion would Finding the right answers to all for counsel on their problems, the one. The national spotlight now being be the province of clergymen, and the these public relations puzzlers has beginning of our wonderful relations on us, we had to begin dealing with practice of medicine would be for been a long process. After much trial with the public, all becoming part of the public on a large scale. Public doctors. As laymen, we were only and error, sometimes punctuated by a growing Service to the whole world ill-will could stunt our growth, even supplying a much-needed missing link. painful mistakes, the attitudes and of AA. At last, our society really bring it to a standstill. But enthusi- Maintained over the years since, practices that would work best for began to function as a whole. astic public confidence could swell our these attitudes have brought heart- us emerged. The important ones can But the 1941-1945 period brought ranks to numbers of which we had warming results. Today we have the today be seen in the AA Tradition. still more developments of signionly dreamed before. The Post piece unqualified support of nearly every One hundred per cent anonymity at ficance. The Vesey Street office was had proved this. It was not only a religious denomination. Most medical the public level, no use of the AA moved to 415 Lexington Avenue, just big problem, it was a delicate one. practitioners who really understand name for the benefit of other causes opposite the famed Grand Central Blunders that aroused prejudice could AA send their alcollolic patients to however worthy, no endorsemcnts or Terminal. Our new Post Office BOX cost lives. A carefully thought out us. AA members frequently speak be- alliances, one single purpose for Al- became 459, Grand Central Annex, public relations policy had to be fore religious gatherings and medical coholics Anonymous, no professional- New York. W e made this move beformed and put into operation. . societies. Likewise, the men of medi- ism, public relations by the principle cause the need for serving the many Of highest importance would be our cine and religion are often seen at of attraction rather than promotion- AA travelers through New York had relations with medicine and with re- AA’s large open meetings. these were some of the hard-learned become urgent. The moment we loligion. Under no circumstances must Important as they are, medicine and lessons. cated near Grand Central, we were be- Part Two of a three-part ~erieson religion proved to. be only a fraction Thus, our Board of Trustees and sieged with visitors who, for the first AA history by our co-founder, Bill. of the total public relations field. the Headquarters oflice became the time, began to see Alcoholics Anony-

mous as a vision for the whole globe. time bookkeeper. Letter and Kardex carpet on which all of us could travel These were only the vanguard of files began to appear in rows. The from one distant AA outpost to thousands of AAs, their families, their Group Directory began to look like another. It became a wonderful exfriends, their clergymen, their doctors a suburban telephone book. More change of our current thought and and their employers who have sirice alcoholic Secretaries were engaged. AS experience. visited the New York Headquarters. they divided the work among them, B,ut the Grapevine founders, after Leaving the imprint of her devo- departments began to be created. To- awhile, discovered they had a bear tion upon our society for all time, day’s office has a good many-group, by the tail. It was always fun to get Ruth had left, in 1941, to be married. foreign and public relations, AA Con- in ‘the material and edit the pieces. She was followed at the office by ference and office management, mail- But licking all those postage stamps Bobbie B., one whose immense indus- ing, packing, accounting, stenographic and mailing thousands of copies betry was to acquaint her with un- and special service to prisons and came impossible for them. counted thousands of AAs during the hospitals. So the Grapeviners came to the next ten years. Hers was to be a Happily, though, the office did not Foundation and asked that we take signal service in the exciting time of Again, we resorted to heavy corres- have to grow as fast as AA did. The over. The Trustees inquired of the AA’s adolescence, when no one could pondence. Sometimes we were helped bill would never have been paid if groups if they would like to make the be sure whether we could function or by ,American members who could , it had. AA was getting so big that Grapevine their national magazine. even hang together at all. translate for us. W e searched out and we couldn’t possibly educate all its The answer came back an emphatic The expansion of Alcoholics An- briefed AA travelers going abroad. By members on what we were doing. “Yes.” Forthwith, the journal was onymous soon became nothing less these means, we gradually made some Therefore, many groups failed to help incorporated as “The A.A. Grapethan staggering. Reaching out into headway. But it was long indeed be- us at all. Less than half of them con- vine, Inc.” Two Foundation Trustees Canada, the U. S. possessions and fore we knew that AA could surely tributed anything. W e had constant numbers of foreign lands, we got cross all barriers of distance, race, deficits which, luckily, could be under full swing. This foreign de- creed or language. Nevertheless, the plugged up with money from the sale velopment brought us a whole new AA map shows us today in fifty-two of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonyset of dilemmas to solve. Each new countries and U. S. possessions. This mous. That book was not only saving beachhead had to go through its fly- is answer enough. W e now know it alcoholics, it repeatedly saved the ing blind and its pioneering period is only a question of time when Headquarters too! just as we had done in the United every alcoholic in the world will have The year 1944 unfolded another States. W e ran into language barriers, as good a chance to stay alive and development of immense value. Down so more and more of our literature was happy as we have had here in America. in Greenwich Village, probably in an translated into other tongues. Serving the foreign groups has there- attic, a few literary news-minded AAs Then too, our foreign friends raised fore become a major activity, though began to issue a monthly publication. new and special doubts. Maybe AA we’ve scarcely scratched the total prob- They called it “The Grapevine.” It was just a Yankee gadget that would lem so far. If AA’s Headquarters had was by no means the first local AA be no good for Ireland, Englahd, never done anything else, this effort bulletin or magazine. But, from the Holland, Scandinavia, Australia and alone is worth many times its cost. start, it was such a fine job that it the Pacific. Since their countries were Since AA was growing so fast, caught on nationally. After a time, it so different, the alcoholics must be Headquarters had to grow too. The became the mirror of AA thought and different too. Would AA work in group contributions and our bulging action, country-wide. It was a magic their “cultures,” they asked. literature sales soon demanded a full

Only groups .in dire trouble took them the platform upon which our Fellowseriously. From some quarters there ship could best function and hold was a violent reaction, especially from together in unity for all time to come. were then seated on its he-man Board, singleness of purpose, non-endorse- groups that had long lists of “protec- They saw that the Twelve Traditions along with the editors. Funds from ment of other enterprises, profes- tive” rules and regulations. There was were going to be as necessary to the the Foundatton Reserve took up a sionalism, public controversy, and much apathetic indifference. Several of life of our society as the Twelve Steps mounting deficit and, of course, the anonymity in its several aspects, then our “intellectual” members cried were to the life of each member. The necessary special workers were hired. such a code of principles could be loudly that the Traditions reflected AA Traditions were, the Cleveland But the cditors and their successors written. Such a traditional code could nothing more than the sum of my Convention thought, the key to the have continued to serve as volunteers not, of course, ever become rule or own hopes and feats for Alcoholics unity, the function and even the surwithout pay to this day. In ten years, law. But it could act as a sure guide Anonymous. vival of us all. the subscriptions, coming from all over for our Trustees, Headquarters people Therefore I began to travel and Of course I realized that I had the world, jumped to 30,000. In this and, most especially, for AA groups talk a lot about the new Traditions. not been the actual author of the fashion, still another Headquarters with bad growing pains. Being at the People were at first politely attentive, Traditions. I had merely mirrored World Service was born and has center of things, we of the Head- though it must be confessed that some principles which had already been grown. quarters would have to do the job. did go to sleep during my early hammered out on thousands of anvils As early as 1945, mediating and Aided by my helpers there, I set to giving suggestions by mail for the work. The Traditions of Alcoholics solution of group problems had put a Anonymous which resulted were first tremendous volume of work on Head- published in the so-called “long form” quarters. With most of the metropoli- in the AA Grapevine of May 6, 1946. tan AA centers, correspondence files Then I wrote some more pieces exhad grown six inches thick. Seemingly, plaining the Traditions in detail. wery contestant in every group argu- These came out in later issues of the ment at every point of the compass Grapevine. (See April 1952 and snbwrote us in this period. sequent issues.-ED.) .. … .– Y It was chiefly from this correspon- Meanwhile, at the Foundation, we harangues. But after a while,l1 got of AA group experience. It was’clear dence, and from our mounting public had taken another significant action letters containing sentiments like this: too that AA’s General Headquarters. relations activity, that the basic ideas that was forthwith imbedded in these “Bill, we’d love to have you come and its Trustees and its Staff had m’ade th; ‘ for Tradition of Alcoholics Anony- Traditions. In 1945, we had written speak. D o tell us where you used to forging of these vital principles posmous came. In late 1945, a good AA Mr. Rockefeller and the 1940 dinner hide your bottles and all about that sible. Had there been no AA Headfriend suggested that all this mass of guests that we would no longer need big, hot-flash spiritual experience of quarters to bring our problems into experience might be codified into a their financial help. Book royalties yours. But for Heaven’s sake, please focus, the Twelve Traditions of Alcowould look after Dr. Bob and me; don’t talk any more about those holics Anonymous could never have set of general principles; principles group contributions would pay the damned Traditions!” been written. simply stated which could offer tested General Office expenses. Since that But time presently changed all that. By this time, AA had found still solutions to all of AA’s problems of day when we declared for self support, Only five years later, several thousand more favor in the world of medicine. living and working together and of the AA Headquarters has steadily re- AA membcrs, meeting at the 1950 Two of the great medical associations relating our society to the world out- fused “outside” contributions. Cleveland Convention, declared that of America did an unprecedented side. If we had become sure enough The first reception of the Traditions AA’s Traditions, by then stated in the thing. In the year 1944, the Medical of where we stood on such matters was interesting and arnusiqg. The now familiar short form, constituted Society of the State of New York as membership, group autonomy, reaction was mixed, to say the least.

invited me to read a paper at its usuqlly need, granting our sponsors Long since, ‘the Headquarters office their anonymity before the public. Nor, annual meeting. Following the read- the necessary visiting privileges and had subscribed to several clipping serv- we added, did AA solicit money: we ing, three of the many physicians cooperating with our area Intergroup ices. Magazine articles and a never- paid our own bills. present stood up and gave their highest Associations. ending deluge of news stories about In a few years the public anonymityendorsement. These were Dr. Harry During the 194OBs, two hospitals us continued to feed the Headquarters breakers were squeezed down to a Tiebout, AA’s best friend in the did meet all these urgent needs and scrapbooks. Writers asked us to check handful; thus another valuable Headpsychiatric profession, Dr. Kirby Col- afforded shining examples of how their manuscripts; members were quarters Service had gone into action. lier, also a psychiatrist friend and an medicine and AA could cooperate. At helped to appear anonymously on radio T o maintain all these ever-lengthenearly advocate of AA, and Dr. Foster St. Thomas Hospital at Akron, Dr. and T V programs. Hollywood wanted ing Service lifelines, the ofice had to Kennedy, the world-renowned neurolo- Bob, the wonderful Sister Ignatia and to do motion pictures. Making arrange- go on expanding. In 1950 we moved gist. The Medical Society itself then the hospital’s staff presided over an ments for public relations became more to 141 E. 44th Street, still close Lo went still further. They permitted us alcoliolic ward that had ministered to than ever a primary effort of the New Grand Central. Today, it has the to print my paper and the recom- 5,000 alcoholics by the time Dr. Bob York Office. How many lives all this “Do It Now” Henry G., as part time mendations of these three doctors in passed away in 1950. At New York, saved, how many years of misery were Manager, and the five fine Staff Secrepamphlet form. Very large numbers Knickbocker Hospital provided a ward averted for thousands of alcoholics and taries, Helen,* Lib, Marian, Eve and of this pamphlet have since been dis- under the care of our first friend in their families, only God knows. Ann have been seen and heard by tributed all over the world, carrying medicine, Dr. William Duncan Silk- About this time a serious threat to thousands on speaking trips, often the assurance to doctors everywhere worth, where he was assisted by a red- our long time welfare made its ap- requested by large regional meetings. that AA is medically sound. headed AA nurse known as Teddy. pearance. Usually meaning well, mem- On its service staff, twelve non-alco- In 1949, the American Psychiatric By 1954, 10,000 alcoholics had been bers began breaking their anonymity holics sparked by Grace and Dennis. , Association did exactly the same thing. referred to ~nickerbockerby the New all over the place. Sometimes they look after the office routines of book- I read a paper at its annual meeting York Intergroup and had passed wanted to use the AA name to adver- keeping, filing and stenography. The in Montreal. The paper was reprinted through this ward, the majority on tise and help other causes. Others enthusiastic receptionist Dolores prein the American Jourtlal of Psychiatry, their road to freedom. It was in these just wanted their names and pictures sides over the outer office. There and we were permitted to put it in two hospitals and by these pioneering in the papers. Being photographed the visitor sees the walls covered with pamphlet form under the title “The people that the best techniques of with the Governor would really help sectional maps showing the world-wide Society of Alcoholics Anonymous.” combining medicine and AA were ‘ AA, they thought. (I’d earlier been stretch of our Fellowship. O n a table This greatly increased our standing worked out. guilty of this, too.) But at last we stands a Winged Victory, symbol of with the psychiatric profession every- Since proper hospitalization was, saw the appalling risk to AA if all the noted Lasker Award given to AA where. These medical papers have and still is, one of AA’s greatest prob- our power-drivers got loose at the by the American Public Health Assoserved the foreign groups especially lems, the New York Headquarters has public level. Already scores of them ciation in 1951. well, saving them the years of time retailed this early hospital experience, were doing it. The editorial offices of the Grapethat were required here in America to along with the many subsequent de- So Headquarters got to work. W e vine are on the same floor. Here, persuade physicians of AA’s worth. velopments and ramifications, to groups wrote remonstrances, kind ones of volunteer editors headed by Don G. While on the topic of medicine, the all over the world-still another very course, to every breaker. Then about meet with a full time Managing Edipart Headquarters has played in the vital Service. every two years, we sent letters to tor, Louise and her assistant Sarah, field of hospitalization ought to be re- Meantime, too, the great tide of nearly all press and radio outlets, ex- to hit the monthly deadline. Further viewed. public approval continued to sweep plaining why AAs shouldn’t break downtown, where rents are cheaper, As all of us know, many hospitals in. Nothing contributed so much to have been reluctant to take us in for this as did our friends of the press, * Helen resigned to be married in Abril. And I here record our thanks to all those others the short periods of treatment we radio and, in recent times, television. who have previously served at A A Headquarters. Our neWeJt staff member is H a d .

there is a largc floor space wherc Kitty in 19.47, one paid worker to every at Vesey Street, $1.00 per member of Trustees, all friends of Dr. Bob and her staff look after Grapevine’s 3,000 AAs. Today, one paid Head- per year was required to do the over- and mine, had been entirely responsible 30,000 subscribers and their needs-as quarters workcr serves 6,000 AAs. It all job. But at that time, a dollar was for the conduct of AA’s serviceswell as their complaints! therefore seems sure that we shall a dollar. Today, a dollar is only fifty scrvices which had accounted for at Three blocks away from the main never be burdened with a bureaucratic cents. If AA’s present membership least half the size of Alcoholics office, we have a good sited loft space and expensive service set-up. actually sent us a dollar apiece every Anonymous and for much of its unity. where all our shipping and mailing is Here’s another illustration of how year, we would still have enough As early as 1945, some of us felt that done. Six busy young lads do nothing really small, physically and financially, funds to run our Headquarters in our virtually unknown Board of but this. Last year, they shipped about our Headquarters world operation spite of the watered dollar. And we Trustees had to be securely linked 40,000 books, hundreds of thousands really is. An AA friend of mine could pay all expenses of the General to AA. None but a trifling fraction of pamphlets, many of these newly owns a garage, filling station and a Service Conference besides. But we of our membership even knew who designed and brought out. They mailed small car agency in a suburban town. still have to ask our contributing thcir Trustees were. The main linkabout 30,000 letters and bulletins and His building is a hundred feet long Groups to give two dollnrs per member age of Headquarters to the movement did huge quantities of mimeographing. and fifty fcet wide, about the same per yenr for the distressing reason was through Dr. Bob and me, and we Like our three other offices, this place total floor space that we have at that only about half of AA’s Groups were perishable. The Board of Trusthas the best of modern equipment- Headquarters. His showroom holds give their World Headquarters any ces had become an isolated island in and needs it! only two cars for exhibit. His me- support whatever. In fact Group the middle of a fellowship sprawled Down one side of the long packing chanics do repairs out back, and, in voluntary contributions have fully paid through fifty-two countries. Hence, room, there are shelves reaching to the front, stand four gas pumps. This is office expenses in only five years out we began to ‘debate the desirability of ceiling. On these can be found, boxed hardly big business. of the last fifteen. That Headquarters some sort of an advisory board of up, tons of the old files of our Head- Yet my friend tells me that on car . rescrve of “book money” has had to AAs. Or, maybe we needed a Conquarters, going clear back to the old sales, repairs, gas and oil, his busi- foot the ten deficits. W e have grown fcrence of larger numbers elected by days at Vesey Street. The whole world ness takes in and pays out more money so fast that the average member has AA itself; people who would inspect story of AA is hidden in these boxes, yearly that AA’s whole world Head- lost touch, and does not understand Headquarters yearly, a body to whom waiting only to be dug out. In fad, quarters, the AA Grapevine, AA Pub- his World Headquarters and what it the Trustees could become responsible, we have just begun this two-year job. lishing and the AA General Service does. So I deeply hope that this pic- a guiding conscience of our whole In a partitioned-off corner office near Office all put together. ture of mine, plus the great work the world effort. those files, 1 now have t y o tireless Therefore, our Headquarters is Conference delegates and committee- But the objections to this were perassistants, Ed and Nell, researching the hardly big business either. My friend’s men are now doing will be graphic sistent and nothing happened for history of Alcoholics Anonymous. I garage serves a small community; but enough to arouse in non-contributors several years. Such a venture, it was hope the day will come when I shall AA’s Headquarters serves 150,000 a continuing desire to help. Indeed, said, would be expensive. And worse be able to write it. In any case it is members and nearly 6,000 Groups. I’m certain that it will. still, it might plunge AA into disrup- , now sure that the story of AA can And these services, well maintained, Until 1951 our Headquarters was tive political activity when Conference never become distorted. Such is our will continue to make the difference constantly over-hung with even a Delegates were elected. These obnewest vital service. between sickness and health, even life greater threat to its existence. While jections had considerable merit. There- Money-wise, our present array. of or death, to uncounted alcoholics and this danger still loomed, and if the fore, the whole project hung fire until Services may look like big business to their families who haven’t yet found problem it posed wasn’t solved, our about 1948. But by this time, group some. But when we think of the site AA. So let’s now have an end to all whole world service structure might contributions nowhere near supported and reach of AA today, that isn’t true that talk of big expense and big busi- someday wind up in complete collapse. the growing AA office. The Grapevine at all. In 1940, for example, we had ness at the New York Headquarters! The danger was this: during our was losing $1,000 a month, and one paid worker to every 1,000 AAs ; When we first opened for business infancy and adolescence, the Board voluntary contributions for office ex-

penses were in the frightening arrears booklet* deals. It was a plan for a of $2,000 a month. General Service Conference of AA, Then Dr. Bob fell ill, mortally ill. a plan by which our society could Finally, in 1950, spurred on by the assume full and permanent responrelentless logic of the situation, the sibility for the conduct of its most Trustees authorized Dr. Bob and me vital affairs. to devise the plan with which this ( t o be continued)

*Third Legacy Manual. This is the second of three installments tn which AA’s co-founder Bill tells “How W e Learned T o Recover-To Slay Together-. and To Serve.” Pnrt three, “How W e Learned T o Serve,” will appear in the Iuly issue.

June 1955

Saturday, July 2nd 10:OO A.M. Convention Hall -AA and-the Medical Profession” – Dr. 9:00 A.M. Auditorium Registration open for early arrivals Local “fun activities” planned for the day I Harry M. Tiebout, Vice-chairman, Connect ~ c u tCommission on Alcoholism; Dr. W. W. Bauer, Director, Bureau of Health Education, A.M.A.; AA Member Opera House AA Open Meeting 10:OO A.M. Convention Hall “Meet the Staff Members from General Ser- Assembly Halls Workshop – Panel Discussions vice Headquarters and the AA Grapevine Hall # 3 “The Alcoholic Employee” Staff” H d #1 “Central and Intergroup OBices” Opera House AA Open Meeting Hall #4 “How the Lone Member Stays Sober” Assembly Halls Workshop – Panel Discussions Hall #2 Family Group–“Using the Twelve Steps” Hall #I “Special Problems of A h Working in HOS- 2:00 P.M. Convention Hall “AA and Institutions” – Austin MacCorpitals, R a r Homes, and Sanatoria” mick, Prof. Criminolo~y, Univ. of Cali- Hall # 3 “Helping the Young Alcoholic” fornia; Kenyon J. Scudder, President, Amer. Hall #2 Family Group Meeting – “Meet the Staff Correctional Assoc.; MMember Members from Al-Anon Family Group Opera House Open M Meeting Headquarters” – Assembly Halls Workshop Panel Discussions “Money and Its Place in AA” Hall #1 2:00 P.M. Convention Hall “AA and Industry”-Leonard V. Harrison, Hall # 3 “How T o Organize An M Group” Vice-chairman, General Service Board of Hall #4 “Using the Grapevine” AA; Dr. John Norris, Eastman Kodak Co.; Hall #2 Family Group-“Husband and Wife” Henry A. Mielcarek, Allis-Chalmers, Mil- 8:00 P.M. Convention Hall Talk by Bill: “How W e Learned T o Stay ‘ waukee, Wis. Together” MMember Opera House M Open Meeting Assembly Halls Workshop – Panel Discussions Hall #I “Linking the Group to General Service Headquarters” Sunday, Jzrly 3rd Hall # 3 Hall #4 “Problems of M Clubhouses” “Reaching the Alcoholic in Institutions” 10:OO A.M. Convention Hall “God As W e Understand Him” – Rev. Edward Dowling, S.J., St. Louis, Mo.; Rev. Family Group Meeting – “The Children of Hall #2 Alcoholics” I .Samuel Shoemaker, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Bill 2:00 P.M. Convention Hall Last Session of General Service Conference 8:00 P.M. Convention Hall Talk by Bill: “How W e Learned to Recoverm I Talk by Bernard B. Smith, Chairman, General Service Board of M Bill: “How W e Learned T o Serve” ( A A speakers P all workshop sessions) (AN meetings in air-conditioned Kiel Auditorium)

July 1955

Inc., the AA Grapevine, Inc., and This meant that we had to form a AA’s Board of Trustees, recently re- Conference representing our membernamed as the General Service Board of ship which could meet yearly with our — Alcoholics Anonymous. Our world- trustees at New York and thus assume direct responsibility for the guardianwide unity and much of our growth since early times is directly traceable ship of AA tradition and the direction to this cluster of life-giving activities of our principal service affairs. Otherlocated, since 1938, at New York. wise, a virtually unknown Board of Until 1950, these over-all services Trustees and our too little understood were the sole function of a few Service Headquarters operations would old time AAs, several non-alcoholic someday be bound to face collapse. friends, Doctor Bob and myself. For Suppose, acting quite on their own, all the years of AA’s infancy, we old that future trustees were to make a timers had been the self-appointed serious blunder. Suppose, with no trustees for Alcoholics Anonymous. linkage to AA, that they tried to act At last we realized that AA had for us in time of great trouble or grown up; that our Fellowship was crisis. With no direct guidance from “Recovery, Unity and Service-these are the Three Legacies of our ready and able to take these responsi- AA as a whole, how could they do AA,experience. Our leaders are but trusted servunts; they do not govertz. bilities from us. There was also an- this? Collapse of our top services God, as He muy s p e d in our group conscience, ir our sole authority. And other urgent reason for change. Since would then be inevitable. And if, World Service is the heart of o w Third Legacy.” we old timers couldn’t live forever, under such conditions, our world ser- URTwelfth Step -carrying the publicity of almost every description. newer trustees would be virtually un- vices did fall apart, how could they 0 message–is the basic service that They require committees, delegates, AA’s Fellowship gives; this is our trustees and conferences. And, not to known to the AA Groups, now spread over the whole earth. Without direct ever be reconstructed? The trustees, Doctor Bob and I fiprincipal aim and the main reason for be forgotten, they need voluntary linkage to AA, future trustees couldn’t nally saw in 1950 that this appalling our existence. Therefore, AA is more money contributions. possibly function alone. risk must no longer be taken. A direct than a set of principles; it is a society These services, whether performed linkage between ourselves and AA had of alcoholics in action. W e must carry by individuals, groups, areas or AA to be built. the message, else we ourselves can as a whole, are utterly vital to our These were the conclusions that led ‘ wither and those who haven’t been existence and growth. Nor can we to the formation of the General Sergiven the truth will die. nlake AA simple by abolishing such vice Conference of Alcoholics Anony- Hence, an AA service is mything services. W e would only be asking for mous, a body of about seventy-five whatever that helps us to reach a fel- complication and confusion. elected Delegates from the States and low sufferer-ranging all the way Concerning any given service, we Provinces of the United States and from the Twelfth Step itself to a ten- therefore pose but one question: “Is Canada. O n a trial experimental basis, cent phone call and a cup of coffee, this service really needed?” If it is, these Delegates commenced in 1951 to and to AA’s General Service Head- then maintain it we must, or fail in sit yearly at New York with our Trusquarters for national and international our mission to those who seek AA. tees and General Service St& memaction. The sum total of all these ser- The most vital, yet the least under- bers. vices is our Third Legacy. stood group of services that AA has, The General Service Conference of Services include meeting places, are those which enable us to function Alcoholics Anonymous has proved itclubs, hospitals and Intergroup offices; as a whole; namely, the AA General they mean pamphlets, books and good Service Office, the AA Publishing,

self an immense success. Its record of tested body of AA members. delegates could be divided into panels. pull the inevitable election pressure achievement during its four-year trial Beginning, therefore, with our Panel One, elected for two years, down? To accomplish this, it was properiod has been completely convincing. Twentieth Anniversary in 1955, the would be invited for 1951, the first vided that a Delegate must receive a Therefore, we who are the old Third Legacy of World Service will year. Panel two, elected for two years, two-thirds vote for election. If a Deletimers of AA, are now entirely ready henceforth be for all members of would be seated in 1952. Thereafter, gate got a majority of this size, nobody to deliver the principal affairs of Al- Alcoholics Anonymous to have and to 06; panel would be elected and one could kick much. But if he or she coholics Anonymous into the per- hold for so long as God may wish out would be retired yearly. This would didn’t, and the election was close, manent keeping of this well-tried and society to endure. cause the Conference to rotate. The what then? Well, perhaps the names election of State and Provincial Com- of the two highest in the running, or mitteemen and Delegates could take the three oacers of the Committee, or place at large centers of population even the whole Committee could be THE CONFERENCE IS BORN within each State and Province. Or, put in a hat. One name would be to save expense, such Assemblies of drawn. The winner of this painless Ience,towashave T one thing to say that we ought a h e n 1 Service Conferbut it was quite another to de- Group Representatives could be held at annual State or Provincial Convenlottery would become the Delegate. Since the high candidates in the runtions. ning would all be good ones, we vise a plan which would bring it into But how could Assemblies of couldn’t miss getting fine Delegates successful existence. The cost of hold- Group Representatives choose their by this method. ing such a Conference was easily dismissed. Even though the outlay might Committeemen and Delegates without But when these Delegates got to be $20,000 for each yearly session, terfic political friction? As veterans New York, what would they do there? this would be only fifteen cents apiece of many a group hassle and inter- We thought they would want to have extra for each AA member, and group brawl, we shivered. Then real authority. So, in the Charter mighty well worth it. What member came a happy thought. We remem- drawn for the Conference itself, it wouldn’t give that much to be sure bered that the usual election troubles was provided that the Delegates could that AA didn’t collapse at its center were often caused by personal nomin- issue flat directions to the Trustees in some future day of great need or ations, whether from the floor or from on a two-thirds vote. And even a crisis ? some committee issuing from a back simple majority vote would constitute But how on earth were we going to room. Another main cause of trouble a mighty strong suggestion. It, would cut down destructive politics with erations in mind, and with some mis- was to be seen in close elections, hotly become traditional too for the Trustall its usual struggles for prestige and givings, I commenced work on a contested. These nearly always left a ees, thereafter, to submit the names of ‘

vainglory? How many delegates would draft of a plan, much assisted by large and discontented minority. all proposed Board members to the be required and from where should Helen B. of the office Staff. So we devised the scheme of choos- Conference for confirmation. This they come? Arrived at New York, Though the Conference might be ing Committeemen out of Group As- would give the Conference an effective how could they be related to the later enlarged to include the whole semblies by written ballot, with no voice in the selection of Trustees. Board of Trustees? What would be world, we felt that the first Delegates personal nominations at all. The Along with a temporary plan for their actual powers and duties? What- should come from the U.S. and Committee would then be placed in financing the Conference, we put these ever the plan, it had to be sound Canada only. Each State and Province front of the Assembly, which could ideas and their detailed applications enough to work well on the first trial. might be allowed one Delegate. Those then elect from it the Delegate to the into a pamphlet called “The Third No blunders big enough to create a containing heavy AA populations Conference in New York. But, sure Legacy.” We shipped about 50,000 fiasco could be allowed. could have additional representatives. enough, this was going to be the of these documents to the groups and With these several weighty consid- To give the Conference continuity, the hottest spot of all! How could we asked them to form Assemblies for the

-f ‘

election of Cornmittemen and Dele- elections being decided by lot, as polite, we set up something d e d Anonymous was at last safe from any gates. Boston had. And when these few the “Gripe Box.” Nothing but ex- storm the future might bring. With Dr. Bob’s approval, I stumped were so chosen, there was never any cellent questions were dropped into And, as the Delegates returned the country for the Third Legacy Plan, hard feeling. It was tremendously it; nobody was mad about anything, home, they carried this same convictalking to large AA audiences and encouraging. b v c it or not! tion with them. watching Assemblies select their Dele- The first Conference was set for So went session after session, morn- Realizing our need for funds and gates in more than two dozen States April, 1951. In came the Delegates. ing, afternoon and evening. The Dele- better literature circulation, some did and Provinces. They looked over Headquarters, cellar gates handled several tough puzzlers place a little too much emphasis on about which we at Headquarters were this necessity; others were a little dis- PLEASE PARK in doubt, sometimes giving advice couraged, wondering why fellow memcontrary to our own conclusions. In bers did not take fire as they had. ALL SHILLALAHS nearly every instance, we saw that they They forgot that they themselves had were right. Then and there they been eye witnesses tothe Conference proved, as never before, that AA’s and that their brother alcoholics Tradition Two was correct. The group hadn’t. But, both here and at home, Conscience could safely act as the sole they made an impression much greater authority and sure guide for Alcoholics than they knew. The interest of great Anonymous. numbers of AA groups commenced to How well I remember that first try- to garret, got acquainted with the Serv-, Nobody present will ever forget that deepen, something which has conout in Boston! The Irish turned out ice Staff, shook hands with the Trust- final session of the first Conference. tinued in all the four Conference in force. T o our amazement, the pro- ees. That evening, we gave them a W e knew that the impossible had hap- years since. ceedings were as unruffled as a mill briefing session, under the name of pened, that AA could never break In the midst of this exciting turn of pond, even though ballot after ballot “What’s on your mind?” W e an- down in the middle, that Alcoholics affairs, the Conference agreed that the failed to get anybody a two-thirds ma- swered scores of questions of all kinds. jority for election as a Delegate. The The Delegates began to feel at home Assembly finally drew lots among the and reassured. Seeing so much quick W H O ARE A A ‘ S TRUSTEES? whole Committee, and out of the hat understanding and increased confi- In response to many inquiries indicating widespread interest in AA’s popped a mighty good Delegate! dence, our spirits rose. T o a man, we national affairs, the Grapevine is glad to publish a list of the ‘non- Everybody was pleased and happy; sensed that something very big was alcoholic friends of Alcoholics Anonymous who serve without compensathe heat was off. If the Irish could do happening. One strenuous Conference tion as Trustees of the General Service Board of AA: it without a fight, anybody could. session followed after another. The Right there we got the first glimmer Delegates overhauled our financcs Mr. Jack Alexander, The Saturday Evening Post that AA had begun to move from par- with a microscope. After listening to Mr. Frank B. Amos, Retired tisan politics into true statesmanship. reports from the Board of Trustees Mr. Frank Gulden, Charles Gulden, Inc. and from all the Services, there was Mr. Leonard Harrison, Community Service Society Much the same thing happened at Dr. John Norris, Eastman Kodak Company all the other stops. About a third of warm but cordial debate on many a Mr. Archibald B. Roosevelt, Investments the Delegates chosen were real old- question of AA policy. The Trustees Mr. Bernard B. Smith, Attorney and Author timers. The rest were active AAs. submittcd several of their own serious sober four to eight years. The large problems for the opinion of the Con- Seven alcoholics, serving also without compensation, complete the 15majority named were chosen by a ference. man Board. A recent vacancy among the non-alcoholic members has not two-thirds vote, only a few of the Feeling that everybody was too as yet been filled.

Alcoholic Foundation ought to be re- ways will be. AA’s Headquarters named as the General Service Board seems that important to me. When, of Alcoholics Anonymous, and this therefore, the hour comes at St. Louis was done. The word “Foundation” for me to turn over to you this last stood for charity, paternalism and great asset of the AA inheritance, I maybe big money. AA would have shall feel not a little sad that I must none of these; from here out we no longer be your Headquarters would assume full responsibility and handyman. But I shall rejoice that pay our expenses ourselves. Alcoholics Anonymous has now grown As I watched all this grow, I be- up and, through its great Conference, came entirely sure that Alcoholics can confidently take its destiny by the Anonymous was at last safe–even hand. from me. So, my dear friends, you now have Nearly all of the last dozen years read my final accounting to you for of my life have been invested in the the World Services of Alcoholics construction of our General Head- Anonymous. quarters. My heart is there, and al- This is the hird and final ins!allment from Bill’s “Third Legacy Manual of World Service,” which he will preseltt in finai form at the Twentieth Attnivcrsary Convention in St. Louis this month. The second half of the Manual, which will not be reprinted in the Grapevine, gives detailed guidmce for those acrively engaged in the conduct of AA’s worldwide services.-Ed.

July 1955

Man’s Pursuit in print of human salvage out of the jaws of human degradation and spiri- The meditations on the problem of agnosticism become more illuminating tual catastrophe; of last-minute rescue of Maturity J at the edge of insanity; of total recovery from total insanity. as the years pass; acquire more meaning and a greater sympathy with the pragmatic challenges which the serious THE NEW BIG BOOK The fascination of the dilemma of agnostic puts up to the face of Faith. obsession in the known and acknowl- If the sincere agnostic-and there are ALCOHOLICS ANONY- edged presence of abhorrence seizes millions–can find a safe sobriety MOUS. Second edition, revised. the reader’s imagination all over while denying thc existence of God, 612 pages. AA Publishing, lnc. again. And it seizes his remembrance surely he cannot read these pages in Reviewed here by an AA who is, too, for all the known antidotes come Alcoholics Anorzymous without feeling among other things, a profes- back in these pages to straighten our a sudden dispersion of the pressures sional book critic. Price to be Jet sights, refortify our nerve, and re- of his own life; a lessening of his by the General Service Confer- emphasize the importance of one of built-in prejudices; a falling away of ence, [une 1955. AA’s basics: the constant thought of antagonisms. “We’ve stopped fighting is so full of wisdom; emptiness of talk, its gulping fantasy. others. It’s a joy and a sudden chal- anybody or anything. We have to.” T eachbook AS of its stories is so dead on It is a good thing for us to traverse this rutted acreage once more; this lenge too, to re-encounter the blunt question: “Why don’t you choose “Who are you to say there is no God!” Newcomers to AA (there are 6,000 . the target, that AIcoI30lics A ~ I O ~ ~ M O U J 1 should be left on the alcoholic’s pitted pot-hole promenade. It’s an im- your own conception of God?” groups of us now) can have a disturbnight-table for continuous reference, portant refresher-course in our un- Who can quarrel with propositions ing time-old-timers an amusing one for active and unexpected support, broken need – not for glimpses of so basically spotting as this? What -in going over the list of methods for the comfort of sudden insight. what we were and where we went- arrested alcoholic can hold back a we alcoholics use (or used to use) the re-inforcement of forgotten inci- but for hard cold steady-eyed explora- slight shudder when he reads this to prove we weren’t alcoholics. Do you . dent, the reminder of chagrin, of tions of it; deliberate returns to it; once more: “If you want to test your- remember them? Beer only? Nwer ‘ hysteria, wreckage, betrayal, and continuous meditations upon it. self, go to a bar and do a little con- more than two drinks? (or three or loneliness that can be described only as Reading the new book, as with trolled drinking. Drink, then stop.” four?) Never to drink alone? To outer-spatial. reading the old, is part of our life It is stabilizing and reassuring to drink only at home? To drink only at We were all there, many of us and of our continuing education in go over, in careful but compassionate parties and never at home? Never to , for years, and these re-visits in their continuing self-discovery. We can’t prose, the dcscription of the mental drink in the morning? Nwer to keep multitude on the one hand and their stay sober without thinking about states that precede a relapse; to be re- liquor in the house? Switching from merciful objectivity on the other-now being sober; thinking actively and impressed with the sameness of the Scotch to brandy? (a gruesome lateral that we are calmly passing the cage purposefully about it. Thc editorial distortion that amicts the alcoholic as this reviewer can testify) Taking a instead of whimpering on its floor- selection of new matcrial is especially and the insane; to behold once again trip? Agreeing to resign if caught are the most’ moving and powerful commendable. Here, indeed, is a tour- the great resource for rationalizing drunk? More exercise? Changing paragraphs of our past that we can de-force of today’s miracle, one bra- that both share. It is good for us all towns? Going to health farms? Com- I to be warned again: that there is no mitting ourselves to the loony-roost? encounter in the days of our sobriety. vura story after another, a11 familiar This is an album of our own individual yet all unendingly new, each one pro- safety in a long sobriety; that patterns We had fun playing this game, past, in all its grotesquerie, its homi- viding its special and deeply personal of susceptibility are as set as blood didn’t we? With no defense against cidal ebullience, its sophomoric idiocy, incrcrnent to the full treasure of what types; that the disease is progressive, the first drink, with our power of its abuse and obscenity, its marathon is without any doubt the richest story whether we’re drinking or not drink- choice lost for all time. The W s ing. explanation as to how so many alco-

holies can go on and on for long our continued serenity; the promise periods of time-even for years- of a safe return to it after the occa- ‘ though drinking hard, is as simple as sional departure: this is our diagram. it is penetrating: the will, unable to If, when drinking, we are “extreme combat liquor, can remain strong in examples of self-will run riot,” when other respects. not drinking we’re pretty useful and As AA gets older, it is also getting fairly good company. W e derive our , younger and younger. For those just itrength from each other, in the coming in, or thinking about sampling group. And from a higher power, what it is that we have, the diagram by whatever name. Where it comes for sensible living that is laid d o w ~ ~from, none of us entirely knows. But in these pages; the testimony of those how to find it is told, in rich detail whose eloquent first-pcrson narratives by many who have been all the way of the unbelievable wreckage they there and come all the way back, in have survived is here given; the the new edition of alcoholic^ Anonystrange but visible phenomenon of our tJ2ONJ. interdependence -as alcoholics for M.W., New York Cirv

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE NEW BIG BOOK ‘ The new edition has 612 pages, as buyer, industrial executive, surgeon, against 400 pages in the old. In banker, writer, educator, soldier, interms of cost it i s the best non-fic- surance agent, advertising execution buy irl the country. No other tive, furniture dealer, stock farmer, commercial publisher in America beautician, charwoman, truck driver, could match the book, in size and insurance investigator, salseman, real format alone, at i t s retail price. estate agent, promoter, accountant, The edition you own now runs t o sculptor, journalist, upholsterer, or- IOO,000 words; the edition just off ganizational executive, patent exthe press is 168,869. per), lawyer, docfor, and housewife. The old edition contained 29 The most numerous in this list is the stories, about 1,800 words each; the housewife-with six stories. new edition has 37-24 of them There are 1 10,000 words of absobrand new–and all of them running lutely new material, yet the prictical, to twice the length (or about 3,300 therapeutical, and expository first words) of the earlier work. The new 175 pages of the original work are stories are more detailed and ex- here intact. These pages have alplicit, more revealing, and of more ready gone into the American leguseful contrast and variety. end as the “greatest redemptive The geographical spread, in the force of the twentieth century.” And new book, i s far greater: 15 cities, these pages will remain there, I 0 states, two foreign countries. through the full history of man’s pur- The vocational range i s immense: suit of maturity.

July 1 9 5 5

W H O ARE A A ‘ S TRUSTEES? In response to many inquiries indicating widespread interest in AA’s. national affairs, the Grapevine is glad to publish a list of the nonalcoholic friends of Alcoholics Anonymous who serve without compensation as Trustees of the General Service Board of AA: Mr. Jack Alexander, The Saturday Evening Post Mr. Frank B. Amos, Retired Mr. Frank Gulden, Charles Gulden, Inc. Mr. Leonard Harrison, Community Service Society Dr. John Norris, Eastman Kodak Company Mr. Archibald B. Roosevelt, Investments Mr. Bernard B. Smith, Attorney and Author Seven alcoholics, serving also without compensation, complete the 15man Board. A recent vacancy among the non-alcoholic members has no[ as yet been filled:

and the General Service Board or in writing within the time allotted August 955 Alcoholics Anonymous. the consent of at least three-quarters We have also heard with approval of all those registered Groups who Bill W.*s proposal that AA’s Gen- re9pond to such proposal. era1 Service Conference should now WE FURTHER UNDERSTAND: AA’s Co-founder Asks become the permanent successor to That, as provided in Article XI1 of the, founders of Alcoholics Anony- the Conference Charter, the Confer- . mous, inheriting from them all their ence binds itself to the society of Fellowship to “TakeOver” former duties and special responsibilities, thus avoiding in futurc Alcoholics Anonymous by the following ” means: time all possible strivLgs for in- That in all its proceedings, the TANDING before several thousand AAs and their families at the last session of dividual prestige or personal power; General Service Conference shall S a thm-day meeting celebrating the Twentieth Anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous in St. Louis July 1-2-3, Bill W., surviving co-founder of AA, asked and also providing our Society with the means of functioning on a perobserve the spirit of the AA Tradition, taking great care that the the membership to “take its destiny by the hand.” With a resounding “aye!” manent basis. Conference never becomes the seat those present-including AAs from Bermuda, Brazil, England, France, Hawaii BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: of perilous wealth or power; that and Puerto Rico, as well as the U.S. and Canada-adopted !he following resolu- That the General Service Confer- sufficient operating funds, plus an tion offered by Bill: ence of Alcoholics Anonymous ample reserve be its prudent finmshould become, as of this date, July cia1 principle; that none of the Con- 3rd, 1755, the guardian of Tradi- ference membeq shall ever be placed THIRD LEGACY RESOLUTION tions of Alcoholics Anonymous, the in a position of unqualified authority perpetuator of the World Services over any of the others; that all im- Adopted b y The 20th Anniversary Convention of AA of our Society, the voice of the portant decisions be reached by dis- Group Conscience of our entire cussion, vote and, whenever pos- (This Resolution Authorizes the General Service Conference fellowship and the sole successors to sible, by substantial unanimity; .that t o Act for Alcoholics Anonymous and t o Become the Succes- its co-founders, Dr. Bob and Bill. no Conference action wer be persor to Its Co*Fouoders.) AND IT IS UNDERSTOOD: That sonally punitive, or an incitement to neither the Twelve Traditions of Al- public controversy; that though the coholics Anonymous nor the war- Conference may act in the service of We, members of the 20th Anniversary mous, as created in 1951 by our co- ranties of Article XI1 of the Con- Alcoholics Anonymous and mag Convention of Alcoholics Anony- founders, Dr. Bob S. and Bill W. ference Charter shall ever be traditionally direct its World Sermous, here assembled at St. Louis in and authorized by Trustees of thc changed or amended by the General vices, it shall never enact laws or July of the year 1955, declare our Alcol~olicFoundation, 1x1s now bc- Service Conference except by first regulations binding on AA as a belief that our Fellowship has now come entirely capable of assuming asking the consent of the registered whole or upon any AA Group or come of age and is entirely ready to the guardianship of AA’s Twelve AA groups of the world. These member thereof, nor shall it perform assume full and permanent posscs- Traditions and of taking over full Groups shall be suitably notified of any other such acts of government; sion of the Three Legacies of our guidance and control of the World any proposal for change and shall be and that, like the society of Alco- AA inheritancethe Legacies of Service of our Society, as provided allowed no less than six months for holics Anonymous which it serves, Recovery, Unity and Service. in the Third Le~acy Manual of full consideration thereof. And be- the Conference itself will always rc- W e believe that the General Service World Service recently revised by fore any such Conference action ma! main democratic in thought and ac- Conference of Alcol~olics Anony- our surviving co-founder, Bill W. be taken, there must first be received tion.

November 1955

UST six years ago last month, a girl named Helen made a journey J from Boston to New York. She came to this city to join the staff of AA’s General Service Headquarters. Her decision to leave Boston’s Central Office, where she had for t h e e years been much loved as its first Secretary, was to result in benefits beyond measure to worldwide AA. But for her, this decision proved to be a fateful one. Helen died in my home at Bedford Hills September 28, 1955. Her death was the climax of a long period of severe exhaustion and of many difficulties. She had come to stay with Lois and me to recuperate for the fresh start about which she had eagerly written to friends only one day before the unexpected attack of illness that did, in a matter of minutes, carry her away from us. All the countless AAs who knew Helen will surely declare her to have been one of the finest servants that we have ever had. Speaking for ourselves here at Headquarters we feel that a void has been left in our lives of the kind which can never quite be filled. With Lois and me, Helen always stood high among our most devoted and treasured friends. One more unforgettable thing: When the crucial decisions were made in 1951 that a Conference of elected AAs should be called to meet yearly with our Trustees, that this Conference should ultimately become the guide and conscience for our entire Society, and the successor to its founders, a most difficult problem had to be faced. Anxiously we asked ourselves, “How can this be done?” Because of her keen sense of AA feeling and reaction, her inborn flair for sound diplomacy, Helen was assigned to help me in the preparation of the Third Legacy. This document, on which the future of AA so much depends, and of which so many of us recently became conscious at St. Louis, will ever bear the stamp of Helen’s great perception and devotion. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Bill W. Helerz 8. was buried in Rockland, Massachuset~s on Satrn-day, ‘1 October 1 , followirtg a Solemn High Mars of Requiem at the Chrtrrh 1 of the Holy Family in Rockland.

May 1956

AA GRAPEVINE, MAY 1956 birthday contribution, it is a habit they for AA as long as we draw a breath, won’t forget and one that will remind and we should do something to perthem about the most important day in. petuate this fellowship-we will let it their lives. go to the dogs if we do not find some We rlcoholics are blessed with two plan to finance ourselves! Excerpts from a talk given by the originator of “The Oklahoma Birthday Plan,” birthdays: the first birthday God gave You might think I am kidding, that at the AA State Meeting in Great Bend, Kansas, last fa13. as life and a soul and on this birth- I am showing an over-amount of enday we receive gifts. Along came old thusiasm here, but I have been all over John Barleycorn and misjudgment and the country and have made about thir- I giving usBilltheandThirdthe Legacy BELIEVE founders in inspiration from this suggestion and gave couldn’t get it out of my mind. After we lost our soul; we lost it and we almost lost our life. Then this great ty-five talks and visited many, many groups. I find some enthusiasm, sureus everything we need to work AA being home a day or two I called and to perpetuate it, except a perma- seven or eight old boys who had philosophy of AA came along and but where are all the 200,000 or so nent way to finance ourselves. The “passed through” and gave them the through it we eventually found our who have “passed through”; what are $2.00 a head suggested as a yardstick thought. Every one of them was soul, and for finding our soul we they doing? W e who are active in AA for group contributions to Headquar- interested. should give of ourselves in gratitude. have the greatest responsibility that we ters sounds all right; but in my opin- Then I called AA in Oklahoma My AA birthday is the most impor- have ever had in our lives: to try to ion a lot of us are “passing through City-where I’d first heard the idea- tant day of my life. I have outlived reach the inactive olcl-timers. AA: 25 per cent of those in this room and got the same reaction. The boys my rial birthday and I am living from To get back to the Birthday Plan: tonight will have “passed through” a in Oklahoma City started talking my first contact with AA eleven years the idea is that you talk about this in year from now-sober, chances’ are, about it and I started talking about it ago. your own group. The group doesn’t but not active-and new ones will be and in July we decided to try it When .these older guys and gals vote on whether to accept the Birthday taking your places. seven and eight years sober are asked Plan-that’s an individual, voluntary around the state. W e also decided to I have had Ln opportunity to look back up and include the birthdays that if they want to do some Twelfth Step thing. It does vote on appointing a at this thing from a financial stand- had already passed during the year. work with money they feel the same birthday boy or girl. On the first of point and I am worried. The seventy- The result was we sent to General way. Under our plan we do not write the month the birthday boy or girl five districts in the United States and Service Headquarters from Oklahoma, letters, but when the second year rolls checks all the birthdays for the active Canada which send delegates to our whose groups are below the average, around we follow up and it gives us a and inactive members of the group. General Service Conference every year almost exactly twice as much in 1954 chance to do some Twelfth Step work. (Some groups make a lot out of birthhave averaged about $ 1 5 a~ year in as the year before. W e continued to I have come to the conclusion that it days while others do not.) He makes . contributions. follow the plan in 1955, with even is just as important to reach the old- a list of all the birthdays, then studies On the twenty-eighth day of Febru- better results. And, at least 90 per timer as it is to save the last boy or the Handbook and the Third Legacy ary in 1954 while ahending a state cent of the old-timers are repeating girl who comes through the door. If Manual enough to prepare a fifteenmeeting in Oklahoma City a fellow their contribution. we do not save some of them then we minute talk. who knew I was interested in AA The way we approach these old- are turning into a processing fellow- The birthday contribution is volunfinances said to me: “What do you timers is this: we ask them how they ship. tary. N o one has to contribute. But think of starting a voluntary individ- would like to do a little Twelfth Step There are a few groups that are the talk will at least educate the new ual birthday contribution to the New work with money. I contend that as growing but most are still about the member in AA and tell him something York office-a dollar for every year Americans we think in terms of same size. The older ones are “pass- about the over-all job that we had since first contact with AA, up to a money. If we can get .the old-timers ing through”; we get new members failed to do until we started working top limit of $lo?” I received a great who are no longer active to make their who are processed, and that is not under the Third Legacy (worldwide good for AA. W e should be grateful service). The birthday boy or girl

. talks to John and Mary . . John and The Birthday Plan may not be the W e in Oklahoma are going to The experiment is working in Okla- Mary go to see Bill and Susie to tell answer but from this will come the t q to educate the new member as he homa, and I hope by the time y o u them about this new way of doing answer because I know you folks are comes into AA, and try to accumulate delegate goes back to New York to Twelfth Step work with money . . . going to go home and look the facts ,thenecessary funds to do the things the next Conference he will have and you’ll be surprised at the results. squarely in the face. Get out the old we should in order to run our Head- something great to report about the I want you to remember how this Handbook that the gals at General quarters in New York with dignity- Birthday Plan. It has been working inspiration came to me .. . by talking Service Headquarters spend much time and we are “teasing” the old-timers in many other states too.* W e have made good progress. . . . 1 to these older members and to the new in compiling and go to studying it. back. It is all AA, every bit of it. ones too. They want to do something; If there are any questions about the think it is the answer, and it is later D o you know what generally hap- than you think. W e who are active they want to be a part of this fellow- Birthday Plan and the three-year-plan pens to that book? It is sent to the in AA have a job to do, and our job ship; they feel when they make a we are going to start in Oklahoma, I’ll secretary of each group and about the little investment that they are a part of be more than happy to answer them. is never done. only time it is used is when someone Ab A., Tdsa, Oklahoma it. And they are! W h o is an AA? inquires if there is a group located in H e doesn’t have to go to meetings . .. such-and-such a place. Read the front an alcoholic who has a sincere desire part of this book-there is a lot of to stop drinking is an AA if he says valuable information in it. Then get *Ed. note-we’ve been hearing murmurings and rustlings about the Birthday he is. out the Third Legacy Manual and get Plan for some time. Finally we decided to take a look at the mail and see I hope you will all go home and to schooling yourself! just how far the idea had gone by word-of-mouth. W e were amazed to come do a little serious thinking. W e have I have been to the General Service ~p with this (incomplete at press date) list of sixtek areas where groups not gone to pieces yet but too many office in New York many times using the Birthday Plan: Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, are “passing through” and we have to besides to attend the Conference Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, OkMoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, ‘

reach them some way. Bill W. has meetings when I was a delegate. I Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and British Columbia. From seven scratched his head and many of the know they are always on their toes other states (as of press rime) have come jndividual Birthday contributions active old-timers have tried to figure when the Conference is in session, direct to General Service Headquarters, many of the accompanying letters a way t o reach the old guys and bring but as I say, I have dropped in many inscribed “with love to AA”: Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, [ them back into AA. They haven’t come up with anything yet. times. I was there at Bill’s birthday dinner last year. Did you know they New ler~eyaud West Virginia.

God has been good to me . . . were $40,000 in the hole? W e came when this plan was dropped in my lap up with $39,000 of it, and do you I was walking with a cane and the know where this money is coming doctor had told me to go home and from that we are short? It is coming get my affairs in shape, and play gin from the sales of the Big Book, and rummy.’ I have been “talking the did you know that the reserve up Birthday Plan” since last February there is now less than $100,000? 28th and I think I am in pretty good It is a pity. What if there is a little shape for nearly sixty-eight. God has depression? You can sec why we are givcn me health and has given me the forced t,o look this situation squarely “wherewith” to come and talk to folks in the face: we have all got to come like you, so I know God is in this up with something permanent in order thing. to finance ourselves.

May 1957

1 I 1 Dr. A. ‘ ~ i e s e Hammer, seventy-seuen, and a Fellow of the American 1 THISCollege of Surgeons, died at Philadelphiu December 27th. 1956.

I SIMPLE ACCOUNT of the passing But when Helen Hammer heard of one of America’s finest surgeons of Jim’s attempt to start the group stirs memories that will always be at Philadelphia, her delight was bright in the annals of Alcoholics boundless. She immediately led Jim 1 Anonymous. Dr. A. Wiese Hammer and one of his new prospects to her was one of the best friends that AA surgeon husband. will ever have. Dr. Hammer in all that he under- Several of Philadelphia’s old time took was a huge enthusiast. This 1 members have written up the full full-blooded ruddy-faced man had a I story of Dr. Hammer and his bene- mighty zest for living which poured every AA meeting for years-gave the happy recollection of Dr. Dud- 1 factions. And here is the substance out of him right around the clock. free medical and surgical aid to ley Saul, another noted Philadelof what they had to say: And this joyous contagion he could every AA who wanted itvisited phia physician who constantly vied I t was February, 1940. Jim, a spread to just about everybody he other cities to talk about AA and with Dr. Hammer in good works New York AA, had just moved to met. The moment he heard Jim’s paid the expenses of the Philadel- for us drunks. Philadelphia and he was trying to story about AA his good work for phia members he took along-of- To our intense astonishment-and get a local bookstore to carry the our society began at once. Ae we fered to buy the Philadelphia Group always to our great benefit-these book “Alcoholics Anonymous” in shall see, it was not confined to Phil- its first clubhouse (which had to two great gentlemen fiercely comtheir store. The bookstore’s man- adelphia only; Dr. Hammer went to be declined)-saw that his friend, peted with each other to figure out ager protested that his customers bat for us nationally at a time when Judge Curtis Bok, owner of the something bigger and better they could have no possible interest in AA had great need for this kind of Saturday Evening Post, became in- could do for Alcoholics Anonymous. the book “Alcoholics Anonymous.” good friend. terested in AA–and finally induced This is a great story in itself which As for himself, he couldn’t care less. Here is what Dr. Hammer did: the Judge to assign Jack Alexander I’m going to tell one of these days. Overhearing this turndown, a lady opened his home to all AA members to do the famous article in 1941 1 standing nearby got into the act. She –.secured the Philadelphia Group ‘ that made our fellowship a national How could AA in its infancy ever have survived without friends such said she had sent “Alcoholics Anon- its first meeting rooms-introduced institution as th-these Philadelphia physiymous” to her alcoholic nephew in us to Dr. StoufFer, another great This is only an abbreviated list of cians who worked shoulder to shoul- Los Angeles. To the astonishment friend-to-be, who was then Chief Dr. Hammer’s good works for our der with Drs. Tiebout and Silkworth of the whole family, the problem boy Psychiatrist at the Philadelphia society. Doubtless hundreds of his had sobered up instanter and he had General Hospital-secured us treat- benefactions will never be known, at New York? stayed that way for some three ment and visiting privileges there except to those individual d e r m To Helen Hammer I send AA’s months. This was unheard of. Never- -had AAs speak before the County to whom he was so notably kind. deepest sympathy and gratitude. theless, the bookstore manager re- Medical Society-along with his Then, too, I find it impossible to And I often Wonder what her memmained unimpressed. good wife, Helen, attended nearly write about Dr. Hammer without ories of our early days must be.

June 1957

years. It’s about the only remaining article in the world that hasn’t gone up, except perhaps “Life Savers” candies. Meantime the costs of putting out the periodical have soared, just like everything else. Even after the, recent big push for subscriptions, The Grapevine still can’t get by. This state of affairs is totally unsafe for the long run’and it is a bar .to any large improvement in size or quality, now or ever, under these conditions. This spells it out that the price surely has to go up to thirty-five cents a copy or $3.50 a year. Of course, we know that everybody will be glad to give that extra dime for his Grapevine. A preliminary survey abundantly confirms that fact. This will take away the hurdle that our Grapeviners, for all of their dedication, can no longer surmount. With this accomplished, you and I can still help a lot. The Grapevine THEAA GRAPEVINE HAS SOME PLANS wants to add sixteen more pages. I t wants to add several departments: a which I would like to discuss with you and these plans include frequent news section, Al-Anon activities, and others. I t wants more interest for articles by me. I shall try to write something to all of you each month our five-and-ten-year members. I t is looking hard for every promising during the next year. new idea the staff can lay hands on. Several considerations have prompted this resolve. The first is that Surely you and I could supply some of these much needed ideas. Lois and I can no longer travel about to see you, face to face. We admit So why don’t you folks out there sit down and write me some “idea” we are not quite so young as we used ‘to be. If we go much of anywhere, letters? I don’t mean pieces or full articles quite yet. What The Grapevine then in fairness we ought to go everywhere. But “everywhere” in AA is wants is your notion of what you would like to see printed in the maganow a lot of territory. I t takes in North America, seventy overseas beach- zine. This could include a vision of new departments, a topical list of heads and 200,000:AAs. If we journeyed out to see all of you, I guess new subject matter, or actual titles for new articles on which the staff we’d never get home! So this is a very good reason why I want to chat could follow through .. . with you every month in The Grapevine. I t can be the next best substitute . . . and what-most especially-you would like me to write about in the for widespread travel. coming twelve months. Another reason is this. As AA grows in breadth and depth, so should On your part this will have to be very much a labor of love, quite in The Grapevine, for this is the largest mirror we have of up-to-date AA the spirit of anonymity. I’m sure your mail will be far too large for me thought, feeling, and activity. Thanks to its devoted workers and con- to answer. But you certainly can, and I know you will, give the Grapetributors of the past, our magazine has always managed to grow. viners and me a wonderful lot of excellent and usable ammunition. Periodically The Grapevine makes a special effort in this direction. So please write me soon at The Grapevine Editorial Office, Room 108, One of these spurts is on right now. We want to catch up with worldwide 141 East 44th Street, New York 17, N. Y. Your letters and your thoughts AA in all of its new and fascinating facets and ramifications. We want to will be carefully read and immensely appreciated. catch up with the old-timer who sometimes thinks, perhaps rightly, that our magazine is too much slanted to the problems of the newcomer. So then, what can you and I do about it? First we have to clear away a serious handicap. If a bigger and better journal is to be produced, its staff, paid and volunteer, will have to be enlarged-the paid people a little, the volunteers a lot. Both in subscription and editorial departments the magazine has long been understaffed. The fact is that the Grapeviners have been waging a losing battle Ed. note-Thanks, Bill, for your help. W e are looking forward to the new . against inflation-a battle which has been going on a long time. At series-the first of which will appear in next month’s Milestone Grapevine under the title “Let’s Be Friendly with Our Friends.” W e have high hopes twenty-five cents, the price has stood unchanged for the last dozen or so that Bill’s example may set some other old-timers communicating.

June 1 9 5 7

evacuated and for four months has been only a half mile from my camp.” Bill and Lois took a two-week trip through the South as guests of eight AA groups. The Miami Herald, according to Bill, divided its front page nearly equally between the war and AA on the day of the meeting; over four hundred people attended. I n Birmingham, Alabama, the Mayor, ex- Governor and several members of Congress attended. AA at Camp Peary, an officer from the base declared a t an open meeting in Richmond, already has resulted in much good in its aid to officers trying to solve the problem of Navy men getting drunk on leave and over-staying their liberty.

And from the July 1944 issue . . . ON CULTIVATISG TOLERASCE By Dr. Bob of Akron During nine years in AA I have observed that those who follow the AA program with the greatest earnestness and zeal not only maintain ‘Lliirteel~1-ears Ago . . . sobriety, but often acquire finer characteristics and attitudes as well. One of these is tolerance. Tolerance expresses itself in a variety of ways: in THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE AA GRAPEVINE was publish& kindness and consideration toward the man or woman who is just beginin J u n e of 1944. Those of us who are now functioning ning the march along the spiritual path; in the understanding of those as your editors were not around in those far-off days- who perhaps have been less fortunate in educational advantages; and in around AA, that is. We were still in the indoctrination sympathy toward those whose religious ideas may seem to be a t great stage. We found so much of interest in those early variance with our own. I am reminded in this connection of the picture issues that we decided you might like to explore with of a hub with its radiating spokes. We all start at the outer circumferuq some of our pre-historic past. ence and approach our destination by one of many routes. There u.as a r i w on-remember? And from Naval T o say that one spoke is much better than all the other spokes is true . Cantonment, Honolulu, comes a letter dated Oct. 8, only in the sense of its being best suited to you as an individual. Human 1943: Dear Sirs-I have been an alcoholic for ten nature is such that without some degree of tolerance each one of us might years. Three months ago I went to the hospital for be inclined to believe that we have found the best or perhaps the shortest the third time and a nurse told me of your organiza- spoke. Without some tolerance we might tend to become a bit smug or tion. I went to the public library and found your superior-which of course is not helpful to the person we are trying to address . . .” This was the beginning of AA in Hawaii. help, and may be quite painful or obnoxious to others. No one of us An Army Lieutenant writes: “We have arrived a t a wishes to do anything which might act as a deterrent to the advancement new island and are set up in a coconut grove. How of another, and a patronizing attitude can slow up this process. often these days I think of the fine times in AA and Tolerance furnishes, as a by-product, a greater freedom from the tenthe wonderful people.” dency to cling to preconceived ideas and stubbornly adhered to opinions. A Nauy Lieutenant, two years sober, sends word from In other words it often promotes an open-mindedness which is vastly the South Pacific: “Your mention of John N., the important-in fact a prerequisite to the successful termination of any Army lieutenant, caused me to investigate. He was line of search, whether it be scientific or spiritual. These, then, are a few of the reasons why an attempt to acquire toler- 29

ance should be made by each one of us. With the reprinting of these words by AA’s late co-founder in the Grapevine of July, 1944, we are ready to begin a feature that will be . continued as long as interest warrants . . excerpting items, both long and short from the corresponding month of our first year of publication. Herewith, then, is August, 1944 . . . THELATE ARTHUR HOPKINS, the famous theatrical producer, visited an AA meeting and wrote a n enthusiastic description of his reactions to the Grapevine editors: “There are a few unforgettable experiences that take a permanent place in memory and become a continuing source of enrichment. I n recent years the most unforgettable was a meeting a t Webster Hall of Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . God was nearer that night than I have ever known Him. H e was actually to be seen at work. His ways were not, for that evening, mysterious. His presence shone in many faces. It isn’t often we actually meet God.” LIVESAND MAN-HOURS SAVED BY COAST AA. We all know that AA saves lives. But in war time, and in the country that is “the arsenal of democracy,” man-hours saved in war industries also save lives-soldiers’ lives. T h e leading newspaper of Richmond, California, ran a n editorial about it: “Through the work of a little-known organization, thousands of manhours and the abilities and self-respect of many men and women employed a t the Richmond shipyard are being saved. AA is credited with saving 600,000 man-hours in one year.” ON THE EVE OF D-DAY a n Army officer writes from England: “We are pretty tense wondering if and when the big show is going to start . . . Being over here under present circumstances gives you a pretty sharp perception of values. AA has been working without a slip for me. By reading and re-reading the book and holding regular thought sessions with myself, I have been able to compensate for the lack of asqociation and group therapy.”

July 1957

the enterprise, the following in- the stock-sdling scheme definitely ducements stand out: indicated n need for a more stable 1. “This Week Magazine” ex- method of floating some “eating pressed interest in running a money” and so Frank Amos, our Page 2 article regarding AA great friend and one of the first of and its forthcoming book. the non-AA trustees, sent out a The editor prophesied 25 to dinner invitation to a group of 30 thousand inquiries as a selected tycoons. In it he stated: result of such an article . . . “The most important accomplish- I 2. “Readers Digest” in a per- ment, aside from redeeming alcosonal interview between Bill holics, has been the writing of ‘One W. and the managing editor Hundred Men’ by Bill W.” The stated that the work of AA book was indeed now in the rough From the scrapbooks and the forthcoming volume draft stage, but not a tycoon rose and “archives” … was of such interest as to justify putting a staff writer to the bait. In April, 1939 came a day of high excitement for the 100 :’- OC~OBER 1938. In this month the on it and running an article men. “We the People,” a tremenfounders of AA-insolvent but just prior to publication . . . dously popular radio program, dedicated -were attempting to 3. “Good Housekeeping” editor scheduled the first AA program raise sufficient funds to finance Bill after a personal call by two over the air. Its purpose was to W.’s writing of the Big Book, which AA members requested an promote the sale of the now pubat that time was entitled “One outline of an article which lished book renamed “Alcoholics Hundred Men.” A glowing pros- could be used before publi- Anonymous.” Gabriel Heatter pectus was created to be used as a cation of the Big Book. opened the historic half hour in his lure to persuade prospective angels (Ed. note-Not one of these inimitable Voice-of-the-Prophet into buying stock in this as-yet- lovely fantasies ever got past manner: “The man beside me has unwritten manuscript. This gilt- the wishful stage.) had one of the most gripping and edged document now reads like the Included in the prospectus was dramatic experiences I have ever brain child of a Lewis Carroll or a this uncompromising statement: “It heard . . . if only one person is . Jules Verne . . it is truly the stuff is an indisputable fact that over the helped by hearing his story, we the from which dreams are woven. past four years, 100 true alcoholics people have done a real service.” Among other golden possibilities have recovered, who from the stand- It was gripping all right, and at held out as bait to persuade these point of medicine and psychiatry the end of it our AA hero added angels of the financial soundness of were considered hopeless. These the words the other 99 were waiting I men have dubbed themselves Alco- to hear: “Recently we wrote a book holics Anonymous.” I t was on this called ‘Alcoholics Anonymous.’ It record and with these prospects tells precisely how we all came that our intrepid founders em- back from a living death. That’s . barked on their plans to raise funds why I wanted to come on this pro- MILESTONES IN AA I

for publishing the Big Book. . gram . . to tell people in torment: BY JANUARY OF 1939 the results of they too can come back!”

Now we were in! Our little band issue to reach the public read, in of pioneers settled back to wait for part: “Alcoholics Anonymous has the orders to flood in. After a few hit town … Every Thursday evendays the f’inal count stood: we re- ing a t the home of some ex-drunk ceived exactly twelve inquiry cards. in Cleveland, forty or fifty formerly Two of them ordered the book, the hopeless rummies meet for a social other ten were poor jokes from doc- evening during which they buck tors who clearly did not feel their each other up.” This may not seem practices were in jeopardy. a very promising beginning to us Shortly after this fiasco Dr. today but, from this series, hun- Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote his dreds of inquiries were launched on magnificent review of the book. It the unsuspecting N.Y. and Clevewas reprinted many times and in land groups, and the hundred men many publications and started the became hundreds almost overnight. first serious appraisal of AA. By the end of 1939 over 2000 copies IN OCTOBEROF THE SAME YEAR tho of the Big Book had been sold and Cleveland Plain Dealer published . . we were on our way . the ebb the series on AA that was to change tide turned to a flood. the course of our history. The first GV Staff, N.Y.

July 1957

“Well,” said the AA committee, before. He worked himself down 1957 July 1957 “why don’t you doctors come to a and finally out of motion pictures- S M T W T F S meeting?”^ of the psychiatrists not at all a surprising development. 1 2 3 4 5 6 allowed this would be fine. They But here he was in AA, sober for 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 God grant me the s E R r N l T v TO ACCEPT said they would go to New York’s months. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 the things I cannot change, AA group the following week. However, it soon became appar- 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 CouRAOE TO CHANGE the things I can, 1n that period I think we New ent that psychiatrists were still and WISDOM TO KNOW the difference. Yorkers gathered in a parlor at among Jack’s pet grudges. He actu- Steinway Hall. With much delight ally blamed them for his downfall. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . we had-heard about the proposed Well knowing that two of them pilgrimage of the Jersey doctors. were in the room, he saw the chance Meeting night finally rolled around. of a lifetime. Now he could dish it But in the interval, my memory out and they would have to sit Let’s had slipped a cog. I forgot all about there and take it! those psychiatrists. Right after our So Jack proceeded to do a job on meeting opened, the beaming AA psychiatry and all its works. As a contingent from Jersey entered the speaker he packed a huge wallop hall and s!id into a back row. But and he had great talent for a cynieven this reminder failed to jog my cal humor that now suited his purmemory. I certainly had no reason pose exactly. He tore his several to think that one of my life’s worst psychiatrists apart, one by one. embarrassments -and one of its Then he attacked the entire profes-

With I I best lessom-was just around the sion, their theories and their philoscorner. ophies. He called them “fish worm The meeting’s first speaker told a diggers.” All the while he was fine story; both grim and inspiring. screamingly funny. Though hi talk Our I

You could have heard a pin drop. was nine-tenths fantasy and non- I It was simply great. sense, it was nevertheles a real Then up got Jack. He told how piece of showmanship: The audihe’d been a rising figure in the mo- ence was convulsed and I thought tion picture industry and had once I’d never laughed so long or ao IT WAS YEARS AGO and we were making our first contacts with mental earned the modest stipend of $50,- much. Jack finally sat down amidst hospitals. One of them was a New Jersey institution which had paroled 000 a year. Considering his vaunted big applause. abilities, Jack had figured this to be Following the meeting, the Jersey two alcoholics who had found AA and had stayed sober for six months. Both of them had been classed as hopeless. Despite AA’s unusual meth- only a starter. Then Demon Rum AA contingent pushed toward the began to cut him down. His wor- platform. They looked both sick ods, the hospital’s psychiatrists were not a little impressed. ried studio produced a psychiatrist. and sore, and they definitely were. I Forthwith the eager AA group nearby began to bombard the hospital for visiting privileges. They wanted to bring the good news to every Grudgingly, Jack took some treat- Mumbling weakly, their spokes^ ments. The results were nil and introduced our “honored guests,” alkie in the place, no delays allowed. The doctors weren’t so sure that more psychiatrists were tried. But the two psychiatrists! this was the right idea. Jack’s ego, his resentments and his I felt an awful sinking sensation They were still rather cautious, as they had plenty of reason to be. drinking all remained as colossal as in the region of my solar plexus.

Just then Jack, obviously much has continued to hold up AA’s pleased with himself, walked up and hands. And I venture to say that it genially slapped one of our guests is often their understanding and tolon the back. “Well, doctor,” said erance, rather than ours, which has he, “how did you like ‘them apples’ brought about this happy state of I just handed you!” This was the affairs. limit. I could have died of mortifi- Two more euamples: In 1949, cation. the American Psychiatric Associa- But the two psychiatrists srnil- tion asked me to read a paper on ingly rolled with his punch. They AA before their annual meeting. insisted that it had been a wonder- Going further, the psychiatrists pubfully helpful meeting. After all, lished that paper in their official they declared their profession ought journal and permitted AA to reprint to be able to stand a little ribbing my material in pamphlet form for now and then. To them Jack’s talk public consumption. This one genhad been good clean fun and very erous act has since brought our felinstructive. lowship untold benefit. Only re- This was an amazing demonstra- cently a survey was made in Los tion of friendship and understand- Angeles to determine how the psy- . ing. Under trying conditions these chiatrists in that city and county maligned ge~ltlemenhad turned the felt about AA. I’m told that they other cheek. They had met Jack’s feel fine; 99% of them are for us! tirade with courtesy, kindness, good Of course this little story has its humor and even gratitude. I t was a exaggerations. Great numbers of lesson in patience, tolerance, and AA’s are today very friendly to psy- Christian charity that I hope I shall chiatry and no doubt equally great never forget. numbers of psychiatrists who know As quickly as -ible, I angled nothing &out us or who have seen the two doctors into a corner and only AA fzilures are still against us. began my apologies. In fact I ate But this is beside the point. The crow. Then one of them looked a t point th8.t I am trying to make is me and said, “Think nothing of it, that we AA’s should try to be uni- Bill. As you surely see, some alco- formly friendly under all conditions. holics are more maladjusted than Now what became of my old others. We understand that per- friend J a c k ? Well, J a c k just fectly!” couldn’t make it, though he tried Within a month, this very excep- hard. He died three years ago of tional doctor opened his hospital to alcoholism. AA visitors and a group began to Perhaps real friendliness was form within the walls. Ever since something which Jack never came that time the psychiatric profession to understand.

July 1957

the enterprise, the following in- the stock-sdling scheme deAnitely ducements stand out: indicated a need for a more stable 1. “This Week Magazine” ex- method of floating some “eating pressed interest in running a money” and so Frank Amos, our Page 2 article regarding AA great friend and one of the first of and its forthcoming book. the non-AA trustees, sent out a The editor prophesied 25 to dinner invitation to a group of 30 thousand inquiries as a selected tycoons. In it he stated: result of such an article . . . “The most important accomplish- 2. “Readers Digest” in a per- ment, aside from redeeming alcosonal interview between Bill holics, has been the writing of ‘One W. and the managing editor Hundred Men’ by Bill W.” The stated that the work of AA book was indeed now in the rough and the forthcoming volume draft stage, but not a tycoon rose was of such interest as to to the bait. In April, 1939 came a justify putting a staff writer day of high excitement for the 100 on it and running an article men. “We the People,” a tremenjust prior to publication . . . dously popular radio program, 3. “Good Housekeeping” editor scheduled the first AA program after a personal call by two over the air. Its purpose was to AA members requested an promote the sale of the now puboutline of an article which lished book renamed “Alcoholics could be used before publi- Anonymous.” Gabriel Heatter cation of the Big Book. opened the historic half hour in his (Ed. note-Not one of these inimitable Voice-of-the-Prophet lovely fantasies ever got past manner: “The man beside me has the wishful stage.) had one of the most gripping and Included in the prospectus was dramatic experiences I have ever this uncompromising statement: “It heard . . . if only one person is is an indisputable fact that over the helped by hearing his story, we the past four years, 100 true alcoholics people have done a real service.” ‘ have recovered, who from the stand- I t was gripping all right, and at point of medicine and psychiatry the end of it our AA hero added were considered hopeless. These the words the other 99 were waiting men have dubbed themselves Alco- to hear: “Recently we wrote a book holics Anonymous.” I t was on this called ‘Alcoholics Anonymous.’ It record and with these prospects tells precisely how we all came that our intrepid founders em- back from a living death. That’s barked on their plans to raise funds why I wanted to &me on this p m MILESTONES IN AA for publishing the Big Book. BY JANUARY OF 1939 the results of . gram . . to tell people in torment: they too can come back!”

Now we were in! Our little band issue to reach the public read, in of pioneers settled back to wait for part: “Alcoholics Anonymous has the orders to flood in. After a few .. hit town . Every Thursday evendays the final count stood: we re- ing at the home of some ex-drunk ceived exactly twelve inquiry cards. in Cleveland, forty or fifty formerly Two of them ordered the book, the hopeless rummies meet for a social other ten were poor jokes from doc- evening during which they buck tors who clearly did not feel their each other up.” This may not seem practices were in jeopardy. a very promising beginning to us Shortly after this fiasco Dr. today but, from this series, hun- Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote his dreds of inquiries were launched on magnificent review of the book. It the unsuspecting N.Y. and Clevewas reprinted many times and in land groups, and the hundred men many publications and started the became hundreds almost overnight. first serious appraisal of AA. By the end of 1939 over 2000 copies IN OCTOBER OF THE SAME YEAR the of the Big Book had been sold and Cleveland Plain Dealer published . we were on our way . . the ebb the series on AA that was to change tide turned to a flood. the course of our history. The first GV Staff, N.Y.

August 1957

)A u ~ u J. ~ . . . today.. S M T W T F 6 every real doctor had to be possessed of the deepest dedication and faith. Such was his theme, and how certain doctors come to mind, d o e tors who devoted themselves to us i n our pioneering time, I wpnder God grant me the S E R E N I T Y TO ACCEPT he did go to town with it. He cer- how many of us could really match 4 5 6 7 8 910 tainly “carried the message” and their humility and their dedication. thethingsIcannotchange, I saw as seldom before that we AAs Take my own doctor, William D. 18 19 2 0 21 22 23 24 COURAGE TO CHANGE the things can, certainly have no monopoly on the Silkworth. In our forthcoming hisand WISDOM TO KNOW the difference. practice of “Step Twelve.” tory book, AA Comes of Age, I Several citations for distinguished have drawn a word portrait of him service were given, one of them to which runs in part as follows: a layman for his outstanding work “As we looked back over those among the nation’s infirm and dis- early scenes in New York, we saw Let’s abled. He had proven to thousands of sufferers that they need no longer often in the midst of them the benign little doctor who loved

( Second in a Series 1 be emotionally or spiritually crippled and that some sort of useful and gainful work could always be drunks, William Duncan Silkworth, then physician-in-chief of the Charles B. Towns Hospital in New by Bill W. theirs. Pointing out that self-pity is a prevalent ailment of the c r i p York, and the man who we now realize was very much a founder pled, he quoted the Persian who of AA. ‘From him we learned the had no shoes: “I wept because I nature of our illness. And he suphad no shoes until I saw a man who plied us with the tools with which

With had no feet!” The beaming man behind the lectern knew whereof he spoke, for he himself had no to puncture the toughest alcoholic ego, those shattering phrases by which he described our illness: the legs; he had been on artificial limbs obsession of the mind that compels Our for years. Clearly dedication, fortitude and faith had been his relius to drink and the allergy of the body that condemns us to’ go mad ances. It was for these things that Friends . or die. Without these indispensable the AMA had given him such a passwords, AA could never have THEPHYSKIANS signal recognition. worked. Dr. Silkworth taught us ON TELEWSION RECFSJTLY, I watched as the American Medical Association This gathering of the doctors, so how to till the black soil of hopein convention installed its new president. At first thinking it might be a spiritually centered, set me think- lessness, out of which every single routine affair, I nearly switched to a “whodunit.” I’m now very glad that ing. I keenly realized that doctoring spiritual awakening in our fellow- I did not, for those doctors gave me a most memorable and moving hour. is mainly a spiritual vocation and ship has since flowered. I n Decem- Up got the new president to make his inauguration address. He said that the vast majority of physicians ber 1934 this man of science had little of the science of medicine. To my surprise he pointed his talk- really join the profession to serve sat humbly by my bed following just as we often do in AA meetings-straight at the newcomers, in this their fellowmen. my own sudden and overwhelming case the young doctors just entering practice. He told them that no doctor, We AAs are apt to set a “triple spiritual experience, reassuring me: however well-trained scientifically, could get far until he was able to make A” rating on ourselves and our Fel- ‘No, Bill,’ he had said, ‘you are not sick people feel that he understood them as human beings; and that lowship. But when the names of hallucinating. Whatever you have

got, you had better hang on to; it worth. It is estimated that in his is so much better than what you lifetime he saw an amazing forty had only an hour ago! These were thousand of them. In the years great words for the AA to come! before his death in 1951, in close Who else could have said them? cooperation with AA and our red- “When I wanted to go to work headed power-house nurse, Teddy, with alcoholics, he led me to them he had ministered to nearly 10,000, right there in his hospital, risking alwholics at New York’s Knickerhis professional reputation. bocker Hospital alone. None of “After six months of failure on those he treated will ever forget the my part to dry up any drunks, Dr. experience, and the majority of Silkworth again reminded me of them are sober today.” Professor William James’ o b s e ~ a – So Dr. Silkworth “twelfthtion that truly transforming spirit- stepped” forty thousand alcoholics. ual experiences are nearly always Thousands of these he patiently founded on calamity and collapse. treated long before AA when the ‘Stop preaching at them,’ Dr. Silk- chance for recovery was slim. But worth had said, ‘and give them the he always had faith that one day hard medical facts first. This may a way out would be found. He soften them up at depth so that never tired of drunks and their they will be willing to do anything problems. A frail man, he never to get well. Then they may accept complained of fatigue. During most those moral psychology ideas of of his career he made only a bare yours, and even a higher Power.’ living. He never sought distinction; “Four years later, Dr. Silborth his work was his reward. In his last had helped to convert Mr. Charles years he ignored a heart condition B. Towns, the hospital’s owner, into and he died on the job -right a great AA enthusiast and had among us drunks, and with his encouraged him to loan $2,500 to boots on. start preparation of the book Alco- Who of us in AA can match this holics Anonymous-a sum, by the record of Dr. Silkworth’s? Who has way, which later amounted to over his measure of fortitude, faith and $4,000. Then as our only medical dedication? friend at the time, the good doctor So when – twenty-three years boldly wrote the Introduction to after Dr. Silkworth had treated me our book, where it remains to this for the last t i m n 1 saw and heard day and where we intend to keep and felt the spirit that was abroad it always. in that great AMA meeting, I “Perhaps no physician will ever thanked God for the doctors, one give so much devoted attention to of the finest groups of friends that so many alwholics as did Dr. Silk- AA can ever have.

August 1957

The sinner turns from his life of Medicine and head of the Alcoholic Sin.” Division a t Bellevue, wrote a strong The Christian Leader showed letter of protest which he asked the rather more insight: “Gothic win- AMA Journal to publish. Dr. Kendows are not the sole things which nedy was not exactly silenced as can be truly seen only from within, he read both the original review alcoholism is another.” “News- and his answer to it a t the Rockeweek” took us seriously but called feller dinner for AA, held a t the Bill W. a “comnercial traveler” Union Club in February. and in September, 1939, Liberty This famous dinner needs no in- Magazine published a romantic troduction but I do not remember story by Morris Markey, “The Al- ever reading Dr. Kennedy’s answer coholic and God.” The daily press to the AMA Journal, as he read it ‘was equally devoted and assiduous on this occasion: “To the editorin reporting the doings of AA, re- Sir-An unsigned review appeared markably so considering the mem- in the Journal of the American bership was still less than 500; they Medical Association, Oct. 14th, of went out of their way to help us in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. every way. . . . The. cheapish tone reflects on Indeed in all of this hullabaloo, the thoughtfulness, experience and . only the official organs of medicine kindliness of the reviewer. . . The and psychiatry remained discreetly aim of AA is high, their success silent. Finally the AMA took no- considerable. . . . One might ask tice and in the October issue of the the reviewer to produce a book on Journal of The American Medical the subject of alcohol concocted Association an anonymous reviewer out of ‘pure’ science. I t would be dismissed us at length as “a curious unfortunate if the opinion.of your combination of organizing propa- ‘Cynic Anonymous’ be given too ganda and religious exhortation.” wide credence by our profession His final words were, “the one valid which has never before refused to thing in the book is the recognition use faith to move mountains.” I of the seriousness of the addiction think we can, in the light of histo alcohol, other than this the book tory, assume that Dr. Kennedy had has no scientific merit or interest.” the last word. Our stout friends in the medical Mr. John D. Rockefeller Jr. has world took strong exception to this been a staunch and loyal friend of statement but the Journal refused AA for many years. The headlines to refute the findings of their man, that exploded around the world MILESTONES IN AA even though the late Foster Ken- after his kind and generous dinner nedy, a world famous neurologist, make of Mr. Rockefeller’s con- Professor a t the Cornell School of tinued support of AA a remarkable

testimony to his tolerance and from the scandal sheets. The imagsense of humor. The press has sel- ination staggers at the field day dom had a giddier time-“John D. they must have had. Jr. Secretly Aids Alcoholics,” The status of respectability and “Rockefeller Helps to Cure Alco- acceptance by the general public holics,” “Rockefeller Bared as An- which we enjoy today makes those gel of Alcoholic Reform Project,” early years sound like a penny “J. D. Jr. Gives Hand to Toper arcade tune compared with the Reform,” “Rockefeller Secretly mighty orchestration of AA recov- Helps Chronic Drinkers,” “John D. ery today. We newer members Dines Toss Pots.” These are a few missed a lot of the heart aches and of the more dignified ones. The scrap struggles but we missed a lot of the book contains, alas, no clippings challenge and glamor too!

September 1957

great. The ever-deepening stream of wonder how much this generous act spirit on which we AAs journey to required of his understanding, love, better things now has its myriad and sheer nerve. Here was a small tributaries-branches which feed bunch of so-called “ex-drunks’*-

I(1 , I1 into the main current of the life of virtually unknown. I still tremble 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 God grant me the S E R E N I T Y TO ACCEPT 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 our whole fellowship. The most nu- when I think how America would 16 1 9 20 2 1 the things1 cannot change, 22 23 2 4 25 26 27 28 – . merous and most vital of these have rocked with mirth if two or COURAGE TO CHANGE the things I can, 29 10 streams of devotion and service have three of us AAs had turned up plasand w ISDOM TO KNOW the difference. always come to us from our friends tered in the spotlight of that famous in the clergy. dinner! Clergyman Fosdick had gone Let me illustrate: far out on the limb for us. We shall Few know that it was a minister remember this always.

Let’s who was the primary figure in form- Surely by hundreds, and probably ing AA’s original Board of Trustees, by thousands, our friends in the who were to become the custodians clergy have since continued to go Third in a Series of AA’s services, world-wide. I am out on the limb. They install our Be thinking of Willard S. Richardson, meetings in their basements and soa friend and associate of the Rocke- cial halls. Never interfering with our feller~.In 1937 we called upon Mr. affairs, they sit in the back rows- Friendly Richardson to help us find a lot of explaining that they have come to money for AA work. I n s t e a d h e AA to learn. When Sunday arrives, helped us to find ourselves. Largely they preach sermons about us. They With because of his kindness and under- send us prospects and marvel at their standing, his devotion and his hard progress. When we sometimes ask work, AA’s first Board of Trustees them to speak to us, they invariably was formed and the writing of the apologize for their own ineffective- Our Big Book was begun. His was the ness with alcoholics. This is humility . kind of giving that had no price tag for sure. . too much of it, perhaps. on it. What our 7,000 groups today When it comes to patience and tol- THE CLERGYMEN owe “Uncle Dick” Richardson, a erance thoy are at their best. Of clergyman, only God could possibly course they soon learn that, although EVERY RIVER H A S A WELISPRING at its source. AA is like that, too. In the know. sober, we AAs can sometimes be the beginning, there was a spring which poured out of a clergyman, Dr. At the Rockefeller dinner meeting grandiose and champion rationaliz- Samuel Shoemaker. ‘Way back in 1934 he began to teach us the principles of 1940 another man of the cloth ap- ers. We can also be careless and irand attitudes that afterward came to full flower in AA’s Twelve Steps for peared. He was no other than Dr. responsible. They listen blandly Recovery. Harry Emerson Fosdick. As the main when we tell (by inference) what a If ever there was a living water for drunks this was it. We took the cup speaker for the non-alcoholic3 pre-3- superior society we have! Once in a d Grace that Sam held out and we drank, not forgetting to pass it on to ent, Dr. Fosdick became the first while they hear experiences and lanothers. Our gratitude goes up to Him whose Grace ever fills that cup, and man of religion ever to stand right guage a t a meeting that would make out to Sam who first offered it to us. up before the general public and practically anybody blush. But they But rivers must have tributaries, else they cannot travel far nor grow give us a big pat on the back. I often never say a word, or bat an eye. They

take the nonsense side of AA in cent, I had begun to ask myself: the finest living example of spiritualstride, sometimes with the patience “Who am I?*-“Where did I come ity that I happen to know. He has of Job. They know we are really from?”-“What is my purpose often set my feet back on the.@ trying to grow up, and they want to here?”-“What is the real meaning when otherwise I might have gone help. of life?’—“When the undertaker gets off on an indefinite dry bender. I t This stirring and round-the-clock through with me, am I still alive, or is characteristic that he has never, demonstration by our friends in re- not?’-“Where, if any place, do I in all these years, asked me to join ligion sets many of us to thinking: go from here?” Neither science nor his church. “When we consider all that these philosophy seemed able to supply Therefore it is with the deepest priests and preachers have done for me convincing answers. Naturally I feeling that I here cast up AA’s debt us, just what have we ever done for began to shdp about in other direc- to the clergymen: without their them?” This is a good question in- tions, and I think I made a little works for us, AA could never have deed. progress. been born; nearly every principle Though the following isn’t strictly Though still rather gun-shy about that we use came from them. Their AA business, I cannot but help re- clergymen and their theology I final- example, their faith and their beport what priests and ministers have ly went back to them-the place liefs in some part, we have appropridone for many of us, personally. where AA came from. If they had ated and made our own. Almost liter- Some AAs say, “I don’t need re- been able to teach me the principles ally, we AAs owe them our lives, our ligion, because AA is my religion.” on which I could recover, then per- fortunes and such salvation as each As a matter of fact, I used to take haps they might now be able to tell understanding by which I can now of us has found. this tack myself. me more about growth in under- grow, if only a little at a time. He is Surely, this is an infinite debt! After enjoying this simple and standing, and in belief. comfortable view for some years I Though my sobriety had come finally awoke to the probability that easy, the growing up business hadn’t. there might be sources of spiritual Both emotional and spiritual growth teaching, wisdom and assurance out- have always been mighty difficult side of AA. I recalled that preacher for me. My quest to understand my- Sam probably had a lot to do with self-and better to know God and the vital spiritual experience that His design for me–became a matter was my first gift of faith. He had of great urgency. The clergyman, I also taught me principles by which reflected, must represent the accu- I could survive and carry on. AA mulated wisdom of the ages in mathad provided me with the spiritual ters moral and theological. So I behome and climate wherein I was wel- gan to make friends with them-this come and could do useful work. This time to listen, and not to argue. was very fine, all to the good. I can happily report that one of Yet I finally discovered that I these clergymen has turned out to needed more than this. Quite right- be the greatest friend, teacher and ly, AA didn’t try to answer all of my adviser that I ever expect to have. questions, however important they Through the years I have found in seemed to me. Like any other adoles- Father Ed much of the grace and

September 1 9 5 7

FOLLOWING THE EXTRAORDINARY WAVE of publicity hear. Perhaps when I recover from the awe of what I occasioned by the Rockefeller dinner in February of saw and heard last night (at an AA meeting) I may 1940, AA became the darling of the columnists and the . have a go at an explanation but I doubt it.” delight of the press. From Beatrice Fairfax to Edwin Also about this time the Houston Press published C. Hill, from sob-sister to sober political pundit, a series of six articles by an AA newspaper man who poured out the story of Alcoholics Anonymous. had drunk himself out of even that hard-drinking

this new movement, the greatest respect was given fascinating as contrast to the vast amount of literature to the principle of anonymity, and with few exceptions now available about AA. It modestly claims 500 AA was accorded serious and accurate representation. members and announces “firmJ’ groups in Akron, The majority of the reporters, feature writers and Cleveland and New York City, with “vigorous columnists attended meetings and wrote with the beginnings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, freshness and enthusiasm of immediate knowledge. Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Wash- Typical of the publicity of the times is the following ington, D. C., Richmond, and Houston.” The total from Howard Vincent O’Brian’s column in the contents of our first AA pamphlet consisted of: the Chicago Daily News, dated April 30, 1940: reprint series from the Houston Press, another reprint “Some of these people I have known a long time. I by Dr. Silkworth from a Minneapolis medical journal, know what they once were and what they are now. and the Twelve Suggested Steps. Something has happened to them. I do not know Every time AA was mentioned in the press, even what this something is. That is to say I cannot weigh if it was only the story of the founding of a new group it, or measure it, or define it in words. That doesn’t in a local area, the publication was besieged with matter. I have passed the stage of wanting to ‘ex- inquiries. In most cases a follow-up article resulted, plain.’ I am content with reporting what I see and relating the astonished satisfaction of the editors at

September 1957

INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL GIFTS LIMITED WITH MORE AND MORE INDLVIDUAL MEMBERS of AA making personal contributions for the support of General Service Headquarters “Third Legacy” services, special interest has been focused on the recent action of the 1957 Conference in restating AA policy on such personal gifts. In two separate actions, Conference Delegates voted to limit to $100 the amount acceptable from an individual member of the Fellowship. This new policy was first presented to the Conference in the report of the Headquarters Finance and Budgetary Committee, which was approved unanimously. Because of its importance, it was reviewed at the meeting limited to Area Delegates and again endorsed. Previously, personal contributions had been limited to “one-tenth of one per cent of the annual budget for Headquarters services.” As AA has grown, the scope of these services has increased, as have annual budgets. The new policy, limiting personal contributions to a specific dollar amount, is intended to reflect the Traditional AA viewpoint that no individual, by virtue of the relative size of a personal gift, should ever be in a position of influence on matters involving AA’s worldwide services to alcoholics. In the past, a number of sizable personal gifts have been rejected, in line with this Tradition. During the past few years, hundreds of personal contributions have been received from members, in connection with the increasingly popular “Birthday Plan” and as memorial gifts. Gifts for the support of AA services are not accepted from non-memh. (Ed. note-Contributions from AA groups form the bulk of financial support of GSH.) Reprinted from ‘AA Exchange BuUecin”

October

ris Markey. From Charlie Towns, Alongside these articles there a p –

1957 –

October —

1957 11 October…toddy… proprietor of the hospital where I had once been such a good cuspeared editorial exhortations which in effect said, “AA is good and it S M T W T F S tomer, writer Markey had received works. Come and get it.” Again the

1 ‘ 1 2 3 4 5 God grant me the SaRENlTY TO ACCSPT a terrific build-up on AA which he deluge. The tiny Cleveland group the things I cannot change, now retailed to editor Oursler, one was swamped. But it happily sur- COURAOm TO CHANOE th? thingszcan, of the most perceptive men I have vived and in a few months its numever met. Fulton Oursler saw the bers had shot up into the hundreds. and WISDOM TO KNOW the difference. possibilities in a flash. Said he, Alcoholics Anonymous had started “Morris, you’ve got an assignment. the year 1939 with less than one Bring that story in here, and we will hundred members and it finished print it in September.” with more than eight hundred of Such were the words of AA’s first them. friend of the press. These words In February 1940 we got another Let’s were to save the bankrupt book and mighty lift, this time as the result . I Fourth in a Series ( they also meant that the public was to have its first view of Alcoholics of Mr. Rockefeller’s famous dinner at which he introduced us to hie Be Anonymous. Just as promised, Morris Marown friends and held AA up for the whole world to see. Again the press key’s article, “Alcoholics and God,” did a job. This time many news- Friendly was printed in Liberty magazine. The results were immediate and papers, including the tabloids, said good things about us and the great electrifying. More than eight hun- wire services carried the story world- With Our Friends .. dred urgent pleas for help hit Liberty’s office. We carefully answered each one, not forgetting to enclose wide. AA’s membership jumped from eight hundred to over two thousand in twelve months. PRESS, RADIO, TELEVISION a book order blank. Orders soon be- In the spring of 1941, .the same gan to come in and, helped by still drama was reenacted on a far larg- ITWAS THE SUMMER OF 1939. A few months before, our alcoholic fellow- more letters from our little office on er scale. Mr. Curtis Bok, owner of ship, boasting all of one hundred members, had published a book we called Vesey Street, and by traveling AA the Saturday Evening Post, saw AA “Alcoholica Anonymous.” But nothing else had happened. Our books, five members, new groups started up. at work in Philadelphia and urged thousand of them, were piled in the warehouse of the printer, Cornwall Other news-hawkerswere not long his editors to select Jack Alexander Press, and nary a one could be sold. in following the Oursler example. to do a feature assignment. When The much-hoped-for piece in the Reader’s Digest-which might have A month later the public-spirited Jack’s piece hit the newsstands it told the public about us and the new book-had failed to materialize. editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer brought in a Niagara-like flood of . Panic-stricken, we had rushed from one national magazine to another, gave writer Elrick B. Davis an as- appeals for help. Two years later pleading for help. But this was in vain. Works Publishing, the little com- signment to cover AA and to go the AA’s membership stood at the ten pany we had formed to launch the book venture, was flat broke and so was limit. For days on end articles about thousand mark. ‘a everybody else. There was seemingly no place to turn. AA in general and about AA in By telling our story to the Amer- But Providence knew better. Just as we hit this new low, Fulton Ours- Cleveland in particular were a lead- ican public this small band of early ler, then editor of Liberty, had a caller-a free lance writer named Mor- ing feature of the Plain Dealer. friends had increased AA’s ranks by

one-hundred-fold in the short space Years ago we requested all people of four years, had made AA a na- in communications to respect the sonally dedicated themselves to our going far into the evening, and I was tional institution, and had laid the anonymity of our members. This cause. Jack Alexander, for instance. the one who sometimes kept him up foundation upon which our society was asking for a great deal because became a trustee for AA and greatly until midnight. has grown so mightily ever since. the average reporter couldn’t imag- helped us with our literature prob- AA was then in the storms of its Today the list of AA’s friends in ine doing business without full lem, and never missed a chance to adolescence. Our Headquarters was press, radio, and television is legion. names and pictures. But when we give us a boost by word and by pen. just taking on its shape and its re- At our Headquarters we subscribe explained the “why” of our anonyrn- Less well known is the relation we sponsibility. We needed advice, est o a n extensive clipping service. ity-that we dare not allow “big had with Fulton Oursler. His was a pecially about public relations, and Every week the mass of clip-sheets shot-ism” to get going among us- most brilliant example of personal it was to Fulton that I frequently tell us the graphic story of what they saw the situation a t once; and dedication to Alcoholics Anony- went. I t was in this period that Fulthese friends have said and done. I t they have ever since fallen over mous. ton became a Senior Editor of the is a never-ending and always grow- backward to conform to our needs, In 1944 it was decided that AA Reader’s Digest, where his helpfuling stream of life-giving blood which despite many a temptation to pub- ought to have a monthly magazine. ness to us was soon reflected in the they pump into our world arteries. licize personally our nationally fa- By this time Fulton had 3een AA a t wide coverage they began to give us. While word-of-mouth and per- mous members. On a few occasions, work close a t hand. A person well Then came the time when we sonal contact has brought in many such members have deliberately known to him had made a remark- wanted Fulton as a trustee for AA. a newcomer, we can never forget broken anonymity, but this has sel- able recovery. The moment Fulton Knowing his immense burden of that most of us are able to trace our dom been the fault of the press. As heard of our magazine project he work, I ,was most reluctant to ask chance for recovery back to our a matter of fact, editors have fre- volunteered a t once and, though him. But 1,needn’t have felt that friends in communications – we quently restrained over-eager AAs never an alcoholic, he became a way, for when I popped the quesread, or maybe we heard, or we saw. who wanted their membership made member of The Grapevine’s edi- tion, his face lit up and he said, That is why AA now has 200,000 public. torial board and one of its founders. ‘Why, certainly! When do I begin?” active members. He went into his own pocket for Fulton couldn’t get to all our meet Sometimes we hear members com- organization expenses, gave advice, ings, but he was always on tap. I plain about the press as though we scanned manuscripts, and wrote a remember once breaking into his were being exploited for stories and piece for one of the early issues busy hours with a request that he profit. They say, “Well, those writ- which he called “Alcoholics Are help us out in Hollywood where we ers make a good living out of story Charming People.” We afterward were in a jam with a motion picture telling and the publishers make joshed him about this title. Grin- producer. He instantly dropped his their profits. After all, what is so ning, he used to say that the title work, and got on the long distance remarkable about that? They are should have been “Some Alcoholics phone. Within an hour he called me only acting a s they normally Are Charming People”! back to say that everything was set would.” In the years afterward I came to tled, that we need worry no more. However, most of us realize that know friend Fulton very well. A A few months before he died we such statements are far less than busier man I have never seen. No spent one more evening together. I t half the truth. matter when he went to bed, nothing was then that he told me what AA Practically every writer and ed- short of pneumonia could keep him had meant to him. Most humbly itor of our acquaintance has gone In their continuing enthusiasm from being a t his desk a t five A.M. describing his earlier life as a time far beyond his call to duty or his for AA many of these friends have where he wrote until eleven. But his of prideful agnosticism and sophistinatural desire for a stirring story. gone still further. They have per- day had then only begun; his count- cation which had led him down a less friends and activities kept him blind alley, he went on to relate

how the example of AA had affected press, radio, and television, plainly him; how he had eventually joined tell us of what their dedication has the church of his choice, and how meant. In nearly every city where these two influences had inspired AA grows today, we see our friends him to write about the Bible in “The in communications following in the Greatest Story Ever Told.” He had footsteps of Jack Alexander and done for AA, he went on to say, only Fulton Oursler. a fraction of what AA had done for For all such couriers of good will, him, a non-alcoholic. let us be everlastingly grateful. And These, and a host of other expe- let us always be worthy of their riences with the men and women of friendship. Ed note-With this article Bill comes to a temporary end in his “Let’s Be Friend- .” ly. . series, whlch began in the July Grapevine. In the next issu+November, when AAe observe “Gratitude Week” and “Tradition Month9′-Bill writes “Respecting Money.”

0ctober 1957 s”playing aroond with AA,s 12. Praing the Lotd’s Prayer. the AA ptayer and out owu payey rprtecitethe greup,but pathybut Withall thisactionll thisprating,tryingreviewing,ee that is. g the individua) entmenlsgradallyturnedint anexplaig tivingppringgoingtakinworkin,tlhnngandpa lhe now have can find time to take the frst drink? Nowonder irworks! hat ome Jrom A A’s Ati need 1941 prepa tbat Scrapbooks: experi of the. This inbesg ON MARcH1,1941the SaturdayEveningPostpublished the groups arereporting double attendance since the article appeared, ncw frh Amos an firstJackAlexander article onAlcoholicsAnonymous. ourNewJersey groups in particular.TheNewYork clubhouse alcoholis Boband Mr.Alexander started on this assignmentfrom hiseditors was so ovcrcrowded thatwe nowhave twogeneralmeetings,on pietith with considerable skepticism,butafter weeks ofresearch and Tuesday and Thursday,and two closed on Thursday andFriday! friene R. I. manyAAmectingshebecamea sincere and dedicated (Ed.note-theNcwYorkmetropolitan area nowhas some250groups.) “convert’to the AA program and in fact served for many ihe years afterward as one of our non-alcoholic trustees,resignrmo ALL OvERTHE CoUNTRY the impactof theAlexander piece was ing only last year.His conviction and understanding of beingfelt.Typicalof the problems thisinflux presentedwas this one ough eratut Blame? AA AA came through so stronglyin hisreport on AA ought change thc alonB that theimpact on the public was instantaneous andso to theLosAngelesgroup,but thatisn’t sobad as theyhave80active powerfulthatourfewscatteredgroupswerealmostoverwhelmed. workingmeinbers,butinSanFraniciscowehave only about6members andhave sent them75names tofollow up.” B AT THs TIME our“central office”consisted of a small room Fo Tha. likc onVesey Street inNewYork City,staffed byRuthHock,our loyal non- THEMAILFROM THE NEW YORK OFFICE shows only the reSponse alcoholic secretary(as well as overworked and underpaid) andBill W., in the“home office”but in every center where AA was established and1 So certic. rorky plus assorted and occasional volunteers.The fading carbons of Ruth’’s and locally known the story was the same.The press reviewed Publish. nche letters of those daysreflect the deluge in theNewYork thePost article as if itwere a new,best-sellingnovel,and thiskept Hank P、 I-wide “headquarters.”Twelve days after the article appeared,Ruth writes: thepublicstimulatedlongafter thatMarch1st ay new “Forgive the haste.Therehave been920 inquiries so far issueof thePosthaddisappeared redicine, ndicated as a directresponse to the SEParticle. from the newsstands. Jy’s prob- Can you picture the state of this ofice? w35 fast THROUGH THE YEARS other news sources,broadcasts, mind and BY TIE MiDDLE OF APRILRuth was reporting toher non-alcoholic andmagazine articles continued to tell the story ofAlcoholics pablic opposite Grace,in the Chicago Central Ofice:“This is the first Anonymous,butitwas theyear1941that should be EER real minuteI have had for a breathing spell for two months.We’ve labelled theYear of the Great Growth.At the endof mads,the added twonew typists.There have been to date 2,000 inquiries 561 thatyear,thehardworkingsmall crewatVeseyStreetmade directlyinresponse tothePostpiece,about300ofthem rt ord of enareportto the trusteesof theAlcoholicFoundation,areport know how from themetropolitanarea.Itis thefirst timewe havehad any in which statistics-usually dryand flat-somehowmanage After din AA foc Ploy days wondet response worth mentioning from this area on any publicity.In to convey the astoundingeventsof that busyyearbetter than addition to the 2,000from thePost we have had400 any amount of adjectives.A portion of the report follows.. (be nt jost scbriety from other sources.Someof the (Please turn the page)

October 1957 J <‘

(Continued from previous page) I MEMORANDUM friendly and constant correspondence was maintained with almost every ! group as well as those isolated individuals attempting to start new centers. TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ALCOHOLIC FOUNDATION I Some of our people are traveling men who were supplied with lists of A Review of 1741 and An Estimate of Our Needs for 1742 prospects in towns they covered. In this manner, lots of new groups have (Excerpt from the files) been formed. .. . Besides local radio programs and the large number of newspaper ar- THE YEAR 1941, just closed, was an extraordinary one for Alcoholics ticles which appeared all over the United States, there were several maga- Anonymous. In this year, the seventh of AA, it was demonstrated that we . zine pieces of national importance. . . Then came strong reviews of our have little to fear from rapid growth. Moreover, it was shown beyond book by Father Dowling, S.J., which were carried in the Jesuit publicatioll~ doubt that our growth can continue indefinitely on a purely amateur “The Queen’s Work” and “The Director,” both of St. Louis, Missouri. basis-that we shall never have to have paid alcoholic organizers for new These articles did an immense amount of good, as the Saturday Evening groups. Post piece brought us into national prominence and Father Dowling’s The growth figures for 1941 are striking. Approximately they are: reviews highly recommended us to Catholics everywhere. Special attention is called to another favorable development. In March, Jan. 1,1941 Dec. 31, 1941 1941 the groups throughout the country came to the financial rescue of the Total membership 1500 5500 Vesey Street office, then facing a heavy deficit because of the high rate of Well organized groups 25 100 activity following the Saturday Evening Post article. A system of twice- Partially organized groups yearly voluntary contributions to The Alcoholic Foundation for office and overhead was inaugurated. During 1941, the groups contributed about isolated members 20 60 half our central office expenses… . Summing up the foregoing: At the beginning of 1941, we had about 1500 members in 45 vicinities. At the close of that year, there were approximately 5500 members in 160 localities. I t is estimated that our membership is now increasing at the rate of 500 alcoholics per month, so there seems little question that AA will number 10,000 alcoholics by January 1, 1943. By a member, we mean an alcoholic who maintains a degree of interest; who has already recovered or is making good progress in that direction. . We believe that at least two out of three of our active members have fully recovered. Almost every such case is employed. For several years, our employment figures have appeared better than the average for the country as a whole. Many of our members are to be found in the military and govenunent services; some have posts of heavy responsibility. In this rapid development, The Alcoholic Foundation office at 30 Vesey Street has played an indispensable part. During 1941,7,665 inquiries from alcoholics and their families were answered by personal message, each letter containing our pamphlet and an invitation to visit the nearest group. Large quantities of AA pamphlets and reprints were purchased by established groups, 50,000 copies in all. In addition to these activities, a

October 1957

years before, I carried a paper route night in 1953. From this meeting that included the Ohio Penitentiary sprang a plan, now well known as and delivered some twenty papers to Big Brothers of Alcoholics Anonyinmates. Under the easy system pre- mous, generally shortened to the BB vailing at the time, I was permitted to deliver papers direct to the cells. Since I was young and had led a blameless life, I had formed the opinion that a convict was a different kind of person, whose life, in my The callow opinion, was entirely different from that of normal people. I Ohio decided that they were to be avoided at all cost. Because I did not see Way . . . any more prisoners for many years and did not think about the matter, WE HAVE H E A R D that penal AA etc., and providing the speakers. As my opinion about convicts remained started a t San Quentin Prison in time went on, these and other groups unchanged for a long time. California in 1941. In Ohio we did assumed their full functions, elect- When I became interested in cornot get under way until 1949, when, ing their own officers and arranging rktional AA I was thrown into con- After a lot of talk at this informal after considerable negotiating, the their own programs. tact with the inside members and meeting it was apparent that all had first meeting was held at the Ohio As I remember it, absolutely noth- the impression gradually grew that come to agreement on certain fun- Penitentiary on June 19. The occa- ing was done about A h who even- they were just people. About this damentals. The first of these was sion made an indelible impression tually left, either through parole or time I began to meet all parolees that any plan, to be workable, must on me. The group members present expiration of their sentence. No one when they came out of the Ohio be simple. (You see, most of those were some sixty-five screened in- seemed to have any idea that any- Penitentiary and my impression in attendance had heard Dr. Bob’s mates, who sat in the body of the thing should be done. As time went grew to the conviction, indeed, that last talk in Cleveland in 1950.) The prison auditorium; and twen ty-three on, however, some of the inside mem- they were just people. This seems second fundamental was that the outside AAs from Cleveland and Co- bers expressed a desire to join out- foolish today but it is being recount- same service should be rendered to lumbus, who sat on the stage. I t was side groups upon their release. These ed just as it occurred. At any rate, all who wanted it. A plan was dea new experience for everyone there members who asked for outside help it caused me to decide that some- cided upon and the writer was desand each group looked over theother were generally leaders on the inside thing more should be done for the ignated to draw up a written stategroup rather carefully. and were, perhaps, among those who inside members upon their release, ment of just what was proposed, to Today eleven Ohio correctional seemed to be most socially oriented. and I began to think-and to talk to be submitted to a meeting to bc institutions hold twelve regular In these cases efforts were made by my friends of similar interest- called in Columbus in August. meetings. All the groups did not individual outside members to be of about some organized effort to keep On August 9,1953 seventeen AAs start at the same time, of course: the some help, but the vast majority of our inside AA members active in our met to put the movement on foot second one was at the London Pris- the members who left the institution program after their release. This officially. These dedicated people on Farm, in October 1949. The had nothing whatever done for them. thinking and talking culminated in represented all parts of the state; groups started out well, with outside At this point a little reminiscence a meeting of nine Ohio AAs around they were from Wooster, Akron, AAs acting as chairman, secretary, seems called for. More than fifty a dining-room-table on a hot July Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, To-

f’ =

ledo, Mansfield, Zanesville, Bowling ment, which can be written on a , Green, Newark and Columbus. There single page, has stood the test of stitutions furnished data on age, simple purpose is to contact rewas a long, serious and constructive time and it is felt by the BB of AA race, marital status, occupation and leased AA members and introduce discussion, which ended with the members that its conciseness and other information regarded as im- them to an outside group. adoption of “Articles of Agreement simplicity explain, in part, the SUC- portant, and the clearing house BB of AA believes that in the for the Guidance of Big Brothers of cess of the movement. I quote a few clerk attempted to “match up” simplicity of their program lies Alcoholics Anonymous.” This docu- sentences: parolee and contact. strength. Some efforts made in other A lot of educational work needed states to ,help the released AA mem- EXTRACTS F R O M B B O F A A CHARTER to be don-both inside and outside ber have failed. In one state the the institutions. Some of the boys red carpet was really rolled out for . . . The object will he to provide kept at a minimum and no salaries on the inside figured that BB of AA parolees: they were met by a comautomatic A A contact for all mem- paid. . . . hers of institutional groups who are . . . The clearing house clerk will meant parole sponsors, jobs, loans mittee who took them to a hotel for discharged. cooperation with all groups and general coddling. The inside lunch, after having an entire new . . AA members throughout the seek and central offices but will deal di- member had to be told that BB of outfit of clothing purchased for state of Ohio kmmne BBs of A A by rectly with individual A A members pledging themselves to contact dis- who have become BBs. AA did none of these things as an them. In another state an elaborate chargees assigned them and introducing them to an A A group. . . . . . . Care will be taken at all times organization, but that it did offer set of rules was adopted, including . . . BB of A A will set up a clearing to keep BB in the hands of AA* fellowship and advice on living five pages devoted to procedures for house with a clerk in charge, who of which it is an integral part- Co- problems so that material gains securing loans, which concluded ~ 1 1 1register BBs, gather infoma- operation – – – b~! and with the information that no funds tion about A A members about to be reciprocated by BB could be realized. I t had to be exdischarged, and make assignments . . Simplicity and anonymity plained clearly that BB of AA pur- were available for loan purposes. to A A contacts. Exprnscs will be shouid prevail at all times. posely does not go in for these This state, as well as the one rethings but rather contents itself with ferred to above, has abandoned any THE PLAN IN OPERATION carrying the message. This ap- assistance for the parolee. In other *

With the passage of this charter, Miller of London Prison Farm. proach seems to have paid off in the states methods conceived in AA without dissent, BB of AA was These gentlemen (both of whom long run-although the policy must have been thrown open to the entry ready to go to work. One of the are now associate wardens) under- constantly be emphasized because of the public in the form of state first things to be done was to ar- took to furnish the required infor- inside zealots, along with a few out- officials and do-gooders generally so range for AA members to be regis- mation about parolees-and BB of siders, insist that parole sponsorship that any identity with AA is lost. tered as BBs and to set up a plan AA was ready to start operations. is a part of our endeavor. Of course, BB of AA was set up by AAs for the for obtaining the necessary informa- A third institution now cooperating there are no restrictions as such on benefit of AAs, and it has no memtion about outcoming releasees. The in this work is the Marion Correc- what individual AAs may do for any- bers except AAs. If anyone in any former was handled by mail and by tional Institution, with Mr. E. R. one; but as an organized movement other category belongs to the BB, personal interviews on the part of Etter as advisor. Mr. S. M. Patter- BB of AA is kept simple-and the it is because he also belongs to AA. the founders. In no time at all 300 son is now AA advisor at Ohio HIGHER % OF AA PAROLEES GET FINAL RELEASE AAs were accepted as BB of AA. Pentitentiary and Mr. E. 0. Skagon While this was going on there at London Prison Farm. Before concluding this article I 14, 1957), BB of AA has handled were only two institutions discharg- I n the fall of 1953 the first inside shall quote a few figures. These may 1070 cases, as follows: 1953-46; ing inmates and both of these had members began to come out under be relied upon-they are compiled 1954-312; 1955-291; 1956270; interested advisors to the inmate the new plan-and BB of AA without consideration for what they 1957 (to date)-131. As far as can AA groups: Mr. M. J. Koloski of started to function. A little shaky at will show; accuracy and truth is the be ascertained no other organized Ohio Penitentiary and Mr. G. E. first, but it did function. The in- object and they are offered with con- effort has any comparable experifidence. Including today (August ence. Although we are well aware

that the exact picture varies from Pentitentiary it was not long before BB of AA many, many more al- taking them to meetings, introduchA ” day to day, here is the approximate a-weak spot was detected in our coholic felons are remaining in good ing them as those wanting to do result: 57% of the AA parolees re- procedure. It was found that, fol- standing in their respective com- something about their drinking ceive a final relearn, while 45% of munities, and this, in our humble problem, with never any reference the entire Ohio penal population re- opinion, represents the only kind of made to their having been inmates ceive a final release. These figures speak for themselves. progress worth discussing.” of a penal institution. … We Anyone familiar with correctional humbly and gratefully salute the In the person of Mr. S. M. Pat- AA work recognizes the enthusiasm Big Brothers of Alcoholics Anonyterson, psychologist and AA ad- of the inside members. Latent tal- mous, who carry this message into visor a t the Ohio Penitentiary, BB ents come to the fore, the meeting penal AA: we want you and need of AA has a zealous supporter. room is decorated, beautiful signs you just as we hope you do us.” Those who know him feel that AA are made and publications are writand BB of AA form perhaps his most ten, edited and printed or mimeo- ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE devoted interest, outside of his fam- graphed. Many other constructive BB of AA meets twice a year- . ily. He knows as many AAs as any- things are done–and all these abili- an annual Conference in October one in Ohio, is in demand as a ties come out with the inmate when and what is called a committee speaker at many AA gatherings, and he leaves the institution; they have meeting in April. For the last few attended the Yale School of Alco- been factors in successful careers. years the April committee meeting holic Studies in 1956. lowing release, a parolee was very Several groups can testify that the has held a session with the Ohio Writing in an Ohio official pub- reluctant to seek membership in a boys from the inside have married Penitentiary AA group with large, lication, Mr. Patterson said in part: new and outside group. As a result the belles of their groups. enthusiastic state-wide attendance. “Most of us engaged in serious work most of the effort to teach them the Some of the successes have been The Fifth Annual Conference will in the field of alcoholism and crime AA program in prison was wasted. outstanding, but so have some of the be held this year in Cincinnati on are of the opinion that the AA pro- The Big Brothers of Alcoholics failures. Like Mr. Patterson, we October 13. gram in the correctional institution Anonymous (BB of AA) came have learned “to concentrate on our Many inquiries have been reoffers a unique and highly special- into being in 1953 to fill this need improved ratio of successes.” ceived about the workings of BB of ized type of treatment resource in and to insure that ‘every released An inside member (who edits AA. At first, personal letters were the re-socialization of incarcerated member of an inside group who de- the Ohio Penitentiary Eye-opener) written in reply, but when the load alcoholic and problem drinkers. sires outside help from AA shall describes BB of AA: “A unique became too heavy, mimeographed Prior to the inception of correction- have it.’ That this was a step in the group that has but one purpose: material was prepared-and it has al AA and BB of AA in Ohio, in- right direction is indicated by the to assist the alcoholic felon become gone all over the world. Informamates diagnosed as alcoholic were fact that since the founding of BB re-established in society after his tion reaches the office that the BB considered more or less hopeless of AA, the number of alcoholic release from prison . . .not seeking of AA plan has proved successful and approximately 80% were re- parolees who have made the grade praise or glory, certainly no com- elsewhere. BB of AA is a simple turned as parolee violaters, largely on parole has increased approxi- pensation other than, perhaps, the program for simple people to be of due to drinking and consequential mately thirty percent. We have personal satisfaction that they were service to a segment of AA memberacts. This figure has been reduced learned not to be overly concerned helping their fellowman with more ship who are undergoing an imto 42% and, as methods and pro- about ‘failures’ but rather to con- than lip-service. For this group is portant change in their environcedures improve, the prognosis is centrate on our improved ratio of not content with talk-they must ment. God has chosen to grant it a bright indeed. When correctional ‘successes.’ The indisputable fact have action, and they do so by mak- measure of success. AA was introduced at the Ohio remains that, due to the effort of ing contact with alcoholic-parolees, Anon., Columbus, Ohio.

AA Grapevine, November 1957 came to Akron to find the healing ful experiment. Elsewhere in the hands and spirit of Dr. Bob and country the story was a different Sister Ignatia. This dinner was held one. Growing pains were acute. a

in tribute to the extraordinary They had to be faced and solved or labors of these two and was reported the movement, with all of its fine with warm good humor and appre- support, might wither from lack of ciation from Detroit on all of properly defined principles and the wire services throughout the structural objectives. Bill journeyed country. south in July, making scheduled On June 17th the First Annual stops in all of the principal centers Dinner of AA was held in New of AA activity – Florida, North York a t the Penthouse (26th floor), Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. 2 Park Avenue. Dinner $1.00! At- This was only the beginning. At tendance was reported as 425. The each place AAs gathered to discuss principal speakers among the non- their local problem and project ultimately lead in 1946 to the for- AAs were Dr. Silkworth, Dr. I. R. plans for the future. Out of these Last month we referred to 1941 meetings and from the combined mulation of the Twelve Traditions. Sillman of the psychiatric division as a year of great AA growth, pri- regional experiences the Twelve Before this, however, two major of the Columbia-Presbyterian Hosmarily resulting from Jack Alex- pital, the Reverend Vincent Dono- Traditions were born. ander’s Saturday Evening Post ar- events occurred which revealed van, O.P. and W. S. Richardson. Again the press clippings reveal ticle published in March. The de- again how alive our young move- Once again we took up an amazing a continued interest in our doings. velopment of AA in that year was ment remained in the awareness of amount of space in the news col- We didn’t have a chance to “die a tremendously stimulating and the nation’s press. umns and once again the reporting aborningu-if for no other reason vital experience, but it brought with On April 14th, as one paper rewas respectful and friendly. Some than that every little development it many new and unanticipated ported, “Detroit yesterday had a of the headlines were pretty funny. and every new group was instantly problems. Not only were established convention that made history. I t The New York Herald Tribune, for reported. Even when we were misgroups confronted with an influx of was a convention of drunks, four example, announced “Ex-Alcoholics interpreted the results were gennew members but all over the coun- hundred of the best and most ac- Hold Dinner, Give Credit to Self- erally more humorous than harmful. try groups were springing up spon- complished drunks that Detroit, Discipline,” and the New York Later in Pittsburgh Bill was speaktaneously. In most cases these were Cleveland, Akron, Flint, Toledo, Daily News heralded, “424 Ex- ing to the local Chamber of Comguided into life solely by the Big Windsor (Canada) could muster.” Slaves Toast Defeat of Barleycorn.” merce and, in the course of his Book, letters from the central office This “convention” was a testimonial All of them expressed their delight speech, commented that the Nordic or an occasional visitor from a more dinner at Webster Hall in Detroit and astonishment at the “regular races seemed more susceptible to seasoned center. The need for a for Dr. Bob. During the preceding bar with real liquor” maintained at the disease of alcoholism than the workable structural formula was years when Bill was coping with the the dinner for the press and other Latin races. This innocent observaurgent. many growing pains of the movenon-AA tosspots. tion was interpreted as, “Blondes At that time there were no tradi- ment, Dr. Bob, with the help of the All of this public attention and are more inclined to become victims tions, no services. Group autonomy indomitable Sister Ignatia, was working with intense dedication at growing acceptance was vastly en- of drink than brunets . . . there is in most cases meant group anarchy -with the blind leading the blind. St. Thomas Hospital in Akron. This couraging though for the most part some mysterious relationship be- In July of 1942 Bill started south was the medical heart of AA and it came from the major centers and tween color and alcoholic allergyon the beginning of a journey which from all over the country drunks represented the glamor of a success- says founder of AA.”

el kember 1 9 5 7

I N THIS YIMR A A WAS IN ‘rt-115 WAR. posal voiced by Dr. Bob Smith: the regulation of the pleasure driv- rcquosts arc rca!ived, national hcad- I n the early days after Pearl Har- ‘We are doing our part in the war ing ban.” quarters here plans to assign invesbor the movement was still untried effort. Many of our people are mak- In April of 1943 Howard H. tigators from the groups in the nearby any big stress on the general ing fine records in the armed ser- Smith, writing for tho North Ameri- est localities to go to work on sobriety of its members. Until the v i c e s . M o s t of t h e o t h e r s a r e c a n Newspaper Alliance, says, rtstoration of sick individuals to full war was well along no one really engaged in war industries or pro- “Completc eradication of chronic olliciency. . . . (~ovc~rntiic~nt agencies knew how the AA principles would fessions. But gasoline rationing is alcoholism from war industries as a have requested AA aid, also the hold u p away from the group sup- hampering our efforts to dry u p al- cause of absenteeism has become the Army has utilized the service for port. I n effect every member in the coholics and return them to useful goal of Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . numerous cases. Members are makarmed forces was, a t the beginning, service.’ ” This quote is from the AA is breaking a campaign in all ing fine marks in the armed services a loner. Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph of De- its 230 groups to contribute sub- throughout the world. Six years ago By the end of ’43 and the be- cember 13, 1942. stantially to the upturn in the na- 90 percent of AAs were employed, ginning of ’44, correspondence with On February 18, 1943 a letter tion’s war production graph. A plea today 100 percent are employed, the New York office had shown that from the Office of Price Adminis- received today from San Francisco scores are in executive posts of great AA could indeed stand up. T h e tration in Washington states: “We for an investigator to work with the responsibility in the war effort and members were proving themselves recognize the important social sig- management of large shipbuilding private enterprise.” not only a t the level of actual com- nificance of the work done by the concerns along the West Coast fol- This report for national distribubat but in industry as well. Early Alcoholics Anonymous and feel that lows similar appeals from a big tion, by a wc4l known newsman, in 1943 Dr. Rob appealed for spe- the mileage driven by its members Michigan rubber manufacturer and summarizes very wcll the acceptcial gas rationing consideration for for the purposes of the necessary . a n eastern munitions producer for ance and reliability AA had attained AA nwm1)crs. mectings o f the organization comes such assistance. As speedily as other in n Tcw short years. “If Unclc Sam has a drop of wholly oukide of the pleasure driv- Yankee blood in his veins he won’t ing ban. . . . Of course, trips made pass u p the bargain now being of- by members a t the direction of a fered by Alcoholics Anonymous.. . . physician to give assistance in emer- Men for gasoline-that was the pro- gency cases are likewise outside of

AA G R A P E V I N E , F E B R U A R Y 1958 Warden Clinton T. Duffy, a small asked to speak at a series of meetappropriation by the Board of ings planned in Victoria, B. C. on Prison Directors for books and “AA in Prison.” Warden Duffy pamphlets to come out of the in- wished Bill to write him “any mate library fund, and the atten- suggestions, ideas, etc. that I tion of the Board of Prison Terms might include in my presentations.” and Paroles. Membership now ex- Bill has given us permission to. ceeds 225.” quote his reply: “Dear Clinton This quiet report from the prison Duffy-. . . Respecting your request, I paper rings the bell on one of the we think that to supply you with chapters in AA history that per- information about AA in prison 1 haps reflects the most widely copied and publicly acclaimed sections of would indeed be ‘carrying coals to i OLDTOPERS ASK LADIES TO J O I N T H E M O N WAGON Newcastle.’ After all you are the ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AIDS ERRING SISTI.:RS our fellowship. There are now 319 senior pioneer of AA in prisons and These headlines lead news re- least half of the audience ol 150 prison groups and the record of AA it is largely due to your early underleases from the Chicago daily press or so were well-groomed, attractive parolees in the non-repeat clas- standing, persistence and courage on June 9, 1943. They are the first and very sober sisters. Tempns sification is high compared to any that we have flitnessed the wondermention, in the ofice scrapbooks, Fugit!” other prisoner groups. ful flowering of this great work of public statements by Bill and The year 1943 also marked the As an up-to-date footnote to the throughout the world. For these one “Margaret Roe” of the diffi- first chapter of one of the most above, Bill W. received a letter reasons you will always be counted culties AA was then having in per- significant and moving of all the from Warden DufTy a few days ago in our annals as one of the finest suading us female drunks to stand AA special services. A modest in which he said that he had been friends that AA can ever have. . . .” up and be counted. The article little story from “The San Quentin states in part: News” dated June 17th reads: “Alcoholics Anonymous, for years “Approximately one year ago a an exclusively male organization, handful of San Quentin inmates, has set out to salvage women in- after reading the book Alcoholics ebriates. . . . How to gather more Anonymous, met with Ricardo unfortunate sisters into the fold Maestas, special commissary inmate was explained last night at a meet- clerk, and arrived a t two definite ing in the Loop of 400 members, conclusions. First, they decided including perhaps a hundred wo- they were alcoholics. Second, that men.” they should do something about it There are no records as to ex- in an attempt to prevent futurv actly how many members of the disaster after their release. Despite distaff side there were in those ridicule of being dubbed ‘winos’ by years but, to quote a fairly recent their fellow inmates and the banterfemale AA, “I need only look back ing challenge of skeptics, this nuto my first meeting three years ago cleus won the support of Joseph -by coincidence every speaker on H. Fletcher, Captain of the Yard the program was a woman and at . . . obtained a go-ahead nod from

March 1958 /’*

Let’s Be Friendly wifh our Friends: psychiatrists wave aside all issues Now this may seem to be a conof right or wrong and insist that fession of the sins of AA, and in some the real problem of the alcoholic part it is. I t is also a confession that Friends on the Alcoholism Front always gathers around the neurotic a t one time or another, I have mycompulsions which he innocently self held many of these often shortacquired as a child by reason of sighted views and prejudices. But I being maladjusted by erring par- do make haste to add that what I’ve by Bill W. ents. Or, when social workers say just said applies far more to AA’s that the true causes of alcoholism past than to the present. WE ARE TOLD there are 4,500,000 alcoholics are to be seen in faulty social con- Today, the vast majority of us in America. Up to now AA has sobered up ditions, we are apt to get restive and welcome any new light that can be perhaps 250,000 of them. That’s about one say “Who cares a hang what the thrown on the alcoholic’s mysterious in twenty, or five per cent of the total. causes are, anyway? AA can fix and. baffling malady. We don’t care This is a brave beginning, full of signifi- drunks without getting into all too much whether new and valuable cance and hope for those who still suffer. that.” knowledge issues from a test tube, a Yet these figures show that we have made In similar fashion some of us AAs psychiatrist’s couch, or from revealonly a fair-sized dent on this vast world decry every attempt at therapy, save ing social studies. We are glad of any health problem. Millions are still sick and our own. We point to certain clinics kind of education that accurately other millions soon will be. and committees that have accom- informs the public and changes its These facts of alcoholism should give uj plished little; we complain that huge age-old attitude toward the d d . good reason to think, and to be humble. sums are being wasted by state and More and more we regard all who Surely we can be grateful for every agency private sources. We roundly thump labor in the total field of alcoholism or method that tries to solve the problem every experimental drug that turns as our companions on a march from of alcoholism-whether of medicine, relig- darkness into light. We see that we ,

ion, education, or research. We can be can accomplish together what we open-minded toward all such efforts and could never accomplish in separawe can be sympathetic when the ill-advised tion and in rivalry. ones fail. We can remember that AA itself Preoccupied with AA and its afran for years on “trial and error.” As indi- fairs, I must admit that I’ve given vidual A h , we can and should work with too little thought to the total alcohol those that promise success–even a little problem. But I do have a glimpse success. of it, and that glimpse I would like Nor ought we allow our special convic- to share with you. tions or prejudices to overcome our good Take those 4,500,000 drunks in sense and good will. For example, numbers out badly. We belittle the attempt9 America. What is their condition of us think that alcoholism is mainly a of the men and women of religion to now? What is being done, and what spiritual problem. Therefore we have little deal with us drunks. We believe that might be done for them? What about time for biochemists who would like us to sound alcohol education is a good the next generation-yet another 4 believe that drunks drink mostly because thing. But we are also apt to think million who are still children cud they are bedeviled by bad metabolisms. that AA-indirectly-is doing the adolescents? Excepting for what AA Likewise, we are apt to get red hot when most of it anyhow. can do, must they be victims, too?

Let’s start a t the bottom of the ment, they can do enough work to convince them they are gravely ill. are seeing a great dmany younger h a p . Our mental institutions are support themselves, be in better More than anything, the answer people coming to AA as a direct reflooded with the brain-damaged and health, and save their respective seems to be in education–education sult of the recently more wide the deeply psychopathic. Here and cities great sums and trouble. This in schoolrooms, in medical colleges, spread information about the dithere a few find their way back, but and other related experiments are among clergymen and employers, in sease. not many. Most are gone beyond beginning to offer much more hope families and in the public a t large. We A h have done a lot of this recall; the next world is their best for the skidrower. Individual A h From cradle to grave, the drunk and kind of education, and friends outhope. But more research upon their are helping, but most of the work the potential alcoholic will have to side AA have done even more. AB condition may add to our knowledge and the money will have to come be completely surrounded by true a result, right now maybe half a of prevention for the benefit of others from elsewhere. and deep understanding and by a million of the U.S.A!s drunks are who are approaching the jumping- What now of the millions of alco- continuous barrage of information: trying to get well -or at least off place. Great numbers of alco- holics who haven’t hit prisons, asy- the facts about his illness, its symp- thinking seriously about getting holics are also to be found in prisons. lums or skid rows? These, we are toms, its grim seriousness. Why well–either on their own, or by Either alcohol directly got them into told, constitute the vast majority. should an alcoholic have to wait un- actual treatment. Maybe this guess the jams that landed them there, or At the moment, their best hope of til he is 55 and be horribly mangled is too high, but it is by no means they had to drink in order to commit recovery seems to be AA. Well then, to find out that he is a very sick fanciful. Sound education on alcothe crimes toward which they had why haven’t these millions come to man, when enough education of the holism, and far more of it a t all compulsive tendencies. Here re- us? Or why haven’t they tried to right kind might have convinced him levels, will clearly pay off. search-medical, psychiatric and get well by some other method? at 30 or 35? Education will not only pay off social-is plainly needed. AA can’t Any AA can give you a quick and History has shown that whatever in numbers treated; it can pay off do this job, but others have already very accurate answer: “They aren’t their several merits, neither preach- even more handsomely in prevenmade a great beginning. ready, they don’t know how sick ing nor moralizing nor other efforts tion. This means factual education, Every large city has its skid row. they really are. If they did, they at reform have ever made much im- properly presented to children and The so-called derelict alcoholics adolescents, a t home and at school. doubtless number several h u n d r d Heretofore, much of this education of thousands. Some are so “pkycho” has attacked the immorality of and so damaged that the mental drinking rather than the disease of hospital is their destination. The rest alcoholism. of these countless men and women We A h can speak with a lot of clog police blotters, courts, jails and conviction about this. Most of our hospitals. To them the cost in suffer- children have been emotionally ing is incalculable; the cost to so- bunged up by our drinking be ciety, even in dollars only, is im- havior, “maladjusted” for sure. mense. Huge numbers of these, not Large numbers of them should have yet legally insane, are thus con- turned into problem drinkera by demned to mill hopelessly about. now. But they have done no such Can anything be done? In all prob- would flock to treatment, just as pression on alcoholics as a whole. thing. Alcoholism, or potential alcoability, yes Perhaps these sufferers though they had diabetes or cancer.” But factual education about the holism, is a rare thing to see among can be transferred to farms where in The problem, therefore, is how to malady has in the last few years the children of AA parents. Yet we eome sort of “quarantine”. confine- expose them to the facts that will shown great promise. Even now we never forbid them to drink, and we

don’t preach if they do. They simply money and effort which will steer ings–sometimes to cheer, and A strangely assorted crowd turned learn by what they have seen and by the alcoholic toward treatment as sometimes, I must confess, to jeer. up a t the early sessions. I well rewhat they hear that alcoholism is never before, and which will prevent ( AA, you see, then thought it had a member the venerable Mr. Calvin, a ghastly business and that their the development of alcoholism in monopoly on the drunk-fixing busi- he who used to run on the Prohibichances are about one in fifteen of millions of predisposed kids who will ness!) tion ticket for the U. 5. Presidency. contracting the illness alcoholism otherwise take the road we know so Presently the Research Council At the other pole of violent opinion if they drink. Most of them don’t well. took on a live wire, Dr. E. M. Jel- there were certain repreaentativee drink a t all. Others drink sparingly. As the following fragment of his- linek. He wasn’t an M. D., but.he of the equor industry. Sandwiched The remainder, after getting into a tory will show, great and promising was a “doctor” of pretty much in between these were a sprinkling few ominous jams, are able to quit progress, outside of AA, has been everything else. Learning all about of clergymen, social workers, made in the field of research, treat- drunks was just a matter of catching judges, cops, probation officers, ment, rehabilitation and education. up on his back reading. Though a educators, and a certain number of I t happened that I was a witness to prodigy of learning he was never- us drunks. Everybody had his own the beginning of modern methods in theless mighty popular with us alco- axe to grind and his own cast-iron these areas and this is what I saw: holics. We called him a “dry alco- I well remember Dr. H. W. Hag- holic” because he could identify gard of the Yale University faculty. with us so well. Even his nickname In 1930, four years before I sobered was endearing – his Hungarian up, this good physician was wonder- father had dubbed him “Bunky” ing what ailed drunks. He wanted to which, in that language, means “the begin research-mostly a test tube little radish.” The “little radish” got project at the beginning-to see down to business at once. what their chemistry was all about. At length Bunky and Dr. Hag- –and they promptly do. This seems This so amused some of his col- gard joined forces and began in 1940 to be preventive education a t its leagues that no funds were forth- to publish the “Quarterly Journal best. coming from Yale treasury. But Dr. of Studies On Alcohol” which de- Therefore it is entirely possible Haggard was a man with a mission. voted itself to articles covering the that many of these AA attitudes He put his hands in his own pockets total field of alcohol research and in- convictions. The drys and wets and methods can be widely applied and begged personal friends to do quiry. This brought Dr. Jellinek in- were hardly on speaking terms. to kids of all kinds. the same. His project launched, he to partnership and close association Every faction wanted us drunks to Now who is going to do all this and an associate, Dr. Henderson, with Dr. Haggard. agree with them. This was very education? Obviously, it is both a began work. In 1943, Dr. Haggard and Bunky flattering, but we naturally took the community job and a job for special- Later, in 1937, the renowned organized the Yale School for Alco- independent course and agreed ieta. Individually, we AAs can help, physiologist Dr. Anton Carlson hol Studies. I t was seen that a lab- with practically nobody! but AA as such cannot, and should and a group of interested scientists oratory and a technical journal I t was out of this unpromising not, get directly into this field. formed a subsidiary body called couldn’t get far unless a wider audi- miscellany that Drs. Haggard and Therefore, we must rely on other the Research Council on Problems ence was found. The idea was ad- Jellinek had to bring order. The agencies, on outside friends and of Alcohol. This was to be a more vanced that everybody who bumped wets had to be convinced they their willingness to supply great inclusive effort. Some of us early into drunks or the alcohol problem couldn’t brush the alcohol problem amounts of money and effort- New York A h went to their meet- should be represented at the school. under the bed; neither could t h m

drys go on scaring every drinker by said the plan was sound, the time of them I send the timeless gratitude alcoholism. Medical colleges are brandishing before him a hob-nailed was ripe, and he agreed with me of Alcoholics Anonymous. beginning to include this subject in Liver. We AAs had to see the enor- that Marty was the one to do the Their combined efforts, often their courses. Sparked by Bunlry, mity of the total alcohol problem job. sparked by A h , have since flowered the World Health Organization is and to face the fact that we prob- Originally financed by the tire- to this general effect: Four universi- carrying all this good news m u n d ably weren’t going to dry up thz less Dr. Haggard and his friends, ties are now running replicas of the the World. School text boob are world overnight. The School threw Marty started her big task. I can- Yale School. Three thousand public being modernized. I n the cause of in its research findings, everybody not detail in this space the great and private hospitals have been general education, the press, radio, else contributed what he had, or accomplishments of Marty and her I opened to alcoholics. Industry is and television are pouring out f l d thought he had, and Bunky finally associates in the present-day Na- revolutionizing its attitude toward of it daily. This has all happened . showed us that we had to face the tional Council on Alcoholism. But I its alcoholic employees. Penal in- in the twenty-eight years since Dr. actual facts together and be friendly can speak my conviction that no stitutions, police and judges alike Haggard first decided to find out about it besides. His was a stroke of other single agency has done more have taken new heart. Citizens’ com- what makes drunks tick. diplomacy; it was perhaps the first to educate the public, to open up mittees in large numbers are attack- Every one of these pioneers in the beginning of a comprehensive and hospitalization and to set in motion ing the total problem in their several total field will generously say that

, statesman-like approach to the prob- all manner of constructive projects, communities. Over 30 U.S. states had it not been for the living proof lem of alcohol in America. than this one. Growing pains there and the majority of Canadian prov- of recovery in AA, they could not In the next year, 1944, there were have been aplenty, but today the inces have a program of rehabilita- have gone on. AA was the lodestar two signal events. The Yale group N. C. A. results speak for them- tion and treatment. Many clergy of hope and help that kept them at opened upba clinic where there selves. groups are educating their co- it. would be plenty of live drunks to In 1945, Dr. Selden Bacon, the workers. Psychiatric research and So let us work alongside all them research and to treat experimental- noted sociologist, was appointed treatment is making telling strides. projects of promise to hasten the rely. Here Ray McCarthy, as first Chairman of the first program to Test tube devotees are working covery of those millions who have administrator, began to sweat out be supported by State funds, the I hopefully in their laboratories. not yet found their way out. T h e the clinic method with his first Connecticut Commission on Alco- The American Medical Association varied labors do not need our special batch of alcoholics. holism. This first state effort was. has officially declared alcoholism endorsement; they need only a help- Then along came Marty. As an the direct result of the work of Dr. to be a chronic illness, and has ing hand when, as individuals, we early AA she knew public attitudes Bacon and the Yale Group. Our activated its own committee on can possibly give it. had to be changed, that people had friend Selden has since brought his to know that alcoholism was a dis- immense energy and the finest preease and alcoholics could be helped ceptions of his profession to the aid She developed a plan for an organi- of us alcoholics. He is without doubt zation to conduct a vigorous pro- one of the best authorities from the gram of public education and to social point of view that we now organize citizens’ committees all have. over the country. She brought her I much wish I could name and tell plan to me. I was enthusiastic but you of many another dedicated felt scientific backing was essential, friend of that early pioneering time. eo the plan was sent to Bunky, and They have since been followed by he came down to meet with us. He others who are today legion. To all

April 1958

other is that, until recently, a small craziest and most perilous century group of AA’s old timers-acting as that the human race has ever seen.

@ parentf-have tended to the perils and problems of our whole society without consulting the membership very much about such matters. As a fellowship, we shall always need to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to insure AA’s unity, service, and survival, under any RECOVERY Never have we had a problem conditions whatever. That is why that cut clear across us. The pub- I’m now writing to you about AA’s lic admires us, our friends love us. General Service Conference, the Religion and medicine are in our guardian of our future. corner. Nobody has seriously ex- Until recently, we have behaved Guardian of AA ploited us. We have avoided public controversy. The world’s political strife hasn’t touched us. We like a still-young family. This family, like all families, has had parents. These parents have been the Our General Service Conference haven’t had even one full-sized so-called old timers and originators family quarrel. While members and of AA. I was fortunate enough to by Bill W . groups have had just about all the have been one of them. Since the woe there is, AA as a whole has earliest days we parents have been never had any. This is the miracle more concerned with the future welof our twenty-three years of exist- fare of AA than with anything else. ence. At local levels, we old timers used EVERY AA WANTS TO MAKE SURE of and group survival is willingness No wonder so many truly believe to look after things; until very rehis survival from alcoholism, and and sacrifice, vigilance and work. that nothing can ever happen to cently, Dr. Bob and I, mightily ashis own spiritual well-being after- What is so true for each member AA itself! sisted by dedicated alcoholic and ward. This is just as it should be. and for each group must also be non-alcoholic friends, have beer He a h wants to do what he can for true for AA as a whole. Yet many That we have been so long exempt from the pains that all na- doing the same at national and in the survival and well-being of his of us have never given this self- ternational levels. fellow alcoholics. Therefore he is evident proposition the thought it tions and societies must suffer is bound to have a vital interest in the deserves. We are apt to take it for something for the deepest gratitude. As parents of AA we had to see permanence and well-being of AA granted that AA, as a whole, will go But we certainly cannot presume to it that our growing brood was on forever-no special attention or that this benign phenomenon will protected against itself, and against itself. contribution being required of us. last forever. For one, I do not think the world outside. Very early, our In his AA group, every good Save an occasional glow of pride in that it should last. We can never family had to have principles to member feels deeply about this. He AA’s size and reach, it is possible call ourselves “grown up” until we live by, and schooling in those prinknows, once the miracle of sobriety that half of AA’s members and have successfully met with all those ciples. The good news of AA had has been received, that Providence groups still have little active con- temptations and problems that in- to be spread far and wide so that expects all of us to work and to we could grow in numbers as well cern for the total welfare. That isn’t variably harass every large group grow-to do our part in maintain- as in quality. Such were our reing our blessings in full force. A negligence on their part at all. They ing of men and women. This will simply haven’t seen the need. be good for %very good, I’m sure. sponsibilities. perpetual miracle–with no effort or responsibility on our paresimply There are two good reasons for Some day we may have to resist It was in 1937 when Dr. Bob and isn’t in the cards. We all under- this. One is that AA as a whole all the pressure that a destruction- I first began to see what we must stand that the price of both personal has never run into any trouble. The bent world can put upon us in this do. We knew there would have to

be an AA text of principles and The AA Grapevine reaches 40,000 rison and Bernard Smith you can It was a racking dilemma. Somemethods. Other old timers agreed. subscribers plus countless thousands see what these men are. And in our how AA as such-AA as a whole– By 1939, with lots of help, we had of others each month. new history book, AA Comes of would have to take over the full published the “big book,” Alcohol- These have been the duties and Age, you can read what they and responsibility. Without doubt the ics Anonymous. This ended aH privileges of our parenthood world- others like them did for us in our groups would have to elect numerdoubt about AA’s methods. The wide. We did our best to protect pioneering time as the moving ous delegates and send them toNew 300,000 “big books” today in circu- AA so that it could grow undis- drama of AA unfolded. York each year, where they could lation constitute the platform of re- turbed. Not troubling the growing ~~i~~ the year 1948 we workers sit with and guide the trustees. Only covery upon which our whole fel- family about these critical matters, at A A * ~Headquarters got a ktTific by SO doing could AA assume effeclowship stands. we acted on the principle that “fa- jolt. D ~ .~~b was stricken with a tive direction of its own policy and We next realized that AA would ther knows best.” In the early days, consuming and slowly fatal malady. business- Only through these have to have publicity-lots of it, it was just as simple as that. I t hi^ created a severe crisis in our delegates could the increasing isoand of the right kind. We com- was then far too soon to throw the affairs because it made us face up lation of the trustees from the menced work on this problem. full weight of responsibility onto to the fact that the old time parents be Only Maybe half of today’s members owe our whole fellowship. of our society weren’t going to last such a body could take binding detheir lives and their fortunes to the forever. cisions in any future crisis. From the beginning, Dr. Bob and telling efforts of the press and other I found that we needed special help we were filled with foreboding as When our scheme for a joint Conmeans of communication. ourselves. Therefore we called upon we ,realized how insecurewere the ference of trustees and delegates From 1940 to 1950, we were beset certain dedicated non-alcoholics to existing links between our Head- Wm first ~’o~osed, a howl went up by group problems of every sort, give us a lift. With these men, we 1 quarters and the vast sprawling fel- cou”try-wide. At first it looked as frightening beyond description. Out formed a trusteeship for Alcoholics lowship that it served. mere though the AA family didn’t want of these experiences the Twelve Anonymous. I t was created ‘way of mum, our small Board of any part of this new and mex~ect- Traditions of AA were forged … back in 1938 and we called it The tees. But not one AA in a thou- ed responsibility. To them, “AA traditions that now protect us Alcoholic Foundation (since re- sand could name half of them. At delegates” spelled nothing but polagainst ourselves and the world out- named The General Service Board the Headquarters office, there were itics, controversy, and confusion. side. This effort, requiring immense of AA). In 1940, our trustees ac- Bobbie, Ann and Charlotte. There “Let’s keep it simple? they C&doffice correspondence and experi- quired the AA book, assumed full was Dr. Bob and myself. We few But after a couple of years of agience, finally resulted in a whole new responsibility for AA’s general were just about the only links to tation and education, our fellowliterature dealing with AA’s unity funds, its world service office, its worldwide AA! ship clearly realized that the ultra and services. Under these influ- magazine and its public relations. Meanwhile thousands of our simplicity of the early days could ences we grew solid. To this body of trustees-alco- members went serenely about their be “0 more. Direct family rapon- The news of AA beg& to spread holic and non-alcoholic-must go business. ney knew little or sibility there would have to be, or around the world, finally reaching most of the credit for making our ing about AA’s over-all AA fold up at its very into seventy lands. This brought a world Headquarters what it now is. ney vaguely that ~ ~ d , The erstwhile elders, fathers center. host of new problems and the need I am very glad that this issue of with maybe a slight assist from Dr. and founders have to be to publish AA literature in many the Grapevine carries the pictures Bob and me, would go right on han- taken off the hook and rep1aced by tongues. Hospitals and prisons and of two of our distinguished non- dling them. Thus they were corn- delegates. There was no other way. loners and men on ships also had alcoholic Chairmen of the Board, pletely ignorant of the adual state The family would have to “come of to be reached and helped. AA’s life- men whose steadfastness saw us of our affairs, and of the age” or suffer dire penalties for the lines had to extend everywhere. AA through a long season of labor and 1 tential there was for an ultimate to do so. needed a monthly magazine. Today, peril. In the faces of Leonard Har- collapse. So we called in some seventy-five

delegates from the U. S. and Can- tions: Will the AA family send to ada. Together with the trustees and the Conference its finest delegates? the Headquarters and Grapevine Will we continue to choose able and s t . , those delegates formed them- wise trustees? Will AAs back their selves into the General Service Con- Conference members, their trustees ference of Alcoholics Anonymous. and their world Headquarters with By then, it was 1951. enough funds, enough interest and At first this was an experiment, enough understanding? pure and simple. If it worked it For me, these are questions no would mean that AA had truly longer. The history of AA shows “come of age,” and could really that whenever a great need arises, manage its own affairs. Through its that need is always met. In this representative Conference, it could respect, I’m quite sure that our hisbecome the guardian of its own fu- tory will go on repeating itself. Inture and the protector of its own deed, I can have no doubt whatlifelines of service. ever. Well, our Conference did work. I think, too, that my own influ- Its performance, God be thanked, ence at the Headquarten should exceeded all our expectations. At continue to lessen. Through its the end of its five-year experimental Conference, complete authority and period, we knew that it could be- responsibility is now fully vested in come a permanent part of our fel- AA. The parent who overstays his lowship. time can only hamper the growth In July of 1955, at AA’s twenti- of his offspring. This I must not do. eth anniversary, I stood before the My proper place will soon be along great St. Louis Convention. Amid the sidelines, cheering you newer a dwindling band of old timers, and ones as you carry on. Our family is on their behalf, I delivered the des- now fully of age, and it should firmtiny of AA into the hands of its ly remind me of that fact if I am chosen representatives, the General ever again tempted to take charge. Service Conference of Alcoholics For these all-compelling reasons, Anonymous. I cannot remember any my friends, the future belongs to happier day in my life. A gaping you. Embrace these new responsichasm had been bridged .. . AA bilities eagerly, fear naught, and was secure at last. the Grace of God will surely be Some people still ask these ques- yours.

June 1958

AA’s Group Conscience in Action 8th General Service Conference Meets

NO PAPERBACK “BIG BOOK” Unanimous rejection, “for both practical and spiritual reasons,” was voted a suggestion to issue a cheap reprint edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous.”

June 1958

YOUTH GROUP DISBANDS THE YOUNGPEOPLE’SGROUPof Boston, after a great deal of deliberation, has decided to disband. Ten years ago when the group was formed, there was a definite need for a Young People’s Group. Today, young people are well represented in most groups. We feel that there is no need for a specialized group. The group is happy to report that most of its original members are active in other groups. I t is encouraging to know that young people can enjoy happy productive sobriety such as these original members are experiencing. Roy L., Winthrop, Mass.

August 1958

help carry the expenses of AA’s ence into operation. A cheap AA Headquarters, was looked upon as book would have been a practical a pretty fearsome evil. Conse- and spiritual mistake of major pro- Let’s make practical quently, I fell under the severest portions. The AA message would criticism of my whole AA life. have been carried to the few instead . and spiritual sense- Yet our history proves that the of to the many. There is not the sometimes idealistic majority of slightest doubt about it. Everybody by Bill W . that day was seriously mistaken. who now wants a fifty-cent paper- Had there been no book earnings back should bear this part of our for the Headquarters and no royal- history seriously in mind. ties for Dr. Bob and me, AA would AA’s trusteeship, our General The 1958 General Service Conference unanimously voted down a proposal for a cheap aperback have taken a very different and Service Board, has a reserve fund R edition of the Big Book. Believing t a t all AAs should fully understand why this was done, probably disastrous course. Dr. Bob which has been slowly accumulated and Sister Ignatia could not have out of book earnings over the years. Bill has asked the Grapevine t o reprint portions looked after those 5,000 drunks in This fund is equal to one year’s runof a letter he recently wrote an old friend their hospital pioneering at Akron. ning expense of the Headquarters. on this long debated topic. I would have had to quit full-time We think it is our chief protection work fifteen years ago. Our book against hard times and the possibilwould have been in the hands of an ity of a large drop in group contri- Bedford Hills, N. Y. out in 1933 at $3.50. In this era, the outside publisher. There could have butions. Even in good times, group March 22, 1958 majority of AAs were doubtless in been no Twelve Traditions and no contributions have often failed to favor of a one-dollar job. When we Genera1 Service Conference. Finan- pay Headquarters’ expense by a DE*;t was fine to iear from you announced the $3.50 price, the reagain. We old timers are getting action was very strong (and to some cially crippled, the Headquarters considerable margin. If we could could not have spread AA around actually collect from every recovmore and more separated. My nos- extent unreasonable) : “Bill had let the world. Indeed, it might have ered AA member, the annual cost to talgia for the old days is often with AA down,” “The price is too high folded up completely. each would be only one dollar a me and letters like yours bring it for the poor drunk,” “Since every- All of this would have come to year. I n practice, we ask for $2.00 back. thing in AA is free, why not a give- pass had not eamings of the Big a member and average considerably You raised a time-tested question, away book?,” “Because AA is non- Book plugged up the often large less. The AA office ran $15,000 in ‘What about a cheap edition of the profit, why should the groups and deficits in group contributions to the red in 1957 and The Grapevine AA book-maybe a fifty-cent paper- the New York Headquarters make Headquarters. In the 1945-1950 had an operating deficit of $10,000. bac!c?” This question raises a con- a profit?’. As for royalties to Dr. period, for example, I saw our re- Since this is a frequent situation in siderable nu’mber of other questions, Bob and me–well, some said that serve fund of $100,000 drop to good times, what would actually having both a practical and spiritual made us profiteers, if not racketeers. $40,000 in three hectic years. In happen to us in hard times? bearing. From the point of view of many these years the AA General Service I n hard times, AA members and First, let’s take a look at the early of the membership, these were pow- Office and the AA Grapevine once their groups will surely look after history of the cheap-book question. erful arguments. A give-away book reached a combined deficit of $3,000 themselves. But in such circum- The issue of a low-priced book ver- was the purest kind of spiritual en- a month. I t was the book money stances, how well would they take sus a higher-priced one was seri- terprise. But a volume decently that kept us afloat and enabled us care of General Headquarters? Havously and heatedly debated for sev- bound and priced within the normal to re-organize the service officeand ing never been through such a time, eral years after the Big Book came trade range, a volume which would put today’s General Service Confer- nobody can say. We can’t even

make an informed guess. We simply stand or drugstore distribution, we know that our Headquarters still would have to let an outside pub- large volume, we would have mostly the AA groups, or is it AA as a runs deficits. We also know that lisher do the job for us. Such a failed our spiritual purpose of carry- whole? Obviously, the combined one-third of the AA groups, repre- publisher would be the sole source ing the AA message. Compared to wealth and income of individual AA senting 50,000 members, send Head- of supply. Even if such a paperback the vast publicity that AA already members is the real reservoir and. quarters nothing, even in boom house sold a million copies a year, gets, the effect of a cheap book source of money. The combined intimes. We therefore have no reason the return to AA Publishing, Inc., could not be very great in any case. come of all alcoholics who have reto believe in Santa Claus. That is in royalties and profits, would not Next let us inquire if there is any covered in AA is easily one billion why we have insisted on building exceed $10,000. This estimate may, real shortage of AA books and read- dollars a year. Compared with this, up our reserve fund. I t is our pri- of course, be far too optimistic. A ing material inside AA. Let’s also the money coming into our 7,000 mary protection against the impair- preliminary investigation among ponder whether our poorest mem- AA group treasuries is a trickle. ment or collapse of AA’s General publishers indicates that such a sale bers are really deprived of their Compared to the funds that flow Services; those services which have is to be questioned. Horse-sense chance a t the AA book because we into local treasuries, the contribuspread the good word throughout suggests this, too. still lack a fifty-cent edition. Also, tions to AA Headquarters are drops the world and which we ought to T h e main market for cheap whether our excellent pamphlet lit- in a bucket. Our international treasmaintain in full strength under all paperbacks is dominated by former erature cannot pretty well fill the ury and reserve fund doesn’t conconditions. best-sellers, murder mysteries, sex need of such newcomers when nec- tain even one dollar for each alco- There are those who feel that a novels, science-fiction, and the like. essary. We know that 350,000 AA holic who has recovered in AA. fifty-cent book would not seriously Large and sustained volume is pos- books have already been distributed Neither do these alcoholics supply cut into the sales of our $4.50 edi- sible because of the huge public in- and that a half-million good pam- these reserve funds; the book buyers tion. But would it not? At Head- phlets hit AA every year. Who do it. Probably half of the alcoterest. Now the AA book has been quarters we are finding many able on sale for almost twenty years, in knows anyone in AA that hasn’t holics who have recovered in AA volunteer service workers. One of bookstores. Alcoholics Anonymous been given a book, who can’t bor- over the years have never, directly these is the Vice-president of a and its Big Book have received vast row a book, or who can’t buy one or indirectly, sent a cent to Headlarge book publishing house. He advertising in all public media and from his group on partial payment, quarters. Maybe our Headquarters understands book markets, inside this still continues. Nevertheless, or find the Big Book in a local financial statements look like big AA and out. He emphatically points our sale to the public has never been library? Hardly anyone need be de- money to some. But these monies out that ultra-cheap AA books, more than a dribble; it hasn’t aver- prived of reading the present represent only the tiniest fraction of especially paperbacks, would se- volume if he will make even a little the total wealth and earning power aged 1500 copies a year. So how verely damage our present sales and can we have any assurance if we effort to lay hold of a copy. Of of the members of Alcoholics Anonincome. Wouldn’t it therefore be put a fifty-cent AA book on news- course there are some exceptions, ymous. AA Headquarters–AA as wise to ask ourselves, “Can we stands and in drugstores that sales but these are being met; we already a whole, if you like-is relatively as afford those cheap books now?” are suddenly going to jump from send gift copies of the Big Book to poor as a church mouse. Should the There has been some hope that prisons and the institutional groups. Headquarters, the poorest part of 1500 books to one million, or one AA, now undertake to finance the the volume of fifty-cent book sales hundred thousand, or even ten thou- There might be certain spiritual would be so huge on the public mar- advantages in a cheap book litera- richest part-the individual A& sand? Nobody seems to be able to ket that we would not lose much predict with confidence what a spe- ture, but there would also be defi- with a fifty-cent book? money anyhow. But this is one of cialized textbook like ours would nite spiritual disadvantages. Does this make sense–practically those situations on which no reli- do if put on cheap sale with who- There is the question of who is or spiritually? able estimate can be made. As AA dunits and science-fiction in these best able to pay for a given service -in this case, a give-away book Gratefully, Puldishing cannot go into news- city outlets. If we did fail to sell a program. Is it the individual A h , Bill

October 1958

Let Us Read- -and Thank God

THIS is Grapevine’s first International Issue, and I’m mighty glad to see it going to press. This event reminds me that the Grapevine’s original charter was drawn by an AA lawyer, since gone to his reward. He was a fine lawyer, too. Therefore, his charter was a workmanlike and properly legalistic job. But our departed friend was much more than a good draftsman. He was an AA with a vision-a vision of what the AA of the future could be and what part the Grapevine could play to make that dream come true. When he wrote the “general purpose” clause of the charter he quite forgot being the lawyer and launched into an extra-enthusiastic portrayal of the Grapevine’s purposes and prospects-so much so that in the pioneering year of 1944 his vision seemed all too far-fetched for most of us. One of his phrases has always stuck by me. He pictured the Grapevine as AA’s “Magic Carpet” which could instantly transport every reader to countless cities and hamlets and to those still lonesome outposts on distant shores where our society would one day flourish. Like no other, this International Issue shows our friend’s dream fulfilled. In the brief fourteen years since he penned that first charter, his early vision has been far surpassed by the glorious reality of what has actually taken place among us. Let us read this issue from cover to cover-and thank God.

November 1 9 5 8

T Twenty-four is Thanksgiving time; our gratitude should certainly be boundless. HIS years ago this month, I landed in a hospital for the last time. Then and there I received the gift of sobriety. Like all who have sincc joined AA’s ranks, I was given a chance to choose what I would do with my new life. Just like most AAs.of today, I chose to try to pass my gift on to the next suffering applicant. This simple practice of trying to give of one’s self without demand for reward (at least sometimes!) has brought incredible blessings-more than my share, I guess. Every practicing AA comes up, however, with just about the same general list of them. First we receive sobriety, which is the chance to go on living. We try to bring that chance to others and watch them come alive. We slowly discover that our lives have a purpose because God has a plan for us; a plan that we grow little by little toward His likeness and image. Then follows the conviction that we live in a universe filled with His love-a creation that makes sense. As this vision comes clear we can begin to &+An harmony with ourselves and with our fellows. We are going so? lace; our destiny becomes secure. ? Next we begin actually to welcome our growing pains. Suffering is no longer a menace to be evaded at any cost. When it does come, no matter how g~ievously,we realize that it too has its purpose. It is our great teacher because it reveals our defects and so pushes us forward into the paths of progress. The pain of drinking did just this for us. And so can any other pain. Our Twelve Traditions are a prime example of what pain has done for us since we sobered up. Every single AA Tradition was evolved from the immense growing pains of AA’s early years; each rests securely upon this foundation. For this reason only, we now have our Twelve Traditional principles that can spell unity, brotherhood and service for all time to come. What people in this very troubled world of 1958, could possibly have more reasons to be grateful at Thanksgiving than we of Alcoholics Anonymous!

December 1958

Christmas

Editorial

o all of us Christmas means giving and it means receiving. I n this T happy vision we see the Prince of Peace, greatest giver of all. As New Year’s is the season for fresh resolutions, so is Christmas -for me at least-the season of casting up an account of our blessings. Since Christmas 1957 our fellowship has probably given 100,000 alcoholics and their families a chance to issue out of their sickness into health, and from darkness into light. Maybe one quarter of these sufferers have responded to our invitation and have accepted our gift. Because we literally need to give in order to live, we have no reason for pride. But a durable satisfaction and a great joy has been ours and these things we know we can safely keep. Here amongst us we have also tried to help each other. We have devoted uncounted hours to this. We have been able to offer each other those gifts of understanding and of love which can only be found in the kinship of a common suffering and a common deliverance. We have been trying to help each other to grow, to solve the problems of life in this most perilous century that mankind has ever known. In deepest humility and gratitude we see that God has endowed us with not a little success. Surely we of AA have more reason to be merry than any people on earth. So, dear friends, a Merry Christmas to you all!

March1959 HE STRUCTURE AND SERVICES A A AK GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE Rn STAFF Aa AA PUBLISHING 7DIRECTORS EIGHT NON-AICOHOLIC OVER 7000 GROUPS 82 DELEGATES 15 TRUSTEES SEVENALCOHOLIC AA GRAPEVINE DIRECTORS GRAPEVINE 3STAFF Individuals“in the circles’are oll AA members,except for 8 non-olcoholic Irustees; oll except the 7 GSO and 3 Grapevina stafers are volunleers; all, plus Bill W, are Conference members foo.Bill olso sifs ex officio onoll Boards (for more infornation, see the preceding poge.)

June 1959

A N ANNIVERSARY LETTER

from Bill

D e m Friends in AA, This issue of the Grapevine’marks the anniversary of its founding exactly fifteen years ago. The memory of some of those first editorial meetings will linger with me always. Seated around a table in a tiny cheerless room some place downtown, the founders pored over their freshly written copy for the first issues. In those days the enthusiastic founders did everything. Not only did they do the art work, write the bulk of the stories, they kept the books, they paid the printing bill, they typed the address on each copy and finally licked all the stamps. So went the happy monthly paroxysm of creating what was to become the principal monthly journal of our whole society. Today 35,000 readers see mirrored in each issue of the AA Grapevine a monthly vision of the worldwide thought, feeling and activity of our whole fellowship. It is our great means of inter-communication; a magic carpet on which each of you can ride to the more distant reaches and watch new brothers and sisters emerge from darkness into light. On this happy occasion I send my warmest affection to Grapevine readers and staff alike. May God prosper the Grapevine always.

September 1 9 5 9

AA Publishing Company literature As a sober alcoholic I am grateful WHY IS is the triangle within a circle which represents the world. to be an integral part of my own personal triangle. I am also grateful ‘

Symbolism doesn’t just happen. that my personal triangle draws THE TRIANGLE ‘l’hcre ia usually ;I reason for its existence. If we go back to the upon the strength of many thousands of triangles-all joined firmly days before AA we find our very together among the 250,000 mem- THE SYMBOL I first triangle. Here Ebby T. suggests a novel idea to Bill W. H’s bers of AA who belong to some 7,000 groups all over the world. idea is that perhaps one alcoho!ic The North American groups elect

OF AA? might be able to stay sober by working with another alcoholic. Bill W. thought about this and diseighty-three delegates io represent them each year a t AA’s annual General Service Conference. So we YMBOLISM is a very important cussed it with Dr. Silkworth, the have another triangle consisting of S tool in the field of communications today. Almost every corporation, business enterprise or little doctor who loved drunks. Then Bill W. went out to Akron and met Dr. Bob. They teamcd up 250,000 mexber;, several thousand group representatives and the eighty-three Dzlegatcs to the Conservice organizstion is trying to together to make the:r fir3 AA call ference. project a symbol-a visual “image” on Bill D., “the man on the bed” Also represented a t the General of itself. in the Akron hospital. Thus, the Service Conference is still another For example, the Rock of Qibral- first human triangle coniis5ng of triangle of about 100 people. The tar is the symbol of the Prudential Bill W., Dr. Bob and Bill D. was eighty-three Delegates form its Life Insurance Company. The bell formed. base. The six staff members of the is the symbol of the Telephone Just stop to think about the sym- General Service office, plus two Company. A red cross on a white bolism of the triangle for a moment Directors of the AA Publishing ‘ background is the symbol of the and what this means to you and Company and two Directors of the American Red Cross, and so on. me. The chances are that when you Grapevine plus Bill W. and Hank If you stop to think about it, I came into AA you had a sponsor. G. are the second arm of the tribelieve you will agree that AA too Chances are that since becoming angle. The third arm is represented hss a symbol: the triangle. sober you have helped to sponsor by the fifteen members of the Board The 1955 Conference in St. Louis someone else. S o here is your very of Trustees. adopted the triangle as AA’s symbol own living triangle: your sponsor, The triangle is, then-in many of Recovery, Unity and Service. you and your “pigeon.” ways-the symbol of AA. And the The base of the triangle represents It is easy to understand how AA delightful part of it all is that every our First Legacy – The Twelve woi-ks when you think of yourself time a sick new member comes into Steps of Recovery. The left arm of as the base of your own triangle, AA he or she immediately joins the triangle represents our Second supported on one side by your spon- hands with two other members who Legacy-The Twelve Traditions. sor, and helping to support your lend their strength in helping him And the right arm of the triangle pigclon on the other side. Perhaps or her to succeed in our program represents our Third Legacy of you arc the base of a dozen or of Recovery, Unity and Service. Service. The offic;al trademark of more triangles. C . J . Ad., Greenwich, Conn.

ing, or clinical services, but they made by illicit distilling. Many of will not find it easy to give the kind these distilled liquors, quite apart of person-to-person help that AA from their alcoholic effects, are gives. Centuries of custom and tra- highly poisonous. dition, and now many apartheid Every African township is full of laws, make it dillicult for white these illicit drinking places, and and non-white people to work to- owing to incessant police raiding, gether. I do not intend to offer the relations between Africans and any solution of these difficulties; police are dangerously bad. In 1956 (that is a task for AA). But I do a quarter of a million Africans, out think that AA will try to find a of a population of nine million, solution, if the rest of its members were convicted of liquor offenses. are anything like H. Indeed H. The incidence of serious crime UNION OF Read down: orange, white, blue tells me he knows several of its among Africans is high, and much SOUTH AFRICA members who are anxious, having of it is attributable to the excessive themselves been helped, to give use of liquor. that help to others, and to exclude Coloured people are able to buy none from being helped. “white” liquor, and are not confined UN-MET NEEDS And there are tens of thousands of non-white South Africans who to segregated townships; therefore drunkenness amongst coloured peodesperately need their help. ple is more commonly seen, and IN SOUTH AFRICA I t would be distasteful to com- they are often tempted to sell liquor pare the drinking habits of the vari- to Africans illicitly. Amongst colous racial groups of South Africa, owed people the incidence of seriand in any case it would be impos- ous juvenile and adult crime is By Alan Paton sible to do so. Nevertheless a few high, and much of it is attributable Author of “Cry the Beloved Country” facts would be useful. Africans are to excess of liquor. The number of not allowed to purchase “white” coloured alcoholics must be very . the bars are closed in bered the non-white frequenters of liquor, except under very rare per- high. I would suppose-not having ‘W HEN Durban, and you must have the shebeens, some of whom were mit. Therefore there is a large il- made any scientific investigationsa drink a t any cost, you go as desperate as he had been. As one licit liquor traffic. Some of this that the incidence of alcoholism to the shebeen, an illicit dive where small part of his campaign, he illicit liquor is first bought legally among the Indian people is relathey sell illicit liquor-not only the asked me to write this little article by members of other groups, and tively lower, but there are signs well-known brands but hot mix- for the AA Grapevine. He hopes it then sold illicitly to Africans. I t that it is increasing; and indeed tures as well. There you will meet will bring AA to the notice of non- has been estimated that 50% of H. knows from his own experience all kinds, white people, Africans, white alcoholics who need help. the liquor bought legally is re-sold that there are many Indians who Indians, and what we call “coloured I t is not easy in South Africa for illegally. This illicit liquor is not urgently require help. people,” that large group of people an all-white g r o u p s u c h as AA to all drunk in its original form; much H.’s first Indian contact was M. of mixed blood, over a million all intents and purposes is–to help of it is used to compound other As H. says, it was his “good forstrong. non-white people; an all-white fierce drinks, and in addition to tune” to be in the AA office when After H. joined AA, he remem- group can provide food and cloth- these, there are still fiercer drinks the call for help was received; it

was to prove M.’s good fortune as for liquor. There are not many well. M. was a man with brains African graduates as yet, and many and initiative, and he had a little of them have been put through the business of his own in Durban, ca- University by the sacrifice of their tcring for many white customers. parcnts. Sometimes this sacrifice Although he was drinking heavily, appears to be utter and complete, he was so expert in his job that his involving the renunciation of all business did not suffer; he was luxuries, all comfort, all leisure, all brought to his senses by something appearances. I t certainly was so in that happened in his own home. the case of S.’s mother, who virtu- One day, made irritable by drink- ally gave up all the pleasures of ing, he decided that the telephone life for the sake of her son. His was an intolerable nuisance, so he needs seemed to be insatiable, the mounted a step-ladder and pro- demands of the University seemed ceeded to prize the wiring from the to be beyond all reason; but somewall by brute force. His wife was how she found the money for this too terrified to try to stop him, and that. She was desolated when so it was left to his small daughter she discovered that much of her t o remonstrate with him. M. was money was being spent on liquor; mragcd beyond control by this in- and when her son graduated and trrfcrcncc, so he came down from found good employment, when he thr ladder and caught his daughter might have been expected to make hy thc throat. His neighbours, hear- amends to her for her long selfing his wife’s screams, arrived in abnegation, he needed all his money timc to prevent a tragedy. When for liquor. What might have been tlwy wturncd to their homes they unrelieved tragedy was by God’s Icft :i man sobercd by the narrow- grace turned into joy; for S., about ness of his escape, and appalled by to lose his job and all hope for the thc depths to which he had sunk. future, turned to AA and found H. But AA was M.’s salvation. He to help him. For five years S. has has not had a drink for eight years, been sober, and the news spread to nnd through him other Indians in others. But there are still hundreds Durban have come to AA for help. of Africans in need, and it is to Rut the unmet needs are tremen- be hoped that they will come to dous, and H. hopes that many more hear of AA, and in their turn play of those who need help will come their part in saving others. to hear of AA, and play their part If you know of any of these, tell in helping others also. them about AA in Durban. You H.’s first African contact was S., may be helping to put something a young man with a degree, a good straight in what Gerald Manley job at a clinic, and a great thirst Hopkins called “the bent world.”

October 1959

From AA’s very beginning our noted doctors that “Alcoholism is a success with each new prospect has fatal and progressive malady.” always rested squarely on our abil- Then we would go back to those ity to identify with him (or her) earlier periods in our drinking cain experience, in language and espe- reers when we too were mild, or cially in feeling-that profound seemingly not too serious, cases feeling for each other that goes ourselves. We would recall how deeper than words. This is what very sure we were that “next time” we really mean when we say “one we could control ourselves when we alcoholic talking to another.” took a few drinks. . . or maybe how Years ago, however, we found we rather admired the notion that, that the kinship of having suffered on occasions, unrestrained grog severe alcoholism was often not consumption was after all no more enough in itself. T o cross all bar- than a good “he-man’s” fault. Or, riers, our channels of communica- in the next phase, how our dram tion Iiad to be broadend and dwp- consumption was the fault of uncmd. fortunate circumstances or the dis- Practically all of AA’s first mem- tressing behavior of other people. bers were, for example, what we This much identification achieved, today call “last gasp” (or low bot- we’d proceed to regale the prospect tom) cases. We oldsters, for the with many a tale showing just how most part, were a t the jumping-off insidious and irresistible the progplace. When the still mildly afflicted ress of our. illness had been; how, (or high bottom) cases began to years before we realized it, we had turn up they usually said, “But actually gone much beyond the we were never jailed. We were “point of no return” so far as our never clapped into mental hospitals. own resources of strength and will We never did those horrendous were concerned. We kept pointing things you fellows talk about. out how right the doctors were. Surely AA can’t be for people like Slowly but surely this strategy us.” commenced to pay off. With the For years we old timers simply aid of the authority of medical scicouldn’t communicate with folks ence and by a better presentation,

E VERYONE must agree that we AAs are unbelievably fortunate people; fortunate that we have suffered so much; fortunate these are rare gifts which lmve their true origin in our kinship born of a common suffering and a common deliverance by the Grace of God. like these. Somehow our transmission lines to them had to be incrcmed in numbers, and in power. the low bottom5 had begun to communicate a t depth with the high bottoms. But this tedious process that we can know, understand and Thereby we are privileged to com- Othcrwise we’d never get through. and its sparse rzsu!ts didn’t have love each other so supremely well– municate with each other to a dc- Out of much experience a means to go on forever. We joyfully disthese attributes and virtues are gree and in a manner not very often and a method was developed. covered that the moment any AA scarcely of the earned variety. In- surpassed among our non-alcoholic T o cach new “high bottom” we locality was possessed of even a deed most of us are well aware that friends in the world around us. 11:imnirrcd home the verdict of small group of “high bottom”

hammedans, and, of course, the doubt he ought to have heard the drunks, ;~lenprogress into this class legion-, more, soberly talk about Eskimos! Could AA finally cross sweet and stirring story told me of to1 ,. became progressively how very much alike all of us alco- all of the very barriers that had, as only last week. faster a : ~ deasier. Today we know holics are when we all admit that never before, divided and shattered Here it is: why-4i.e high bottom can talk to the chips are finally down; when the world of our time? It’s about a small English-speakanother high bottom as nobody else we see that it is really a question of The moment we alighted in Nor- ing AA group in Japan. More ever could. So this segment of our do or die in our wide world fellow- way, we knew that AA could and properly, it’s about two of its memfellowship grew and grew. I t is ship of “the common suffering and would go everywhere. We under- bers-two Japanese who can’t unprobable that one-half of today’s the common deliverance.” stood not one word of Norwegian, derstand a word of English. I t AA membership has been spared Now this is our yearly interna- and translators were sometimes should also be known that the rest that last five, ten or even fifteen tional issue of the AA Grapevine. scarce. Scenes and customs alike of the g r o u p t h e English speakyears of unmitigated hell that we Here we feature the news and views were new and strange to us. Yet ing-don’t know a word of Japlow bottoms know all too well. of our far-flung and treasured there was a marvelous communica- anese. The language barrier is Since these first elemental prob- groups beyond the seas who today I tion from the first moment. There complete. The two Japanese have . lems of communication were solved, return to us in double measure the I was an incredible sensation of one- probably read a translation of the AA has taken on and has success- inspiration that years ago we tried ness, of being completely at home Twelve Steps; that’s about all. fully communicated with every sin- to send to them. In those days -Norwegians were our people, For months now the two Japangle area of life and living where there was a problem of communica- Norway was our country, too. They ese have not missed a meeting. alcoholics dwell. tions indeed. Could we possibly felt the same way about us; it They are bone dry, too. So there In the beginning, for instance, it identify ourselves by mail, by our shone in their faces; they reached they sit in the meeting place, their was four whole years before AA literature and its then scarce trans- our hearts. faces wreathed in beautiful smiles. brought permanent sobriety to even lations, and through random AA As we journeyed from land to Their concentration on every one alcoholic woman. Like the high travelers abroad? land, it was the same everywhere. speaker is intense; they act as bottoms the women said they were By 1950, we weren’t any too sure. In Britain we were accepted as though they savor and understand different; AA couldn’t be for them. So Lois and I wondered a lot as we Britons; in Ireland we were at one every word that is said. Those But as the communication was per- headed for Europe and Britain to with the Irish. Everywhere, cvery- English words-as words–are still fected, mostly by the women them- see for ourselves in that wonderful where it was the same. I t was so without meaning. Yet these speakselves, the picture changed. Spread year. Could AA really and fully much more than minds cordially ers, and that meeting, are neverall over the globe, our sister AAs transcend all of those formidable meeting minds, it was no simple theless full of meaning for them. must be thirty-thousand strong by barriers of race, language, religion and merely interesting comparison We all know why. The speakers now. and culture; all of those scars of of mutual experiences and aspira- are talking far more than English; I n like manner, this process of wars, recent and ancient; all of tions. This was much, much more; they are speaking the universal lanidentification and transmission has those kinds of pride and prejudice this was the forming of heart to guage of deep and abiding brothergone on and on. The skid rower said of which we knew we had our sharc heart in wonder, in joy and in ever- hood-the language of the heart. he was different. Even more loudly in America? What about the Nor- lasting gratitude. Lois and I then The once lonely and solitary the socialite (or Park Avenue stum- wegians, the Swedes, the Danes knew that AA could circle the globe Japanese are no longer aloneble bum) said the same-so did the and the Finns? What about the -and it has! they see, they feel, they understand. arts and the professions, the rich, Dutch, the Germans, the French, For us no more proof will ever And, thank God, so do all the rest the poor, the religious, the agnos- the English, the Scotch and the be needed. Should any AA still of us. tics, the Indians and the Eskimos, Israelis? How about the Africans, (For some delightful detaiki on the once-lonely Japanese AAs, see the the veterans, and the prisoners. the Boers, the Aussies, the Latins, arlicle beginning on page ~S-THE EDITORS.) But nowadays all of these, and the Japanese, the Hindus, the Mo-

December ~ Y S Y

MEMBER of the Stamford Group ing for the first call, not knowing A called me up and asked if I exactly what was going to happen. would like to help man the At five-thirty a call came in. telephones a t Intergroup head- With some qualms I took it. quarters in New York City from “Hello,” I said, “this is Intergroup.” five to eight PM one Monday last “I want to meet you one block month. Realizing I was going to away,” said a slightly thick voice. be in town that day, I said I would Immediately I was stumped. Was be delighted. this part of the job? Should I leave Being a sort of New Canaan the phone? I turned to a more excountry boy, I was quite curious perienced member. I tried to exabout the workings of Intergroup. plain. He said, “Give me the At various meetings I had heard phone.” In short order he told the certain members say that they caller to come down here. Handing could get along without Intergroup the phone back to me, he said, and that they objected to support- “Use your common sense.” ing it. Their objections to Inter- At that moment I became an group never made sense to me, but experienced telephoner. on the other hand I never would The calls were sporadic up to six . give any specific reasons why Inter- o’clock. Starting a t six o’clock and group should be supported. So I lasting to seven-thirty, the four was quite anxious to see what was lights were on almost constantly. what. Suddenly I realized that I had be- Arriving at East Thirty-ninth come an intimate part, if only for Street-an old brownstone with a an instant, of the thoughts and basement entrance–at a little after fears of those troubled souls who five, I walked into the room where called in. I t might be a man in a the telephones are located. My bar, a wife at home, a girl in a country compatriots were already boarding-house. They all had one there. I n short order I was given thing in common-alcohol. a desk and ihstructions as to what I don’t know how many calls I I was to do and I was in business. took. I had only two men who Incidentally, my desk was so Io- came in-one arrived at about six cated that any person coming ,in o’clock and stayed until seven. The would take me as a receptionist- other was one of my telephonees making my job doubly interesting, who decided to visit me. as it turned out. I shall have to tell you about There were four telephones each him. He called up a t about sixhooked up to a series of lights over fifteen and announced that he was the door. When a light lit up, one at Fifty-ninth Street and Columof us would answer. So we sat wait- bus Circle, that he was feeling aw-

ful, that he had only forty cents “I appreciate your efforts on my and that I should come and get behalf. Give me a pencil and him immediately. He said all this paper.” in a beautiful Southern accent. I Thereupon he wrote something respectfully suggested that he walk and handed it to me. I t read: down to Thirty-ninth Street, which White House, Washington, Take idea he took gracefully. good care of this man, As I said, about seven-fifteen he signed Joe H . arrived at my desk. He was fairly “When you get to Washington, dirty, but not unbearably so. He be sure to use this. I have a lot told me he was tired of drinking of friends down there.” And he left and what could he do about it. I in the grand manner leaving me told him that the best thing to do wondering who was helping who. was to stop drinking, and that there Each telephone call was a story was a meeting starting a t seven- in itself. Either tragedy or pathos thirty a short distance away which or a mixture of both-all trying he should go to. Remembering he to get out from under the burden had only forty cents and hoping of alcohol. And I–each of us there to forestall a fast trick, I said he -had the proud position of being could get coffee and cake at the the first to give them a little taste end of the meeting, also. of hope. It was a great experience. He saw my point. He said, “Don’t Now I have something concrete think I would try to panhandle this to say when the question comes up: joint. I doubt whether there is a “What good is Intergroup?’ ,

dollar in the crowd. But,” he said, J. N., New Canaan, Conn.

For the many groups throughout the AA world who plan to hold twenty-lfth anniversary gatherings this year, our co-founder Bill W. has written this glimpse of tha panorama of AA’ today. GSO has also made available a short vorsion of Bill’s message for groups wishing to use it at “AA 25th” meetings-THE EDITORS.

I T is very wonderful to know that most of our world-wide anniversary gatherings will be so widely shared by our families and by our and spiritual strength will ever be too great to hold us in full readiness for the day of their homecoming. When I think of our small and dedicated friends- the ones who quiet unnoticed beginnings of only have seen us through, the ones who twenty-five years ago; when I recolhave watched and who have so much lect the early struggles, uncertainties helped our passage from the dark- and perils of our pioneering time, I ness of alcoholism into the bright now find it both incredible and insunlight of AA. finitely moving to realize that all For Lois and me, and for AA peo- this will be climaxed July next when ple everywhere, this twenty-fifth an- Lois and I will be seeing so many niversary time is one of warm and thousands of you face to face at our happy recollection; of gratitude for International Convention in Long the sobriety and the new life that Beach, California. From now until the last quarter century has brought then, we shall surely be exclaiming to so many of us once hopeless peo- to each other, “Indeed, what hath ple; of gratitude for the ever-widen- God wrought?” This meaningful exing opportunity to serve man and clamation will be our constant re- God which is today ours, an oppor- minder that AA is truly God’s creatunity that will require of us an tion. No single one of us, nor any ever-deepening dedication to our single group of us alcoholics got tocherished AA principles of recovery, gether to invent Alcoholics Anonyunity and service-those themes of mous. Contemplating the totality of our Twenty-fifth Anniversary now all that has happened in these on every tongue. twenty-five years we see that He has We are thinking deeply, too, of all worked through the willing hearts those sick ones still to come to AA and minds and hands of thousands. -thousands surely, and perchance For this reason Dr. Bob and I have millions. As they try to make their often deplored being called coreturn to faith and to life, we want founders because such titles may them to find everything in AA that create the impression that we pretty we have round, and yet more, if that much invented, structured and be possible. On our part, therefore, spread AA all by ourselves. no care, no vigilance, no effort to Nothing could, in fact, be further preserve AA’s constant effectiveness from the truth.

i To illustrate, we might review for for which there must necessarily (continued from page 22) a moment the basic ideas on which be a spiritual remedy. We AAs we learn about moral inventory, beyond calculation or repayment. our recovery program is founded recognize this in the first five words amends for harm done, turning But even these great gifts could not and then ask whence these ideas of Step Twelve of the recovery pro- wills and lives over to God? Where have amounted to anything had they came to *and just who brought gram. Those words are: “Having had did we learn about meditation and not been passed from hand to hand them. a spiritual awakening . . .” Here we prayer and all the rest of it?” in these last twenty-five years. You, Our recovery Step Number One name the remedy for our three-fold The spiritual substance of our re- the members of AA, have continued reads thus: “We admitted we were sickness of body, mind and soul. maining ten Steps came straight to forge countless fresh links in the’ powerless over alcohol . . . that our Here we declare the necessity for from Dr. Bob’s and my own earlier chain of recovery that now encircles lives had become unmanageable.” that all-important spiritual awaken- association with the Oxford Groups, the world. It is your example, your This simply means that all of us ing. as they were then led in America by influence, and, under God, your have to hit bottom and hit it hard Who, then, first told us about the that Episcopal rector, Dr. Samuel work which has already brought and lastingly. But we can seldom utter necessity for such an awaken- Shoemaker. hope and health and happiness to make this sweeping admission of ing, for an experience that not only – At this point in our very early ex- millions alcoholics and non-alcopersonal hopelessness until we fully expels the alcohol obsession, but perience there remained, however, holics alike. realize that alcoholism is a grievous which also makes effective and truly one missing link-an absolutely vital A great many of you can well and often fatal malady of the mind real the practice of spiritual prin- one. We still lacked a full compre- recall the perils of AA’s time of , and body -an obsession that con- ciples “in all our affairs”? hension of the terrific impact a t frantic mushroom growth. You redemns us to drink joined to a physi- Well, this life-giving idea came to great depth which one alcoholic member how we feared that an all cal allergy that condemns us to mad- us of AA through William James, talking to another could make. I had too human scramble for money, ness or death. the father of modem psychology. partly realized this when my alco- fame and power might ruin us. You So, then, how did we first learn I t came through his famous book, holic friend and sponsor, Ebby, told remember how we feared any pubthat alcoholism is such a fearful sick- Varieties of Religious Experience, me about his own drinking, his re- lic exploitation of the AA name, ness as this? Who gave us this price- when my friend Ebby handed me lease from it and of the Oxford whether by our own members or by less piece of information on which that volume at Towns Hospital im- Group principles which had made others. Then there were the bogies the effectiveness of Step One of our mediately following my own re- this possible. Still more realization of political and religious strife program so much depends? Well, it markable spiritual experience of came during my own spiritual ex- bogies that might break loose and came from my own doctor, “the lit- December, 1934. perience which had included the smash us. There was the fear, too, tle doctor who loved drunks,” Wil- William James also heavily em- vision of a chain reaction among al- that if we ever created a world servliam Duncan Silkworth. More than phasized the need for hitting bot- coholics, one alcoholic talking to the ice organization, our servants worktwenty-five years ago at Towns tom. Thus did he reinforce AA’s next. But it was not until I met Dr. ing there might presently become Hospital, New York, he told Lois Step One and so did he supply us Bob that I knew I needed him as our masters and so saddle us with and me what the disease of alco- with the spiritual essence of today’s much as he could ever need me. This an expensive and disastrous governholism actually is. Step Twelve. was perfect mutuality, this was full ment. There was apprehension about Of course we have since found Having now accounted for AA’s brotherhood. This was the crucial wide publicity, lest it turn into prothat these awful conditions of mind Steps One and Twelve, it is natural and the final answer. The missing motional ballyhoo that could garble and body invariably bring on the that we should next ask, “Where did link was then fully forged and some- our message and could bring ridithird phase of our malady. This is the early AAs find the material for how we knew this at once. cule upon us and so keep alcoholics the sickness of the spirit; a sickness the remaining ten’steps? Where did To those wonderful friends who and their families at a distance. We thus brought Dr. Bob and me within also feared that we might be tempted reach of recovery, our debt is quite to take great gifts of money, thus

1 -” making us dependent upon the char- that is nearly everywhere ours; the Groups, now numbering more than a have been and still are very great. ,.” ity of others and tempting us to basis for an excellent service struc- thousand, are growing prodigiously. And we hope that we shall never foolishly scatter our energies into ture now so highly effective that not Again this reflects the progress of cease to rededicate ourselves to their outside projects that could be better many more years can pass before the many, of all of us. correction. handled by others. You can remem- alcoholics everywhere will have the Such is a mere glimpse of the vast May we so continue to deepen ber our fierce hostility toward any marvelous opportunity for sanity panorama of AA today, and it surely our humility and our devotion to and all AA members who had the and for sobriety that we who are must be a good token of still finer man and to God that we may meet temerity to enter these other ven- gathered here know so well. Cer- things to come. Of course this re- and transcend all future problems tures in the field of alcoholism. You tainly it is not only to the few that cital of past accomplishment and and perils. Let us pray that both we can recall how we lambasted any we owe these remarkable develop- the vision we have of our hoped-for of today and the new generations of AA who, for any purpose, received ments in our unity and in our ability future cannot possibly create any our tomorrow will become increasa cent of our money; how we so to carry AA’s message everywhere. mood of complacency or self-con- ingly worthy of the happy and usefeared professionalism that we I t is to the many; indeed it is to the gratulation. We well know that our ful destiny that our Creator is most scarcely dared hire any full-time AA labors of all of us that we owe these defects, as people and as a society, surely holding in store for us all. gals to answer the phones in our prime blessings. local offices. Above all, you remem- This is the brand of dedication ber how we shuddered at that first and unity that, little by little, has rash of public anonymity breaks by enabled us to cross nearly every barboth well-meaning and self-seeking rier of race and creed, of nationality members. and of language. In fact, we have Such were our fears- some of been gradually learning to deal with them ridiculous and some of them all conditions and with all obstacles. abundantly justified. What, then, With joy we have watched the good could we do? news catch up with the young and For a long and anxious time we not too badly damaged alcoholics, simply did not know whether we as we have learned to raise the botcould live and work with each other tom and hit him with it, so saving or with the world about us. Could him years of misery. With equal we hold in unity at all levels, could satisfaction we have witnessed the we effectively function to carry AA’s salvage of the very rich and the very message? We simply did not know. poor. Today we see them learning Then, little by little, we moved what true wealth of spirit can be. away from the fear of our growing We note with high interest how pains. We began to lear? from these so many of us are trying to practice experiences. Genuine prudence re- AA’s principles in all of our affairs, placed destructive fear. And out of how the quest for emotional and our collective experience in working spiritual growth is quickening and and living together there finally is being reflected at horne, at work emerged the Twelve Traditions of and in the world at large. Our fami- Alcoholics Anonymous-the present- lies, too, have adopted AA’s Twelve day basis for the truly splendid unity Steps as their own. Their Al-Anon

June 1960

To Father Ed- Godspeed ! By Bill W.

E ARLY Sunday morning, April Louis International Convention of 3rd, Father Edward Dowling 1055. I t secms altogether fitting that died peacefully in his sleep. The place I repcat the introduction I then made was Memphis, Tennessee. Cheerfully of him, together with an account of unmindful of his ebbing health, he the unforgettable impression he left had been visiting one of his “CanaW* upon me the very first time we metgroups. Never was there a gayer a fragnicnt of history recorded years evening than in the hours before. afterward in A A Cotnes o f Age: He would have wanted to take his “With decp joy, I prcscnt to you leave of us in just that way. This was Father Ed Dowling who lives at the one of the most gentle souls and Jesuit Housc right hcre in St. Louis. finest friends we AAs may ever know. Father Ed, knowing whence comes He left a heritage of inspiration and his strength, is dcfinitcly allergic to grace which will be with us always. praise. Noncthcless 1 think that ccr- Father Ed had planned to be at lain facts about him should be put our 1960 Long Beach Convention, into our record-facts that new gencome July. This prospect, now to be erations of AAs ought to hear, read, unfulfilled, brings a moving recollcc- and know. tion of his appearance at AA’s St. “Father Ed hclpcd to start thc first * A favorite undertaking wtrich Ire fortncletl, Fcrtlrer Ed’s Cuna groups are dedicated, under CIturch rruspices, to the solrttion of diflicrrl! jutnily problenis through the practice o f AA’s Twelve Steps.

I ” P

AA group in this town; he was the group; it had turned out to be largely you.’ ‘Oh, Lord!’ ,I said. ‘Not an- always brought to me the same sense first clergyman of his faith to note Protestant, but this fazed him not a other one! And at this time of night. of grace and the presence of God. the surprising resemblance between bit. Sonic of us could remember his Oh, well, bring him up.’ My case is no exception . Many who the spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius first piece about us in The Qiteett’s “I heard labored stcps on the meet Father Ed experience this touch (founder of the Jesuit order) and the Work, thc Sodality’s magazine. He stairs. Then, balanced precariously of the eternal. It is no wonder that Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anony- had been the first to note how closely on his cane, he came into the room, he ,was able to fill all of us there in mous. As a result, he was quick to in principle AA’s Twelve Steps paral- carriyng a battered black hat that the Kiel Auditorium with his inimwrite in 1940 the first Catholic rec- leled a part of the Exercises of St. was shapeless as a cabbage leaf and itable spirit on that wonderful Sunday ommendation of AA of which we Ignatius, a basic spiritual discipline plastered with sleet. He lowered him- morning.” have any knowledge. of the Jesuit order. He had boldly self into my solitary chair, and when Everyone then present will remem- “Since then, his labor for us has written in effect to a11 alcoholics and he opened his overcoat I saw his ber this famous quote from Father been a prodigy. Not only have his especially to those of his own faith: clerical collar. He brushed back a Ed’s St. Louis talk: recommendations been heard world- ‘Folks, AA is good. Come and get shock of white hair and looked at “There is a negative approach wide, but he has himself worked at it.’ And this they certainly had done. me through the most remarkable pair from agnosticism. This was the ap- AA and for AA. Travels, AA meet- His first written words were the be- of eyes I have ever seen. We talked proach of Peter the Apostle. ‘Lord, ings, wise and tender counsel-these ginning of a wonderfully benign in- about a lot of things, and my spirits to whom shall we go’?” doubt if works of his can be measured in fluence in favor of our fellowship, kept on rising, and presently I began there is anybody in this hall who thousands of miles and thousands of the total of which no one will ever be to realize that this man radiated a really ever sought sobriety. I think hours. able to compute. grace that filled the room with a sense we were trying to get away from “In my entire acquaintance, our “Father Ed’s talk to us at the Con- of presence. I felt this with great in- drunkenness. I don’t think we should friend Father Ed is the only one from vention that Sunday morning nilshed tensity; it was a moving and mysteri- despise the negative. 1 have a feeling whom I have never heard a resentful with humor and deep insight. As he ous experience. In years since I have that if I ever find myself in Heaven, word and of whom I have never spoke, the memory of his first ap- seen much of this great friend, and it will be from backing away from heard a single criticism. In my own pearance in my own life came back whether I was in joy or in pain he Hell.” (End) I life he has been a friend, adviser, to n ~ cas fresh as though it were great example, and the source of yesterday: One wintry night in 1940 Just before his death, Father Ed had completed the article he wrote for more inspiration than 1 can say. in AA’s Old Twenty-Fourth Street A A TODAY, the twenty-fifth unniversary com~nernorativebook prepared by “Father Ed is made of the stuff of Club in New York 1 had gone to bed the Crupevine. The article will appear in the book under the M e , “AA’s the saints.” at about ten o’clock with a severe Steps for the Underprivileged Non-AA.”-THE EDITORS. + + * dose of self-pity and my imaginary “A great cheer of welconie greeted ulcer. Lois was out sonlewhere. Hail Father Ed Dowling as, indifferent to and sleet beat on the tin roof over his grievous lameness, he niadc his my head; it was a wild night. The way to the lectern. Father Dowling of Club was deserted except for old the Jesuit order in St. Louis is inti- Tom, the retired fireman, that diamately known to AAs for a thousand mond in the rough lately salvagcd miles and more around. Many in the from Rockland asylum. The front Convention audience remembered doorbell clangcd, and a moment latwith gratitude his ministry to their er Toni pushed open my bedroom spiritual needs. St. Louis old-timers door. ‘Some buni,’ said he, ‘froni St. recalled how he helped start their Louis is down thcrc and wants to scc

PROGRAM of the 2 5 t h Anniversary Convention AA L O N G BEACH, California. JULY 1 – 3 , 1960 MONDAY, JUNE 27TH S A T U R D A Y , JULY 2 N D 10:oo A.M. Auditorium Registration opens 8:30 A.M. Workshops-‘Panel Discussions 10:30 A.M. Concert Hall “Service in AA,” Charlie B., AA Trustee, Vancou. THURSDAY, JUNE 30TH ver, Canada, Chairman; twelve speakers Evening Exhibit Hall Get Acquainted Dance-Host Committee Convention Hall uAA in Prisons,” Clinton Duffy, Cal. Adult Authority, Sacramento, Cal.; Warden Alfred F. Dowd, Ind. State Prison, Michigan City, Ind., Kenyon J. F R I D A Y , JULY 1ST Scudder. Field Services Director. The Osborne Association, inc., Balboa Island, ~ a l . 8:30 A.M. Workshops-Panel Discussions Lafayette Ballroom “What We Should Know About Community Facili- 10:30 A.M. Convention Hall “Get Acquainted With the Board, GSO and ties,” Allen B., AA Trustee, Chairman; Pat C., AA Grapevine” Trustee; Ernest A. Shepherd, Administrator, Fla. Alcoholic Rehabilitation Program, Avon Park, Fla.; Concert Hall “Recovery in AA,” Icky S., Dallas, Tex., former AA Dr. John R. Philp, Chief, Dep’t. of Alcoholic Re- Trustee, Chairnian; 12 speakers on 12 Steps habilitation, Dep’t. of Health, Berkeley, Cal. Lafayette Ballroom “As the Community Sees Us.” Prof. Harrison bl. 2:30 P.M. Concert Hall UAA Around the World,” L. Ivan Underwood, non- Trice, non-AA Trustee, Cornell University, Ithaca, AA Trustee. Chairman, Rye, N. Y.; AA speakers N. Y., Chairman; Dr. Milton A. Xlaxwell, Prof., from overseas Dept. of Sociology, Washington State College, Pullman, Wash.; Wessely Hicks, columnist, “The Tele- Convention Hall “AA and Medicine,” Archibald R. Roosevelt, nongram,” Toronto, Canada; John hl. Murtagh, Chief AA Trustee, Chairnian; Dr. Harry Tiebout, non-AA Justice, Court of Special Sessions, N. Y. C. Trustee, Greenwich. Conn.; Dr. Hal W. S.. AA doctor, Tex.; Dr. W. W. Bauer, A.M.A., Chicago, 111. 2 3 0 P.M. Concert Hall “Unity in AA,” Cliff W., Whittier, Cal., former AA Trustee, Chairman; 12 speakers on 12 Traditions Lafayette Ballroom “AA and Industry,” Dr. John L. Norris, Rochester, N. Y. Medical Director. Eastman Kodak Company, Convention Hall “The Clergy and AA,” Sum C., AA Trustee, Chair- non-AA Trustee, Chairman; Dr. C. A. D’Alonzo, man; Rev. Tom Shipp, Lovers Lane Methodist Asst. iZledical Director, DuPont. Wihnington, Del.; Church, Dallas, Tex.; AA clergyman, Rev. George Wni. .I. Smith, Asst. Regional Director, AFL-CIO, F. P., Canada; Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Dougherty, Phoenix, Ariz. Pres., Seton Hall Univ., South Orange, N. J. 8:00 P.M. Memorial Stadium “AA Today and Tomorrow,” A1 S., AA Trustee, Lafayette Ballroom “AA and Hospitals,” John P. L., AA Trustee, Chair- Chairman; Bernard R. Smith, non-AA Trustee and man; Dr. I. Jay Brightman, Exec. Director, N. Y. former Chairman of the Board; Bill and Lois State Health Resources Board, Albany, N. Y.; Sister hl. Ignatia, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland, S U N D A Y , JULY 3 R D Ohio; Dr. Nelson J. Bradley, Lutheran Hospital, Chicago, Ill.; Col. Edw. B. Towns, Towns Hospital, 11:00 A.M. Memorial Stadium Bill, Chairman; Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Dougherty, N. Y. C. Pres., Seton Hall University, South Orange. N. J.; Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Calvary Episcopal 8:00 P.M. Memorial Stadium “One Man’s Story,” Mort J., Los Angeles, Cal., Church, Pittsburgh Pa. Chairman; Leonard V. Harrison, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Bill and Lois Evening Memorial Stadium Big Show-Anniconshow

AI-Anon meetings scheduled in Wilton Hotel Alkathon AA meetings will be held in Exhibit Hall July 1-2 at 8 and 10 A.>1., Noon, 2 and 4 P.M., Midnight and 2 A.M.

J u l y 1960

with others and prayer was the sole local services, no world services. “LET’S KEEP I T SIMPLE” formula for our surviyal and growth. Returning to that early-time brand of

…BUT HOW? These were the uncomplicated years simplicity would be as absurd as sellof halcyon simplicity. There was no ing the steering wheel, the gas tank need for the maxim “Let’s keep it and the tires off our family car. The simple.” We couldn? have been less car would be simplified all right-no complicated. more gas and repair bills, either! But The contrast between then and our car wouldn’t go any place. The now is rather breath-taking. To some family life would hardly be simpliof us it is frightening. Therefore we fied; it would instantly become conby Bill W. ask, “Has AA really kept faith with Dr. Bob’s warning, ‘Let’s keep it fused and complicated. A formless AA anarchy, animated simple’? How can we possibly square only by the “Let’s get together” spirit today’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Tra- just isn’t enough for AAs here and ditions, General Service Conferences now. What worked fine for two score T HIS GRAPEVINE will be read as we celebrate AA’s Twenty-fifth Anniversary in July at Long Beach, General Service Board Trustees, together with our Headquarters legal, financial, public relations, editorial and International Conventions with our original coffee-and-cake AA?” For myself I do not find this diffimembers in 1938 won’t work at all for more than 200,000 of them in 1960. Our added size and therefore California. We shall be stepping over experts and their staffs. Our group greater responsibility simply spells a new threshold into our future. We and area services add still more to cult to do. Genuine simplicity for today is to be found, I think, in what- the difference between AA’s childshall rejoice as we think of the gifts this seeming complexity. hood and its coming of age. We have and the wonders of yesterday. And, Twenty-two years ago last spring, ever principles, practices and services that can permanently insure our seen the folly of attempting to recap as we rededicate ourselves to fulfill- we were just setting about the forma- ture the childhood variety of simpliing the immense promise of AA’s tion of a trusteeship for AA as a widespread harmony and effectiveness. Therefore it has been better to city in order to sidestep the kind of tomorrow, we shall certainly survey whole. Up to that moment, we had responsibility that must ‘dlways be how we stand today. Have we really neither stated principles nor special state our principles than to leave them vague; better to clarify their faced to “keep it simple” for today. “kept AA simple”? Or, unwittingly, services. Our Twelve Steps weren’t We cannot possibly turn back the have we blundered? even a gleam in the eye. As for the applications than to leave these unclear; better to organize our services clock, and shouldn’t try. Thinking on this, I began to won- Twelve Traditions-well, we had only The history of our changing ideas der about our fundamental structure: forty members and but three years’ than to leave them to hit-or-miss methods, or to none at all. about “simplicity for today” is fasthose principles, relationships, and experience. So there wasn’t anything cinating. For example, the time came attitudes which are the substance of to be “traditi~nal”~ about. AA was Most certainly indeed, a return to our Three Legacies of Recovery, two small groups: one at Akron and the kitchen table era would bring no when we actually had to codify-gr hoped-for simplicity. It could only organize, if you please-the basic Unity and Service. In our Twelve another in New York. We were a Steps and Twelve Traditions we find most intimate family. Dr. Bob and mean wholesale irresponsibility, dis- principles that had emerged out of twenty-four definitely stated princi- I were its “papas.” And what we harmony and ineffectiveness. Let’s our experience. There was a lot of ples. Our Third Legacy includes a picture this: there would be no defi- resistance to this. It was stoutly said in those days went. Home par- Charter for World Service that pro- lors were meeting places. Social life nite guiding principles, no literature, claimed by many that our then simvides thousands of General Service no meeting halls, no group funds, no ple (but rather garbled) word+franged around coffeepots on kitchen mouth recovery program was being Representatives, hundreds of local tables. Alcoholism was of course planned sponsorship, no stable lead- Committeemen, eighty General Serv- described as a deadly malady. Hon- ership, no clear relations with hospi- made too complicated by the publiice Conference Delegates, fifteen esty, confession, restitution, working tals, no sound public relations, no cation of AA’s Twelve Steps. We

were “throwing ‘simplicity’ out the -when we would have to learn how window,” it was said. But that was to make “material things” serve not so. One has only to ask, “Where spiritual ends. Somebody with exwould AA be today without its perience had to be at the steering Twelve Steps?” That these principles wheel and there had to be gas in the were carefully defined and published AA tank. in 1939 has done (only the Lord As our Trustees and their coknows) how much good. Codifica- workers began to carry our message tion has vastly simplified our task. worldwide, our fears slowly evap Who could contest that now? orated. AA had not been confused- In 1945, a similar outcry arose it had been simplified. You could ask when sound principles of living and any of the tens of thousands of alworking together were clearly out- coholics and their families who were lined in AA’s Twelve Traditions. It coming into AA because of our was then anything but simple to get World Services. Certainly their lives agreement about them. Yet who can had been simplified. And, in reality, now say that our AA lives have been so had ours. complicated by the Traditions? On When our first General Service .the contrary, these sharply defined Conference met in 1951, we again principles have immensely simplified drew a long breath. For some, this the task of maintaining unity. And event spelled sheer disaster. Wholeunity for us AAs is a matter of life sale brawling and politicking would or death. now be the rule. Our worst traits The identical thing has everywhere would get out in front. The serenity happened in our active services, par- of the Trustees and everybody else ticularly in World Services. When would be disturbed (as indeed it our first trusteeship for AA was sometimes was!). Our beautiful created there were grave misgivings. spirituality and the AA therapy The alarm was great because this would be interfered with. People operation involved a certain amount would get drunk over this (and inof legality, authority, and money, and deed a few did!). As never before, the soon they would be gone, too. The Service Conference together, despite the transaction of some business. We shout went up, “For God’s sake, let’s I Trustees would be quite isolated and its special expense and perils? Or, had been running happily about say- keep this thing simple!” Cried some unconnected with the fellowship they would we sit on our hands at home, ing that AA had “completely sepa- members, “Why can’t Dr. Bob and served. The first big gale could well awaiting the fateful consequences of rated the spiritualfrom the material.” Bill and the Trustees go right on run- bowl them over. AA would suffer our fear and folly? What, in the long It was therefore a shocker when Dr. ning those services for us? That’s the heart failure at its vital center. Irre- run, we wondered, would really be Bob and I proposed World Services; only way to keep it simple.” trievable collapse would be the al- the better – and therefore the simwhen we urged that these had to But few knew that Dr. Bob was most certain result. pler? As our history shows, we took head up in some kind of a permanent mortally sick. Nobody stopped to Therefore we AAs had to make a action. The General Service Conferboard, and further stated that the think that there would soon be less choice: what would really be the ence of Alcoholics Anonymous has time had come-at least in this realm than a handful of old-timers left; that simpler? Would we get that General just held its tenth annual meeting.

Beyond doubt we know that this in- lors. As neighbors, my friend has a dispensable instrument has cemented dozen AA cronies. He sees them our unity and has insured the recov- constantly over kitchen tables and ery of the increasing hosts of suffer- coffee cups. He takes a frequent ers still to come. whack at Twelfth Step cases. For Therefore I think that we have him, nothing has changed; it’s just kept the faith. As I see it, this is like AA always was. how we have made AA truly simple! At meetings, my friend may see Some may still ask, “Are we never- some books, pamphlets and Grapetheless moving away from our early vines on a table. He hears the lady Tradition that ‘AA, as such, ought secretary make her timid announcenever be organized’?” Not a bit of it. ment that these are for sale. He We shall never be “organized” until thinks the New York Intergroup is we create a government; until we a good thing because some of his say who shall be members and who fellow members were sponsored shall not; until we authorize our through it. On World Services, he boards and service committees to is not so clear. He hears some pros mete out penalties for nonconform- and cons about them. But he conity, for non-payment of money, and cludes they are probably needed. He for misbehavior. I know that every knows his group sends in some AA heart shares in the conviction money for these undertakings, and that none of these things can ever this is okay. Besides, his group’s hall happen. We merely organize our rent has to be paid. So when the hat principles so that they can be better comes by, he cheerfully drops a buck understood, and we continue so to into it. organize our services that AA’s life- As far as my friend is concerned, blood can be transfused into those these “modernizations” of AA are who must otherwise die. That is the not a bit shattering to his serenity or all-in-all of AA’s “organization.” to his pocketbook. They merely rep- There can never be any more than resent his responsibility to his group, this. his area, and to AA as a whole. It A concluding query: “Has the era has never occurred to him that these of coffee-andcake and fast friend- are any but the most obvious obligaships vanished from the AA scene tions. because we are going modem?” Well, If you tried to tell my friend that scarcely. In my home town I know AA is being spoiled by money, polian AA who has been sober several tics and over-organization, he would years. He goes to a small meeting. just laugh. He’d probably say, “Why The talks he hears are just like those don’t you come over to my house Dr. Bob and I used to hear-and also after the meeting and we’ll have anmake-in our respective front par- other cup of coffee.” (End)

July 1960

ow that we’re celebrating our N twenty-fifth birthday, many of us naturally like to look back through later would find it a thrilling and marvel at, while the live green growth helpful thing to be reminded in this of AA as we know and cherish it way of the history of his own freedom simply withered away. We’d be so our history to AA’s beginnings. How from the killing compulsion to drink. busy admiring our statuary that we much of this is good for us, both as Other places, too, of course, could not hear or heed the crying individuals and as a movement? should be considered. Perhaps our voices of drunks all around us dying Inevitably, many fine human be- fellow members in England, say, for lack of our help. A N 0 N y M 0 US ings have been involved in all stages of that history, from its very earliest would decide to honor their first Years ago Dr. Bob quashed what anonymous member by marking the might have been the beginnings of roots to the present day. ‘ h e y de- site where he first heard the message. just such a disaster when he discour- S E PT serve our recognition and gratitude. However, as we honor our heritage And Ohio, Texas, and California aged the idea of erecting a big monumembers would have a good case for ment to him, by saying to Bill, “Why we must, in my opinion, be careful to paying tribute to the early members can’t we just get buried like other HER E keep those personalities. as wonder- who carried the message in those folks?” states, by putting velvet ropes around It set an example for all of us, and the sickbeds from which those incidentally made it clear to the world “founding fathers” first arose to walk that we in Alcoholics Anonymous in the AA way. feel our work is more important than Scores of members-and maybe our persons, that AA members do non-members, too-would use such not seek prestige as a reward for places to improve their conscious their AA activities, or any preeinin; contact with God through their pray- ence or power within AA itself. Coners of thankfulness for the existence, trary to so much in the non-AA wisdom, and work of those people. world today, this attitude distin- In that way, such sites would have guishes us now from the powerful as they were and are, subsidiary real value, and could be good things drivers and money-grubbers we used to the eternal principles of AA. for many of us. And therefore dan- to be, and keeps the lid on these ten- For example, monuments to the gerous, I think. It has so often been dencies in us now, for the protection memory of historic people are an proved in AA that the good in the of our fellowship. Surely this is one accepted part of our national life, short run is the enemy of the best in of the strengths and glories of our with undeniable inspirational and the long run. movement, and one of the most valaesthetic value-a good way of re- We could easily slip into a binge uable lessons its history teaches us. minding us of our political freedoms of competitive monument-building, Other examples have been estaband their history. So suppose some of glorifying people all over the place. lished for us, too. One of our greatest us in AA got together the funds to Although protecting the letter of universities wanted to confer on Bill buy the house on Brooklyn’s Clinton anonymity, we could thus subtly an honorary LL.D. for his work in Street where a sober Ebby T. found avoid its spiritual implications, and behalf of alcoholics. Technically, the his drinking friend Bill W., and sup- undermine one of the precious key- university intended to respect the letpose we preserved it as a monument stones of our fellowship. The AA ter of the tradition of anonymity by to them-anonymously, of course. landscape would be littered with hon- using only the name “Bill W.” Even I’m sure that many an AA now and orary sculpture for us to stand and .so, Bill turned it down.

Bill would have been other than chain-reaction of honor-getting seri- the old Twenty-fourth Street club- every way I can, the gift of sobriety. human had he not wanted it. In my ously damage our whole society? house to answer those pleas. These I need to work harder at AA today. opinion, he richly deserved it, just That is why the Lasker Award that members were really functioning for There is no time for misty-eyed senas a dozen or maybe a hundred other year, for the only time in its history, the first time at a worldwide service timentality or nostalgia for yesterday, good AAs around the world deserve went not to an individual, but to our level, doing the work now carried on with all the AA jobs around me that honors from their townsmen, from fellowship as a whole. by your General Service Office. need doing today. legislatures, from industrial and Here’s another example. New Perhaps it is even more significant I get even more of a wallop when health associations, for the tremen- York’s historic old AA clubhouse that the old building with its long I read the book “AA Comes of Age.” dous work they have done in combat- on Twenty-fourth Street was con- “last mile,” its mantelpiece where I find it an awesome experience, and ting this public health problem. They demned to make way for new hous- early speakers leaned, and its nar- the word gratitude is inadequate to all have every right to such benefits, ing, but some good AA members set row stairway leading to the tiny bed- express what I feel. If it were not for except one: they owe their lives and out to raise funds from other mem- room upstairs, remained a beehive of that history, where would most of us sobriety to AA, and what would hap- bers to save the old building and AA activity up to the last minute. be today? That history is a precious pen to AA if such a business ever got move it to a new site close by. Some eighteen groups were meeting heritage, nourishing our AA life of really going? We’d have authorities, Some of the first reactions were there weekly. New drunks were find- today with the strength, the shared and competition, and slips all over negative. “Should we in AA of all ing AA there every day. experience of the past. the place, I fear. places turn our faces to yesterday? On the basis of that record, I’ve That book teaches me that per- It can be argued that such honors Isn’t it contrary to our spiritual prin- had to reach this decision: if those haps the most precious legacy I have would hasten the public’s recognition ciples to spend time and money and who want to preserve the old place inherited from the earliest members of alcoholism as a disease, would energy preserving relics of the past? want to further the good work started is the third one-the responsibility for encourage the public to support wor- Doesn’t it violate the spirit of our there, and if visiting it helps members giving service. That third legacy thy programs in the general field of Twelfth Tradition to preserve in appreciate more and more the lessons makes possible the other two, if I alcoholism, and probably would at- honor the room where Bill slept?” of AA’s past, that can perhaps be a participate in it. It continually makes tract many new members to us and I’ve tried to examine my own re- good thing. But if it is to be a profit- sure of my own recovery. It unites thus save many lives. actions closely, inquire deeply into making enterprise, soliciting AAs to me with my fellow alcoholics in a All good results, I agree. But my own motives, and assemble all the save the clubhouse as a monument to bond of giving. which is the better result for the wel- pertinent facts before coming to any glorify a person, that’s quite another Today’s opportunities for service fare and future of our beloved fellow- conclusion. matter. Maybe that’s a pretty good are sure tools for preserving and imship: maintenance of the spirit of The facts are: that old building rule of thumb for weighing any proving my own sobriety-in person- Tradition Number Twelve, or the saw some important AA history perpetuation of our history, or any al Twelfth Step work, in group servestablishment of a caste of “honored” made. The lessons of many of our such project connected with it. ice, in helping with Intergroup work, drunks among our members? Traditions were bitterly forged out in There’s a lesson here, I think, for and in supporting the worldwide Our founders faced the same di- practice there, before they were dis- my own AA growth. Once every few Twelfth Step work carried on through lemma in 195 1 when the 12,000 tilled into writing for the guidance years I go look at the old church the Conference structure by the Genphysicians of the American Public of those of us who came later, to save building on Forty-first Street in eral Service Office. Health Association proposed to pre- us many griefs and troubles. When Manhattan where I first found an AA Older members told me my first sent the Lasker Award to them. It Jack Alexander’s original Saturday home. It renews my gratefulness for day, “The only way to keep sobriety was respectfully declined. If any AA, Evening Post piece about AA came the existence of AA and the un- is to give it away.” Could there be a even a founder, is rewarded publicly out in 1941, and thousands of suffer- counted blessings it has brought me. better way to honor our AA heritage for his work, aren’t there scores of ers wrote New York for help, night It strengthens my feeling of responsi- and those who have given it to us? others also deserving? Could not a after night volunteers slaved away in bility: I must pass on unstintingly, in Anonymous, New York City

August 1960

Vermont Salutes AA

tent is to make professional inquiry B Y PROCLAMATION of Governor Robert T. Stafford, the state of Vermont will take official note of into the basis and methods of the AA program of recovery from alcoholism AA’s twenty-fifth anniversary in a -will be a medical doctor, a socioloweek-long celebration next October, gist, a psychologist, and a political according to an announcement issued scientist. jointly by the Governor, the Univer- Bill W., AA’s surviving cosity of Vermont, and AA groups of founder, will address the gathering Vermont. The Vermont origins of the after the discussion period, presenttwo founders of Alcoholics Anony- ing material about the early experimous-Bill and Dr. Bob-will receive ences of AA and its development. special emphasis in the Governor’s Bill’s participation in this meeting is proclamation. expected to attract the interest of A high point of the ceremonies to professional people. be held during the week of October The following day-Saturday, Oc- 16-22 will be Governor Stafford’s tober 22-workshop discussions are presentation, on behalf of the state of scheduled, with both AA members Vermont, of a “citation to the Fellow- and non-AA professional people preship of Alcoholics Anonymous.” Dr. sent to answer questions and discuss John Norris, a non-alcoholic trustee problems that may be brought up by and vice-chairman of the General anyone attending the session. On the Service Board of Alcoholics Anony- evening of the same day a “giant bui mous, will accept the citation for AA otherwise typical” AA meeting will at a ceremony scheduled to take take place in the Memorial Auditoplace on Friday evening, October 2 1, rium in Burlington at which Bill W. on t h e University of Vermont -and others from New York Citycampus. will speak. All meetings scheduled Following the presentation, mem- for the special anniversary observabers of the faculties of the UVM tion are open to the public. College of Medicine, St. Michael’s During the entire week beginning College, Norwich University, and October 16, according to the an- Middlebury College will direct ques- nouncement, individual members of tions to three AA members from the AA will make themselves available General Service Office in New York. for anonymous interviews via news- Among the questioners – whose in- papers, radio, and television. (End)

September 1960-

parts of the AA world listened in lowship of AA. After a sobering AA

AA’s grateful silence as the twelve AA members representing Australia, England, Norway, Belgium, Scotinventory he gave us the choice of “settling for self-satisfaction and mediocrity or of growing into greatness land, W. Germany, South Africa, the of spirit and of action.” Twenty-f ifth Anniversary Canal Zone, Puerto Rico and El SaL vador accepted copies of this “re- On Sunday morning under a vivid blue California sky, the spiritual nadedication” from AA’s co-founder to ture of our program and our obligations and gratitude to God and our Celebration take back to their home areas. The long speaker’s platform was frhmed by a backdrop of golden fellow man ‘were beautifully expressed by the Right Reverend Mondrapes on either side of the huge AA signor John J . Dougherty and the banner, a blue triangle on white with Reverend Sam Shoemaker before a An Eyewitness Report the words Recovery, Unity, and Serv- meeting led by Bill W. Every AA ice bordering each side. Directly in present joined in love and deepened front of the backdrop the flags of unity as this last serious gathering participating nations rippled in the closed with the Lord’s Prayer. breeze. The night was brilliantly clear Sunday night was the night of the and on one side of the platform off Big Show planned and produced by B Y God’s grace we are here assembled in grateful remembrance of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of our fellowship. At this meaningful quarter-century mark, we are deeply aware that we in the distance a small illuminated cross a-top an unseen church hung, the entertainment committee. It was a gay and lively two hours of sheer stand upon the threshold of a great door which opens wide into our future. seemingly, suspended in the air. On fun. Each member of the cast-with Ours can be a destiny o f ever-increasing promise and fulfillment. Our faith the other side high and aloof the new the possible exception of a disgrunin this vision has never faltered. moon floated. Symbolic blessings on tled chimpanzee who forgot his lines But the future would still lack its full use and meaning did it not bring us our gathering together! It was a scene -was a professional entertainer of fresh problems and even acute perils-problems and perils through which we of extraordinary loveliness as well as world-wide fame. The anonymity of can grow into true greatness of action and spirit. strength and grace. the AA players as well ab the non- T o these ends we have pledged our lives and fortunes; we here rededicate The Friday night before in this AAs must be guarded here as it was ourselves to an ever-deepening love of each other . . . love for the wondrous same impressive setting Bill had paid by the press, so it is impossible to creation in which we live and serve . . . and love for its supreme author, God tribute to AA’s dedicated and loving detail the contribution each made to Himself. non-alcoholic friends and families this wonderful performance. We are This is the sense o f our meeting- and to the faithful, long-serving non- sure, however, it is not an exaggera- We now entrust you twelve from AA’s furthest reaches-you who symbol- AA Trustees seated with him on the tion to say that never in the history ‘ ize the unique and loving communication that is ours in this universal jellow- stage. He had then told his personal of show business have great personship-with this message to members everywhere; and most especially to all story, and of his search for freedom alities given so freely of their talents those others who still know not, and who, God willing, may soon issue out under God. On this Saturday night, and affections to a more appreciative of their darkness into light. before giving the message of rededi- audience. At the close of the evening cation printed above, he spoke of the the entire audience joined the cast , With these words Bill W. closed Stadium in Long Beach, California. meaning of AA’s Twelve Traditions in softly singing the moving words the great meeting on Saturday night Nearly 10,000 A A . members with as they related to this same search for “Now is the hour when we must say July 2 at the Veterans’ Memorial their friends and families from all freedom under God by the total fel- good-byw-then at the count of three

by our MC the bright spots on the cially came to its ending. stage went dark and ten thousand H . W.,Stafl Member matches glowed against the evening (Ed. note-In the November issue the sky. And so in deep peace and love, Grapevine will print some of the joy and confidence, the twenty-fifth major papers as well as more Conanniversary celebration of the found- vention highlights and condensed ing of Alcoholics Anonymous offi- versions of Bill’s talks.)

October 1960

. Our Pioneers Overseas – So then, what can we do-we here in distressing garble that has plagued many North America? distant AA groups for years, we shall need . Well, we can greatly increase the tempo to furnish far more and better translations of what we have been doing. Let’s scan of our basic literature. Sheer lack of an just a small sampling of our overseas understanding of AA’s Twelve Traditions projects: has routinely created chaotic conditions in Americans and Canadians alike are many a land. Even our book “Alcoholics much traveled in these days. Therefore Anonymous” has seen but two complete let each traveler remember that many a translations. In mimeograph form the bare group abroad has been started by a text of the book can be read in only two voyaging AA like himself (or herself). We more tongues. Of course this challenge have a World Directory. Let all such has to be met, and very soon, we believe. messengers be supplied with this valuable Our whole foreign department at New I ‘w just finished reading the printer’s of peace, recently drove alone across the galleys for this international number of whole African continent and emerged our Grapevine. There are deeply stirring unscathed; then think of those loners means of communication. This can mean untold inspiration to the loner or the group to be found at many a destination. York headquarters must be enlarged. There is an urgent need for more staff work-which would mean far better comcommunications from South Africa, stationed in other areas of strife-how they Here, for instance, is a crying current munication with those abroad. Until Northern Rhodesia and the Congo; from continue to maintain their sobriety and need. As this GV goes to press, pande- recently, no overseas group had ever been Japan, Indonesia, New Guinea, Tasmania, struggle to start new groups; please re- monium has broken loose in Paris. One visited by anyone from our world head- Australia; from Cuba, Trinidad and member the intense concern of the AA paper there is carrying a series of sensa- quarters-excepting Lois and me. That visit Jamaica; from Saudi Arabia and from who felt he had failed a brother member tional pieces about AA in America. To was ten years ago. Of course we deeply West Germany, Denmark, Holland, Fin- who had committed suicide; ponder the say the least, that characteristic desire of hope that we can still make a few similar land, Ireland, Scotland and England. good humor of the Middle East AA meet- the French to be dramatic has been going journeys. But even these, if made, could Yet this eye-arresting array of AA’s ing as its members gather in a secret pretty far. scarcely add up to the consistent personal overseas beachheads and bases reveals rendezvous lest the military authorities One of these articles describes my first contact that will one of these days be scarcely more than a quarter of our total or some of our Mohammedan friends (who meeting in 1934 with my own sponsor, needed. activity in distant places and countries. never drink!) might be offended. Consider, Ebby. It displays a screaming headline So, AAs in America, let us back our Out on those far reaches there are hun- in these articles, the problems of those about two inches high. Allegedly, I say overseas pioneers to the limit. Without dreds of groups and thousands of fellow fast-growing overseas centers just now over the phone; “Come quickly, Ebby, I delay, let’s back them with a still more members. Our language of the heart is emerging from their pioneering time-how have gin!” Despite this astounding and lively understanding, with still more dedialready spoken in perhaps a dozen tongues. they have slowly gained the confidence of most comical distortion of our Twelfth cated travelers, and with every bit of aid This is the pioneering front of AA today. medicine, religion and the press; how they Step approach, the French alkies are and information and inspiration that we We often speak of our loners, of our have finally grown into unity through an nevertheless flocking to the AA colors. can send to them across the waters. In solitary groups, and of our several large ever better application of our Twelve Our tiny group at Paris is nearly swamped. this respect no single agency can do more centers abroad, as beachheads, bases and Traditions; how they have tried to make Scarcely a one of them can speak French. than our world headquarters. Here all of fronts. But in a very real sense these good their desperate lack of language So, AA travelers, there in Paris is your us can participate. Here a few more condescriptions are misnomers. Though our translations; and how they have well chance-especially if you can “parlez- tribution dollars can make an enormous Mloners and groups do live and do carry begun to cross all barriers of race, creed vous”! difference-something that we shall be our message in many areas of danger and or social condition. This, and more, can Then we have the men on ships, those bound to remember every time the hat is revolution, there is no evidence that they be read in and between these special lines Internationalists of ours. May their num- specially passed for this great and unique fear their surroundings; there is little sign which they have penned f o ~this GV bers and their dedication continue to grow. service purpose. that their presence in these hot spots is International Issue. They have already planted and nurtured I am sure that we shall soon press these unwanted. Their entire non-aggressiveness, Beyond doubt, this exciting pioneering AA all over the world. T o them we all and many more projects into a far higher their single purpose of bringing a new front of AA today brings great promise of exclaim, “May your plantings increase and gear. Then our pioneers beyond the seas light to all who suffer alcoholism, is a vast world-wide unfoldment for to- may your harvests bulge the AA will feel that they have something more perfectly clear. Theirs are beachheads for morrow. Our friends abroad well under- granaries!” than our interested approval and occasionhealth and for faith, and this is for all to stand that this is no time for complacent Now look into our efforts at GSO-AA’s al help. They will know that our constant see. relaxation: their letters eloquently portray world headquarters. We can surely enlarge and unstinted love has become theirs-and Witness the AA gal who, on an errand their intense industry and dedication. those overseas services. To eliminate the theirs for keeps! (End)

October 1960

– -come an.. alcoholic. but was now of Irwin Shaw’s friend. ‘lhe cnaln 01 — – –

Title of the series of doing well in AA. He also told him communication had been forged and seventeen articles in Paris newspaper of another friend, a colleague in the the results-these comprehensive ak translates into literal English or: “The Newfoundland Dogs of Alcoholism.” same studio where he worked, who ticles. So far, they have covered a had also become an alcoholic and Rhinelander Group meeting in New E VERYONE at GSO was delighted to meet the distinguished author of “The Lionw-Joseph Kessel, of Trials). A born fighter, he took part as a volunteer in two world wars. In 1914 he was in the Air Force; in who was now well and happy in AA. York City, Bill’s story, the story of These stories impressed Kessel so the AA member Jef met in Paris and much that he determined to visit AA a visit to the Bowery. in town to gather material for a series 1940 he joined the Free French in the United States and learn some- In Paris nearly everyone goes on of articles about AA for his paper, forces. He composed the words of the thing about it. vacation during the latter part of the Parisian France Soir. AAs rallied famous ‘Chant des Partisans’ with He was fearful, though, that he July and all of August, so the Paris ’round to take him to meetings and Maurice Druon, In 1927 he received would not be able to do the sort of Group is having its problems in to points of AA interest in New York the grand Prix du Roman of the job he wanted to, as he knew no one handling the inquiries, but Nick is so that he could have first hand know- AcadCmie Fran~aise,and last year, in AA, and was sure that any AAs supervising the operation and Fred’s ledge of our program. It’s all very the Rainier I11 prize for his novel, that he might meet “cold” would be secretary is working after hours to well to read pamphlets and statistics, ‘The Lion.’ Our readers will not have standoffish and reluctant to talk answer the letters and get out the but the communication of the heart forgotten his fine reporting on about themselves to a stranger. Just pamphlets and books in French that Bill speaks of so eloquently can Asiatic ruby mines, Afghan centaurs, at this time, Irwin Shaw, the Ameri- which GSO and Quebec City have best be achieved through human the slums of Hong Kong, nor the can writer and an old friend of his, supplied. beings talking to one another. As a more recent extraordinary story of happe’ned to be in Paris. Jef talked Will this mean the same thing to result, almost a year later, the articles Dr. Kersten, Hitler’s masseur who to him about the doubts he had con- France that the Saturday Evening are presently appearing in France snatched hundreds of thousands of cerning his ability to get a good story Post article meant to us here in the Soir. Six are out and there will be victims from the crematory ovens.” about AA for France Soir. Shaw im- States? We hope so with all our at least six more to come. [Home-grown translation. Forgive mediately told Jef that a very close hearts. The first article had this to say any crudity!] friend of his was in AA, also visiting Ann M., GSO Sta8 Member about “Jef” Kessel: “Born in the The first France Soir articles tell Argentine, the tenth of February us of how Kessel became interested 1898, of a Russian father, Joseph in AA. He had heard of it but Kessel is one of the most distinguish- thought it insignificant, similar to ed French novelists and newspaper- many rather odd sects that he had men. read of as peculiar to the U.S. Then “This specialist in great adven- he had a conversation with an old tures, this bard of sky heroes friend, a scenarist who had been (LIEquipagc, Mermoz, Le Grand working for many years in the United Balcon, etc.), started his career in the States. The last time they had met most academic milieu in Paris, ‘Le was in Hollywood in 1948, ten years Journal des Dtbats’ (The Newspaper earlier. During the conversation the

U U L .. – < .

pendencies and destructive Power- really choose. driving. Similarly, our whole society, and In this freedom quest, We are al- every group in it, will constantly face ways given three choices, A rebel- these identical decisions. Shall we

4′-: t settle for destruction? Shall we try sibility, trust and love, in our rela- . only for the temporary comforts of always have to deal with the fearful times love our society more than tions with each other and with the forces which are released when the ourselves. a complacent mediocrity? Or shall world around us. Out of these prac- Tradition Two – “For our group we consistently face the disciplines, human ego runs amuck – the same tices flows the spiritual energy that forces that are shattering the world purpose there is but one ultimate aumake the sacrifices and endure the moves us along the road to full thority . . . a loving God as He may discomforts that will qualify us to of our time. Deliver u s froin ternptaliberation. tion must therefore continue to be a express Himself in our group conwalk the path that invariably leads As we ponder protection, we toward true greatness of spirit and prime ingredient of our every atti- science. Our leaders are but trusted see that our Traditions warn against tude, practice and prayer. When servants . . . they do not govern.” action? the perils of public fame and power, These reflections are meant to be things go well, we must never fall This is a study in mutual trust in God, against the perils of great wealth, into the error of believing that no in ourselves, and in our service leadbackground for the theme of this ar- against the making of compromising ticle-the Twelve Traditions of Alco- great ill can possibly befall us. Nor ership. This has been one of our alliances, against professionalism. should we accuse ourselves of “nega- finest experiments and it has sucholics Anonymous. We are reminded that we may deny tive thinking” when we insist on fac- ccedcd far beyond our expectations. AA’s Traditions are the yardsticks no alcoholic member his member- Tradition Three defines the pering the destructive forces in and by which our fellowship can accu- ship, that we must never create an around us, both realistically and sonal liberty of the AA member. It rately measure its progress-or the authoritative government of men. effectively. Vigilance will always be says, in effect, that any alcoholic can lack of it. In our Traditions we see We are cautioned that we should be an AA member the moment he the price of survival. such wisdom as we have been able never force AA’s message upon the says so. Neither can any of us deto muster in a quarter of a century This is the protective aspect of our world by aggressive promotional Traditions. But AA’s Twelve Tradi- prive him of that membership, no of living and working together. That schemes, and that we should shun these principles stake out the path tions should provide us with far more matter what his behavior. Perhaps public controversy as the devil him- than protection against mediocrity no other society has ever staked out we ought to follow, there can be self. such a broad expanse of liberty for little doubt. and dissolution-and they do. Such are typical examples of Let’s now think about the positive, the individual as this. Every AA As we contemplate the Traditions the protective prudence which our we see that they have two main char- the progressive side of AA’s Tradi- newcomer feels at once that he is Twelve Traditions directly express, tions; the disciplined sacrifices and wanted and trusted and loved. How acteristics, and that each of these or clearly imply. Some claim that aspects reinforces the other. responsibilities that we shall need to well we understand his needs; certhese warnings are nothing but the undertake; the degree of mutual trust tainly we have had them ourselves. The first aspect of the Twelve sum of our collective fears. Once and love that we shall need to achieve Seldom has any alcoholic taken un- Traditions is protection; the second upon a time this was very true. In if we are to find the greater freedom fair advantage of that unlimited charaspect is progress. We are first re- our first years, every violation of we seek. The length of this article ter for freedom. We took this deciminded what our fellowship’s tempta- these precepts seemed to threaten will not admit a full examination of sion for individual freedom years tions really are and by what means our actual existence. We then doubt- all Twelve Traditions in this respect, ago. We are glad that we did; there we may best deal with them. This is ed if our rebellious membership but a few examples can serve to illus- has never been any cause for regret. Dur basis for a continuous moral in- could ever resist its great tempta- Tradition Four is yet another conventory of our collective behavior- trate just what we mean. tions. But we have resisted, and so Take Tradition One. It says that fident declaration of mutual trust and the first step to actively casting aside we have survived. Therefore the stark our road blocks. In the affirmative AA’s common welfare comes first. love as it flows from each AA group fears of yesterday have since given This really means that our persona! to the other. We give each group or positive aspect of the Traditions way to a vigilant prudence-somewe learn, both directly and impliedly, ambitions will have to be set aside full autonomy, the undisturbed right thing quite different from unreason- every time they conflict with the to manage its own affairs. T o make how we may best apply the high ing panic. ideals of sacrifice and willing respon- safety or the effectiveness of our fel- this condition doubly permanent and Of course, we know that we shall lowship. It means that we must some- secure, we have guaranteed to all

AA groups that they will never be bers would doubtless conceive count- us. No doubt mankind has wrung lessly abandon the principle of persubjected to any centralized govern- less schemes for doing good. In many a freedom out of violent con- sonal anonymity at the top public ‘mentor authority. In turn each group those few past instances where we troversy and bitter war. Yet we AAs level. This possibility arises from the agrees that it will never take any have taken outside money, distrac- have had to learn that the kinds of fact that many of us AAs have been, action that could injure us all. Rarely tion and contention within has been freedom that we must possess cannot and sometimes still are, possessed by indeed has any AA group ever for- the almost uniform result. Therefore possibly be obtained by violence. As enormous power drives. These are gotten that precious trust. we are well aware that the respon- a fellowship, we cannot fight any- frequently fueled by an almost irre- Tradition Seven proclaims AA’s sibility for full self-support brings us body, anywhere or at any time. This sistible craving for money, approval, principle of self-support. In it, we great spiritual and practical bless- has been proved. When we had and public acclaim. My own past undertake to pay every cent of our ings. This is sacrificial prudence at directly attacked John Barleycorn, history is outstanding in this respect. own service expenses, meanwhile its best-a chief bulwark to our cher- we had lost. Booze fighting had never I can well understand the constant declining outside contributions. ished freedoms. worked. When we quarrel too much temptation to turn one’s self into a The fact that we don’t take money Another example: Tradition Ten with each other, we get drunk. public figure. Therefore I have urged, from the outside world builds ‘con- is an emphatic warning against pub- Hence genuine peace will always in season and out, that we A h fidence in every alcoholic who thinks lic controversy. This was perhaps the be a chief ingredient of AA’s free- maintain our personal anonymity at of approaching us. This we know. first AA Tradition ever to take shape. dom. But let none suppose that we the top level, no matter what the Public good will has also been in- Of course we did reserve that some- I shrink from major conflict only be- personal sacrifices may be. creased because people like the idea times enjoyable right of quarreling cause we are afraid. Nowadays we Our chief hope for the future is that the once irresponsible alcoholics among ourselves about lesser mat- believe we keep the peace because that these appalling urges of ours have now become responsible. There ters! But when it came to the awful we love each other. will be held in restraint by selfis no doubt, either, that this salutary issues that rock society about us, Let’s now examine that vital Tra- discipline, by love of AA, and by firm practice takes us in the direction of such as politics, religion, reform and dition Eleven. It deals with our pub- group and public opinion. These increased freedom for ourselves. By the like-well, the early AAs knew lic relations. Here is our greatest powerful constructive forces, all resolutely declining outside funds, these terrible conflicts were surely channel of communication to the working together, have thus far been whether offered by individual donors not for them. alcoholic who still suffers. Tradition enough. We pray that they may or by governments, we are making Later on, a new aspect of this same Eleven reads: “Our public relations always prevail. dead sure that we shall always pre- peril came into view. All sorts of peo- policy is based on attraction rather Let’s look once more at how serve our own liberty of action. ple and organizations begged us to than promotion; we need always immense this temptation really is. Hence the old adage, “Who pays the “take stands,” “deliver opinions,” maintain personal anonymity at the A vast communications net now piper calls the tune” will never be and “fight evils,” all up and down level of press, radio and films.” Since covers the earth, even to its remotest descriptive of us. the line. Again we instantly saw that this great Tradition describes the reaches. Granting all its huge public There is little question that large if we ever embarked upon such a most important application of AA’s benefits, this limitless world forum sums could be raised today for AA- course, it would certainly be our fin- principle of anonymity, and because is nevertheless a hunting ground for that is, if we ever gave the word. ish. Drunks by the thousands would it sets the pitch and tone of our en- all those who would seek money, Perhaps no greater calamity could be kept away from AA through tire public relations policy, nothing acclaim and power at the expense befall our fellowship than such a de- sheer prejudice. The same old peril can be more critically important. If of society in general. Here the forces velopment. We would be at once ab- would again menace us. This time it personal ambitions ever invade our of good and evil are locked in strugsolved from the beneficial respon- would crash in from the outside. public relations we shall be badly gle. All that is shoddy and destrucsibility of raising our own funds. This was when we AAs knew for crippled, perhaps lost altogether. tive contests all that is best. With lots of other people’s money sure that we had to be at peace- The danger, of course, is the pos- Therefore nothing can matter available, our idea-a-minute mem- internally, and with the world around sibility that we may one day reck- more to the future welfare of AA

than the manner in which we use present at AA’s Twenty-fifth Annithis colossus of communication. versary in Long Beach rededicated Used unselfishly and well, the results themselves to the service of AA. They can surpass our present imagination. kncw that the choice was theirs, and Should we handle this great instru- they made it. These were their telling ment badly, we shall be shattered by words : the ego demands of our own people- “By God’s grace we are here asoften with the best of intention on sembled in grateful remembrance of their part. Against all this, the sacri- the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the ficial spirit of AA’s anonymity at the founding of our fellowship. top public level is literally our shield “At this meaningful quarter-century and our buckler. Here again we must mark we are deeply aware that we be confident that love of AA, and stand upon the threshold of a great of God, will always carry the day. door which opens wide into our fu- Lastly, in Tradition Twelve, we ture. Ours can be a destiny of eversee “Anonymity as the spiritual increasing promise and fulfillment. foundation of all our Traditions, Our faith in this vision has never ever reminding us to place principles faltered. before personalities.” “But the future would still lack its This principle, and its enormous full use and meaning did it not bring implications, touches every aspect of us fresh problems and even acute our lives. Anonymity is humility at perils-problems and perils through work. To maintain the humility of which we can grow into true greatour society we shall constantly take ness of action and spirit. stock of our temptations and of our “To these ends we have pledged defects. The spirit of anonymity calls our lives and fortunes. We here reupon each of us for personal sacrifice dedicate ourselves to an ever deepin every level of our fellowship’s un- ening love of each other-love for dertakings. Only through such will- the wondrous creation in which we ing sacrifices can we AAs meet our live and serve, and love for its responsibilities to ourselves, to the supreme Author, God Himself. victims of alcoholism everywhere, “We now entrust you of AA’s disand to society as a whole. Here we tant reaches-you who so well symclearly see that only sacrifice can bolize the unique and loving comfulfill responsibility; that only high munication that is ours in this uniresponsibility can lead to mutual versal fellowship-to carry this mestrust; and that only mutual trust can sage to fellow members everywhere; be the foundation for great love- and most especially to all those each of us for the other, and a11 of others who still know not, and who us for God. God willing, may soon issue out of In just this spirit, all of those their darkness into light.”

December 1960

W e have just passed our quarter century mark. All this year long we have celebrated. Memories of our beginning have deeply stirred us as-one by one-we have summoned up those living images of early founding friends, those great events and ideas upon which liberation has since so securely rested. We have been giving thanks for both our pains and our rewards. We have tried to meditate upon all of our blessings, but have found them to be endless -all but infinite.

T here could be no more fitting nor happier culmination to our Twenty-FifthAnniversary than this very special Christmas in this year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty. May the spirit of the Prince of Peace continue to reign in all of our aflairs for so long as God may wish our well loved society to grow in His service.

In Memory of Hank by Bill

With infinite regret and with the deepest of feeling, I have to tell you of the death of Hank G.-your friend and mine. He passed away from us on the twenty-sixth of October while on a trip to study AA groups in the United Kingdom and Ireland, at the invitation of their General Service Board. He, his new wife Mid, and friends were in Ireland, en route from Sligo to Belfast, having just visited AA in Scotland and England. He died in the course of a fruitful and strenuous journey in our behalf. I want to record the immense debt that we and I owe to Hank. For more than a decade he has managed our General Service Office. In all those years, he gave his amazing energy and competence together with an unmatched love, to AA. His work for our Fellowship is his monument. For our whole Fellowship, Lois and I send the greatest affection and sympathy to Mid, his wife, and his family. With them, we thank God for a life so well lived and a race so well run.

‘s FIRST AA quarter-century is now history. Our iixt twenty-five years lie in prospect before us. HOW, then, can we make the most of this new grant of time? , believe that -AN; recovery Stem and Traditions do rep d ~ ‘ resent the approximate triths which we need for our particular purpose. The more we practice them, the more we Perhaps our very first realization should be that we can’t like them. So there is little doubt thar AA principles constand still. Now that our basic principles seem established, tinue to be advocated in the form they stand now. now that our functioning is fairly effective and widespread, So then, if our basics are so firmly fixed as all this, what it would be temptingly easy to settle down as merely one ,is there left to change or to improve? The answer will more useful agency on the world scene. We could con- immediately occur to us. While we need not alter our clude that “AA is fine, just the way it is.” truths, we can surely improve their application to our- Yet how many of us, for example, would presume to de- selves, to A A as a whole, and to our relation with the world clare, “Well, I’m sober and I’m happy. What more can I around us. We can constantly step up “the practice of these want, or do? I’m fine the way I am.” We know that the principles in all our affairs.” price of such self-satisfaction is an inevitable backslide, As we now enter upon the next great phase of AA’s life, punctuated at some point by a very rude awakening. We let us therefore re-dedicate ourselves to an ever greater have to grow or else deteriorate. For us, the “status quo” responsibility for our general welfare. Let us continue can only be for today, never for tomorrow. Change we to take our inventory as a fellowship, searching out our must; we cannot stand still. flaws and confessing them freely. Let us devote ourselves Just how, then, can AA go on changing for the better? i-..- – — to the repair of all faulty relations that may exist, whether – Does this mean that we are to tinker with our basic prin- di. .—. d I I

, within o; without.

ciples? Should we try to amend our Twelve Steps and And above all, let us remember that great legion who still Twelve Traditions? Here the answer would seem to be ,suffer from alcoholism and who are still without hope. “no.” Those twenty-four principles have first liberated us, Let us, at any cost or sacrifice, so improve our communihave then held us in unity, and have enabled us to function cation with all these that they may find what we have found and to grow as AA members, and as a whole.,Of course -a new life of freedom under God. 1

– *.* L icL-. t * “” B – .. r’g t. .

August 1961 d i

FORMULA FOR, AN AA MEETING in the CLEVELAND Area I

From the birthplace of A A come customs ‘that stand ., the test of time

OUR meetings are attended by go for an hour and get pretty hot. has resulted in some very interesting many opportunities for on-the-spot 0 members, their wives, husbands and widows. The only closed meet- If the chairman keeps things in hand fairly well, our meetings usually discussion periods and a considerable increase in attendance. The Inde- Twelfth Step work. We have found that the bottom in ings are for women only or men only. wind up in about ninety minutes. An- pendence Group is the only group AA has been raised considerably i a We have two of each in the Cleve- nouncements are read by the secre- that I know of doing it this way. So the last three years and the majority land area and one each in Akron. tary before the group has coffee and far we haven’t had any rocks thrown of new members want to know the Occasionally a preacher, a personnel pastry. Some groups have sand- a t us. right answep now. In order to be a director or a judge will attend one of wiches, occasionally, instead of Because we have St. Thomas Hos- good sponsor today it seems to me our meetings as a guest of an indi- pastry all of the time. Others have pital in Akron, Rosary Hall at St. that a person should be exceptionally vidual AA member. Three times potluck suppers that prove to be Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleve- well informed. A lot better informed yearly our Central Committee in quite popular. We call our new mem- land and several good alcoholic nurs- than ever before. Cleveland sponsors a Consolidated bers “babies.” ing homes in the area, we do have H . B., West Richfield, Ohio Meeting made up of members from In all of my travels throughout the Cuyahoga County groups and their U. S. and Canada I truly believe that interested friends. This is usually our members are less concerned I called an open meeting for interested about their anonymity among thempeople, not prospects. selves than any other part of these We usually have one speaker. He two countries. At the public level I opens with his personal prayer, the don’t believe we have had a break in Serenity Prayer or a silent prayer. anonymity since around 1946. Then he speaks (we call it leads) Since September of 1959 my group from thirty to fifty minutes. He then has been having assigned subject asks the group to join with him in the meetings. By having our speakers Lord’s Prayer and then the meeting talk on particular aspects of the prois opened for comments, questions or gram we have been listening to prediscussion. This can go for fifteen o r pared talks and not too much blowtwenty minutes and I have seen some by-blow drinking experiences. This

September 1961

FORMULA FOR AN AA MEETING in s o m t w CIIRINI [@ c Some warm and friendly AA customs in his luggage for a non-existent applause and the “Hi!” will start him have spread from the Golden State bottle one night, he found the book on his way to becoming an AA ham. and desperately began reading it to A typical Los Angeles meeting pass the time until dawn would break lasts an hour and a half. Most start and the liquor stores would open. at 8:30 in the evening and end at I0 N their attitude toward meetings, sometimes violently. Alcoholics here I Southern California AAs tend to display a certain foot-loose, fancy- (like all Southern Californians) are freeway-trained rovers. Hence, He never did buy any more booze. Instead, realizing that in order to keep his tender new sobriety he had o’clock. There are usually two speakers, a man and a woman, but there may be several, or there may be only free disposition characteristic of this groups draw their membership from to give it away, he went to Los one if a special speaker from the part of the country. Here an AA far and wide. Whether they want to Angeles, assembled an assortment of “circuit” is booked. member may “belong” to a dozen or not, groups inevitably contend to lushes and started a meeting. He had There is usually a five- or tengroups (in the sense of being on the a certain extent for the same people. never attended one, but he had the minute coffee break in the middle of membership rolls), or to none. He Supermarkets here have the same book. He began by reading Chapter the meeting, following the first may officially belong to a group he problem. Five, and since then every Southern speaker. The second part usually beseldom attends, and attend groups he But open or closed, discussion or California meeting-all descendents gins with the reading of the Twelve doesn’t belong to. Shopping around “speaker” meeting, every group in of that first one-has opened the Traditions-another opportunity to is common. Certain speakers are Southern California observes two in- same way. break in timid newcomers with apdrawing cards. When word gets violable customs. From the very start, the typical plause and “Hi’s!” If they get hung around that one of these is going to One custom is that of opening the Southern California meeting has a up on the pronunciation of “autonospeak, the usual attendance of a meeting with the reading of the first certain distinctive flavor which might mous” or “anonymity,” as they often score may jump to a hundred or few pages of “Alcoholics Anony- be called the “Hi!” flavor. do, the applause afterwards is extra more. mous.” I t dates back to the first AA When the chairman opens the loud. The impression, especially in All this is hard on secretaries. A meeting held in Los Angeles on De- meeting with “I’m So-and-so, and the larger meetings, is one of infecsecretary seldom knows who really cember 19, 1939, and it began by I’m an alcoholic,” he is greeted with tious joviality. is a member of the group. In a year, chance. A Denver alcoholic had gone a “Hi, So-and-so!” Another Southern California cushalf the membership of a group is to the Mayo Clinic to learn that his Whoever is chosen to read the ex- tom is that of celebrating anniverlikely to have moved away or started alcoholism was hopeless; but a doc- cerpt from Chapter Five is also saries with birthday cakes. At the end frequenting other meetings, without tor at the clinic gave him a copy of greeted with the “Hi!” when he (or of the meeting, just before the Lord’s telling the secretary. And the busiest the book, which had just been pub- she) gives his name, applause as he Prayer, the chairman may say, “We bee in the group may turn out not lished, telling him it might contain walks to the podium and applause have a custom in AA of calling newto be a member at all, or at least not some useful ideas. The book stayed when he concludes. comers ‘babies.’ We do this because enrolled. in the alcoholic’s luggage on a drink- The Chapter Five reader is likely we believe alcoholics finding AA so- As one might expect, group mem- ing jaunt to Mexico which ended in a to be fairly new to the program but briety for the first time have been in bership fluctuates in volume greatly, Palm Springs hotel. Here, searching no matter how timid he is at first, the a certain sense reborn. And as babies

grow older, they have birthdays. ble ambulatory forest fires impresses Tonight we are celebrating such a even the most hardened skeptic. birthday. For 365 consecutive days Some groups give cakes decorated of total sobriety-Jerry W.!” with the recipient’s name, and he is At this point, to the usual ap- allowed to take his cake home. In plause, Jerry, dressed in his best be- some groups, the cake is sliced and cause he knew full well what was served after the meeting. Emergen- ‘ about to happen, makes his way to cies have been known to occur in the podium while someone, such as which the same cake had to be used his wife or sponsor, emerges from more than once in the same meeting the back room with a cake bearing a -hastily taken back, recandled and lighted candle. relit, and so on. After all, we are not The raggedly sung strains of saints. We claim only spiritual prog- “Happy Birthday, Dear Jerry” peal ress. out somewhat discordantly (or once The thundered “Hi’s!” as each in a while with grade AA barber- speaker gives his name, the applause shop harmony), and the beaming for everything, the universal scurry- Jerry accepts the cake. The singing ing like wheeled rabbits to everyconcludes with a mournfully drawn where from* everywhere; together, out “Keep coming ba-a-ack!” and they give an impression of cordiality, Jerry blows out the candle, a feat joviality and open-handedness that is which evokes tremendous applause. rather startling but usually pleasing Jerry expresses his thanks in a few to people who encounter it for the words, or sometimes enough to give first time. everybody the fidgets, and returns to Of course, some think it forced, his seat amid more applause. even phony glad-handing greeterism. The newcomer’s expressed atti- A few are genuinely shocked by the tude toward this may be one of fact that most speakers and leaders supercilious condescension, and he give their last as well as their first may refer to it as rampant, blatant, names. It seems anything but anonysloppy sentimentalism-but he will mous. And this light-heartedness be impressed nonethless, and is likely (some might say light-headedness) to nourish a secret inner feeling of is not found in all groups. It is most envious hope. noticeable in the larger ones-and There may be two or more birth- maybe that is why they are large. days celebrated at a meeting. Some But for the secretaries, the steergroups have an annual birthday night ing committees, the sober-sides-for for old-timers who are given cakes all those who like things tidy, orderly with as many as fifteen or twenty and predictable-it’s a hard AA life candles. The sight of ten or twelve here in Southern California. old-timers receiving cakes that resem- C. A ., Los Angeles, Calif.

January 1962

members, and if special doctors’ meetings help. He has been sober more than fifteen years, and has at- DOCTORS IN AA tended all the AA doctors’ special meetings. Here’s what he said: “As my Another in the series drinking got worse and worse, three of articles about special psychological obstacles held me back from AA: What will my beloved pro- could talk over AA with fellows who meetings fession think of me and will 1 be were not only AA members, but also barred from practice for being an members of his profession. “A docalcoholic, or for admitting it, or for tor is trained to use self-assurance as

w HAT can we AA members do to help the millions of our suffering brother and sister alcoholics who have not yet profited from our probottom” and the young alcoholic. If AA’s framework of ideas can be put into new terms which awaken therapeutic, healing cchocs in those alcoseeking help from laymen; if I went to AA and it became known, would I have a medical practice and be able to make a living for my family; what a useful treatment device,” he said. “It comforts patients, and an MD learns to admit his doubts only to another MD; not even his wife. I gram of recovery? holics who cannot respond to AA as would my friends think if 1 went to wasn’t discontented with laymen’s That question was put to guest it is now generally presented, they too AA?” AA, but I thought it would be even speaker Dr. E. M. Jellinek, non- might be helped, Dr. Jellinek sug- All three drawbacks were thrown nicer to have a fellow alky medic alcoholic dean of the world’s alco- gested. He said the alcoholic popula- off one bitter day when he felt so around.” holism scientists and a long-time tion so far not reached by AA may desperate he declared aloud, to him- Another idea grew at the same friend of AA, at the twelfth annual be as large as 99.5 per cent of the self, “I don’t give a damn what any- time. “One sober doctor in AA could meeting of “International Doctors in world’s alcoholics. AA seems to be one thinks; I want to get well!” And have little effect on the medical pro- AA” in Toronto, Canada. now effective with between one-half so the drinking doc finally found AA fession,” he said, “but an organized Dr. Jellinek had two specific sug- and five per cent of the alcoholics in and sobered up. Now he has answers group of respected physicians, all of gestions: “Remain flexible,” he said any given North American, British or for each of those doubts which once them good, sober AA members, “and develop new sets of language in Scandinavian culture. kept him from AA. might be a real help to my profession which to express your unchanging The annual AA doctors’ assembly A few years ago his county medi- in its attempts to understand alcoprinciples-terms which are under- is a good example of a specialized, cal society honored this man with a holism and its treatment.” standable to other alcoholics. It’s a highly developed communication special “award of merit” because of He discussed his idea with many matter of communication.” technique which reaches alcoholics his work with alcoholics. His private sympathetic medical men, as well as Dr. Jellinek also said he foresaw a otherwise not touched by AA. Their practice so flourished that it got out the AA General Service people. Then brilliant future for AA, so long as it meetings reveal a way of “carrying of hand and he finally had to give it with their advice and encouragement continues to adapt itself and develop the message” uniquely effective with up and retire to a less strenuous pub- the July, 1949, issue of the Grapenew techniques to meet the ever- doctors who suffer from alcoholism, lic health post in another state. He vine carried a short note, headed, changing present. He pointed out that men who might never have found lost only one friendship because of L L AA DOCTORS!” It announced ~ ~ ~

the concepts and ideology of early- AA in the ordinary way. his sobriety, and that was with a man the plan, purpose and place of the day AA seemed to be most effective I asked the doctor who started the who seems to have a drinking prob- first “International Doctors in AA” with “last gasp” alcoholics, but as “International Doctors in AA” if lem. assembly. time has passed the AA terminology alcoholic doctors have a harder time After several happy years of so- Twenty-five medics showed up for has evolved to attract both the “high with the AA program than some briety, this doctor began to wish he that session, and there have never

pected only AA could help me, but I hasn’t been the same since,” he said. quently about alcoholism and AAsimply couldn’t bring myself to trust “As AA gave me the courage to hold both as a doctor and as an AA memlaymen for treatment.” He was one up my head as an alcoholic, these ber-to all kinds of groups, both lay of several doctors present who said meetings gave me the courage to hold and professional. that in their case a narrowly literal up my head as a doctor. When I met “At the annual meeting of Interadherence to the words of AA’s Tra- all these fine doctors in AA, it was national Doctors in AA we get assobeen fewer at any of the succeeding dition of “attraction rather than pro- the greatest thing that ever happened ciation with men of our own profesmeetings. More than 1SO MD mem- motion” would have condemned to me professionally. Association sion in an AA spirit,” he said. “It is bers of AA have attended the meet- them to death. They were saved when with them has enabled me to assume an addition to our AA lives, not a ings over the years. One, a Briton, other AA doctors refused to wait for my real responsibilities within the substitute for anything else.” came over from India. Many others them to ‘become “attracted” to AA. medical profession.” That pretty well sums up how this from many countries have corre- The sober doctors simply went to He stopped hiding from other AA grateful non-medical AP; guest felt. sponded; forty-three doctors were their drinking colleagues, broke their members the fact that he is a doctor. It delighted my heart to hear in the present at the 1961 meeting. Doctors personal anonymity privately, and He has made his own case history over-coffee bull sessions far h o r e talk came to Toronto from two Canadian laid the facts about alcoholism and known to the secretary of the county about the spiritual values in our proprovinces and seventeen states of the AA on the table. Coming from an- medical society. “Look at all the good gram than there was about drug U.S.A., and most brought their wives other doctor, this unsolicited sharing just one AA doctor can do in his therapy for alcoholics. And furtherand children. Five of them were psy- of knowledge and experience has community,” he pointed out. He said more, I came away convinced I had chiatrists, several of whom specialize worked for many drinking doctors. he not only twelfth-steps his patients been present at a meeting pointing to in treating alcoholics. Almost every Perhaps this Twelfth Step technique in his practice, freely discarding his some of AA’s future growth along other known branch of medical is an example of a different kind of anonymity if he thinks it will do some exactly the lines Dr. Jellinek had inscience was represented. carrying the message, or communica- good, but is called in to help other dicated-new channels of communi- Many of those present are eminent tion, which works with some other- doctors in trouble. He speaks fre- cation. B. L., New York City in medical circles, some are even in- wise unreachable alcoholics. ternationally distinguished. All are Virtually all of the AA doctors at respected, licensed practitioners in the Toronto meeting are active in good standing, and all belong to their local AA groups, and many reported appropriate professional societies. serving on local and General Service Many of them serve on committees committees. They seemed to have an or commissions dealing with alco- unusual respect for AA’s Traditions holism. Obviously, this comparatively –especially those regarding anony- ‘small group of AA members wields mity and co-operation with other a far greater influence on the alco- agencies. holic problem than some other AA The experience reported by a chest groups can. disease specialist, sober since 1948, One of the most vital services they is typical. When he saw the 1949 have performed is twelfth-stepping Grapevine notice about doctors in other doctors who need help but AA, he longed to go and was relieved hesitate to approach AA. As one doc- to learn he wasn’t the only “peculiar” tor told me, “I knew I was having doctor. He got to the second internabooze trouble, and I secretly sus- tional doctors’ session, and “Life

March 1962

HOW THAT SLOGAN STARTED Q. What is the source of the quotation “There but for the grace. of God, go I”?

A. This quotation is attributed to several people and it is not clear who said it first. It is related of John Bradford (1510-1555) that whenever he saw criminals being taken to the place of execution, he would exclaim: “But for the grace of God there goes John Bradford.” Very much the same is related of St. Phillip Neri (1515-1595). When he saw a criminal going to execution he is supposed to have said: “There thou goest, Phillip, but for the grace of God.” In “The Boscombe Valley Mystery,” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has his famous hero say: “I never hear of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter’s words, and say, ‘There but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.’ ” The reference is to the author Richard Baxter ( 1615-169 1) .The . saying is also attributed to the Reverend John Newton (1725-1807) who was rector of the Church of St. Mary, London. John Galsworthy (1867- 1933) used almost the same expression in his play “A Family Man”-“I say, Mayor-but for the grace of God, there go we.” From “Why Not Ask,” B y Rev. Jornes F. Rigney, S.T.D., The Catlrolic News

September 1962

I was in this anything-but-spiritual mood on the night when the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous were written. I was sore and tired clear How The Twelve Steps Were Bomk through. I lay in bed at 182 Clinton Street with pencil in hand and with a tablet of scratch paper on my knee. I could not get my mind on the job, much less put my heart in it. But here was one of those things that had to be done. Slowly mv mind came into some kind of fbcu;. .r 17 William Street, Newark, were sent to Dr. Bob for checking A New Jersey, Henry had an office which was the headquarters for a and criticism in Akron, where we had nothing but the warmest support. Since Ebby’s visit to me in the fall of 1934 we had gradually evolved what we called “the word-of-mouth by the fall of 1938, we were telling, newcomers. Several of the Oxford Group’s other ideas and attitudes had rapidly failing business. He also had But in the New York meeting the program.” Most of the basic ideas been definitely rejected, including a sccrctary named Ruth. The othcr chapters got a real mauling. I rcdic- had come from the Oxford Groups, any which could involve us in theoassets consisted of a huge desk and tated them and Ruth rctyped them William James, and Dr. Silkworth. logical controversy. In important some plush furniture. over and over. Though subject to considerable vari- matters there was still considerable Each morning I traveled all the So the job went until we reached ation, it all boiled down into a pretty disagreement between the Eastern way from Brooklyn to Newark the famous Chapter 5. Up to that consistent procedure which com- and the Midwestern viewpoints. Our where, pacing up and down in time I had done my own story and prised six steps. These were approxi- people out there were still active Henry’s office, I began to dictate had drafted three more chapters with mately as follows: Oxford Group members, while we in rough drafts of the chapters of the the titles “There Is a Solution,” 1. We admitted that we were New York had withdrawn a year becoming book. I worked from a “More About Alcoholism,” and “We licked, that we were powerless over fore. In Akron and vicinity they still hastily drawn-up list of possible Agnostics.” It was now realized that alcohol. talked about the Oxford Group’s chapter headings. Week after week, we had enough background and 2. We made a moral inventory of absolutes: absolute honesty, absolute Henry raced around among the stock window-dressing material, and that our defects or sins. purity, absolute unselfishness, and subscribers, prodding them for at this point we would have to tcll 3. We confessed or shared our absolute love. This dose was found money. Much of these funds had to how our program for recovery from shortcomings with another person in to be too rich for New Yorkers and be devoted to office expenses and alcoholism really worked. The back- confidence. we had abandoned the expressions. groceries for Henry, Ruth, Lois, and bone of the book would have to be 4. We made restitution to all But all of us, East and West, were myself, and we kept going on this fitted in right here. This problem had those we had harmed by our drink- placing increasing emphasis on Dr. basis until April, 1939, the publica- sccretly worricd the life out of me. ing. Silkworth’s expression describing the tion date of the book Alcoholics I had ncvcr written anything before 5. We tried to help other alco- alcoholic’s dilemma: the obsession A nonymous. and neither had any other member holics, with no thought of reward in plus the allergy. By now we knew As the chapters were slowly of the New York group. The hassling money or prestige. from experience that the new prosroughed out I read them to the New over the four chapters already fin- 6. We prayed to whatever God we pect had to accept Step One or get York group at its weekly meeting in ished had really been terrific. I was thought there was for power to prac- no place. our parlor at Clinton Street. Copies exhausted. On many a day I felt like tice these precepts. This particular evening, as my *From “A.A. Comes of Aee.” throwing the book out the window. This was the substance of what, mind ran over these developments, it

seemed to me that the program was Feeling greatly relieved now, I comstill not definite enough. It might be menced to reread the draft. a long time before readers of the At this moment a couple of late book in distant places and lands callers arrived. One of them was my could be personally contacted. boon companion of those days, How- Therefore our literature would have ard A. With him was a newcomer, to be as clear and comprehensive as dry barely three months. I was possible. Our steps would have to be greatly pleased with what I had writmore explicit. There must not be a ten, and I read them the new version single loophole through which the of the program, now the “Twelve rationalizing alcoholic could wiggle Steps.” Howard and his friend reout. Maybe our six chunks of truth acted violently. “Why TWELVE should be broken up into smaller steps?” they demanded. And then, pieces. Thus we could better get the “You’ve got too much God in these distant reader over the barrel, and steps; you will scare people away.” at the same time we might be able And, “What do you mean by getting to broaden and deepen the spiritual those drunks down ‘on their knees’ implications of our whole presenta- when they ask to have all their shorttion. So far as I can remember this comings removed?” And, “Who was all I had in mind when the writ- wants all their shortcomings reing began. moved, anyhow?” As he saw my un- Finally I started to write. I set out easiness, Howard added, “Well, to draft more than six steps; how some of this stuff does sound pretty many more I did not know. 1 relaxed good after all. But, Bill, you’ve got and asked for guidance. With a speed to tone it down. It’s too stiff. The that was astonishing, considering my average alcoholic just won’t buy it jangling emotions, I completed the the way it stands.” first draft. It took perhaps half an I sprang to the defense of the new hour. The words kept right on com- creation, every single word of it. A ing. When I reached a stopping point, terrific discussion developed which I numbered the new steps. They cooled only when Lois turnedeup a added up to twelve. Somehow this couple of hours later. “Why don’t number seemed significant. Without you forget about it for a while,” she any special rhyme or reason I con- said, “and have a cup of coffee.” This nectcd them with the twelve apostles. we did.

October 1962

constantly available (5) A reliance tance of unabated, energetic Twelfth upon the Higher Power (6) Total Step work f “Whenever, and as long abstinence from alcohol. Unfortu- as, the Washingtonians were working nately, the movement eventually was hard at the reclamation of drunkards, BEFORE THEY HAD AA torn apart in the political and doctrinal warfare associated with the temperance and abolition movethey had notable success and the movement thrived and grew. This would support the idea that active ments. Also, The Washingtonians outreach to other alcoholics is a faclacked vitally important features of tor in therapeutic success, and a How some basic A A ideas were tried out AA, among which Dr. Maxwell lists: necessary condition for growth-and ( 1) a program for personality change even for survival.” nearly a century and a quarter ago . . . (2) anonymity (3) a steady flow of The following pictures, taken from new ideas into the groups from out- the Arthur book, are typical of 19thside their local memberships, and Century efforts to scare people sober. (4) avoidance of causes and contro- They indicate that old J. Barleycorn The Washingtonians: versies. Dr. Maxwell sounds a sol- hasn’t changed much in the past hun- An AA colleague recently dropped each became known to the others, emn warning as to the vital impor- dred years. by at the Grapevine office to leave and they felt a sudden hope springa tattered and Watermarked volume, ing up in their minds-a hope in the nearly a century old, called “Six power of association. Sad experience Nights With the Washingtonians.” had proven to each that alone he Thought we might like to look could not stand. But together . . . through it, he said, and see how close they would conquer!” They organdrunks had come to hitting on AA ized a society, called it The Washtherapy that long before 1935. We ington Temperance Society, and “debegan to read. termined that they would increase In the spring of 1840, the author, their number.” T. S. Arthur, relates, “there were as- What happened to them? By an sembled in a drinking-house in this AA “coincidence” there arrived at city (Baltimore) six men, well ad- the Grapevine the same week an exvanced in years, who had for a long cerpt from a scholarly treatment of time been confirmed drunkards, so “The Washingtonian Movement” wedded to the love of strong drink as written by Milton A. Maxwell, Ph.D. to have found it almost impossible and published in the Quarterly Jourto live without daily resort to it.” nal of Studies on Alcohol. The Wash- Though they met accidentally, and ingtonians, Dr. Maxwell points out, had gone there to drink, there was, had certain notable features later inthat day, “in the mind of each a corporated into AA: ( 1) Alcoholics strong desire to get out of his en- helping each other ( 2 ) Weekly meet- Scrxr 1st-TEE Borr~eis ~nouaorour Ton TRE TIRST TIUS: TUB HUIIAIIDIXDUCLI mu Wua “Jvsr TO r r x r A DROP.” slaved and wretched condition.” ings (3) Shared experience ( 4 ) Fel- They talked. “Soon the feelings of lowship of a group or its members

G c t a r I t h . – F ~ ~ n r u ~QUARRELS AND BEUTALVIOLENCS ARE TEE NATURAL COJSCQUENCCII O? TEE P R E Q U E N ~ VIIE o r rar B o n ~ r .

& r n r 36-611 E x c c u r r o n s w r a r s orr rsr GREATER PART or z a n r a F u ~ i n r ~ u n ~Tc :a r r COYPOIIT ~ C E N S 6th. – – T a n B o r r ~ rErr DOUE ,1 WORK ITI I A r DZrTEOlCD TEE I N r A N T A N D ras M o r n r n , I r nA1 T ~ C Y ~ L L P L IWIT^ TEE DOITLC. m o u o a r r a n S o n A n s r a n D ~ u e a r ~TOnV r c n AND TO r a n Srnrrrs, A m n u L C ~ Trnr F A T ~ Er E a o r r L r a MAMIAC.

AA GRAPEVINE, NbVEMBER 1962 should taste good too. He liked the seemed to make up the greater part taste. He liked the way it made him of after-class recreation. From Dr. feel. A little boy; a jug of hooch; Bob’s point of vicw it was the major the first securely welded link in the extra-curricular activity. It had long chain. been evident that whatever Rob did, By the time he reached his teens, he did well. He became a leader in Rob was spending parts of his sum- the sport. He drank for the sheer mers working on a Vermont farm or fun of it and suffered little or no illjuggling trays and lugging baggage effects. His years at Dartmouth were as a bellhop in an Adirondack sum- spent doing exactly what he wanted mer hotel. His winters were passed to do with little thought of the wishes DR. BOB’S STORY trying to avoid the necessity of having to attend high school in order to or feelings of others-a state of mind which became more and more pre- In the beginning there were Bill and Bob . . . receive a diploma. During his high dominant as the years passed. Rob school days young Rob learned much graduated in 1902 . . .”summa cum of what there i; to know about a laude” in the eyes of the drinking R. Bob was born August 8,1879, D in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, a typical New England village of some swimmer. He and his foster sister, Nancy, spent many hours building and sailing their own sailboats. It billiard table. He was a good student in spite of himself and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in fraternity. The dean had a somewhat lower estimate. Now he held a Dartmouth dip- 7000 souls. As the only son of par- was here that he saved a young girl 1898. loma, but the desire to become a ents prominent in civic and church from drowning. I t was at a party given at the medical doctor was still with him. activities, his early childhood was While the boy, Rob, was high- Academy that Dr. Bob first met His mother, who had never approved spent under strict parental guidance. spirited, considered rebellious and Anne. A student at Wellesley, she of this career for her son, hadn’t al- Signs of inner revolt came at an wayward, he was also industrious and was spending a holiday with a college tered her views. For the next two early age. In later years the doctor labored long and hard at anything he chum. It was a small, reserved girl years he worked for a large scale liked to tell his children, Sue and really wanted to do. He wanted, whom the tall, rangy Rob met that company; then he went to Montreal Robert, of how he was put to bed above all else, to become a medical night. With an agile mind to match where he labored at selling railway every evening at five o’clock. He doctor like his maternal grand- his own, Anne had a cheerfulness, supplies, and heavy hardware. He would go quietly enough, a fact which father. sweetness and calm that was to re- left Montreal and went to Filene’s might have led the modem child- When he was about nine years old main with her through the years. store in Boston. psychology-wise parent to suspect the he began to show signs of liking to After high school at St. Johns- All through this period he was worst, but which seemingly went un- work, especially out of doors. That bury Academy came four years of drinking as much as purse allowed, noticed by the young man’s parents. summer he was at a neighbor’s farm college at Dartmouth. At long last still without getting into any serious As soon as he was reasonably sure helping the men load hay. Perhaps the rebellious young colt was free trouble. But he wasn’t making any that he was considered safely asleep he was resting, perhaps he was prowl- of his parents’ restraining supervi- headway either. He still wanted to he would arise, dress and slip quietly ing around poking under bushes to sion. New experiences were to be be a doctor. It was time he was about downstairs and out the back door to see what he could see . . . he saw a cxplored and enjoyed without having it. He quit his job at the store and join his village gang. jug. ..he pulled the cork and sniffed. to give an accounting. that Fall entered the University of In the summers the family often I t was a new odor to this son of His first discovery in his search Michigan as a pre-medical student. spent some weeks in a cottage by the strict New England parents. If the for the facts of life on the campus Again he was free of all restraint. sea. Here Bob became an expert stuff in the jug smelled so good, it was that joining the boys for a brew Earnestly, he got down to the serious

business of drinking as much as he could and still make it to class in the morning. His famous capacity for beer followed him to the Michigan campus. He was elected to member- “He stayed around ,about two months more … 99

ship in the drinking fraternity. Once again he displayed the wonders of worse that his fraternity brothers felt drinking simply because there wasn’t siderable stomach trouble. The remhis “patent throat” before his gaping forced to send for his father. The time for both. At one time during his edy for that was, of course, a couple brothers. Judge made the long journey in a internship he ran the hospital phar- of drinks. It didn’t take him long to He, who had boasted to his friends, vain effort to get him straightened macy by himself. This, added to return to the old drinking habits. “Never had a hangover in my life,” out. other duties, took him all over the Now he began to know the real began to have the morning-after After those long disastrous binges, hospital, running up and down the horror, the suffering that goes with shakes. Many a morning Dr. Bob when Dr. Bob was forced to face stairs because the elevators were too alcoholism. In hope of relief, he went to classes and, even though his father he had a deep feeling of slow, running here, rushing there as signed in at least a dozen times in fully prepared, turned away at the guilt. His father always met the situ- if the devil were after him. All this one of the local sanitariums. After ,door and went back to the fraternity ation quietly, “Well, what did this frenzied activity never failed to bring three years of this torture he ended house. So bad were his jitters that one cost you?” he would ask. Oddly about an cxplosive, “Now where is up in a local hospital where they tried he feared he would cause a scene if enough this feeling of guilt would that cadaverous young Yankee!” to help him. But he got his friends he should be called on. come, not because he felt that he had from one of the older doctors who to smuggle him in a quart. He got He went from bad to worse. No hurt him in any way, but because his became particularly fond of him. rapidly worse. Finally his father had longer drinking for the fun of it, his father seemed, somehow, to under- Though the two years as intern at to send a doctor out from St. Johnslife at Michigan became one long stand. It was this quiet, hopeless City were hectic, Dr. Bob had time bury to attempt to get him home. binge after another. In the Spring understanding that pained him. to learn much from the older men Somehow the doctor managed to get of his sophomore year, Dr. Bob made He was drinking more and more who were glad to share their knowl- him back to the house he was born up his mind that he could not com- hard liquor now, and coming up to edge with him. He began to peifect in, where he stayed in bed for two plete his course. He packed his grip his final exams he went on a par- his own skills so that he might be- months before he could venture out. and headed South. After a month ticularly rough binge. When he went come a specialist, a surgeon. When He stayed around town for about spent on a large farm owned by a in to the examinations his hand trem- his two years of internship were over two months more, then returned to friend, the fog began to clear from bled so badly he could not hold a he opened an office in The Second Akron to resume his practice. Dr. his brain. As he began to think more pencil. He was, of course, called be- National Bank Building, in Akron. Bob was thoroughly scared, either clearly he realized that it was very fore the faculty. Their decision was This was in 1912. His offices were by what had happened, by what the foolish to quit school. He decided to that if he wished to graduate he in the same building until he retired doctor had told him, or both. H e return and continue his work. must come back for two more quar- from practice in 1948. went into one of his long dry periods. The faculty had other ideas. After ters, remaining absolutely dry. This He was completely out on his In 1915 he went back to Chicago a long argument they allowed him to he was able to do. The faculty con- own now, and again free to do as he to marry Anne. He brought her back return to take his exams. He passkd sidered his work so creditable, he was chose-some money in his pocket to Akron as his bride. The first three them creditably. After many more able to secure a much coveted intern- and all the time in the world. I t may years of their married life were free painful discussions, the faculty also ship in City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. have been that reaction set in from of the unhappiness that was to come gave him his credits. That Fall he The first two years in Akron, as all the work, the irregular hours, the later. He became established in his entered Brush University as a junior. a young intern, were free of trouble. hectic life of an intern. Whatever practice. Their son Robert was born Here his drinking became so much Hard work took the place of hard caused it, Dr. Bob developed con- and life began to make a sensible

existence. Staying sober to earn and happiness. These people spoke who might help Bob. enough money to get drunk, getting of their problems without embarrass- At five o’clock Sunday evening drunk to go to sleep, using sedatives ment, a thing he could never do. they were at Henrietta’s door. Dr. . to quiet the jitters, staying sober, They all seemed very much at ease. Bob faced Bill W. who said, “You earning money, getting drunk, smug- Above all, they seemed happy. They must be awfully thirsty-this won’t gling home a bottle, hiding the bottle were members of the Oxford Group. take us long.” from Anne who became an expert at Self-conscious, ill at ease most of From the moment Bill spoke tohim, detecting hiding places. the time, his health nearing the break- Dr. Bob knew that here was a man This nightmare went on for seven- ing point, Dr. Bob was thoroughly who knew what he was talking about. teen years. Somehow he had the miserable. He sensed that these new- As the hours passed, Bill, newly sober pattern. Then the 18th Amendment good sense to stay away from the found fricnds had something that he himself, stranded in town on a busiwas passed. hospital and not to receive patients I ness trip and panicked by his modid not have. He felt that he could Dr. Bob’s reasoning was quite if he were drinking. He stayed sober profit from them. ment-to-moment danger of drinking, typical at this time, if not quite logi- every day until four o’clock, then When he learned that what they told of his experiences with alcohol. I cal. It would make very little dif- came home. In this way he was able had was something of a spiritual na- He told him of the simple message fercnce if he did take a few drinks to kcep his drinking problem from ture, his enthusiasm was somewhat that a friend had brought, “Show me now. The liquor that he and his becoming hospital gossip. dampened. Unfortunately his child- your faith and by my works I will friends had bought in amounts ac- Through these years Dr. Bob was hood background of church twice show you mine.” cording to the size of their bank ac- an active member of the City Hos- during the week and three times on Slowly at first, then with sudden counts, would soon be gone. He could pital Staff and often he had occasion Sunday had caused him to resolve clarity, Dr. Bob began to undercome to no harm. He was soon to to go to St. Thomas Hospital, where that he would never appear in a stand. Bill had been able to control learn the facts of the Great American in 1934 he became a member of the church so long as he lived. He kept his drinking problem by the very Experiment. Courtesy Staff and in 1943 a mem- that resolve for forty years except means that Dr. Bob himself had been The government obligingly made ber of the Active Staff. It was during when his presence there was abso- trying to use-but there was a differit possible for doctors to obtain un- one of these visits to St. Thomas, in lutely necessary. It helped some to ence. The spiritual approach was as limited supplies of liquor. Often dur- 1928, that in the course of his duties, find out that these people did not useless as any other if you soaked I ing those black years, Dr. Bob, who he met Sister Mary Ignatia, whose gather in a church but at each other’s it up like a sponge and kept it all to I held his profession sacred, would go work with alcoholics was to become homes. yourself. True, Bill had been preachto the phone book, pick out a name a legend. That they might have the answer ing his message at any drunk who at random and fill out the prescrip- Anne and the children now lived to his drinking problem never en- would listen; he had been unsuccesstion which would get him a pint of in a shambles of broken promises, tered his head, but he thought it ful until now, but the important whiskey. When all else failed there given in all sincerity. Unable to see could do him no harm to study their thing was that by giving his knowlwas the newly accredited member of her friends, Anne existed on the bare philosophy. For the next two and edge away, he, himself, was sober! American society, the bootlegger. A necessities. About all she had left one half years he attended their meet- There was one more short binge moderate beginning led to Dr. Bob’s was her faith that her prayers for her ings. And got drunk regularly! for Dr. Bob after that talk. On June usual ending. husband would somehow be an- I Then one Saturday afternoon, 10, 1935, he took his last drin.., re- During the next few years, he de- swered. Henrietta called Anne. Could they maining sober until his death on veloped two distinct phobias. One It then happened that Dr. Bob come over to meet a friend of hers November 15, 1950. was the fear of not sleeping and the and Anne were thrown in with a other was the fear of running out of crowd of people who attracted Dr. Habits are like cork or lead-they tend to keep you up or hold you d o ~ n . liquor. So began the squirrel-cage Bob because of their poise, health E. L: M., Honolulu, Hawaii

January 1963

remarkable experience while under pointed out how such an experience, treatment by you has definitely be- if brought about, might re-motivate come part of AA history. Our re- him when nothing else could. But membrance of Roland H.’s state- you did caution, though, that while ments about his experience with you such experiences had sometimes

THE BILL W. – CARL JUNG LETTERS is as follows: brought recovery to alcoholics, they Having exhausted other means of were, nevertheless, comparatively recovery from his alcoholism, it was rare. You recommended that he about 1931 that he became your pa- pl’ace himself in a religious atmostient. I believe he remained under phere and hope for the best. This I your care for perhaps a year. His believe was the substance of your admiration for you was boundless, advice. and he left you with a feeling of Shortly thereafter, Mr. H. joined much confidence. the Oxford Groups, an evangelical T o his great consternation, he movement then at the height of its soon relapsed into intoxication. Cer- success .in Europe, and one with tain that you were his “court of last which you are doubtless familiar. H ERE is a vital chapter of AA’s early history never before published. Before Bill brought the message to Bob, even before Ebbie carried the message to Bill, there was one-known as Roland resort,” he again returned to your care. Then followed the conversation You will remember their large emphasis upon the principles of self- H.-who had taken the message to Ebbie. Roland H., a helpless, between you that was to become the survey, confession, restitution and hopeless alcoholic, had been set on the spiritual path t o recovery first link in the chain of events that the giving of oneself in service to by the celebrated psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Jung of Zurich. This extraor- led to the founding of Alcoholics others. They strongly stressed medidinary exchange of letters reveals for the first time not only the Anonymous. tation and prayer. In these surrounddirect historical ancestry of AA, but the bizarre situation wherein My recollection of his account of ings, Roland H. did -find a conver- Jung, deeply involved with scientists and with a scientific reputa- that conversation is this: First of all, sion experience that released him for tion at stake, felt he had to be cautious about revealing his pro- you frankly told him of his hopeless- the time being from his compulsion found and lasting belief that the ultimate sources of recovery are ness, so far as any further medical or to drink. spiritual sources. Permission to publish Dr. Jung’s letter has been psychiatric treatment might be con- Returning to New York, he begranted to the Grapevine by the Jung estate. cerned. This candid and humble came very active with the “O.G.” statement of yours was beyond doubt here, then led by an Episcopal clergythe first foundation stone upon which man, Dr. Samuel Shoemaker. Dr. January 23, I96 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous. Though our society has since been built. Shoemaker had been one of the foun- Professor, Dr. C. G. Jung you have surely heard of us, I doubt Coming from you, one he so ders of that movement, and his was Kusnacht-Zurich if you are aware that a certain con- trusted and admired, the impact a powerful personality that carried Seestrasse 228 versation you once had with one of upon him was immense. immense sincerity and conviction. Switzerland your patients, a Mr. Roland H., back When he then asked you if there At this time (1932-34) the Ox- My dear Dr. Jung: in the early 1930’s, did play a criti- was any other hope, you told him ford Groups had already sobered a This letter of great appreciation cal role in the founding of our fellow- that there might be, provided he number of alcoholics, and Roland, has been very long overdue. ship. could become the subject of a spir- feeling that he could especially iden- May I first introduce myself as Though Roland H. has long since itual or religious experience-in tify with these sufferers, addressed Bill W., a co-founder of the society passed away, the recollections of his short, a genuine conversion. You himself to the help of still others. One

L

of these chanced to be an old schoolmate of mine, named Edwin T. (“EbbyM-Ed.). He had been threatened with commitment to an institution, but Mr. H. and another ex- “. . . there came a vision. . . of a society of alcoholics.. . 99

alcoholic “O.G.” member, procured his parole and helped to bring about his sobriety. marked my friend Edwin for a hope- Anonymous,” and also in “AA perience. This concept proved to be Meanwhile, I had run the course less case. Yet here he was in a very Comes of Age,” basic texts which I the foundation of such success as of alcoholism and was threatened evident state of “release” which am sending to you. Alcoholics Anonymous has since with commitment myself. Fortu- could by no means be accounted for My release from the alcohol ob- achieved. ~ h ‘has h made conversion nately I had fallen under the care of by his mere association for a very session was immediate. At once I experiences-nearly every variety a physician-a Dr. William D. Silk- short time with the Oxford Groups. knew 1 was a free man. reported by James-available on alworth-who was wonderfully capa- Yet this obvious state of release, as Shortly following my experience, most wholesale basis. Our sustained ble of understanding alcoholics. But distinguished from the usual depres- my friend Edwin came to the hos- recoveries over the last quarter cenjust as you had given up on Roland, sion, was tremendously convincing. pital, bringing me a copy of William tury number about 300,000. In so had he given me up. It was his Because he was a kindred sufferer, James’ “Varieties of Religious Ex- America and through the world there theory that alcoholism had two com- he could unquestionably commu- perience.” This book gave me the are today 8,000 AA groups. ponents-an obsession that com- nicate with me at great depth. I realization that most conversion ex- So to $you, to Dr. Shoemaker of pelled the sufferer to drink against knew at once I must find an experi- periences, whatever their variety, do the Oxford.,,Groups, to William his will and interest, and some sort ence like his, or die. have a common denominator of ego James and to my own physician, Dr. of metabolism difficulty which he Again I returned to Dr. Silk- collapse at depth. The individual Silkworth, we of AA owe this trethen called an allergy. The alcohol- worth’s care where I could be once faces an impossible dilemna. In my mendous benefaction. As you will ic’s compulsion guaranteed that the more sobered and so gain a clearer case the dilemna had been created now clearly see, this astonishing alcoholic’s drinking would go on, view of my friend’s experience of re- by my compulsive drinking and the chain of events actually started long and the allergy made sure that the lease, and of Roland H.’s approach deep feeling of hopelessness had ago in your consulting room, and it sufferer would finally deteriorate, go to him. been vastly deepened by my doctor. was directly founded upon your own insane, or die. Though I had been Clear once more of alcohol, 1 It was deepened still more by my al- humility and deep perception. one of the few he had thought it pos- found myself terribly depressed. This coholic friend when he acquainted Very many thoughtful AAs are sible to help, he was finally obliged seemed to be caused by my inability me with your verdict of hopelessness students of your writings. Because to tell me of my hopelessness; I, too, to gain the slightest faith. Edwin T. respecting Roland H. of your conviction that man is somewould have to be locked up. T o me, again visited me and repeated the In the wake of my spiritual expe- thing more than intellect, emotion this was a shattering blow. Just as simple Oxford Groups’ formulas. rience there came a vision of a so- and two dollars worth of chemicals, Roland had been made ready for his Soon after he left me I became even ciety of alcoholics, each identifying you have especially endeared yourconversion experience by you, so more depressed. In utter despair I with, and transmitting his experience self to us. had my wonderful friend, Dr. Silk- cried out, “If there be a God, will to the next-chain style. If each How our society grew, developed worth, prepared me. He show Himself.” There immedi- sufferer were to carry the news of its traditions for unity and struc- Hearing of my plight, my friend ately came to me an illumination of the scientific hopelessness of alchol- tured its functioning, will be seen in Edwin T. came to see me at my enormous impact and dimension, ism to each new prospect, he might the texts and pamphlet material that home where I was drinking. By then, something which I have since tried be able to lay every newcomer wide 1am sending you. it was November 1934. I had long to describe in the book, “Alcoholics open to a transforming spiritual ex- You will also be interested to

4.

learn that in addition to the “Spir- I was misunderstood in every pos- very aptly the Devil. But the use of one usually hears about alcoholism. itual experience,” many AAs report sible way. Thus I was very careful such words arouses so many mistakes You see, Alcohol in Latin is ‘ a great variety of psychic phenom- when I talked to Roland H. But that one can only keep aloof from “spiritus” and you use the same word ena, the cumulative weight of which what I really thought about, was the them as much as possible. for the highest religious experience is very considerable. Other members result of many experiences with men These are the reasons why I could as well as for the most depraving have-following their recovery in of his kind. not give a full and sufficient explan- poison. The helpful formula there- AA-been much helped by your His craving for alcohol was the ation to Roland H. but I am risking fore is: spiritus contra spiriturn. practitioners. A few have been in- equivalent, on a low level, of the it with you because I conclude from ‘ Thanking you again for your kind trigued by the “I ching” and your spiritual thirst of our being for your very decent and honest letter letter remarkable introduction to that wholeness, expressed in medievel that you have acquired a point of I remain work. language: the union with God.* view above the nlisleading platitudes yours sincerely Please be certain that your place How could one formulate such an C. G. Jung. in the affection, and in the history of insight in a language that is not misour fellowship, is like no other. understood in our days? Gratefully yours, The only right and legitimate way William G. W. to such an experience is, that it hap- Co-founder pens to you in reality and it can only Alcoholics Anonymous happen to you when you walk on a Kusnacht-Zurich path which leads you to higher un- Seestrasse 228 derstanding. You might be led to January 30,1961 that goal by an act of grace or through a personal and honest contact with friends, or through a higher Mr. William G. W. education of the mind beyond the Alcoholics Anonymous confines of mere rationalism. I see Box 459 Grand Central Station from your letter that Roland H. has New York 17, New York chosen the second way, which was, Dear Mr. W. under the circumstances, obviously Your letter has been very wel- the best one. come indeed. I am strongly convinced that the I had no news from Roland H. evil principle prevailing in this world anymore and often wondered what leads the unrecognized spiritual need has been his fate. Our conversation into perdition, if it is not counterwhich he has adequately reported to acted either by real religious insight you had an aspect of which he did or by the protective wall of human not know. The reason that I could community. An ordinary man, not not tell him everything was that those protected by an action from above days I had to be exceedingly careful and isolated in society, cannot reof what I said. I had found out that sist the power of evil, which is called *”As the hart panteth ufter the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God.” (Psalm 4 2 , l )

February 1963

the annual cost to the nation charges had suggested treating alcoholism $3 1,000,000 to medical care, $25,- with alcohol. But the principle that a 000,000 to jail maintenance, $89, desire to stop drinking is an inward 000,000 to accidents, $188,000,000 thing that cannot be created by outto crime, and $432,000,000 to wage side lecturing, threatening, scolding losses. Other costs, such as the add- or deprivation, is one of the tenets ling of good brains, the neglect and embraced in a way of life that AAs abuse of children, the disruption of and their mates call “the program.” families and friendship, are borne in The Californian grasped it promptly, large measure by those closely asso- applied it daringly and achieved a ciated with problem drinkers. It is seemingly miraculous recovery. this population segment of 20,000,- “Hang around,” new members 000 that Al-Anon Family Groups are are advised, as in AA. “Sooner or intended primarily to help. later, you’ll hear a story that exactly THE AL-ANON STORY * “And we need help,” says the wife of AA’s surviving founder. “After matches your own.” When this happens, a feeling of belonging is years of living intimately with an strengthened, isolation is ended, anx- N E night several years ago a wife Al-Anon Family Groups, of which 0 in Long Beach, California, despondent over her husband’s drinkthere are now over 2000 neighborhood units, have produced many reacute drinking problem, we’ve become as jumpy as the drinker, and as much in need of restorative measiety begins to ease off. In a trip through the East and Midwest T met and talked with scores of ing, went to a meeting of the local coveries which are hardly less re- LI~CS.” Al-Anon members, attended their Al-Anon Family Group to see what, markable. The society is not mainly As in AA, help is given mainly in meetings and heard their case hisif anything, might be done. After an organized, however, to effect such the form of shared experience. Just tories. There was a fantastic variety evening of intent listening to men and comebacks. This is the province of its as former drinkers are best qualified of family narratives, most of them women who had served as spouses to parent organization, AA. Al-Anon to appreciate inebriates’ problems, having a happy ending. Families had problem drinkers, she returned home tackles the problem from the stand- so the harassments of the alcoholic’s been salvaged from circumstances with her strategy drastically revised. point of the nonalcoholic who is hurt spouse-or brother, father, sister, seasoned counselors had pronounced Always one to pour the household in the emotional and economic tor- mother, sweetheart, employer or hopeless. With the help of AA and liquor down the drain when a binge nado which so often accompanies al- friend–can best be understood, Al- Al-Anon, fanlilies had been lifted was on, she now purchased five im- coholism. Its members are mostly Anon members say, by a nonalco- from a special brand of hell to a perials of the finest, lined them up on wives and husbands of AA members holic who has had similar expcri- special brand of peace. the kitchen sink and waved an invi- or prospects. ences. “Stories,” as members call their tation to her husband to help himself. The field for Al-Anon is larger, talks at meetings, briefly describe the The voices of experience are heard Unmanned by this reversal, he sat the statistics suggest, than that avail- family’s condition bcfore AA and down to hear her explanation. He in the talks niembers give at meetable to AA itself, and the need is ings, during the refreshment period Al-Anon, the circumstances that led was so impressed by what she had scarcely less urgent. The National to joining and the family record learned about his problem that he re- afterward, and through informal get- Committee on Alcoholism estimates togethers betweentimes. Sometimes, since. The “before” passages often turned the bottles unopened, joined that of the 70,000,000 Americans recall days and nights of desperation AA, and hasn’t had a drink since. as in the case of the Long Beach wife, who drink, 5,000,000 have well-de- a listener gains insight that results in and shame. “Our house was always *From The Sunrduy Evening Post, by veloped cases of alcoholism. A Pub- an immediate improvement of the a mess,” a New York husband remi- ‘ permisston. lic Affairs Committee summary of home situation. Of course, no onc nisccd. “I could never be sure my

wife would be sober when I came home; we could never entertain friends or go visiting. I hated all of it.” A Westchester father said, “I dragged my son out of bars, argued ‘:. .finding out. .. sometimes comes a shock. .. 9Y

with him, took his money and liquor away. Nothing worked.” Wives spoke movingly of what had to the house so I’d be there when he ways so prompt. “Al-Anon wel- turity of the alcoholic spouse through happened to their loved ones and returned, visualize accidents, ex- comed my daughter and me and gave AA. “We had to find out what it was themselves. “He was changing before travagances, infidelities, arrests. US new hope,” one wife said, “but my all about or be hopelessly outdismy eyes, losing his gaiety, growing When he was home there were spilt husband didn’t join AA until a year tanced.” irritable. He was a binge drinker and drinks, uneaten meals, insults, physi- and a half later, when being fired for Finding out what it’s about somethe binges came closer together.” cal violence, interrupted sleep, ordi- drinking finally opened his eyes.” times comes as a shock. “I was quite “Our problem so filled my mind nary filth, constant quarrels.” In a New York City Al-Anon put out at my first meeting,” one wife that I found myself forgetting ap- One wife said, “Our marriage was meeting it was the questing wife, one said. “I expected to hear my huspointments, riding past bus stops, held together by a little hope, a large night, who received the eye opener. band’s problem discussed, but there looking at people and not hearing fear and two children.” After hearing the symptoms of alco- was hardly any mention of husbands. what they said.” The children were not fooled. “I holism described, she jumped up, Instead we were invited to examine “We live in a small, gossipy, party- always knew when daddy was drunk saying, “I don’t belong here, but in ourselves. I was huffed when one line town. We tried to keep up a gay by the way he put his key in the AA. I’m an alcoholic!” wife expressed the opinion that fear, front, but were stingingly unhappy.” door,” a drinker’s daughter said. Frequently the alcoholic joins AA worry, gossip, criticism, grudge-bear- Some had taken refuge in a dulled “When he was like that I ran to my and the non-alcoholic partner affili- ing, self-righteousness and self-pity acceptance. “I had given up hope room and locked the door.” ates with Al-Anon at the same time. might be as reprehensible as drunkand become a martyr. We never Another recalled: “Kids notice “While I was in the hospital for an enness, lying and thieving. This was talked much; we were almost strang- things. I remember them stumbling operation, my husband drank himself a shock-it hit home.” A more usual ers. He was sure I had stopped loving around saying, “This is the way into another hospital. The AAs first reaction is one of relief. Again him; I was sure he had stopped lov- Marilyn’s daddy walks.” called on him, and when he came out and again I heard of the newcomer’s ing me.” In some cases a family member he was a member. When I came out reassurance on discovering that “The strain had affected my dispo- took the first step toward family re- I joined the family group.” others had survived all he now faced sition, and this, in turn, affected the covery through Al-Anon, drawing More commonly, the alcoholic and more, and had emerged cheerful children. Our daughter avoided the alcoholic into the AA orbit later. pioneers in AA and the spouse joins and with a solution. home like a plague and our son was “Our doctor suggested AA as a pos- Al-Anon weeks or months later. One The “after” portions of the stories in trouble at school. Bills at all the sible step for our son,” one father factor is curiosity. “Something had did not always proclaim unqualified stores were long past due, we had no said. “I began attending AA meet- worked a profound change for the victories. AA claims to be able to cash, our furniture belonged to a loan ings on my own, and after a time Bob I better in my husband,” a Buffalo, help all sincere applicants except company. For a family accustomed went with me. AA made sense to him New York, wife testified, “and I those who are “constitutionally unto making its way, it was hard.” right away, and he hasn’t had a drink wanted to find out what it was.” An- able to be honest with themselves.” Others had lived at a high pitch of since his first meeting.” Later, this other factor is a constructive kind of 4 number of these are represented nervous protest. “When he was out, father helped organize a family rivalry. In my visiting around the in Al-Anon by their spouses. One I’d jump out of my skin when the group and served as its chairman. groups I heard frequent reference to wife felt that the Al-Anon program phone or doorbell rang, chain myself The alcoholic’s response is not al- the growth in understanding and ma- was successful in her case “simply I

evening program of AA speakers. was drinking-it encourages a sense ers-“Don’t let me think that way.” Family group meets on second Wed- of gratitude-but unwise, I think, to “Help me to make the most of this nesdays at eight P.M. brood over them. Some of them, re- single day” and the familiar AA Before the meeting I learned that called a year or two later, even seem prayer for serenity and wisdom- Dorothy, the secretary, was the wife funny. were reported as tending to restore of Ray H., a prominent local attor- “We didn’t go out much, because tranquility. ney and one of the founders of the Don drank all day and wanted only A sincere desire to get sober and Des Moines AA group, and that they to sleep when he came home. Now remain so is expected of the alcohave an eleven-year-old son. Ray, in I and then, to make up, he’d blow me holic; and of the nonalcoholic, a his day, had been jailed eighteen to his idea of a big treat-like the genuine wish to achieve and maintain times for drunkenness, and hospital-. time he took me to a drive-in theater, harmonious family relationships. Reized countless times. On one of these then snored all through the show. form activities are to be confined to because I have some degree of seren- occasions t h e a t t e n d i n g d o c t o r Our social life has improved a great oneself; efforts to change others are ity and good health, and can feel re- jotted: “A chronic alcoholic, for- deal, now that people can under- to be restricted to friendly concern. spect and good will for my husband merly a man of repute.” As Ray’s stand what Don is saying. Don says Criticism, gossip and grudge-bearing even though he’s just come off a two- s e c r e t a r y , it was o n c e p a r t of my cooking is better. Of course, it is. are definitely off the program. One ‘week drunk.” Another reported dra- Dorothy’s job to cover up for him He used to phone at dinnertime and may rib another person only on conmatic relief from disabling headaches during his binges. She agreed to say he’d be home in ten minutes. dition one ribs oneself more sharply. which she believed had been psycho- marry him only if he’d give up drink- Two hours later he’d call and say Humility, though regarded as nearly I matic. A five-year member, she is ing. He accepted the condition and he’d be home in five minutes. An unattainable, is nevertheless to be successfully raising her two sons, stayed sober three months. There fol- hour later, when everything was de- sought, along with patience, underthough her husband remains a patho- lowed four “awful” years, until one hydrated to the consistency of cedar standing, thoughtfulness and honlogical drinker. One wife advised day fourteen years ago when an AA shingles, he’d turn up for dinner.” esty. The participation of a Higher newcomers to be optimistic and pa- stranger from Omaha blew into She had long been in the habit, she Power is frequently alluded to. Regutient about mates who were slow to town, told Ray he was the man to said, of cutting out and saving quota- lar attendance at meetings and frerespond. Her husband, now sober introduce AA to Des Moines, and tions that particularly appealed to quent contacts with other members four years, had taken seven years to brought the marvel of sobriety. her. She read us one: “A clever wife are part of the program. Through “make” AA! The first speaker, an attractive sees through her husband; a good these contacts the understanding of I recall particularly a meeting in forty-year-old redhead celebrating wife sees her husband through.” one sufferer for another finds oppor- Des Moines, which has a family the first anniversary of her family’s A question which drew a comment tunity to take effect. group of the predominantly female affiliation with AA said it had been from practically everybody present The two founders of AA were a variety. Since AA runs more than a short year and the happiest of their at the Montclair meeting was: How Wall Street broker and an Akron five-to-one male, this is the usual, married life. “When Don came in a do I find peace of mind? The con- physician. From the beginning, their but by no means invariable, com- year ago, the neighborhood tavern sensus was that one never captured wives were important partners in the plexion of the spouse groups. The keeper made a pool on which of the it by frontal attack; when it came at movement. They turned their homes main AA group in Des Moines has first fourteen days Don would resume all, it was a by-product of some into virtual rescue missions overllowmore than 200 members and holds drinking. The pool was extended to other activity-usually of trying to ing with drunks. As more family men meetings in its downtown clubrooms. three, then four weeks, then called help someone else. Some found a entered AA, th’ere were more wives I Saturday night is family night, and off. Don likes AA and liked sobriety, measure of peace in counting bless- to be encouraged and advised. The it is not unusual to have seventy for and now it’s a year. It’s wise to recall ings, others in talking out a problem book “Alcoholics Anonymous,” from dinner and twice that many for the the things that happened while Don I with an understanding friend. Pray- which the society took its name, was I

published in 1939. Special chapters and answers inquiries from P. 0. was introducing her to Al-Anon. and there were six children, eighteen were addressed to the needs of wives Box 182, Madison Square Station, They’ve now been remarried two to four. The continued destructive and families of alcoholics. When the New York 10, New York. I t is years. drinking of the father produced a first meetings were held in members’ manned by volunteers, overhead is Then, of course, there are the home unfit for children. County wel- ‘ homes, spouses chatted over coffee defrayed by a traditional dollar a cases where it has not quite worked, fare had worked with the family for in the kitchen while the AAs met in member in spring and fall. and these are the sad ones. While I years and given up hope, and was the living room. Some went along on AA as a whole has welcomed its was in Des Moines, Ray H. the law- now asking the court to take the responses t o appeals for help- offspring, if not always with a wild I yer, took me down to the courthouse children from the father and mother. “Twelfth-step calls”-talking with exuberance, at least with a warm one afternoon when a family case This was done, and I shall not soon the sober while the AA dealt with tolerance. What is probably a con- was set to be tried, “Just so you see forget the tear-stained face of the .the inebriate. sensus was well stated by AA’s offi- what can happen when we miss,” fifteen-year-old daughter or the way Nonalcoholic auxiliaries, variously cial publication, Grapevine, in an he explained. Both the father and the four-year-old kept looking into called Al-Anon, Alono, Onala, article by an initially suspicious mother in the case were alcoholics people’s faces, trying to understand. wives’ groups and ladies’ auxiliaries member. “This reporter had heard Anon., Philudelphiu, Penna. sprang up. By 1949 there were about about these goings-on,” the piece fifty of these. The need for some such says, “And, like many a smug AA, agency as a partner and helpmeet for assumed they were mere knitting AA was becoming more evident. AA circles. I was lured into one of their general headquarters in New York meetings recently. If I came to sneer, City, was receiving a steady stream I remained to pray. This was no sewof inquiries from distracted wives ing bee but a spiritual force at work. and husbands of alcoholics. Family I guess I was expecting to hear long groups were clamoring for some sort complaints about how they’d been of central facility. put upon by our boozing. There was A report on family groups was none of that. They were examining given at the 1950 convention in not us but themselves!” Cleveland, which was attended by Whatever “the program” may be, more than 10,000 AAs and their there is no longer much question that mates. Returning delegates spawned in many cases it can reunite families, groups everywhere. In the next five sometimes beyond reasonable expecyears 650 were formed, including tation. I talked with a father of five units in Europe, Africa and Oceania. children who had spent nine years in Groups are so numerous in Califor- a state penitentiary for bad-check nia that the state had to be divided passing, an activity that invariably into northern and southern councils. accompanied his drinking. There was They are still forming, at a current an AA group in the prison and he rate of about one a week. The Al- joined. When he found that it worked Anon Family Groups Handbook is a for two years “outside,” he got in 200-page two-dollar volume. The touch with his wife, who meanwhile Al-Anon Family Groups Clearing had divorced him, and began a sec- House publishes a monthly bulletin ond courtship. Part of his wooing

August 1963

Taped AA Talks Now Available From GSO Twenty-three talks recorded on tape by AA members can now be bought from the General Service Office. They are talks of the “pitch,” “lead,” or “my story” kind, which “disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now.” Each 5-inch reel contains two or three talks, and takes about one hour to play. They sell for $2.50 each, and a list of the titles can be obtained by writing GSO., P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York 17, N. Y. Included are stories collected by AA tape enthusiasts from all over the U.S.A., most of them actually recorded at AA meetings, conferences, and conventions. Each talk has been edited to preserve anonymity, and the necessary legal permission of each of the speakers has been obtained, so they can also be used for radio shows and public meetings arranged by AA Public Information committees. Also available is a list of thirty-seven AA tape collectors willing to arrange exchanges, rentals, or sales of talks made in the U.S.A., Africa, England, New Zealand, New Guinea, Mexico, Colombia, Ireland, and Canada. Any group which cannot afford to pay for tapes should write GSO.

1. AA Grapevine, November 1963

E R E IS the original version of the “preamble” as it was first introduced to AA in the June, 1947,

by the then editor to describe AA to the Grapevine’s non-AA readers, it has become a part of AA literature. It came to be called the “preamble” because it is so often read at the opening of AA meetings. Much of the phrasing was borrowed from the foreword to the original edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous,” where “an honest desire to stop drinking” is described as “the only requirement for membership.” In the September, 1958, Grapevine, the preamble was first published in its present form. It now appears in much of our literature to tell what AA is and does, as well as what it is not and does not. The Twelve Traditions present a fuller development of most of these ideas.

I The current version of the preamble appears on the inside front cover of this issue.

January 1964

In Memory af Dr. Sam by Bill

N Thursday, October 31, 1963 Dr. Sam Shoemaker, the great 0 Episcopal clergyman and first friend of AA, passed from our sight and hearing. He was one of those few without whose ministration AA could never have been born in the first placenor prospered since.

From his teaching, Dr. Bob and I absorbed most of the principles that were later embodied in the Twelve Steps of AA. Our ideas of self-examination, acknowledgement of character defects, restitution for harms done and working with others came straight from Sam. Therefore he gave to us the concrete knowledge of what we could do about our illness; he passed to us the spiritual keys by which so many of us have since been liberated.

We who in AA’s early time were privileged to fall under the spell of his inspiration can never be the same again.

We shall bless Sam’s memory forever.

June 1 9 6 4

Grapevine was to keep AA mem- now do a much better job than we bers in the armed forces in touch. can of healing some of the most in- They rapidly dubbed it their “meet- jurious wounds inflicted by our aling in print,” and every AA known coholism: those on our families and to be in the services was sent the other loved ones. Grapevine free until World War I1 was over. JELLINEK’S “PHASES.” In April, 1945, the Grapevine broke new , N.C.A. The very first announce- ground. We published a questionment of the establishment of a na- naire designed by the late beloved tional health organization on alco- and distinguished Dr. E. M. (Bunky) The Grapevine Starts Its holism was made on these pages in our first year. It was an historic Jellinek, then head of the Yale (now Rutgers) Center of Alcohol step toward removing the stigma Studies, and asked AA members to from our illness. Ever since then make a contribution to science by Twenty-First Year we have proudly noted the uphill victories of the National Council on mailing in the questionnaire anonymously. Hundreds did, and this is Alcoholism which, although never the origin of Dr. Jellinek’s famous connected with AA, has stayed in chart, “Phases of Alcohol Addicour corner in the battle against the tion,” later distributed throughout disease of alcoholism, doing public the world and generally conceded to education, research, lobbying and be one of the most important pieces other important jobs AA cannot do. of research ever done in the whole field of alcoholism. piece of AA literature an 8-page newspaper then, costing 0 NE which always keeps growingyour AA Grapevine-begins 15 cents a copy, and the six Grapeits vine founders did all the work as AL-ANON AND ALATEEN. We’d like to claim that both the Al- Anon Family Groups and Alateen GOING NATIONAL. The old “Foundation,” now our General twenty-first year this month. And volunteers, making up the deficits sort of started here. In our seventh Service Board, polled t h e 600 frankly, the present staff and vol- for many, many months. According issue the front page carried Lois groups registered in the fall of 1945, unteer crew feel very nostalgic and to “AA Comes of Age,” the six W.’s story, in which she told of and as a result, with the December a bit awed. were Marty, Priscilla, Abbot, Lois learning to live by AA principles issue of that year the’Grapevine be- Lots of the biggest news in AA K., Maeve and Kay. Today’s crew for herself, not just for her alcoholic came the national AA monthly -and, in fact, in the whole world can only say it’s an honor to try to husband Bill. That issue also car- magazine. (And the Trustees disof alcoholism-has developed right follow in their historic footsteps. ried many wonderful letters from covered they had to pick up the tab here in these pages. You can see the teen-age children of AA mem- several times when we couldn’t pay the highlights in such phrases as A MEETING IN PRINT. Cer- bers telling how AA had changed the printer!) – “six ink-stained wretches.” tainly not much of the world noted their lives. From then on the Grapc- That’s what Bill W. called the our first issue, because the month vine carried such pieces until the ENCYCLOPEDIA B., y e t . We members who started it down in it appeared was the month of D- Al-Anon Family Group headquar- felt pretty great as 1946 began. Our Greenwich Village, bringing out Day in Normandy. In fact, one of ters was organized and had devel- price went to 25$ a copy, and a Vol. I., No. 1 in June, 1944. It was the original reasons for starting the oped their own publications. They famous Encyclopedia asked for per-

mission to list us as a reference! righted, and so that issue carries Twelve Traditions were accepted at a poll of the membership. In those our first O printed crookedly in the the Cleveland, 1950, Convention, days that was the only way we Our pink cloud didn’t last, though. margin, as an afterthought. as our second legacy; that of Unity. could get at the group conscience of In the E. B., one paragraph under .”Temperance” is devoted to AA. AA as a whole. T H E P R E A M B L E . Meanwhile, And then. . . MODESTY IN PUBLIC RELAback in the small print at the old TIONS. That headline on a piece THE THIRD GIFT. In 1950, Bill masthead, something else had or- and Dr. Bob issued in these pages THE F.B.I. That’s right. One by Bill in the August, 1945, issue iginated here. By then the Grape- a call for their successors. (The morning two (identification) card- was the first hint ever printed that vine was circulating more and more same issue carried a late news flash: carrying Federal Bureau of I. agents AA might need more principles were waiting at the door. Their than the old-timers’ first legacy to among nonalcoholics, many of the sad tidings of Dr. Bob’s passing whom did not know anything about from us.) The AA membership as house organ, it seemed, was named us, the Suggested Twelve Steps for AA. Mostly for them, in order to a whole, the co-founders suggested, Grapevine. What were we going to recovery. A series of such pieces about AA’s experiences was cli- make clear what we are and aren’t, should somehow take over the do about it? in the June, 1947, Grapevine there movement-wide service jobs which Our April, 1946, issue showed maxed with “Twelve Points to Asappeared for the first time those the older members had ungrudgingwhat we did about it; we just added sure Our Future” by Bill in the lovely words, “Alcoholics Anony- ly performed for so long. And so initials, and became the AA Grape- April, 1946, issue. Discussion about them ran hot mous is a fellowship of men and that year the General Service Convine. Everybody was happy. (We women who share their experience, later learned a grape-juice bottling and heavy in these pages-for ference came into being, and AA strength and hope. . . .” For this members came into their third legcompany and a famous Hollywood more than four years. Should we whole story, dig up your November, cemetery also published house or- drop anonymity? Should we accept acy, that of Service, perhaps the-. 1963, copy. biggest responsibility of all, the one gans named Grapevine. Never heard fortunes left us in wills? What from them. They probably never should we do about clubhouses? we are all painfully trying to learn Membership rules? Bleeding hearts? DIGEST SIZE. We took our present to shoulder. heard of us.) size and shape with the September, That was also the first time some- Bleeding deacons-and all the rest. 1948, issue -again in response to OUR FIRST BOOK. At the interbody realized we ought to be copy- Finally, in their present form, the

national AA convention in Long priceless articles, free. We started That’s why we have our present not because of any quaint historical Beach, Calif., in 1960, we unveiled to make a list of all these contribu- motto, on Page 1. And in each issue interest but because they seem just the first Grapevine book, “AA To- tors, but the list got so long- a we try to share with you at least as distinguished, just as excellent day,” a large album-sized volume Who’s Who -we gave up the idea seven kinds of good nourishment: now as they were then. The first one with a wealth of original pictures of printing it here and say instead 1 ) personal stories, 2) new spiritual appears in this issue on Page 2. and articles by AAs and by some to all, thank you! insights, 3) humor, 4) new factual, If you want to help us celebrate, of our most noted nonalcoholic Our AA writers and artists, not scientific, and philosophical knowl- please do. You might try to work up friends. one of whom has ever been paid a edge, 5) new ideas about working that article you’ve been thinking penny for Grapevine contributions, the program, 6) AA around the about and share it with all of us. BLOWING OUT THE CANDLES. include some of the nation’s highest world, and 7) reminders of funda- As we’ve always printed, “The Being twenty-one is fun, of course, paid professionals. The bulk of our mentals. AA Grapevine presents the exveribecause you hope so many growing best pieces, however, arrive through ences and. opinions of AAs and pains are behind you. But it’s scary, the mail, unsolicited, from the mem- COME TO THE PARTY. We in- others . . . opinions expressed here- , too, because you then realize for bership. tend to celebrate this twenty-first in are not to be attributed to AA as sure that maturity isn’t a matter of Who sets our editorial policy? year by reprinting a dozen articles a whole. . . .” In our opinion, the age. We think the Grapevine has You, of course, with your letters from our earlier days, one each Grapevine is a good experience to scarcely begun to grow. and the material you send in. An month. They’re chosen carefully, share. If we are proud of having been Advisory Editorial Board of eight- B. L., Greenwich Village, N . Y . an open forum of current AA een members meets monthly to thought and opinion in many im- “guide” (we talk, that’s how; what portant matters, we are not. so else would you expect in AA?) the proud of the follies of our past. If present staff of one volunteer editor, we are pleased that our circulation two full-time and one part-time edis now over 42,000, worldwide, we itorial staff members, and one partare not so happy that that is such a time art director, all AA members. srqall drop in the AA desert. A paid nonalcoholic crew of six Our Corporate Board now con- handles the business operationssists of seven AA members and one subscription, mailing and so on, dearly beloved nonalcoholic friend with a patience, accuracy and dedwe call Austin, a long-time member ication rarely found anywhere. of our General Service Board. (He came through for the umpteenth “. . . I N ALL OUR AFFAIRS.” A time a few months ago when the few years ago with Bill’s full-time Post Office suddenly clamped down, help we took a long look at the said we absolutely had to publish place of the Grapevine in AA, and some full name as “publisher” each decided we ought to be more than year. Bless the distinguished Aus- just an AA meeting in print. We tin T. MacCormick for letting us try now to take a bigger look at life use his!) in the world around us -outside Over the years our nonalcoholic AA meeting halls as well as within friends have-given us many, many them.

November 1964

Eke Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

T HERE’S nothing new under the sun? Well, perhaps there is in the area of material things. Telstar hall of a converted hotel, overlooking the Rhine at Koblenz, framed by the flags of famous Pmssian and moon probes are new. As a regiments rescued from the Tanmatter of fact, so is AA, which nenberg memorial, is a tablet incelebrated a young twenty-ninth scribed with the following words: birthday this year. But in the spiri- ‘God give me the detachment to tual life, when we make a discovery, accept those things I cannot alter; we’re usually waking up to an old the courage to alter those things truth. which I can alter; and the wisdom When the Grapevine last reported to distinguish the ones from the on the origin of the Serenity Prayer others.’ These words [are] by (January, 1950, issue), we had Friedrich Otinger, an evangelical traced it to Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr, pietist of the eighteenth century. …” who set it down in 1932 in very We don’t have the original Germuch the form given above. AA first man of the Koblenz tablet. And we used it on printed cards and at have somewhere a printed card statmeetings in 1939. Dr. Niebuhr said ing that the prayer is a “soldier’s at the time that he thought it “might prayer from the fourteenth cenhave been spooking around for tury.” So there may be more news years, even centuries. . . .” on the origins of it to write about Now an alert AA has sent us a in the future. But let us not get clipping from the Paris Herald Tri- carried away by antiquarian rebune of an article written by its search; it is the praying that is going special Koblenz (West Germany) to help me, an alcoholic. correspondent: “In the rather dreary Anon.

June 1965 ( .

First there was Bill W . . . then Dr. Bob . . . then Bill D . . . and then there were thousands. . . .

-9the Beginning of AA .

Bill writes in A A comes of Ase* that he had been sober for about a year. and was making vigorous but unsuccessful efforts to “sober up” drunks all over New York. As fast as he “preached” to them they got drunk. Finally the sunaestion was made to him that he might be concentrating on the wrong-&ings. Bill continues. . .

L 01s was still working in the department store, and folks were beginning to say, “Is this fellow Bill ing for control of the company. I could already see myself as its new president. But when the chips were going to be a missionary for life? down the other side had more prox- Why doesn’t he go to work?’Even ies and our side got licked. My newto me, this began to look like a good found acquaintances were discouridea. I began to hang around Wall aged, and they left me in Akron’s. Street again and, through a chance Mayflower Hotel with only about acquaintance I had scraped up in a ten dollars in my pocket. brokerage shop, I insinuated myself They departed on Friday. On Satinto a proxy’ row ihat involved con- urday, Mother’s Day eve, I was pactrol of a little machine-tool company ing up and down the hotel lobby, in Akron, Ohio. In May of 1935 a wondering what I could do. The bar party of us went out to Akron, fight- at one end of my beat was filling up

rapidly. I could hear the familiar I immediately began calling them She understood deep suffering. When in the time when AA was still very buzz of conversation in there. Down up. It was Saturday afternoon. Peo- I had told my s t a g she said, “I young. This was the wonderful at the other end of the lobby I found ple were not at home. Others were know just the man for you. He is a friend with whom I was never to myself pausing before a church di- not interested and made excuses. doctor. We call him ‘Dr. Bob.’ His have a hard word. This was-.Dr. rectory. Then I was seized with a The list quickly dwindled until it wife, Anne, is a grand person. Bob Bob, AA’s co-founder-to-be. thought: I am going to get drunk. came down to one name at the very has tried so hard; I know he wants to But at five o’clock that Sunday Or no, maybe I won’t get drunk; end. The name was Henrietta Sei- stop. He has tried medical cures, he afternoon Bob did not look much maybe I’ll just go into that bar and berling. I had a vague recollection has tried various religious ap- like a founder. He was shaking drink some ginger ale and scrape up from my Wall Street days of meet- proaches, including the Oxford badly. Uneasily he told us that he an acquaintance. Then I panicked. ing an elderly Mr. Seiberling, one- Groups. He has tried with all his could stay only about fifteen min- That was really a gift! I had never time founder and president of Good- will, but somehow he cannot seem utes. Though embarrassed, he brightpanicked before at the threat of al- year Rubber. I could hardly imagine to do it. So how would you like to ened a little when I said I thought cohol. Maybe this meant that my calling up his wife and telling her talk with Dr. Bob and Anne?” he needed a drink. After dinner, sanity had been restored. I remem- that I was a drunk from New York Soon Anne S. was on the phone which he did not eat, Henrietta disbered that in trying to help other looking for another drunk to work -AA’s much-loved Anne. Quickly creetly put us off in her little library. people, I had stayed sober myself. on. So I went back downstairs and Henrietta told her about me, an al- There Bob and I talked until eleven For the first time I deeply realized walked up and down the lobby some coholic from New York who wanted o’clock. it. I thought, “You need another more. But something kept saying to to talk about his drinking problem. Just before I left for Akron, Dr. alcoholic to talk to. You need an- me, “You’d better call her.” So I Could she and Dr. Bob come over? Silkworth had given me a great piece other alcoholic just as much as he finally rang up. Uneipectedly, a Anne said, “I’m sorry, Henrietta. I of advice. Without it, AA might needs you!” young Southern voice came over the don’t think we can make it today. never have been born. “Look, Bill,” Then followed a strange chain of wire, which turned out to be that Bob always makes a great fuss over he had said, “you’re having nothing consequences. Choosing at random of a Seiberling daughter-in-law. I me on Mother’s Day. He has just but failure because you are preachfrom the church directory, 1 called explained that I was an alcoholic come home, bringing a big potted ing at these alcoholics. You are up an Episcopal padre by the name from the New York Oxford Groups plant.” What Anne didn’t say was talking to them about the Oxford of Walter Tunks*, a great friend of who needed to help another drunk in that the plant was on a table and Group precepts of being absolutely AA to this day. In frantic eagerness order to stay sober himself. Very that Bob was under the table, so honest, absolutely pure, absolutely I poured out my tale to him. I asked quickly she got the drift of what 1 potted that he couldn’t get up. Hen- unselfish and absolutely loving. This if maybe he knew some people who was saying. She said, “I’m no alco- rietta said, “What about tomorrow? is a very big order. Then you top it could put me in touch with another holic, but I’ve had my difficulties. Why can’t both of you come over to off by harping on this mysterious alcoholic. I thought he might know When you talk about spiritual mat- dinner?” Anne said they would try spiritual experience of yours. No some of the Oxford-Groupers ters, I think I understand. I know to make it. wonder they point their fingers to around Akron. When the good man someone you might help. Won’t you Next afternoon at five o’clock that their heads and go out and get learned that 1 was an alcoholic look- come out here right away? I live in wonderful couple, Dr. Bob and drunk. Why don’t you turn your ing for another alcoholic to work on, the gatehouse of the Seiberling Anne, stood at Henrietta’s open strategy the other way around? he at first apparently envisioned two place.” door. Aren’t you the very fellow who once people drunk instead of one, but he When I got there I found a per- This was the man who was to be showed me that book by the psyfinally got the point and gave me a son of charm and understanding. my partner and founder of Akron’s chologist, William James*, which list of about ten people who might She said she had worked through Group Number One. With the re- says that deflation at great depth is be able to direct me. many a hard problem and had found markable Sister Ignatia, he was to The Varlrtler o f Relf#lour Experfence. available in the Modern Library Seria published by The Rev. T u n b Is now deceased. her answers in the Oxford Groups. care for 5,000 cases of alcoholism Random House. New York, N. Y.

the foundation of most spiritual experience? Have you forgotten all “I knew that I needed the alcoholic as much as he needed me. was it. ” about that? Have you also forgotten that Dr. Carl Jung in Zurich told a certain alcoholic, the one who later helped sober up your friend Ebby, Somehow he had wormed his way easily; it was to be painfully slow. What ,really did hit him hard was the that his only hope of salvation was through medical school and intern- It always entailed the hardest kind medical business, the verdict of ina spiritual experience? No, Bill, ship in Chicago. Despite his drink- of work and the sharpest vigilance. evitable annihilation. And the fact you’ve got the cart before the horse. ing, he had shown a talented flair Yet he seemed to have no serious that I was an alcoholic and knew You’ve got to deflate these people for surgery. After his marriage to neurotic difficulties. As he often put what I was talking about from perfirst. So give them the medical busi- Anne, they had settled in Akron it, “I just loved my grog.” sonal experience made the blow a ness, and give it to them hard. Pour where in due course young Bob was By the time I met him this com- shattering one. it right into them about the ob- born; a daughter, sister Sue, was pelling love had almost done him In Dr. Bob’s story as afterwards session that condemns them to drink adopted. in. His surgical skill was still recog- written for the AA book, and years and the physical sensitivity or allergy Dr. Bob at the time of our first nized, but few colleagues or patients later in his last full-length talk at of the body that condemns them to meeting was fifty-five. some fifteen dared to trust him. He had lost his Detroit, he made this point very go mad or die if they keep on drink- years older than I. He must have post on the staff of Akron’s City clear: it was not any spiritual teaching. Coming from another alcoholic, had an iron constitution. He said Hospital and barely existed through ing of mine, rather it was those twin one alcoholic talking to another, that all through the years his drink- a precarious and dwindling general ogres of madness ,and death, the maybe that will crack those tough ing had been practically continuous. practice. In debt up to his ears, he allergy plus the obsession, that trigegos deep down. Only then can you When he got too jittery to opcratc was only one jump ahead of the gered him into a new life. It was Dr. begin to try out your other medicine, or to see patients. he sedated him- sheriff and his mortgage payments. Silkworth’s idea, confirmed by Wilthe ethical principles you have self heavily. When this recourse Anne verged on a nervous crack-up, liam James, that struck him at great picked up from the Oxford Group.” sometimes failed, he would steal and their two children of course depth. Now – talking with Dr. Bob – l away for a week or so to a drying- were greatly upset. Such was the You see, our talk was a comremembered all that Dr. Silkworth out place so that he could start the payoff of twenty-five years of alco- pletely mutual thing. I had quit had said. So 1 went very slowly on same cycle all over again. In those holism. Hope was a word they had preaching. I knew that I needed the the fireworks of religious experience. rare moments when he got thor- come to avoid. alcoholic as much as he needed me. 1 just talked away about my own oughly sober, the insatiable craving In our first conversation I bore This was it. And this mutual givecase until he got a good identifica- for alcohol still never let up. This down heavily on the medical hope- and-take is at the very heart of all tion with me, until he began to say, was a physical phenomenon which , lessness of Dr. Bob’s case, freely of AA’s Twelfth Step work today. “Yes, that’s me, I’m like that.” bedeviled even his first years in AA, using Dr. Silkworth’s words describ- This was how to carry the message. In turn, Dr. Bob talked to me a time when only days and nights of ing the alcoholic’s dilemma, the “ob- The final missing link was located about himself as he had never talked carrying the message to other alco- session plus allergy” theme. Though right there in my first talk with Dr. before. He too was a Vermonter. holics could cause him to forget Bob was a doctor, this was news to Bob. His father had been a stern but about it. Although this craving was him, bad news. Always better versed Unexpectedly, I got a little fresh deeply respected judge in St. Johns- hard to withstand, it doubtless cre- in spiritual matters than I, he had financing from my New York busibury. Also, as in my case, Dr. Bob’s ated some part of the intense incen- paid little attention to that aspect of ness associates, so I stayed on in drinking proclivities had shown up tive and energy that went into form- my story. Even though he could not Akron’that summer of 1935 to conearly. In fact, he had busted out of ing Akron’s Group Number One. make them work, he already knew tinue the proxy fight. Still worried Dartmouth College for this reason. Bob’s spiritual release did not come what the spiritual answers were. about Dr. Bob, Anne invited me to

i -come over and live with them at off the railroad station platform at and sat down to wait. After what Dr. Bob and I gave h i the medi- . their home at 855 Ardmore Avenue. about four A.M. Please come over seemed an endless time, he phoned; cal bad news about the allergy and How well 1 remember our morning and see what you can do.” all had gone well. But after that he the obsession, old Bill showed a meditation, when Anne would sit in We got Bob back home and into didn’t come home for hours. Despite startled interest. But when we began the comer by the fireplace and read bed, and right then we made an the awful strain, he had left the to describe our spiritual approach, from the Bible, and then we would alarming discovery. He had to per- hospital, got into his car, and com- Bill shook his head and said, “No, huddle together in stillness, awaiting form a certain operation that only menced to visit creditors and others I’m too far gone for that. I’ve alinspiration and guidance. he could do. The deadline was just he had harmed by his behavior. That waysmbelievedin God. I used to be Three or four weeks after the three days away; he simply had to was June 10, 1935. To the time of a deacon in the church. But, boys, Mother’s Day debacle, Dr. Bob do the job himself; and here he was, his death fifteen years later, Dr. Bob I’ve been in and out of this place looked at me one morning and said, shaking like a leaf. Could we get never took another drink of alcohol. six times in the last four months. “Bill, for a number of years 1 have him sober in time? Anne and I took Next day he said, “Bill, don’t you This time in DTs I badly beat up had to go down to Atlantic City to turns around the clock trying to think that working on other alco- one of the nurses. I know I can’t our medical convention. 1 haven’t taper. the old boy off. Early on the holics is terribly important? We’d even get home from here sober. I’m missed one in a long time. Don’t morning of the operation he was be much safer if we got active, afraid to go out. No, it’s too late you think I had better go?” Very almost sober. I had slept in the room wouldn’t we?” I said, “Yes, that for me. I still believe in God all frightened, Anne said, “Oh, no, no!” with him. Glancing across towards would be just the thing. But where right, but I know mighty well that But seeing that he had to face the his bed, I saw that he was wide can we find any alcoholics?” “They He doesn’t believe in me any more.” music sometime, I replied, “Well, awake but still shaking. 1’11 never always have a batch down at the “Well, Bill,” we, said, “can we why don’t you go? After all, we forget the look he gave me as he Akron City Hospital. I’ll call them come back and see you tomorrow?” must learn to live in a world that’s said, “Bill, I am going to go through up and see what they’ve got,” he “Yes,” he replied, “you fellows full of alcohol.” And slowly Bob with it.” 1 thought he meant the op- answered. really understand. Sure I’d like to said, “I guess maybe you’re right.” eration. “No,” he said, “I mean this Getting hold of a nurse friend of see you.” So next day we came back So he went to the Atlantic City thing we’ve been talking about.” his on the receiving ward of the and found him talking to his wife, medical convention and nothing was Anne and I drove him to the hos- hospital, Dr. Bob explained that a Henrietta. Bill pointed to us and heard of him for several days. Then pital at nine o’clock. I handed him man from New York had just found said, “There are the fellows I was one morning his office nurse called a bottle of beer to steady his nerves a new cure for alcoholism. (We telling you about. They are the ones up and said, “He is over here at my so he could hold the knife, and he called it a cure in those days.) But that know. They understand what place. My husband and I picked him went in. We returned to the house the nurse knew Dr. Bob of old. So this is all about.” she retorted, “Is that so, Dr. Bob? Then Bill told us hdw, during the You don’t mean to tell me that night, hope had dawned on h i . If you’ve tried it on yourself!” “Yes,” Bob and I could do it, he could do it. he said, “I sure have.” Maybe we could all do together what The new customer was in no we could not do separately. Two shape to be seen. But two days later, days later Bill suddenly said, “Henri- Dr. Bob and I were looking into etta, fetch me my clothes, I’m going the face of the first ‘man on the bed.’ to get up and get out of here.” Bill It was old Bill D., AA number three, walked out of that hospital a free whose story you can read in the man and he never took a drink again. second edition of the Big Book. Bill The spark that was to flare into the was still pretty glassy-eyed. When first AA group had been struck. .

June 1965

An outline o f the program for the 30th Anniversary International Convention o f Alcoholics Anonymous HEADQUARTERS: AA Royal York Hotel AL-ANON King Edward Hotel

THURSDAY – JULY 1 SATURDAY – JULY 3 Registration on the Convention Mezzanine from 10 A.M. 9 A.M. Six different workshop or panel discussions for AAs. Topics will I The Convention Opener is a dance at the Royal York, beginning at 9 be six of the twelve listed above under “9 A.M. Friday.” P.M. There will be four bands in different ballrooms so that you can pick 10:30 A.M. Three Panel Meetings: 1 ) A A and Education, with non-AA your tempo: square dancing, various kinds of ballroom dancing, and for speakers Robert Robinson, Sister Mary Andrew, and Selden Bacon. 2) the hardy, rock and roll. Helpful Allies in the Field o f Alcoholism, with non-AA speakers Ralph Daniel, Mary S. (Al-Anon), and Philip M. Morgan. 3 ) A panel on FRIDAY – JULY 2 AA in Hospitals and Rehabiliration Facilities with non-AA speakers 9 A.M. Six different workshops or panel discussions. Topics will be six Robert Wagner, M.D., Bernice Morris, and Phyllis K. Snyder. of these twelve: I ) International A A . 2) Public Information. 3 ) Special 2:30 P.M. TWOPanel Meetings: 1) A A and rhe Medical Profession, Purpose Groups within A A . 4 ) AA’s General Service Conference.5 ) Young with non-AA speakers A. S. MacPherson, M.D., Marvin A. Block, M.D., People in A A . 6 ) Communications within A A . 7 ) AA’s Cooperation with and a doctor in AA. 2) A A in Prisons, with non-AA speakers F. P. Others. 8 ) A A Groups in Prisons and Hospitals. 9 ) The A A Grapevine. Miller, Myrl E. Alexander, and an AA speaker. 10) Central Ofices and Intergroups. 11) Group Experience. 12) Inter- ‘ 2:30 P.M. An AA Meeting on A A ‘Round ;he World. nationalists, Loners and Traveling AAs. 10:30 A.M. Two Panel Meetings: 1 ) A A and Industry, with non-AA 8 P.M. Second General Convention Session in the Maple Leaf Gardens. speakers Nigel M. Kinset and Luther Cloud, M.D., plus an AA speaker. Bill W. will speak on the Convention theme: Responsibility. There will be 2) A A and The Courts, with non-AA speakers Judge John M. Murtagh other speakers. and Judge Emmet Daly, plus an AA speaker. , 10:30 A.M. A Panel AA Meeting. SUNDAY – JULY 4 2:30 P.M. TWOPanel Meetings: 1 ) A A and the Clergy, with non-AA speakers the Rev. Earl S. Lautenschlager and the Rev. Dr. Howard Cline- 1 1 A . M . Sunday Morning Meeting on God as We Understand ~ i m , with bell, Jr., plus an AA speaker. 2) A A and Public Information, with non-AA speakers the Rev. Rolland Boyle S.J., and the Rev. Gene Robinn o n – U speakers Herbert Carlborg, J P Miller, and George M. Collins. son, plus Bill W. and another AA speaker. 2:30 P.M. First General Session of the Convention at the Maple Leaf 8 P . M . All-star Show at the Maple Leaf Gardens. Entertainment by a Gardens. Bill W. plans to tell his story at this meeting; and there will be big cast of professionals. You won’t want to miss this last session of AA’s other speakers. biggest get-together ever!

ALKATHONS PROGRAMS – I n addition to the sessions listed, there will be Alkathons continuous Prirrtcd, detcrilcd Progrunrs giving tinres and the roonls assigned for the talks by AAs – on Friday and Saturday at 8 A.M.. 10 A.M., 12 noon, 2 ~wriolrssessions of tire Convention will be avail~rble when you arrive in P.M., 4 P.M., and again at midniglrt. Clreck your final program for tire Tororrro. We lrope //rat this ordine UVW help you to start deciding which rooms assigned for each Alkatlron. sessiorrs you nlost want to attend- The Editors.

AASs fourth Quinquennial Convention Our first International Convention outside the U.S.

June 1965

Foundation of the Fellowship From Sacramento, Calif. : January 8 was the twenty-seventh Of course, there were hundreds anniversary of my dry date, January of Joes and Jims and Annies and 8, 1942, on record at Doon Men’s Dorothys who shored up my pro- Group in Cleveland, Ohio. For an gram and my sobriety all along the alkie to live those 9,934 days (give way. In 1960, in Long Beach, or take a leap-year day or so) with- Reverend Sam said, “Behind all out a drink, it takes the contribu- successful people are other successtions of so many people. I am the ful people.” But in the beginning most fortunate of men to have been there had to be a foundation, and the recipient of these benefactions. every one of those blocks of granite Among my benefactors are: Rev- had a name, and I knew them. crend Sam Shoemaker, Silky, and So, when someone in a meeting Fitz, for helping to put the Big says, “AA works, but I do not Book into printable order; Jimmy know how it works,” let them ask B., for fighting for “his” chapter in me. the book; Bill D., for being in bed J. H. at Akron City Hospital when Bill W. and Dr. Bob needed him. For me, in those early struggling days, there were also Sister lgnatia and Jack D. and George M. and Clarence S. and Bobby B. and my sponsor, Norm E. These last names, unknown to most of today’s members of our Fellowship, loom ever larger in my success in those periods of introspection on “How did I get here?”

June 1965

AA Founders Day in Akron On June 19 and 20, 1965, the Akron Intergroup Council is sponsoring a celebration and memorial of the founding of AA in that city thirty years ago. (See Bill’s article on page 2 of this issue for the story.) Bill W. plans to be present for the festivities, which will include, on Saturday, a play staged by the “AA Amateur Actors Guild” (2:OO P.M.), a Founders Day Meeting (8:30 P.M.), and a dance (10:30 P.M.). On Sunday: a memorial service for Dr. Bob (9:OO A.M.) followed by a Breakfast Meeting, and an Open House at St. Thomas Hospital, where Dr. Bob worked. For details write AA Intergroup Office, 41 South High Street, Akron, Ohio 44308. Tel. 253-8181. -.

July 1 9 6 5

phlets were for alcoholics, I was among the American societies of ashamed to ask my friends to trans- Lima. Finally, after several inveslate them for me. ‘Consequently, I tigations, I found a parish maincould not read the literature. I ly for Americans – it was the thought maybe there was, in Lima, Maryknoll Parish. I could fortunsomebody who would be a member ately speak to the director, Father of this organization, and I decided Lowell, who told me about the AA to start looking for AA. group Jean had been able to form. At that time, the text of the Ques- This group used to meet there on tions and Answers was published in Tuesdays and had about ten memone of Lima’s newspapers, and so bers. It was the first AA group in my next step was to ask this news- Peru, and its name was Los Incas. paper how they had found this ar- Father Lowell told me that Jean had ticle and who had supplied it. They already gone back to the United informed me that an American lady States and that the other members residing in Lima had given them did not meet any more. The parish 1 AA IN PERU this article and, as they had considered it of public interest, they of Maryknoll also had a school and Father Lowell was kind enough to had decided to publish it. The only give me one of the classrooms for information they were able to give my meetings with the members of me about the American lady was the group, if I could find them. that she lived in San Isidro, in From that date, I used to go there Lima, and that her name was Jean every Tuesday hoping to see one of B. From then on, I went to San the remaining members of the group

M Y name is Enrique. I am a Peruvian citizen and I have already been sober for ten years, passing by a bookstore when suddenly a booklet caught my eye; this title was: How to Live With- Isidro every day during my free moments. My only hope and solution were to go from one door to the next Los Incas. When I had lost all hope of finding these ten members and of thus having the opportunity of atthe AA way, twenty-four hours a out Alcohol, by Dr. Habas. I asking if this was Mrs. Jean B.’s tending the meetings of a group, I day. Practicing this wonderful pro- bought it immediately with great ex- house. As 1 was unsuccessful, I decided that the only solution I had gram for ten years has made my life pectations and read it. I noticed went to the post office and I asked left was to learn English to be able a useful and productive one, for that at the end of the booklet the one of the employees I knew if they to read the AA literature I had remy family and for society. My story author suggested the program of Al- had by any chance seen an Ameri- ceived from the General Service Ofis like that of many AAs, a story coholics Anonymous for alcoholics can lady picking up letters from the fice of AA in the United States. I filled with sadness and with the de- who desired to stop drinking. AA’s United States with the address of still did not know anything about sire of finding the miraculous solu- address in the United States was Alcoholics Anonymous. They told the AA program. I only knew it was tion which would stop my drinking. also listed. me that there was an American lady an organization which had been able The search for this solution, the I wrote immediately requesting who had a P.O. ,Box and who re- to help some alcoholics who hon- AA solution, took place in my life information, and I received a letter ceived correspondence from AA, estly wanted to stop drinking, and eleven years ago, in Lima, Peru, and and a package of literature in Eng- but that this P.O. Box had been this was enough incentive for me the story is the following: lish. At that time I did not know closed. because AA offered me the only One day, eleven years ago, I was any English and, since these pam- I continued looking for Jean hope to which I was clinging.

When my knowledge of the Eng- place was the same, in the parish of lish language was good enough to Maryknoll. We struggled to carry be able to have a rough idea of the message to the alcoholics who what AA was through the literature, still suffered and in less than a year I went to see a doctor friend and I our group was able to have twentyasked him where I could find an- eight members. I started an AA other alcoholic whom I could try to campaign, and published announcehelp. He gave me the name of a ments for alcoholics in the newshospital in which I could find an al- papers, which most of the time were coholic who was hospitalized there answered by relatives of alcoholics. and who was a difficult and acute As a result, I sometimes had to case of alcoholism. His name was answer forty letters a day, because Humberto. I went to see him right I was taking care of all this correaway and he received me coldly. spondence and its expenses. But I told him about my year of so- For two years ours was the only briety, of what the AA program group that functioned in Lima. was, that in this same room where Then a friend formed another group he, Humberto, was lying, I had -the Lima One. From then on, been in similar circumstances. the AA program started spreading This was how, when Humberto and gaining strength every day and left the hospital, the Los Incas many other alcoholics in Peru have group was reborn, with only Hum- been able to have the AA program berto and myself as members. This within their reach, to recover from happened in 1954, and our meeting alcoholism. Enrique T . , Barranco, Peru

September 1965

092 the Grape,vine- Best of BPI1

‘s co-founder, Bill, has written often for the AA Grapevine’s readers over past years. When the editors were trying to get a count of all the pieces by Bill that have appeared in the magazine, we wondered, should we count short messages? Should we add in articles about AA organization? We decided no. Finally, we totalled over 50 longer, thoughtful records by Bill of how our Twelve Step program for recovery looked to him at various times, what his own experience with it was proving to be. Even this reduced count puts up an impressive mark for other contributors to shoot at! And it reminds us to make public, now, our thanks, as editors, for Bill’s continuing interest in the Grapevine and the great help he has given us all of us who have revolved in and out of these editorial chairs over the years. About a year ago, we began to think of printing readers’ favorites of Bill’s articles in separate form so that they would be readily available now that some of our back issues containing them are sold out. We chose five articles on subjects which are no strangers to any of us – Fear, Faith, Honesty, Humility, and Love – and had them printed in small booklets ( 3 % by 5 % inches) all packaged in a little envelope. We hope to add others to the package from time to time, so we gave the group of articles the overall title, “The Best of Bill.” Would AA readers like this way of presenting Bill’s words to keep at home or give to others? We just returned from the Convention in Toronto, where the “Best of Bill” was introduced to the more than 10,000 people who attended this exciting, important and exhausting gathering of AAs around the world. The Grapevine had two booths on the Convention floors which were in continual danger of capsizing beneath the waves of AAs rushing back and forth to panel meetings. We’re pretty certain thousands never saw our booths, or our new “Best of Bill” packet. But we are also certain (because we counted) that thousands stopped to look and to buy. We hope you will like the “Best of Bill,” too. Turn the page to see about prices and ordering. – The Editors

October 1965

the Convention attendees Bill and Lois in Toronto heard over and over

I k k a r time there a 6 four again a plea to find ways Unquestionably the best known, to all of us, of million alcoholics in the to get the story to ever AA’s anonymous thousands is Bill, the surviving coworld who are able, larger numbers-and get founder. And unquestionably the best known of Al- — ready and willing to get it to them before the Anon’s thousands is his wife, Lois. In Toronto, Bill well if only they knew bitter end in loss and and Lois spoke to over 10,000 people at the two big how. When we remember degradation. evening meetings, visited numerous other meetings hat in the 30 years of and panels at the hotels, held receptions, and presided Speakers plead: Don’t let iA’s existence we have Compliments to the over an early breakfast on Sunday for over 2,000 cached less than ten per Conventioneers! success make AA complacent ent of those who might Toronto AA Hosts The special gratitude and love AAs and AI-Anons At the close of the feel toward Bill and Lois were only partially expressed Two major thoughts stood out in the remarks of lave been willing to ap- Convention in Toronto, roach us, we begin to by the hand-clap thunder during standing ovations for the many speakers, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, at AA’s General Service them at the big meetings; beneath the applause was a AA’s July Toronto Convention. The first was admira- :et an idea of the im- Board voted formal and nensity of our task and deep, shared emotion which made their appearances tion and gratitude for AA’s startling success in sober- congratulatory thanks for the most memorable experiences of the entire ing up hundreds of thousands of lost-cause drunks. ,f the responsibilities the Fellowship to the vith which we will al- Convention. The other was concern that the success which has Host Committee made up come to AA over the thirty years since its start in vays be confronted.” of Toronto AAs, who laid Akron, Ohio in 1935 would not lead us to any com- The Convention heard But the AA talk is great. walked on the Garden the, groundwork for the placency about the size of the job still to be done. ‘rom two dozen interna- massive invasion of AAs Ideas from speakers. stage.. . The stirring way The theme of the Convention was: Responsibility. ionally-known nonalco- from AAs met by chance. Canadians sang all the and families for the July “1 am responsible. . . when anyone, anywhere, reaches iolic authorities on alco- 4th weekend Convention, make it all worthwhile. words of their national out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be lolism, many of whom and labored throughout Must tell them at home.” anthem . . . The marvelthere. And for that: I am responsible.” ~ r g e d AA as a whole, Another AA wrote im- ous yoks Walter O’K. it to see that things went pressions for the GSO M ‘ s co-founder, Bill, in his talk to over 10,000 ~ n dAA members indi- smoothly. Praise for the and the others of that attending the major sessions of the Convention, ~idually, to do more in AA Exchange Bulletin, star-spangled Variety excellence of all arrange- August-September. 1965, I stressed the need for cooperation with all who work ihe future than in the ments and the hospitality Show gave us, from the on the problem of alcoholism, the more than 100 past to help alert com- issue, which went out to “Drinking Song” overof Toronto AA and inture on . . . Nonalcoholic I agencies in the United States and Canada alone now munities to the cost of all group Secretaries deed of all of Toronto’s early in August: engaged in research, alcohol education and rehabilita- alcoholism in lives, labor hotels, restaurants and Trustee Trice’s story of tion. and happiness, as well as other services was uni- “. . .Those patient cof- asking for a beer in the “Too often, we have deprecated and even derided to the possibility of treat- fee shop hostesses at the Royal York bar a ~ i dbeversal among the depart- Koyal York . . .The overthese projects of our friends just because we do not ment and recovery. J. P. ing Conventioneers. ing sternly told by the always see eye to eye with them,” Bill said. “We Miller, author of the ex- whelming thrill of the bartender, “No slips in gigantic crowds in the should very seriously ask ourselves how many alcoholics have gone on drinking simply because we have tremely successful TV drama and film, “Days of Wine and Roses,” said it Melody lingers on.. Everyone of the over . Garden . . . The whoops you g a v e o l d f r i e n d s here, brother!” The who and where failed to cooperate in good spirit with these many agencies. No alcoholic should go mad or die merely succinctly: “Do you AAs 10,000 in Toronto for from other conventions of AA after 30 years because he did not come straight to AA in the have to be so aggressive- the AA Convention must or from your own home AA’s General Service beginning.” ly ‘ non-aggressive? HOW have taken away unique group first time you saw Board released figures on “The first concern of AA members should be with long are big drinkers go- memories, just as we say them . . . Archie Koose- the current size and geproblem drinkers the because they are not hurl ing to have to keep de- that our “stories are our velt’s introducing the ography of A h at the movement is still unable enough, others becausc pending on luck to learn own.” One man’s com- priest in Latin, yet. . . Toronto Convention: to reach,” Bill said. He they are hurt too much,’ about alcoholism?” ment: “Can’t keep up The big autographing There are 11,752 regestimated that there are he declared. “Many suf. Lauded for their share with it. Exhausted. No tangles when you found istered AA groups in the 20 million alcoholics in ferers have mental and in the AA story of be- sleep. Too much coffee. you’d signed your own world (a 6.7 per cent inthe world today, five mil- emotional complication! tween 350,000 and 400,- Must be terrible place for copy of A A 30 again.. . crease over 1964). Eslion in the U.S. alone. that seem to foreclost 000 alcoholics at present a newcomer. Don’t get The choke in your throat timated total membership “Some cannot be reached their chances. Yet il restored to normal life, overtired, we tell him! when Bill and Lois is “more than” 350,000

and a b o u t , 70,000 of Convention wae the future. He previewed the these are women. About fourth in a eeriee plan for a change in the 80 per cent of the mem- The July, 1965 Con- ratio of alcoholic to nonbership is in the lJ.S. and vention of AAs and fam- alcoholic members of the Canada but there are ilies was the fourth such General Service Board now more than 1,850 international gathering which was presented to groups in 90 other coun- since AA began thirty the 1965 General Service tries. (Canadian member- years ago. The first Con- Conference by Dr. John ship is almost 16,000.) vention was held in 1950 L. Norris, Chairman of Growth is especially in Cleveland, Ohio. At the Board. and which rapid in some countries, this Convention the will be acted on by the for example: in Latin Twelve Traditions were 1966 Conference. Texts America, estimated mem- accepted. by Dr. Norris and by bership in El Salvador This year, in Toronto, Bill on this move to put has risen from 780 to the emphasis of the Con- alcoholics in the majority 4.300 since 1960, in Co- vention was on AA’s re- on the Board will appear lombia from 125 to sponsibility for the work in the Grapevine in is- 2.650 in the same period. of “carrying the mes- sues early in 1966. In 1964 alone, more sage.” In addition, Conthan 1,500.000 copies of vention attendees heard Toronto seseions AA books. pamphlets, or Bill stress the need for on tape for $150 tapes went out to groups, responsible and enlight- If your Group would institutions or individuals. ened leadership for AA’s like to hear the Convene tion speakers, both AAs and nonalcoholic experts, New AA, Al-Anon, publications the panels, alkathons and big formal meetings, you introduced at the Convention may order tapes from New publications by tion, New York, N. Y. BFC. Inc., 900 Tri-State AA World Services, the 10017 Bldg., Cincinnati, Ohio AA Grapevine, and Al- AI-Anon Faces Alco- 45202. Best way to go Anon were first presented holism, a 285 page hard about it is to first send to Convention attendees, cover book summarizing for the complete order are now available by mail Al-Anon experience to blank, which lists the covorder. date: $4.50 from Al- erage. Included are the AA 30, hard cover, Anon Family G r o u p two long addresses made many pictures, stories of Headquarters, 125 East by Bill at the evening AA, cartoons, pages for 23rd St., New York, N. meetings in Maple Leaf autographs: $2.00 from Y. 10010 Gardens. AA World Services, Inc., “Best of Bill,” five ar- You may order just P. 0. Box 459, Grand certain taped sessions you Central Station. New ticles from the Grapevine are interested in, at $7.00 York, N. Y. 10017 by Bill, AA’s co-founder, each, or buy all of the New, hard cover, pock- in a pocket packet: 1-25, twenty-seven English-lanet size edition (4 by 6!4 50 cents each; 24-100, 40 guage tapes of AA sesinches) of Twelve Step3 cents each from AA sions. for your Group to and Twelve Traditions: Grapevine, Inc., P. 0. listen to over an ex- $2.75 from AA World Box 1980, Grand Central tended period of time, Services, Inc., P. 0. Box Station, New York, N. Y. for $150 (postage extra 459, Grand Central Sta- 10017 outside U.S.).

November 1965

The Passing of G: Our wonderful associate and friend G. has taken his leave from among us. To us of the Grapevine and to his wide circle of friends, he has left an exceptional legacy of gaiety, valor and deep dedication that will be long remembered.

G. had a long and successful professional career in thc field of humor. Years ago he brought his talents to the AA Grapevine and later served as its volunteer cditor.

After his retirement as Grapevine editor, he continued to write the popular “Anecdote Bin” for us.

Then, too, he contributed mightily to the success of A A Tocluy, the well-known reading piece which first made its appearance at our 1960 International Convention.

Unfailingly, G. gavc to thousands of AAs thc pricclcss and cherished gift of laughter.

His offering was the more inspiring because it was so cheerfully given in spite of his extreme frailty of health.

Ever the blithe spirit, G.’s valor inspired us :dl.

I December 1965

Christmas Message

from Bill

IN /Iris seasotr of all seasot~s we are filled wit11 pztiiude beyrrd expressiotr, /or /Ire grea/ gifi o/ l f i Grace – /he Grace tha/ lras se/ 11s fret- 10 live n t d love. Havitrcgr

Lois joitrs me itr deep atrd cotIfidetr/ /ail11 tlla/ 111ij Ct’rristrnas of 1965-AA ‘s Tlrirtietlr Amlivers a y Year – will be seen as our fitrcst yet.

January 1966

been a matter of crucial importance. However, the Trustees’ Plan, as This is the teaching of all human outlined by Dr. Jack, has far greater history. implications than mere practicality: Dr. Jack has specifically requested it carries deep spiritual values, it is a us of Alcoholics Anonymous – at call to the- highest of the level of our Board of Trustees – AA’s, responsibilities. In to assume the primary role in the effect, it is also a declara- Our Great conduct of AA’s world affairs. He has presented a detailed program for tion that AA has now evolved to such a point achieving this, a plan almost unani- of stability and compemously recommended by his fellow tence that-it should nb longer need Responsibility Trustees. Should we adopt this new concept in 1966, the chief responto function under what has been, since 1938, the symbol of protective sibility for the guidance of our world custody by nonalcoholic friends. As affairs would then be shifted from you know, the present structure was the nonalcoholics of our present created long ago – in a time when Board to the alcoholic Trustees of AA had but three Groups and only The Guidance of AA’s World Affairs the new Board. 40 members. Our recast Board would then be It is worth pausing here to recall composed of 14 AA Trustees and why our General Service Board was 7 nonalcoholic Trustees. Seven of originally so constituted. For us of the AA members would be chosen AA, the year 1938 was one of anfrom suitable areas of the U.S. and guished uncertainty. There was no Canada on the basis of their AA proof that alcoholics could stay soleadership qualifications. The re- ber indefinitely. Nor was there conmaining 7 AAs would be selected vincing evidence that we had the on the basis of their several high emotional stability to 1ook.after ourby Bill W. standards of business. professional selves, even though sober. Besides. and administrative skills. This would we had no public standing; people add up to a balanced board of 21 did not even know that we existed. members, in which the AAs would Then, too, how many distant AA function in a majority of 2 to 1. Groups would think of sending their Dear Members: This is because we are now to re- That would compare with our pres- money contributions to a board of Speaking on behalf of AA’s Board consider, and perhaps to recast, the ent Board of 10 nonalcoholics and trustees composed wholly of New of Trustees, our devoted friend and whole nature and composition of 9 AAs. The chief posts of the new York alcoholics? This was the cli- Chairman, Dr. Jack Norris, has AA’s future world leadership. As we Board would be open to its AA mate of fear and indecision that called upon us to face a far-reaching meditate upon this long unresolved members at any time such a change darkly overcast us in that early time. responsibility. Future AA historians problem, it would be well to recall might be desirable. For practical Nevertheless, it had already bewill no doubt record this occasion as that in the affairs of new societies reasons alone, the improved balance come clear that our infant society a major turning point in the unfold- and of nations, the determination of between the three classes _of Trustees would have to head up somewhere. ment of our well-loved Fellowship. their ultimate leadership has ever should commend itself to us all. At the top of our growing pyramid

of membership, there would need to berly estimated that, should all the nessed emotional storms, but none known, it was the nonalcoholic be erected a beacon light whose AA Trustees get drunk, our Board more serious than those which af- Trustees who held up our hands illumination might carry AA’s mes- could nevertheless continue to func- flict most other societies. In every before the general public. They sage to those who still suffered from tion by reason of its nonalcoholic single instance these disturbances supplied us with ideas that are now alcoholism. Lest one day its radiance guardianship! have been successfully overcome by a part of the working structures of be snuffed out by drinking relapses Happily, we can now smile at all the immense spirit of dedication our headquarters. They voluntarily and irresponsibility, we felt sure that these excessive fears and elaborate that has always characterized every spent hours on end, working side by , we dare not tend this lighthouse all precautions. During the past 27 level of our worldwide effort. The side with us and among the grubbiby ourselves. years, only two AA Trustees have record speaks for itself. Today we est of details. They gave freely of Some kind of certain protection been waylaid by alcohol. Mean- know that we need not fear alco- their professional and financial wiswe must have -but what protec- while, our message has been carried holism, nor excessive emotional in- dom. Now and then they helpfully tion? The answer that we proposed worldwide, and most effectively in- stability. mediated our difficulties. in 1938 is now history. We re- deed. It is probably no Next, let us inquire into what has In the early years especially, their quested carefully chosen nonalco- exaggeration to estimate been the value of our nonalcoholic very presence on our Board was holic friends to become a majority that one-half of our pres- Trustees over all these years. With- quite able to command full confiof our projected Trusteeship, and we ent membership, and out hesitation, I can tell you that dence and the respect of many faragreed to make this status legal. We much of our remarkable their value has been quite beyond away Groups. Meanwhile, they asfurther stipulated that, traditionally, unity has been due, in reckoning. Only God could add sured the world around us of AA’s there should always be a nonalco- large measure, to the efforts of AA their score. Therefore I deeply hope worth. These are the unusual servholic Chairman and likewise a non- world servants, both on the Board that a sizable contingent of these ices which indeed they still render. alcoholic Treasurer. Frankly admit- of Trustees, and in the General friends will continue to remain with Then, too, these are the men who ting that AA would absolutely have Service Office. us, just as our new plan provides. stood fast during that exciting but to have such a protectorate, we som- Of course we have sometimes wit- In the days when AA was un- perilous time between 1940 and

I * “

“950 when AA’s unity and its collective responsibility were put to the acid test – a time our Twelve Traditions were being forged out of the lessons of that experience. “. .. our Board of Trustees should be related. ..t o AA as a whole.” Having myself been a constant resident of AA’s house of world service for over a quarter of a cen- inevitably time went by, the quality Anonymous was first projected. In Office, Dr. Bob and myself. The tury, no one could better understand of our conformity began to improve. those times it was seriously believed Trustees themselves were virtually what these devoted friends have We commenced to practice AA by a majority of AAs that the t e m p unknown. Dr. Bob had fallen ill, meant to us. T o gratefully set my principles because we knew them to tations and risks of such complex perhaps fatally. Our linkage was testimony of their magnificent con- be right for us, even though many ventures as these would be far too perishable and far too thin. Hence tributions on the record in this were still difficult. Nonetheless, it much for us. However, we can now some of us felt it imperative that our article is something for the deepest was a very long time before many of thank God that we finally did face Board of Trustees should be directly and most enduring of satisfactions. us could come to the point where and accept those vital and clear-cut related without delay to AA as a Nor could any expression of our we would accept our heavier obliga- responsibilities. whole. gratitude be complete unless I were tions with that full and joyful will- Nevertheless we found on each of There was still another to tell you of the indispensable con- ingness which finally grants to us a these occasions that we had to be reason: a majority of our tribution that was once made to consistent spiritual effectiveness. strongly persuaded of the absolute Groups had already de- AA’s welfare by a nonalcoholic It is also observable that, like need for change. There had to be clared that they would no friend and Trustee. I write of a other people, we AAs are apt to re- manifest a solid core of constructive longer live under the proman that many of you know – our sist any proposal for great change, and convincing personal leadership. tection and management one-time Chairman, Mr. Bernard especially when all seems to go well. This is exactly what our remark- of their local founders and old-tim- Smith. During the most serious cri- Often enough, these reluctancies able friend, Bern Smith, gave to us ers – no matter how well-loved sis that this Fellowship has ever ex- have been based upon our fears. But when, in 1950, after years of great these were. For better or worse, our perienced, it was Bern who per- sometimes they have represented a heat but little light, we had failed to Groups were taking the decision to suaded us to meet and to shoulder genuine prudence. This latter qualit.] arrive at a decision to form AA’s look after themselves. our clear and rightful obligations. of conservatism has occasionally General Service Conference. It was This was the AA revolution As individuals, it must be con- prevented ill-considered or hasty de- his personal leadership that saved which led to the writing of Tradifessed that we AAs have never been cisions upon important matters. the day. tion Two, whose principles of AA over-anxious to meet heavy respon- What has been true of us as in- Let me now background this function provide that the group consibilities. All of us were at first driv- dividuals has necessarily been true statement. By 1946, certain facts of science shall be the final authority en to AA under the lash of alcohol. of AA as a whole. I can vividly re- AA life were becoming visible. Our for all active services and that Arriving in the midst of the new- member the heavy opposition to the trusteeship -then called The Al- trusted servants named by the found life, we were soon confronted creation of our world trusteeship in coholic Foundation -was becom- Groups shall act in their behalf. with the Twelve Steps and Twelve 1938, to the publication of our text ing more and more isolated as our Certainly our long isolated Board book Alcoholics Anonymous in Groups fanned out over the globe. members were trusted servants. But 1939 and I still tremble when I re- Indeed, the only linkage between it was nonetheless true that these call the truly fierce resistance that our Board and all these thousands Trustees had no direct connection to arose when, in 1946, the General of members consisted of a few tire- the group conscience of our Society, Service Conference of Alcoholics less AA gals at the General Service nor were they directly accountable

i ‘

to it. It was therefore becoming evi- at its very heart of service. He deep- and heartwarming events of my en- the new Trustees’ Plan dent that we here at New York were ly felt that we must not risk such a tire AA life. provides that our friends still operating as a protectorate, debacle at our headquarters, a ca- Finally, let us reflect together up- would, in the future, act something that had by then become lamity from which we might never on the high spiritual content of this in a minority, thus beobsolete and quiet inconsistent with recover. all-important plan. coming our associates. In the provisions and spirit of AA’s He also continued to remind us As we know, all AA progress can making this humble ofsecond Tradition. that self-direction was the very first be reckoned in terms of just two fer, they have called upon us to as- Consequently it was proposed to responsibility of every democratic words: humility and responsibility. sume. the highest of responsibilities assemble a general service confer- society, such as ours had, in Tradi- Our whole spiritual development -the guidance, under God, of our . ence of delegates who could square- tion Two, said it was. As we know, can be accurately measured by our own life as a fellowship. ly meet these deficiencies. As news these views of Bern’s were finally , degree of adherence to these mag- If this, then, is their demonstraof this project got into circulation, accepted, and I shall never forget nificent standards. Ever deepening tion of humility, what is going to be resistance began to mount. The that wonderful day in his office humility, accompanied by an ever our demonstration of responsibility? more the conference was urged, the when the Trustees’ Committee on greater willingness to accept and to As to a family just coming of age, more the opposition dug in. Many Structures recommended immediate act upon clear-cut obligations – they have in substance told us, “The AAs were deeply frightened. They creation of the General Service Con- these are truly our touchstones for world of the future stretches before imagined themselves engulfed in a ference of AA. To our friend Bern all growth in the life of the spirit. you, and you are well prepared. Go wave of prestige-seeking, shabby we therefore owe it that we have our They hold up to us the very essence out into it, fearing nothing. Our politics, financial troubles and all Annual Conference. of right being and right doing. It is faith in you is confident and strong. the rest of it. Under such conditions, Certainly his story has a deep and by them that we are enabled to find As you move onward toward your many good members were quite un- clear relevance to this all-important and to do God’s will. destiny, may you always remember able to see the urgent need for radi- matter of AA’s future leadership; Let us therefore consider the that God in His wisdom has granted cal change. Observing their protests, the question that is again before us spiritual gifts which our friends have you three precious Graces: freedom our Board naturally concluded that and one which has been ten years today offered for AA’s future wel- from a deadly affliction; a life ex- AAs most emphatically did not want under debate. fare. They have offered to reduce perience that enables you to carry a general service conference. I’m It is ever so evident that Dr. Jack their numbers by three. Being stili a that priceless freedom to others, and afraid, too, that the growing impasse has been performing for us a similar board majority, and still holding its a vision, ever widening, of God’s was made still worse by my inces- service of unique importance. T o chief posts, our nonalcoholics have reality and of His Love.” sant bulldozing of the conference him and to his fellow Trustees, we all these years been cast in the role May we of Alcoholics .Anonyissue. therefore owe a similar tribute. It is of guardianship, a responsibility that mous remain ever worthy of these Then Bern Smith came upon the greatly due to Dr. Jack’s wise and they have never been called upon to three gifts of Grace and of the suscene. With matchless diplomacy patient leadership in this time of meet. Therefore this old-time sym- preme responsibilities that are now and tact he began to point out that change that we have the Trustees’ bol of protection has long since be- ours, for so long as a bountiful God the actual risk of the conference Plan before us at this time – a

, venture was, in his belief, plan, which, if adopted, would mark come meaningless. Recognizing this, may wish AA to endure.

Pi ,I far less than the risk o j the last basic step in the evolution of doing nothing at all – a AA’s world service structure. policy which he thought Most assuredly, I hardly need say would, in the future, re- that I do endorse the Trustees’ Plan; sult in a collapse, or cer- its unfoldment in the 1965 Confertainly a grievous impairment of AA ence was one of the most inspiring

January 1966

General Service Trustees, Delegates ment – toward efficacy in carrying and Staff review the year past, plan the message. The pages which folthe next, discuss problems, and es- low propose another step in that Unusual and Important! tablish service guidelines to meet the vital evolution. needs of AA groups. The Trustees have already voted The emergence, during thirty sixteen to one ( 1 abstaining, 1 vacyears, of this three-sided means of cancy), in favor of the program for Abonl 111enew providing leadership for AA’s change which Dr. Norris presents World Services has been a gradual here. The Conference Delegates are TRUSTEES’ PROGRAM evolution from need toward fulfill- to vote on it in April of this year. The Editors

Some background notes concerning a program for the future o f AA’s General Service Board, which is presented and discussed by Dr. John L. Norris, the Board’s Chairman, and by Bill, AA’s co-founder, on the following seventeen pages o f this Grapevine. Trustees’ Program

w E begin this New Year’s issue scribed on the following pages, beof the AA Grapevine with a fore turning to the more usual presentation of several related ar- Grapevine stories of personal expeticles of unusual importance. These rience, and insight in living the AA for Structuring the articles, by Dr. John L. Norris, and way, which comprise the balance of General Service Board Bill, concern AA “structure,” not our issue. always a subject of the greatest in- As a reminder: AA’s New York terest to someone who has only re- “General Service Office” consists of 10 //re 1965 Genernl Servirc Gx$ernrce As prescr~~ed cently joined us, and not always, two nonprofit corporations: AA by John L. Norris. M.D., U~~iimmtr truth to tell, sufficiently the concern World Services and the AA Grapeof those of us who have been around vine. They are responsible to the a while. General Service Board of, at pres- But the proposal which Dr. Nor- ent ten nonalcoholic (Class A ) s the Fellowship moves into its view Board structure at regular inris makes here, and which Bill en- Trustees and nine alcoholic (Class dorses, bears weightily on the ques- B) Trustees. In addition, AA’s Gen- A 30th year and the Board into its 27th, we have undertaken to astervals and make whatever changes new experience or changing circumtion of AA solidarity and leader- eral Service Conference, made up of sess the present Board structure and stances make necessary. ship, and ultimately on the sobriety eighty-eight Delegates representing to make specific recommendations The Board believes that we of each of us, which depends on AA U.S. and Canadian AA Groups, as- for the Board’s foreseeable future. should start some changes in Board unity and effectiveness. We hope sists in the guidance of AA’s world We realize that no actions taken by structure which will take some time therefore, that you will read and re- service efforts and the publishing the Trustees or by the Conference to complete.. The program, if a p flect on the proposed change in the programs. It meets once a year, in are forever binding. In fact, it will proved by next year’s (1966) Coa- Generar Service Board make-up, de- April. At each Annual Conference, prove desirable in the future to re- ference, after a year of study, will

result in a newly composed Board have been thoroughly discussed with believe that a proportion of one- but with the clear understanding not earlier than 1967 – five years Bill and have his full approval. third nonalcoholics to two-thirds that members of the April 1966 after the last modifications in Board Before these were drawn up, both , alcoholics will preserve the bene- Board arc not to be affected by structure were approved by the Con- Class A and Class B members of the fits of the mixed Board while it these changes: ference. Board spent considerable time re- meets the needs of a growing a. There should be established viewing Board structure and the ac- movement. This will, moreover. for Class A Trustees il three-year There are a number of prin- tions of previous Conferences affect- express internally and to the pub- term which may be followed by ciples involved in these changes – ing structural changes. Your Trust- lic our high regard for the counsel two successive three-year termsfrom the one that affirms the desir- ees undertook to assess all the fac- of our nonalcoholic friends. nine years in ;dl. ability of placing the AA Fellowship tors involved, dispassionately and b. There should be a six-year in primary charge of its world affairs practically-with these conclusions: Board Chairmanship term for the Chairman but this -to the one that expresses the 2. The present bylaw which makes tenure should not be restricted by security that many have felt in a Mixed Board the Board Chairmanship open to the 3-3-3 terms of Class A Trustnonalcoholic majority. There have 1. The concept of a “mixed” Board either a nonalcoholic or alcoholic ees. Thus, conceivably, a Class A been many different attitudes toward – that is, both nonalcoholics and should be unchanged. The Board Trustee might serve nine years modification of the present structure alcoholics – is a good one and should remain free to select as its and then become Chairman. in expressed in and out of our Confer- should be continued. But there is Chairman the Trustee who in its which case his tenure would conence halls. And many different no longer any need for a “major- judgment could best carry this re- tinue for another six years. shades of opinion. some believed ity of one” nonalcoholics. Re- sponsibility. that change was desirable but the member that when the Board was Regional Class B Trustees time was not right. Others were op- organized this way no- Class A Rotation 4. The Board has also examined the ‘

posed to any change. body had had more 3, We have examined thc method of selection and the func- . Now the Board has asked me than three years of so- practicability of a ro- tioning of Class B Trustees – the to present some proposals to the briety. L a s t year’s tation plan for Class alcoholic Board members. The Conference and to ask you to con- Conference Delegates – . — A Trustees and be- Regional Trustee electoral system sider them for one year, voting on averaged eleven years lieve that the following was approved by the 1962 Conthem in 1966. All of these proposals of active membership in AA. We changes. are desirable ference and the elections of 1963

and 1964 have shown the merits a. That the number of this type have come about, the Board will 1967 Conference. The increase in of this procedure. We believe that of Trustee be increased from four be made up of: Board size from 19 to 2 1 would we are now ready: to seven; and that four of these Seven nonalcoholic (Class A ) provide this room. a. To improve year-round liai- seven continue to come from the compared to ten today. Class A Trusteeships would be son between Board and member- New York commuting area while Seven Regional Trustecs (Class set at seven when, through norship by expanding the four U.S. the other three come from any- B – 5 U.S. – 2 Canadian) com- mal attrition, this number was Regional Trusteeships t o five, where in the U.S. and Canada. pared to four U.S. and one Cana- reached. and the one Canadian Regional b. That the General Service dian today. Then the three General Service Trusteeship to two. Trustees from the New York Seven General Service Trustees Trustees from outside New York b. T o follow the same Regional commuting area be nominated (Class B – 4 N.Y. – 3 U.S. and would be clccted. Electoral system for the U.S. and elected as they now are. Canada) compared with four which then would give each U.S. c. That the General Service from N.Y.today. Four Proposals Region two four-year terms with Trustees from outside New York The proposal thitt the Conference a two-year gap rather than the be elected as follows: The Board Timetable is being asked to consider for one present one four-year term with would set up “specifications” to 7. The Board believes that a calm. year and to vote on in 1966 can be a two-year gap. cover the kind of business and deliberate approach to these simply expressed: professional qualifica- changes is essential. This is the I . That the General Service Boitrd c. To ask Canada to set up two tions needed to fill a Regions to include all provinces; timetable that your Trustees ofier be increased to twenty-onc, of vacancy. All states and as part of these proposals: whom seven shall be nonalcoholic then to apply the U.S. electoral provinces would be system but with no gap between a. First, a clear understanding and fourteen alcoholic. asked to submit quali- that no Class A Trustees on the 2. That the alcoholic Trustees be: four-year terms. fied names at least six Board when the Confcrcncc votcs Scvcn Kcgional – five from U.S. months before the April Confer- on the plan are to be affected by and two from Canada. General Service Class B Trustees ence. The Conference Commit- the changed procedures and ten- Seven General Service Trustces- 5. The Board believes that the policy tees on Trustees would be invited ures; that changes will be put into four from New York commuting of having four Class B General to meet with the Trustees’ Nom- cfiect only after there are Class A area and three from anywhere in Service Trustees has been very inating Committee in joint session ‘ vacancies resulting from death or U.S. andlor Canada. important to the prudent steward- at the time of the January Board normal retirement. 3. That Class A Trusteeships follow ship of the Fellowship-and par- meeting to discuss the entire slate b. Then, that this plan be taken a rotation plan of 3-3-3 years but ticularly the General Service Of- and to reduce it to four names. At home by all members of the I965 that thc Ch;tirman’s tenure of six fice. These Trustees (sometimes the Conference annual meeting, Conference, considered for onc yeiirs be independent of his servknown as New York or “in-town” the entire Conference would use year. and then voted on at the ice as a Trustee. Trustees) have been selected by Third Legacy procedures to select 1966 Annual Mceting of the Con- 4. That the Bortrtl incorporate the the Nominating Committee for one name for election by the ference. bylitw changes necessary to protheir specialized business and pro- Board. c. Should the 1966 Conference vide for Class A rotation and for fessional experience-capabilities accept the plan by a two-thirds or the itdditional Regional and Genthat are needed in handling the Sue of Board better majority. then the compo- eral Service Trustees. affairs of a growing movement. 6. The structural modifications we sition of the Board would take We entrust these proposals to Guided by the success of this have discussed now add up to a shape in this order: your good judgment. n~~..~od of selection, the Board 2 1-man Board compared to The two additionill Regional John L. Norris, M.D. suggests: the present 19. When all changes Trustees would be. added by the C/rrrirtnmt, Generd Service Bocrrd

January 1966

Tnutees Ptvgram for Structuring the recommendations. The 1965 “Trustees’ Program” recommends the addition of another U.S. and another Canadian Regional Trustee – an extension GenctuI Sem’cc Board of the 1962 restructuring plan. Are these rhonges needed hecmse it is getting more dificult to get highly qiitilified nonalcoholic Trustees? So far we have been most fortunate in highly qualified people in business and professional life to give great blocks of their time to AA affairs. We will undoubtedly continue to have the same good fortune. But each year as thc scope of our general services gets broader, we are asking more of the non’s, so that we arc now asking a great deal of our nonalcoholic friends. It seems only fair that more of the demands for specialized experience should now be shared by these additional AA Trustees (both Here are some typical questions asked by AA members Regional and General Service). about the Trustees’ Program which has appeared on the preceding Was the Board plucetl irntler “pressure” to present their recommendations pages, with answers prepared by Dr. Morris, Chairman of the Board to the 1965 Conference? Tinle itself is the “pressure.” Many of us on the Board are conscious of the Does the “Trustees’ Program” for re-structuring the Board as presented at fact that some of these days we should be thinking about retiring (rememthe 1965 Conference represent a reversal of the actions of the 1962 Board ber, two new Class A Trustees this year, and three others talking about and 1962 Conference? retiring) and we would rather not leave structural changes as unfinished In 1962 the Board by a 10 to 4 vote expressed its view that a change of business. We felt that if discussion of changes was started now, even under ratio was inadvisable at that time. The Conference supported the Board’s the most favorable conditions, it would be 1967 before they could be recommendations. A brief analysis of the Board’s vote may prove useful. completed. Most of the Trustees had not been opposed to the principles involved but The matter of time influences Bill, too, who is in complete agreement with had felt strongly that the timing was wrong. They felt that the issue had the Trustees’ program and who would dearly like to see the changes made k o m e so emotionally charged that a calm, dispassionate appraisal of the while he still is active in general service affairs. factors was not possible. They felt that the matter had better be decided in Are more A A Trustees needed? favor of “no change” for the time being. The basic views of these Trustees have not changed in the intervening years and now, conscious of the needs The answer to this lies in the growth of the Fellowship. Originally all of the Board that growth of the movement and the passing of time are Trustees came from the New York area (except for the co-founder, Dr. creating, we feel that some changes should be started. Bob). As the movement grew and experience accumulated outside New The terms of some of the AA Trustees who were opposed to change have York, the need for voices from other states and provinces grew, too. expired. Some of the AA Trustees supported change then and still do. New When in 1962 the Board and Conference voted to add two more U.S. AA Trustees on the Board at Conference time favor the present proposal. Regional Trustees, it was with the realization that our sources of experience The nonalcoholic Trustees agreed to the proposal before it was presented to today cover all of Canada and the United States. the AA Trustees. The two additional Regional (Class B) Trustees helped but still left Canada The result was the 16 to 1 decision to present a “Trustees’ Program” to with only one. It also left each of the six U.S. Regions with a two-year gap the Conference for action 31 1966. between Trustee terms. The further addition of two Class B’s (one for the In 1962 the Board unanimously approved the addition of two U.S. Re- U.S. and one for Canada) will, the majority of the Board believes, prove gional Trustees to the Board and the Conference supported the Board’s extremely helpful in terms of continuity and coverage.

The addition of three General Service Trustees from outside New York is Does this program of structural changes mean that we are “grown up”? in further recognition of the broad base of AA experience which the Fellow- How can that he reconciled with the fact that all A A s are only “one drink ship needs today. The new General Service Trustees would bring special away from a (lrunk”? business and professional skills from othcr parts of the country – just as It is doubtful that any of us fecl that these changes are necessary simply the four General Service Trustces from New York have made very special because we would like to say that we are “grown up.” While the Fellowship contributions to the General Service Office over the years. (The special has grown in size and service needs, the problems and solutions of the skills which they have brought to bear have included publishing, finance, individual alcoholic remain unchanged. But it is in the complexity of our communications, law, administration and research.) general services today that the need for an improved Board structure lies. How do the notrolcoholic (Class A ) Trustees feel ahout the change in their AA experience has accumulated rapidly over the past thirty years – and is representation? accumulating today at an even greater rate. It needs the help of more AA Trustees to interpret it and put it to work. The problem and its solution Significantly, the skeleton of the “Trustees’ Program” was put together by would seem to be outside the question of our being “grown up.” (I perthe nonalcoholic Trustees before it was discussed with the AA Trustees. sonally hope that AA never completely “grows up.”) Of course, the change (which would not be completed until 1967 at the earliest) will in no way affect nonalcoholic Trustees now on the Board. Would the adoption o f the Trustees’ Program “freeze” these structural Their places will be taken only when they are vacated through retirement ckunges far into the future? or death. The Trustees feel that the structure of the Board (and the Conference) Generally, we nonalcoholic Trustees feel that the so-called “level hcadedshould keep pace with a growing Fellowship. This would indicate the need ness” which we are supposed to bring to the Board can be served as well for occasional reviews of structure -perhaps at five-year intervals. Any by seven of us as by ten. There never has been any division in Board voting Board and any Conference can further amend -o r can reverse -whatalong lines of Class A and Class B, and I seriously doubt that there ever ever actions may be taken today. would be this sort of division. What about the benefits of rotdon? Will 3-3-3 yeur terms make it more or less dificult to attrnct high1.v quulified nonalcoholic (Class A ) Trustees? The procedure was borrowed from other nonprofit organizations who have found that it made the job of getting highly qualified Board members easier. The three successive terms give a busy Trustee an opportunity to drop out gracefully, should he find the duties more taxing than he expected or more than he can fit into a tightened business or professional schedule. At the same time the provision for three consecutive terms makes for continuity and the accumulation of useful policy-making experience. .

What will be the cost of the structural changes recommended? The exact amount of additional cost will depend on the distances that new AA Trustees must travel. Like all activities involving AA growth, this change, too, will cost money – probably an average $4,000.00 annually. It will be justified as it rcsults in an improved Conference and Board structure and stronger linkage between G.S.O.and Groups in the U.S. and Canada. With stronger linkage, the problem of adequate support of general services can be solved.

February 1966

On Being Friendly with Our Friends Many A A members find themselves occasionally wondering what attitude to take toward workers engaged in other-than-AA programs, and treatment facilities in the field of alcoholism. Each member’s choice is of course his own, but as a guide, the 1965 General Service Conference, representing through its elected Delegates the A A Groups of the United States and Canada, issued a recommendation that will prove helpfully clarifying to many members. I t is printed below. The Editors

The Conference Committee on Relations with Other Agencies Recommends: 1. That Delegates establish lines of communication with Directors of taxsupported and voluntary Alcoholism Programs in their areas. 2. That the Conference reaffirm the comment on question # I 6 in the pamphlet “Cooperation But Not Affiliation” and request publication of the following in the AA Grapevine: “Experience shows that AA Groups and lntergroups or Central Committees should not operate or manage these ventures. Individual AAs frequently set up such related facilities, being careful not to use the AA name in solicitation, advertising and publicity. These ventures are usually set up on a nonprofit basis, incorporated under the charitable and educational laws of the state and excluding ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ from their names. “Hospitals and rest homes and other community rehabilitation aids bear the same relationship to AA Groups, Intergroups or Central Committees as do any other outside agency. With full cooperation of the Groups in the community they are used for referral, provided AA’s Tradition of non-endorsement and non-affiliation is made clear. “Since these ventures are separate from the Fellowship, it is advisable that they operate under names which do not link them to AA – under names other than ’12th Step House,’ ‘Alanon House,’ ctc.” 3. That in accordance with past procedure, the “World Directory” should not be made available to other organizations because of its confidential nature. 4. That the title of the Conference Committee on Relations with Outside Organizations be changed to the Conference Committee on Relations with Other Agencies.

June 1966

planed. But nothing else happened, there was no hope of my recovery; nothing at all. The onlookers stood that I, too, would have to be conin puzzled silence. Where were Ebby fined, else risk insanity or death. and Bill? Then the horrible discov- But Providence would have it ery was made – we were both otherwise. It was presently learned slumped in the rear cockpit of the that Ebby had been paroled into the Tn Remembrance of “Ebby” plane, completely passed out! Kind custody of friends who (for the time ‘ friends lifted us down and stood us being) had achieved their sobriety upon the ground. Whereupon we in the Oxford Groups. They brought history-makers fell flat on our faces! Ebby to New York where he fell Ignominously, we had to be carted under the benign influence of AA’s away. The fiasco could not have great friend-to-be, Dr. Sam Shoebeen more appalling. We spent the maker, the rector of Calvary Episnext day shakily writing apologies. copal Church. Much affected by Over the following five years, I Sam and the “0. G.” Ebby promptseldom saw Ebby. But of course our ly sobered up. Hearing of my seri- N his seventieth year, and on the veritable elixir for good living. I twenty-first of March, my friend Then there was that absurd epiand sponsor “Ebby” passed beyond sode of 1929. Ebby and I were on drinking went on and on. In late 1934 I got a terrific jolt when I learned that Ebby was about to be ous condition, he had straight-way come to our house in Brooklyn. As I continued to recollect, the our sight and hearing. an all-night spree in Albany. Sud- locked up, this time in a state men- vision of Ebby looking at me across On a chill November afternoon in denly we remembered that a new tal hospital. our kitchen table became wonder- 1934 it was Ebby who had brought airfield had been constructed in Following a series of mad sprees, fully vivid. As most AAs know, he me the message that saved my life. Vermont, on a pasture near my own he had run his father’s new Packard spoke to me of the release from Still more importantly, he was the home town. The opening day was off the r o d and into the side of a hopelessness that had come to him bearer of the Grace and of the prin- close at hand. Then came the in- dwelling, smashing right into its (through the Oxford Groups) as ciples that shortly afterward led to toxicating thought: If only we could kitchen, and just missing a terrified the result of self-survey, restitution, my spiritual awakening. This was hire a plane we’d beat the opening . housewife. Thinking to ease this outgoing helpfulness to others, and truly a call to new life in the Spirit. by several days, thus making avia- rather awkward situation, Ebby prayer. In short, he was proposing It was the kind of rebirth that has tion history ourselves! Forthwith, summoned his brightest smile and the attitudes and principles that I since become the most precious Ebby routed a pilot friend out of said, “Well, my dear, how about a used later in developing AA’s possession of each and all of us. bed, and for a stiff price we engaged cup of coffee?” Twelve Steps to recovery. As I looked upon him where he him and his small craft. We sent the Of course Ebby’s lighthearted hu- It had happened. One alcoholic lay in perfect repose, I was stirred town father a wire announcing the mor was quite lost on everyone con- had effectively carried the message by poignant memories of all the time of our arrival. In midmorning, cerned. Their patience worn thin, to another. Ebby had been enabled years I had known and loved him. we took to the air, greatly elated – the town fathers yanked him into to bring me the gift of Grace be- There were recollections of those and very tight. court. T o all appearances, Ebby’s cause he could reach me at depth joyous days in a Vermont boarding Somehow our rather tipsy pilot final destination was the insane asy- through the language of the heart. school. After the war years we were set us down on the field. A large lum. To me, this marked the end of He had pushed ajar that great gate sometimes together, then drinking crowd, including the village band the line for us both. Only a short through which all in AA have since of course. Alcohol, we thought, was and a welcoming committee, lustily time before, my physician, Dr. Silk- passed to find their freedom under the solvent for all difficulties, a cheered his feat. The pilot then de- worth, had felt obliged to tell Lois God.

J u l y 1966

kind of customers, and seemingly and brand new facts. Scientist and hopeless. man of courage that he was, Harry At first, the book made little im- did not for a moment look the pression on this pair. Indeed, its other way. Setting aside his own heavy larding with the word “God,” convictions about alcoholism and Memory of I so angered Marty that she threw it its neurotic manifestations, he soon out her window, flounced off the became convinced that AA had grounds of the swank sanitarium something, perhaps something big. HARRY where she was, and proceeded to tie All the years afterwards, and on a big bender. often at .very considerable risk to Grenny didn’t carry a rebellion his professional standing, Harry quite so far; he played it cool. continued to endorse AA. Consid- When Marty finally turned up, ering Harry’s professional standing,

B Y the time this issue of the Grapevine reaches its readers, the whole world of AA will have shaking badly, and asked Dr. this required courage of the highest Harry what next to do, he simply order. grinned and said, “You’d better Let me share some concrete exheard of the passing of our well- read that book again!” Back in her amples. In one of his early medical beloved friend, Dr. Harry M. Tie- quarters, Marty finally brought her- papers -that noted one on “Surbout, the first psychiatrist ever to self to leaf through its pages once render3’*-he had declared this egohold up the hands of our Fellow- more. A single phrase caught her reducing practice to be not only ship for all to see. His gifts of cour- eye and it read, “We cannot live basic to AA, but also absolutely ageous example, deep perception of with resentment.” The moment she fundamental to his own practice of our needs, and constant labor in our admitted this to herself, she was psychiatry. This took humility as behalf have been – and always will filled with a “transforming spiritual well as fortitude. It will always be be – values quite beyond our experience.” a bright example for us all. reckoning. Forthwith she attended a meet- Nevertheless this much was but It began like this: The year was ing. It was at Clinton Street, Brook- a bare beginning. In 1944, helped early 1939, and the book, Alcohol- lyn, where Lois and I lived. Re- by Dr. Kirby Collier of Rochester Harry M. Tiebout, M . D . ics Anonymous, was about to hit turning to “Blythewood” she found and Dwight Anderson . of New the press. To help with the final Grenny intensely curious. Her first York, Harry had persuaded the edit of that volume we had made words to him were these: “Grenny, American Medical Society of the prepublication copies in multigraph we are not alone any more!” State of New York to let me, a layform. One of them fell into Harry’s This was the beginning of re- man, read a paper about AA, at hands. Though much of the content I covery for both – recoveries that their annual gathering. Five years was then alien to his own views, he I have lasted until this day. Watch- later this same trio, again spearread our up-coming book with deep ing their unfoldment, Harry was headed by Harry, persuaded the interest. Far more significantly, he electrified. Only a week before they American Psychiatric Association at once resolved to show the new had both presented stone walls of * Reprinted from the “Quarterly ~ournaj volume to a couple of his patients, 1 1 obstinate resistance to his every ap- of Studies on Alcohol,” Dec., 1954, pp. since known to us as “Matty” and proach. Now they talked, and free- 6 10-621, available from the ,National i “Grenny.” These were the toughest ly. To Harry these were the facts – Council on Alcoholism. .,.I :

to invite the reading of another Seen in this light, I was the more paper by me- this time in their deeply moved by the generous and 1949 Annual Meeting at Montreal. magnificent tribute that had been By then, AA had about 100,000 paid to us of AA. My paper was members, and many psychiatrists soon published in the American had already seen at close range our Psychiatric Journal and our New impact on their patients. York headquarters was authorized For us of AA who were present by the Association to make all the at that gathering it was a breath- reprints we wished for distribution.* taking hour. My presentation would By then the trek of AA overseas be “the spiritual experience,” as we had well begun. Heaven only knows AAs understood it. Surely we could what this invaluable reprint accomnever get away with this! To our plished when it was presented to astonishment the paper was ex- psychiatrists in distant places by tremely well received -judging, at the fledgling AA groups. It vastly least, from the sustained applause. hastened the worldwide acceptance Immediately afterwards, I was of AA. approached by a most distinguished I could go on and on about old gentleman. He introduced him- Harry, telling you of his activities self as an early president of the in the general field of. alcoholism, American Psychiatric Association. of his signal service dn our AA Beaming he said, “Mr. W., it is Board of Trustees. I could tell very possible that I am the only stories of my own delightful friendone of my colleagues here today ship with him, especially rememwho really believes in ‘spiritual ex- bering his great good humor and perience’ as you do. Once upon a infectious laugh. But the space altime, I myself had an awakening lotted me is too limited. much akin to your own, an experi- So in conclusion, I would have ence that I shared in common with Harry speak for himself. Our AA two close friends, Bucke and Whit- Grapevine of November, 1963, carman.” ried a piece by him that, between Naturally I inquired, “But why its lines, unconsciously reveals to did your colleagues seem to like the us a wonderful self portrait of our paper?” friend. Again, we feel his fine per- His reply went like this: “You ception, again we see him at work see, we psychiatrists deeply know for AA. No epitaph could be better what very difficult people you alco- than this. holics really are. It was not the claims of your paper that stirred * Excerpts from this talk are contained in Alcoholism The Illness, by Bill W., a my friends, it was the fact that AA pamphlet available from AA World can sober up alcoholics wholesale.” Services.

August 1966 i

more so to many, since it was Soon the child began to reveal

38.eQ spoken in English. The eulogy, written and read by a close friend of Sister’s, was a graphic and stirring portrayal of her character, and unusual musical talents, both of piano and voice. A few years later she was seen giving lessons at the home of her parents. During 1914, of her deeds. There was a most she ,became possessed of a great For special emphasis upon the merits of AA, and upon the part co-founder desire to become a religious. In this year she joined the Community Dr. Bob had played in Sister’s great that many of us AAs know so well adventure among us. We were as- -the Sisters of Charity of St. Augsured as seldom before that those ustine. There she continued her Sirter who dwell in the fellowship of the Spirit need never be concerned with musical education and her teaching. But even then, as ever since, Sisbarriers, or with boundaries. ter was frail, exceeding frail. By ‘ For those thousands of men, 1933 the rigors of her music teachwomen and children whose lives ing had become too great. She had had been directly touched and illu- a really serious physical breakdown. Ignatia: mined by Sister, it would perhaps not be needful to write this account Her doctor put to her this choice: “You will have to take it easy. You of her. Of Sister, and of the Grace can either be a dead music teacher she brought to all these, they al- or a live Sister. Which is it going to ready know better than anyone else. be?” our everlasting gratitude But to the many others who have With great good cheer, so her never felt her presence and her love, Community says, Mary Ignatia acit is hoped this narrative may be cepted a much quieter and less dissomething for their special inspir- tinguished assignment. She became ISTER MARY IGNATIA, one of the seat its congregation. Friends in the ation. the registrar at St. Thomas Hospital S finest friends that we of AA city and from afar attended the shall ever know, went to her reward service. The Sisters of Charity them- Born in 1889 of devout and liberty-loving parents, Sister entered in Akron, Ohio – an institution administered by her Order. At the Friday morning, April first, nine- selves were seen to be seated in a into this world at Shanvilly, County time it was wondered if she could teen hundred sixty-six. Next day, body, radiant in their faith. To- Mayo, of the Emerald Isle. The manage even this much. That she the Sisters of Charity of St. Augus- gether with families and friends, famed poet Yeats, born nearby, would live to the age of seventytine opened their Mother House to we of AA had come there in ex- once remarked that the strange seven was not believable; that she visitors. More than one thousand pression of our gratitude for the beauty of County Mayo had been was destined to minister to 15,000 of them signed the guest book in life and works of our well-loved specially designed to raise up poets, alcoholics and their families in the the first two hours. These were the Sister. It was not really a time for artists, heroes and saints. We can years to come was known only to first of many who during the two mourning, it was instead a time to little doubt that even when Ignatia God. days following came to pay their thank God for His great goodness was aged six, and her parents had For a considerable time Sister serespects to Sister. to us all. emigrated from lreland to Cleve- renely carried on at the admissions On Monday at high noon the In its affirmation of the faith, the land, she was already beginning to desk in St. Thomas. It was not then Cathedral at Cleveland could barely Mass was of singular beauty; the manifest many a sterling virtue. certain she had ever heard of AA.

Though Group One at Akron, and after awhile, his wonderful AA an alcoholic who then was in a most she went along, and a little later , Group Two in New York had been nurse “Teddy.” This pair were to serious condition. A bed would she boldly unfolded the new project in slow and fitful growth since 1935, “process” some 12,000 New York simply have to be found for him. before the St. Thomas trustees. To neither had come to public notice. area drunks in the years ahead, and Said Mary Ignatia, “I’m sure your their everlasting credit they went so they became, as it were, the friend must be very sick. You know, along too – so much so that it AA’e sudden growth “opposite numbers” to the partner- Doctor, this sounds to me like a was not a great while before Dr. However in 1939 the scene ship of co-founder Dr. Bob and terrible case of indigestion.” Trying Bob himself was invited to become changed abruptly. In the spring of Sister Ignatia at Akron. to keep a straight face, Dr. Bob a staff physician at St. Thomas, a that year the AA book was first Much concerned that, hospital- replied, “How right you are – his bright example indeed of the ecuprinted, and Liberty magazine came wise, his area might be caught quite indigestion is most terrible.” Twink- menical spirit. up with an article about our society unprepared to cope with a great ling, Sister immediately said, “Why Presently a whole ward was dein the early fall. This was quickly new flood of publicity about AA, don’t you bring him in right away?” voted to the rehabilitation of alcofollowed by a whole series of re- Dr. Bob in 1940 decided to visit The two benign conspirators holics, and Sister Ignatia was of markable pieces which were car- St. Thomas and explain the great were soon faced with yet another course placed in immediate charge. ried by The Cleveluncl Plain Dealer need for a hospital connection that dilemma. The victim proved to be Dr. Bob sponsored the new cases on its editorial page. The newspaper could prove permanently effective. distressingly intoxicated. It would into the hospital and medically and the mere two dozen AAs then Since St. Thomas was a church in- soon be clear to all and sundry that treated each, never sending a bill to in town were swamped by frantic stitution, he thought the people there his “indigestion” was quite inciden- any. The hospital fees were very pleas for help. Despite this rather might vision a fine opportunity for tal. Obviously a ward wouldn’t do. moderate and Sister often insisted chaotic situation, the Cleveland service where the others had not. There would have to be a private on taking in patients on a “pay membership burgeoned into several And how right he was! room. But all the single ones were later” basis, sometimes to the mild hundreds in a few months. filled. What on earth could they do? consternation of the trustees. Nevertheless the implications of Sister Ignatia learns of AA Sister pursed her lips, and then Together Ignatia and Dr. Bob inthis AA population explosion were But Bob knew no one in author- broke into a broad smile. Forthwith doctrinated all who cared to listen in some ways disturbing, especially ity at the hospital. So he simply he declared, “1’11 have a bed moved to the AA approach as portrayed the lack of proper hospital facili- betook himself to “Admissions” and nto our flower room. In there he by the book Alcoholics Anonymous, ties. Though the Cleveland hospi- told the diminutive nun in charge can’t disturb anyone.” This was hur- lately come off the press. The ward tals had rallied gallantly to this one the story of AA, including that of riedly done, and the “indigestion” was open to visiting AAs from suremergency, their interest naturally his own recovery. As this tale sufferer was already on his way to rounding groups who, morning to waned when bills often went un- unfolded, the little sister glowed. sobriety and health. night, told their stories of drinking paid, and when ex-drunks trooped Her compassion was deeply touched Of course the conspirators were and of recovery. There were never through the corridors to do what and perhaps her amazing intuition conscience-stricken by their subter- any barriers of race or creed; neither they called “Twelfth Step” work on had already begun to say, “This is fuge of the flower room. And any- was AA nor Church teaching sometimes noisy victims just ar- it.” Of course Sister would try to how, the “indigestion” pretense sim- pressed upon any. rived. Even the City Hospital at help, but what could one small nun ply couldn’t last. Somebody in au- Akron, where Dr. Bob had attended do? After all, there were certain at- thority would have to be told, and With infinite tenderness numerous cases, was showing signs titudes and regulations. Alcoholism that somebody was the hospital’s Since nearly all her strenuous of weariness. had not been reckoned as an ill- Superior. With great trepidation Sis- hours were spent there, Sister be- In New York we had temporarily ness; it was just a dire form of ter and Dr. Bob waited upon this came a central figure on the ward. got off to a better start. There we gluttony! good lady, and explained them- She would alternately listen and had dear old Dr. Silkworth and, Dr. Bob then told Sister about selves. To their immense delight talk, with infinite tenderness and

6-6- . . . caring. . . was a chief ingredient of her unique Grace.” never to accept public honors of any sort. Sister’s example taught that a mere observance of the form understanding. The alcoholic’s fam- witnessed a more perfect synthesis tine and to the Staff of the St. of AA anonymity should never beily and friends received the very of all these healing forces. Dr. Bob Thomas Hospital a bronze plaque, come the slightest excuse for ignorsame treatment. It was this most exemplified both medicine and AA; ever since to be seen in the ward ing its spiritual substance. compassionate caring that was a Ignatia and the Sisters of St. Aug- where Sister and Dr. Bob had Following Dr. Bob’s death, there chief ingredient of her unique Grace; ustine also practiced applied medi- wrought their wonders. The plaque was great concern lest Sister might it magnetically drew everyone to cine, and their practice was su- reads as follows: not be allowed to continue her work. her, even the most rough and ob- premely well animated by the won- IN GRATITUDE As in other orders of the church, stinate. Yet she would not always derful spirit of their Community. THE FRIENDS OF DR. BOB AND ANNE S. service assignments among the Sisstand still for arrant nonsense. When A more perfect blending of Grace AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATE THIS MEMORIAL ters of Charity were rather fre- TO THE SISTERS AND STAFF OF . the occasion required, she could and talent cannot be imagined. ST. THOMAS HOSPITAL quently rotated. This was the anreally put her foot down. Then to It should never be necessary to AT AKRON. BIRTHPLACE OF ALCOHOLICS cient custom. However, nothing ease the hurt, she would turn on dwell, one by one, upon the virtues ANONYMOUS.’ ST. THOMAS HOSPITAL BECAME happened for a time. Assisted by THE FIRST RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION EVER her delightful humor. Once, when of these magnificent friends of AA’s TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO OUR SOCIETY. surrounding AA groups, Sister cona recalcitrant drunk boasted he’d early time – Sister Ignatia and co- MAY THE LOVING DEVOTION OF THOSE WHO tinued to carry on at St. Thomas. never again be seen at the hospital, founder Dr. Bob. We need only LA ORED HERE I N OUR PIONEERING TIME Then suddenly in 1952, she was 8 8 A BRIGHT AND WONDROUS EXAMPLE Sister shot back, “Well, let’s hope recollect that “by their fruits we OF GOD’S GRACE EVERLASTINGLY SET transferred to St. Vincent Charity not. But just in case you do show shall always know them.” BEFORE US ALL. Hospital at Cleveland, where, to up, please remember that we al- Visitors at St. Thomas today the delight of us all, she was placed ready have your size of pajamas. Pasaing of Dr. Bob often wonder why this inscription in charge of its alcoholic ward. At They will be ready and waiting Standing before the Cleveland In- says not a word about Sister Igna- Akron a fine successor was named for you!” ternational Convention of 1950, Dr. tia. Well, the fact was, she wouldn’t to succeed her; the work there As the fame of St. Thomas grew, Bob looked upon us of AA for the allow her name to be used. She would continue. alcoholics flocked in from distant last time. His good wife Anne had had flatly refused; it was one of The ward at “Charity” occupied places. After their hospitalization passed on before, and his own ren- those times when she had put her part of a dilapidated wing, and it they often remained for a time in dezvous with the new life to come foot down! This was of course a was in great need of repair and re- Akron to get more first-hand AA was not many months away. glowing example of her innate and juvenation. To those who knew and from Dr. Bob, and from Akron’s Ten years had slipped by since absolutely genuine humility. Sister loved Sister, this opportunity proved Group Number One. On their re- the day when he and Sister had truly believed that she deserved no a most stimulating challenge. The turn home, Sister would carry on bedded down that first sufferer in particular notice; that such Grace Charity trustees also agreed that an ever mounting correspondence the St. Thomas flower room. In this as she might have could only be something should be done. Substanwith them. marvelous decade Sister and Dr. credited to God and to the com- tial contributions flowed in. In their We AAs are often heard to say Bob had medically treated, and had munity of her sisters. spare hours, AA carpenters, plumthat our Fellowship is founded upon spiritually infused, five thousand This was indeed the ultimate bers and electricians set about reresources that we have drawn from alcoholics. The greater part of these spirit of anonymity. We who had doing the old wing -no charge for medicine, from religion and from had found their freedom under God. then seen this quality in her were their services. The beautiful result our own experience of drinking and In thankful recollection of this deeply affected, especially Dr. Bob of these labors of love is now known of recovery. Never before nor since great work, we of AA presented to and myself. Hers came to be the as Rosary Hall. those Akron early days have we the Sisters of Charity -of St. Augus- influence that persuaded us both , Again the miracles of recovery

from alcoholism commenced to mul- taking, there was always that smil- we addressed ourselves to our main publicized; that if she wished to tiply. During the following fourteen ing radiance; always her prayerful project. From New York, I had stow it away in her trunk we would years, an astonishing 10,000 alco- hope that God might still allow her brought an illuminated scroll. Its quite understand. holics passed through the portals of a bit more time at Rosary Hall. wording was in the form of a letter It then seemed that this most “Rosary Hall” there to fall under Then a few days later I would learn addressed by me to Sister, and it memorable and moving evening was the spell of Mary Ignatia, and of that she was back at her desk. This was written on behalf of our AA over. But there was to be another AA. More than two-thirds of all superb drama would be re-enacted Fellowship worldwide. I stood up, inspiring experience. Making light these recovered from their dire mal- time after time. She was quite un- read the scroll aloud, and then held of her great fatigue, Sister insisted ady, and again became citizens of conscious that there was anything the parchment for her to see. She that we all go up to Rosary Hall, the world. From dawn to dark Sis- at all unusual about it. was taken by complete surprise and there to make a late round of the ter offered her unique Grace to that Realizing there would come the could scarcely speak for a time. In AA ward. This we did, wondering endless procession of stricken suf- day which would be her last, it a low voice she finally said, “Oh, if any of us would ever again see ferers. Moreover, she still found seemed right that we of AA should but this is too much -this is too her at work in the divine vocation time to minister widely to their privately present Sister with some good for me.” to which she had given her all. For families and this very fruitful part tangible token that could, even a Our richest reward of the evening each of us this was the end of an of her work became a prime inspir- little, communicate to her the depth was of course Ignatia’s delight; a epoch; I could think only of her ation to the Al-Anon Family Groups of our love. Remembering her in- joy unbounded the moment we as- poignant and oft-repeated saying, of the whole region. sistence, in respect of the Akron sured her that our gift need not be “Eternity is now.” Notwithstanding her wonderful plaque, that she would not really workers within the hospital, and like any public attention, I simply The scroll given to Sister may now be seen at Rosary LII. This is the inscription: help from AAs without, this must sent word that I’d like to come to have been a most exacting and ex- Cleveland for a visit, and casually IN GRATITUDE hausting vocation for the increas- added that should her health permit, FOR SISTER MARY IGNATIA ingly frail Sister. That she was pro- we might take supper together in the ON THE OCCASION OF HER GOLDEN videntially enabled to be with us company of a few of her stalwart JUBILEE for so many years is something for AA friends and co-workers. Besides, our great wonder. To hundreds of it was her fiftieth year of service in Dear Sister, friends it became worth a day’s her community. W e of Alcoholics Anonymous look upon you as the finest f r i e d and On the appointed evening, we the greatest spirit we may ever know. journey to witness her supreme and W e remember your tender ministrations to us in the days when A A constant demonstration. foregathered in one of the small was very young. Your partnership with Dr. Bob in that early time has Toward the close of her long dining rooms at Charity Hospital. created for us a spiritual heritage of incomparable worth. stewardship there were brushes with Plainly delighted, Sister arrived. She In all the years since, we have watched you at the bedside of thoudeath. Sometimes I came to Cleve- was barely able to walk. Being old- sands. So watching, we have perceived ourselves to be the beneficiaries land and was allowed to sit by her timers all, the dinner hour was spent of that wondrous light which God has always sent through ou to bedside. Then I saw her at her best. in telling tales of other days. For , illumine our darkness. You have tirelessly tended o w wow$; you Her perfect faith, and her complete her part, Sister regaled us with have nourished us with your unique understanding and your matchless acceptance of whatever God might stories of St. Thomas and with love. No greater gifts of Grace than these shall we ever have. will was somehow implicit in all she cherished recollections of Anne and Speaking for A A members throughout the world, I say: “May God said, be our conversation gay, or co-founder Dr. Bob. It was unfor- abundantly reward you according to your blessed works -now and forever!’ serious. Fear and uncertainty seemed gettable. In devotion, entire strangers to her. On my leave- Before Sister became too tired March 25,1964 Bill W .

August 1966

O n the Grapevine –

AN lNVlTATlON

L ATE in the fall of 1934, while in Towns Hospital, New York, under Dr. Silkworth’s care, Bill W., AA’s co-founder, underwent a transforming spiritual experience. A “hopeless drunk” when he went into the hospital, he left Towns a free man. He has been sober since. The following Spring, in Akron, he met Dr. Bob and with that meeting AA began. AA is 31 this year. Bill celebrates his 32nd sober anniversary. Traditionally, Bill shares his anniversary with as many members of AA as are able to get into a large hotel ballroom. New York Intergroup, central office for AA groups in New York City, Long Island and southern New York State, where Bill lives, has sponsored the annual celebration in his honor for many years, and every year the search is on for a larger . ballroom, because not only do a tremendous number of New York-area AAs want to come, but many from all parts of this country, Canada and even overseas, have wanted to join in wishing Bill many happy returns. The Intergroup committee for “Bill’s Dinner,” as it is known in N. Y., asked the Grapevine to extend an invitation to members everywhere to attend. We’re delighted to do it! Bill’s 32nd Anniversary Dinner will be held this year at the Hotel Americana, 52nd Street and Seventh Avenue on Saturday, October 29th. N. Y. Intergroup stresses that the seats are on a first-come-first-served basis. There are 3200 of them with, we hear, no seats behind pillars! There will be a fine dinner at 7 sham. A “tv~ical” AA meeting – will follow, with this untypical feature: Bill will be thi*closing speaker.

TICKETS for BILL’S 32nd ANNIVERSARY DINNER Tickets are $11.00 each. Earliest reservations sit closest to the dais. Out-oftown guests will want to attend conferences for AA and Alanon members beginning at 1:00 p.m. and continuing until dinner time. Write for tickets as soon as possible to Intergroup Association of AA, Inc., Dinner Committee, 337 East 33rd St., New York, N. Y. 10016.

October 1 9 6 6 d –

1IIE 01.1) YEARS 2 4 S’I’RI ~ ~ CLURHOUC

thought this poor but proud project D awn wils breaking into a full day of sunlight for AA. The disappointments, the scorns, doubts, would grow into a worldwide Fellowship in a comparatively short obstacles and the waiting were fairly time? well rlissolvcd. The Twelve Sug- There arc mimy things \tbout the gested Steps were down on paper old 24th Street Clubhouse one could and fully proved. The little band of write about, its 12 ta 12 open house, starters and their leader (God bless its good sense, its tolerance, its unthem) left thcir rendezvous in deviating purpose, its example and, Brooklyn and crossed the river into above all, its strictness of purpose Manhattan. – true fellowship. Even the drab Therc was no ribbon cutting, no walls and old furniture had a way long-stem roses. You just came to mile.” To others it was the tunnel of second floor, same size as downstairs of saying “courage, pal.” Eighth Avenue at West 24th Street hope. At the end was the big room with a big old-fashioned bathroom Like money makes a bank, peoand walked down the block toward about 18 by 40 feet running across at one end and two tiny rooms par- ple made AA. One man, two men, Ninth Avenue to a doorway No. the back of two buildings. It was titioned at the other. The secretary a hundred -then more and more, 334%. It was a rather artistic door- humble, very humble, clean but sort occupied one corner with a rolltop thousands more. One clubhouse, a way, with a curved top and an eight of threadbare, the walls and c e i h g desk, typewriter and telephone, and few spotted east and west, then 28 or ten-inch wide arch, sculptured in a subdued or faded blue, bare floor, there was a lot of work to do on the groups when N. Y. Intergroup fruits and flowers and painted a bare walls except for a spot of buildup. started and now you count them, pinkish red. But it was just a door- wood paneling on the far side. An There were tables, chairs and worldwide. way, squeezed between two three- imitation fireplace was in the center benches where one could play cards People – what a motley crowd! story cold-water-flat buildings. and a little round table with a slen- or just loaf. No soft chairs, it was One woman at the beginning (still Of course, we didn’t know it but der vase holding a paper or cloth just “log-cabin luxury”; no radio, on the job), a swanky Fifth Avenue outside was Fear and inside was flower. Like the curtains on the no concerts, just meetings. But even men’s tailor, a salesman who cov- Courage. I don’t remember the kind front doors I suspect this was the in 1940 coffee was a part of all ered a Southern state territory, a guy of a doorknob it was but it turned fine hand of Lois. There were fold- meetings. The miniature kitchen at who sold rope to the big ship ownand you entered a hallway about ing chairs in five or six rows on the one end had a window where the ers, a couple of “low bottom twenty feet long by nine feet wide, right and perhaps ten rows on the cups came through with milk and drunks” – the woman raised hell with a narrow bench running along left. There was a narrow stairway sugar outside. Complete in arrange- but the man was boss, both did a both sides. Some called it “the last on the near side, leading to the ments but humble in setup. Who wonder of good!

There were lawyers – two, per- Hank who died serving AA on the haps more. One lived in Jersey, a overseas setup. proud guy with a lovely wife and There can be no order of imson. The other legal boy had a sense portance in this crowd. There is of humor. He gave the writer a Larry who has consecrated his life nickname that sticks even today. to the 24th Street Clubhouse and And the boy from the Bronx, and Julia who still lives in London Cookie, and the gaunt bum who Terrace and that even-tempered had been a locomotive engineer. man who was man-of-all-work from He did a great job for the Seamen’s broom to coffee to front door. He Institute. was even tempered – always mad, Every Tuesday an ambulance but had a heart big as a ten-story brought alcoholic patients from building. I understand he is now Rockland State and there was a enjoying himself in Florida. little guy that brought a half-dozen For a moment let’s go back to boys from Creedmoor State. the Clubhouse. At every meeting there was Bill. Once in a while Secretaries there were. One, then when things got tangled he would another, in the early years – both unwind his long legs and stand up did a whale of a job. Bill called to put infinite accuracy into the them the immortals. One secretary meeting. Bill always sat on the had a nonalcoholic husband. We stairs. The man from Vermont made him treasurer. I knew him as needed air and room. Lots of times the man who surely loved his wife. when there was no meeting, Lois There were two other girls who did would add sunshine to the boys ( I a yeoman job when we started the write that advisedly). Intergroup. Remember the big fel- There was a member who died low from the Harvard Club? What after a talk and a member from the a job he did at Knickerbocker Hos- Klondike who was seventy years old pital. And there were several others and had a wooden leg, and there that also did a lot for AA at that was a real estate salesman who is same hospital for five long years. now a clergyman dedicated to AA. I want to make note of the Wall Dr. Silkworth never came to the Street broker who lost a future of Clubhouse. He hadn’t time. But seven figures (not fingers) and not many guys knew him and know only came back but did plenty for how he loved us all. his local Club and the Foundation. The 24th Street Clubhouse – like Oh yes, the professor of Romantic the ,grain of a mustard seed – has Languages, and Doc who helped grown world wide. And we have everybody but loved Bellevue Hos- grown with it. pital. A special niche is carved for E. S., Brooklyn, N. Y .

December 1966 CHRISTMAS NineteenHundredSixty-Six MONG the finest of all attributesthatwecanhave is that of gratitude for those endless benefactionswhich God hasbestowed upon us ofAAthose priceless gifts of rebirth: our marvellous new opportunitics tolive,to love and to serve God and our fellows. of thankfulness and of joy exceeding all thatwehaveknown before. oisjoinsmeinwarmestgreet- Lings and in deepest affection in thisnew anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Peace. Ever Yours, Brle

JANUARY 1967 bunch of drunks trying to help each other, a bunch of nameless drunks. They had to be worked with over and over; families and everybody AA’s First Five Years did what they could to help. There were many, many sad things that happened, many very humorous things, and inspirational things, too. Several are coming to mind right now. Bill, as you know, came from Lois W., wife of AA’s co-founder, Vermont and someone sent him Bill, recalls the time in AA I N the early days of AA things were really very different. For five years there was no Big Book. some maple syrup from there. It came in a whiskey bottle. One df the boys saw this attractive conwhelz there were few members The only way to communicate with tainer in the kitchen and he was so other people was to go and tell them, so that’s what we did. Of drunk at the time that he gulped a ~ z dlzo Big Book. course, all of the meetings were the whole bottle of syrup, thinking held in people’s homes, the homes it was whiskey. of those who were lucky enough to We had a rule that no one could have them. Anybody who had one come into the house when he was made it wide open to whomever the drinking. One night one of the boys boys brought in. Our houses, Dr. came home drunk. We wouldn’t let “Things were diflerent,” Bob’s in Akron and ours in Brook- him in so he pried open the coal lyn, were just filled with drunks, chute and slid into the cellar. Since Lois says. And she tells either drinking, or stopped tempo- he was very fat it was surprising how dl-Anon, which she rarily, or well on the way to real that he could slide down it, yet sobriety. somehow he made it. But this same founded, began . . . Yes, AA was quite different in fat man did get stuck one night in those days for many reasons. One the washtubs. He lived in the basewas that there were no people in ment apartment. Old city houses AA except those who had gone to used to have stationary tubs in the the very bottom. Only these would kitchen. He thought he’d try to take listen to the story that one drunk a bath in one. But after getting in was telling another. When AA first he couldn’t get out so one of us started, before there was a book, it (and 1 think it was, I) had to was more anonymous than it is pull him out. now, because even the Fellowship There were many other things. . . . was without a name. AA didn’t a man committed suicide in our have a name until the book was house after having pawned our written. Before that it was just a dress clothes, left over from more The house in Brooklyn

trying to start a group in Washing- that we really needed the AA pro- other families that were, or are, havton, D. C. This woman went down gram just as much as the alcoholics. ing the same sort of experience. to help him and she stayed sober for The famous case of my throwing a . In 1950 Bill traveled all over quite a long time. Then she married shoe at Bill started me wondering Canada and the United States to s,ee a man they were trying to bring on about myself and realizing that I how AAs would react to the idea of to the program. He really didn’t go needed to live by the Twelve Steps a general conference for Alcoholics along with the idea himself and used just as much as he did. He was Anonymous, and in doing so he disto say to her every once in a while, getting way ahead of me. I always covered quite a few types of groups “Florence, you look so thirsty.” thought of myself as being the of the families of alcoholics. He And so she did something about moral mentor in the house, but Bill, thought that they should have a that. Florence disappeared. Every- who never was a mentor, was cer- Central Office here in New York, body looked for her everywhere tainly growing spiritually while I just as AA did, so that they could and.couldn’t find her. After a couple was standing still. Or perhaps there be unified in their use of the Twelve of weeks they found her in the is no standing still-if I wasn’t going Steps and Twelve Traditions – a morgue. ahead, I must be going backwards. place where inquiries could be re- At that time each group used to I decided I’d better live by the ceived, literature prepared and the prosperous days. These included visit every other group. New York Twelve Steps. Annie S. and a num- public informed so that those in Bill’s dress suit and my precious members would go to Jersey or ber of other people had come to the need would know where to turn. eveniflg cape. We have never owned Greenwich, Philadelphia or Wash- same conclusion. So, whenever we A good friend and I started a such articles again. ington or even Cleveland or Akron. visited another group, we would tell small office in Bedford Hills. By AA h a s always thrilling. The Those were the groups I recall were the wives and families how we found then AA had had eighty-seven inquifamilies were included in all of the in existence in the first five years. that we, too, needed to live by the ries from wives or groups who meetings, wives and parents, (there If anybody had a car a bunch of Twelve Steps of AA. Little groups wished to register. As AA was not weren’t many alcoholic women us would pile in and we’d go where- of wives and families all over the equipped to help the families of then) and the children came too. ever we knew there was a meeting. country began to feel the same need alcoholics it handed over this list The children were vitally interested Families were just as much a part for something to help overcome to us and we wrote to them. Fifty in everything that went on. They of AA as the alcoholics and we their frustrations and help them be- groups responded and were regwould inquire about all of the mem- did feel we belonged. come integrated human beings istered with us. That was in ’51. bers and want to know how they But after a while the AAs thought again. Today there are over 3000 Al-Anon were. They’d learn the Twelve Steps that thcy should havc an occasional That’s the way Al-Anon started. groups. and really try to live by them. I meeting – at least one every week We followed the AA program in The numerical potential of Aldon’t think youngsters can be too -of just alcoholics so that they every principle. I want to thank AAs Anon is greater than AA’s because young to be thrilkd by the AA pro- could really get down to business. so very much for showing us the it is composed not only of mates of gram and be helped by it. When this occurred the wives way. Without your leading us we alcoholics, but children, parents and One of the first women who thought they’d meet together, too, would still be the unhappy folks other relatives and friends. It is came in was the ex-wife of a friend at the same time. At first these little we were. estimated that five people are serof Bill’s. She had been in Bellevue gatherings of wives didn’t have any In our meetings we tell our own iously affected by one alcoholic. I and had come from there to our particular purpose. Sometimes we’d , experiences just as AAs do. We tell Though we have barely scratched house. At that time there was a play bridge and sometimes we’d how we came to find that we needed the surface, the future is bright, wonderful man – I think he was gossip about our husbands. Al-Anon and what Al-Anon has thanks to you AAs for your wonthe fourth or fifth AA – who was Then a few of us began to see done for us. And we seek to help derful example and inspiration.

February 1967

examination, acknowledgment of character defects, restitution for Bill’s recollections o f Sam Shoemaker, one o f AA’s greatest harm done and working with others straight from the Oxford Group and friends; also his comment upon the excellent recently completed directly from Sam Shoemaker, their onetime leader in America, and biography by Helen Shoemaker called: from nowhere else. He will always be found in our annals as the one whose inspired example and teach- ‘I Stand by the Door’ ing did the most to show us how to create the spiritual climate in which we alcoholics may survive and then proceed to grow. AA owes a debt of timeless gratitude for all that God sent to us through Sam and his

D R. Sam Shoemaker was one of AA’s indispensables. Had it not been for his ministry to us in and his dynamic group at Calvary’s parish house in New York. As he began to speak, his impact fell upon friends in the early days of AA’s infancy.” No one, I think, can read Helen our early time, our Fellowship us there in the Kiel Auditorium just Shoemaker’s book, I Sttmd By the would not be in existence today. as it had upon Lois and me years Door, without being the better for Therefore the recent publication of before. As always, he called a spade it. This vivid and moving account of his biography entitled I Stand By the a spade, and his blazing eagerness, Sam at home, in his ministry, and in Door,* so well authored by his wife earnestness and crystal clarity drove his public life is a portrait in breadth Helen, is a poignant reminder of our home his message point by point. and in depth of one of the finest hu- The Rev. Canon Samuel M. Shoemaker, D.D. great debt and a welcome addition With all his vigor and power of man beings of our time. to our comprehension of this mag- speech, Sam nevertheless kept himnificent friend. self right down to size. Here was a First, let me acquaint our newer man quite as willing to talk about generations with the “Sam” we old- his sins as about anybody else’s. He sters knew so well in the first days ofmade himself a witness of God’s AA, and in the years since. For this power and love just as any AA purpose I’d like to tell of Sam’s might have done. appearance at our International “Sam’s appearance before us was dinvention of 1955, held in St. further evidence that many a chan- Louis. I quote as follows from our nel had been used by Providence to book of history, A A Comes of Age. create Alcoholics Anonymous. And !’Dr. Sam looked scarcely a day none had been more vitally needed older than he had almost twenty-one than the one opened through Sam Shoemaker and his Oxford Group , years earlier when I first met him I+ By Door is published by associates of a generation before. Harper & Row, New York. The early AA got its ideas of self-

December 1967

This is AA’s thirty-second Christmas. Never have we known more reasons for wonder, for joy, and for gratitude. In these distraught times of conflict and peril, we have been enabled to find an always increasing measure of peace within ourselves, and with the world in which we live. Most literally we have each received the gift of a new life. Sobriety – by God’s Grace -has opened the door to endless possibilities for love, and for service. May the coming year disclose an ever-greater willing- . ness to share these priceless blessings with all who sufler alcoholism. Lois joins me in warmest aflection, and in the celebration of AA’s finest Christmas yet. Ever,

J a n u a r y 1968

Editor’s Note-On Saturday, Octo- Except for what Dr. Jung told Roland and what ber 7, 1967, Bill W., AA’s cofounder, celebrated his thirty-third Dr. Silkworth told Lois, there might never have AA anniversary in company with been any A A . Hill got the verdict: He was more than 3,000 AAs who gathered doomed. Unless . . . in the main ballroom of the New York Hilton for the impressive occasion, sponsored each year by New York AA Intergroup. Bill was the third and final speaker of the evening. Jim S. of the Commack Group Dr+Jung, Dr. Silkworth and AA on Long Island, and Kirsten T. of the Scarsdale, N. Y., Group had by Bill W , AA 3 Co-founder spoken. Then Bill told his own story to an audience that listened raptly to his new insights into the stages print of Bill’s correspondence with a God and there is ii Grace. . . .” thing that characterized all of these whereby he was changed from a Dr. Jung you will find beginning on Tonight I think I would like. . . early friends of ours who were to “hopeless drunk” to the man who, page 16. We made a last-minute de- to tell you my own story in terms, donate their skill and wisdom to us with the late Dr. Bob S. of Akron, cision, however, to alter the issue first, of the “years laid waste” and in AA was this: In each case where * was to found a mutual-aid society and publish, also, portions of Bill’s the reasons i now see why this was telling contributions were made, the for recovery from alcoholism, with anniversary talk, because of its par- so – what in my early life con- man or woman was spiritually cenmembers today numbering a half- ticular relevance to the meaning and tributed to my alcoholism – and, tered, spiritually animated. million in more than ninety coun- tremendous importance of Jung’s then, in terms of my belief that Tonight I would like to sketch tries. initial “message to AA.” “there is a God and there is a just one of the historical situations As he told his story, Bill stressed (Bill’s own story is told in greater Grace” and what the outcome has out of which our Fellowship sprang. the help that had come to him and detail in the Big Book, Alcoholics been for me and for so many be- Many of you have heard parts of the to early AA – without which there Anonymous, beginning on page 1, cause of that belief. story before, the story of how Rowould have been no Fellowship – and in AA Comes of Age, beginning Our chairman tonight [Jim F. of land H., an American businessman, from “spiritually centered, spiritual- on page 51. Both books are avail- White Plains, N. Y.] remarked on was getting progressively worse in ly animated men and women.” He able from AA’s General Service Of- the wonderful friends that AA has alcoholism – undergoing one treatsingled out especially the contribu- fice, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central had from the start. He might have ment, one so-called cure after antions of Dr. Carl Jung of Zurich and Station, New York, N. Y. 10017.) said the wonderful friends we have other, with no result. Finally, as a Dr. William D. Silkworth of New Bill began by making rcferences had since before AA was even a refuge of last resort, he went to Eu- York City, and he read to the to the talks of Kirsten and Jim, who gleam in the eye of any of us! rope and literally cast himself upon thousands present a letter from Dr. had preceded him on the podi- Long before I was sober, long the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Jung. (The letter is reprinted on um.. . . before there was any idea that there Jung, who was to prove, in the event, page 20 of this issue.) would be this AA way for alcoholics a great and good friend of AA. When Bill rose to talk on that s KIRSTEN said so poignantly just Saturday night last October, this is- . sue of the Grapevine was already A now, “The years laid waste by the locusts are over. . . .” And as to help themselves, certain men and women were gaining skills and insights that were to make all the dif- You will recall Dr. Jung as one of the three first pioneers in the art of psychiatry. The thing that displanned. It was to include the re- Jim so simply remarked, “There is ference to us in later years. The tinguished him from his colleagues,

Freud and Adler, wils the fact that iniatcd man, Dr. William D. Silk- that Ebby had brought me from Dr. As Ebby put it, it was quite he was spiritually animnted-some- worth, whose contribution to AA Jung and from the Oxford Groups, simple, quite matter-of-fact, and thing that was to make all the differ- paralleled Dr. Jung’s. Unlike Jung, and thc sentence that Dr. Silkworth said with a smile. But this was it. ence to each and every one of us Dr. Silkworth was it man in ob- pronounced ovcr me continued to So Ebby finally took his leave. now here. and will make the difler- scure position, but he was spiritually occupy my mind in every waking Now the jaws of the dilemma really ence for all yet to come. . . .* centered – he had to be! He dc- hour thereafter. 1 began to be very crushed. I hit an all-time block. I I never realized what a very great clarcd to all comers, after twenty resentful. Here was Dr. Silkworth, can only suppose that any particle man in spiritual dimensions Carl years of almost absolute defeat in who had defined alcoholism -the of belief that there was a single Jung was until, in 1961, 1 wrote him trying to help alcoholics, that he did obsession that condemns you to thing I could do for myself alone 3 very belated letter of gratitude for love alcoholics and wanted to go on drink against your will and true in- was for the moment rubbed out. the part he had played in originating working with and for them. Every tcrcsts, even unto destruction, and And 1 found myself as a child, utterour Society of Alcoholics Anony- alcoholic who came his way fclt that the bodily sensitivity that guarantees ly alone in complete darkness. And mous. love. A very few recovered. He madness and dcath if you drink at I cried out as a child, expecting This was the last year of Dr. thought I might recover. Then the all. And here camc Dr. Jung via little – indeed, expecting nothing. I Jung’s life. He was old. Nevcrthc- day camc when it was clear that I Roland and Ebby confirming that simply said, “If there is a God, will less, he sat down and wrote mc a would not, that I could not. there was no way out known to the He show Himself?” Then I was letter.? It looks like he tapped it I3y this time Dr. Silkworth had doctors. My god, Scicncc, the only granted one of those instantaneous out on a typewriter with one finger. defined alcoholism as a sickness of god I had then, had declared me illuminations. The sort of thing that It is one of my most cherished pos- the emotions, coupled with a sick- hopeless. really defies description. 1 was sessions. Lois framed it, and it will ness of the body which he loosely But Ebby had also brought hope. seized with great joy and ecstasy bealways be with us. dcscribcd ils an allergy. These words Not much later, I was back in the yond all possible expression. In the We ought to note very carefully of his arc to be seen in the foreword hospitid, in Dr. Silkworth’s care mind’s eye, it seemed to me I stood what Dr. Jung said in that letter, so of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anony- after what provcd to be my last on a high mountain. I was taken obviously written in profound love mous, entitled, “The Doctor’s Opin- drunk. Ebby came to visit me again. there, I had not climbed it. And and understanding-in the language ion,” and over the intervening years 1 asked him to repeat oncc more then the great thought burst upon of the heart. His insight into what they have been incorporated into what he had said over my kitchen me: “Bill, you are a free man! This was needed for recovery from alco- the conscnsus that is AA. table in Brooklyn that first time he is the God of the Scriptures.” And holism, an insight that came to me As Jung had told Roland that his told me how hc had gotten sober. then I was filled with a consciousthrough Roland and Ebby at a cru- case was hopeless and that medicine “Well,” he said, “you know, you ness of a Presence. A great peace cial point in my own deterioration, and psychiatry could do nothing get honest with yourself; you make fcll over me, and I was with this I meant everything for AA when it more for him, so Silkworth told Lois a self-survey; you talk it out with don’t know how long. was still in embryo. His humble on a fateful day in the summer of the other guy; you quit living alone But then the dark side put in an willingness to speak the truth, even 1934: “I am afraid that Bill will and begin to get straight with the appearance, and it said to me, “Perwhen it meant disclosing thc limita- have to be committed. There is world around by making restitution; haps, Bill, you are hallucinating. tions of his own art, gives the mea- nothing that I can do for him, or you try the kind of giving that de- You better call in the doctor.” sure of the man. anything else that I know.” These mands no reward cithcr in approval, So the doctor came, and haltingly There was another spiritually an- were words of great humility from a prestige, or money; and you ask I told him of the experience. Then * At t h b polnt Bill told o / Roland’s ronlact with Jtmg. and the messaRc Rolund carried professional. They scared me into sobriety for whatever Higher Power there is, came great words for Alcoholics . .

to Ebby. whlrh Ebhy In ttcrn hrought In Bill. even if it is just as an experiment, to Anonymous. The little man had a story strmmarized in Bill’s letter on page 16 of thls lsrur. two months, although I soon re- help you find the Grace to be re- listened, looking at me so benignly t Srr pagr 20. sumed my drinking. But the message lcascd from alcoholism.” with those blue eyes of his, and at

length he said to me, “Bill, you are they came in a rush or very gradual- I went to a few Oxford Group not crazy. I have read about this ly, were all founded on a basis of meetings and to the missions. Dr. sort of thing in the books but I have hopelessness. The recipients were Silkworth let me work with a few never seen it firsthand. 1 don’t know people who in some controlling area people in the hospital at the risk of what it is you have, Bill, but it must of life found themselves in a situa- his reputation. And lo and behold! be some great psychic event, and tion that could not be gotten over, Nothing happened. Because-some you had better hang on to it – it is around, or under. Their defeat had of my old grandeur had come back. so much better than what you had been absolute, and so was mine. I had thought my experience was only an hour ago.” Then I wondered about that de- something very special. The old ego So I hung on, and then I knew feat, and I realized what a part my began to boom again. I was actually there was a God and I knew there god of Science, as personified by Dr. heard to say that I was destined to was a Grace. And through it all, I Carl Jung and Dr. Silkworth, had fix all the drunks in the worldhave continued to feel, if I may pre- played in it. They had transmitted to quite a large order. sume to say it, that I do know these me the very bad news that the Naturally nothing happened until things. chance of recovery on my own un- – again – the deflation came. It Then, of course, being trained as aided resources or merely by mcdi- came on that day when, in the an analyst of sorts, 1 began to ask cation was just about nil. This was Mayllower Hotel in Akron, I was myself why this had happened to deflation at depth -this madc me tempted to take a drink for the first me. And why had it so seldom hap- rei~dyfor thc gift when it came. time since my hospital experience. pened to drunks before? Why Now, actually, although this is That was when I first realized that I shouldn’t this be the heritage of any the great experience of my life, I would need other alcoholics to predrunk? And while 1 was wondering, do not think it in any way superior serve myself and maintain that Ebby came again the next day and or in its essentials very different at original gift of sobriety. It was not he had in his hands a message from all than the experience which all just a case of trying to help alcoanother grcat man, William James, AAs have had – the transforming holics. If my own sobriety were to and the message came to me in a experience – the spiritual awaken- be maintained, I had to find another book called Varieties of Religious ing. They are all from the same alcoholic to work with. So when Dr. Experience. I read the book cover source: the divine peace. Bob and I sat down for the first time to cover, and naturally I found ex- So, with my own experience had face-to-face, it was a very different periences corresponding with my come the possibility of a chain re- act. I said, “Bob, I am speaking beown. I found other experiences, action. I realized nothing had hap- cause 1 need you as much as you however, that were very gradual. I pened to me until certain messages could possibly need me. I am in found experiences that occurred out- had been transmittcd, striking into danger of slipping back down the side of any religious association. me at great depth, by another irlco- drain.” But nearly all of these experiences holic. Thcrcfore, the thought came So there is the story. There is the that were capable of transforming of one alcoholic talking to another nature of the illness as explained by motivations had common denomina- just as Oxford Group people were Dr. Jung and Dr. Silkworth – and tors over and above any explana- talking to each other – in the lan- there is one drunk talking to antion by associations, or common guage of the heart. Maybe this could other, telling his story of recovery discipline, or faith, or what have be the transmission belt. So I started through reliance on the Grace of you. These gifts of Grace, whether working among alcoholics. God.

February 1968

Remembering Dr. Bob From San Mateo, Calif. : Sixteen years have passed since Dr. Bob left for his Big Meeting, and today there are only a very few members of AA remaining who knew Dr. Bob personally. Each year there are fewer references made to him in our press and in our conversations, and I have noticed that several publications in recent years have referred to him as the Number Two AA. No reference to Dr. Bob is further from the truth. When our co-founders met for the first time in Akron, Ohio, an indivisible union was formed which became the cornerstone on which the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous was built. Each man assumed the duties he was better qualified to perform, and no two men ever complemented each other more completely than Dr. Bob and Bill W. did. During his lifetime, Dr. Bob hospitalized and sponsored more than five thousand men and women, who became the hard core of AA, and this alone qualifies him for eternal recognition as a co-founder of AA. Since I knew Dr. Bob personally and am indebted to him for many good things in my life, I feel it is a great privilege to remind those who refer to Dr. Bob as the Number TWOAA that he was not Number TWO,but, with Bill, Number One. DEWEY S.

May 1968

Big Book Series

Sober for Thirty Years One o f the earliest members o f the first New York A A group, he was also its first “self-proclaimedatheist”

s NOTED in my story, “The A Vicious Cycle,” in the Big Book, I came into the Fellowship in The author’s New York in January, 1938. At that time it was just leaving the Oxford Group. There was- one story appears on – a week. at closed discussion mectinr! Bill’s home in Brooklyn – attendpage 238 o f the ance six or eight men, with only three menibers who had been sober revised edition of more than one year: Bill, Hank, and Fritz. This is about all that had Alcoholics Anonymous, been accomplished in the four years with the New York Oxford Group. pu hlished During those early meetings at Bill’s, they were flying blind, with in 1952 no creed or procedure to guide them, though they did use quite a few of the Oxford sayings and the Oxford Absolutes. Since both Bill and Dr. Bob had had almost-ovcrnight religious experiences, it was taken for granted that all who followed their way would have the same sort of cxpericnce. So the early meetings were quitc religious, in both New York i~ndAkron. There was always a Bible on hand, and the concept of God was all biblical.

Into this fairly peaceful picture sober alone. My closed mind opened came I, their first self-proclaimed a bit. Those folks back in New atheist, completely against all re- York, the folks who believed, had ltki6iis and conventions. I was the stayed sober. And I hadn’t. Since captain of my own ship. (The only this episode I don’t think I have trouble was, my ship was completely ever argued with anyone else’s bedisabled and rudderless.) So natur- liefs. Who am I to say? ally I started fighting nearly all the I finally crawled back to New things Bill and the others stood for, York and was soon back in the fold. especially religion, the “God bit.” About this time, Bill and Hank were But I did want to stay sober, and I just beginning to write the AA Big did love the understanding Fellow- Book. I do feel sure my experience ship. So 1 became quite a problem was not in vain, for “God” was to that early group, with my con- broadened to cover all types and stant haranguing against all the creeds: “God as we understood spiritual angles. Him.” All of a sudden, the group be- I feel my spiritual growth over came really worried. Here I had these past thirty years has been very stayed sober five whole months gradual and steady. I have no dewhile fighting everything the others sire to “graduate” from AA. I try stood for. I was now number four in to keep my nlenlories green by stay- “seniority.” 1 found out later they ing active in AA -a couple of had a prayer meeting on “what to meetings weekly. do with Jim. “The consensus seemed For the new agnostic or atheist to have been that they hoped I just coming in, I will try to give would either leave town or get very briefly my milestones in redrunk. covery: That prayer must have been right 1. The tirst power I found greater on target, for I was suddenly taken than myself was John Barleycorn. drunk on a sales trip. This became 2. The AA Fellowship became the shock and the bottom I needed. my higher power for the first two At this time I was selling auto polish years. to jobbers for a company that Bill 3. Gradually, I came to believe and Hank were sponsoring, and I that God and Good were synonywas doing pretty well, too. But mous and were to be found in all despite this, I was tired and com- of us. pletely isolated there in Boston. My 4. And I found that by meditating fellow alcoholics really put the and trying to tune in on my better pressure on as 1 sobered up after self for guidance and answers, I befour days of no relief, and for the came more comfortable and steady. first time I admitted I couldn’t stay J . B., Sun Diego, Calif.

September 1968

AA Celebrates Bill’s 34th 2 Saturday afternoon, the workshop will have seats for 800; Bill will be there to October 5 in New York City speak; questions and answers will fly The place for all swinging AAs to be on thick and fast. Saturday night, October 5. this year is Come early, stay late; make the day the main ballroom of the New York a red-letter one. Bill’s Big 34th Birthday. Hilton Hotel. 53rd Street and Avenue October 5, 1968. Write for tickets today! of the Americas. at 7 P M for the thirtv- -L. T. fourth AA anniversary of co-founder Bill W. Every year New York Intergroup sponsors the dinner-dance celebration of Bill’s AA birthday. Proceeds go to support Intergroup’s work of carrying the message in the giant city and its suburbs. Tickets are $12.50 per person: seats at the best tables go to those who order earliest. Intergroup suggests that you join with AA friends and book whole tables (ten seats to a table). so that your party can be together at the dinner. Write: Dinner Committee. AA Intergroup, 337 East 33rd street, New York, N. Y. 10016. After dinner, there is to be a typical AA meeting. As is the tradition, Bill will be the final speaker of the evening. Ask your friends who have heard him talk; it will be an unforgettable experience. Following the AA meeting, tables are cleared. the band strikes up, and those with enough go-go dance until 1 AM to the music of a band that plays recognizable music. If dancing is not your thing. an AA “workshop” may be. This is an innovation. Don’t miss it. Also at the Hilton. at

December 1968

A Christmas Message From Bill

Lois joins me in sending you our most affectionate greetings on this treasured occasion of Christmas, 1968.

We of AA try to count the incredible blessings that are now ours. W e thank God for our host of friends, for the opportunity to live and to serve that comes with each new day, and, most especially, for our deliverance out of darkness and bondage into the clear light of the AA way of life.

May we be ever worthy of receiving the healing spirit of the Prince of Peace in all the days to come. Merry Christmas, dear friends!

June 1969

44 … many streams of influence and many people, some of them nonalcoholics, had helped, by the Grace of God, to achieve AA ‘S purpose.” Bill W.in A A comes of ~ g e

Care and Treatment “The incomparable of Alcoholics Sister Ignatia,” By Sister Ignatia Dr. Bob’s partner An interview delivered in a panel discussion in pioneering the before the Catholic Hospital Association of the United hospitalization of States and Canada at Philadelphia in 1951 prospective AA members. Her ministry at St. Thomas Hospital This manuscript N EARLY twelve years ago, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Bob, was on our was sent to the staff. He volunteered the .informain Akron set a tion that he had a drinking problem. shining example [;rapevine by Pete W . , Dr. Bob had often discussed the for the practice of long-time contributor, problem of alcoholism with us, with regard to auto accidents and other AA’s Twelfth Step who found it among tragedies caused by excessive drinkthe papers of an ing. Many of these cases had to be admitted to the hospital even though old-timer who has they were intoxicated. After talking left us with the families of these compulsive drinkers and realizing the misery, suffering, and sorrow brought into their homes and lives because of drinking, we became deeply in-

terested as Dr. Bob unfolded a plan davenport, a “bar,” a coffee urn, to informal talks. A secondary to us. and an icebox. To the rear of this value, but a most important one to This was in 1939, just about the ward lounge is a room with a lava- the former patient, is that by visiting time we were trying to pull out of tory and shower; the new man is current AA patients the former the depression. Hospital beds were brought there for admission to the patient helps to perpetuate his own The role of the sponsor is not an at a premium, without any prospect ward. sobriety. easy one. He tries to appease an of adding to our bed capacity. There An important point is that the The icebox is kept stocked with exasperated wife; he talks with the was very little enthusiasm around new man is gotten out of his street food and particularly with milk and employer, the landlord, the credithe hospital about admitting people clothes and into hospital attire by citrus juices, for the alcoholic is tors, and others. He explains that who were imbibing too freely. other patients in the ward. From the frequently undernourished. The pa- this is not simply another sobering- However, prompted by the grace first, he is in the care of understand- tients are encouraged to eat at will. up process. The sponsor assures of God, we very cautiously admitted ing friends. The advantage for the The coffee urn and “bar” are the them that with their cooperation and one patient, with the diagnosis of older patients who help him is that AA equivalents for the brass rail the help of his fellow AAs, his acute gastritis, under the care of Dr. they see themselves again as they and bottles of drinking days. charge will be given a real oppor- Bob. The patient was placed in a were upon admission. First day-reality begins tunity to make a complete recovery. two-bed room. The next morning, Directly across the hall from our Reality for the alcoholic is drink- After registration, the sponsor Dr. Bob came to the admitting office lounge is the choir loft of our ing. It is most important that the escorts his patient to the AA ward. and very timidly requested that the chapel, which permits AA patients approach be made through another Two or three of the senior patients. patient be moved to a spot where to make visits in hospital attire if alcoholic; namely, a sponsor. The in the ward take over and welcome the men who came to visit him and when they so desire, all in com- sponsor speaks the language of the the new patient. Nothing is left unmight talk with him privately. The plete seclusion. Bearing in mind that alcoholic. He knows all the tricks of done to make him feel at home, and only available space we could think the alcoholic is a person who is sick the “trade,” because of personal this reception inspires hope in his of was a small room across the hall spiritually as well as physically, we experience. heart. called the “flower room,” where believe that the ready access to Those of us who have anything Second clay-realization patients’ flowers were changed and spiritual healing may be a strong to do with admitting these patients The physical condition of the arranged. We pushed the alcoholic’s factor in his recovery. should rely upon the judgment of patient is usually much improved on bed into this room. It was there that The ward is almost wholly self- the sponsor as to when the patient the second day. His mind is beginhe received his first AA visitors. The operating. A nurses’ aide comes in is ready for the program, for the AA ning to clear. He feels encouraged men who came to visit him were to make beds, and an AA employee ward does not accept repeaters. because everyone seems interested such respectable, dignified-appear- does the heavier cleaning; but the Sponsors know this, hence they are in him. Visitors call on him, telling ing men that we could hardly be- cleaning of ashtrays, the making of very careful before bringing the pa- him. “This is how 1 made it.” Some lieve they had ever been addicted to coffee (the coffee urn is in opera- tient to the hospital. Above all, he of ;he visitors may bc men with alcohol. tion twenty-four hours each day), must have a desire to stop drinking. whom he used to drink. The power We then set aside a two-bed and the washing of coffee cups are Wives, relatives, friends, and em- of example is a great incentive to room, then a four-bed room, and all done by the patients themselves. ployers may try to high-pressure the the patient. He begins to say to later a six-bed ward. Today our AA Activity helps to eliminate brooding, alcoholic into accepting the pro- himself, “If he can do it-so can I. ward has eight beds. It is simply a and the volume of such work is gram. Someone may even persuade But how am I going to make it?” At large room with accommodations in never great at any time. the family doctor to use his influ- this point, he generally has a heartone end for the beds. At the op- The function of the lounge is to ence with the hospital so that the to-heart talk with his sponsor. posite end of the room is a small provide a place where the patient prospect may be admitted into the He acknowledges his utter aowerlounge with comfortable chairs, a can chat with AA visitors and listen alcoholic ward. lessness over alcohol. He hbnestly

admits that he has tried innumerable first drink. He has learned from his times to drink normally and has al- fellow alcoholics that it is more ways failed. He is finally ready, blessed to give than to receive, and honestly and humbly, to admit de- that it is a privilege to help others. feat. His sponsor is delighted to What a joy, too! He is kept so busy know that his patient is really honest helping others that he does not have about his drinking. This may be the time to even’ think about a drink. first time the patient has admitted What a transformation takes place the fact that he is powerless to help in the lives of these men and himself. women! The next step is to humbly turn Fifth day-plans for the future to God. “Ask and you shall re- As he leaves the hospital, he must ceive.” Patients have often said that now face his problems. The way has this is the first time they have sin- been paved by the sponsor. The cerely prayed. The “Our Father” future is in God’s hands. He has takes on a new meaning at this learned to say, “0 Cod, grant me point. They feel that they really be- the serenity to accept the things 1 long. cannot change, courage to change Third day-moral inventory the things I can, and wisdom to The patient makes a searching know the difference.” He is urged and fearless moral inventory of him- to guard against pride, self-pity, reself. He faces the past honestly, sentment, intolerance, and criticism; admits to God, to himself, and to to attend meetings, to do Twelfth another human being the exact na- Step work. ture of his wrongs. He has done with We have hospitalized well over alibis and reservations. “I am an 4,000 AA patients at St. Thomas. alcoholic. What a joy to be honest! They have come to Akron from The truth will make you free.” Now Alabama, South Carolina, Michhe is sincerely asking God’s help igan, Maryland, Texas, and many and the help of his fellowman. other distant places. They would not Fourth day-resolution have had to travel so far if their “Give us this day our daily local hospitals had made .it possible bread.” This is interpreted by the for them to receive the program alcoholic to mean, “I surely can stay nearer home. sober today.” The past is finished. In conclusion, may Cod’s grace Now, with God’s help and the help give to my weak words influence of his fellow AAs, with his clear and strength that they may penetrate thinking, he can control his feelings the hearts of those who have it and emotions. Reason now governs within their power to urge the eshis life. Strong convictions are given tablishment of this great apostolate him as to why he cannot take that in their respective hospitals.

June 1969

“There was the beloved FatherDo wling, whose personal inspiration and whose recommendation of AA to the world did so much to make our Society what it is. Y 9 Bill w.in A A Cormv 0 , Age

Father Edward Dowling

“I have F ATHER Edward Dowling, the Jesuit priest who befriended AA, has been an otf-and-on hobby with me for the past live or six years. With the help of his sister, a special I’ve tried to collect anecdotes and stories about this beloved priest, love for with the aim of writing a book eventually. Father I have a special love for Father Dowling because he introduced my Dowling . . .” father to AA. My mother told me the story after I had joined the Fellowship. For the first ten years of my life, my father drank. Finally, he reached his bottom. When he did, he called Father Dowling, who referred him to an AA member in St. Louis. For the next ten years, my father was sober in AA. He never explained the program to me; yet I knew what drinking had done to him, and I also knew what wonderful things had happened in his life because of sobriety. Unfortunately, my father died be-

fore I came into AA. It is one of was careful not to do that, because He called it ‘the day-tight compart- training) is between feelings and the my regrets that he was not alive to he believed it would discourage the ment,’ that is, the self-denial in- will. You have the great example in see that, though I don’t think that I alcoholic from joining AA later volved in keeping our nose out of the agony in the garden, where I was a full-blown alcoholic while when he was convinced he had a I tomorrow and keeping our thoughts Christ’s feelings were all opposed he was alive. I remember discussing drinking problem. I away from yesterday, so as to con- to going on. this with Father Dowling at his That old-timer’s entrance into I centrate on today. “I think it’s important to get a office, not long before he died. “You I AA is typical of the Dowling ap- “Actually, I don’t think there is correct code of suffering. Someone know, Father, my dad never talked proach. Father Ed called him on the i l a pain in the world which a person has said, ‘I admire the man who to me about AA.” phone. “Say, Bill [that wasn’t really can’t stand for one second. And can take it.’ I know that our Lord, “He didn’t have to,” Father his name], there’s a group of men that’s about all we ever stand, actu- when the mother of the sons of Dowling said. “That’s the legacy he meeting close to your office tonight. ally. Who ever heard of two seconds Zebedee asked Him whether they left you. He showed you by his ex- I wonder if you’d be interested in I happening in one second? I think would have a good place in heaven, ample what the answer to your attending.” there is a joy in the cross that is asked her in return whether they problem was.” “I’m not interested,” the alcoholic t o t a l – o r it wouldn’t be a cross. The could take the chalice of suffering. A Chicago newspaperman sum- said. “I’m not convinced that I’m an greatest distinction made in religious “Sometimes, prosperity can numb med up Father Dowling’s life neatly alcoholic.” training that I remember in my us into a smug stupidity. But we in the obituary he wrote for his Twenty minutes later, Father novitiate (which was typical, I learn so much through suffering.” paper: “In terms of the goods of Dowling called him again. This time guess, of a great many in asceticism K . M . , Webster Groves, Mo. this world, he was very poor. But he asked, “Would it be all right if never has there been a will filed in two of those men came by to see St. Louis Probate Court that left you?’ so much to so many people.” “No,” the alcoholic said. “A lot Father Dowling suffered from of people may be convinced that I’m arthritis most of his adult life. He drinking too much, but I’m not.” understood suffering and would go That was the last time Father to any lengths to try to remove Dowling called the man. Some time suffering from others. He was a later, however, the man became great friend and spiritual adviser to convinced that he was an alcoholic. Bill W. In a letter to me, Bill said, He called Father Dowling, was later “Father Dowling was one of the received into the Fellowship, and greatest friends I shall ever know. became my father’s sponsor. His unexpected calls upon people After Father Dowling died, his in need have been legion-and I friends recorded some of his talks. have often been a beneficiary. He One excerpt concerns AA and sufnever failed to look me up when he fering: “I think the AA movement came to New York. He probably has caught one of Christ’s great had more influence on my own teachings, that is, to take up one’s spiritual life than any other person.” cross daily. Dr. William Osler of An old-timer in AA in St. Louis Johns Hopkins had an adaptation of told me that Father Ed didn’t pres- that, which Dale Carnegie is now sure people into joining AA. He using in his latest book on worry.

June 1969 April 1946 First publicationof Oct.1945 theAAPreamble Iwelve SuggestedPoints Sept.1948 June 1944 Sleeping Pill Menace.” “Evidenceof First issue of 1945 bAA Tradition”by Bill. the Grapevine June Earlyrecognitionof the ! Beginning of our 12Traditions. in Retrospect”by Dr.Bob “‘Interviewwith pill problem. or. Sept.1948 “A Loner at Sea.” Motivated formation of Far East intl. Group “The Littie Doctor Who May1951 Loved Drunks.”Tribute AA’s 10th Anniversary Int’. July1955 July1950 Jan.1950 Jam.1951 Issue dedicated Dec.1950 to Dr.Silkworth toFirst Int’.Convention “Your Third Legacy”by Memorialissue Convention at St.Louis “The Serenity Prayer.” Discussion on Dr.Bob and Bill.Proposal April1950 at Cleveland to form the Gen’.Service dedicated toco-founder its origin Dr.Bob “lntergroup of NewY Conference of AA Setsa Precedent.”Rejection of $10,000legacy Sept.1955 July1960 “The Bil W.Carl Jung Jan.1963 “The Pill rap.” 1965 ersary AA’s 25th Anniversary Letters” de: esd as Int’.Convention at Sept.1966 LongBeach AA’s at tToronto 1968 “Doctors,Alcohol and AA.” Oct.1968 Feb.1969 June1969 “Young Winners.” 25thAnniversary Specialissue Coverage of AA experience of the Grapevine by young people 25

June 1969

. ..and twenty-five years later. Vol. 26, No. 1 the ,bookAlcoholics +4nony&ue the; is a chapter called “A Yision for :.,\$0~”. .;4- %Wanderingthrough it recently, my eye was caught by this startling ‘ : . l p ~ a g r a p hwritten a short five years ago. It ir “Someday we hope that every T HIS is the three-hundredth issue of the AA Grapevine. Without a single publication failure, the GV has been rolling off the presses twelve times a year for each of the past twenty-five years. :’i-+!~hol i c journeys wiU find a Fellowship of Akoholics Anonymous at who Remembering that the early Grapevine was staffed entirely by volunteers, ~~~hb~dertid Too n . ‘&tent this is already true. S o n of us me sakssome that even now they serve in a considerable majority, that many AA mem- * :$men 4nd go about. it& ‘clusters of &s and threes and fives of us have ,1

4 .p r bers have freely contributed their valuable professional skills, year in and year out -well, we must all agree that this record of devotion is something F’rprung u p in other commknities through contuct with our two large cen- I. for our greatest inspiration. ;* s:ters-” !’ Rubbing my eyes I looked again. A lump came into my throat. I recall an article I wrote years ago for the July 1945 Grapevine, com- JbOnly five years,’ I tho*ht..,”Then but two large centers-little clusters memorating its first anniversary. On rereading that piece, I found. much ::if twoikd t k – travelers who hoped one day to find us at every interest in statements expressing the hope that we AAs might be able to i&&atioli.” a develop certain “traditional principles,” principles that could help us to < I

+4.%oddit be.that only yesterday this was just a hope-those little clusters live and work together. Pp twoe and,threes, those,little beacons eo anxiously watched as they flickdlof In this period, our growing Society was having plenty of trouble. The ;’+red, but never went out. crucial tests of whether AA could survive and expand were very much with us. Would the forces for disunity, then so rampant, do us in after all? ndreds of centers shedding their warm illumination upon Providentially, AA’s Twelve Traditions were already in embryo, and of’thouaands, lighting the dark shoals where the stranded and some of them had actually begun to emerge. In the last few paragraphs of de breaking n p ~ t h o s efingers of light already stretching to our my 1945 piece there were, for example, allusions to “paid workers,” “selfheads in other lands. ‘ ‘ support,” “no endorsement of commercial undertakings,” etc. Then followed a strong recommendation for the discussion of anonymity, leadership, es another lighted lamp-th is little newspaper called “The Grape- public relations, money in AA, and the like. The article closed on the its ray; of h o b and ex-perience ever fall upon the current of theme that the Grapevine should try to become a “true voice” of AA. ,A+. life and one day illumine every dark corner of this alcoholic It was not very long afterward that the Grapevine did actually publish AA’s Twelve Traditions, and the magazine then continued to be a principal f its editors, contributors and readers could well be voiced forum for the years of discussion that followed. Among the many GV of “A Vision for You”. “Abandon yourself to Cod rw yore accomplishments, this was a service of incalculable value to our entire Fellowship – then, and ever since. od. ‘ Admit your faults to Him and your fellows. Char aumy As we visualize that early time against the world scene of AA today, let of your past.”~ive freely of whut you find, and join us. We us remember to give thanks for those twenty-five years in which the th’you, in the %elloruship of The Spirit, and you will surely meet Grapevine and its people did so much to make AA what it now is. A ‘us & you trudge the Rwd of Happy Destiny. May God bless you u-until then.” , Rill “true voice” indeedi –

m

October 1969

This Is AA Around the W o r l d . ..

He J UST OVER a year ago, on a sunny Sunday morning, I stepped off a boat onto a Mcditerranean isle. without people -if you want it to. Almost as soon as I arrived, I was warned by friends in residence No wonder there is a huge foreign colony here -mostly dedicated to supporting the local bars and liquor Armed with AA literature in that it would be difficult to start an stores. proved several languages and with the bless- AA group. This island is one of the And so into this drinkers’ paraings of GSO in New York, I came few places in the world where you dise I came, a new life ahead of me, to himself here to begin a new segment of my can retire and slowly drink yourself over ten years in AA behind me, full life and to bring AA to the island. to death while still managing to live, of zeal and energy to start that AA that the program Now, a year later, there is still no after a fashion, on $300 a month. group. AA group. The literature still sits Booze of all kinds sells for under Two weeks after I set foot on the works – with quietly in my living-room bookcase. $1.00 a fifth, and the cost goes island, I was flat on my back in a Life on the island continues as down further if you know the right hospital, with my left arm encased usual. The wonder of it all is that people. Black-market cigarettes are in a wire-and-board contraption that or without I am still sober. I really shouldn’t available at $2.50 a carton; food resembled half of the Wright say “the wonder of it all,” because and rent are comparably cheap; the brothers’ first airplane. In my enpeople this year has proved to me that AA weather is glorious most of the year thusiasm to go native, I had bought works, anywhere, any time, with or (except December through March). a pair of the local rope-soled shoes

(50P). Unfortunately, rope soles thought, “things happen slowly streets of what I used to be like. arrived. Rather, I live my life here and highly polished marble stairs here.” May and June passed, and The year has, if anything, strength- 24 hours at a time. Some day we don’t agree. As I left a friend’s still no appointment with the bishop. ened my sobriety. I’ve seen so much may have a group; at this point, I apartment to have lunch with the I never have found out where he unhappiness and misery in other don’t know, and I don’t worry about local Anglican minister, to talk was all that time. By then, my priest people’s lives here that it makes me it so much any more. I’ve finally about starting a group in his church, friend had his hands full with the deeply thankful to AA and my had it pounded into my head that the shoes and the stairs clashed, and hordes of English-speaking tourists Higher Power that I’m sober today. these things aren’t up to me, any- I wound up in the hospital. who descend here every summer, Now I don’t fret about appoint- way. Apparently, a group here was When I got out of the hospital, and I was left to my own devices. ments with the bishop, a grand be- not supposed to be, or we would wearing my struts and wires, I set Friends arrived from the U.S.A. ginning for a huge group, or any of have one by now. But then. . . well, out again to lunch with my priest (good AA friends, and what a joy the things I envisioned when I first we’ll see what happens tomorrow. friend. He was completely in agree- to see them), and I did some travelment with my ideas and offered the ing around Europe during August use of his church as a meeting place, with friends and relatives. Business gratis. There was one small hitch, also kept me away from the island though. In this country, it is tech- for several periods of time. Soon it nically necessary to have police was fall, and I had to return to the permission for a gathering of more U.S.A., again on business. I left than three or four people. My priest books and literature with my priest friend suggested we talk to the local friend and with the most likely prosbishop, tell him about AA, and get pect for the future group. Planning his permission to start a group. So to be gone a month, I was delayed we set off to make an appointment in the U.S.A., and nearly three with the bishop, I with my struts, months went by before I finally rewires, books, and literature. Un- turned. By then, the priest had been fortunately, we learned, it was transferred, the “likely prospect” necessary to write the bishop a was in a sanitarium, the books were letter requesting an appointment. neatly stored in her apartment, un- This we did, and weeks went by as touched by human hands, and I was we waited for a reply. It seemed the right back where I had started. bishop was visiting the other islands Now it is more than a year later, in his diocese and was unavailable. and still we have no group, nor Meanwhile, I fretted and fussed and even the beginnings of one. In spite worked with several Americans who of it all, I find myself still sober. A were resident here and had been AA bit discouraged, perhaps, but still members at one time or another sober. My sobriety insurance is a (mostly another). voluminous correspondence with Then I had to go to two other AAs in my home state of California countries for therapy and checkups and at GSO in New York, plus my on my broken arm, and another own Big Book and the daily remonth went by. “Oh well,” I minders I see in the pubs and on the

November 1969

Young People in AA States and provinces represented in- Do Their Thing cluded California, Iowa, Texas, New Invigorated by a n abundance of young York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, people attending from throughout the Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, U.S. and Canada, AAs of various ages Virginia, Montana, Illinois, Kansas, Mistook part in a something-for-everybody souri, Colorado, Ohio, Hawaii, Ontario, three-day International Conference of and Quebec. Young People in AA, held during the Meeting concurrently with the Phillast weekend of July in Philadelphia, Pa. adelphia conferees, the International Ad- About 550 persons purchased tickets for visory Council of Young People in AA the climactic banquet; a total of 770 announced that the site for the 13th registered at the conference. International Conference of Young Peo- The Philadelphia conference was her- ple in AA would be Fort Worth, Tex., alded and accompanied by many articles, during the weekend of August 14, 1970. announcements, or presentations by the -G. M ., Philadelphia, Pa. press, radio, and TV channels. Both the unusual public attention and the massive intra-Fellowship drive to attract participation generated much direct and indirect Twelfth Step activity, certain to ,

have a reverbera!ing effect through the years. Workshops were held under such titles as “Age Is Not MY Problem,” “Multiule ~ d d i d o n s , ” a n d – “Is sobriety y o u r Thins?” Both Al-Anon and Alateen held sessions during the conference. Alateen put on a laugh-evoking fashion show and luncheon, and experts in the field of alcoholism took part in the Al-Anon discussions. Entertainment highlights included dancing to a live orchestra in the main ballroom of the Benjamin Franklin Hotel and a guitar-playing, folk-singing fete held in the hotel’s Independence Room.

December 1969

From BILL

On this ‘specially wonderful Christmas season, Lois joins me in our affectionate greetings. W e share with you the wonder of all that God has brought to pass among us in this year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-nine. May we be ever worthy of receiving the healing spirit o f the Prince oj Peace in a11 the dugs ahead. Merry Christmas, dear friends ! Ever m

October 1970

administrative director, Rehabilita- Around the World (Eden Roc tion Center, Lutheran General Hotel). Hospital, Park Ridge, Ill. “The ap- 12 Noon: Miami Intergroup propriate community placement and luncheon. Chm.: MARYD. Among Scheduled Events after-hospital followup . . . in large those present on the dais was New measure . . . have been solved by our York Intergroup’s Doris H., and the close relationship with AA groups meeting was made especially heart- A s u m m a r y of t h e happenings and members.” “If the local hospital warining by the presence of a smila t AA’s 3 5 t h Anniversary Convention does not have the stafl and facilities ing, grateful Nick. Nick was an for treatment, there is an immedi- arrogant Spanish drunk who could ately available resource in members not be impressed, and he became of Alcoholics Anonymous.” the pet of the New York Intergroup ( 3 ) AA Unity. Chrn.: DONF. A office. He panhandled up and down

T HE MOMENTUM of the Miami Beach Convention began to build with the arrival of the first in the French Room. Friday, July 3 8:30 – 10:00 AM: Six AA workpanel with AA speakers chosen from the Board of Trustees. “Unity” was the theme of the Convention. the avenues and in front of Intergroup, often throwing the coins back at the donor when he felt the amount early registrants on Wednesday and ehope – (1) A A A r o u n d t h e (4) AA and Government Agen- was too small. Again and again, he Thursday and reached a crescendo World, (2) Central and Intergroup cies. Chm.: STEVE 0. Speakers: was found passed out in the vestiin the flow of thousands of sober Offices, (3) Hospitals and Re- ‘ KENNETH L. EATON,acting assistant bule at the start of Intergroup’s alcoholics greeting each other in lov- habilitation Centers, (4) Public chief, National Center for Preven- business day. When the office moved ing fellowship. The AA talk flowed Information, (5) Sponsorship, (6) tion and Control of Alcoholism, from 39th Street, Nick rode with on and on, too, rich with the inner Grapevine. Chevy Chase, Md.; MELVIN P. and passed out in the moving van. knowledge we all share. Hospitality 8:30 – 10:00 AM: Five Al-Anon SIKES,Ph.D., professor, Department Eventually, he took the geographsuites were swinging day and night, workshops (Eden Roc Hotel). and there were AA alkathon meet- 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Four epeings every night and during many daytime hours. The film “Bill Discia1 panels. (1 ) Fellowehipe Similar to AA. A little old lady under a sun umbrella asked us what was going on, and when we told her, she said, “Good! I hope you can help some of the lushes around here.” cusses the Twelve Traditions” was Chm.: JOHN R. Speakers: MAJOR on view a good part of every day. MARYC. DAVIS,Salvation Army, of Educational Psychology, Univer- ical cure and moved to Florida. But there was also a full schedule speaking on Narcotics Anonymous; sity of Texas, Austin, Tex. “We Collect calls from Florida began to of planned events. Here is a synop- ARBUTUS O’N., Al-Anon member; must set our goal as the establish- come through for Doris, and they sis of that schedule, with some im- BILL G., chairman, Board of Trus- ment of a national program in- kept coming, until, finally, Doris said pressions and highlights: tees of Gamblers Anonymous. volving Federal, state, and local to the operator, “Ask him if he has (All events at the Hotel Fontaine- “Closed meetings [in Gamblers governments, both public and pri- any money.” . bleau, except where otherwise Anonymous] can only be attended vate sectors, voluntary as well as Nick’s voice came loud and clear. noted) by ‘clean’ members.” oflicial agencies, AA and other self- “Jeez, if I had any money, do you Thureday, July 2 (2)AA and Hoepitale. Chm.: DR. help groups, universities, industry. think I’d be calling Dorie?’hris 9:00 PM – 1 :00 AM: Two get- VINCENT DOLE.Speakers: FRANCIS In fact, every institution in our SO- gave the operator the Intergroup acquainted dancee – Lenny Daw- J. O’NEILL, MD, director, Cen- ciety has a job to do in the battle number in Miami, and Nick promptson’s orchestra in the Grand Ball- tral Islip State Hospital, Central against alcol~olism.” ly became the pet drunk of the room, rock with the Generation Gap Islip, N.Y.; REV. JOHNE. KELLER, 10:30 AM -.12:30 PM: Al-Anon Miami office. One day, the tender,

loving care of the Hialeah Group Washington, D.C.; DR. FORREST L. Cooperation with Outside Agencies; highly successful TV documentary). impressed him at last. “Why, they RICHESON, senior pastor, First Chris- (5) Industry -Carrying the Mes- Reading from the A A General Serveven shined my shoes!” And the lit- tian Church, Minneapolis, Minn. sage to Management, Labor, and the ice Board Public Information Comtle Spanish guy who had been jailed “Around each alcoholic is a circle Employee; (6) Loners, Internation- mittee’s survey of the public image more than a hundred times began of people caught up in the frustra- alists, Armed Forces. of A A meetings and A A members: to sober up. Said Nick at the lunch, tion and misfortune evolving from 8:30 – 10:OO AM : Five A I-Anon “. . . A A meetings are inspiring . . . “I so happy. I born again.” the alcoholic’s drinking. Into this workshops (Eden Roc Hotel). philos~phical. . .A A members are 2:30 – 4:30 PM: Four special circle, the clergyman has opportu- 10:30 AM-12:30 PM: Four spe- …weak.. .unhappy.. .neurotic.. .” panels. nity after opportunity to enter.” cial panels. ( 4 ) AA and Alcoholism Agenciee. ( 1 ) AA and Rehabilitation Facili- ( 4 ) AA and Personnel Counsel- ( 1 ) AA and Courte and Law-En- Chrn.: RUTH W. Speakers: MAXties. Chrn.: ROBERTP. Sveakers: ors. Chrn.: ARTHUR MILES.Soeak- I forcement Agencies: Chrn.: AL S. WELL N. WEISMAN,MD, director, Speakers: EGGENE K. MANGUM,Division of Alcoholism Control, M y husband was riding in a cab to the Fontainebleau, and the cabdriver chief magistrate, City Court, Phoenix, State of Maryland Department of asked whether they didn’t have something for gamblers. He was always Ariz.; THOMAS W. O’MEARA,chief Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, Md.; broke because of that compulsion, he said. My husband referred him to probation officer in Adult Probation WILLIAM W. MOOREJR., executive Gamblers Anonymous. Department for the State of Connec- director, National Council on Alcoticut. “The concerned i u d ~ ehas a holism; ARCHER TONGUE, executive CHARLES H. AHARAN, Ph.D., region- ers: CHARLES L. MASSIE,minister, great opportunity to bk o f help to director, International Council on al director, Alcoholism and brug Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ suflering alcoholics who come be- Alcohol and Addictions, Lausanne, Addiction Research Foundation, of Latter Day Saints, Independence, fore him. Learn the great worth and Switzerland. “Alcohol is still the Lake Erie Region, London, Ont.; Mo.; ANN ST. LOUIS, personnel work of A A , and utilize its services.” major drug in use today. Alcohol is SISTERM. BLANDINE, Fond du Lac counselor, Staff Relations Division, ( 2 ) AA Around the World. Chrn.: the number one drug abused on County Alcoholism Services, Inc., Department of National Revenue, DR.WALTHER LECHLER, nonalcohol- campus, with marijuana a distant Fond du Lac, Wis. “If you want an Ottawa, Ont. There is an “unfor- ic trustee, German General Service second.” A A helper, I think you would be tunate tendency” on the part of su- Board. Speakers: AAs from all 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Al-Anon very wise to contact a man who has pervisors to cover up for alcoholic had some experience -say five employees and thus do them a “teryears. . . . One of the things you will rible injustice and perhaps irrepar- T h e moat moving incident involved our ~rooklyn-born(I could tell by encounter is the A A evangelist.” able harm.” the accent) cabdriver, who told us, “AA people are the best people in the ( 2 ) AA in Southeastern U.S. 2:30 -4:30 PM : Al-Anon meeting world -it’s all over the Beach – 7,500 cabdrivers are spreading the Chrn.: WALTERT. Florida was the – Working Together to’ Recover word. I iust never met ~ e o ~ l like that before!” setting of the Convention, and the (Eden ROC-~otel). around the world. Though the many meeting -I Came to Believe (Eden Southeastern Regional Convention 8~00-10:OO PM: The Big Meet- accents were different, the A A ex- Roc Hotel). Committee selected AA speakers ing. In buses to Convention Hall. periences were very much alike. 2:30 – 4:30 PM: Four special from this section of the U.S. Most impressive – 11,000 sober al- ( 3 ) AA and the Communications panels. ( 3 ) AA and the Clergy. Chrn.: coholics under one roof. Media. Chm. : BAYARD P. Speakers: ( 1 ) AA and Induetry. Chrn.: MAURICE R. Speakers: REV.THOM- Saturday, July 4 KARLK. KRUEGER, editor, The Ro- ANDYA. Speakers: C. ANTHONY AS E. PRICE,Ph.D., director, De- 8:30 – 10:OO AM: Six AA work- tarian; Lou H., representing TV D’ALONZO,MD, F.A.C.P., c o p partment of Alcohol Problems and shops – ( 1 ) Service – the Heart producer-director JOSEPHP. LANDIS rate medical director, E. I. du Pont Drug Abuse, United Methodist of AA; (2) Group Activity -the (both were involved in the produc- de Nemours Company, Wilmington, Board of Christian Social Concerns, Lifeline of AA; (3) Prisons; (4) tion of “If You NEED a Drink,” Del.; HARRYH. HOLLOWAY, vice-

president personnel, Pacific North- lahassee, Fla.; JOHN NORFIELD, Al-Arrons and AAs. Moral Theology, Weston College, west Bell System, Seattle, Wash. warden, Saskatchewan Penitentiary, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM:Spiritual Weston, Mass. Two inspiring ad- , “. . . We seek to slow the disease Prince Albert, Sask. Statistics were Meeting (Convention Hall). dresses and the memorable appearand then to assist the individual to cited to show a 47 percent rehabili- Speakers: RT. REV. EVERETTH. ance of Bill W . with his brief but reconstruct his behavior in order to tation rate for those who attend A A JONES,D.D., retired bishop of the strong message. reestablish his job efficiencyand self- meetings in prison and after they are Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, 8:00 – 10:30 PM:The Big Show pride. We can, in his best interests, discharged, as opposed to a 25 per- San Antonio, Tex.; REV. JOHNC. (Convention Hall), arranged by use the whip of dismissal to goad cent rate for those who do not FORD, S.J., professor emeritus of the Convention Host Committee. him into seeking help.” attend. ( 2 ) AA and the Medical Profea- ( 4 ) AA and Educators. Chm.: don. Chm.: TRAVISE. DANCEY,ROLLIED. Speakers: HARRISON M. MD. Speakers: STANLEY E. GITLOW, TRICE,Ph.D., professor, Department

I sat at a lunch counter next to Fred, an AA from Cleveland. He told me a little old man had come up to him and said, with tears in his eyes, “I wish I could have what you’ve got, but it’s too late for me.” “No, it isn’t,” said Fred. “Why don’t you try?” Fred then told me of a Cleveland man of sixty-five who had developed cancer by the time he decided to try AA. He got sober, bought himself a car, and devoted himself to taking people to meetings and taking welfare clients shopping. He had five years before the cancer finally got hini – but they were the five best years of his life. MD, internist and associate clinical of Labor Relations, Cornell Univerof medicine, the Mount Si- sity, Ithaca, N.Y.; LAURA E. ROOT, nai School of Medicine, New York, research associate, Social Science N.Y.; DR. MICHAEL H. BEAUBRUN,Institute, and adjunct assistant proprofessor and chairman, Department fessor, George Warren Brown School ‘ of Psychiatry, University of the of Social Work, St. Louis, Mo. ” A A West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. should share with and educate oth- “Few psychiatrists today would re- ers to a greater extent.” ject A A outright, but many assign 2:30 -4:30 PM : Al-Anon meeting it too limited a role, accepting it – the Twelve Steps Come Alive with reservations and tending to re- (Eden Roc Hotel). fer to it only the most difficult of 5:00 – 6:30 P M : Al-Anon receptheir patients. . . . The fault is not tiott for Lois (Eden Roc Hotel). only with the psychiatrists.” 8:00 – 10:00 PM: Big AA meet- ( 3 ) AA and Prisons. Chm.: AUS- ing (Convention Hall ). TIN H. MACCORMICK. Speakers: siniay, July 5 ‘LOUIEL. WAINWRIGHT, director, 8:00 – 9:30 AM : Breakfast for Bill 11,000 sober alcoholics come together Florida Division of Corrections, Tal- and Lois, arranged by Al-Anon for for an A A meeting in Convention Hall

October 1970

unison by thousands of us just two activity of the rest of the Conven- T H E M A N in t h e wheelchair reached up, gripped the lectern with both hands, and in one smooth nearly fifty separate AA meetings, workshop sessions, and panel discussions, plus multiple screenings of nights before, in this very hall. We had been told that illness prevented tion, underlying the mirth and fellowship was a note of concern. But motion hauled himself to his full the film Bill Discusses the Twelve Bill’s scheduled participation in the now, at the Sunday-morning Spiritsix-foot-three-inch height. To many Traditions and many Al-Anon and Big Meeting that Friday night. ual Meeting, that glorious orange of the thousands gathered in the Alateen sessions. There was no guarantee that he blazer had scattered those dark huge Convention Hall in Miami Thousands in that hall, and hun- would be well enough to appear at forebodings, and Bill’s voice, strong Beach that Sunday morning, he dreds of thousands more all over the any session of this International and steady, gave further proof that seemed to rise like a sunburst, in world, owed their sobriety, their Convention, to which recovered al- our unanimous prayer had been his brave orange blazer, from be- sanity, their happiness, and their coholics and their families had answered. hind the speaker’s stand. And in very lives to the recovery program traveled from places as remote as A few moments later, we heard another smooth motion the throng of which the tall man had been the Thailand, Australia, and South one of AA’s first friends among the of 1 1,000 -AAs and their families first practitioner and the first chron- Africa. clergy, the Rev. John C. Ford, S.J., and friends -was on its feet in a icler. For thirty-five years, his own Bill’s personal physician had wind up the Convention with an standing ovation to Bill W., the life had been a continuous example asked us to join in sixty seconds of inspiring message that included the surviving co-founder of Alcoholics of the AA program’s effectiveness. silent prayer, “. . . to close our eyes, reminder “I can’t, but God can, and Anonymous. But this moment on a bright picture Bill’s face, and ask God to God will!” Probably this instant intensely Florida morning meant much more shower His grace upon Bill and When the editors of the Grapeaffected more of the conventioneers than that. Many of us had reason to heal him, to make him well and vine asked me to write my impresthan any other event in the crowded regard Bill’s appearance as an an- whole.” sions of the Convention, they were three-day program that included swer to a prayer voiced in silent Throughout the excitement and well aware that no one person could

cover more than a small fraction of the many simultaneous meetings “. ..some idea of what ‘readyevents our AA gatherings can be. .. 99

over the three days. In the minds of the 11,000 who attended, there are Workshop, I checked in at the Con- they made quick and efficient de- excitement linger for days or weeks exactly 11,000 valid sets of impres- vention Committee headquarters, cisions. Anyone who has organized afterward. Still, there are side-effects sions, all differing in emotional whcre over the weekend I glimpsed a backyard cookout for three cou- that must be expected until experivariety and intensity. portions of a continuing marvel. ples can appreciate what it must be ence is acquired. Looking at the If you were there, this record of There, our AA girls of the GSO like to juggle the affairs of a gather- program for almost any hour, one my reactions is intended only to staff handled the ever-changing de- ing of 11,000 people, coordinating sees four or five simultaneous AA stimulate your own precious per- tails of that complex three-day the activities of hundreds of partici- meetings or panels, and often sevsonal memories of what the oc- event. Phones rang. Scheduled pants in nearly fifty separate meet- eral Al-Anon events. Like children casion was “really” like, to you. speakers – AA and nonalcoholic ings. in a candy store, we have a few If you were not there, and have -checked in and were greeted Watching the girls remain serene, pennies of time to spend and are never attended an AA convention, warmly. AAs from Canada, Nor- gracious, and tactful, an observer surrounded by a bewildering array . this report may strike you as a way, Central America, and various found it hard to believe they had of tempting goodies. patchwork of confusion, hysteria, parts of the United States strolled been at this exhausting task during Which to choose? The decision is euphoria, maudlin sentiment, rap- in to say hello to the GSO staff, with the many months of planning, back made more difficult when we atture, and exaggeration, exultation, whom they had corresponded over in New York. It was even harder to tempt to compromise with the varifrenzy, fatigue, and more confusion. the years. realize that they, too, were alco- ous desires and interests of our You’re correct; now you’ve got Panic-type messages were de- holics, a class of people notorious companions. Veteran conventionsome idea of what heady events our livered by phone and by live, agi- for a low tolerance for frustration. goers eventually learn to use the AA AA gatherings can be, from small tated members. A speaker had to The GSO staff, of course, did not program at AA conventions, selectregional conferences to our Inter- cancel out; the girls calmly arranged do it alone. The Host Committee of ing sessions on a plan of Easy Does national Conventions, held every for a replacement. A prominent AAs in Miami and other Florida It, Live and Let Live, “Let go and five years. New York doctor, invited to address communities had things so well- let God.” Or, in emergencies, Think. Within a few minutes after enter- the Convention, might not get air- organized that the crowds of regis- Until this serenity (relative) is ing the Hotel Fontainebleau, I saw borne out of Kennedy Airport in tered visitors flowed smoothly to the attained, the conventioneer envies so many familiar faces that I could time to give his talk. He did make it, various sessions in response to their the medieval torture victims who well have been back in my home and the girls made arrangements to own whims, or the tuggings of their were pulled asunder by only two area of Los Angeles, 2,400 miles whisk him back to the Miami air- companions. An army of Host horses. away. Others from all parts of the port so he could keep another en- Committee members, totaling over Add to this the late-night alkacountry were having the same ex- gagement. a thousand, had arranged transpor- thons, followed by visits to hospitalperience, greeting friends and ac- Members strolled in, or phoned tation and housing details, set up ity suites and the hotel rooms of quaintances in the vast lobby, the in, trying to locate other members, and manned information and regis- friends from Texas, North Carolina, coffee shop, the meeting rooms, the and lingered to talk with the girls. tration booths and first-aid stations, and Manitoba. There ensues a dehospitality rooms, on the streets, An AA from Central America re- and provided clear direction signs tailed analysis of all the AA talks aboard the plentiful buses shuttling quested an interpreter to assist the for our guidance within Convention heard so far at the Convention. along Collins Avenue. Delight, ex- Spanish-speaking party of 300 AAs headquarters at the Fontainebleau. Sleep? What’s that? citement, friendship, and anticipa- from Colombia, El Salvador, and Most AAs find that the inspira- It’s now days after the Convention were everywhere. Honduras. The GSO girls took it tional effect of a Convention is tion, and I can’t recall in many As a participant in the Grapevine all in stride, chatting amiably as long-lasting and that the glow and cases who said what. But the es-

isence of all those talks, broken down by the metabolism of mem- ‘ ory,, provides stores of spiritual nourishment and knowledge to be drawn upon years hence. A few impressions: Lois, “First Lady of Al-Anon” , and wife of AA’s Bill W., telling us that no link (or person) in AA is more important than any other. . . commenting that the young people of today seek proof that good can overcome evil, and citing AA as an example that such victory is possible. The meeting of World Hello, the value of service in AA. With im- of the Convention was the oppor- Another nonalcoholic trustee, Dr. made up of AAs who, because of pressive directness, he told of his tunity to see and hear the nonalco- Travis E. Dancey, in opening the geography, occupation, physical in- first Twelfth Step call on a white holics in many professions and panel on “AA and Medicine,” also capacity, or confinement in institu- drunk in a “lily-white” neighbor- occupations who are concerned and referred to miracles: “I do not betions, are Loners, sharing strength hood, of his reluctance to make the informed about the problem of al- lieve in them, yet I see them.” and hope with each other across call, out of fear of personal danger, coholism. Often we AAs are in- Among the nonalcoholic speakers thousands of miles through corre- and of his eventual realization that clined to adopt the insular feeling was Dr. Stanley Gitlow, internist spondence and exchange of taped he could not deny another drunk a that we are all alone in the battle and associate clinical professor of conversations. In the World Hello chance at sobriety. Citing the Third against alcoholism and, further, Medicine at Mount Sinai School of meeting, we heard alcoholics of Tradition, which defines the only that we are misunderstood. Medicine, New York City. Using such diverse backgrounds as: an requirement for membership as a At Miami Beach, more than 10,- blackboard diagrams, he clarified Army sergeant, who recently volun- desire to stop drinking, Louis ex- 000 of us had a chance to meet how use of alcohol and pills for teered to return to Vietnam; an plained how the Traditions are as several of our nonalcoholic trustees their relaxing effect leads step by ex-con, sober now after thirty years important as the Twelve Steps, and to realize that many of these step to physiological and psychoin and out of prisons; a woman equally useful as tools in helping us men -doctor or jurist or leader logical addiction. Then he explained confined to a wheelchair; an inmate to change our ways and to get rid of industry – were serving AA un- how the AA program helps alcoon special leave from a Florida of our old ideas that retard our selfishly and sometimes at personal holics to change their habits and prisan; an eloquent and highly edu- spiritual progress. sacrifice while most of us were still way of life by developing new atcated Brahman from India; and a Some of us heard riotously funny drinking. titudes. sailor who, with blemished grammar stories by medical doctors who There was “Dr. Jack” (John L. Those attending the panel on but impeccable sincerity, told us, found their sobriety in AA; woven Norris, MD) , retired associated “AA and the Communications “I want to thank yez for all you’ve into the laughter were tragic ac- medical director of Eastman Kodak, Media” were impressed by the deep did for me.” counts of losses of family and pro- and chairman of AA’s General understanding of AA principles and At an alkathon, we heard Louis, fession and gratifying accounts of Service Board. He called himself the nature of the disease of alcothe first black Delegate to AA’s recovery in AA. “privileged as a physician to be a holism shown by Karl K. K ~ e g e r , General Service Conference, stress To me, one of the major benefits part of this miracle.” editor of The Rotarian, which last

year devoted almost an entire issue their home groups full of new in- cities throughout the United States souls? We are the former outcasts, to alcoholism and AA. It’s encour- formation, and we share our ex- and nearly a hundred foreign coun- the hopeless, the lonely, the friendaging to know that AA has such perience. tries. . less, the despised, the avoided . . informed friends. Likely, over the months and I have heard laughter in a dozen and the avoiding. We are alcoholics Between meetings, I heard ex- years, the precise words will fade accents, and seen tears in the eyes who, thanks to God’s grace, could cited AAs tell of enlightening talks and blur and blend, but the spirit of men and women whose skins stand up, sober, to express in a p by other non-AAs, such as priests of the Convention will remain, as range from pale pink to the deepest plause our love and gratitude to a and prison wardens and judges and does my memory of the 25th An- browns and blacks. Higher Power and to His instruspecialists in various fields of alco- niversary Convention in Long I bring home the memory of men ment, the first AA member, the tall holism. While no one of us could Beach, Calif., in 1960. In Miami and women of all social and finan- slim man in the orange jacket, who attend all the sessions, we will bene- Beach in July, I was one of 11,000 cial backgrounds, embracing each had urged us to keep our Fellowship fit from them all as those who at- who saw AA in action. I have scen other, talking and laughing together. united for the sake of our own lives tended the Convention return to proof that it works in towns and And who arc we, these privileged and the lives of those to come. L. H., North Hollywood, Calif.

From an address on Unity at the Delegates’ Luncheon, Hotel Doral, Saturday, July 4:

u NITY seems to me to express very well that quality which sets our Fellowship apart. For society at large has so many problems which either spring from or are aggravated by lack of unity. Yet I think that this Unity concept is frequently misunderstood, both in In eleven diflerent languages, eleven thousand members of Alcoholics Anonymous made this pledge and out of AA. One thing I’m sure it doesn’t mean is that you must agree with me! I be- o f unity at the 35th Anniversary lieve that we all have a moral obligation to speak our minds and stand up Convention: for our convictions. Any so-called unity which attempts to stifle dissent is no unity at all, in my opinion. I think we must not only listen to other views, we must actively solicit and encourage them. Only so, I believe, can an informed group conscience speak. This we owe to AA’s future: Once it has spoken, then all of us must go along on truly basic issues. Consider, for example, our Traditions of anonymity and self-support. Few To place our common welfare first; subjects in AA have been discussed so thoroughly over the years. Many To keep our Fellowship united. members have questioned or disagreed with these concepts -and have For on AA Unity depend our lives, voiced their views vigorously. And the lives of those to come. Yet when the overwhelming majority of us supported these Traditions, almost all of the dissenters went along. This is the meaning of Unity, as I understand it. May it always be so! Bob H .

October 1970

The AA General Service Board was still called the Alcoholic Foundation when he joined it, in June 1944. His advice influenced the decision to hold the first General Service Conference, in 1951. Chairman of the Board and the Conference from January 1951 to April 1956, he was serving as first vice-chairman of the Board at the time of his death. He was an attorney, an author, and an advocate of Anglo-American understanding; for his efforts in that cause, Queen Elizabeth I1 awarded him a decoration. Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire, in October 1957.

A tribute from Bill: I deeply regret that my health will not permit me to attend the services for my old friend Bern Smith. His death is a great personal loss to me, for I have leaned heavily upon him for many years. His wise counsel war always mine Jor the asking; the warmth of his friendship, mine from the beginning. From the very beginning, Bern Smith understood the spiritual basis upon which the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous rests. Such an understanding is rare among “outsiders.” But Bern never was an outsider -not really. He not only understood our Fellowship, he believed in it as well. Just one month ago today, Bern made a remarkable and inspiring talk to some 11,000 of our members gathered in Miami Beach to celebrate our Fellowship’s thirty-fifth anniversary. The subject of his talk was Unity truly an apt subject, for no man did more than he to assure Unity within our Fellowship. For that matter, he did much to assure our very survival, for he was one of the principal architects of our General Service Conference. Bern Smith would not want, nor does he need, encomiums from me. What he has done for Alcoholics Anonymous speaks far louder than any words of mine could ever do. His wisdom and vision will be sorely missed by us all. I can only add that I have lost an old and valued friend; AA, a great and devoted servant.

AA Grapevine, February 1971

The Washingtonians A hriof history o f thcp orx~ui:(1tio11 t h ~ gt r m ‘ struttg hclpitlg suffcritlg( ~ l c – o h ~ l i ~ – s t r r d ther~withercd mtwy N – / J C J I J it lost 1r.clc.k

o f its pritntrrv pr~rposc.

terms “alcoholic” and “alcoholism” at this same tavern around another N E THURSDAY evening, April 2. self overni_cht and dropped out of 0 1840, nearly 100 years before the advent of Alcoholics Anonysight. The story of the Washingtonian were not yet in general use.) The jug of spirits and were liberally few occasions when drunkards did toasting the great advantages of reform did not erase the general temperance and condemning the mous, six good drinking buddies movement brings sharply into focus pessimism over the possibility of re- cursc of drink. Although a number were gathered at Chase’s Tavern on the importance of the Twelve Tradi- habilitating drunks. Since alcohol of active temperance groups was Liberty Street in Baltimore. Md. tions of Alcoholics Anonymous as was assumed to be the cause of al- already in cxistence, none was ac- The more they drank, the more guidelines of group behavior de- coholism, many tenlperance move- ceptable to our friends. Good drunks their discussion centered on ternpcr- signed to protect us against n similar ments of that day wcrc aimed solely that they were, they decided to form ancc, which was one of the most fate. T o take our Traditions for at keeping the nonalcoholic from a group of their own. They elected popular topics of the day. This granted or to ignore them should at becoming alcoholic. The rallying cry officers and drew up a pledge of meeting and subsequent discussions least justify a check mark on the was: “Keep the temperntc pcoplc total abstinence: led to the formation and brief, spcc- debit side of our inventory charts. temperate; the drunkards will soon “We, whose nanlcs are annexed. tacular life of the Washingtonian Until thc time of this meeting dic and the land be free!” desirous of forming for our mutual movement, which grew in member- at Chase’s Tavern. it was the pre- On April 5, 1840, our six good benctit and to guard against a perniship to over 400,000 “reformed vailing opinion that nothing could drinking buddies once again gathered cious practice which is injurious to drunkards” and then destroyed it- be done to help the drunkard. (The

our health, standing, and families, street or drawn out from some old drunks who still suffered. This drive do pledge ourselves as gentlemen filthy shed, taken by the arm, spoken spilled over into a desire to prevent that we will not drink any spiritoils or malt liquors, wine or cider.” N ewspaper editors were liberal with covemge, complete kindly to, invited to the hall, and such suffering by persuading those with reluctance dragged there or not addicted to insure their sobriety They chose the name Washington carried in a carriage if not too filthy; through total abstinence. Influential Temperance Society in honor of with names of members. and there he sees himself surrounded temperance leaders of the day need- George Washington, and a member- by friends and not what he most ed salesmen to sell this message of ship fee of twenty-five cents was feared . . . police officers. Everyone prevention, and the Washingtonians established, together with monthly were drunkards or not, but were takes him by the hand; he begins to provided a waiting list of available dues of twelve and a half cents. also pledged to total abstinence, plus come to and when sober signs the manpower. With fond embraces they parted, thousands of temperance advocates pledge and goes away a reformed New York City beckoned. In each agreeing to bring one new who welcomed the Washingtonian man. And it does not end there. The March of the following year, Washmember to the next meeting at thc crusade. man takes the pledge and from his ingtonians and spectators gathered tavern. And they stayed sober! Enthusiastic promoters that they bottle companions obtains a number at the Methodist Episcopal church In response to membership growth were, members of the group orga- of signers who likewise become sober on Green Street. During the very and at the frantic urging of the nized and marched in a parade. It men. Positively these are the facts. first speech, a young man in the tavern owner, the group eventually flaunted bands and banners and was “Now, can any human agency gallery staggered to his feet and rented its own hall and decided to witnessed by more than 40,000 alone do this? All will answer ‘No!’; cried out, “Is there no hope for me? meet weekly. At these meetings, a spectators in Baltimore. Following for we have invariably the testimony God in heaven! Is there no hope for unique format developed. Each the parade, there was a great open- of vast numbers of reformed men me? Will you help me?” He was speaker told his own story: “what air park meeting to spread the who have spoken in public and de- helped to the platform and express- I used to be like – what happened Washingtonian “Twelfth Step” mes- clared they have broken off a num- ed his willingness and readiness to -and what I am like now.” The sage: “Drunkard! Come up here! ber of times, but have as often bind himself from that hour to total idea was greeted with explosive ac- You can reform. I met a gentleman relapsed again; and the reason they abstinence. Others followed. Some ceptance. It gave new impact to the this morning who reformed four give for doing this is that they wholly were young men; others were old entire temperance movement. Total weeks ago and was rejoicing in his rely on the strength of their resolu- and gray-headed. The Washingtonabstinence had created the miracle reformation. We don’t slight the tion without looking any higher. of the man at the podium! drunkard. We love him! We nurse Now they feel the need of God’s as- In November 1840, the group held its first public meeting. Newspaper editors were liberal with him as a mother does her infant learning to walk!” Tears flowed freely around the sistance, which having been obtained, their reform is genuine. Praise God!” M embers were sure it was within their power to coverage, complete with names of secretary’s table as hundreds moved The Washingtonian manifestation meet widespread, pressing needs. members. The audience was stand- to the platform and signed the pledge of miracles could not be contained ing-room-only. Both alcoholics and of total abstinence. The emotional geographically. Members were sure nonalcoholics – all who pledged atmosphere was saturated with con- it was within their power to meet ians embraced them all. An organithemselves to total abstinence – tagious salvation. Religious groups widespread, pressing needs. The re- zation of women within the group, were welcomed into the group. Five embraced the program. claimed drunks active in the move- known as Martha Washington Somonths later, Washingtonian mem- Samuel F. Holbrook, the first ment proved by their example that cieties, fed and clothed the poor and bership claimed over 1,000 “reform- president of the society, thundered drunkards could be helped, and they reclaimed the intemperate of their ed drunkards” and 5,000 members of God’s part in reclaiming drunks: had an overwhelming drive to carry own sex. who were not sure whether they “The reeling drunkard is met in the their message of hope to other In less than four years from the

Although it is obvious that this principle of anonymity created an program of the Washingtonians was atmosphere for spectacular growth incomplete and possessed only lim- -but also led to battles among ited opportunity for personality personalities competing for prestige change, as compared with AA’s and power. One hundred years later, Twelve Steps, it did provide the AA adopted Traditions Eleven and tools for at least short-lived sobriety Twelve, which guide us to base our for thousands of drunks. But it fail- public-relations policy on attraction ed to provide any standards at all rather than promotion; always to that were comparable to AA’s maintain personal anonymity at the Twelve Traditions. Because there level of press, broadcasting, and were no such safeguards for the films; and to regard anonymity as movement as a whole, it died. Most our “spiritual foundation . . . ever of the Washingtonians’ problems lay reminding us to place principles bein areas now covered in our Tradi- fore personalities.” tions: 3. Nothing can divide and destroy I . The AA Preamble and Tradi- groups more quickly than thcologitiqn Five advise us to protect our cal and political controversy. Tradisingleness of purpose; Tradition tion Ten states that AA “has no the movement destroyed itself com- One cautions us to protect our unity. opinion on outside issues” and that first meeting of our alcoholic friends pletely and dropped out of sight. Without these guidelines, the Wash- “the AA name ought never be at Chase’s Tavern, Washingtonian membership hit its peak. At that With it went the hope it had held ingtonian movement developed into drawn into public controversy.” point, it is comn~onlycomputed, the out for thousands of drunks of that a three-headed monster. First was Without this Tradition the Washingmovement included at least 100,000 day. the program of reclaiming suffering tonians walked right into a Donny- “reformed common drunkards,” Against this brief background, it alcoholics. Second was the call to brook. A few key church leaders 300,000 “common tipplers” who is possible to make a limited com- the general public for temperance heard Washingtonian reformed also became total abstainers, and parison between the Washingtonian through moral suasion. Third was drunks proclaiming publicly that, untold thousands who were simply movement and Alcoholics Anony- the call for temperance through legal among other things, they were liventhusiastic temperance advocates. mous and to reflect on the possibil- suasion. Influential men controlled ing Christ’s program – not just giv- And then came oblivion. ity of AA’s suffering a s i ~ i l a rfate. the action of each head, ‘and it was ing it lip service, like a lot of pastors By 1848, all that remained of the The similarities between the earlier not long until the heads were fight- they knew. In retaliation, the Rev. movement and AA might be listed ing each other. Hiram Mattison, minister of the organization’s spectacular power as a method of treatment was its Home as follows: 2. The carnival tactics for promo- Methodist Episcopal church of I . Alcoholics helping each other tion and the lack of any spiritual Watertown, N.Y., fired this theologifor the Fallen in Boston. That institution has undergone a number of 2. Weekly meetings changes in name and policy. now 3. The sharing of experiences functions as the Washingtonian Hos- 4. Constant availability of fellowpital, and engages in the treatment ship with the group or its members of alcoholism by modern medical 5. Reliance upon a Higher Power and social techniques. Otherwise. 6. Total abstention from alcohol

cal blockbuster: “No Christian is at drunks was past, and that emphasis liberty to select or adopt any general should be placed instead on the imsystem, organization, agencies, or portance of laws to promote temmeans for moral reformation of perance. mankind, except those prescribed In doing the research and writing and recognized by Jesus Christ.” He this article for the Grapevine, my added that his church had been thoughts have kept returning to this chosen, together with his gospel, as question: After the movement dethe system of truth and the only stroyed itself, what happened to all system to reform mankind. It was the thousands of alcoholics who had war! Other churches reacted in the found sobriety through the Washsame way and finally closed their ingtonians? doors to Washingtonians. It becomes a personal question 4. As if that were not enough, when I add: What would have hapsome of the Washingtonians’ orator- pened to me? ical circuit riders turned professional, During the early days of the AA having no Eighth Tradition to guide program, especially prior to the them. So their one-drunk-to-another adoption of our Twelve Traditions. message lost a great deal of its AA did suffer some of the same impact. symptoms that destroyed the Wash- A final destructive note came ingtonians. The fact that we survived when influential leaders of non- those hazards is one of AA’s many alcoholic groups decided that the miracles. need for ex-drunks to reform other But it is still a 24-hour day. D. P., Ogden, Utah

AA Grapevine, March 1971

Bill W+

co-founder of Alcoholics A nonyrnous

is the spiritua 1 foundation 12. oAnonymity f all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

permission of the family, Bill’s anonymity may be brok.en at the public level. : Grapevine is ma intaining his anonymity as a gesture of unity with our Twelfth Tradition.

. . , that one cr

a wakens N EITHER CO-FOUNDER of the Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship is with us any longer, and we, their survivors, are on our own. Dr. Bob passed away on November 16, 1950. to eternal Bill found eternal peace on January 24, 197 1. Beyond the sorrow of the moment, Bill and Dr. Bob remain for 145~.” us what they were in the years when AA came into being through their leadership: symbols of firmness of purpose and serenity. We have all partaken in some measure of the sobriety they achieved and of the message they carried until their final moments among us. Full comprehension of their achievements is difficult to set down in black and white. Both men filled the vacuums of their own souls with their “language of the heart” to find sobriety, and then passed or read a letter he has written to on what they had found to hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions by now) of other alcoholics. Each of us, in the lonely universe T IME HAS blurred memories of Dr. Bob. A near-legendary figure today, he reminded Bill (in the wisconsole a friend in trouble, or simply catch illusory sight of him at his of individual consciousness, must reckon what he or she has taken dom of his last words to his great desk in New York City or Bedford of the gift that the Higher Power gave to Bill and Dr. Bob, the gift friend) to “keep it simple” – per- Hills. How fortunate are those who that they shared with us. The measure of our debt is, of course, haps his finest legacy to countless share these memories. drawn somewhere near the limits of gratitude itself, in the infinity recovering alcoholics, second only Now Bill, too. has gone. of love. to the spiritual richness and compas- Excessive sadness is inappropri- They are both gone now. sion of his nature. ate to this passing. Bill himself Perceptions of Bill, however, are would bid us accept the inevitable still sharp. So they will remain until with equanimity and cling to the we are gone, and another generation faith that, in the words of St. Francis has passed, and the years between (whom Bill loved), “It is by dying the passing of the co-founders of that one awakens to eternal life.” AA have begun to seem brief and The passing of a human being who distant. But for now Bill’s image is has lived an ample time on earth to clear in our minds; unthinkingly, we the dimensions that Bill did is no still anticipate his next anniversary. more mournful an event than birth

rings still with the vivid clarity of gin, I nearly died. The capitalization life. Once he wrote to a friend in of that failure, and of many others, despair: is the foundation upon which Alco- “Trouble is not what it seems. At holics Anonymous is built.” least, not when you have been in So spoke our co-founder. AA for a while. You somehow be- He and Dr. Bob have gone, and gin to see that life is just a short a leaf in the annals has turned. AA day in a great school. In the longer was born years ago in a drying-out perspective, it matters not much hospital in New York City, spread whether the lessons are easy or diffi- across the country and to other nacult. The point is, do we learn, and tions, and, after twenty years, “came do we transmit to others what we of age.” This is history – many have found? fragments of a legend, or a thousand or individual growth or the long- a moment – for the gap made by legends – that people will tell other range progress of mankind. the passing of this exceptional man ‘ “The only people that I can be Wrote Bernard Shaw, decades genuinely sorry for are those who people for countless years to come. in an era which has seen inhumanity But the past is really a prologue. ago: “This is the true joy in life, have no idea of why they are alive spread beyond comprehension, in Now, brother and sister alcothe being used for a purpose recog- or where, if any place, they are goan era when no other hero has per- holics, the weight is entirely upon nized by yourself as a mighty one; ing. They cannot possibly have the formed quite so benign and human- ourselves. The future will test our the being thoroughly worn out be- longer perspective which would so istic a miracle as he? May we not worthiness. And what we accomfore you are thrown on the scrap greatly comfort them in times of indulge ourselves with a moment’s adversity. They spend their whole plish with the heritage that Bill and heap; the being a force of Nature agony – to ask when we shall look Dr. Bob have passed to us will be instead of a feverish, selfish little lives long avoiding trouble or comupon his like again- to ponder our common reward. None of us clod of ailments and grievances plaining about it when they get it. our own possible failure, in trepida- had better repeat the words I urn complaining that the world will not “When you stop to think about it. tion over the prospect of life without Alcoholics Anonymous is a society respon~;ble in quite the same way devote itself to making y o u happy.” him – to fear, even more deeply, which is founded, not so much upon ever again. Here, indeed, is the “true joy” for our Fellowship and for the sothat Bill took in living. Let us fix it success, as upon failure. The only They have both gone. briety of each alcoholic who is sane reason I know is that I once failed We are on our own. in our hearts as we view the monu- and sober because Bill lived? ment he has left, not in columns of myself – I drank so much bathtub The monument stands steady. Never! praise in print, not in stone, but in people. Each one of us, who wept Bill would not countenance any and died so many times on barroom mourning for ourselves, either, stools and in alcoholic loneliness, though he would understand it, as has with rebirth in AA inevitably he comprehended so wide a range taken to himself a little bit of Bill. of human weakness. He would tell As that essence passes forward to us only to seek strength in our loss; others, the joy is compounded – he would recall to us his own adand so on and on, for God alone versities, failures, and despairs, the knows what amplitude of time and foundations upon which his monuinto what corners of the earth. ment is built. But may we not cry for ourselves The vitality of his admonitions

November 26, 1895 -January 24, 1971 well prove to be a heady drink for vigorous people keep coming to the most of us -that is, if we really surface, turning up where they are came to believe this to be the real needed. Besides, AA has reached purpose of AA, and ‘if we com- enough spiritual maturity to know menced to behave accordingly. Our that its final dependence is upon society, therefore, will prudently God.” cleave to its single purpose: the For those of us who might wish carrying of the message to the alco- to see our Bill regarded by posterity holic who still suffers. Let us resist as a saint in the pantheon of modern the proud assumption that since gods, now is the time to reflect care- God has enabled us to do well in fully upon his humility and wisdom. one area, we are destined to be a For, in truth, Bill was not a saint. channel of saving grace for every- He would have recoiled – and did body.” – at the suggestion. He was a plain In these paragraphs, Bill asks us man.

B ILL’S old desk is clear today. His voice is as lucid as ever, on tape, in books, in filing cabinets. He clearer: “As a society, we must never become so vain as to suppose that we have been the authors and simply to preserve our humility as a fellowship. Much the same humility was in- His words of warning apply as much to sweet memories of him as they do to other beloved ghosts still has much to tell us. inventors of a new religion. We will fused into Bill’s confidence that of our own pasts who settle in our Two of Bill’s familiar concerns humbly reflect that each of AA’s Alcoholics Anonymous would con- recollections today: “Nothing can about AA’s future bear repetition principles, every one of them, has tinue into the future – and continue be more demoralizing than a clinghere. The first concerns the destiny been borrowed from ancient sources. in health -without him. ing and abject dependence upon anof AA; the second concerns the We shall remember that we are lay- Once he wrote: “It seems proved other human being. This often memory of Bill himself in the un- men, holding ourselves in readiness that AA can stand on its own feet amounts to the demand for a degree folding of that destiny. to cooperate with all men of good- anywhere and under any conditions. of protection and love that no one , Of our Fellowship, he said, “Be- will, whakver their creed or nation- It has outgrown any dependence it could possibly satisfy. So our hopedyond a Higher Power as each of us ality. . . . might once have had upon the per- for protectors finally flee, and once may vision Him, AA must never, as “There are those who predict that sonalities or efforts of the older more we are left alone – either to a society, enter into the field of Alcoholics Anonymous may well be- members like me. New, able, and grow up or disintegrate.” dogma or theology. We can never come a new spearhead for a spiritual So long, Bill. become a religion in that sense, lest awakening throughout the world. we kill our usefulness by getting When our friends say these things, bogged down in theological conten- they are both generous and sincere. tion.” But we of AA must reflect that such Reprinted from the March 1971 Grapevine And he made the caution still a tribute and such a prophecy could Bill W . memorial issue

AA Grapevine, December 1971

It is vital that we understand the full implications of anonymity for ourselves and for our Fellowship. The Grapevine presents here a )tine-page section coiztinuing the disccission o f this most important subject

A message from Bill, delivered by Lois at the New York Intergroup Fellowship and for the myriad bless- side, and security from those of us ings bestowed upon us by God’s who would use AA for sick and sel- Dinner in cele bration of his 36th anniversary Grace. fish purposes. If I were asked which of these AA must and will continue to blessings I felt was most responsible change with the passing years. We for our growth as a fellowship and cannot, nor should we, turn back M Y DEAR FRIENDS: most vital to our continuity, I would the clock. However, I deeply believe Recently. an AA member sent me say, “The concept of anonymity.” that the principle of anonymity must an unusu2. greeting which I would Anonymity has two attributes es- remain our primary and enduring like to extend to you. He told me sential to our individual and collec- safeguard. As long as we accept our it was an ancient Arabian salutation. tive survival: the spiritual and the sobriety in our traditional spirit of Perhaps we have no Arabian groups, practical. anonymity, we will continue to rebut it still seems a fitting expression O n the spiritual level, anonymity ceive God’s Grace. of how I feel for each of you. It demands the greatest discipline of And so -once more I salute you says, “I salute you and thank you for which we are capable; on the prac- in that spirit, and again I thank you your life.” tical level, anonymity has brought for your lives. My thoughts are much occupied protection for the newcomer, re- May God bless us all now, and these days with gratitude to our spect and support of the world out- forever.

July 1972 –

r of Horrors Sit~cethe

w ITH EXTENDED P A L M S and without hope for an answer, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, asked a question: “Who cilvs of the Delitge marl ltns recorded his trerttnletlts a t d could have foretold, from the structure of the brain, that wine could his ‘cirres’ for the derange its functions?” The shadows disetrse of crlcolrolistt~ from the oil lamp danced on the dirt floor. In the corner of the cell, the drunk lay in his own vomit. In six hours, he would be in the snake pit. founding of AA, man has continued in Dresden, East Germany. PubIished promptly passed out. If nothing else, The place was Greece. The time was his discouraging task of recording in 1953, the book shows a bibliog- this incident helps prove that booze 400 BC. the theories i d problems relative raphy of more than 450 items. This was already around in the days of Down through the years, since to alcohol and alcoholism, together great list of “cures” contains sub- the Deluge, and some folks couldn’t the beginning of recorded history, with the “cures” that have been used stances such as amethyst, gold chlo- handle it then, either. I the shouts of “success” in treating in attempts to combat this mysteri- ride, drowned (?) eels, sweat, and A little later, Proverbs 20: 1 and alcoholism and the whispers of many ous malady. Although over 200.000 sulphuric acid. And the items listed 23 :29-35 hammer out the consefailures have echoed through time’s articles have been written on these are only those said to induce the quence of overindulgence. dark corridors up to 1935’s burst of subjects, the search is far from over. alcoholic to become a total abstainer The New Testament adds to the sunlight, when Alcoholics Anony- A little knowledge sometimes beats or moderate drinker. They do not warnings. First Corinthians 6: 10-1 1 1 mous merged the truths of millions a loud drum. include drugs intended to ameliorate puts drunks in “colorful” company, I of yesterdays and offered hope to Attempted “cures” for drunks the symptoms of intoxication. The and Galatians 5: 19-21 is no more him who was hopeless: the chronic have, for the most part, becn fielded search goes on. delicate: “Now the works of the drunk. by either law, religion, medicine, or In religion’s field, such as the flesh are manifest, which are . . . en- Not all have been so combinations of these three. Infor- Bible’s 250 references to alcoholic vying~,murders, drunkenness, revelfortunate. mation on all drugs and substances beverages, the thunder of conse- ings, and such like.” History has never had a holiday used in the Western world for this quence for the sin of drunkenness The Old Testament does offer from alcoholism. Since long before purpose during the last 2,000 years comes through loud and clear. Gen- some comfort to the drunkard: “Rethe crest of ancient Greek civiliza- has been researched by F. Lickint, esis 9:20-21 tells of Noah, who pent!” The New adds the though! tion, thousands of years before the chief physician of the medical clinic learned the strength of his wine and “and follow Jesus Christ!” Over the

centuries, millions of troubled to signify membership. As the Washdrunks have fallen in line behind ingtonians had, they preached excitreligious banners. But how many ing confessional sermons. have succeeded in the march, found The Keeley “cure” enjoyed a spec; the answer to their drinking prob- tacular burst of popularity – and lem through straight religion? Even then faded. Dr. Keeley died in 1900. a debatable estimate would be low. Whatever remedies were tried Our Ebby was one of the drunks hours to several days. Mobs threw through these past thousands of through apprehensive fear or an ac- stones and other objects at them. years, one popular solution was alwho tried that approach and during tion-packed rendition of “Danse Mamost of his life failed -for himself. Even before the days of Coopers- ways available: “Lock him up!” cabre” to the tempo of his fearful town, an expert pitcher occasionally From dungeons to insane asylums And yet, in 1934, with his admission screams. to Bill that “I’ve got religion,” Ebby effected a permanent cure. The drunk to sanitariums to drunk tanks: “Lock Although no evidence shows that never took another drink. He was him up. We have no other answer indirectly unlocked the gift of free- this treatment worked, the snake pits ~ d o mfor the thousands of AA mem- dead. for this one!” did expose Greek belief in the magic, The use of stocks in America did bers around the world today. In 1892, William Osler, one of curative power of snakes. Even to- not disappear until the early 18003, the outstanding doctors of the day, Laws have always been used in day, the symbol of medicine is the the attempt to solve the problem of nearly 500 years after their intro- published his book Principles and caduceus, a winged staff with two duction. alcoholism. Back 2,000 years before Practice of Medicine. “Chronic alcosnakes or serpents wound around it. The year 1840 heard thunder- holism,” h’e wrote, “is a condition the advent of the Christian era, the The use of the stocks as a form ous prayers of thanksgiving. At long very difficult to treat. Once fully e ancient Chinese government tried to control intoxicants by monopolizing of punishment and “cure” dates back to early England, in 1350, when the last, it seemed there was an answer tablished, the habit is rarely aba ,to the malady of alcoholic destruc- doned. Prolonged seclusion in a 1 their manufacture and sale. Later, Statute of Laborers provided that during the fifth century AD, in fur- tion. The Washingtonian movement* suitable institution is, in reality, the unruly or drunken workmen should was organized. Composed of both only effectual means of cure. When ther effort to reduce drunkenness, be punished in the stocks. an imperial edict proclaimed that all alcoholics and nonalcoholics, all the hereditary tendency is strqngly It became an even more popular pledged to total abstinence, it grew developed, a lapse into the drinking liquor makers, sellers, or users were method of treatment for alcoholism to have their heads chopped off! in a few short years to 400,000 habit is almost inevitable.” after James I was crowned King of members – and then destroyed it- That was only eight years before Kublai Khan, founder of the Mongol England in 1603. His contempt for dynasty of China, in the thirteenth self. the start of our century! drunks was expressed in his mani- In 1879, Dr. Leslie E. Keeley, century, announced the sentence of After all the thousands of years festo: “Drunkenness is an odious who had been a Civil War surgeon, of effort -the snake pits, the stocks, banishment and slavery for all en- sin, deserving punishment by fine, gaged in the liquor traffic. heard the chorus of cries for help the institutions, and all the rest imprisonment, and in the stocks.” from alcoholics and their associates. the alcoholic’s future looked as bleak The snake pits of ancient Greece That was expected to teach the were another colorful innovation. The good doctor answered with his as ever. Tomorrow’s lonely dawn drunk not to repeat his transgrcs- famed slogan: “Drunkenness is a wore a gray veil. Citizens dug deep trenches, into sion! . which they released dozens of snakes disease, and I can cure it!” His And then the truths of all those The stocks were a wooden frame- method: a “secret” injection. -followed by a now sober but yesterdays merged to light our way. work with holes for the legs, akms, During the 1890’s, Keeley Clubs Alcoholics Anonymous was born., hung-over patient who had slept it and neck of the victim. Drunks and off in a cell. When he was forced flourished over the United States, We AAs are a bunch of lucky other persons who had broken the with alcoholics sporting gold buttons drunks! into the pit and lowered to the bot- law were placed on public display See “The Wushingloniuns,” F e b r u a r y 1971 tom, his reaction was either silence for periods ranging from several Grupevinc. A nonyrnous, “Out West” I

November 1972

From the Grapevine book AA Today, published on the occasion of A A ‘s twenty-fifth anniversary

by Bill W . .. . he had failed with nearly all. Only here and there had this dismal experience of ‘futility been brightened by a genuine recovery. People wondered how he could go on, how he could still believe in the possibility of help for chronic alcohblics. Y ; he did believe with a faith that never faltered. He kept saying, “Some Qay we’ll find the answer.” He had developed some ideas of say .what this conlmunication actu- M Y WORKSHOP stands on a hill back of our home. Looking over the valley, I see the village ally is – so mysterious and yet so practical? We can only partly realize channels of contact hav’e always his own about what ailed drunks: been charged with the language of They had an obsession to drink, a the heart. And what is that? Let’s veritable and a destructive lunacy. community house where our local what we have received and what it see if I can communicate to you Observing that their bodies could no group meets. Beyond the circle of has meant to each of us. something of what it means to me. longer tolerate alcohol, he spoke of my horizon lies the one world of It occurs to me that every aspect At once, I think of my own doc- this as an allergy. Their obsession AA: eight thousand groups, a quar- of this global unfoldment can be tor, William Duncan Silkworth, and made them drink, and their allergy ter of a million of us.* How in related to a single crucial word. The how he ministered to me with the was the guarantee that they would twenty-five years did AA get the word is communication. There has language of the heart during the last go mad or die if they kept it up. way it is? And where are we going been a lifesaving conimunication shattering years of my alcoholism. Here, in contemporary terms, was from here? among ourselves, with the world Love was his magic, and with it he the age-old dilemma of the alcoholi~. Often, I sense the deep meaning around us, and with God. accomplished this wonder: He con- Total abstinence, he knew, was the of the phenomenon of Alcoholics From the beginning, conlnlunica- veyed to the foggy mind of the only solution. But how to attain Anonymous, but I cannot begin to tion in AA has been no ordinary drunk that here was a human being that? If only he could understand fathom it. Why, for instance, at this transmission of helpful ideas and who understood, and who cared them more and identify with them particular point in history has God attitudes. It has been unusual and without limit. He was one who would better, then his educational message chosen to communicate His healing sometimes unique. Because of our gladly walk the extra mile with us, could perhaps reach into those grace to so many of us? Who can kinship in suftering, and because our and if necessary (as it often was), strange caverns of the mind where common means of deliverance are even the last mile of all. At that the blind compulsion to drink was Now ~hlrly-sewn years old, A A has abmr effective for ourselves only when time he had already tried to help entrenched. 17.000 araups and an esflmarrd mrmbrrship 01 constantly carried to others, our over twenty thousand drunks, and ‘ J75.000. So the little doctor who loved

drunks worked on, always in hope that the very next case might some- “”Here was one drunk talking to another. Here was hope indeed.” how reveal more of the answer. When I came to him, his more re- gently but frankly to tell us the was an old friend, an alcoholic, and other human being, the first humble cent concepts and tactics had begun whole truth: Neither mine nor his my sponsor-to-be. Why was it that and faltering steps away from isolato produce slightly improved results. nor any other resources he knew he could communicate with me in tion and,guilt; willingness to face up So he was encouraged, and he went could stop my drinking; I would areas that not even Dr. Silkworth to those we had harmed, making all after my situation with something have to be locked up or suffer brain could touch? possible restitution. A thorough of the enthusiasm and hope of a damage or death within perhaps a Well, first of all, I already knew housecleaning inside and out wa young doctor on his first critical year. that he himself was a hopeless case indicated, and then we were read] case. He told me what an infernal It was a verdict I would not have -just like me. Earlier that year, I to devote ourselves in service to malady alcoholism is, and why. He accepted from any other person. He had heard that he, too, was a can- others, using the understanding and made no promises, and he did not had spoken to me in the language didate for the lockup. Yet here he language of the heart, and seeking try to conceal the poor recovery of the heart, and so 1 was able to was, sober and free. And his powers no gain or reward. Then there was rate. For the first time, I saw and receive the truth he offered me. But of communication now were such that vital attitude of dependence on felt the full gravity of my problem. it was a terrible and hopeless truth. that he could convince me in min- God, or a higher power. I learned, also for the first time, He spoke in the name of science, utes that he really felt he had been None of Ebby’s ideas were really that I was a sick man emotionally which I deeply respected, and by released from his drinking compul- new. I’d heard them all before. But and physically. As every AA today science I seemed condemned. Who sion: He represented something very coming over his powerful transmisknows, this knowledge can be an else could have driven home this different from a mere jittery ride on sion line, they were not at all what enormous relief. I no longer needed indispensable principle on which the water wagon. And so he brought in other circumstances I would have to consider myself essentially a fool every recovery depends? I seriously me a kind of communication and regarded as conventional clich6s for or a weakling. doubt that any other man alive evidence that even Dr. Silkworth good church behavior. They appear- This new insight, plus the little could have done it. could not give. Here was one drunk ed to me’ as living truths which doctor’s account of a few of his Today, every AA member im- talking to another. Here was hope might liberate me as they had lib good recoveries, brought me a surge plants in his new prospect just what indeed. eraled him. He could reach me a[ of hope. But above all, my confi- Dr. Silkworth so powerfully lodged Ebby told me his story, carefully depth. dence rested on the understanding, in me. We know that the newcomer detailing his drinking experiences of But in one respect I still backed the interest, and the affection he so has to hit bottom; otherwise, not recent years. Thus he drew me still away. I could not go for God, befreely gave me. I was not alone any much can happen. Because we are closer to him. I knew beyond doubt cause I could not believe there ,was more with my problem. He and 1 “drunks who understand,” we can that he had lived in that strange and any God. Ebby sold me his other could work it through. Despite sev- use that nutcracker of the-obsession- hopeless world where I still was. ideas at once, but not this one. I era1 discouraging slips, I truly be- plus-the-allergy as a tool of such This fact established his ‘identifica- could not share his faith, as much lieved this for quite a while. And power that it can shatter the new tion with me. At length, our channel as I had to admit its very evident so did he. man’s ego at depth. Only thus can of communication was wide open, result. But the hour finally arrived when he be convinced that on his own and I was ready for his message. 1 had struck an impasse with he knew that I was not going to be unaided resources he has little or And what was his message? All which thousands of incoming AAs one of his exceptions. He would no chance. AAs know what it was: honesty have since collided. have to begin to walk that last mile 1 was in precisely this state of with oneself, leading to a fearless Mine was exactly the kind of with my wife Lois and me. Charac- inner collapse when, in November moral inventory of character defects; deep-seated block we so often see teristically, he found the courage of 1934, I was visited by Ebby. He a revelation of these defects to an- today in new people who say they

4’t Your odd spiritual experience. Tell are atheistic or agnostic. Their will Your own story. Then pour it into * ‘ to disbelieve is so powerful that ap- those drunks how medically hopeparently they prefer a date with the less alcoholism is. Soften them up undertaker to an open-minded and enough first. Then maybe they will experimental quest for God. Hap- buy what you really have to say. pily for me, and for most of my You’ve got the cart before the kind who have since come along in horse.” M,the constructive forces brought My meeting with Doctor B O ~in to bear in our Fellowship have near- Akron was my first successful rhply always overcome this colossal ob- port with another alcoholic. I folstinacy. Beaten into complete defeat fact that God comes to man in many lowed Dr. Silkworth’s advice to the by alcohol, confronted by the living one alcoholic working with the next. ways. I had begun in effect to say letter. Doctor Bob did not, need proof of release, and surrounded by I was convinced that I could give to to my clients, “You must be as I spiritual instruction. He already had those who can speak to us from the fellow sufferers that which Ebby had am, believe as I believe, do as I do.” more of that than I did. What h! heart, we have finally surrendered. given to me, and for months after- Here was the sort of unconscious did need was the deflation at depth And then, paradoxically, we have wards I tried to carry the message. arrogance that no drunk can stand! and the understanding that only one found ourselves in a new dimension, But nobody sobered up, and a won- I loudly began to point out the sins drunk can give another. What I the real world of Spirit and of faith. derful lesson came out of the ex- of my prospects (mostly, of course, needed was the humility of self-for- Enough willingness, enough open- perience: I was painfully learning the sins I supposed I didn’t have), getfulness and the kinship with anmindedness – and there it is! how not to communicate. No matter and the prospects got sore and so other human being of my own kind. When my own time for open- how truthful the words of my mes- did I. When they got drunk, I got I thank God for providing it. mindedness and surrender finally sage, there could be no deep corn- mad. And here was hurt pride again. One of the first insights Doctof came, that new world of Spirit burst munication if what 1 said and did My new Oxford Group friends Bob and I shared was that all true upon me in a flash of overwhelming was colored by pride, anogance, in- (the religious group in which Ebby communication must be founded on conviction and power. And as a re- tolerance, resentment, imprudence, had made his first, but not final re- mutual need. Never could we talk freedom from obsession, faith or desire for personal acclaim – covery) objected to the idea of down to anyone, certainly not to a in ~ o d , and a consciousness of His even though I was largely uncon- alcoholism as an illness, so I had brother alcoholic. We saw that each presence have remained with me scious of these attitudes. quit talking about the-allergy-plus- sponsor would have to humbly adever since, regardless of subsequent Without realizing it, I had fallen the-obsession. I wanted the approval mit his own needs as clearly as those ups and downs. The gift of faith pretty heavily into these errors. MY of these new friends, and in trying of his prospect. Here was the foun- , instantaneously became built into spiritual experience had been so to be humble and helpful, I was dation for AA’s Twelfth Step to me. My pride had paid a very high sudden, brilliant, and powerful that neither. Slowly I learned, as most recovery, the Step in which we carry price. In despair, I had cried out, I had begun to be sure I was dcs- of us do, that when the ego gets in the message. “Now I am willing to do anything. tined to fix just about all the drunks the way it blocks communication. Our next great adventure in com- If there is a God, will He show Him- in the world. Here was pride. I kept I needed another big dose of de- munication was the book Alcoholics self!” And He did. This was my harping on my mystical awakening, flation, and I got it. The realization Anonymous. After four strenuous first conscious contact, my first and the customers were uniformly dawned on me that for six months years, we had produced three small awakening. I asked from the heart, repelled. Here was imprudence. 1 1 had failed completely. Then Dr. groups and less than a hundred reand I received. began to insist that every drunk Silkworth gave me this crisp advice: coveries. We knew we could co* t With this illumination came the should have a “bright-light uplift” “Quit preaching, quit harping on municate face to face. But it was vision of a chain reaction, just about like mine. I ignored the

very slow going. As we prepared the next year, Jack Alexander wrote days, and it was the Traditions the book. we all wondered, “Could his famous Suturday Evening Post > A I

which finally brought order, coherthe written word carry the message?” feature article on Alcoholics Anon- ence, and effective functioning out Could the book speak the language ymous, published in 1941. And for of the noisy anarchy which for a of the heart to the drunk who read the first time we saw what commu- time threatened us with collapse. it? We didn’t know; we simply nication in the language of the heart The Traditions are neither rules, hoped. But now we do know. could mean nationwide. regulations, nor laws. No sanctions tal hokpitals. We never did those Alcoholics Anonymous appeared The impact of his article upon or punishments can be invoked for frightful things you fellows talk in 1939. At that time, there were the alcoholics of America, upon their their infraction. Perhaps in no other about. Maybe AA is not for people one hundred drunks who had recov- families, and upon the general pub- area of society would these princi- like us.” ered in AA. And there were five lic was tremendous. There was an ples succeed. Yet in this Fellowship For years, we old-timers simply million alcoholics and their families immediate deluge of calls for infor- of alcoholics, the unenforceable Tra- could not communicate with such in America alone who had never mation and for help – not hundreds, ditions carry a power greater than folks. Then, out of much experience, heard of Alcoholics Anonymous. but thousands. We were flabbergast- that of law. For years now, we have a new approach was developed. To There were perhaps another twenty ed. It was evident that our recovery seldom seen a serious departure each new high-bottom, we emphamillion sufferers in other parts of message could be transmitted all from them. The example of the very sized the medical view that alcoholthe world. How were we going to over the country – if we did our few who have persistently ignored ism is a fatal and progressive mala*. get the good news to even a fraction part. them has not caused others to follow We concentrated on the earlier ptof all these? There was now a book As our Fellowship now entered suit. We obey our Traditions will- riods in our drinking careers, when about AA, but almost nobody out- its period of rapid growth, the Tra- ingly because of the need for AA we were mild cases ourselves. We side the Fellowship knew about it. ditions of AA gradually took form. survival. We obey them because we recalled how sure we were! that It became apparent that we would The Twelve Traditions communi- ought to and because we want to. “next time we could control ourhave to have the help of press and cate our principles of unity as the Perhaps the secret of their power selves” when we took a few drinks. radio, that we would need communi- Twelve Steps communicate our prin- lies in the fact that these life-giving Or how our drinking was the fault cation resources of every kind. ciples of recovery. The Traditions communications spring out of living of unfortunate circumstances or the Would these agencies really be in- show how an AA member can best experience and are rooted in sacri- behavior of other people. terested? Would they be friendly? relate himself to his group, the group ficial love. Then we took the prospect through Would they be able to place a true to other groups, and AA as a whole Even in the very earliest days of the parts of our histories which image of AA before the alcoholic to the world around us. They show AA, we began to find that the kin- proved how insidious and irresistible and his family and friends? what AA membership is; they reveal ship of having suffered severe alco- the progress of the illness is. We The answer turned out to be yes. AA’s experience in matters of au- holism was in itself not enough. We showed him how, years before wej In the fall of 1939, Elrick Davis, a thority and money; they guard saw that, in order to cross certain realized it, we had actually gone fine reporter, wrote a series of pieces against compromising alliances, pro- barriers, our channels of communi- much beyond the point of no return about us in the Cleveland Plain fessionalism, and our very natural cation had to be broadened and so far as our own resources of Dealer. These pieces embodied truly desires for personal public acclaim. deepened. For example, practically strength and will were concerned. wonderful insight into what AA The Twelve Traditions were slowly all of AA’s first members were what We kept pointing out how right the really is and what it can do, and evolved during an era when large- we today call last-gasp or low-bot- doctors are in their assessment of within a few days several hundred scale publicity was causing new tom cases. When the mildly afflicted this malady. alkies and their families literally groups to spring up like popcorn on or high-bottom cases began to turn Slowly but surely, this strategy swamped the small AA group in a hot griddle. Many a power-driven up, they often said, “But we were began to pay off. The low-bottoms Cleveland with pleas for help. In ego ran hog-wild among us in those never jailed. We were never in men- began to communicate at depth with

the high-bottoms. And the high-bot- Swedes, the Danes, and the Finns? toms began talking to each other. What about the Dutch, the Germans, As soon as any AA locality took in the French, the English, the Scots, even a small number of high-bottom and the Israelis? How about the Afridrunks, progress with this class of cans, the Boers, the Aussies, the sufferer became very much faster Latins, and the Japanese, the Hinand easier. It is probable that about dus and the Mohammedans? half of today’s AA membership has So Lois and I wondered a lot as been spared that last five, ten, or we headed for Europe and Britain even fifteen years of unmitigated to see for ourselves that year. The hell that we low-bottoms know all moment we alighted in Norway, we too well. knew that A A could and would go In the beginning, it was four every where. We understood not one whole years before AA brought per- word of Norwegian. Scenes and cusmanent sobriety to even one alco- toms alike were new and strange to holic woman. Like the high-bottoms, us. Yet there was a nlarvelous comthe women also said they were dif- munication from the first monlcnt. ferent. But as communication was There was an incredible sensation improved, mostly by the women of oneness, of being completely at themselves, the picture changed. To- home. The Norweb’wns were our day, our sister AAs are many thou- people. Norway was our country, sands strong.* too. They felt the same way about The skid-row man said he was us. It shone in their faces. differznt. Even more loudly, the so- As we journeyed from land to cialite (or Park Avenue stumble- land, we had the same magnificent bum) said the same. So did the adventure in kinship over and over practitioners of the arts and the pro- again. In Britain, we met with the fessions. So did the rich, the poor, most wonderful love and underthe religious, the agnostics, the In- standing. In Ireland, we were at dians, the Eskimos, the veterans, one with the Irish. Everywhere, and the prisoners. But that was years everywhere, it was the same. This ago. Nowadays, they all talk about was something much greater than how very much alike we alcoholics people cordially meeting people. are when the chips are down. This was no merely interesting com- By 1950, this one big question parison of mutual experiences and remained unanswered: Could we aspirations. This was far more; this communicate overseas? Could AA was the conlmunication of heart to transcend the barriers of race, lan- heart in wonder, in joy, and in everguage, religion, culture, and wars? lasting gratitude. Lois and I then What about the Norwegians, the knew that AA could circle the globe According lo a rrcrnr surrey, abotcr one-jo~cr~h – and it has. ~lrsrnr-duy A A ~tlrnrhrrsurr wontrn.

November 1972

Pioneering days We were still so small that we After two or three months, some- From Inglewood, Calif.: could not afford to rent a meeting one backed the group, and we rent- The writer arrived in AA the hall. We paid only a token amount ed a small room at Steinway Hall. weekend of July 4, 1939. It was to South Orange -one dollar per We now had an address we could still holding meetings in the homes month, I think – as our traditions give out with the certainty that a meeting would be held there eve of the Oxford Group. Soon after, we all started to meet on Sunday (then forming) would n?t allow us to accept it free of charge. Tuesday. The first night we were 19 at an AA’s home. Besides our very Steinway Hall, we expected Bill to somi thought, because there were lead the meeting as usual, but he small membership, about twelve or several of us who were alone (not fifteen including Bill W. and our declined. He told us we now had a married), we should be able to group and should decide among nonalcoholic friends, we had pa- have a midweek meeting. Sometients from Rockland State Hospital ourselves just how we were to mantimes, it would be a week or two age. We got one of our members join us. Bridge, AA yakking, and a before we would see other AAs. good potluck lunch were enjoyed. to lead or act as chairman. When As a result, we got permission to he closed the meeting, he asked me Next, one of our members ar- meet in an unrented apartment in to lead the next Tuesday. After the ranged for us to hold otir Sunday New York City, from a member second meeting, I asked my sponmeeting at the South Orange, N.J., who had a connection with a realty sor to act as chairman the next Community House. This was real company. We had the use of this week. This is the way it was hannice. Those of us who were alone apartment for about three weeks dled, and. all were brought into could come out to the park and before it was rented. Then another service. witness an amateur baseball or foot- member allowed us to meet in his ball game in the afternoon until oth- tailor shop. It was full of ironing We next moved to our clubhouse ers came for the meeting, which was and cutting tables. We held quite on 24th Street. Our first chairman around 5:00 or 6:00 PM. The la- a few meetings there. Bill was still found it for us. dies would prepare a lunch in the the center of the meeting. Occasion- I am one of the most fortunate clubhouse. All would be advised ally, he would ask one of us to talk. ones. I drank again on the weekend what food to bring by a chairwoman of Memorial Day, 1942, but got appointed from time to time by the back after two hard years of inexnonalcoholics (Al-Anons now). cusable drinking. I returned to Los There we would hold our meeting, Angeles the weekend of Labor Day, with Bill, of course, discussing AA 1944. Will have my twenty-eighth problems and letting us have the AA birthday this coming Labor latest information relative to the Day. G. E. growth of AA. Most of the action We had to climb upon one of the 1I then was in Ohio, and Bill always had many interesting stories to retables so we could be seen by those late to us regarding those he knew standing. in Ohio.

AA GRAPEVINE, JUNE 1973

Dr. Bob’s Last Major Talk Here, for the first time in print, we present the last major talk by Dr. Bob, as transcribed from a recording made at Detroit in December 1948. Here is history from one In the summer o f 1948, Dr. Bob was stricken by the who helped make it, and here is malady that was to take him from us two years larer. In 1950 he was able to marshal his strength for a brief the dedication to service that will keep A A alive appearance at the First International Convention in Cleveland. There he stressed the simplicity o f our and, with unity, growing forever program, a theme that appears in this longer talk.

a good many of you of Mrs. Seiberling – our good friend A LTHOUGH have heard or have read about the inception of AA, probably there two fifths of gin and be “king for a night,” as he expressed it, or whether he had better not. His teachings Henrietta. He called Henry and told her what he wanted, and she said, are some who haven’t. From that led him to believe that he possibly “Come right out and have lunch brief story, there are things to be might avoid difficulties if he found with me.” At lunch, he went into his learned. So, even at the risk of repe- another alcoholic on whom to work. story in considerable detail, and she tition, I would like to relate exactly Spying the name of our good said, “I have just the man for you.” what did happen in those early days. friend the Reverend Walter Tunks She rushed to the phone and call- You recall the story about Bill on the bulletin board in the lobby of ed Anne and told her that she had having had a spiritual experience the Mayflower, Bill called him up just the fellow to be helpful to me, and having been sold on the idea of and asked him for the name of some and that we should come right over. attempting to be helpful to other local member of the Oxford Group, Anne said, “Well, I guess we better drunks. Time went by, and he had people with whom he had affiliated not go over today.” not created a single convert, not one. and through whose instrumentality But Henry is very persistent, a As we express it, no one had jelled. he had acquired sobriety. Dr. Tunks very determined individual. She said, He worked tirelessly, with no thought said he wasn’t one himself, but he “Oh yes, come on over. I know he’ll of saving his own strength or time, knew quite a number and gave Bill be helpful to Bob.” Anne still didn’t but nothing seemed to register. a little list of about nine or ten. think it very wise that we go over When he came out to Akron on Bill started to call them up, with- that day., Finally, Henry bore in to a business mission, which (perhaps out very much success. They had such an extent that Anne had to tell for the good of all of us) turned out either just left town or were leaving her I was very bagged and had to be quite a flop, he was tempted to town or having a party or had a sore passed all capability of listening to drink. He paced up and down the toe or something. Anyway, Bill came any conversation, and the visit would lobby of the Mayflower Hotel, won- down very near to the end, and his just have to be postponed. So Henry dering whether he had better ,buy eyes happened to light on the name started in about the next day being

knowledge. I had to have knowl- wrong. I had done all the things that edge, I said, so I would go to Atlan- those good people told me to do. I tic City and absorb lots of knowledge. had done them, I thought, very faith- I had incidentally acquired a thirst fully and sincerely. And I still confor Scotch, but I didn’t mention that. tinued to overindulge. But the one I went to Atlantic City and really thing that they hadn’t told me was hung one on. When I came to, I was the one thing that Bill did that Sunin the home of a friend of ours in day -attempt to be helpful to Cuyahoga Falls, one of the suburbs somebody else. of Akron. Bill came over and got me We immediately started to look home and gave me a hooker or two around for prospects, and it wasn’t of Scotch that night and a bottle of long before one appeared, in the beer the next morning, and that was form of a man whom a great many on the 10th of June, 1935, and I of you know – Bill D., our good Sunday and Mother’s Day, and Anne have had no alcohol, in any form friend from Akron. Now I knew that a good account of my stewardship said we would be over then. that I know of, since. this Bill was a Sunday-school super- of time when it took me six hours I don’t remember ever feeling Now the interesting part of all this intendent, and I thought that he to say something to this man that I much worse, but I was very fond of is not the sordid details, but the situ- probably forgot more about the Good could have said in an hour -if I had Henry, and Anne had said we would ation that we two fellows were in. Book every night than I ever knew. known what I was talking about. I go over. So we started over. On the We had both been associated with Who was I to try to tell him about certainly was not a very efficient way, I extracted a solemn promise the Oxford Group, Bill in New it? It made me feel somewhat hypo- individual. from Anne that fifteen minutes of York, for five months, and I in Ak- critical. Anyway, we did talk, and I’m somewhat allergic to work, this stuff would be tops. I didn’t ron, for two and a half years. Bill I’m glad to say the conversation fell but I felt that I should continue to , want to talk to this mug or anybody had acquired their idea of service. on fertile ground. increase my familiarity with the else, and we’d really make it snappy, I had not, but I had done an im- Then we had three prospects Good Book and also should read a I said. Now these are the actual mense amount of reading they had dumped in our laps almost simulta- good deal of standard literature, posfacts: We got there at five o’clock, recommended. I had refreshed my neously. In my mind, the spirit of sibly of a scientific nature. So I did and it was eleven-fifteen when we memory of the Good Book, and I service was of prime importance, cultivate the habit of reading. I think left. had had excellent training in that as but I found that it had to be backed I’m not exaggerating when I say I Possibly, your memories are good a youngster. They told me I should up with some knowledge on our sub- have probably averaged an hour a enough to carry you back to certain go to their meetings regularly, and ject. I used to go to the hospital and day for the last fifteen years. (I’m times when you haven’t felt too good. I did, every week. They said that stand there and talk. I talked many not trying to sell you on the idea You wouldn’t have listened to any- I should affiliate myself with some a time to a chap in the bed for five that you’ve got to read an hour a body unless he really had something church, and we did that. They also or six hours. I don’t know how he day. There are plenty of people, fine to tell you. I recognized the fact that said I should cultivate the habit of ever stood me for five or six hours, AAs, who don’t read very much.) Bill did have something, so I listened prayer, and I did that – at least, to but he did. We must have hidden his You see, back in those days we those many hours, and I stopped a considerable extent for me. But I clothes. Anyway, it came to me that were groping in the dark. We knew drinking immediately. got tight every night, and I mean I probably didn’t know too much practically nothing of alcoholism. I, Very shortly after that, there was that. It wasn’t once in a while – it about what I was saying. We are a physician, knew nothing about it a medical meeting in Atlantic City, was practically every night. stewards of what we have, and that to speak of. Oh, I read about it, but and I developed a terrific thirst for I couldn’t understand what was includes our time. I was not giving there wasn’t anything worth reading

in any of the textbooks. Usually, the information consisted of some queer ‘Yt was probably easier for us to be successful when broke. .. YY

treatment for DTs, if a patient had gone that far. If he hadn’t, you pre- well, it isn’t a pleasant thought. our study of the Good Book. We my good friend Henry and say, scribed a few bromides and gave the Nothing could be done about it. But must have had them. Since then, we “Henry, do you think I want to stop fellow a good lecture. I think now that it was providentially have learned from experience that drinking liquor?” In early AA days, we became arranged. they are very important in maintain- She, being a very charitable soul, quite convinced that the spiritual Until 1940, or maybe early in ing sobriety. We were maintaining would say, “Yes, Bob, I’m sure you program was fine if we could help 1941, we held the Akron meetings sobriety -therefore, we must have want to stop.” the Lord out a little with some sup- at the residence of that good friend, had them. I would say, “Well, I can’t conplementary diet. Bill D., having a lot who allowed us to bang up the plas- Well, that was the way things got ceive of any living human who really of stomach trouble, had stumbled ter and the doorjambs, carting chairs started in Akron. As we grew, we wanted to do something as badly as a across the fact that he began feeling up- and downstairs. And he had a began to get offshoots, one in Cleve- I think I do, who could be such a much better on sauerkraut and cold very beautiful home. Then we out- land, then another one in Akron, total failure. Henry, I think I’m just meadow.* We thought Bill should grew that, so we rented the auditori- and all have been continuing ever one of those want-to-want-to guys.” share that experience. Of course, we um in King School, and the group I since. It is a great source of satis- And she’d say, “No, Bob, I think discovered later that dietary restric- attend personally has been there faction to me to feel that I may have you want to. You just haven’t found tions had very little to do with main- ever since. We attempt to have good kicked in my two bits’ worth toward a way to work it yet.” taining sobriety. meetings, and I think we’re usually getting this thing started. Maybe I’m The fact that my sobriety has been At that point, our stories didn’t successful. taking too much for granted. I don’t maintained continuously for thirteen amount to anything to speak of. It wasn’t until 1939 that the teach- know. But I feel that I was simply and a half years doesn’t allow me to When we started in on Bill D., we ings and efforts and studies that had used as God’s agent. I feel that I’m think that I am necessarily any had no Twelve Steps, either; we had been going on were crystallized in no different from any of you fellows further away from my next drink no Traditions. But we were con- the form of the Twelve Steps. I or girls, except that I was a little than any of you people. I’m still very vinced that the answer to our prob- didn’t write the Twelve Steps. I had more fortunate. I got this message human, and I still think a double lems was in the Good Book. To nothing to do with the writing of thirteen and a half years ago, while Scotch would taste awfully good. If some of us older ones, the parts that them. But I think I probably had some of you had to wait till later. it wouldn’t produce disastrous rewe found absolutely essential were something to do with them indi- I used to get a little peeved at our sults, I might try it. I don’t know. I the Sermon on the Mount, the thir- rectly. After my June 10th episode, Heavenly Father, because He had have no reason to think that it would teenth chapter of First Corinthians, Bill came to live at our house and been a little slow on the trigger in taste any different – but I have no and the Book of James. stayed for about three months. There my own case. I thought I would legitimate reason to believe that the We used to have daily meetings was hardly a night that we didn’t have been ready to receive the mes- results would be any different, either. at a friend’s house. All this hap- sit up until two or three o’clock, sage quite a while before He got They were always the same. I alpened at a time when everybody was talking. It would be hard for me to around to presenting it. And that ways wound up back of the dear old broke, awfully broke. It was prob- conceive that, during these nightly used to irritate me no end. After all, eight ball. I just don’t want to pay ably much easier for us to be suc- discussions around our kitchen table, maybe He knows better than I. But the bill, because that’s a big bill. It cessful when broke than it would nothing was said that influenced the I felt sure that I would have been always was, and I think it would be have been if we’d had a checking writing of the Twelve Steps. We al- glad to have anything presented to even larger today because of what account apiece. We were, every one ready had the basic ideas, though produce the sobriety that I thought has gone on in the past thirteen of us, so painfully broke that. . . not in terse and tangible form. We I wanted so badly. I even used to years. Being a bit out of practice, I In the r c m r d l n ~n/ Dr. Bob’s talk the word rounds llke “meadow.” Does anydody know got them, as I said, as a result of doubt that at times. I would go to don’t believe I’d last very long. I’m whar old-tlme remedy thlt might be?

having an awfully nice time, and I and absolute love, and it checks up don’t want to bump myself off, even pretty well with those four, then my with the “pleasures” of the alcohol answer can’t be very far out of the route. No, I’m not going to do it, way. If, however, I do that and I’m and I’m never going to as long as I still not too satisfied with the ando the things I’m supposed to, and swer, I usually consult with some I know what these things are. So, if friend whose judgment, in this par- I should ever get tight, I certainly ticular case, would be very much would have no one but myself to better than mine. But usually the blame for it. Perhaps it would not be absolutes can help you to reach your done with malice aforethought, but own personal decision without bothit would certainly be done as a result ering your friends. of extreme carelessness and indiffer- Suppose we have trouble taking ence. the First Step; we can’t get quite I said I was quite human, and I better get back on the job, big boy, really counts is giving of yourself, honest enough to admit that John get to thinking every once in a while before you get into trouble.” And I and that almost invariably requires Barleycorn really has bested us. The that this guy Bob is rather a smart patter right back and am much more effort and time. It isn’t a matter of lack of absolute purity is involved individual. He’s got this liquor situ- attentive than I had been before I just putting a little quiet money in here -purity of ideas, purity of moation right by the tail- proved it got the funny idea. But I do get it the dish. That’s needed, but it isn’t tives. Absolute unselfishness includes and demonstrated it -hasn’t had a every once in a while, and I’ll prob- giving much for the average individ- the kind of service I have been drink for over thirteen years. Prob- ably go on getting it whenever I get ual in days like these, when most talking about – not the dime or two ably could knock off a couple, and careless about seeing the boys in the people get along fairly well. I don’t bits to the bum, but actually giving no one, would be the wiser. I tell ward. believe that type of giving would of yourself. you, I’m not trying to be funny. Any time I neglected them, I was ever keep anyone sober. But giving As you well know, absolute love Those thoughts actually do enter my thinking more of Bob than I was of of our own effort and strength and incorporates all else. It’s very diffimind. And the minute they do, I the ward. I wasn’t being especially time is quite a different matter. And cult to have absolute love. I don’t know exactly what has happened. loving. Those fellows had come there I think that is what Bill learned in think any of us will ever get it, but You see, in Akron we have the indicating their desire for help, and New York and I didn’t learn in Ak- that doesn’t mean we can’t try to get extreme good fortune to have a very I was just a little too busy to give ron until we met. it. It was extremely difficult for me nice setup at St. Thomas Hospital. them much of my time, as if they The four absolutes, as we called to love my fellowman. I didn’t dis- The ward theoretically accommo- had been panhandling on the street. them, were the only yardsticks we like him, but I didn’t love him, dates seven alcoholics, but the good Don’t want to be bothered with the had in the early days, before the either. Unless there was some spe- Sister Ignatia sees that it’s stretched fellow? Ten cents to get rid of him Stevs. I think the absolutes still hold cial reason for caring, I was just ina little bit. She usually has two or -why, that’s easy! He could even goid and can be extremely helpful. different to him. I would be willing more others parked around some- stand two bits -not because you I have found at times that a ques- to give him a little bit if it didn’t where. Just as soon as that idea that love the fellow, but just to be re- tion arises, and I want to do the require much effort. I never would I could probably polish off a couple lieved of the nuisance of his hanging right thing, but the answer is not injure hini at all. But love him? For enters my mind, I think, “Oh-oh. on your coat sleeve. No unselfish- obvious. Almost always, if I mea- a long time, I just couldn’t do it. How about the boys in the ward? ness, no love at all indicated in that sure my decision carefully by the I think I overcame this problem to You’ve been giving them the semi- transaction. yardsticks of absolute honesty, abso- some extent when I was forced to do brush-off for the last few days. You’d I think the kind of service that lute unselfishness, absolute purity, it, because I had to either love this

who practice, have been practicing of humility. I don’t mean the fake peace of mind. The trouble with us for years, and still have to practice. humility of Dickens’s Uriah Heep. alcoholics was this: We demanded To do a good job in AA, there are I don’t mean the doormat variety; that the world give us happiness and a number of things we should prac- we are not called upon to be shoved peace of mind in just the particular tice. We should practice, as I’ve around and stepped on by anyone; way we wanted to get it by the said, acquiring the spirit of service. we have a right to stand up for our alcohol route. And we weren’t suc- We should attempt to acquire some rights. I’m talking about the attitude cessful. But when we take time to’ faith, which isn’t easily done, espe- of each and every one of us toward find out some of the spiritual laws, cially for the person who has always our Heavenly Father. Christ said, and familiarize ourselves with them, been very materialistic, following the “Of Myself, I am nothing -My and put them into practice, then we standards of society today. But 1 strength cometh from My Father in do get happiness and peace of mind. think faith can be acquired; it can heaven.” If He had to say that, how I feel extremely fortunate and thankbe acquired slowly; it has to be cul- about you and me? Did you say it? ful that our Heavenly Father has let fellow or attempt to be helpful to tivated. That was not easy for me, Did I say it? No. That’s exactly what me enjoy them. Anyone can get him, or I would probably get drunk and I assume that it is difficult for we didn’t say. We were inclined to them who wishes to. There seem to again. Well, you could say that was everyone else. say instead, “Look me over, boys. be some rules that we have to foljust a manifestation of selfishness, Another thing that was difficult Pretty good, huh?’We had no hu- low, but happiness and peace of and you’d be quite correct. I was for me (and I probably don’t do it mility, no sense of having received mind are always here, open and free selfish to the extent of not wanting too well yet) was the matter of tol- anything through the grace of our to anyone. And that is the message Bob hurt; so, to keep from getting erance. We are all inclined to have Heavenly Father. I don’t believe I we can give to our fellow alcoholics. Bob hurt, I would go through the closed minds, pretty tightly closed. have any right to get cocky about We know what AA has done in motions of trying to be helpful to That’s one reason why some people getting sober. It’s only through God’s the past thirteen years, but where do the other fellow. Debate it any way find our spiritual teaching difficult. grace that I did it. I can feel very we go from here? Our membership you want to, but the fact remains They don’t want to find out too much thankful that I was privileged to do at present is, I believe, conservativethat the average individual can never about it, for various personal reasons, it. I may have contributed some ac- ly estimated at 70,000.* Will it inacquire absolute love. I suspect there like the fear of being considered ef- tivity to help, but basically, it was crease from here on? Well, that will are a few people who do; I think feminate. But it’s quite important only through His kindness. If my depend on every member of AA. It maybe I know some who come pretty that we do acquire tolerance toward strength does come from Him, who is possible for us to grow or not to close to it. But I could count them the other fellow’s ideas. I think I am I to get cocky about it? I should grow, as we elect. If we fight shy of on the fingers of one hand. I don’t have more of it than I did have, have a very, very humble attitude entangling alliances, if we avoid getsay that in any disparaging manner; although not enough yet. If some- toward the source of my strength; I ting messed up with controversial I have some wonderful friends. But body crosses me, I’m apt to make should never cease to be grateful for issues (religious or political or wet- I’m talking about the final aspects of a rather caustic remark. I’ve done whatever blessings come my way. dry), if we maintain unity through absolute love, particularly as it ap- that many times, much to my regret. And I have been blessed in very large our central offices, if we preserve the plies to AA. And then, later on, I find that the measure. simplicity of our program, if we re- I don’t think we can do anything man knew much more about it than You know, as far as everybody’s member that our job is to get sober very well in this world unless we I did. I’d have been infinitely better ultimate aim is concerned, it doesn’t and to stay sober and to help our practice it. And I don’t believe we off if I’d just kept my big mouth make much difference whether we’re less fortunate brother to do the same do AA too well unless we practice shut. drinking or whether we’re sober. thing, then we shall continue to grow it. The fellows who win great world Another thing with which most of Either way, we’re all after the same and thrive and prosper. awards in athletic events are people us are not too blessed is the feeling Now almost thirty-eight years old, A A has a thing, and that’s happiness. We want worldwide membership estimated ar 650,000.

November 1973

From the Grapevine book AA Today, published on the occasion of A A’s twenty-fifth anniversary

enormity of this situation, shall any of us sit comfortably and say, “Well, people, here we are. We hope you hear about us and come around. Then maybe we can give you a hand.” AA Tomorrow Of course, we shall do nothing of the sort. We know that we are gol ~ yBill W. ing to open, wider and wider, every conceivable means and channel through which these kinsfolk of ours may be reached. We shall remem- Our co-founder sums up after 25 years o f A A ber Dr. Bob and his marvelous coand looks into the future we are now living worker Sister Ignatia – how they worked at Akron. We shall remember the many years of Silky’s2 untake? Still clearer vision and an stinted labor for us. Ten thousand placent self-satisfaction by the wide W E HAVE some wonderful glimpses of the panorama of AA at work in the twenty-fifth year acclaim and success that arc everywhere ours. This is the subtle tempever-mounting sense of responsibility can be the only answers to these questions. AAs still around will remember how they literally owe their lives to these three people. Each of us will reof its founding. We marvel and re- tation which could stagnate us today, What, then, is the real size and member his own sponsor, the one joice that the near impossible has perchance disintegrate us tomorrow. reach of our foreseeable responsibil- who cared enough. As the inheritors really happened. All this has indeed We have always rallied to meet and ities? During the last twenty-five of such a tradition of service, how depended on our many channels of transcend failure and crisis. Prob- years, it is quite certain that twenty- many could ever say, ”Let George communication and our singular lems have been our stimulants. How five million men and women do that ~weifthStep job; he likes to ability to use them. well, though, shall we be able to throughout the world have suffered work with drunks anyhow. Besides, Now comes the question: Where meet the problems of success? alcoholism. Nearly all of these are I’m busy”? Surely there could not do we go from here and what is our Will we continue to search out the now sick, mad, or dead. AA has be many! Complacency would be responsibility for today and for to- ever-present flaws and gaps in our brought recovery to something like impossible. morrow? communications? With enough im- two hundred and fifty thousand.’ Our next great area of future re- Clearly, our first duty to AA’s agination, courage, and dedication, The rest are still out of reach or sponsibility may be this one: I’m future is to maintain in full strength will we resolutely address ourselves else gone beyond recall. An even thinking about the total problem of I what we now have. Only the most to those many tasks of repair and larger generation of drunks is right alcohol and about all of those who vigilant caretaking can assure this. improvement which even now the now in the making. Facing the still must suffer the appalling conse- Never should we be lulled into com- future is calling upon us to under- I . I n 1973, rhr rsrintarr is 650,000. 2. D r . William D. Silkworrh

that we often fail to give these dedi- marriage partners to become their cated people the encouritgcment they protective custodians – their “mamuch need. NOWthat we AAs mas” and “papas.” This has often s o amazingly unified around our resulted in a built-in pattern, one single purpose and the Twelve Tra- most difficult to erase. The coming ditions, the risk that we could be of sobriety in AA is seldom a remmuch hurt by anything done in these edy. Indeed, sobriety sometimes outside ventures is virtually non- aggravates this often intolerable conexistent. dition. Let’s instcad keep focused on the The Al-Anon Family Groups, fact that thcrc are some twenty-four comprising wives and husbands of alquences of alcoholism. Their num- Of course, we do have concern. million, seven hundred and fifty coholics, now see this picture clearly ber is astronomical; it runs into While we i~pprecii~te that AA itself thousand drunks Icft in the world. – far more clearly, in fact, than do hundreds of millions. Here’s just a cannot very well get into alcohol Could not still more friendly and most of us AAs. In their own groups, sampling of that problem: education or into any of the related widespread cooperation with outside they are now working to repair that Because of our drinking, most of activities that touch the total prob- ;~gcncicsfinally I t i d us to countless damage – along with their other de- . us damaged our kids. Their emo- lem, we do know that, as peculiarly alcoholics who will otherwise be lost? fccts – by the practice of AA’s tional scars should have made them well-informed citizens, there is plen- Maybe we beginning to stand in Twelve Steps. More than some of naturals for alcoholism. Yet it is ty we can and should do in these our own light. Perhaps we are block- us, these life partners of ours are startlingly true that teen-age children fields. ing a communication that has a tre- trying hard to practice AA princiof good AA members show almost Enterprises of this sort – govcrn- mendous potential. Shouldn’t we ples in all their affairs. The Family no sign of becoming drunks. They mental, state, and private – have thcrcfore havc i1 fresh look at this? Groups have already made a big drink moderately or not at all. If a been springing up everywhere in Inside AA . . . well, how do we dent in this mighty tough problem, few of the vulnerable do hit the recognition of the fact that alcohol- stand’! and there is evidence of far more to bottle, and the telltale symptoms ism is a top-priority problem of I t is a fact. and ii perfectly ex- come. Can’t we, therefore, give this and episodes show up, most can stop health. Nearly every one of these plicable one, that the number of AI- remarkable project our greatest pos- -and they do. Now why is this? agencies tells us it has been inspired Anon Family Groups has jumped sible understanding and encourage- The answer is “alcohol education” to work on by the example we AAs from il handful to 1,3003 of them in ment? And let each of us do his full -AA-style. Of course, we have have set them. They now takc their the last tcn years. They arc tackling share of that repair job at home! never told our kids not to drink. But turn as pioneers. Naturally, they are one of the toughest problems that iin Then there is among us AAs the for years, around the house and at bound to make some mistakes. Cer- alcoholic and his family can have, cvcr-present need for further spirimeetings, they have heard what the tainly, we can understand this. In inside AA or out. This is the tcrrilic tual growth. Herc most of us show ;I score really is, what alcoholism can fact, we like to say that we oursclvcs distortion that we ;ilcoholics force hci~vydeficit, and I’m a notable c~ do to people. They havc seen the havc progressed mostly by trial and upon our wives ( a n d husbands) ample. The simplest self-questioning old man in action, first as an i~lco- error. A good number of these un- through destructive drinking – can reveal such dcficiencies. For inholic, then as an AA member. This dertakings :\re now going places, and drinking that has Icd us into it highly stance: “Am I trying to ‘practice is the kind of education that has no their promise is very large. abnorn~al dependency upon them. these principles’ in all nly own ;ITdoubt already saved a hundred thou- Nevertheless, I gather the inipres- Active drunks frcquently turn them- fairs? Or am 1 simply comp1;lccnt sand of our children. sion that many of us are so intcnt on sclvcs into rcbcllious and wayward and quite content with just enough But what about other people’s kids their few errors, especially the errors children, thereby compelling their spiritual nourishment to keep me -have we no concern for them? of those AAs associated with them, – 3. I n IV7.t. uhorrl 6.200 plrrr ohnaf I.OSO A b tcrw yruvp* (lur teen-uxrrl chtlrlren of rrlcusober? Do I really possess the spirihdics)

tual resources to see me through toward that likeness and image. some rough going? Or do 1 think However small and prudent our next pretty well of my spiritual demon- immediate step on the path of progstration because (a) things are pret- ress may be, we of AA can never ty good at home, ( b ) I got a big set any hampering limitation upon raise, and (c) they made me vice- the ultimate destiny of ourselves and president of my lodge? Or if things our Fellowship, nor any whatever go badly and I begin to be jittery, upon God’s love for us all. Individudepressed, anxious, or resentful, do ally and collectively, structurally and I then justify my resulting self-pity spiritually, we shall ever need to and guilt by blaming my ‘bad breaks’ build for the future. We are still layor, more usually, the behavior of ing down the foundation on which other people? Or do 1 fall back on all coming generations of AAs will the old refrain that I’m a ‘sick alco- have to stand, perhaps for centuries. holic’ and therefore not responsible?” Our Fellowship has been permit- Nearly all of us, when we think ted to achieve – though still in minabout it, agree that we are a long, iature – the “one world” dream of long way from being anywhere near philosophers. Ours is a world in grown-up, from almost any point of which we can hotly differ, yet never view. We can clearly see that our think of schism or conflict as a solujob as individuals and as a fellow- tion. As a fellowship, we ask nothing ship is to keep right on growing by of wealth or power. As we bctter the constant use of our Twelve use “the language of the heart.” our Steps. communications grow ;\pace: Al- Of course, we may be certain that ready, we find ourselves in safe pasthis will be a slow business. But we sage through all those barriers of also know we can never take our distance and language, of social displodding progress as the slightest tinction, nationality, and creed, that alibi for setting ourselves second- so divide the world of our times. rate goals. Our high aim can be For so long as we remain sure emotional sobriety, full emotional that our “one world of A A is God’s maturity – and that’s good. How- gift, rather than any virtue earned ever, I think most of us may prefer or created by ourselves; and for so a still larger definition, one with a long as our “one world” continues still broader and higher reach. Per- to be ever more inclusive of those in haps there can be no “relative” in need; and for so long as we speak the universe unless somewhere there and try to perfect the language of is an “absolute.” T o most of us, this love – for just so long may we “absolute” is “God as we understand count upon making whatevcr ren- Him.” We feel that we were born to dezvous with destiny that God would this life to grow – if only a little – have us make.

April 1974

AA Books for the Blind Catherine Englund, librarian of the institute, reported in her answer to B. C. The Library of Congress has been pre- that she had written to the Library of paring braille and cassette versions of Congress, requesting the addition of the the books Alcoholics Anorrynrofrs and A A books to the Talking Books list. She Twelve Steps urld Twelve Traditiorts, was informed that the two would be ofavailable on interlibrary loan from the fered in both cassette and braille formats. National Collections in Washington, D.C., A blind person who cannot read braille through the Braille Institute Library. and has no cassette player may be put This project was set afoot through the on a list to receive such a player, acefforts of B. C., Manhattan Beach, Calif., cording to Karen Renninger, Interlibrary who writes: “Anybody would have to be Loan Coordinator, National Collections, blind not to be able to see the benefits Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. of our A A Fellowship – but some of us 20542. are blind. With the idea of keeping the Of course, material for blind alcoholinner light burning as brightly as our ics is also available from the A A Genbirthday candles, I contacted the Braille eral Service Office (Box 459, Grand institute of America.” Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10017).

AA Grapevine, June 1974

Robert R. Smith, fifty-four, who re-

Dr. Bob cently installed on his slightly accident-prone wife Betty’s car special license plates reading “OOOOPS”! Like father, like son. The Smiths (they have two sons and two daughters) live in Nocona, A journey into the past Tex., where Bob is office manager of the Jack Mercer Well Servicing in seai*chof more intimate knowledge Company, treasurer of the Oil Well o f our co-founder Servicing Contractors Association (of the United States and Canada), a member of the board of Nocona Hospital, and a former member of

A FTER CONJECTURING idly for a number of years, but with an increasing desire and need to know, widely photographed and documented thirtieth President of the United States -whereas Dr. Bob (to quote late parents’ long-time home at 855 the Nocona School Board. Ardmore Avenue. She was married Betty Smith joyfully told this questo the late Ernie G., AA’s member tioner of her first encounter with the this nosy member of the Fellowship Bill, his fellow Green Mountain Boy Number Four, whom she described senior Smiths: “I flew with my Bob decided recently to go forth and dis- and co-founder of AA) had “risen as producer of “the first slip in AA. to Akron to meet his parents before cover the Real Dr. Bob. to anonymoiu world renown.” “They didn’t quite know what to our marriage – almost thirty years Through the written word, but Moreover, if the six-foot-two, rug- do with him,” explained Sue (or ago. I had never heard of AA. We more effectively through personal ged-framed, bespectacled New Eng- “Tee,” her father’s nickname for went to a meeting that night, and I contact, I had come to know some- lander with the broad accent and her.) “I never did find out what to heard my first AA talk. I was almost thing of Bill W. beyond his basic broader smile had not died (in do with him.” The marriage ended overwhelmed -my father had a drunkalog. But the good doctor had 1950), he would be ninety-four years in divorce. problem, and my mother and I were died before my time in AA, and my old now, and there are few Vermont Concerning the impact upon the pouring it down the sink. I said to opportunity to study him closely had or Ohio contemporaries surviving to family of Dr. Bob’s alcoholism, Sue Dad Smith, ‘This is such a marvelbeen limited. reminisce. told this interviewer that “things ous program. You must be so proud!’ So I began to explore the story- I did, though, come up with some were pretty rough before he got into “I tell you truly, that was a no-no. behind-the-story of the Akron sur- clues. AA. But.aftcr that, things were extra He looked at me with his steely eyes geon who has been a vital influence There is, for instance, daughter nice. When it came to a sense of till half of me melted right there, in my life. I discovered that nobody Suzanne’s reaction to her adoptive humor, he had it -although my and he said, ‘It is nothing I have, can discover the “real” anypody. father’s career as an active and later brother is a close second. The whole done – I have merely been used.’ The late Dr. Robert /Holbrook as a recovering alcoholic. family had good laughs, and it was “1 went home waving the AA Smith is not the easiest hbject for Sue, who was a teen-age- when really a happy time. Of course,” Sue book at my mother and said, ‘We research. His fellow alumnus at pres- Dr. Bob and Bill founded AA in added, “things don’t always stay that have the answer.”‘ Betty’s father tigious St. Johnsbury (Vt.) Acad- 1935, is now employed in the library way, due to boy friends and growing (now deceased) later was co-foundemy, Calvin Coolidge, had departed at Kent State University and lives in up. But as I look back, it was great.” er of a group in Clovis, N.M., whexe the campus to become eventually the Akron a mile and a half from her The brother Sue referred to is he and the group prospered.

Robert R. was sixteen when his of tennis they played together at one member of the local AA group, Joe father and Bill W. founded the Fel- time and of his dad’s extraordinary C., sat me down for a chat on a lowship. Because “young” Bob was fitness,” Betty Smith recalled. “He lobby sofa he said had often been unavoidably preoccupied with a busi- played bridge with the best of them. used by the Smiths on annual back- I ness problem, wife Betty spoke for We used to play with Mom and home visits. him (and for herself) in discussing Dad, and they would teach us some Later, I walked one block west of that period. of the finer points – they were both the hotel to a nineteenth-century “I loved both Mom and Dad very good.” white clapboard residence occupied calf and he said he would sell it to Smith very deeply (though I still had Dr. Bob was “very tall and fast for the last thirty-three years by Mr. me for a dollar. Mama says if theres both my parents that I was also in -always took off at a run,” Sue and Mrs. Roland T. La Perle. They any thing we need it is a bull. I went love with). When they would come remembered. “Liked to play cards, served me coffee on the broad veran- fishing Wednesday and caught about to see us, Dad Smith and I had a travel, read -he wasn’t idle much da that fronts the Central and Sum- ten fish and a lizard. I have got the thing going about gin rummy. We of the time. We often used to take mer Streets sides of the house, and lizard in an pan of water and I exwould shout ugly words at each long hikes in the woods with Dad – told me they were pleased to learn pect to put him in alcohol. Pa got other, and we both had a marvelous my brother and myself and a dog. that a co-founder of AA had been me a new bridle and saddle blanket time. His sense of humor was always We had great times like that. He born in a front bedroom above us. and I ride every day. I enjoy it very at peak. Also, I do not know how loved to take his car down a dirt In the course of a childhood out- much. Come up here as soon as you many times he came up to me and road to see where it went. door comradeship, Bob and his can. slipped me a fifty and said, ‘This is “Dad played cards every Monday much older foster sister, Amanda With much love just between us – spend it any way night for as long as I can remember, (later nicknamed “Aunt Nancy”) Robert H Smith you like.’ I tried once not to take it, and he always ‘broke even,’ ” said Northrup, swam and sailed together and that was a big mistake. Sue. “We never actually knew how in Sleepers River on St. Johnsbury’s In later years, Miss Northrup was “We all had talks about profound he came out, which is the way he southwest outskirt, and at the Smith a history professor at Hunter Colthings. You know, Dad read for at wanted it. He also would buy things summer spot on Lake Champlain. lege in New York City. least two hours every evening. Most for himself and put them in his After one of her visits with the After my visit at the house where unusual to have the great humor dresser drawers and then come up Smiths, Amanda received from ten- Dr. Bob was born, I strolled two with the profundities. O r is it? with ‘I found it in my dresser’- so year-old Bob a note on lined note- bldcks to the two-story, red-brick “One of Dad’s favorite hobbies your guess is as good as mine as to book paper: Summer Street School, attended by was driving sleek sports cars. And the outcome of his card-game fi- our surgeon-to-be between 1885 and he liked very good clothes and wore nances.” St Johnsbury Vt 1894. It was in the corridors and them. He had a fondness for dia- On another point, too, there is no May 4 1890 classrooms of this elementary school monds and other precious gems and dispute. In competition, Dr. Bob’s Dear Miss Northrop that Bob first publicly demonstrated wore them and bought them for Number Two and Number Three I have been meaning to write you his quiet waywardness and rebellion Mom. When she died, he gave me a goals were recreation and physical every day but have been putting it against strict parental discipline. T o beautiful diamond that was hers, and fitness. His Number One goal? Vic- off till now. I thank you very much schoolmates, he was known as “Rob,” I will cherish it forever.” tory. This he demanded of himself. for sending me the pictures and and later, to Bill W., as “Smithy.” The Smiths in Texas and Sister I checked in one morning at the book. I have enjoyed the book very His teachers called him “Rob-ert!” Sue in Akron agree that Dr. Bob weathered, 123-year-old yellow frame much and hope you will read it when “Rob-ert’s” father, Judge Walter was a skilled swimmer, sailor, fisher- St. Johnsbury House, a hotel at the you come up here again. I went over Perrin Smith of the Caledonia Counman, tennis player, and card shark. hub of Dr. Bob’s Northeastern Ver- to Mr Harrington and played with ty (Vt.) Probate Court, was also a “My Bob has told me how many sets mont hometown. There, an old-time Rover the dog. They have a bull state’s attorney, member of the state

legislature, superintendent of St. amined the impressive ten-building Following his graduation from the proaching a level of desperation and Johnsbury schools, director of the complex that serves St. Johnsbury academy, Bob studied and drank degradation below which he would Merchants National Bank, and pres- Academy, established in 1842 with beer for four years at Dartmouth be unwilling to descend, Mrs. Seibident of the Passumpsic Savings the philanthropic aid of the local College, where he received a B.A. erling quoted him as confessing, at Bank. Fairbanks (platform-scale) brothers degree in 1902; worked and remain- another Oxford session early in But most significantly, in a sense, as an independent secondary school ed afloat at various jobs for two 1935: “I am going to tell you somehe was active in the towering, gray “for the intellectual, moral, and re- years; entered the University of thing which may cost me my professtone North Congregational Church ligious training of boys and girls in Michigan as a premedical student sion. I am a silent drinker, and I and a “great light” in its Sunday Northeastern Vermont.” It was at a and binge drinker in 1905; later can’t stop.” school for forty years. He insisted dance in the gym here in 1898, his matriculated at Rush Medical Col- Henrietta, nicknamed “Henri” by that his son attend five services week- senior year, that Dr. Bob was intro- lege in Chicago as a junior; won an Dr. Bob, is a native of Kentucky ly, including Wednesday-night prayer duced to Anne Robinson Ripley of M D degree with outstanding grades and the widowed daughter-in-law of meetings – until, that is, Bob grew Moline, Ill., by Anne’s weekend host- there in 1910 and obtained a covet- the late Frank A. Seiberling, founder old enough to rebel and quit church- ess and fellow Wellesley College ed two-year internship at Akron City and first president of the Goodyear going for two-score years. undergraduate, Laila McNeil. Hospital. Two years later, he opened Tire & Rubber Company. She now Daughter Sue strongly supports After a whirlwind courtship of an office for private practice in Ak- lives in New York City and, althe theory that Dr. Bob’s strict up- seventeen years, Bob and his “pleas- ron’s Second National Bank Build- though a nonalcoholic, remains close bringing was at least in part respon- ingly plump frail” were married at ing. By 1935 (as Bill relates the to AA. sible for his stubborn resistance to story in Alcoholics Anonymous Much has previously been pubauthority. Comes of Age), Dr. Bob had been lished to confirm the fact of Dr. “Dad appeared to be very stern,” dropped from the hospital staff, and Bob’s humility and strong spiritual she said. “But he wasn’t at all, ex- his practice was nearly gone. faith. To this, his daughter-in-law, cept when he felt he really had to Mrs. Henrietta McBrayer Buckler Betty Smith, has added: “My favorbe. He was quite a softy and was Seiberling, as an active follower of ite remark by Dad was in a talk. He extremely concerned for his patients. the Oxford movement, introduced said, ‘Christ said, “Of myself I am As a father, he was the best. He was the dry Bill W. to the still-drinking nothing. My help cometh from my loving and at the same time would Dr. Bob in her Akron gatehouse Father in Heaven.” Then how about want to be obeyed. He was fun to residence on the day after Mother’s you and me? Prayer is vital.’ be with. I enjoyed many an evening Day in 1935. She attested to the “Dad suspected that he had canplaying cards and had as good a surgeon’s humility and trust in a cer five years before it was diagtime with him as I have ever had Higher Power: “One day in our dell, nosed,” said Betty. “I know of his with anyone. Kids don’t usually say shortly before Bob and Bill met, the suspicions because he told me of that about their parents. He also doctor led an Oxford Group meet- them. When he made his last talk, gave us a certain amount of free- the home of Anne’s mother, Mrs. ing and chose as his subject a pas- in Cleveland [at the first Internadom. As I look back, I see he was Joseph Pierce Ripley, in Oak Park, sage from the First Book of Samuel, tional Convention of AA], he had the ahead of his time, or didn’t want us Ill., “at half after eight o’clock” on Chapter 3, Verse 10: ‘And the Lord diagnosis. We left directly after the to go through what he did when he January 25, 1915. “I don’t know came, and stood, and called as at meeting, and Bob, Dad, and I went was a child and had to go to bed at why the delay,” said Sue, “but there other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then for a tour of New England – stopfive o’clock in the evening- that was a lot of schooling and interning Samuel answered, Speak; for thy ping, of course, in St. Johnsbury. We sort of thing.” to do. Mother taught school for servant heareth.’ ” all had a great time in spite of Dad’s I returned to Main Street and ex- some of that time, I’ve heard.” To prove that Dr. Bob was ap- illness. His faith was superb.”

It was a little more than four in Alcoholics Anonymous during her months after that “Keep it simple” seven years of illness, before she talk that Dr. Bob remarked to his died of pneumonia at the age of attendant in Akron City Hospital, sixty-eight on June 1, 1949. Lois “I think this is it.” Then he died, of W., Bill’s widow, recalled that “Anprostate cancer, on November 16, nie was clear-thinking and, although 1950. a nonalcoholic, wisely counseled At the funeral in St. Paul’s Epis- many members of the Fellowship.” copal Church, Akron, the Reverend Dr. Bob’s identity as a co-founder Walter F. Tunks (through whom Bill of AA was disclosed to the general W., identifying himself as “a rum public in published reports of Anne’s hound from New York,” had arrang- death. In an editorial accompanying ed his original meeting with Dr. its obituary, the Akron Beacon Jour- Bob) noted in a eulogy the doctor’s nal wrote, “It seems a pity Mrs. strong conviction that “no man need Smith’s wonderful work could not stay the way he is -with God’s have received the public’s recognihelp, he can throw off the chains of tion while she still lived, [but] she any enslaving habit and be free again must have known of the gratitude in to be what God wants him to be.” the hearts of the many persons she In St. Johnsbury – roughly 100 had helped. . . .Akron should always miles northeast of Bill W.’s birth- be proud of the AA movement which place, East Dorset, Vt. -the Fel- was born here and proud of the fine lowship Group meets on Wednesday woman who did so much to foster nights, with an average attendance that movement.” of thirty-five, in a second-floor club- Speaking for “young” Bob and room above the Northern Auto Sup- herself, Betty Smith said that “Mom ply, Inc., shop at 26 Railroad Street. was a rock. She was a person that The site is in an industrial section, others leaned upon. She was a perfacing the yard of the St. Johnsbury son of compassion, patience, and I & Lamoille Railroad, a few miles courage. Not only did she endure west of the New Hampshire border. the rocky times, but after the pro- Late in 1946, Dr. Bob spoke at gram was started and they had alcothe first-anniversary meeting of the holics living in the house, she was group, Ed G. recalled. Ed was a once chased by a fellow with a newcomer to the program when he butcher knife.” heard that talk by an eleven-year Two final notes: Robert R. imman, and he is still very active in the bibes socially, but has not developed group- a drinking problem; Sue has ac- Despite a heart ailment and in- quired no compulsion and drinks creasing blindness, Anne Smith re- socially “if I want to.” mained Dr. Bob’s “silent partner” 3. W.S.,New Hampshire

June 1974

During the first months of its ex- Another Anniversary istence the Grapevine broke the news that a national health organization on alcoholism had been established. This year, then, is also the thirtieth Thirty Years of Grapevine History anniversary of the National Council on Alcoholism, which, although The Grapevine has played a vital role never connected with AA, has h e l p ed reduce the suffering fro* the disin the development and growth of AA ease by engaging in jobs that AA cannot do. These include public education, research, and participating

T HE AA Grapevine is not the only international monthly magazine written, edited, and illustrated by almany years the magazine was the odly link between members and groups throughout the world and holics Anonymous. The first issue of th,e Grapevine appeared as an eight-page newsclosely with medical and other resources. Many authorities credit NCA with reducing the stigma on coholics. their only regular contact with AA’s paper in June, 1944. The founders, alcoholism, thus motivating many It is merely the only such publi- two founders and the AA headquar- who later were fondly described by victims of the disease to reach AA . 1 cation whose staff, contributors, and ters in New York City. Bill W. as “six ink-stained wretches,” earlier., readers are thoroughly aware of that Even after the Grapevine had had a serious purpose in starting the Before its first year was up, the fact, and who candidly, cheerfully helped bring into being the demo- paper. Some of AA’s members were Grapevine had brought hope to famadmit it. cratic service structure, co-founder servicemen, scattered all over the ilies of alcoholics, including children With this June issue the Grape- Bill W. still described the magazine world in Army camps, Navy and Ma- of drinking parents. The December, vine marks its thirtieth anniversary. as “our biggest and best means of rine bases, in nlonotonous duty be- 1944, issue carried the personal The magazine came into being in communicating current AA thought hind the lines, and in combat zones. story of Bill W.’s nonalcoholic wife, 1944, during World War 11, when and experience in staying sober, in Thirty years ago, during World Lois, in which she told how she AA itself was less than ten years hanging together, and in serving.” War 11, the total membership of AA learned to live by AA principles for . old. Surprisingly but fittingly, the (AA Comes of Age, pp. 31, 32.) was slightly over 10,000 and the herself, not just for Bill. In that same story of the Grapevine is parallel in During the three decades in which chances of a serviceman having a issue were letters by teenagers demany respects to the stories of many this AA magazine has grown in cir- nondrinking alcoholic buddy to dis- scribing how AA had changed their members of the Fellowship. In its culation and in financial stability, we cuss the program with were quite lives for the better. Such pieces ran early years it was a financial liabil- have seen giant periodicals, with slim. The Grapevine was intended in the magazine until the Al-Anon ity; then it became self-supporting, circulation in the millions, vanish as “a meeting in print,” and was sent Family Groups were started and deand eventually has contributed sub- from the newsstands and from the free to every AA member known to veloped their own publication. The stantially over and above its costs to mails. This fact justifies regret and be in the services until World War Grapevine still prints one or two the General Fund of the General sadness, rather than smugness. It is I1 was over. Many came back sober. Al-Anon and Alateen articles each Service Board. cited here as evidence that the Thus the Grapevine was instrumen- year. Unlike many of us individual ex- Grapevine is continuing to fill an tal in proving that the AA program It was through the Grapevine that drunks, however, the Grapevine be- urgent need in the lives of men and works when an alcoholic wants it to sober AA members were able to gan its AA life by performing useful women whose very survival is tied work, even under the most unfavor- make a valuable, and anonymous, services for the Fellowship. For to that of the Fellowship of Alco- able and adverse conditions. contribution to science. In the pages

of the April, 1945, Grapevine a p peared a questionnaire designed by “Was America big enough for two magazines called ‘The Grapevine 9.2 9 9 Dr. E. M. Jellinek, then head of the Yale (now Rutgers) School of Al- tional monthly journal of Alcoholics Traditions, and the exchange of for membership, and if so, which cohol Studies. Hundreds of readers Anonymous. ideas that brought about our self- ones? How should we handle bleedresponded, enabling Dr. Jellinek, a As practicing alcoholics many of governing procedures through the ing deacons? friend of AA to the time of his us had varying degrees of trouble General Service Conference. Bill’s original twelve points, later death, to produce his famous chart, with the law. It probably should Following the famous Jack Alex- termed the Twelve Traditions, were Phases of Alcohol Addiction. This come as no surprise, then, that early ander article in the Saturday Eve- not, Bill stated, invented by him but chart has been a useful instrument in 1946, the Grapevine was “inves- ning Post in March, 1941, AA were “forged on the anvil of experiin helping professionals diagnose tigated” by the FBI. It seems that membership expanded rapidly. ence.” Recalling those years of and understand the disease of alco- the highly respectable house organ Groups were formed, collapsed, split controversy, Bill wrote that the Traholism. It has also opened the eyes of the FBI already bore the same up, were torn apart by dissension, ditions met with a mixed reception. of “problem drinkers” to the nature title as the new magazine printed by disrupted by power-grabbers, divert- “Only groups in dire trouble took of their illness and brought them former lushes. Was America big ed by members who mingled AA them seriously,” thus paralleling the into AA or to other forms of ther- enough for two magazines called recovery principles with other doc- behavior of most individual alcoholapy- The Grapevine? Suppose that vari- trines and causes. Letters flooded ics who take the Twelve Steps of For more than a year the writing, ous upright lawmen all over the into the small New York office, beg- recovery seriously only when in editing, and mailing of the Grape- country picked up a publication ex- ging for advice, demanding punish- “dire trouble.” vine had been faithfully handled al- pecting to read about the proper ment or expulsion of other members Through the Grapevine the issues most entirely by the six original professional and social activitie.~of who wouldn’t do things the letter- got a thorough airing, as members volunteers. The rapid growth of AA the Federal Bureau of Investigation writer’s way. Out of this confusing in Seattle could exchange views with with its expanding numbers of and, instead, were stunned by hor- torrent Bill and a few others sifted other AAs in Bangor, Savannah, groups had created a task beyond rendous tales of drunken exploits. certain principles that appeared to Phoenix, and Des Moines. Finally the energies of even these dedicated A friendly compromise was reach- further group survival, by discourag- the Twelve Traditions were accepted and capable alcoholics. Their first ed. The magazine for recovering ing practices that usually produced in their present form at the 1950 names, listed by Bill in AA Comes drunks became the AA Grapevine. conflict and disaster. Cleveland Convention as our Second of Age, indicate that nearly all of Having been “cleared,” so t o A series of pieces about AA’s ex- Legacy, that of Unity. the original Grapevine volunteers speak, by the FBI, the magazine periences was started in the August, That Convention itself was the were women – and in those days, advanced further into respectability. 1945, Grapevine and reached a cli- result of free discussion made posthirty years ago, the general AA The AA Grapevine was copyrighted, max in April, 1946, with Bill’s sible through the Grapevine, which membership was predominantly male. and in that same year incorporated, article “Twelve Points to Assure also was adapting to changes and When the volunteer journalists fi- with five directors on the Corporate Our Future.” Discussion waged hot growth of the Fellowship. nally called for help, “the Founda- Board (it’s now nine). The price was and heavy, in groups and in the By 1947 the Grapevine was circution,” as the General Service Board raised from 15 cents to 25. magazine, for more than four years. lating more and more among nonwas then known, polled the 600 In its thirty-year history so far, Reasoned debate and abusive dia- alcoholics. Many of them, including groups on whether the publication probably the greatest contributions tribes dealt with these issues and professionals in medicine, law enwas valuable to the Fellowship or the Grapevine has made to Alcohol- others: Should we drop anonymity? forcement, the clergy, and other should be dropped. By membership ics Anonymous are the printed dis- Should we accept fortunes left in fields, knew little about AA. In demand the December, 1945, issue cussions on group experiences that wills? What should we do about order to make clear what we are of the Grapevine became the na- led to the adoption of the Twelve clubhouses? Should we have rules and what we aren’t, the June Grape-

f* ‘ 2

vine of that year carried a concise alcohdics, was the only alternative the mail, unsolicited, from members General Fund. In 1964 the Grapedefinition. Known throughout AA to anarchy. In 1950 Bill and Dr. in all walks of life. vine came into the black, and was today as “the Preamble,” that de- Bob suggested, through the Grape- The Grapevine’s editorial staff con- able to repay its outstanding loan of scription begins, “Alcoholics Anony- vine, that the groups assume re- sists of an editor, managing editor, more than $11,000 to the General mous is a fellowship of men and sponsibility for the management and free-lance copy editor, and editorial Fund. women who share.. . ,” and was continuity of the Fellowship. The secretary. They conduct their pro- In the spirit of AA’s Seventh Traco-authored by the Grapevine’s first magazine was then the only access fessional activities in cooperation dition, the Grapevine in 1967 beeditor. to the group conscience, and it prov- with an Editorial Board of ten, who came not only self-supporting but Since its first issue the Grapevine ed an excellent means of communi- function in an advisory capacity. able to contribute $5,000 to the has provided the “feedback” that cation. In April, 1951, the General Board members carry out specific General Fund. Each year since then enables the membership of our Service Conference came into being. assignments and originate ideas for the magazine has contributed that loosely knit Fellowship to remain Through their Delegates, several the magazine. All the editors and much and more. Over the past seven unified while adapting to changing thousand sober alcoholics undertook staff artists are sober alcoholics, with years the Grapevine has turned over conditions. In mutual interaction, the responsibility of preserving their the Board made up chiefly of sober a total of $102,000 to that very the magazine helps shape AA as a orily means of survival. The Third alcoholics and one or two nonalco- General Fund that had once subsiwhole, and in turn is shaped by the Legacy, that of Service, had been holic~. dized the magazine. needs of the members. In response born. Since AA is anonymous a t the pub- A few years ago an inside-theto a poll of its readers the Grapevine After eleven years at 25 cents a lic level of press and other media, Fellowship survey indicated that in 1948 took on its present size and copy, rising costs made necessary no full names of AA members ap- Grapevine subscribers had a sigshape. the raising of the Grapevine’s price pear in these pages. Post office regu- nificantly higher achievement of It was physically and functionally to 35 cents in 1957, a figure that has lations, however, require that once continuous sobriety than another prepared for an enormous task that been maintained for seventeen years, a year every publication sent through random sample of nonsubscribers. loomed on the horizon. Now AA even with galloping inflation. the mails publish some full name as Whether or not a cause-and-effect had about 2,000 groups throughout Today the AA Grapevine has a “publisher.” A nonalcoholic mem- relationship is warranted by the rethe country. Yet most of the essen- worldwide circulation of more than ber of the Corporate Board and a sults of that questionnaire, the writer tial service jobs were still performed 76,000 copies, a comparatively small long-time member of AA’s General of this article believes that the Grapeby a few of the older members just number compared to our total mem- Service Board, Austin MacCormick, vine is a necessary part of his AA as they were when the Fellowship bership of around 650,000. Still, annually donates the use of his name sobriety. During the last fourteen of consisted of a handful of sober al- each copy is read and circulated for this purpose. my sixteen years in AA I have read coholics. through many hands in clubs main- Subscriptions are handled by a and contributed to this magazine. Bill and Dr. Bob were both con- tained by AA members, and distrib- circulation manager and business The Grapevine keeps me in touch cerned for the day when the growing uted by those carrying the message crew of six nonalcoholics, who han- with AA though: and feeling; it inmembership would no longer have to prisons, hospitals, jails, skid-row dle mailing and other duties with spires me, amuses me, and, upon living founders to serve as guides missions, and other institutions. patience and accuracy rarely found occasion, incites me to self-righteous and symbols. Would alcoholics, Among Grapevine writers and art- anywhere. anger. Then, when I turn the page, clustered in virtually independent ists are some of the nation’s highest The Grapevine’s acceptance by it calms me down, reminds me that, groups throughout the continent, re- paid professionals, not one of whom the AA membership is reflected in as an alcoholic, I must put First spect suggestions, let alone the au- has ever received, or sought, one its present solvency. During its first Things First, Live and Lei Live, thority, of utter strangers in the New penny for his or her contributions. twenty years the magazine operated Think, and “Let go and let God.” York Headquarters? Self-govern- The editors assert, however, that the in the red, its deficits made up as ment, admittedly full of risks for bulk of the best pieces arrive through need arose by withdrawals from the L. H., Denver, Colo.

May 1975

-. –

Early Friend of AA Passes Word has been received, belatedly. of the death of Clarace Williams, of Akron. Ohio, on August 9, 1975, at the age of 92. She and her husband, T. Henry Williams (who died in 1967), were among the devoted nonalcoholics who encouraged AA during its infancy. Before Bill W. appeared on the Akron scene, the Williamses had tried to help Dr. Bob. After the two alcoholics founded the Fellowship that was to be called AA, the Williamses opened their home to meetings of the first group in Akron.

October 1975

AA’s 40th Anniversary That Fabulous Convention! Denver, Colorado July 46,1915

spiritual meeting that closed the ers near the audience. The get- T HE RECORDS say that AA’s 40th Anniversary International Convention was held in Denver, Colo., down on the throng from photographs flanking a monster replica (28′ x 14′ x 3′) of the Big Book, Convention Sunday morning, we heard Bill’s words repeated in the acquainted dances on Thursday evening also were held in two places July 4-6, 1975. But for me it was which gave its name, Alcoholics gentle voice of his widow, Lois. simultaneously. But there was no the summer of ’58 come back again, Anonymous, to the Fellowship The crowd at both meetings had way to accommodate the crowds and the location was that almost- founded forty years ago. Make that to be divided between Currigan Hall that flocked to the workshops and forgotten pink cloud. Whatever our total 19,302, for Bill W. and Dr. and the neighboring Arena, where panel meetings in the daytime on M “ages” (the range went upward Bob were with us all the way; at the closed-circuit TV brought speak- Friday and Saturday. Whether the of thirty years), the Convention restored to all of us the newcomer’s sense of wonder. When we joined our beloved home groups, it was exciting to hear that we had somehow stumbled into a worldwide fellowship. But how much more exciting it was to see – to be actually surrounded ,by AAs from twenty-nine nations, to exchange smiles with a passing New Zealander, to share coffee conversation with a lady from London. The coffee flowed in gallons from spigots fed by huge vats in Currigan Hall. And the deluge was needed, for the AAs arriving in Denver before and during the Convention built up to numbers far beyond expectations. The final total of registrations was 19,300, outranking all other conventions ever held in Denver. Before that announcement, wild rumors had pushed the figure up to 100,000, but the explanation was: “It only seemed that way.” At the big meeting on the night of the Fourth, the first two AAs looked

4,:

“‘ subject under discussion was the Grapevine or intergoups, Loners or AA cooperation with our friends, the large conference rooms of the Arena building all offered standing room only -and rarely enough of that. (Al-Anon and Alateen gatherings, held at various hotels, also were jammed.) Nobody voiced resentments, because the good AA principle of rotation came to the rescue. Every so often, many of those seated rose and went off to sample another interesting session, whereupon the standees gratefully sat down, leaving their posts against the wall to the AAs who had been eagerly waiting outside. ceedings. Almost 20,000 strong, Between events, we really took maybe we were tempted to strut in over the town. From the plaza in the sun – but something on the hofront of Currigan Hall, where count- rizon was waiting to cut us down less small “AA meetings” went on to size. Beyond the dark foothills under the trees, Convention-goers were the snowy heights that the first tribute to the Higher Power that the to bridge gaps -until we made up spread all through central Denver. Americans named the Never-Sum- leader chose to call the Great Spirit, one unbroken circle, stepping stead- Wherever we strolled in the dry heat mer Range. Even to this vaguely and AAs in the regalia of many ily around to the accelerating heartof Colorado summertime, it was one agnostic AA, the Rockies kept re- tribes went onto the Arena floor beat of the drum. “Hi!” after another; every passerby calling the psalmist’s words: “I will to dance -but not alone. They It was like the feeling t h k came seemed to be sporting the Conven- lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from reached out their hands, and soon over me when a workshop opened ,lion badge. For a non-AA resident, whence cometh my strength.” white AAs and black AAs were on with a hundred-voiced Serenity I cleared up a mystery. He had been The spirituality of this Conven- the floor with them. Prayer, when the Convention closed puzzled by the sudden blossoming of tion was not confined to Sunday From the balcony, it was a breath- with thousands of voices saying the Easy Does It bumper stickers every- morning; it was present every min- taking sight, and I was astonished to Lord’s Prayer -and when I first where, not realizing that each trans- ute. And on at least one occasion, find myself doing more than watch heard some twenty voices saying that lated as a silent “Hi!” it was expressed in an unfamiliar, it. Between the balcony and the mez- prayer at the end of an AA meeting. “It was our city!” one happy visi- wonderfully stirring way. Among the zanine, there was a walk that made But the Convention feeling was far tor wrote to the AA General Service alkathons that went on and on each a full circuit of the vast Arena. Led happier, because the early doubt and Office, which had teamed with Den- noontime and midnight, there was a by one enterprising couple, people bewilderment were gone. Here was ver committees in the months of “drum and dance meeting*’ pre- began joining hands on the walk, the proof, in every face: Yes, it I hard work behind the deceptive sented by Indian AA groups. Be- reaching out to pull bashful onlook- works; yes, this is the good life. smoothness of the Convention pro- tween talks, the huge drum spoke in ers from their seats, stretching arms 3. G., Manhattan, N.Y.

December 1975

– — — —

Passing of Jack Alexander Recalls Early AA Growth Our Fellowship has reason to be forever grateful to Jack Alexander, who died on September 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla., at 73. AA was less than six years old, with a membership around 2,000, when the reporter and magazine writer was assigned to do a Sntltrday Evening Post article on the obscure group of recovering alcoholics. Jack approached the job skeptically, but ended his research as “a true AA convert in spirit,” in the words of cofounder Bill W. The article (now reprinted as an AA pamphlet, “The Jack Alexander Article”) was published in the March 1, 1941, issue – and by the end of that year, AA membership had reached 8,000! In the May 1945 Grapevine, Jack told the story-behind-the-story, “Were the AAs Pulling M y Leg?’ During Jack’s 195 1-56 service as a nonalcoholic trustee on the AA General Service Board, he “added the final editorial touch” to the manuscript of the “Twelve and Twelve.” He was a senior editor on the Post at his retirement, in 1964. After he and his wife (who survives him) moved to Florida, he kept in touch with AA until his health began to fail.

January 1976

An Old-Timer Remembers. ..

One of Bill’s last ceived from my sponsor, starting at the Vesey Street office (the old AA letters expresses, headquarters in New York) in 1940 and continuing until his death in as always, his 1971. Bill W.’s last message to me gratitude seemed appropriate for the occasion. In a letter, he wrote: “Dear Jack: We old-timers are certainly a vanishing race. You and N J U N E 7 last, it was a privi- 0 lege for me to be present as a speaker at a gathering of members I are a remnant of the past, and soon will be no more on earth. Such is the manner in which God has arof AA and friends. It took place in ranged our Pilgrim’s Progress. It is Boston, Mass., at Boston University. my cherished hope and belief we Referred to as the First Gratitude have left AA a good heritage. Be- Mini-Convention for AA groups in sides this, we old-timers are getting the Northeast, it was arranged by scattered, anyhow. And I want to the Boston Central Service Commit- thank you for all you have done to tee and activated and motivated by make our Fellowship what it is. All younger members, to celebrate the affection to everybody and especially folinding of AA and to thank the to you. Ever yours, Bill.” old-timers who stayed sober and Yes indeed, at the First Gratitude passed the program on to them. Mini-Convention in Boston, there From twelve noon to midnight, was gratitude among old-timers and there was indeed much gratitude. I new-timers. tried to share some messages I re- J . D.,Wollaston, Mass.

AA GRAPEVINE[, JULY 1976 &. A reminder and a warning. .. LCOHOLICSANONYMOUS was only A ten years old when Bill W.,

TheWashingtonians AA’s co-founder, wrote: “Those who read the July [I9451 Grapevine were startled, then sobered, by the account which it camed of the Washingtonian movement. It was hard for us to believe that 100 years ago the newspapers of this country They flourished when were carrying enthusiastic accounts And they died when they about 100,000 alcoholics who were they helped one another abandoned certain timeless principles helping each other stay sober; that today the influence of this good work has so completely disappeared before his death, Bill said that the mitted politicians and reformers, that some AAs are complacent that few of us had ever heard of Washingtonians had done things both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, to enough to suppose we never shall.” . it. . . “which were very natural to do, but use the society for their own pur- Bill also recalled the fate of the “May we always be willing to which had turned out to be u,tterly poses. …Within a very few years Washingtonians before 1,500 AAs learn from experience!” Bill cau- destructive. And it was this spectacle they had completely lost their effec- gathered at the annual banquet in tioned. of the past, brought before us as our tiveness in helping alcoholics, and the New York City on November 7, Traditions were evolving, that con- society collapsed. 1945. “In short, the Washingtonians firmed that we were probably very “The lesson to be learned from went out to settle the world’s affairs The quotations in this article much on the right track in this mat- the Washingtonians was not overare from material in AA’s bcforc they had learned to manage ter of no public controversy; in this looked by Alcoholics Anonymous. themselves. They had no capacity archives. question of paying our own bills; in As we surveyed the wreck of that for minding their own business. . . . this question of not becoming in- movement, early AA members re- The negatives within them overthrew Founded by six drunks in 1840, volved with other enterprises, and so solved to keep our Society out of the positives. the Washingtonians had grown in on down the line. And above all, it public controversy.” “That won’t happen here,” Bill membership to hundreds of thou- confirmed the great protective guide And to a friend he wrote, “I wish urged in closing, “if we remember, sands in a short twelve years, and of our anonymity Tradition.” every AA could indelibly bum the publicly and privately, our own simthen destroyed themselves as an or- Later, in the book Alcoholics history of the Washingtonians into ple principles of honesty, tolerance, ganization and dropped out of sight. Anonymous Comes of Age, Bill his memory. It is an outstanding ex- and humility, and that we live only By 1852, all that remained of their wrote: “In many respects the Wash- ample of how, and how not, we by the Grace of God.” spectacular power as a method of ingtonians were akin to AA.. ..Had ought to conduct ourselves. In a Traditions! Words to remember! treatment was the Home for the they stuck to their one goal, they sense, Alcoholics Anonymous has Thanks, Bill. Thank you, Washing- Fallen in Boston. might have found the full answer. never had a problem seriously threat- tonians. In a talk on the Traditions shortly Instead, the Washingtonians per- ening our overall unity. Yet I notice D. P., Ogden, Utah

August 1976

Third Edition of Big Book Is Now in Print The third edition of Alcoholics Anony- In 1939, when the book Alcoholics molts providentially came off the press Anonymous was first published, it gave just as the last printing of the second edi- its name to a hitherto “nameless bunch. tion had been exhausted. The new Big of aIcoholics,” then numbering only about Book had been years in preparation, go- 100. More than 300,000 copies of that ing through the same careful process that edition were eventually printed, playing keeps all AA literature as close as pos- a powerful role in M ‘ s growth to a sible to an expression of the Fellowship’s membership of about 130,000 by 1955, group conscience. when the second edition was produced. That phrase “new Big Book” may Successive printings brought the comsound startling. We have all heard AA bined distribution of these two editions to talks that recall a newcomer’s alcoholic a total of 1,450,000 by the spring of this arrogance with the words “At first, I year, when the third appeared. Its cover wanted to rewrite the Big Book.” Upon is a lighter shade of blue; the title is opening a copy of the third edition, the printed in a more modern type face that wary reader will be relieved to find that emphasizes the initials “AA”-meaningthe Big Book has nor been rewritten. The less before 1939, but now meaning life basic text (pp. 1-164) is unaltered; so is itself to over 1,000,000 alcoholics. the section of personal stories headed “Pioneers of A.A.” In the sections headed “They Stopped in Time” and “They Lost Nearly All,” 17 stories have been retained from the second edition, and 13 new stories have been added, to reflect present-day membership more accurately.

November 1976

You ‘ve heard about the Jack Alexander article all your AA life.. . But have you ever read it?

Publication of “Alcoholics Anonymous,” by Jack Alexander, in the Saturday Evening Post of March 1, 1941, marked a milestone in the history of this Fellowship. Although one national article had been published hPod Staves ofDrink, Now 7 k y F m Othezs previously, the Post report on the first 2,000 men and women who had achieved sobriety through AA was largely responsible for the surge of interest that estab- BV#ach- 4 lished the Society on a national and international basis. The article inspired a deluge of mail, which swamped the small New York office of AA. The response soon overtaxed what co-founder Bill W. described at the time as “a recently enlarged staff, now four.” Volunteer T HREE MEN sat around the bed of an alcoholic patient in the psychopathic ward of Philadelphia chanic. His visitors had been educated at Princeton, Yale, and Pennsylvania and were, by occupation, AAs and their wives were called in to help write personal replies to the 4,400 often-desperate inquiries that General Hospital one afternoon a a salesman, a lawyer, and a publicipoured in between March and June of 1941. The Post few weeks ago. The man in the bed, ty man. Less than a year before, article tripled AA membership by the end of that year. who was a complete stranger to one had been in shackles in the It increased the confidence of small, uncertain AA them, had the drawn and slightly same ward. One of his companions groups already in existence. The prestige and example stupid look that inebriates get had been what is known among of the Post encouraged many newspapers to inform while being defogged after a bender. alcoholics as a sanitarium com- . their readers of this strange Fellowship of former The only thing that was noteworthy muter. He had moved from place drunks who helped other alcoholics stay sober. about the callers, except for the to place, bedeviling the staffs of In 1941, over half of our present 1,000,000 members obvious contrast between their the country’s leading institutions were teenagers, children – or not even born. Old-timers well-groomed appearances and for the treatment of alcoholics. or newcomers, virtually all of us owe a debt of gratitude that of the patient, was the fact The other had spent twenty years to Jack Alexander, who died in 1975. His talent, dili- that each had been through the of life, all outside institution walls, gence, and insight focused the first strong favorable defogging process many times him- making life miserable for himself I light on AA. Jack remained a lifelong friend of the self. They were members of Alco- and his family and his employers, I Fellowship, sewing eventually as a nonalcoholic holics Anonymous, a band of ex- as well as sundry well-meaning trustee on AA’s General Service Board. problem drinkers who made an relatives who had had the temerity avocation of helping other alcohol- to intervene. ics to beat the liquor habit. The air of the ward was thick with The man in the bed was a me- the aroma of paraldehyde, an un-

pleasant cocktail smelling like a ble, and it remains one of the great and the haunting fear that possibly relatives. Over this connection, the mixture of alcohol and ether which un,solved public-health enigmas. they had run down someone with troubleshooters convey, bit by bit, hospitals sometimes use to taper By nature touchy and suspicious, their automobiles. the details of a program for living off the paralyzed drinker and the alcoholic likes to be left alone They tell of the eight-ounce bot- which has worked for them and soothe his squirming nerves. The to work out his puzzle, and he has tles of gin hidden behind pictures which, they feel, can work for any visitors seemed oblivious of this a convenient way of ignoring the and in caches from cellar to attic; of other alcoholic. They concede as out and of the depressing atmosphere tragedy which he inflicts mean- spending whole days in motion- of their orbit only those who are that clings t o even the nicest of while upon those who are close to picture houses t o stave off the temp- psychdtic or who are already sufferpsychopathic wards. They smoked him. He holds desperately to a con- tation to drink; of sneaking out of ing from the physical impairment and talked with the patient for viction that, although he has not the office for quickies during the known as wet brain. At the same twenty minutes or so, then left been able to handle alcohol in the day. They talk of losing jobs and time, they see t o it that the prospect their personal cards and departed. past, he will ultimately succeed in stealing money from their wives’ gets whatever medical attention is If the man in the bed felt that he becoming a controlled drinker. One purses; of putting pepper into whis- needed. would like to see one of them again, of medicine’s queerest animals, he key to give it a tang; of tippling on Many doctors and staffs of instithey told him, he had only to put in is, as often as not, an acutely intelli- bitters and sedative tablets, or on tutions throughout the country now a telephone call. gent person. He fences with profes- mouthwash or hair tonic; of getting suggest Alcoholics Anonymous t o They made it plain that if he actu- sional men and relatives who af- into the habit of camping outside their drinking patients. In some ally wanted to stop drinking, they tempt to aid him, and he gets a per- the neighborhood tavern ten min- towns, the courts and probation would leave their work or get up in verse satisfaction out of tripping utes before opening time. They de- officers cooperate with the local the middle of the night t o hurry t o them up in argument. scribe a hand so jittery that it could group. In a few city psychopathic where he was. If he did not choose There is no specious excuse for not lift a pony to the lips without divisions, the workers of Alcoholics t o call, that would be the end of it. drinking which the troubleshooters spilling the contents; drinking liquor Anonymous are accorded the same The members of Alcoholics Anony- of Alcoholics Anonymous have not from a beer stein because it can be visiting privileges as staff members. mous d o not pursue or coddle a heard or used themselves. When steadied with two hands, although Philadelphia General is one of malingering prospect, and they one of their prospects hands them a at the risk of chipping a front tooth; these. Dr. John F. Stouffer, the know the strange tricks of the alco- rationalization for getting soused, tying an end of a towel about a chief psychiatrist, says: “The alcoholic as a reformed swindler knows they match it with half a dozen out glass, looping the towel around the holics we get here are mostly those the art of bamboozling. of their own experiences. This up- back of the neck, and drawing the who cannot afford private treat- Herein lies much of the unique sets him a little, and he gets defen- free end with the other hand, pulley ment, and this is by far the greatest strength of a movement which, in sive. He looks at their neat clothing fashion, to advance the glass to the thing we have ever been able to offer the past six years, has brought re- and smoothly shaved faces and mouth; hands so shaky they feel as them. Even among those who occacovery to around 2,000 men and charges them with being goody- if they were about to snap off and sionally land back in here again, we women, a large percentage of whom goodies who don’t know what it is fly into space; sitting on hands for observe a profound change in perhad been considered medically to struggle with drink. They reply hours to keep them from doing this. sonality. You would hardly hopeless. Doctors and clergymen, by relating their own stories: the These and other bits of drinking recognize them. ” working separately o r together, double Scotches and brandies lore usually manage to convince the The Illinois Medical Journal, in have always managed to salvage a before breakfast; the vague feeling alcoholic that he is talking to blood an editorial last December, went few cases. In isolated instances, of discomfort which precedes a brothers. A bridge of confidence is further than Dr. Stouffer, in drinkers have found their own drinking bout; the awakening from thereby erected, spanning a gap stating: “It is indeed a miracle when methods of quitting. But the inroads a spree without being able to ac- which has baffled the physician, the a person who for years has been into alcoholism have been negligi- count for the actions of several days minister, the priest, or the hapless more or less constantly under the

nonBlcoholic individuals. Their Cleveland, with more than 450 that at any minute they may transformation from cop fighters, members, is the biggest of the AA thoughtlessly take one drink and canned-heat drinkers, and, in some centers [1941]. The next largest are skyrocket off on a disastrous binge. instances, wife beaters, was located in Chicago, Akron, Phila- An AA who is a clerk in an Eastern startling. On one of the most delphia, Los Angeles, Washington, city hasn’t had a snifter in three and influential newspapers in the and New York. All told, there are a half years, but says that he still has country, I found that the city editor, groups in about fifty cities and to walk fast past saloons to circumthe assistant city editor, and a towns. [In 1976, there are almost vent the old impulse; but he is an nationally known reporter were 28,000 groups worldwide, in ninety- exception. The only hangover from AAs, and strong in the confidence two countries.] the wild days that plagues the AA is of their publisher. In discussing their work, the AAs a recurrent nightmare. In the In another city, I heard a judge spoke of their drunk-rescuing as dream, he finds himself off on a parole a drunken driver to an AA “insurance” for themselves. Expe- rousing whooper-dooper, franticalinfluence of alcohol and in whom member. The latter, during his rience within the group has shown, ly trying to conceal his condition his friends have lost all confidence, drinking days, had smashed several they said, that once a recovered from the community. Even this will sit up all night with a drunk and cars and had had his own operator’s drinker slows up in this work, he is symptom disappears shortly, in at stated intervals administer a small license suspended. The judge knew likely to go back to drinking most cases. Surprisingly, the rate of amount of liquor in accordance with him and was glad to trust him. A himself. There is, they agreed, no employment among these people, a doctor’s order without taking a brilliant executive of an advertising such thing as an ex-alcoholic. If one who formerly drank themselves out drop himself.” firm disclosed that two years ago he is an alcoholic-that is, a person of job after job, is said to be around This is a reference to a common had been panhandling and sleeping who is unable to drink nor- ninety percent. aspect of the Arabian Nights in a doorway under an elevated mally-one remains an alcoholic One-hundred-percent effectiveadventures to which Alcoholics structure. H e had a favorite until he dies, just as a diabetic ness with nonpsychotic drinkers Anonymous workers dedicate them- doorway, which he shared with remains a diabetic. The best he can who sincerely want to quit is selves. Often it involves sitting other vagrants, and every few weeks hope for is to become an arrested claimed by the workers of Alcoholupon, as well as up with, the intox- he goes back and pays them a visit case, with drunk-saving as his insu- ics Anonymous. The program will icated person, as the impulse to just to assure himself he isn’t lin. At least, the AAs say so, and not work, they add, with those who jump out a window seems to be an dreaming. medical opinion tends to support only “want to want to quit,” or attractive one to many alcoholics In Akron, as in other manufac- them. All but a few said that they who want to quit because they are when in their cups. Only an alco- turing centers, the groups include a had lost all desire for alcohol. Most afraid of losing their families or holic can squat on another alcohol- heavy element of manual workers. serve liquor in their homes when their jobs. The effective desire, they ic’s chest for hours with the proper In the Cleveland Athletic Club, I friends drop in, and they still go to state, must be based upon enlightcombination of discipline and had luncheon with five lawyers, an bars with companions who drink. ened self-interest; the applicant sympathy. accountant, an engineer, three sales- The AAs tipple on soft drinks and must want to get away from liquor During a recent trip around the men, an insurance man, a buyer, a coffee. to head off incarceration or prema- East and Middle West, I met and bartender, a chain-store manager, One, a sales manager, acts as bar- ture death. He must be fed up with talked with scores of AAs, as they a manager of an independent store, tender at his company’s annual jam- the stark social loneliness which call themselves, and found them to and a manufacturer’s representa- boree in Atlantic City and spends engulfs the uncontrolled drinker, be unusually calm, tolerant people. tive. They were members of a cen- his nights tucking the celebrators and he must want to put some order Somehow, they seemed better inte- tral committee which coordinates the into their beds. Only a few of those into his bungled life. grated than the average group of work of nine neighborhood groups. who recover fail to lose the feeling As it is impossible to disqialify . \

all borderline applicants, the working percentage of recovery falls below the 100-percent mark. “. .. he tells himself. ..that he can really become a controlled drinker if he wants to.” According to AA estimation, fifty post-office box. The only income, percent of the alcoholics taken in Frequently, the situation is com- demonstrate his strength of will, he which is money received from the plicated by an off-center home at- goes for weeks without taking a hand recover almost immediately; sale of a book describing the work, twenty-five percent get well after is handled by the Alcoholic Founda- mosphere in which one parent is un- drop. He makes a point of calling at duly cruel, the other overindulgent. his favorite bar at a certain time suffering a relapse or two; and the tion, a board composed of three alrest remain doubtful. This rate of coholics and four nonalcoholics. Any combination of these factors, each day and ostentatiously sipping success is exceptionally high. Statis- plus a divorce or two, tends to pro- milk or a carbonated beverage, not [The present-day equivalent is the duce neurotic children who are realizing that he is indulging in tics on traditional medical and reli- General Service Board, comprising gious cures are lacking, but it has seven nonalcoholic and fourteen poorly quipped emotionally to face juvenile exhibitionism. Falsely enbeen informally estimated that they alcoholic trustees. Income is now the ordinary realities of adult life. In couraged, he shifts to a routine of are no more than two or three per- derived from group and individual seeking escapes, one may immerse one beer a day, and that is the begincent effective on run-of-the-mine contributions and from sales of himself in his business, working ning of the end once more. Beer cases. books, booklets, pamphlets, the twelve to fifteen hours a day, or in leads inevitably to more beer and Although it is too early to state Grapevine, and various types of ser- sports or in some artistic sideline. then to hard liquor. Hard liquor that Alcoholics Anonymous is the definitive answer to alcoholism, its vice material.]. .. Why some people become alco- Another finds what he thinks is a leads to another first-rate bender. pleasant escape in drink. It bolsters Oddly, the trigger which sets off the brief record is impressive, and it is his opinion of himself and tempo- explosion is as apt to be a stroke of holics is a question on which author- rarily wipes away any feeling of business success as it is to be a run receiving hopeful support. John D. ities disagree. Few think that anyone Rockefeller Jr. helped defray the ex- is “born an alcoholic.” One may be social inferiority which he may of bad luck. An alcoholic can stand pense of getting it started and has born, they say, with an hereditary have. Light drinking leads to heavy neither prosperity nor adversity. drinking. Friends and family are The victim is puzzled on coming gone out of his way to get other predisposition to alcoholism, just as prominent men interested. one may be born with a vulnerabil- alienated and employers become out of the alcoholic fog. Without his Rockefeller’s gift was a small one, ity to tuberculosis. The rest seems to disgusted. The drinker smolders being aware of any change, a habit in deference to the insistence of the depend upon environment and with resentment and wallows in self- has gradually become an obsession. originators that the movement be pity. He indulges in childish ratio- After a while, he no longer netds his experience, although one theory has nalizations to justify his drinking: rationalizations to justify the fatal kept on a voluntary, nonpaid basis. it that some people are allergic to al- He has been working hard and he first drink. All he knows is that he There are no salaried organizers, no cohol, as hayfever sufferers are to dues, no officers, and no central deserves to relax; his throat hurts feels swamped by uneasiness or elapollens. Only one note is found to from an old tonsillectomy and a tion, and before he realizes what is control. Locally, the rents of assem- be common to all alcoholics-emobly halls are met by passing the hat tional immaturity. Closely related to drink would ease the pain; he has a happening, he is standing at a bar at meetings. In small communities, headache; his wife does not under- with an empty whiskey pony in this is an observation that an un- stand him; his nerves are jumpy; front of him and a stimulating senno collections are taken, as the usually large number of alcoholics gatherings are held in private start out in life as an only child, as a everybody is against him; and so on sation in his throat. By some homes. A small office in downtown younger child, as the only boy in a and on. He unconsciously becomes peculiar quirk of his mind, he has New York a d s merely as a clear- family of girls or the only girl in a a chronic excuse-maker for himself. been able to draw a curtain over the inghouse for information. There is family of boys. Many have records All the time he is drinking, he tells memory of the intense pain and reno name on the door, and mail is of childhood precocity and were himself and those who butt into his morse caused by preceding stemreceived anonymously through a what are known as spoiled children. affairs that he can really become a winders. After many experiences of controlled drinker if he wants to. To this kind, the alcoholic begins to —

realize that he does not understand have stolen while intoxicated and neurotics from being exposed to himself; he wonders whether his arranges to pay off old debts and to drinking excesses over a period of power of will, though strong in make good on rubber checks; he years. Reeducation of the family is other fields, isn’t defenseless against makes amends to persons he has an essential part of a follow-up proalcohol. He may go on trying to de- abused and, in general, cleans up his gram which has been devised. feat his obsession and wind up in a past as well as he is able to. It is not Alcoholics Anonymous, which is a synthesis of old ideas rather than a W’ sanitarium. He may give up the uncommon for his sponsors to lend fight as hopeless and try to kill him- him money to help out in the early new discovery, owes its existence to had lost out on his main chances. self. Or he may seek outside help. stages. the collaboration of a New York Five months before coming to If he applies to Alcoholics This catharsis is regarded as im- stockbroker and an Akron physi- Akron, he had gone on the water Anonymous, he is first brought portant because of the compulsion cian. Both alcoholics, they met for wagon through the ministrations of around to admit that alcohol has which a feeling of guilt exerts in the the first time a little less than six the Oxford Group in New York. him whipped and that his life has alcoholic obsession. As nothing years ago. In thirty-five years of Fascinated by the problem of alcobecome unmanageable. Having tends to push an alcoholic toward periodic drinking, Dr. Armstrong, holism, he had many times gone achieved this state of intellectual hu- the bottle more than personal re- to give the physician a fictitious back as a visitor to a Central Park mility, he is given a dose of religion sentments, the pupil also makes out name, had drunk himself out of West detoxicating hospital, where in its broadest sense. He is asked to a list of his grudges and resolves not most of his practice. Armstrong had he had been a patient, and talked to believe in a Power that is greater to be stirred by them. At this point, tried everything, including the the inmates. He effected no recoverthan himself, or at least to keep an he is ready to start working on Oxford Group, and had shown no ies, but found that by working on open mind on that subject while he other, active alcoholics. By the improvement. On Mother’s Day, other alcoholics he could stave off goes on with the rest of the pro- process of extroversion, which the 1935, he staggered home, in typical his own craving. gram. Any concept of the Higher work entails, he is able to think less drunk fashion, lugging an expensive A stranger in Akron, Griffith Power is acceptable. A skeptic or of his own troubles. potted plant, which he placed in his knew no alcoholics with whom he agnostic may choose to think of his The more drinkers he succeeds in wife’s lap. Then he went upstairs could wrestle. A church directory, inner self, the miracle of growth, a swinging into Alcoholics Anony- and passed out. which hung in the lobby opposite tree, man’s wonderment at the mous, the greater his responsibility At that moment, nervously pac- the bar, gave him an idea. He telephysical universe, the structure of to the group becomes. He can’t get ing the lobby of an Akron hotel phoned one of the clergymen listed the atom, or mere mathematical in- drunk now without injuring the peo- was the broker from New York, and through him got in touch with a finity. Whatever form is visualized, ple who have proved themselves his whom we shall arbitrarily call member of the local Oxford Group. the neophyte is taught that he must best friends. He is beginning to Griffith. Griffith was in a jam. In This person was a friend of Dr. rely upon it and, in his own way, grow up emotionally and to quit an attempt to obtain control of a Armstrong’s and was able to pray to the Power for strength. being a leaner. If raised in an ortho- company and rebuild his financial introduce the physician and the bro- He next makes a sort of moral dox church, he usually, but not fences, he had come out to Akron ker at dinner. In this manner, Dr. inventory of himself with the private always, becomes a regular commu- and engaged in a fight for proxies. Armstrong became Griffith’s first aid of another person-one of his nicant again. He had lost the fight. His hotel bill real disciple. He was a shaky one at AA sponsors, a priest, a minister, a Simultaneously with the making was unpaid. He was almost flat first. After a few weeks of abstipsychiatrist, or anyone else he over of the alcoholic goes the ro- broke. Griffith wanted a drink. nence, he went East to a medical 51 fancies. If it gives him any relief, he cess of adjusting his family to is may get up at a meeting and recite new way of living. The wife or hus- During his career in Wall Street, convention and came home in a Griffith had turned some sizable liquid state. Griffith, who had his misdeeds, but he is not required band of an alcoholic, and the chil- deals and had prospered, but, stayed in Akron to iron out some t o d o so. He restores what he may dren, too, frequently become through ill-timed drinking bouts, legal tangles arising from the proxy

battle, talked him back to sobriety. carry the extra expense. The Arm- tians, they have moved about, Cleveland newspaperman with a That was on June 10, 1935. The nips strongs, nevertheless, carried on, on finding shelter in the homes of AA surgically collapsed lung moved to the physician took from a bottle borrowed money. Griffith, who had colleagues and sometimes wearing Houston for his health. He got a job proffered by Griffith on that day borrowed clothing. on a Houston paper and, through a a Spartan wife, too, turned his were the last drinks he ever took. Brooklyn home into a duplicate of Having got something started, series of articles which he wrote for Griffith’s lawsuits dragged on, the Akron minage. Mrs. Griffith, a both the prime movers want to retire it, started an AA unit which now holding him over in Akron for six member of an old Brooklyn family, to the fringe of their movement and has thirty-five members. One Housmonths. He moved his baggage to took a job in a department store and spend more time getting back on ton member has moved to Miami the Armstrong home, and together in her spare time played nurse to their feet financially. They feel that and is now laboring to snare some the pair struggled with other alco- inebriates. The Griffiths also bor- the way the thing is set up, it is of the more eminent winter-colony holics. Before Griffith went back to rowed, and Griffith managed to virtually self-operating and self- lushes. A Cleveland traveling sales- New York, two more Akron make odd bits of money around the multiplying. Because of the absence man is responsible for starting small converts had been obtained. Mean- brokerage houses. By the spring of of figureheads and the fact that units in many different parts of the while, both Griffith and Dr. Arm- 1939, the Armstrongs and the there is no formal body of belief to country. Fewer than half of the AA promote, they have no fears that members have ever seen Griffith or strong had withdrawn from the Oxford Group, because they felt that Griffiths had between them cozened about one hundred alcoholics into Alcoholics Anonymous will degen- Dr. Armstrong … For [these] alcoholics, congenial its aggressive evangelism and some sobriety. erate into a cult. of its other methods were hin- In a book which they published at The self-starting nature of the company is now available wherever drances in working with alcoholics. that time, the recovered drinkers de- movement is apparent from letters they happen to be. In the larger They put their own technique on a scribed the cure program and in the files of the New York office. cities, AAs meet one another daily strict take-it-or-leave-it basis and related their personal stories. The Many persons have written in saying at lunch in favored restaurants. The kept it there. title was Alcoholics Anonymous. It that they stoppad drinking as soon Cleveland groups give big parties on Progress was slow. After Griffith was adopted as a name for the as they read the book, and made New Year’s and other holidays, at had returned East, Dr. Armstrong movement itself, which up to then their homes meeting places for small which gallons of coffee and soft and his wife, a Wellesley graduate, had none. As the book got into cir- local chapters. Evm a fairly large drinks are consumed. Chicago holds c o n v e d their home into a free culation, the movement spread unit, in Little Rock, got started in open house on Friday, Saturday, refuge for alcoholics and an experi- rapidly. this way. An Akron civil engineer and Sunday-alternately, on the mental laboratory for the study of Today [1941], Dr. Armstrong is and his wife, in gratitude for his North, West, and South Sides-so the guests’ behavior. One of the still struggling to patch up his prac- cure four years ago, have been that no lonesome AA need revert to guests, who, unknown to his hosts, tice. The going is hard. He is in debt steadily taking alcoholics into their liquor over the weekend for lack of was a manic depressive as well as an because of his contributions to the home. Out of thirty-five such companionship. Some play cribbage wards, thirty-one have recovered. or bridge, the winner of each hand alcoholic, ran wild one night with a movement and the time he devotes kitchen knife. He was overcome gratis to alcoholics. Being a pivotal Twenty pilgrims from Cleveland contributing to a kitty for paying of before he had stabbed anyone. man in the group, he is unable to caught the idea in Akron and entertainment expenses. The others After a year and a half, a t g a l of turn down the requests for help returned home to start a group of listen to the radio, dance, eat, or ten persons had responded to the which flood his office. their own. From Cleveland, by just talk. All alcoholics, drunk or program and were abstaining. What Griffith is even deeper in the hole. various means, the movement has sober, like to gab. They are among was left of the family savings had For the past two years. he and his spread to Chicago, Detroit, St. the most society-loving people in the gone into the work. The physician’s wife have had no home in the ordi- Louis, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, world, which may help to explain new sobriety caused a revival in his nary sense of the word. In a manner Atlanta, San Francisco, Evansville, why they got to be alcoholics in the practice, but not enough of one to reminiscent of the primitive Chris- and other cities. An alcoholic first place.

A A G R A P ~ V I N E ,J A N U A R Y 1977

Have We Forgotten Dr. Bob’s Request?

fectiveness of psychotherapy offers A STATEMENT LIKE the following might be expected from an AA speaker suffering from an acute case repeatedly taught me that if the quality of my life is not what it should be, the best place for me to persuasive evidence that this is not where it’s at. of overenthusiasm and so might be go for counseling or therapy is to In 1952, Dr. H. J. Eysenck, an discounted as partisan zeal. the Big Book or to an AA member English psychologist, divided into Beguiled by “If the alcoholic works the who has done enough continuing three groups thousands of World Twelve Steps and develops the work with the Steps to understand War I1 veterans hospitalized for new therapies, fellowship available through the AA that “how it works” means this is mental illness. Some of the men some AA members program, this will be far more effec- how it works. were given psychoanalytic treattive than any form of psychotherapy Several days before the 1975 In- ment; some received other kinds of fail t~ heed I know of.” ternational Convention in Denver, I therapy; and a third group got no a co-founder’s That statement came, however, in listened to a tape of Dr. Bob’s last treatment at all. admonition to a conversation I had with Dr. talk. It had been made a quarter of a Measured on an “improvement Hobart Mowrer, research professor century earlier (July 1950) in scale,” forty-four percent of the “keep it simple” of psychology at the University of Cleveland, at our Fellowship’s first first group improved with psy- Illinois. Dr. Mowrer is interna- international gathering. Dr. Bob choanalysis; sixty-four percent of tionally recognized for his substan- described AA’s beginning and the second, with other therapies; tial contributions in his field. growth up to that date. He then and seventy-t wo percent of the third It’s always useful for me to said, “Let’s not louse it all up with got better with no treatment at all. remember that AA is where the Freudian complexes and things that More recently, Dr. Werner clergymen come to find God’s help are interesting to the scientific mind Mendel, professor of psychiatry at to stay sober. It’s the place the but have little t o d o with our actual the University of Southern Califorpsychiatrists and psychologists AA work.” nia, directed a similar study.’ come to find the kind of group During the twenty-six years that Trained psychoanalysts treated the therapy that will bring sobriety and have passed since Bob made these patients in the first group; less order to their lives. remarks about Freudian analysis, highly trained psychologists and I sobered up in AA in August many other theories have come into psychotherapists treated the second 1947, and the years since have prominence. Evaluation of the ef- I . The Eysenck and Mendel studies are quotrd in A Scream Away From Happiness, by Dan Casrirl. MD.

group; and the third group was “Once these AAs began under the care of employees with no to work the Steps, their symptoms vanished” formal training in therapy. The third group, treated by staff studies of the effectiveness of these a sponsor, not a therapist. He needs him about three years ago. “Groups members without formal training in groups revealed little permanent im- a sponsor who will work with him such as Gamblers Anonymous, therapy, showed the most improve- provement in the members, and just as carefully and thoughtfully as Overeaters Anonymous, and ment. The first group, treated by sometimes substantial damage. The Dr. Bob worked with Earl. Schizophrenics Anonymous bear an staff members with the most exten- learning supposed to come from Dr. William Glasser, the Califor- obvious resemblance to AA. There sive training in psychotherapy, what the late Abraham Maslow im- nia psychiatrist who parlayed the are many other self-help organizashowed the least improvement. mortalized as the “peak ex- phrase “reality therapy” into a for- tions that use similar approaches. Understandably startled, Mendel perience” proves to be an elusive tune, made a striking observation They work when nothing else does. repeated the experiment, with iden- commodity for the person trying to on his view of the client-therapist A danger I’ve observed is that when tical results. translate it into a better life 365 days relationship. “Let’s face it,” said they start to become successful, they Though there are instances when, a year. Careful examination reveals Glasser. “When a patient pays a grow concerned about improving after sobriety has been attained, much less to all of these therapies therapist, all he’s doing is buying a the quality of their help by adding a severe emotional or mental distur- than meets the eye. Is this why Dr. friend.”2 professional touch. This overlooks . bances may require medical atten- Bob asked us to not louse up our Despite massive evidence that the fact that the professionals tion, most AAs would do better to Fellowship with these “advanced” much therapy simply does not work, couldn’t help them in the first place. work the Steps harder and more fre- approaches? I think it is. both alcoholics and nonalcoholics “Recently, I read a study on this quently if they want t o get rid of Exactly how Bob carried the eagerly pursue the new pop development in self-help groups ensymptoms of depression, anxiety, message is described movingly on therapies. Seeking relief from their titled ‘The Perils of C~llaboration.”~ fear, hostility, apathy, and so on. page 292 in the Big Book. Bob was symptoms in group gropes, primal The title sums up the problem. In- A few years ago, many people en- working with Earl, who was destin- screams, or pronouncements that variably, when a working self-help thusiastically hailed encounter ed to start AA in Chicago. Spending “I’m okay,” they ignore the very group moves in the direction of progroups and sensitivity groups as the three or four hours with Earl, Dr. good evidence that self-help, fessionalism, it begins to lose its agents that would bring the new Bob took him through the pioneered by AA, is effective, ability to help people. There are utopia. Those who were “with it,” equivalent of the first eight Steps of universal, and free. some critical dangers here. It workalong with men and women earnest- our program that day. Bob didn’t Helping others without charge is ed in the first place because a bunch ly seeking release from agonizing in- get paid for it. By profession, he crucial for our own recoveries. It of amateurs got together to help ner torment, began “getting in was a physician, but he did this as seems to be a basic factor in the en- themselves precisely because the touch with their feelings.” Beating an amateur. tire self-help field. Dr. Leonard pros could not help them.” pillows, crying, sobbing, shouting, Again and again, I’ve met AA Borman, an anthropologist, is In fact, professionalism, along swearing, screaming, embracing, members who suffered from depres- research associate at Northwestern with vast amounts of state and and doing a few other things we sion, anxiety, fear, hostility, and University’s Center for Urban Af- Federal money and liberal insurance won’t discuss here, they embarked other symptoms because they had fairs He has carefully studied the payments, has made treating drunks on what purported to be a great failed to use the Twelve Steps. This self-help phenomenon for a number a high-profit industry. In order to voyage of discovery, toward full includes AAs with years of sobriety. of years. justify the high prices that create the realization of their human potential. Once these AAs began to work the “The self-help approach seems to high profits, institutions lard their The movement spawned beautiful Steps, their symptoms vanished. An have gotten its start from AA,” Dr. programs with the kind of therapy thoughts aplenty, but after the AA member who suffers from such Borman said when I interviewed popular at the moment. Wherever shouting began to subside, serious symptoms or can’t stay sober needs 2. Psychology Today. February 1974 3. Mark KW~nan,in Journal o f Applied Behavioral Scicnw, Swn~ner1976

possible, they’ll sign up the drunk what Dr. Bob was talking about? 1 money and professionalism.” willingness t o cooperate with God’s for outpatient therapy groups. It imagine so. Let’s not trade our The path of history is strewn with power and to change through applywould be incorrect t o say that the spiritual birthright for a mess of the wreckage of once-vigorous ing the Steps. The program is a various brands of therapy coming psychiatric pottage. spiritual movements that flourished, road, not a resting place. In my exand going with the seasons ac- I interviewed Msgr. William then floundered, and finally died. perience, any alcoholic who will complish nothing at all. One thing O’Brien, president of the board of They died because they lost touch work all these Steps with a continuthey do with disturbing frequency is directors of Daytop Village in New with their healing legacies. They ing, lifelong commitment will find confuse the alcoholic about where York. Daytop is a highly successful became successful, popular, and that this program meets his needs his help really lies. And where it lies therapeutic community for drug ad- ultimately diluted. The promise that and fulfills his dreams. at any stage of sobriety is in AA, dicts. It uses principles very similar quickened the hearts of the helpless Change is not necessarily progworking every one of the Twelve to AA’s. Msgr. O’Brien knows a withered and disappeared. ress, and more is not necessarily Steps. great deal about what works and AA was born because there was better. Let’s be friendly with Dr. V. Edwin Bixenstine, a pro- what doesn’t work. He says, no other help for the drunk. It everybody. At the same time, let’s fesspr of psychology at Kent State “Training in psychotherapy ill didn’t come into being as one of pay attention to the wisdom of the University, is thoroughly familiar equips the therapist for helping with many successful methods for ar- friends who are quoted in these with our program and the role of the problems of addiction.” resting alcoholism. It began as the pages. And, too, let’s remember Dr. Steps in restoring a troubled human When Bill, our co-founder, was only thing that offered hope to Bob’s request t o not louse AA up being to usefulness and community. offered a job at Towns Hospital as a drunks like you and me. It’s still the but to keep it simple and retain our Dr. Bixenstine told me, “One trou- therapist, why do you suppose every only thing. healing legacy. His vision is even ble I see with treatment programs is one of those early AAs said, “Bill, Our experience shows overwhelm- more important for you and me tothat they look on AA as an adjunct you can’t d o this to us”? Un- ingly that our salvation is not depen- day than it was in 1950. or an ingredient in their program. doubtedly, Bill would have brought dent on expensive therapeutic pro- Have we forgotten his request? Give the patient a little AA, some a flood of alcoholic business to grams. Our salvation starts with Paul M., Riverside, Ill. Antabuse, some kind of therapy, Charlie Towns’s establishment. etc. I think AA is a way of life What d o you think would have hapthrough the Steps. The multi- pened t o our Fellowship’if Bill disciplinary approach blurs this fun- hadn’t remained an amateur? With damental reality. I have no con- a sharply focused vision of the real fidence in any alcoholism treat- roots of our recovery process, those ments that don’t create a basic early members saw the perils. change in a person’s life. Therapies Helping others at no charge is the don’t do this. AA does. That’s why foundation of our own recoveries I’m very high on Alcoholics and o f our Fellowship’s continuing Anonymous for helping alcoholics health and growth. Its crucial role live soberly and usefully. I don’t see was emphasized in a farewell letter anything else around that provides t o the AA General Service Office AA’s methods or its results.” from a recently retired nonalcoholic The alcoholic who is fed this trustee, Dr. Vincent Dole. He said, multidisciplinary stew is lucky, in- “My greatest concern for the future deed, if he understands the primary of AA is that the principle of perrole of AA in his recovery. Is this sonal service might be eroded by

AA Grapevine, February 1977

Remember Dr. Bob A s a student nurse, she worked with him and learned to love him long beforeshe joined AA

1 N THE WORDS of the legendary Sister Ignatia, “He always seemed different from the rest. . . .” could precede us, we all knew that Dr. R. H. S. would push us ahead of himself, just as he’d glare above his And as a student nurse at City glasses and growl, “Sit down, Hospital in Akron, Ohio, during the woman!” when we’d automatically early thirties, I felt precisely the start to rise upon his entrance to the same way about Dr. R-H. chart room (nurses’ station, in to- S-. He was different from the day’s jargon). Most unusual of all, rest, wonderfully different. he’d thank us after we’d made For one thing, he was neither rounds with him or helped change a pompous nor condescending. He dressing. didn’t ignore me or, for that matter, These characteristics and memany other student. Obviously unim- ories came flooding back into my’ pressed by either rank or status, he: mind years later when I became a had the same greeting for every member of Alcoholics Anonymous female on the staff, from first-year and realized that my wonderful Dr. student to charge nurse or super- R. H. S. and AA’s beloved Dr. Bob visor – a democratic “Hiya, were one and the same man. woman!” His now-famous admonition to And in those pre-women’s-lib “Keep it simple” was a pre-AA indays, when we’d step aside a t a n novation. Dr. Bob always kept elevator or door so that doctors things simple, and the nurses who

– –

scrubbed for him loved him for it. His surgical skills were admired and “. . . he was kind, with an innate kindness he didn’t have to work at.” highly respected by nurses and doctors alike, yet he used fewer instru- traits of Dr. Bob that I believe had a black band. He went on writing a very special privilege; I only know I ments and other operating-room positive influence on the providen- long time, then looked up at me shall cherish the experience as I do paraphernalia than any other tial principles of AA. During my over his glasses. no other in my life. It was the fall of surgeon. third year, I had completed the most “Well,” he said quietly, “we’ll 1935, a date significant to me now, And never once did I see him ex- rigorous part of my training and just have to get some more. Set it up but not then. It was only a few hibit the prima donna behavior was at last permitted to wear a black again, and let me know when you’re months after Dr. Bob’s last drink. employed by many surgeons when band on my cap. Now, more was ex- ready .” I was passing the elevator when its unforeseen or disturbing situations pected of me, and I worked in con- Despite his gentle manner, I door clanked open (elevator doors arose. Instead, on such occasions, stant dread of making an error and didn’t dare hope I was off the hook. didn’t glide in those days), and I was his somewhat raspy voice would losing my coveted black band. The patient must still be attended startled to see Dr. Bob shove, and become soft and low. Orders were I had been ordered to assist Dr. to. As I again struggled to hold him not gently, a dirty, unkempt, ungiven quietly. The rougher the go- Bob with a lumbar puncture on a in the proper position, into the shaven, and obviously intoxicated ing, the more calm he became, and patient who was not only uncooper- room walked my supervisor! In a man out into the hallway. I’m sure this attitude infected us all. A good ative, but irrational. He thrashed low, suspicious voice she asked, my surprise showed. This type of many years went by before I learned around violently, making it difficult “Didn’t I see you doing this same patient was never seen on M3. He that many times that remarkable for me to hold him, while Dr. Bob, thing to this patient a half-hour obviously belonged two floors man had been suffering tortures unruffled and speaking quietly to ago?” below in the charity ward. But Dr. known only to us alcoholics all the the patient, removed three cc’s of Before I had a chance to answer, Bob, steadying the lurching figure while he had been relieving the ten- fluid from the spinal column. that kind, beautiful man looked up by the scruff of the neck, peered a t sions of those who were assisting Dr. Bob grimed a t me in his l o g and said, in his New England twang, me over his horn-rimmed glasses him. sided way and said, “Well, we did “Ayeh, we did. And this young and said, “Now listen to me, wom- Most of all, he was kind, with an it, didn’t we, woman?” Handing me woman was so concerned about the an! I want you to do exactly what I innate kindness he didn’t have to the test tube, he added, “Better take specimen, she volunteered to take it tell you to do. Exactly! Forget all work at. He possessed an inner it to the lab yourself, so we can be to the lab herself. But I dropped the about those things they’ve been strength, yet never threw his weight sure nothing happens to it. They’ll damned thing before she could get teaching about admitting patients. I around. He never fawned in the need every drop for the tests.” hold of it.” don’t care what your charge nurse presence of prestige or wealth nor Full of pride because he trusted As I stood stunned with astonish- tells you. Don’t undress him. Don’t patronized those whose position in me so much, I started for the lab. ment and gratitude, Dr. Bob shed give him an admission bath. Forget life was less than his. He told us The tube slipped from my fingers his surgical gown, mask, and cap, about the urine specimen. Don’t d o students that pain was the greatest and shattered on the tile floor, splat- dropped them to the floor, muttered anything-do you understand? leveler and that our suffering pa- tering the light yellow fluid in all over his shoulder, “Thank you, Nothing! I don’t care if he wets the tients were all the same and should directions. woman,” and strode out of the bed or pukes all over it. Don’t be treated with equal solicitude and Dr. Bob was in the chart room room. change it. I don’t care if he lies on compassion regardless of the loca- getting his notes up to date. Halting- A few months later, I was doing the floor. Leave him there. Just one tion of their beds – charity wards ly, I told him what had happened, “three to eleven” on a posh private- thing. He’s gonna want a drink-I or posh private rooms. And he prac- certain he would, as a matter of pro- room floor, a place not usually mean whiskey. Tell him he can have ticed what he preached. cedure, report me to the director of assigned to student nurses. I don’t all he wants, just as long as he One incident reveals character nurses-and gone would be my know why I was chosen for this drinks an ounce of paraldehyde

before he has the whiskey. Remem- either. He said now he knew he was ber, one ounce of each, whiskey going to get better. He had hope! [he didn’t say spiritus fmmenti] He told me, too, that he was a then paraldehyde. And, remember, lawyer and had been born in the woman, forget you’re a nurse. I’ll South. I don’t remember what state, write the orders so you won’t get in but I d o remember that he said he trouble. Put him in 306.They know belonged to Tau Kappa Epsilon. (I about it downstairs. I’ll be around guess I remember that because I’d tomorrow morning.” With that, he gone with a member of that fraternistrode down the corridor, his wild ty in college .) socks, as usual, showing below the I don’t know to this day any more cuffs of his blue serge trousers. about that patient, but I do know The offbeat patient did just as Dr. that I had the rare opportunity to Bob predicted. He started to yell for see my beloved Dr. Bob in actiona drink in a very short time. He got carrying that miraculous message the paraldehyde and whiskey, then just as it was carried to me not quite curled up on the floor, started to five years ago! snore, and was incontinent of biad- As I put these memories down on der. Three hours later, the pro- paper, I’m again overwhelmed by cedure was repeated, and just before the conviction that everything about I went off duty, I looked in on him. our program has been providential. He had somehow gotten into bed, From what I’ve read by and about but waved me away, saying, “I’m Bill W., and from what I know from not gonna drink any more of that personal experience of Dr. Bob, I’m damned white stuff!” sure no two men could have been And he didn’t. I was told to stay more different: Bill W., the imout of the room unless he lit his pulsive, competitive power-driver light, but each day I’d look in, and (by his own account) and the unasthere was always someone a t his suming, idealistic Dr. Bob. Yet, in bedside-sometimes several people, my opinion, this was exactly as it including women. Then one day he should have been. They learned walked into the utility room where I from each other and profited by was rinsing out syringes. Surely this their mistakes and shortcomings. wasn’t the same man! He was clear- They discarded their weaknesses eyed, shaved, and smiling. Not only and combined their strengths, and that, he was courteous and obvious- thus AA was born and has been kept ly well educated. alive and growing by members who The most peculiar thing about follow the God-given guidelines set this man, however, was the fact that down by these two. God bless them he talked about his “drinking prob- both. lem.” He didn’t seem unhappy, B. M.B., Naples, Fla.

AA Grapevine, June 1977

How an understandingpsychiatrist came to give Bill W. and five other AAs the “run of the ward” I T SOUNDED like a death sentence: “The medical profession has nothing for you. The clergy has nothing for you. There’s nobody in God’s world can help you. You’re a chronic alcoholic, period! ” Those words were spoken by a The First Hospital Group psychiatrist, the medical superintendent of a New York State mental hospital early in 1939. They were But Joe’s recovery, like that of Rockland is recreated again and He estimated a total AA memberdirected at a patient who had been many other seemingly hopeless alco- again. Chronic repeaters, mentally ship of 350,* including the Middle committed to the institution follow- holic patients, was not entirely the and physically sick alcoholics, first West, “where there is more activity ing his conviction of a serious crime result of “these men and this book,” reach out dimly for help, grasp the than here [on the East Coast].” perpetrated during a blackout. even though one of the men was basic principles of the program, and Dr. Blaisdell was so impressed by Then, indicating half a dozen men AA’s co-founder. Bill gave much then in turn carry the message to AA’s results that he permitted busassembled in the office, the doctor credit to a psychiatrist, Dr. Russell other patients. And, as it was in loads of patients to attend regular added, “Maybe these men and this E. Blaisdell, who permitted these Rockland in 1939, their recovery AA meetings outside the hospital, in book can help you.” early AA members to talk to the through AA is made possible by the the care of persons with no more The men were Bill W. and five alcoholic patients in the hospital, cooperation and encouragement of credentials than periods of sobriety other recovered alcoholics. The giving AAs, in Bill’s words, “the hospital medical and administrative in AA. As Bill describes it in AA book was the newly published first run of their ward.” staffs. Comes of Age, Dr. Blaisdell “went edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. In Alcoholics Anonymous Comes In December 1939, before the end way out on a limb” professionally The patient was a man named Joe, of Age, Bill writes that under Dr. of AA’s first year of participation with this policy. Meanwhile, an AA whose drinking, by his own later Blaisdell, Rockland State Hospital at Rockland, Bill was invited to meeting had been established on a estimate, had led to probably seventy- was the first to enter into full- speak before the hospital board of regular basis in Rockland Hospital five arrests and thirty-five admissions scale cooperation with AA and pro- physicians and administrators. Bill itself. “The grimmest imaginable t o New York’s Bellevue Hospital. vide facilities to start “the first had been sober five years; most of cases began to get well and stay that The doctor’s doleful “maybe” mental hospital group.” the other AAs, considerably less. He way when released,” Bill wrote. became a incredible reality. When Today, thirty-eight years later, apologized for not being able to “Thus began AA’s first working rethe second edition of Alcoholics there are AA groups in more than supply the hospital staff with the lationship with a mental hospital. Anonymous was published in 1955, 1,280 hospitals, including mental exact recovery figures they would like . . . Dr. Blaisdell had written a Joe had attained well over eleven hospitals and other medical facilities to have, then explained: “We have bright page in the annals of alcoyears of continuous sobriety, and providing treatment for alcoholic been so busy trying to get people holism.” his story, “Joe’s Woes,” had be- patients. In practically all of them, well that we haven’t bothered with Sharing in the work with Rockland come a part of the new Big Book. the success of those early days in card indices and so on.” patients at that time were two early ‘1977 estimate of A A membership worldwide: over I.&W,&W

members,Bob and Mag V., who held Bob and other AAs expanded this to the Alcoholic Foundation (now to meetings in three counties-Put- AA meetings in their house in near- work. the General Service Board) dated nam, Westchester, and Rockland. by Monsey, N.Y. Buses from the hos- The procedure as Bill described it December 19, 1946. The letter states The hospital psychiatrists recogpital also hauled patients to meetings to the board thirty-eight years ago is that a new AA group was starting nize that the highest therapeutic in New York City, thirty miles away, still prevalent and proves effective at the hospital, with “the first meet- benefit comes from these outside and in South Orange, N.J. today in hundreds of hospitals all ing to take place tonight.” meetings. Patients, perhaps ten or Physicians friendly to AA in the over the United States, Canada, So much for “ancient history.” fifteen, find themselves in the midst Greystone and Overbrook Hospitals and other parts of the world. “We What about today? of as many as 180 sober alcoholics in New Jersey had previously re- have the patient’s doctor introduce AA is still “in” at Rockland. Jim and their families. They see the efleased three or four alcoholic pa- us into the picture as a man who T. of Nanuet, N.Y., takes outside fect of AA, its power to produce tients into AA; but according to has recovered, as one who wishes AAs to Rockland for two meetings and maintain sobriety, fellowship, Bill, Rockland was the first to enter to be helpful in order to help him- each week, as he has for the past and happiness. The impact on the into full-scale cooperation with self.” sixteen years. At least four years patients is tremendous, states a Alcoholics Anonymous. Purists may object that the AA prior to Jim’s work, Manhattan’s hospital staff member, himself a Even before the Rockland meet- meetings at Rockland in 1939 did Park Madison Group took meetings recovered alcoholic. ings, a precedent had been set for not constitute an autonomous AA into the hospital. What Bill told the hospital board sober alcoholics to work with hos- group as it is defined today, even In the detox unit at Rockland, that first year still applies today, not pitalized drunks. Bill had been treated though Bill called it a “group.” three AA meetings are held each only in Rockland but in the 1,280 at Towns Hospital in New York, Technicalities aside, evidence that week, and there are two in the other hospitals: “We don’t feel that and as he explained to the Rockland the 1939 meetings were effective is rehabilitation unit. In addition, vol- our approach is in any way comboard, “I got into the habit of going shown by a letter, dated December unteer AAs conduct closed AA petitive. We find the doctor, the back there and talking to the pa- 23, 1939, in which alcoholic patients meetings in the alcoholic ward on hospital, the psychiatrist and psytients.” Bid and Dr. Bob had worked thank Dr. Blaisdell for enabling Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. chologist are all playing an imporwith hospital patients in Akron, with them to meet with AA members. Busing to outside meetings still con- tant part. . . . Our various efforts the incalculable aid of Sister Ignatia. Documentary evidence of a “for- tinues. Three minibuses, driven by supplement each other.” After Bill returned to New York, mal” AA group is found in a letter recovered alcoholics, take patients L. H., Manhattan, N. Y.

September 1977

tral thread was the many opportu- various state and local bar associations nities for service that lawyers have in have turned their attention toward carrying the message of AA. The the problem of alcohol and drug conclusion was that with caution, abuse in the profession. These in- I International Lawyers sensitivity, and a keen eye on AA principles, we could do much to carry clude: bar association committees designed to educate association members on the problem; in some in AA the message, without risking our professional reputations or practices. states, grievance procedures man- From the outset, ILAA was heavily dating treatment; and in some states, indebted to International Doctors in active groups of lawyers finding They are regular AAs, but they AA for advicc and inspiration. We self-help and hope as recovering search for opportunities to serve learned from the IDAA members that alcoholics. IDAA is not a special-purpose group The official efforts show that there through their profession -that these doctors belong to regular is concern on the public level. On the AA groups in their home communi- private, personal level, ILAA seeks to ties and get together annually in be there t o provide the helping hand IDAA for supplementary sharing, of AA when an attorney hits bottom. I N A PLUSH, sophisticated office in downtown New York, six attorneys gathered one evening in in Buffalo in September 1976, and again there were about twenty. The convention started on Friday evening identification, fellowship, and support. Like IDAA, the lawyer groups can serve as a vestibule of AA for lawyers ILAA emphatically does not seek to form a separatist or elitist group. Instead, it serves as a sharing commid-April. Their subject was not with a real down-to-earth sharing who have developed a drinking munity, demonstrating to the some colossal corporate merger or session. We talked about a lot of problem. Initially, they would find it frightened, guilt-laden lawyer that he antitrust litigation; it was individual things-ourselves, our drinking, and easier to go to a group where there is not alone. It is a bridge to regular sobriety. They shared their experi- what we were looking for in such a were other lawyers. Later, it would AA, rather than a closet for self-proence, strength, and hope to reinforce group. Insofar as our drinking stor- be natural for them to enter the main- claimed professionals. and deepen their sobriety. Out of this ies were concerned, there was a lot of stream of AA. Another advantage is ILAA is still a fledgling organimeeting, another group of Inter- good, solid, relevant identification. that ILAA provides an opportunity zation. Through correspondence and national Lawyers in Alcoholics We were not alone. All kinds of dif- for discussing certain matters of a periodic newsletter, it shares infor- Anonymous (ILAA) would, they ficulties experienced in the practice common interest to AA members in mation on the alcoholism field of hoped, carry the message to other of law, as a result of booze, were the legal profession, an opportunity concern to lawyers. A third convention alcoholic lawyers that they were not shared. not really available in one’s home will be held in Toronto in September. alone. On Saturday morning, we focused group. Those who wish to be added to the ILAA was founded in September on problems encountered in our We in AA are not the only ones mailing list may write to: Secretary, 1975 at a meeting in Niagara Falls, practices when AA principles or pol- concerned with the problems of the ILAA, Room 202, 111 Pearl Street, Ont., at which twenty lawyers were icies were involved. When and under drinking lawyer. Around the nation, Hartford, Conn. 06103. present: sixteen from Canada and what circumstances should we divulge I. S., Hartford, Conn. four from the United States. This was our affiliation with AA? What can the first opportunity for members of or should we do if we see another the legal profession to share their lawyer or colleague in difficulty as a AA experience. result of booze? Or perhaps it is a The second annual convention was client who is in difficulty. One cen-

September 1977

A Treasury of AA History by Nell Wing

A nonalcoholic who has served A A almost from the beginning writes of her new work as A A archivist

I CAME TO WORK for the A ~ o – bers, today it is estimated that about holic Foundation (the old name for the AA General Service Board) 100,000 new people join AA in one year. Today’s estimated membership At her desk in the sunny main room of the archives, Nell Wing welcomes visitors and answers questions on AA history from AAs around the world.

in March 1947, when AA was only stands at more than a million- radio programs, newspaper articles, steadily in Canada and overseas. twelve years old. The Fellowship then enough to boggle the mind of even a and two excellent documentary films Lone Members were touching and was barely out of its infancy, with a nonalcoholic! on AA. Time Magazine and the changing the lives of suffering alcomembership of about 40,000 in some The year I came to the foundation Reader’s Digest carried articles, and holics all over the world. Captain 1,200 groups. -in fact, that entire decade, 1945 to the latter brought in more than 3,000 Jack S., soon to be the founder of There were thirteen people, includ- 1955-was an exciting and important inquiries in one month alone. The a group of AA seamen, the Intering Bill W., in our three-room office time in AA history, probably the medical profession gave AA the nationalists, was seeking out alcoholics at 415 Lexington Avenue, directly most productive period of growth Lasker Award in 1951 and recognized in various ports of call, leaving across from Grand Central Station and development we’ve seen to date. alcoholism as a disease in 1956, and behind pamphlets and books and in New York City. Before I arrived What was happening? The Big the Veterans Administration began potential members. American AA on the scene, an office manager had Book was earning money, and had to open the doors of its hospitals servicemen stationed in foreign been brought in to shape up the rather been since 1942. Old debts had been to AA. countries were following in the footfreewheeling office crew, who had repaid. The trustees were passing Inside AA, too, things were steps of earlier Loners who had divided up the jobs among themselves resolutions about making AA self- popping! Bill was writing the Twelve dropped AA’s message into fertile and turned rebellious at the first hint supporting. By 1945, the groups were Traditions, and they were being soil along the East Coast and in the of discipline. Indeed, they shortly contributing to the support of the published in the Grapevine. The Midwest of the United States in quit en masse. office. During 1946 and 1947 espe- Grapevine itself was evolving, be- the 1940’s. Today, some thirty years later, cially, the public became much inter- ginning to be recognized as the inter- At Headquarters, Bill was working there are seventy-three employees ested in AA, and various Hollywood national journal of the Fellowship. on plans for a future General Service occupying three and a half floors. It studios were in contact with our lntergroup offices were being estab- Conference, and he and the trustees seems incredible that, whereas it took Headquarters, wanting to make a lished in localities where there were were hotly debating the merits of this twelve years to garner 40,000 mem- movie about AA. There were good many groups, and AA was growing idea. The issue caused much concern

A cabinet (left) contains the Lasker Award, given to AA in 1951, copies of the Safurday Evening Post and Liberly Magazines that ran articles on AA,,a manuscript copy of the Big Book, and other memorabilia. Below, the microfilm viewer is used by an AA member to look over some historical documents.

archives, a project that got under way about four years ago. With the advice of a professional librarian, I set about Rows of files contain correspondence wading through and organizing belween co-founders Bill and Dr. Bob. mounds of accumulated correspon- On the right are a handwritten let- dence and historical records. In the ter from “Doc” to Bill and part of fall of 1973, the Archives Committee Bill’s reply. was set up as a standing committee of the General Service Board. It deliberates on matters of policy and and bitterness, with many board groups and members only, all others budget, guards the integrity and members threatening to resign and to be declined. confidentiality of all archives some doing it (though all took back At the 1950 International Con- material, and considers requests from their resignations later on). Bill finally vention, the Twelve Traditions-de- individuals who want permission to won the approval of Dr. Bob and the fining and describing the principles use the archives for research projects. majority of the trustees for his idea, of AA unity-were accepted by the But the main purpose of the comand in October 1950, the board em- membership. And at the 1955 Con- mittee is to help keep the record powered Bill to proceed to organize vention, Bill formally turned over straight. the Conference, which held its first the guidance of AA’s affairs to the The archives occupy three rooms meeting in 1951. Fellowship. on the eighth floor at 468 Park Ave- In the late lWO’s, controversy also The 1940’s had been years of nue South, where the General Service developed over implied participation creation and change, establishing offices were proliferating in other Office is located. There, on any by AA in the fund-raising activity of basic structure and tradition. The countries; literature distribution working day, you’ll find me and my an outside agency, causing the 1950’s were years of consolidation. centers opened around the world; two AA assistants hard at worktrustees to issue a policy statement Groups and members communicated general service boards and confer- sorting out historical material, prodeclaring that AA would ask no en- not so much via long, newsy letters ences were being organized abroad. cessing the new material we receive dorsement and solicit no funds from as through more businesslike letters Everywhere, AA was steadily growing daily, and answering the many inn o n – U sources.To lessen the chance from groups to GSO. GSO became and maturing. And of course, the quiries and other correspondence that of misinterpretation, the trustees more of a real service office, less an growth of AA since 1970 is a story come across our desks. passed a firm resolution, in 1949, to advisory entity. in itself. Archives material consists of docaccept contributions from AA During the 1960’s, general service Now, it’s time to talk about the uments and other records of AA’s

A large wall map (right) shows the location of general service offices, central offices, groups, L.o~~rr$,and literature di>tribution centers. Below, one wall displays pictures of all International Conventions from 1950 to 1975. On table are bulletins, Conference reports, and AA directories.

The early days of AA come alive in history, divided into three principal photos of the co-founders; Bill’s visit the archives? You’ll see photocategories: Bill’s and Dr. Bob’s letters an@Lois’s Brooklyn home, where the graphs of people, places, and events and records; historical records of first New York meetings took place; in M history; the Lasker Award, early groups (1940 to 1945); and and Dr. William D. Silkworth. presented to AA in 1951; bulletins, Alcoholic Foundation-GSO records directories, and reports from early (1937 to 1955). All of this has been years to the present; early and current microfilmed, indexed, and placed in vation of area history and making the Grapevines; different editions and coded storage boxes, with everything whole archival project more com- printings of the Big Book and other done in duplicate. prehensive. literature; phonograph records, Along with organizing and micro- Bill W.’s widow, Lois, who is scrapbooks, and memorabilia. Evenfilming already available material, currently writing her autobiography, tually, we hope to give visitors the we’ve been engaged in creating and has been helpful and interested, and opportunity to hear the voices of the continuing to build an oral-history We’re accumulating state, provin- has contributed valuable information two co-founders, along with tapes of section. Interviews with many early cial, and overseas AA histories, from her own files. These include a many others who are a part of AA members, some done by Bill W. in encouraging individuals knowledge- duplicate of an early scrapbook and history, alcoholics and nonalcoholics the early 1950’s and others taped able about their areas to write them copies of her correspondence with alike. more recently, make up the bulk of up. Many have been received, and Bill in 1935, when he went to Akron We hope to give you a real sense this section, and new tapes are con- more are in the works. and first met Dr. Bob. Especially in- of the whole span of AA history, new stantly being received. So far this An exciting current development, teresting are copies of her diaries insight, and new appreciation of year, we’ve interviewed about thirty we think, is the enthusiasm expressed dating from 1937 to 1954. These AA’s beginnings and development. people-AAs and n o n – A h . We’re for establishing local archival and contain intimate and affecting For AA history doesn’t stop–it keeps also retaping some old materials in tape centers. Now being set up in glimpses of events and her reactions on growing and becoming. As Bill a format of better quality and greater many areas of the U.S., Canada, and to them during the early, struggling and the early members used to say, durability, making them more useful other countries, they will be a won- years of AA. “AA isn’t an achievement; it’s a for researchers and others. derful means of ensuring the preser- What else can you expect when you process, a continuing process. “

February 1978

12 Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities

The Bill W. = Yale Correspondence Bill’s letters declining an honorary degree, unpublished in his lifetime, set an example of personal humility for A A today and tomorrow

E ARLY IN 1954, after considerable soul-searching, Bill W. made a painful decision that ran acceptance of the honor have sown seeds that, in time, would have destroyed AA? These are some of the If your trustees approve this formula, I should then like to submit it to the Yale Corporation for their W. W.: Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. For twenty years, this Felcounter to his own strong, self- questions that figured in Bill’s per- consideration. lowship has rendered a distinguished admitted desire for personal achieve- plexity and in his prayers. The wording can be considerably service to mankind. Victory has ment and recognition. The Grapevine is publishing the, improved. We shall work on that been gained through surrender, The AA co-founder declined, correspondence between Bilt and during the next few months, but in fame achieved through anonymity, with humble gratitude, an honorary Reuben A. Holden, then secretary every instance we shall be sure it and for many tens of thousands, degree of Doctor of Laws offered of the university. The exchange of has your unqualified blessing. the emotional, the physical, and the by Yale, one of the nation’s oldest, letters followed a personal visit to Thanks for your hospitality on spiritual self has been rediscovered most famous, and most prestigious Bill from Mr. Holden and Professor Tuesday and for your thoughtful and reborn. This nonprofessional universities. Acceptance would have Selden Bacon in January of 1954. consideration of our invitation. movement, rising from the depths brought him-and AA-enormous The following week, Bill received Very sincerely yours, of intense suffering and universal amounts of favorable publicity. this letter: Reuben A. Holden stigma, has not only shown the way The university, too, would have re- to the conquest of a morbid conceived respectful recognition from Yale University (Naturally, Bill’s full name was dition of body, mind, and soul, but press, public, and the academic New Haven, Connecticut used in all this private exchange. has invigorated the individual, social, world for presenting the degree. Yet January 21, 1954 In observance of the Eleventh and and religious life of our times. he turned it down. Dear Mr. W-: Twevlh Traditions, the Grapevine Yale takes pride in honoring this Would a yes from Bill have vast- I enclose a suggested draft of a is maintaining his anonymity at the great anonymous assembly of men ly changed AA as we know it today? citation which might be used in con- public level.) and women by conferring upon you, Would the change have been for ferring upon you the proposed This is the first draft of the text a worthy representative of its high better, or for worse? Could Bill’s honorary degree on June 7th. of the citation: purpose, this degree of Doctor of

Laws, admitting you to all its rights stones to dominance and personal and hence my clear obligation to and privileges. power. decline this signal honor with all Like other men and women, we the immediate satisfaction and ben- From the office of the Alcoholic AAs look with deep apprehension efit it could have yielded. Foundation (now the AA General upon the vast power struggle about True, the splendid citation you Service Office), Bill sent this reply: us, a struggle in myriad forms that propose, which describes me as invades every level, tearing society “W. W.,” does protect my ano- February 2, 1954 apart. I think we AAs are fortunate nymity for the time being. Neverthe- Mr. Reuben Holden, secretary to be acutely aware that such forces less, it would surely appear on the Yale University must never be ruling among us, lest later historical record that I had New Haven, Connecticut we perish altogether. taken an LL.D. The public would Dear Mr. Holden, The Tradition of personal ano- then know the fact. So, while 1 might This is to express my deepest nymity and no honors at the public accept the degree within the letter of thanks to the members of the Yale level is our protective shield. We AA’s Tradition as of today, I would Corporation for considering me as dare not meet the power tempta- surely be setting the stage for a vioone suitable for the degree of Doctor tion naked. lation of its spirit tomorrow. This of Laws. Of course, we quite understand would be, I am certain, a perilous It is only after most careful con- the high value of honors outside precedent to set. sultation with friends, and with my our Fellowship. We always find in- Though it might be a novel deconscience, that 1 now feel obligated spiration when these are deservedly parture, I’m wondering if the Yale to decline such a mark of distinction. bestowed and humbly received as Corporation could consider giving Were I to accept, the near term the hallmarks of distinguished at- AA itself the entire citation, omitbenefit to Alcoholics Anonymous tainment or service. We say only ting the degree to me. In such an and to legions who still suffer our that in our special circumstances it event, 1 will gladly appear at any malady would, no doubt, be world- would be imprudent for us to accept time to receive it on behalf of our wide and considerable. I am sure them for AA achievement. Society. Should a discussion of this that such a potent endorsement Twelve reads as follows: “Anonym- For example: My own life story possibility seem desirable to you, I’ll would greatly hasten public approv- ity is the spiritual foundation of all gathered for years around an im- come to New Haven at once. al o f AA everywhere. Therefore. our Traditions, ever reminding us placable pursuit of money, fame, Gratefully yours, none but the most compelling of t o place principles before person- and power, anticlimaxed by my near William G. Wreasons could prompt my decision alities.” sinking in a sea of alcohol. Though to deny Alcoholics Anonymous an Because we have already had much I survived that grim misadventure, Six days later, Mr. Holden replied: opportunity of this dimension. practical experience with this vital I well understand that the dread Now this is the reason: The tra- principle, it is today the view of neurotic germ of the power contagion Dear Mr. W-: dition of Alcoholics Anonymous- every thoughtful AA member that has survived in me also. It is only I have waited to respond to your our only means of self-government if, over the years ahead, we prac- dormant, and it can again multiply letter. of February 2 until we had a -entreats each member to avoid all tice this anonymity absolutely, it and rend me-and AA, too. Tens of meeting of the Committee on Honthat particular kind of personal will guarantee our effectiveness and thousands of my fellow AAs are orary Degrees, which has now taken publicity or distinction which might unity by heavily restraining those temperamentally just like me. For- place, and I want to report to you link his name with our Society in the to whom public honors and distinc- tunately, they know it, and I know on behalf of the committee that general public mind. AA’s Tradition tions are but the natural stepping- it. Hence our Tradition of anonymity, after hearing your magnificent letter,

they all wish more than ever they March 1, 1954 During Bill’s lifetime, copies of could help temporarily. But 1 d o the Yale correspondence were pri- think that publication would imply could award you the degree-though Dear Mr. Holden. vately circulated within the Fellow- my permission, and would therefore it probably in our opinion isn’t half Your letter of February 8th. in ship, with Bill’s knowledge and con- be not a little ego manifestation on good enough for you. which you record the feelings of the sent. Jim A., who in 1965 was AA my part. The entire committee begged me Yale Corporation respecting my public information chairman for “~ctually,when I declined the deto tell you in as genuine a way as declination of the degree of Doctor I can how very deeply they appre- a central office in a large West Coast gree, I did it with the long future in of Laws, has been read with great mind. I could picture a possible time ciated your considering this invita- city, wrote to Bill, asking permission relief and gratitude. 1 shall treasure to show the letters to anonymitytion as thoroughly and thoughtfully it always. breakers “. . . as an example that and unselfishly as you have. We understand completely your feelings Your quick and moving insight into AA’s vital need to curb its AA probably does not need their “The tradition of … in the matter, and we only wish future aspirants to power, the good individual names to keep it going personal anonymity or to make it more effective.” is our protective there were some way we could show thought you hold of me, and your In reply, Bill wrote, “Certainly, you our deep sense of respect for hope that the Yale Corporation you may show that Yale corre- shield. ” you and AA. Some day, the oppor- might presently find the means of spondence in a limited way. But 1 tunity will surely come. giving Alcoholics Anonymous a see you agree that it would not be when AA might find itself in some Meanwhile, I should say that it suitable public recognition, are exactly right on my part to consent great contention and crisis. At that was also the feeling of the commit- something for the greatest satistee that honorary degrees are, like t o its general publication at this time, this letter, though bearing the faction. time. Actually, I’m not so damn knighthoods, bestowed on individ- Please carry to the president of dead hand, might have a marked, uals, and that being the tradition, Yale and to every member of the noble as you suppose. In reality, 1 even a deciding, effect. . . . Anyit would seem logical that we look rather wanted that degree. . . . How- how, 1 would be disinclined to have board my lasting appreciation. in other ways than an honorary- ever, I think the principle of ano- it generally published at present- Devotedly yours, nymity will be so invaluable to us, that is, published under circumdegree award for the type of recog- Bill Wnition that we should like to give the especially in future time, that one in stances which will surely indicate to organization in accordance with the my position should really fall over the reader that I have give.n my Recently, the Grapevine received backwards in trying to demonstrate consent.” suggestion you made in your last a letter from an AA who was a the principle. By way of example, Under present circumstancesparagraph. 1 hope this may be pos-trustee on the AA General Service it might help in the years to come.” seven years after Bill’s death-there sible. Board at the time of this offer to I send you the warmest greetings Bill. The former trustee, Cliff W. of Ten years before this, just one is clearly no possibility of the con- California, recalls talking to Bill at of the president of Yale University year after the Yale correspondence sent that he called an “ego manand of the entire corporation and the board meeting following the ex- had ended and less than two weeks ifestation.” The Grapevine feels change of correspondence. assure you of our sincere admiration before the Twentieth Anniversary that AA members, now numbering and good wishes for the continued “I suggested that we make a pam- AA Convention in St. Louis in 1955, around eight times as many as were contribution you are making to thephlet of these letters, as his refusal Bill replied to a Canadian AA friend sober in 1954, have a right to know welfare of this country. letter was truly magnificent. Bill who felt that publishing the letters of Bill’s example of both courage Cordially yours, grinned and replied, ‘Not while I’m at that time would “help consoli- and humility. This correspondence Reuben A. Holden alive. I don’t want to capitalize on date AA and fortify the anonymity may help all of us appreciate the humility.’ ” Cliff suggested to the Tradition.” sacrifice Bill made for us, and for The series of letters ends with Grapevine that it would now be “I agree with you in part,” Bill the countless alcoholics yet to come Bill 3 acknowledgment: proper to print the letters. answered, “that publication now to our Fellowship for help.

February 1978

In Memoriam Paula C., longtime managing editor of the Grapevine, passed away at her home in Southbury, Connecticut, on December 12, 1977. In the fourteen years that Paula was associated with the Grapevine, our magazine nearly tripled its circulation. Her skill, devotion, and dedication contributed greatly to that growth. She will be remembered most of all for her thousands of letters bringing hope and inspiration to our correspondents over those years. She was a dedicated AA, and her devotion to the Grapevine will never be forgotten.

March 1978

Through the Years With the Grapevine September 1948-At the request of the Fellow- June 1944-First issue of the ship, the format of the Grapevine is changed from Grapevine comes off press, put the large newspaper size to the present pocket size. together by volunteers whom Bill W. called “six ink-stained wretches.” An eight-page newspaper, it was mailed free to all AAs in the armed forces for the duration of World War II.

December 1950-Bill and Dr. Bob write in the Grapevine suggest- 1 ing that the AA membership as a whole should take over, through December 1944- Lois W.’s story a General Service Conference, appears in the Grapevine, telling the worldwide service jobs for ‘ how she learned to live by AA the Fellowship. principles for herself, not just for Bill. January 1963-Publication for the first time of Bill W.’s now- April 1945-Publication of questionnaire designed famous correspondence with Dr. by Dr. E. M. Jellinek. Responses from hundreds of Carl Jung. AAs formed the basis of Dr. Jellinek’s famous chart, “Phases of Alcohol ~ddiction.’.’ Special issues through the years-January 1951 April 1946-Bill W.’s article, “Twelve Points to As- and March 1971: memorial issues for Dr. Bob and sure Our Future,” suggests the establishment of Bill W. October 1968: “Doctors, Alcohol, and AA” Twelve Traditions. Articles in subsequent issues issue, which has enjoyed wide distribution ever discuss each Tradition, resulting in their adoption since. And the Grapevine has covered every Interin 1950 as our Second Legacy, Unity. national Convention.

February 1978-Publication for the first time of June 1947-The Preamble is first Bill W.’s correspondence with Yale University, in published, written by the editor which he turned down an honorary degree in keepof the Grapevine. Designed to let ing with the anonymity Traditions. the general public know what AA is, the Preamble is now widely used at AA meetings. March 1978-Grapevine circulation reaches 100,000!

AA Grapevine, September 1978

An appreciation of our co-founder, St. Thomas Hospital. Akron, home of the first ward opened to AA. At right, a note written soon after his death in 1950 from Dr. Bob to Sister Ignatia, beloved early and published here for the first time friend of AA, who “bootlegged” the flrst jittery prospect into an empty hospital room.

I T ISVERY difficult to speak of Dr. Bob without going into eulogistic superlatives. While he lived, he plenty of time.” While Dr. Bob thoroughly appreciated the spirit of personal gratplain. Dr. Bob had once been lost in an alcoholic fog himself. He recalled that he, too, had been proud, resentlaughed them off. And now, though itude that usually prompted such ful, full of rancor, cocky, self-suffihe is dead, I feel that he still laughs superlatives, he never took them cient, and selfish. But whether he them off. I sat beside him many seriously as applicable to himself. spoke at the banquet table or mintimes at the speakers’ table and He rose up to tell with all humility istered to an alcoholic in the ward, watched him squirm as some florid the simple story of an alcoholic’s he was kind but firm, serious and introduction was being given him. return to sobriety. He seldom called sympathetic, always unmindful of Many a chairman of the meeting upon his vast experiences with race, color, creed, or previous state strove to rise to the responsibility of others. He simply repeated in dif- of alcoholic servitude. At last, he foind the God who he introducing him by referring to him ferent ways the story of one man’s Dr. Bob was a humble man. His knew would help him if he would as co-founder of the “greatest, most great return. And that was his own. humility was born, no doubt, of his only place a humble confidence in wonderful, most magnificent, most He could have gone scientific and humiliations before his good wife, Him. This is the story of Dr. Bob. It momentous movement of all time.” statistical, for he heard more confes- Anne, and his colleagues in the med- is the story, too, of the Twelve Steps Dr. Bob whispered to me on one of sions of sprees and lost weekends ical profession. This led to the great that logically follow, once the situthese occasions, “The speaker cer- than anyone else alive. But he never step of becoming humble before his ation is faced with honest realism. tainly takes in a lot of territory and did it that way. He always remained God. Here was the crisis in his life: Looking back over his life, one

might say Dr. Bob was two people, the long, long history of their order, two personalities, even in his drink- they had taken care of all manner of ing days. After his return to sobri- disease, dereliction, and misfortune, ety, he still remained two personali- and they were now willing to try the ties. As he made his rounds through newer method of treating alcohol- St. Thomas Hospital, he did so as ism. Thus, for the first time, a ward Dr. R. H. S., medical practitioner. in a general hospital was opened to But as he came to Room 390, the AA. alcoholic ward, he put off the cloak Dr. S. and the sisters soon learned of science and professionalism and t o diagnose more accurately and became just plain Dr. Bob, a man prescribe more effectively. Here was eager, willing, and able to help his a new type of patient needing a new fellowman. As he left the hospital type of treatment. The disorder each day, two men went out through seemed more on the psychological the door-one a great MD-the other and spiritual than on the physical a great man. side. Here was a patient whose It was quite natural that Dr. S. thinking was all beclouded. His atsought hospitalization for alcohol- titudes were wrong. His philosophy ics. He had been sending the sick to of life was all mixed up. His sense of St. Thomas Hospital for years, and values was distorted. His spiritual alcoholism to him was a sickness as life was nonexistent. The patient was real as pneumonia, but not so easy to indeed a definite challenge to the treat. The new treatment was to be skill, patience, and prayer of all who physical, psychological, social, and worked at the hospital with Dr. S. in spiritual. The whole patient was to the noble art of healing a terribly be treated, because the whole man wounded personality. was sick. What success attended his efforts, Many of his colleagues in the med- as well as the efforts of the sisters ical profession disagreed with Dr. and all who worked with the many S., some bitterly. It was fortunate patients who passed through that that he had been associated with the ward, is now a matter of history. It nursing sisters at St. Thomas Hos- will ever remain a monument to the pital. It was very fortunate, even memory of R. H. S., MD-and Dr. providential, that he met the Sisters Bob, the man. of Charity of St. Augustine. For in J. G., Ohio

Be unselfish. That is the first and final commandment for those who would be useful, and happy in their usefulness. If you think of yourself only, you cannot develop, because you are choking the source of development, which is spiritual expansion through thought for others. Charles W. Eliot

December, 1978

arely- Never?

How co-founder Bill W. answered a frequently asked question —

F ROM T I M E to time over the years. some AA member will ques;ion the wording in the first vice Office): “Concerning your comment about the use of the word ‘rarely’ in Chapter 5 of the Big best, and then failed, not because of reply to a Florida member asking the Book: My recollection is that we did unwillingness, but perhaps by reason same question: “Respecting my use sentence of Chapter 5 of Alcoholics give this considerable thought at the of physical tension or some un- of the word ‘rarely,’ I think it was Anonymous: “Rarely have we seen a disclosed quirk, not known to them person fail who has thoroughly time of writing. 1 think the main rea- chosen because it did not express an son for the use of the word ‘rarely’ or anyone else. Neither did we want absolute state of affairs, such as followed our path.” Why, the enthusiastic member asks, doesn’t the was to avoid anything that would to overencourage relatives and ‘never’ does. Anyhow, we are cerlook like a claim of a 100% result. friends in the supposition that their tainly stuck with the word ‘rarely.’ Big Book say, “Never have we seen a dear ones could surely get well in AA My few efforts to change the wordperson fail . . .”? Assuming, of course, that an alco- This question was answered-sev- holic is willing enough and sane if only they were willing. I think ing of the AA book have always enough, there can be a perfect score that’s why we chose that word. I come to naught-the protests are era1 times-by an AA well qualified on [a person of this sort]. But since remember thinking about it a lot. always too many.” to speak on the subject, since he wrote the book, with the assistance willingness and sanity are such elu- “Maybe some of these same And at the 1970 AA General Serof other early members. sive and fluctuating values, we sim- reasons would apply to present con- vice Conference, this Ask-It Basket Bill W., AA’s co-founder, ply didn’t like to be too positive. The ditions. Anyhow, I d o know this: question was addressed directly to . answered a 1961 letter from Min- medical profession could jump right The text of the AA book is so frozen Bill: “If there was any change you nesota with these words (preserved, down our throats. in the minds of tens of thousands of would make in the Big Book, would like those of the following letter, in “Then, too, we have seen people AAs that even the slightest change it be to change the word ‘rarely’ to the archives at the AA General Ser- who apparently have tried their very creates an uproar.” ‘never’ at the start of Chapter 5?” In 1967, Bill made the following Bill answered, “No.”

June 6,- ‘ r

businesswoman could ever have Grapevine’s 35th Anniversary been a retiring scaredy-cat. “So Bill talked me into it,” said Helen, whose arrival at the Grapevine (then housed in a tiny apart-

. ment not far from Grand Central Station) almost coincided with the How It W a s . magazine’s first birthday. “I met this wonderful staff, all volunteers, and they were so very ex- A visit with Bill’s “little sister” cited. Up on the bulletin board, they had put their very first renewal order T HE STORY begins in 1945. “One visiting Lois W., Bill’s widow, at late spring evening in Montreal, Stepping Stones, and the Grapevine where I was working, my telephone staff invited Helen to share her -and they had not yet even asked for renewals! “1 said, ‘It’s marvelous, but what Minetta Lane,an early location of theGrapevine rang,” Helen Evans (nonalcoholic) reminiscences of the magazine’s do you do with it now?’ told the Grapevine Editorial Board. earliest days with members of its “They suddenly got very quiet me. 1 used to take them home – that “It was Bill, long-distance all the Editorial Board (see the May 1979 and just looked at each other. Final- is, to Bedford Hills – in the eveway from New York. issue). ly, one spoke up. ‘Well, gee, we nings and have them spread all over “I didn’t know him too well,” she “Bill said,” Helen continued, don’t know. That’s something my bed and the floor, trying to get said of AA’s co-founder Bill W. “that the Grapevine needed a paid you’re supposed to figure out.’ them sorted out. “I’d met him several times and had clerk, that he personally needed “Then 1 discovered how they kept “But then we got a new treasurer, been to Bedford Hills, New York, someone to type some things for their subscription records. For each Dick S-. He and I decided we could visiting him and Lois on vacations, him, and that Marty M- needed subscriber, there were three index get all that information on one card after they moved into Stepping someone to fill in as her secretary cards, but I cannot for the life of me per subscriber. We did-but it was a Stones. He had often said to me, while the regular had surgery. remember why three. One had the huge card. We had to have special ‘Little sister, you come down here “I wonder now if he didn’t dig up name and address; another had the metal drawers made for filing them, i and stay with us, because we’ve got those jobs just to get me to New date the subscription expired-those and they flopped all over the place. something here you can use, too.’ ” York. He knew, you see, I was a very were filed by dates. But I’ve no idea But the real horror of those cards Helen is Bill’s half sister, offspring scared little girl, the mousy one who what the third was!” Helen admitted. came later. of their father’s second marriage. sat in the corner and never opened “1- ..-went to see my folks in British Undoubtedly, the “something” Bill her mouth, terrified of everybody,” “Then I found that the first Grapevine treasurer, a Greenwich Columbia, on vacation, and while I offered to share was the AA way of said the petite, modish, auburn- was away, the office had to be movlife. Villager named Abbot (‘Bud’) T-, haired woman, who now has owned ed. You see, this was wartime, and And that is how the Grapevine got and operated a fashionable clothing who was a real dear, kept all the other records in his shirt pocket-on apartments were extremely hard to its very first paid employee, thirty- business near Tucson, Ariz., for get, and it was against the law to use four years ago. It was hardly nepo- some years. tiny little pieces of paper! Anything ! we needed to know about finances or one for an office. When the landtism, however. The GV could pay Her blue eyes sparkle behind lord found we didn’t live there, he only $40 per month, so there were no glasses when she talks; that evening, paper orders, we’d ask Bud, and 1 he’d dig out these tiny scraps with said the Grapevine had to get out. other applicants whose arms could her face was continually lighted with “When I got back from vacation, figures all over them. be twisted to take the job. a smile. It would be difficult now to “All those index cards haunted there were all the Grapevine office Some months ago, Helen was believe that this charming, assured

equipment and all those cards -packed in big boxes and dumped grinning, and led her up the few the Grapevine was homeless again. in a heap on the floor of the base- steps to the sidewalk. There, passed It was nonalcoholic AA trustee ment of an old church building at out before the old iron picket fence, Leonard V. Harrison, welfare com- 41st Street and Ninth Avenue, which lay one of our future brethren, who missioner of New York City, who was then a clubhouse for AAs. We had researched himself into a coma. found the magazine new office couldn’t get a telephone -wartime The other problem was the flood space. In Greenwich Village, there shortage-so we had to use a pay of unwanted poetry and rhymes that was a small, old apartment building phone on the corner for all people submitted to the Grapevine. that had been condemned-too un- Grapevine calls,” Grapevine’s “Oh my goodness, 1 never knew safe for people to live there, the city employee No. I recalled with a there were so many poets!” said said. But Leonard got some city of-. chuckle. Helen. “It seemed to me every alco- ficials to agree that the basement “One day, the clubhouse secretary Our first salaried employee, Helen, and our holic wrote verse, and I had to write space was not unsafe as an office. came rushing down to our basement current editorial secretary, Naomi-both non- all the letters saying we were sorry Without money for moving exalcoholics and said, ‘Call this number. It’s the but we could not accept it. We penses, the Grapevine persuaded an FBI, and you’ve just got to call wouldn’t have had room for any- ice-truck driver, who for years had that’s how we got our present daily delivered ice to the old them!’ ” name.” thing else, and most of it was dread- Helen said she decided it was too ful. Besides, we’d find out later it clubhouse, to move the Grapevine’s Two more problems faced the scanty furniture and all those cards. late to call any government office (it Grapevine by 1946, Helen said. One had been clipped from some book or was after 4:00 PM!), but when she another magazine, and we would Cool and damp, perhaps, but intact, was anonymity. When checks from everything arrived safely on Minetta met Bill at Grand Central to catch subscribers first came in, they were have been in serious trouble if we’d the train to Bedford Hills, she told used it. So it was simpler just to say, Lane. endorsed by a stamp reading “The him. Neither he nor she could figure AA Grapevine.” But not for long. ‘No poetry at all!’ ” “Being in Greenwich Village was out any reason at all that the FBI Regardless of problems, the very exciting to me,” said Helen, One or two outraged readers cussed “and I thought we should really go should want to hear from the Grape- out the staff for “breaking my Grapevine was growing at a thrilling vine. Bill called the next morning, and surprising rate. Helen remem- Bohemian. So I got some red paint, anonymity.” Quickly, arrangements and painted the floor, doors, and however, and discovered the call was were made with the bank. Today, bers the whoops of joy when subreally from a group of former FBI scriptions totaled 1,000. windowsills red.” (Helen did not although the account is, properly, in mention it, but there was no money agents, who put out a newsletter call- the name of The AA Grapevine, The Grapevine was sent free to ed The Grapevine. They said they AAs in the U.S. and Canadian arm- to pay for paint or a painter, either.) Inc., the endorsement stamp just “The furnishings were pretty would sue if the AA publication did says “Grapevine.” ed forces throughout World War 11. not change its name, but Bill and the (“The only one whose name I re- sparse-two canvas directors’ In those early days, even the office chairs, Bill’s enormous old desk, “ink-stained wretches” who then was anonymous, with no “Grape- member is Y ev G- .”) Mail began to were the editorial staff of the come from everywhere, including which almost took up the whole vine” or “AA” displayed outside. room, and an old table somebody magazine (see AA Comes of Age) So Helen was mystified when a big Ireland, where Sackville M., trying talked it over among themselves, to get AA started in Dublin, wrote to had discarded when we were up near Irish cop knocked on the door and Grand Central,” Helen said. “Only and decided just to change the name said, “Did you know your sign fell AA members all over the world. There were also many acts of thing was, it was a draftsman’s to the AA Grapevine. down?” friendship and kindness from nonal- table, built so it could be slanted one “Wouldn’t those FBIs look silly if “What do you mean’?” she asked coholics, Helen recalled. way or the other easily. And they sued a bunch of drunks over the policeman. When the old clubhouse building somebody was always accidentally two initials?” Helen asked. “So “Come see for yourself,” he said, was sold, and the AAs had to move, bumping against it, and all our big

We’ll just move him.’ And they The large cleaning woman who Helen said. “So he wasn’t sure he did-a few doors away, they put him came to tidy up the place once a wanted it to be an office for alcoholon another stoop and started to drive week had her own style, Helen ics, especially since he never saw the off. But the landlady of that remembered. She always wore a men-just us women workers. But building came out yelling, ‘Just be- man’s bandanna handkerchief tied he finally leased us the space, and cause they don’t want him in front of around her head, and sang loudly turned out to be sweet and generous. their house, you don’t have to park most of the day songs of her own in- When he died, his wife joined the him in front of ours!’ ” vention, her favorite being “I’ve Grapevine as its circulation man- Because the office floor sagged Got a Telephone in My Bosom, and I ager, and stayed until 1967. That badly in the middle, Helen and the Can Call Right Up to the Lord.” was Anne Rubenstein.” (Anne was other employee, both work,.~gat the “Why she wanted to bother with also a nonalcoholic.) big old desk, had to wrap their legs that dark, messy little old place, I do While the Grapevine was still around those of the desk to keep not know,” Helen said. “But a few housed on East Broadway, Helen their chairs from sliding into colli- years later, when we moved to a left the magazine to get married-“I Helen with our present subscription files sion. “Every time one of us heard a larger, lighter space, much easier to think three basements were -by computer1 thump or some other noise, we clean, on East Broadway on the enough!” didn’t dare look, but we’d call out, Lower East Side, she came once, In addition to her Grapevine metal trays of more than a thousand ‘Are you all right?'” Helen looked it over, and announced she chores, she likes remembering the floppy cards would fall all over the remembered. preferred the old place! She never typing she did for Bill. “He was befloor, out of order! It took days to Then came some expert help. Dick came back.” ginning to think about those ideas get them refiled. S., the second treasurer, had friends Helen recalled that during the that later became the Traditions,” “We didn’t have a sign there, who worked at Newsweek Maga- years she worked for the Grapevine, she said. “And he had a one-track either, but every morning a con- zine, and they agreed to look over there was a staff meeting once a mind. Whenever he was figuring out gregation of drunks with their bot- the Grapevine operation and make month, a lunch at the Barclay Hotel. something like that for AA, he simtles of ‘smoke’ got together on our suggestions. What they must have “That was usually the only time we ply could not put his mind on stoop to drink. They were nice and said to each other in private is not saw any of the AAs who really put anything else. Many times at dinner friendly. As long as we didn’t bother recorded. At any rate, they sug- out the magazine,” she said. “They at Stepping Stones, Lois and I would them, they didn’t bother us,” said gested buying an Addressograph were volunteers and had full-time look at each other and start to giggle, Helen. machine and getting rid of those jobs. But often, they would go to the because he’d picked up a fork to eat “One morning, one passed out on darned cards. office at night, and the next morn- the soup, or something. the steps, and we were afraid he A secondhand Addressograph ing, Kitty and I would find lots of “Most of the time, he liked to dicwould fall and crack his head. By was located, and the Grapevine notes about things to be done.” tate lying on the floor at the head of then, we had employee No. 2,” she employees (still only two) spent Helen’s last move with the Grape- the stairwell in Bedford Hills, with recalled, “Katharine Swentzel. Or months putting the mailing ad- vine provided another instance of his arms folded behind his head. was it Winifred Sweet?” (Both. were dresses of all subscribers on the the friendship of nonalcoholics. The “I typed those Traditions over nonalcoholics.) “Anyhow, she call- metal plates. (The Grapevine con- space located on East Broadway had and over and over,” she recalled. ed the police and asked them to tinued this manual operation until previously been the office of some “He would think two or three of come. When they did and started to 1972, when it was forced to go into communications union, the mem- them were pretty good, but then he put him in their car, she said, ‘Oh, electronic data processing because of bers of which were mostly women. would share them with other U s . you won’t put him in jail, will you?’ the number of subscribers-in 1979, “And according to the landlord, The house was always full of people. “The cops said, ‘No, ma’am. about 116,000.) they were always angry women!” Weekends, thirty or forty would.

drop in, and Bill would read them away; Helen had to jail him and what he had done, and the discus- never stopped feeling guilty about it!) sion would start,” said his sister. But her feelings about Bill and “Next day, we would tear up what Lois remain vibrant and clear, we had done and start all over. I t “although, of course, I’m prejudictook months and months, so I sure ed!” she said. “Bill was wonderful. 1 hope they’re right by now!” Helen was just full of problems, and I guess exclaimed. any alcoholic knows what problems “Then Bill had a brilliant idea. He can be and how they can mix you up. decided there had to be separate Bill was so understanding. He never Traditions for the trustees, so we said anything like ‘Why, . that’s went to work on that,” she said. (Re- stupid! Why don’t you speak up for member – this was in the 1940’s. yourself, or do so-and-so?’ The Alcoholic Foundation, as the “Lois was even more understand- AA General Service Board was then ing. I could talk to her woman-tocalled, had no formal ties to the AA woman. She was like my mother, my membership at all, because the sister (not sister-in-law-sister), and General Service Conference had not my best friend all in one wonderful been started, and Bill apparently package. And she is still all of that, a wanted some way to make the very terrific person,” according to trustees responsible to the Fellow- Helen. ship.) “But I’m talking too much,” the “Finally,” Helen said, “Bill Grapevine’s first paid employee told realized we were up to fourteen the Editorial Board. “I’ve gone special Traditions for trustees. He from the little girl in the corner who decided it was ridiculous, and he tore never opened her mouth, scared to up the whole thing.” talk, to where I am now. Now, you Later, both Helen and Lois W. can’t shut me up!” were asked whether any scraps of The board members would have those ideas survived. Neither been happy to hear her talk much remembers any. They agreed it is longer, for they realized how great a possible that some of Bill’s ideas in debt thousands of AAs owe to the the “trustee Traditions” found their people – recovered alcoholics and way into Twelve Conceptsfor World nonalcoholics alike – who saw our Service or the Six Warranties of the magazine through its difficult early Conference Charter, but that is just years. The debt can be repaid in only speculation now. one way, today’s Grapevine people Alas, space does not permit our know. That is the AA way – by conincluding here more of Helen’s rem- tinuing the wholehearted effort to iniscences, especially about Ebby T. carry the message. and his first slip. (Bill and Lois were Anonymous, Manhattan, IV. Y.

4 t AA GRAPEVINE, JULY 1980

son-in-law.’ ‘Well, Doc, he wasn-t dage off, the boy’s hand was healed. my son-in-law until I shot him.’ The little boy said, ‘You’re wonder- “Then you know how we talk ful, Doctor. You cure everybody, about God never forgetting us. Dr. don’t you?’ ‘No, I don’t ,’ the doctor Bob had a story for that, too. One replied. ‘I just dress the wound. God man was telling another about all the heals it.’ ” trouble his son got into, and the sec- Finally: “There was the woman ond fellow said, ‘You know, Jim, if who called and asked, ‘Are you the that was my son, I’d kick him out.’ Dr. Bob who helps alcoholics?’ The first fellow said, ‘If he was your When he replied that he was, she son, I’d kick him out, too.’ That was asked him to send her two bottles of to stress that God didn’t kick us out. that Alcoholics Anonymous for her We left of our own accord. sick husband. ‘Don’t you think one “Then &out getting out of AA would be enough?’ he asked. ‘Oh what you put into it. Doc told about no,’ she replied. ‘My husband is in . the farmer asking this fellow if he the hospital. He needs two.’ ” . . . wanted to work the harvest. ‘What Through this period [the onset of are you paying?’ the man asked. ‘I’ll his fatal illness], Dr. Bob continued pay you what you’re worth,’ the going to AA meetings at King Excerpts from the new AA book farmer said. ‘No, thanks,’ the fellow School. Anne C. recalled hearing “Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers” said. ‘I’ll be damned if I’ll work for someone asking him at this time, that little.’ ” “Do you have to go to all these meetshow both humorous and serious sides According to Ed, Dr. Bob would ings? Why don’t you stay home and of our co-founder explain prayer by telling how the conserve your strength?” camels in a caravan would kneel Dr. Bob considered the question Copyrighted by A.A. World Services. Inc.; reprinted with permission down in the evening, and the men for a time, then said, “The first would unload their burdens. In the reason is that this way is working so

E D B. REMEMBERED that Dr. Bob used to tell stories at meetings to illustrate certain points – much the cop replied. ‘I didn’t know it was your wife.’ ‘Neither did I until you shined the light on us,’ the man morning, they would kneel down again, and the men would put the burdens back on. “It’s the same with well. Why should I take a chance on any other way? The second reason is that I don’t want to deprive myself as parables are used in the Bible. said.” prayer,” Dr. Bob said. “We get on of the privilege of meeting, greeting, “He would always stress that be- Ed had quite a collection of Dr. our knees to unload at night. And in and visiting with fellow alcoholics. It ing at the meeting was itself part of a Bob stories. I the morning when we get on our is a pleasure to me. And the third spiritual awakening, that it didn’t “He told one about these ‘shot- knees again, God gives us just the reason is the most important. I necessarily have to come to you in a gun’ AAs – the ones who had come load we are able to carry for that belong at that meeting for the sake flash of light,” recalled Ed. “And to in to get the wife off their backs. day.” of the new man or woman who make the point in a humorous way, This farmer brought a man to the “I remember one story he might walk through that door. I am he would tell about the cop shining doctor’s office. ‘Here, Doctor, I repeated over and over,” said Ed. living proof that AA will work as the light on a couple making love in shot my son-in-law full of “It was about this boy who burned long as I work AA, and I owe it to the park. ‘It’s all right,’ the man buckshot.’ The doctor said, ‘You his hand. The doctor dressed it and the new person to be there. I am the said. ‘We’re married.’ ‘I’m sorry,’ ought to be ashamed, shooting your bandaged it. When he took the ban- living example.”

July 1980 J. ‘

marked the time when Lois and I, ours, [Father] Ed Dowling, once said being parents of a family now to me, “Bill, it isn’t what you people ‘ in ‘Fifty-Five become responsible, declared you to put into AA that makes it so good by Bill W. be of age and on your own. it’s what you left out.” We got both Now let’s start on our story. sets of notions from our Oxford First of all, there was the kitchen Group friends, and it was through table which stood in a brownstone them that Ebby had sobered up and house which still bears the number became my sponsor, the carrier of 182, Clinton Street, Brooklyn. this message to me. There, Lois saw me go into the We began to go to Oxford Group depths. There, over the kitchen meetings right over in Calvary table, Ebby (one alcoholic talking to House, where you’ve just been another) brought me these simple gathering, and it was there, fresh out principles now enshrined in our of Towns Hospital, that I made my Twelve Steps. In those days, there first pitch, telling about my strange were but six steps: We admitted we experience, which did not impress couldn’t run our own lives; we got the alcoholic who was listening. But honest with ourselves; we made a something else did impress him. self-survey; we made restitution to When I began to talk about the the people we had harmed; we tried nature of this sickness, this malady, to carry this story “one to the next”; he pricked up his ears. He was a proand we asked God to help us do fessor of chemistry, an agnostic, and those things. That was the essence of he came up and talked afterward. the message over the kitchen table. Soon, he was invited over to Clinton In those days, we were associated Street – our very first customer. We with the Oxford Group. One of its worked very hard with Freddy for

A LREADY, the history of AA is being lost in the mists of its twenty-one years of antiquity. I venfounders was Sam Shoemaker, and you have just left Calvary House [connected with the Reverend three years, but alas, he remained drunk for eleven years afterward. Other people came up to us out of ture that very few people here could Samuel Shoemaker’s Calvary those Oxford Group audiences. We recount in any consecutive way the Church] to come over to these larger began to go down to Calvary Missteps on the road that led from the quarters, I understand. Our debt to sion, an adjunct of the church in kitchen table to where we are tonight those people [the Oxford Group] is those days, and there we found a From a talk at a in this Manhattan G ~ O U D . simply immense. We might have bountiful supply of real tough nuts New York AA meeting- It is specially fittingathat we re- found these principles elsewhere, but to crack. We began to invite them to count the history, because at St. they did give them to us, and I want Clinton Street, and at this point the during the twenty-first Louis this summer, a great event oc- to again record our undying grati- Groupers felt that we were overyear of AA ‘s existence curred. This Society declared that it tude. We also learned from them, so doing the drunk business. It seemed had come of age, and it took full far as alcoholics are concerned, what they had the idea of saving the possession of its Legacies of not to do – something equally im- world; besides, they’d had a bad Part I of a two-part article Recovery, Unity, and Service. It portant. A great Jesuit friend of time with us. Sam and his associates,

he now laughingly tells me, were didn’t even call it Alcoholics Anon- ing for a doctor, and not finding a little boost during the year of 1938, very much put out that they had ymous; people asked who we were, doctor, then looking for a drink, and that was all; they forced us to gathered a big batch of drunks in and we said, “Well, we’re a name- because, as he said, he could not fly stand on our own. Calvary House, hoping for a less bunch of alcoholics.” I suppose on one wing! In 1938, Clinton Street saw the bemiracle. They’d put them upstairs in the use of that word “nameless” sort On one occasion, a pair of them ginning of the preparation of the those nice apartments and had com- of led to the idea of anonymity, were drunk. We had five, and on book Alcoholics Anonymous. The pletely surrounded them with sweet- which was later clapped on the book another occasion, they were all early chapters were written – oh, I ness and light. But the drunks soon at the time it was titled. drunk at the same time! There was should think – about May 1938. There were great doings in Clinton the time that two of them began to Then, we tried to raise money to get “The drunks weren’t Street. I remember those meetings belabor each other with two-by- the thing published, and we actually exactly popular when down in the parlor so well. Our eager fours down in the basement. And sold stock to the local drunks in this discussion, our hopes, our fears – then, poor Ebby, after repeated book, not yet written. An all-time the W-s [Bill and and our fears were very great. When trials and failures, was finally locked high for promotions! Lois] showed up” anyone in those days had been sober out one night. But lo and behold, he Clinton Street also saw, on its seca few months and slipped, it was a appeared anyway. He had come ond floor, in the bedroom, the imported a flock of bottles, and one terrific calamity. I’ll never forget the through the coal chute and up the writing of the Twelve Steps. We had of them pitched a shoe out the apart- day, a year and a half after he came stairs, very much begrimed. got to Chapter Five in the book, and ment window right through one of to stay with us, that Ebby fell over, So, you see, Clinton Street was a it looked like we would have to say at those nice stained glass affairs of the and we all said, “Perhaps this is go- kind of blacksmith shop, in which some point what the book was all church. So the drunks weren’t exact- ing to happen to all of us.” Then, we we were hammering away at these about. So I remember lying there on ly popular when the W-s [Bill began to ask ourselves why it was, principles. For Lois and me, all the bed one night, and I was in one and Lois] showed up. and some of us pushed on. roads lead back to Clinton Street. of my typical depressive snits, and I At any rate, we began to be with At Clinton Street, I did most of In 1937, while we were still there, had an imaginary ulcer attack. The alcoholics all the time, but nothing the talking, but Lois did most of the we got an idea that to spread AA we drunks who were supposed to be happened for six months. Like the work, and the cooking, and the lov- would have to have some sort of contributing, so that we could eat Groupers, we nursed them. In fact, ing of those early folks. literature, guide rails for it to run on while the book was being written, over in Clinton Street, we developed Oh my! The episodes that there so it couldn’t get garbled. We were in the next two or three years some- were! I was away once on a business still toying with the idea that we had “I was rather pleasantly thing like a boiler factory, a sort of trip. (I’d briefly got back to to have paid workers who would be surprised that, when clinic, a hospital, and a free board- business.) One of the drunks was sent to other communities. We inghouse, from which practically no sleeping on the lounge in the parlor. thought we’d have to go into the numbered, they added one issued sober, but we had a pile of Lois woke up in the middle of the hospital business. Out in Akron, up to twelve” experience. night, hearing a great commotion. where we had started the first group, We began to learn the game, and He’d got a bottle; he’d also got into they had a meeting and nominated were slow on the contributions, and after our withdrawal from the Ox- the kitchen and had drunk a bottle of me to come to New York and do all I was in a damn bad frame of mind. I ford Group – oh, a year and a half maple syrup. And he had fallen na- these things. lay there with a pad and pencil, and I . from the time I sobered, in ’34 – we ked into the coal hod. When Lois We solicited Mr. [John D.] Rock- began to think over these six steps began to hold meetings of the few opened the door, he asked for a efeller [Jr.] and some of his friends, that I’ve just recited to you, and said who had sobered up. I suppose that towel to cover up his nakedness. She who gave us their friendship but, I to myself, “Well, if we put down was really the first AA meeting. The once led this same gentleman luckily, not much of their money. these six steps, the chunks are too book hadn’t yet been written. We through the streets late at night look- They gave S- [Dr. Bob] and me a big. They’ll have to digest too much

all at once. Besides, they can wiggle suppose that the elders of AA were out from in between, and if we’re go- going around in white robes suring to do a book, we ought to break rounded by a blue light, full of virthose up into smaller pieces.” tue, are quite mistaken. 1 merely So I began to write, and in about a became the umpire of the immense half an hour, I think, I had busted amount of hassling that went into them up into smaller pieces. I was the preparation of the AA book, and rather pleasantly surprised that, that took place at Clinton Street. when numbered, they added up to Well, of course, the book was the twelve – “That’s significant. Very summit of all our hopes at the time; nice.” along with the hassling, there was an At this point, a couple of drunks immense enthusiasm. We tried to ensailed in. I showed them the pro- vision distant readers picking it up posed Twelve Steps, and I caught and perhaps writing in, perhaps getfits. Why did we need twelve when ting sober. Could they do it on the six were doing fine? And what did I book? All of those things we mean by dragging God from the bot- speculated on very happily. Finally, tom of the list up to the top? in the spring of 1939, the book was Meanwhile, the meetings in the ready. We’d made a prepublication front parlor had largely turned into copy of it; it had got by the Catholic hassles over the chapters of the Committee on Publications; we’d book. The roughs were submitted shown it to all sorts of people; we and read at every meeting, so that had made corrections. We had 5,000 when the Twelve Steps were pro- copies printed, thinking that that posed, there was a still greater has- would be just a mere trifle -that the sle. Because I’d had this very sudden book would soon be selling millions experience and was on the pious of copies. Oh, we were very enthuside, I’d larded these Steps very siastic, us promoters. The Reader’s heavily with the word “God.” Other Digest had promised to print a piece people began to say, “This won’t do about the book, and we just saw at all. The reader at a distance is just those books going out in carloads. going to get scared off. And what Nothing of the sort happened. about agnostic folks like us?” There The Digest turned us down flat; the was another terrific hassle, which drunks had thrown their money into resulted in this terrific ten-strike we all this; there were hardly a hundred had: calling God (as you understand members in AA (Akron, Cleveland, Him) “the Higher Power,” making New York City, and a sprinkling . a hoop big enough so that the whole down around Washington and Philworld of alcoholics can walk adelphia). And here the thing had utthrough it. terly collapsed. So, actually, those people who (to be concluded)

August 1980

Carrying the Message Part I of this article (July Grapevine), from a talk by Bill at a New ‘Fifty-Five York City AA meeting in 1955, told of twelfh-stepping and early meetings at the Brooklyn home of Bill and Lois. “hassles” over the writing of the Big Book, financial risks in getting it printed, and, after itspublication, optimistic publicity plans – which suddenly fell through. Anonymous and the flagging move- been visiting, and she suddenly ment. developed terrible pains in her In the fall of that year, when it got stomach. This gentleman Jimmy cold up there at the summer camp, called himself a doctor. In fact, he we moved down to Bob V-‘s. had persuaded the authorities at Many of you know him and Mag Rockland that he was a wonderful Part I1 of a two-part article (old-timers over in Jersey). We were physician. They gave him full access

A T THIS juncture, the meetingthe first meeting of the Manhattan Group, which really took down to 75 William Street, where we had the little office in which a good deal of the book was actually done. close by the Rockland asylum. Bob and I and others went in there, and we started the first institutional to the place. He had keys to all the surgical instruments. (Incidentally, I think he had keys to the pill closets place in Brooklyn – stopped, and it Sundays that summer, we’d come group, and several wonderful char- over there.) stopped for a very good reason. That down to Hank’s house, where we acters were pried out of there. I hope Marty was suffering awful was that the landlord set Lois and me had meetings which old-timers – old Tom M- is here tonight- agonies, and he said, “Well, there’s out into the street, and we didn’t just a handful now in Jersey – can Tom came over to the V-s’, nothing to it, my dear. You’ve got even have money to move our stuff remember. where he holed up with Lois and me, gallstones.” So he goes over to into storage. Even that and the mov- The Alcoholic Foundation [AA’s then put in a room called Siberia, Rockland. He gets himself some ing van -that was done on the cuff. board of trustees, now called the because it was so cold. We bought a kind of fishing gadget that they put Well, it was then the spring of General Service Board], still com- coal stove for four dollars and kept down gullets to fish around in there, 1939. Temporarily, the Manhattan pletely empty of money, did have ourselves warm there during the and he fishes around and yanks up a Group moved to [New] Jersey. It one small account called the “Lois winter. flock of gallstones, and she hasn’t hadn’t got to Manhattan yet. A great B. W- Improvement Fund.” So did a wonderful alcoholic by had a bit of trouble since. And, dear friend, Horace C-, let Lois and This improvement fund was for- the name of Jimmy. He never made people, it was only years later that me have a camp belonging to himself tified every month by a passing of good. Jimmy was of the devious we learned the guy wasn’t a doctor at and his mother, out at Green Pond. the hat, so that we had the summer type, and one of our first remarkable all. My partner in the book enterprise, camp, we had fifty bucks a month, experiences with Jimmy was this. Meanwhile, the Manhattan Group old Hank P-, now gone, lived at and someone else lent us a car to try When we moved from Green Pond, moved to Manhattan for the first Upper Montclair. We used to come to revive the book Alcoholics we brought Marty with us, who had time. The folks over here started a

d i

meeting in Bert T-‘s tailor shop. Well, we had one for a while in weren’t being exactly paid – they office from Newark, New Jersey, Good old Bert is the guy who hocked Bmrow Street. And when the club were just passing the hat for us, you over to Vesey Street IManhattan]. his then-failing business to save the was opened up, we moved into one understand. I think that we went for You will find in the old edition of the book Alcoholics Anonymous in of those rooms there. Tom M- seven years of the history of this book [Alcoholics Anonymous] 1939. In the fall, he still had the came over from the V-s’, and Society with an average income of “Box 658, Church Street Annex.” shop, and we began to hold meetings right then and there a Tradition of seventeen hundred bucks a year, And that was the box into which the there. Little by little, things began to Alcoholics Anonymous was gener- which, for a former stockbroker, is first inquiries came. We picked out grow. We went from there to a room ated. It seemed that volunteers had not too big. So this question of who that location because Lois and I were in Steinway Hall, and felt we were in been sweeping the club; it seemed is a professional and who isn’t bore drifters, and we picked it because it very classic and good company that that many of the alcoholics had keys very heavily at the time on Tom and was the center of the geographical gave us an aura of respectability. to the club; and they came and went me. And Tom began to get it settled. area here. We didn’t know whether Finally, some of the boys – and sometimes stayed; and some- He began to show that if a special we’d light in Long Island, New notably Bert and Horace – said, times they got drunk and acted very service was asked from anybody Jersey, or Westchester, so the first “AA should have a home. We really badly – doing we know not what. full-time, we’d have to pay or not get AA post office box was down there, ought to have a club.” And so the There had to be somebody there to it. So, finally, we haggledTom down with a little office alongside of it. old 24th Street Club, which had really look after the place. So we on the theory that he already had a The volunteers couldn’t cope with . belonged to the artists and il- thought we’d approach old Tom, pension, and he came to live there. this tremendous flock of inquiries lustrators and before that was a barn who had a pension as a fireman. We Tom and Lois and I lived there, and heartbreakers, but 6,000 of them! going back to Revolutionary times, said, “Tom, how would you like to meetings began in that old club. We simply had to hire some help. At was taken over. I think Bert and come and live at the club?” That old club saw many a terrific that point, we asked you people if Horace signed the first lease, They Tom says, “What’s on your development, and from that club you’d send the foundation a buck soon incorporated it, though, lest mind?” sprang all the groups in this area. apiece a year, so we wouldn’t have to somebody slip on a banana peel out- “Well,” we said, “we really need The club saw the passage of the throw that stuff in the wastebasket. side. Lois and I, who had moved somebody here all the time, you Rockefeller dinner, when we And that was the beginning of the from the V-s’ to live with know, to make the coffee and see thought we’d all be rich as a move- service office and the book comanother AA, then decided we that the place is heated and throw ment, and Mr. Rockefeller saved us pany. That club saw all those things wanted a home for ourselves, and we some coal on that furnace over there by not giving us money. That club transpire. found a single furnished room down and lead the drunks outside if saw the Saturday Evening Post arti- But there was a beginning in that in a basement on Barrow Street in they’re too bad.” cle published. In fact, the Post at club at that time that none of us Greenwich Village. “Ain’t ya goin’ to pay me?” Tom that time said, “No pictures, no arti- noticed very much. It was just the I remember Lois and me going says. cle.” If you will look up the March germ of an idea. It often looked, in through Grand Central wondering “Oh, no,” we said. “This is Alco- 1, 1941, issue of the Saturday Post, after years, as though it might die where we’d light next, just before the holics Anonymous. We can’t have you will see a picture of the interior out. Yet within thelast three years, it Greenwich Village move. We were any professionals.” of the club, and a flock of us sitting has become what I think isone of the very tired that day, and we walked Tom says, “I do my Twelfth Step before the fire. They didn’t use our greatest developments that we shall off the main floor there and sat on work, 1 don’t charge ’em nothin’. names, but they insisted on pictures. ever know, and here I’m going to one of those gorgeous marble stair- But what you guys want is a janitor, Anonymity wasn’t then quite what it break into my little tale to introduce ways leading up to the balcony, and and if you’re going to get me, you’re is today. And with the advent of that my partner in all this, who stayed we both began to cry and say, going to pay, see?” piece, there was a prodigious rush of with me when things were bad and “Where will we ever light? Will we Well, we were very much disturb- inquiries – about 6,000 of them. when things have been good, and ever have a home?” ed about our own situation. We By this time, we’d moved the little she’ll tell you what began upstairs in

that club, and what has eventuated suppose I was thinking back – some big heart, I’d handed him five dol- Here was this tremendous church, from it – Lois. sort of an unconscious reflex. We lars. [Ebby had first carried the and all that we could see was a bigger ‘ [Lois then spoke about the forma- had a deuce of a time getting that message to Bill, across the kitchen and bigger club in New York City. tion and early days of Al-Anon club supported, just passing the hat, table at Clinton St~eet.]Our total in- So we moved in. The body of the Family Groups.] no fees, no dues, just the way it come at the time was thirty bucks a church would hold 1,000 people, So, you see, it was in the confines should be. But the “no fee and due” week, which had come out of the and we had a hall upstairs that would of the Manhattan Group of those business was construed into no Rockefeller dinner affair; so I’d hold another 800, and we visioned very, very early days that this germ money at all – let George do it. given him five bucks of the thirty this as soon full. Then there were of an idea came to life. Lois might I’d been, on this particular day, and felt very generous, you see. bowling alleys downstairs, and we down to the foundation office [fore- But now comes the hat to pay for figured the drunks would soon be runner of the AA General Service the light and heat and so forth – getting a lot of exercise. After they “AA is something Office], and we’d just put out this dollar-a-year “measuring stick” for rent and I pull out this half dollar warmed up down there, they could and I look absent-mindedly at it, and go upstairs in the gymnasium. Then, more than a quest the alcoholics to send us some I put my hand in the other pocket we had cooking apparatus for a for sobriety. ” money if they felt like it. Not too and pull out a dime and put it in the restaurant. This was to be our home, many were feeling like it, and I hat. So I have never since railed at and we moved in. remember that I was walking up and alcoholics for not getting up the Well, sure enough, the place filled have added that since the St. Louis down the office damning these money. There, you see, was the up just like mad! Then, questions of conference Ithe Second AA Inter- drunks. That evening, still feeling beginning of two AA Traditions – administration, questions of morals, national Convention, in 19551, one sore about the stinginess of the things that had to do with profesnew family group has started every drunks, I sat on the stairs at the old sionalism [Tradition Eight] and single day of the week since, some- 24th Street Club, talking to some “Each group, like money [Tradition Seven]. place in the world. would-be “convert.” Tom B- Following 1941, this thing just our own, was having I think the deeper meaning of all was leading that meeting that night, mushroomed everywhere. Groups its terrific this is that AA is something more and at the intermission he put on a began to break off out into the than a quest for sobriety, because we real plug for money, the first one suburbs. But a lot of us still wanted a headaches. ” cannot have sobriety unless we solve that I’d ever heard. At that time, club, and the 24th Street Club just the problem of life, which is essen- money and spirituality couldn’t mix, wouldn’t do the trick. We got an of- questions of meetings, questions of tially the problem of living and even in the hat. I mean, you mustn’t fer from Norman Vincent Peale to which was the Manhattan Group working together. And the family talk about money! Very reluctantly, take over a church at 41st Street. The and which was the club and which groups are straightening out the we’d gone into the subject with church was in a neighborhood that was the intergroup (the secretary of enormous twist that has been put on M- [the retired fireman] and the had deteriorated badly – over the club was also the intergroup our domestic relations by our drink- landlord. We were behind in the around Ninth Avenue and 41st. In secretary) began to get this seething ing. I think it’s one of the greatest rent. fact, it was said to be a rather sinful mass into terrific tangles, and we things that’s happened in years. Well, Tom put on that heavy neighborhood, if you gather what I learned a whole lot about clubs! Well, let’s cut back again to old pitch, and I went on talking to my mean. The last young preacher that Whilst all this was going on, the 24th Street. One more thing happen- prospect, and as the hat came along, Peale had sent there seemed very A A groups were spreading throughed there: Another Tradition was I fished in my pocket and pulled out much against drinking and smoking out America and to foreign shores, generated. It had to do with money. half a buck. That very day, I think and other even more popular forms and each group, like our own, was notice how slow I was on com- Ebby had come in the office a little . You ing up with that dollar bill tonight? I the worse for wear, and with a very of sin; therefore, he had no parishioners. having its terrific headaches. In that violent period, nobody could say

whether this thing would hang moved. So did the Manhattan together or not. Would it simply ex- Group, with $5,000 – its part of the plode and. fly all to pieces? On take, which it hung on to. And from thousands of anvils of experience, of the Manhattan Group’s experience, which the Manhattan Group was we learned that – although the certainly one (down in that 41st foundation needs a reserve – for Street club, more sparks came off God’s sake, don’t have any money in a that anvil than any I ever saw), we a group treasury! The hassles about hammered out the Traditions of Al- that 5,000 lasted until they got rid of coholics Anonymous, which were it somehow. first published in 1946 [April Grape- Then, you all moved down to dear vine]. We hammered out the rudi- old Sam Shoemaker’s Calvary, the ments of an intergroup, which now very place of our beginning. Now, has become one of the best there is we’ve made another move. And so anywhere, right here in New York. we grow, and such has been the road Finally, however, the club got so that leads back t o the kitchen table at big that it bust. The intergroup Clinton Street.

October 1980

I. L’ Forty-Fifth Anniversary /'<, ,

A A International Con vention

Super Meeting

whelming – surprise that I enjoyed on first walking into my home group. Going to New Orleans for the Forty-Fifth Anniversary AA International Convention, July 3-6, 1980, was like returning to my home group after a long absence. The curiosity remained; I knew I’d find familiar faces outnumbered by unfamiliar, as I do in my growing group. But the foreboding was replaced. by anticipation. Flying over the green, waterscribbled delta, looking down on the buildings clustered along the milkchocolate curves of the Mississippi River, I knew that New Orleans would not be a city of strangers. Sure enough, I got off the bus from the airport saying goodbye to a California AA I had never seen before and promising t o deliver his message to a New York friend: “Tell her hello

from Square Foot.” The Califor- forty nationalities looking back to a tell me I get more out of writing for nian was a CB enthusiast, too subtly date that promised another sort of the Grapevine than they do from named. “Nobody gets it. Square independence for the alcoholics of writing syndicated stuff.” And a Foot – Twehe by Twelve!” the world: June 10, 1935, when Dr. third AA reported, “My involve- For all the miles between Denver Bob had his last drink and came to ment as area Grapevine chairman and New Orleans, I was back in our believe that he and his sponsor, Bill was the best tool I had in my pertown as soon as I set foot on the W., could keep their gift of freedom sonal sobriety.” streets. Practically all the passersby by sharing it. Still another panelist recalled, seemed to be wearing the sunny Now, forty-five years later, “Three years before I stopped drinkyellow badges that were headed thousands of alcoholics streamed ing, I stole a ragged, coffee-stained “The Joy of Living,” the Conven- toward the Louisiana Superdome to copy of the Bill W. memorial issue tion theme, and decorated with a line celebrate their sobriety. On first see- from a facility – and here it is at the of prancing jazzmen, symbol of New ing the Superdome, you might think Convention! ” (Packets containing Orleans. that the mother ship from Close En- reprints of that Grapevine and the In key with the location, a July 3 counters of the Third Kind was park- Dr. Bob memorial issue were on sale reprise o f the Mardi Gras parade ed in New Orleans. Its walls enclose at the Superdome.) greeted Convention-goers inside the the largest indoor sports arena in the Another Grapevine, once placed Rivergate Convention Center Thurs- world. The meeting rooms where in the hands of a Zulu in South day evening. A welcoming dance our workshop sessions were held Africa, symbolized AA hope for followed, while young AAs stepped spread around its circumference. him. So he told us Friday night at the to their own rhythms at the Crawfish And around and around . . . The Big Meeting, in a setting that dram- Crawl, held at a nearby hotel. And curving corridor held an endless atized the worldwide extent of our immediately after that began the AA parade of AAs and their families and Fellowship. Across the center of the meetings that went on all over town friends, shouting “Hi,” pausing for vast Superdome arena stretched a all during the Convention: state, impromptu meetings, sitting down stylized-map of our planet, with provincial, and special-interest alka- t o rest tired feet, grabbing coffee or winking white lights to mark all the thons; midnight meetings; a mara- cola, asking, “Is ‘Loners and Inter- countries and remote areas where thon meeting that kept going for nationalists’ in this room?” or AA can now be found, from Greenfifty-six hours, with thirty-eight “Where’s ‘Public Information’?” land to Antarctica. Hung bannerlike speakers. “Do I have to go to all Whatever your AA service inter- at each side of the map were huge those meetings?” No one person est, you would have found it being covers of Big Books in many could have, but it seems we can’t get explored somewhere along the way. languages. And the meeting opened enough of them; after the whole Two workshops focused on “The with a grand march of spotlighted Convention was over, somebody at Grapevine – How It Works.” flag-bearers down the aisle. the motel where I stayed posted a slip “What the editor thinks doesn’t The total of registrants, about of paper beside the elevators, with matter,” said one panelist. “If the 22,500, was not quite as large as the the penciled announcement: “AA Grapevine reflected only one mem- rapid growth of AA had led us to exmeeting tonight at 6:00 beside the ber’s opinion, that would be the end pect; this summer, economic condiswimming pool.” of it.” Another, a regular GV con- tions caused a reduction in the scope July 4, Independence Day for the tributor (unpaid, of course), said, of most conventions in the U.S. But U.S.A., found Convention-goers of “Writers who have won Pulitzers the three stories that held us enthrall-

ed Friday evening were the real message of our Convention: The AA program can work for you, whether you’re in Africa or North America, black or white, woman or man. Back to the Superdome circuit on Saturday, to sample another bewildering array of workshops. And the alkathons went on. And the marathon went on. An International Convention is a great place for learning – as all of life should be. But it isn’t a working occasion (like the General Service Conference, for example); its chief purpose is simple enjoyment of the sober life, giving AAs and their families and friends the sheer pleasure of one another’s company on a big scale. Saturday evening, the Big Show at the Superdome provided a lively range of family entertainment. New Orleans is a wonderful place t o savor “The Joy of Living.” It’s an “Easy Does It” town, though it in any era before the year 1935. the first Big Book in his language to members to ask, “What’s that usually isn’t full of people wearing Splendid coffee is a New Orleans Lois W., widow of one co-founder; badge?” On being told, he blurted, T-shirts that say so. We crowded the specialty, but it isn’t the only Robert S., son of the other, greeted “I don’t know how ‘to stop evening pedestrian mall of Bourbon beverage to be found in this good- us; AAs from England, Canada, and drinking!” Young Pete from Mon- Street from one end (neatly pictur- time town. Yes, we saw a fair the U.S. told how a power greater tana was quickly introduced to some esque) to the other (gaudily honky- number of prime prospects for our than themselves had led them to New Orleans AAs, and on Sunday tonk). We heard the beat of undying Fellowship. Wonder what they recovery. morning, he came to the podium to classical jazz on its native ground. thought of all those badge-wearing But the most heart-catching mo- blow out the candle. We strolled toward the river, nuts who were actually enjoying life ment was entirely unscheduled. At Each of our International Conthrough the lovelier old streets of the without drinking. the start of that fifty-six-hour mara- ventions celebrates a beginning, the French Quarter, with lampposts On Sunday morning, we found thon meeting, a candle had been same kind that we see many times in lighting the lacework of the bal- out what one of them thought. The lighted. Still burning inside its tall our home groups. Looking at this conies and calling up the serenity Convention, as always, closed with a glass cylinder, it was brought from beginning (through a slight mist), I that our imagination attributes to Spiritual Meeting, to remind us that the hotel to the podium. Then came knew that for each of us, the true the past. Come to think of it, that AA offers much more than coffee the moment. home group is the whole AA Fellowsupposedly idyllic past would have and camaraderie. In front of the One evening outside the hotel, a ship. been a terrible time t o be a drunk – world map, an Italian AA presented passerby had stopped one of our J. G., Manhattan, N.Y.

October 1980

In Memoriam

Helen Evans, co-founder Bill W.’s half sister and the Grapevine’s first paid employee, died July 8 in Tucson, Ariz. Helen, a nonalcoholic, came to live with Bill and Lois and to work at the Grapevine in 1945 (see “How It Was . . .” in the June 1979 Grapevine). The office in those days was in an apartment, and – 8s our first salaried employee – Helen kept the shoestring operation together with her enthusiasm and dedication, watching our circulation grow, helping with the Grapevine’s several moves in the early days, and participating in much of AA’s life and history in the 1940’s. We owe Helen – as we owe many non-AAS and AAs alike – a debt of gratitude for her special part in helping to carry the message of recovery.

December 1980

wife had once committed him to a hardly hear anything on the phone. I state institution for life, but some made them move their everlasting AA men got him out. He was staying card game downstairs. One huge, sober to spite his wife. He was bad- redheaded man got so mad at me tempered and talkative, and he cuss- that he went out and got drunk. He ed, and he wouldn’t let too many came back and leaned over the desk people into his kitchen. When a for- and told me what I could do with the mal discharge from the state institu- club. tion came through, Tom got drunk There was a character called to celebrate. Ila P., one of our early Frances F. who used to come and sit members, took him to Towns Hospi- right behind my desk and kibitz. She tal in a cab. Tom’s false teeth kept told the redheaded drunk what he dropping, and Ila kept pushing them could do. Beautiful! (And, alas, unback. Tom sobered up after that and printable.) There was a rumor stayed on the program, still cussing around AA that Frances had been a with every other breath. madam. She was big, tough, coarse, The old clubhouse had a long Then hallway and one downstairs room with an empty fireplace. The kindhearted, and killingly funny. Her hats, which she made herself, were covered with flowers, birds, speakers stood in front of it. Over and butterflies. When she made a the mantel was a portrait of Bill W. forceful point, the birds flew and the Now that had a discernible halo. Bill and some of us made fun of it. The last flowers trembled. People used to come in for help people to get to the meeting had to and sit at the secretary’s desk and sit in the hallway or on the stairs talk. A vague little blond waif was leading to the second floor. There there one day, and Frances passed was a big room upstairs, too, plus a me a note: “Know good.” bath and a small bedroom where Bill Later, I said, “Frances, that’s I HAVE TO admit that I miss those old days in AA when we all knew each other. In 1944, when I came in, used to have dinner at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central and then take a train out to a very small meeting in used to stay when he was in town. The secretary’s desk was upstairs, spelled N-0.” “I don’t care what it’s spelled,” there were only about a hundred Forest Hills, Long Island. near a wall telephone where calls for she said. “It’s still no good.” members in the whole New York Now, we have about a million help used to come in. It was the And that, unfortunately, was area. Marty, my sponsor, and a cou- members all over the world and secretary’s job to answer the phone true. Of course, I helped some people of other women took me to my round-the-clock meetings in New and send people out on Twelfth Step ple, but I used to despair over the first meeting at the old clubhouse at York. Of course, I’m delighted that calls. A bunch of men who were out ones we couldn’t seem to help. I used 334% West 24th Street. We had one AA has grown. I’ve done my in- of work sat upstairs and played to drag intoxicated women to meetopen meeting a week at the club- finitesimal best to help it grow. But cards all day. They were sober but ings and hand out AA literature to house, with a chairman ‘and three Marty and I sometimes talk about practically useless. They almost drunks in restaurants. It took me a speakers, and one closed meeting in the old days, and we get nostalgic. never went out on a call. When I was while to understand that I couldn’t another part of town, and that was We talk about old Tom, the care- secretary, I got tired of them. They sober up the world. it. T o get to an extra one, some of us taker at the 24th Street Club. Tom’s made such a noise that you could Tough old Frances, however, had

great success with people who got in- that, unless it was Marty. When And I said, “What do you bet?” member, then two, then three, then t o the alcoholic ward at Bellevue Sister Ftances heard their story, she We sold fifty meat pies for fifty one again. I once got so discouraged Hospital or the Women’s House of said, “I’m giving you this place.” cents apiece, which was what they that I called Bill on the phone and Detention, that old jail at Sixth and They explained that AA couldn’t cost. We had salad, dessert, and burst into tears. Greenwich Avenues. She would sit own any property, so a board was set gallons of coffee. A bunch of men, But Chase, my other sponsor, and give them lectures on alcohol- up with some AA members on it, some of them off the Bowery, clean- who worked up there, too, said, ism, her knees apart and yards of and AAs and new people started go- ed up for me. Some AA members “Once this gets rolling, you won’t be bloomers showing. She would hand ing up there. put on a great stage show. Rudy P. able to stop it.” out old clothes to the destitute and Sister Frances’ father was a from the Philharmonic played He was right. The St. Nicholas give them carfare to get to a meeting former governor of Massachusetts. “Silent Night” on the French horn. Group, up there in St. Philip’s, began when they were released. Many Her real name was Ethelred Folsom Gradually, the auditorium filled up. to grow, and now there are many wonderful old-timers owed their Helling, which I am sure she was Many AAs came after their family groups in Harlem. sobriety to Frances. glad to shed. She was small, eccen- parties were over. It was a great suc- Never be discouraged if your Tony, Frances’ husband, was a tric, and highly intelligent, with a cess. pigeons or would-be pigeons don’t slender little man who had occa- great sense of humor. She didn’t The first interracial group in the seem to make it. Sometimes, you’ll sional slips. They were always short, believe in killing animals, so she New York area started in the late see them years later at a meeting, and because she “slapped him sober.” wouldn’t eat meat or wear fur or 1940’s. It was a slow process. There they’ll come up and tell you that A very different Frances, called leather. She wore sneakers summer was a black group in Washington, something you said to them long ago Sister Frances, started High Watch and winter. She and Marty became D.C., which was then segregated. Its really helped to get them sober. Farm in Connecticut. (It was one of great friends. During that first sum- founder, Jim S.(whose story is in the Once, on Thanksgiving Day, I inthe first rest farms for alcoholics; mer, Marty was still out of work and Big Book), his wife Viola, and other vited a brand-new woman to dinner after hospitalization, many still go had her own cottage up there, where members of the group used to come with a couple of older members. I there for a rehabilitation period, she could stay whenever she liked. to New York on weekends to help us. never heard from her again until with intensive use of the AA pro- Marty’s mother spent a year there They were simply wonderful. The years later. She sent word that she gram.) Sister Frances did not belong and did all the cooking and baking. black men and women in this area was sober in AA and living in Baltit o any established religious order, She was a soothing influence and a usually would show up at our down- more. She was so grateful for that but she had studied with a pupil of wonderful cook. town meetings, one at a time, and long-ago dinner that she always in- Mary Baker Eddy (founder of the Back in New York, we always had never come back. We tried to make vited some new person to her house Christian Science Church). She had a Christmas party at the old club- one of the Greenwich Village meet- on Thanksgiving. three farms to begin with: one for house, with a tree, entertainment by ings into an interracial group, and Yes, I love the way AA has grown, children, one for adults, and one for some of the members, and a nice big that didn’t work. but I’d like to go back magically older people, which was a sort of rest spread. Some of us had no place to Then, I heard about the Reverend through time and relive the old days. home. Everybody was to learn meta- go on Christmas. I once organiz~da Shelton Bishop, the rector of St. I’d like to visit with some old friends physics, and baskets were hung out- Christmas Day party in the old Philip’s Church on West 134th who are no longer here, like Pat C., side the front doors to collect Dutch Reform Church, when we Street. He was a great leader in who used to ship for Standard Oil, money. This didn’t work very well. moved there from the clubhouse in Harlem. I talked to him, and he said and who used to call me when he got A pigeon of Marty’s knew Sister the 1940’s. It was a huge barn of a we could have the basement area of to New York and say, “Put on the Frances and took Bill W. and Marty place, with a stage, an auditorium, the church and use the kitchen for coffeepot. I’ll be right up.” I’d like u p to High Watch to see her. Bill and a big kitchen. A lot of people our weekly meetings. A lot of peo- to go to the old clubhouse again and started talking about AA. Of course, said, “Nobody will come on ple, including Bill, went up there to have a talk with Bill again. there was nobody to beat him at Christmas Day.” speak. But we’d get only one black But the present has its rewards.

Some of my old friends are still here, better at helping somebody who’s and I have many new ones a genera- sober and having problems. tion younger – even two genera- I like to think about other people tions younger! I am a sober, reason- and not about myself. Controlled ably happy great-grandmother. I nostalgia is okay, but 1don’t want to love my family, and they love me. be a compulsive reminiscer, an old- We do things together. I still go to rocking-chair bore. I like living a day .meetings and try to work the pro- at a time. My nostalgia is laced with gram. I do a little Twelfth Step work gratitude. when I can, though nowadays I’m F, M., New Canaan, Conn.

AA Grapevine, @arch 1981

Shaping of Principles While early AA members were going through the personal and group experiences that eventually produced S HORTLY AFTER joining the Manhattan Group in 1945, I met Marty M. when she gave a talk in the the Multilith pages out a window of she arrived back at her hideout to the sanitarium where she was con- find Bill W. waiting for her on the fined. Retrieved, the book made a front steps. Without coat, hat, or the Steps and the Traditions, they old 41 st Street clubhouse. She and I more favorable impression at second gloves, he was pounding his arms had no idea that they were shaping were soon friends, and the following reading. and stamping his feet to keep warm. principles destined to hold good for year, an enterprise she was involved She was given an evening’s leave He had, of course, finally figured the million-plus AA members of with proved to be a godsend for me. from the sanitarium to go to her first out where he would be if he were 1981. In writing the Steps, they Marty was one of the “six ink- AA meeting, at the Brooklyn home Marty on a slip. And sure enough, simply looked back and figured out stained wretches” (as co-founder of Bill and Lois. Marty herself the shamefaced Marty and the shivwhat they had done right. They ar- Bill W. called them in the first issue recalled the occasion while speaking ering Bill now stood looking at each rived at the Traditiom mostly by the of the Grapevine) who started our a few years ago at the Bill W. an- other in the snow. reverse route – looking back, seeing magazine in 1944. In 1946, I had a niversary dinner held annually by He spoke first. “Ready to stop where they had gone wrong, and bad slip; afterward, another of the the New York Intergroup Associa- drinking yet?” then setting a course in the opposite “wretches” helped me avoid booze- tion. Since the group in Brooklyn “I don’t know,” Marty replied direction. fighting by letting me type as she dic- was all male, she found herself sur- truthfully. Decisions reached through the ex- tated Grapevine articles on Sunday prisingly timid and fled upstairs, They stood silent for a while. “I periences of one early woman AA afternoons in her Greenwich Village afraid to go down to the meeting. hope you do soon,” Bill finally said. affected the growth of at least six apartment. (Yes, I’m very sentimen- Eventually, Lois came up. She put “You and I have a long way to go Traditions, including the anonymity tal about this magazine you are her arms around Marty and said, together.” It was an almost uncanny aspect of the Eleventh. The story is reading and about its founders.) “I’m so glad you’re joining us. prophecy. told here by a man who came to AA Because of my slip, I was trying to We’ve all been waiting for you.” Actually, he drove her to New six years after she did. He was drawn find spiritual knowledge I had miss- And they descended the stairs Jersey to sober up in a loaned house partly by one of those still-unvoiced ed. Marty suggested that I read Em- together, arm in arm. Always there- he and Lois were then living in tem- Traditions. In an earlier Grapevine met Fox’s The Sermon on the after, Marty said in her talk, she porarily. And Bill’s hope was realizarticle, he remembered, “One morn- Mount, which she described as “the knew Lois was as much her sponsor ed: That year, 1939, marked the end ing, I found mysev crying and say- AA bible before we had the Big as Bill. of Marty’s drinking. ing, ‘I’ve got to get out of this hell. Book.” Then, she told of having a slip a Immersing herself in AA activity, some way. ‘ That promise of privacy, Marty’s own first encounter with short time later. She hid out from Marty also was hungry for general that pledge – implied in the name the Big Book had not seemed too AAs in the apartment of an old information about alcoholism. She Alcoholics Anonymous – to keep promising. Before its publication, a drinking friend, going out only to had good reason to appreciate how my shameful record absolutely con- typescript of it was given to her, and get booze. Once, she trudged with lifesaving knowledge could be. In fidential made it possible for me to its message left her merely rebel- her package through a bad snow- her school days, she and a chum had show up at the local AA office. ” lious. As one story goes, she hurled storm, and almost dropped it when both been stricken with “consump-

tion,” then a disease as stigmatized scientific knowledge being amassed ever published the full name of a liv- ed the danger – not only to alcoholas alcoholism. In deep shame, her at Yale would be of little value unless ing AA member. ics with power drives like his (selfchum’s parents locked up Marty’s it was applied and that it must there- In an interview in that issue, Mar- admitted), but also to the Fellowship friend in an upstairs bedroom, and fore be made available to the general ty told why she’d decided to reveal as a whole. So he had stopped the public. The Yale savants agreed and told everyone the girl was at a finish- publicly her membership in AA. It practice. But now he and Dr. Bob ing school in Europe. But Marty’s made Marty head of their National was “for the good of others,” she honestly thought Marty and her parents sent her to the care of a Committee for Education on Alco- said. Remember – this was 1944, committee made a worthy exception. physician in Arizona. He told her the holism (NCEA). Among members two years before Bill W.’s Grapevine name of her sickness was tuberculo- of the committee were Dr. Bob and article on anonymity and other sis. He said she had no reason to be Bill W., identified as founders of principles that would become our “Bill had courted ashamed, and he explained what she AA. Traditions, and six years before the publicity.. .But should d o to recover. She learned all Other members included: Dr. Fellowship accepted the Traditions soon…he recognized she could about the illness, followed Harry Tiebout, the psychiatrist who at the First International Conven- the danger” the doctor’s program of recovery, ran Blythewood Sanitarium and had tion, in Cleveland. and got well. Within one year, how- given Marty the Big Book; Austin In 1977, Marty told me she had at — – – —

ever, the childhood friend, closeted MacCormick, penologist, later to be- first been reluctant to break her In a short time, NCA had to begin in disgrace upstairs at home, was come, like Dr. Tiebout, a nonalco- anonymity at the public level, not fund-raising. Although the appeal dead. holic trustee on our General Service because the stigma ever scared her, letters did not really say AA was in- In 1943, Marty attended the first Board. And oh yes, Dorothy Parker, but because she felt that a “lady volved, reference to our co-founders Summer School of Alcohol Studies Mary Pickford, Fulton Oursler, and lush” would never be acceptable to and mentions of AA left that impresat Yale University. There, she took the Rev. Harry Emerson Fosdick, to the public, that it would endanger sion. Some of the letters asking for fire and began to blaze with the ideaname just a few more. her credibility and so damage her money went to AA members. And of educating the public about alco- As Grapevine fans know, the very cause. very quickly, the Alcoholic Foundaholism. She was well qualified for first Grapevine, dated June 1944 In answer to Marty’s doubts, Bill tion Headquarters (forerunner of this task, with experience as a suc- (facsimile copies are available today and Dr. Bob pointed out that hers the AA General Service Office) was cessful public relations and advertis-for $1.00), featured a big front-page was a unique opportunity to spread deluged with complaints from upset article by Haggard and Jellinek, the AA message as a living example. AAs. This sticky situation came to headlined “Two Yale Savants Stress So, with some trepidation, she de- be called “the Marty M. incident” ” ‘Two Yale Savants Alcoholism as True Disease.” cided they must be right. (This story and eventually resulted in much Then, for the first time anywhere, is also told – naming no names – good for our Fellowship. Stress Alcoholism the Grapevine announced on its by Bill W. in the article “Why As early as 1940, the foundation as True Disease’ ” front page in the October 1944 issue Alcoholics Anonymous Is Anony- had started asking AA groups to the formation of NCEA – to be mous,” and by Lois W. in the book support headquarters work with known within a few years as NCA, Lois Remembers, published by Al- contributions. And in 1945, the ing executive and with talent as a the National Council on Alcohol- Anon .) foundation trustees decided once public speaker. ism. The Grapevine article noted For over a year, Marty tried it. She and for all to accept no further funds The first converts to her campaign that NCEA’s executive director, was not the first, of course. In 1940, from non-AA sources, nor even were Howard W. Haggard and E. Marty M-, and her secretary, Bill had courted personal publicity, large bequests from members. M. Jellinek, founders and directors Marion M. (whose full name was not telling newspaper folks he was a Now, this new outfit, NCA, seemof the Yale Plan of Alcohol Studies. given), were both AA members. It founder of AA. But soon he saw ed to be publicly using its AA con- Marty persuaded them that all the was the only time that this magazine others doing likewise, and recogniz- nections to try to raise big money.

No wonder AA members were puz- distinction, perhaps realized best by AA.” She never did. She never eighty-nine, enjoyed themselves like zled. those who have come to full appre- received any pay for recovering from school buddies off for a holiday, The whole AA-NCA connection ciation of the value and spiritual alcoholism, nor for her personal summoning incredible energy from had to be rethought. Dr. Bob came nature of the humility called for by Twelfth Step work, nor for taking deep, unseen springs and a rich fund t o New York, and he and Bill had our anonymity Traditions. the other Steps necessary to stay of memories. But mostly, they seemlong, honest, friendly discussions Bill and Dr. Bob quietly got off sober. Today, thousands of AAs ed eager for the new experience with Marty. Then, the trustees of the the Yale committee. It was a mutual- employed in the field of alcoholism ahead.. At the Convention, Marty Alcoholic Foundation held a special ly amicable separation. All involved are grateful to her for blazing a path gave her last public talk. meeting and issued a statement to all saw that the functions of AA and before them. The epilogue to that Convention AA members and groups. It was NCA were entirely different, requir- For many years, Marty gave any- had a double significance in AA and printed in the October 1946 Grape- ing completely separate methods of where from 200 to 350 lectures a year Grapevine history. vine, saying that “. . . several local operation. Public education about in the U.S., in Canada, and abroad. Four days after the New Orleans and national organizations are solic- alcoholism is not the same thing as She addressed many legislatures and Convention closed, Helen Evans iting contributions of money from helping alcoholics on a one-to-one testified before dozens of their com- died of cancer in Tucson, Ariz., July the public through . . . letters from basis. mittees. Her major book, New 10, and Lois W. left the Mississippi which the public may infer sponsor- But the unofficial friendship was Primer on Alcoholism, has been riverboat Delta Queen that day to fly ship by Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . never ruptured. Bill and Dr. Bob issued in five languages. to Tucson. The July 1979 Grapevine No individual or special group . . . continued, when asked, to say they About twenty years ago, Marty has told about Helen, Bill W.’s half has been or will be authorized to personally approved of the NCA ef- went to Chicago for a meeting of the sister (a nonalcoholic), who in 1945 solicit funds under the sponsorship forts, although AA itseif had to be National Tuberculosis Association. took over three jobs nobody else or sanction o f . . . Alcoholics Anon- clearly dissociated from those ef- That weekend, some national emer- would have: (1) She was the Grapeymous . . .” forts. And NCA never stopped plug- gency forced the chief speaker to bow out. He was the President of the vine’s first paid employee, at $40 a month; (2) she was Bill’s part-time The Traditions so dear to us today ging AA as the best way known to were clearly shaping up out of expe- recover from alcoholism. United States. Marty was quickly secretary as he began writing the arrience, including mistakes. And The NCA board and those of al- tapped to replace him. She made a ticles eventually refined into our Marty was a central character in the most all its local affiliate councils fiery, impassioned address about the Traditions; and (3) she was part-time experiences that gave rise t o such have nearly always contained a greatness of a society that cared secretary to Marty. Traditions as those on our primary strong nucleus of AA members, act- about people, and thousands cheer- The Convention had been over for purpose, self-support, outside enter- ing not as A h , of course, but as ed her. She did not say so, but her sixteen days when Marty M. died, on prises, public controversy, nonpro- private citizens. Each wears two message was straight from the heart July 22, after a cerebral hemorfessionalism, and anonymity. hats, in effect: that of a volunteer in of AA, as well as from her childhood rhage. She never again identified herself a non-AA alcoholism agency and experience with another stigmatized In closing her New Orleans talk, as an AA member when lecturing on that of an AA member. Marty de- illness. Marty said, “Truly we have a bond, her job or in the public prints or o n scribed herself as “AA’s first two- In 1968, Marty left the directorship in the disease – a strange way to the air. But at AA meetings, she hatter,” since she was paid for her of NCA, but, as founder-consultant, have a bond! – that is deep and always did, of course, and stuck educational efforts in alcoholism. continued working just as hard. strong. It flows constantly through strictly to her own personal expe- However, she never was paid one I was on the plane that took Marty us, and passes on to anyone who will rience, never speaking as an “au- cent for being in AA. and Lois W. to New Orleans in July hold their hand out. And it doesn’t thority.” In public appearances, she For a while, a handful of AAs did 1980 for our 45th Anniversary Inter- stop flowing. I just think we’re the identified herself simply as a not understand this, so they criticiz- national Convention. The two luckiest people in the world!” recovered alcoholic. It is a subtle ed Marty for “making money on women, aged seventy-five and Anonymous, Manhattan, N.Y.

December 1981

30 Years Ago in the Grapevine

In light of the million-plus membership and 42,000 groups, in 110 countries, estimated for AA today, it’s interesting to look back a few decades. The December 1951 Grapevine reported the presenting to AA of the American Public Health Association’s Lasker Award (October 1951), “in recognition of its unique and highly successful approach” to alcoholism. “Since its founding sixteen years ago, Alcoholics Anonymous has brought recovery to more than 120,000 chronic drinkers formerly thought hopeless. Today this world fellowship of 4,000 groups, . . . in 38 countries, is rehabilitating 25,000 additional persons yearly. . . . The Lasker Award statuette, “Alcoholics Anonymous works upon the replica of the classical Winged novel principle that a recovered alcoholic can Victory of Samothrace, symbolizing victory over death and reach and treat a fellow sufferer as no one else disease, now has a place of can.” honor in the AA archives.

April 1982

Not Quite the Only Requirement

Before the Traditions were adopted, some localities had stringent “rules,” for example, the following excerpts from the “Code of Procedure for the AA Group of Metropolitan Detroit” (1942): 1. Active membership in the AA Group of Metropolitan Detroit may be achieved by a prospective member in the following manner: First, attending four “instruction meetings” as held by a recognized local group. During this time he will read the official AA book complete. After which the chairman of the instruction meeting will recommend his name to the chairman of the local group. Second, attending four “regular meetings” of that same local group. After which, any two members of not less than six months’ sobriety may recommend his name to the chairman of the local group as an active member. . . 2. An active member may transfer from one local group to another by notifying the respective chairmen of the groups affected. Definite registration in some one particular group is essential. 3. Any active member who, for any reason, resumes drinking. . .immediately permits his membership to lapse. . . 4. No provision of this code is intended to prohibit, or to limit in any way, the practice of the principles of AA by any individual who may choose to conduct his own interpretations of AA. . . .But any such individual. . .shall not use the copyrighted name “AA” or attend any AA meetings, make any hospital calls on AA patients, or represent himself as a member of the AA Group of Metropolitan Detroit.

January 1983

It’s About Those ‘Outside Enterprises’

When the 41st Street Clubhouse was organized in New York City in the 1940s, there were many problems – some of them rather unexpected. One day, for example, the cop on the beat dropped in and began asking mystifying questions involving somebody named Susan. The AA member at the desk asked what it was all about, and the policeman told him the building was about to be raided. It seems that call girls were using the club’s phone upstairs – and sharing it with some professional gamblers – all without the knowledge of the hardworking AA members downstairs.

b t

AA Grapevine, May 1983

Anonymity and other strange practices made for zest and humor in early media reporting on AA – but the message got across

AA was loaded with oddities. It had a funding a program that was already kind of zest for one-liners that we just doing such a wonderful job restoring don’t often see today. the human resources of alcoholism

Who ALCOHOLICS ALL: IS0 MEET – AND IT’S WATER OR NOTHING (Chicago Sun – Times, December 1, 1940). AA’s need for favorable publicity victims. While dinner guests later gave modest sums and Rockefeller donated $1,000, he felt any more would “spoil” the new Fellowship. was greatest in the very beginning. Thus, the dinner was far less signifi- Bi!l and Bob, our co-founders, cant as the fund raiser that Bill and looked on the members of the press as Bob hoped for than it was for two

That important friends who offered the best way to carry the message to the many suffering alcoholics still outside the influence of the young program. other things. One: it established AA’s emerging resolution to be self-supporting. Two: it was an early break for them in the press, if not the actual

Maske In many ways, the message was well carried, but often by writers who regarded the sober alcoholics with beginning of some credibility for AA’s claims. Characteristically, the headlines

Man? understandable skepticism. Consequently, the good news of AA’s existence was spread with ballyhoo and a fine eye for whimsical focused on the paradox of John D. Rockefeller Jr., the symbol o f American success and social propriety, throwing a dinner for drunks. contrasts. It was safer, after all, to ROCKEFELLER DINES EX-SOTS NOW play for laughs and for the bizarre: RUM FOES, sang the New York Daily MAN BITES DOG is still a more news- News. 60 ON WAGON – AND ROOM worthy head than MAN QUITS HAIR OF FOR MORE, announced the New York DOG. Post on February 9, 1940. The famous Rockefeller dinner is Other, less colorful newspapers an example. In 1940, John D. Rocke- treated it straight with heads such as N o. IT WASN’T the Lone Ranger. In fact, when this picture was taken, the subject was less a loner 1938, and his mask is one (rather awkward) solution to the problem of how to tell our stories to the public feller Jr. threw a $100-a-plate dinner for AA. The founders hoped to raise ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS DINNER HAS JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER AS HOST. than he’d been in a long while. The without breaking anonymity. money to help spread AA’s influence, But whatever the style, the headlines man in the mask is an AA member of Press coverage in the early days of and they thought Rockefeller and his and the stories left little doubt as to fricnds would be interested in what the writers felt was important –

not the existence of AA, but the fact might regard Bill as his sponsor. a feature on Alcoholics Anonymous. or disguised riders, flyers, and that John D. threw the dinner for its After all, Bill achieved sobriety Bill refused out of hand. fighters for justice from the Lone members. before Dr. Bob did, carried the Ranger himself to Batman and Robin Time then went back to the draw- Where journalists treated it message to him, and had about six ing board and came up with a com- and Superman. Add to that the fact straight, they revealed a pretty strong months’ more sober experience promise: If Bill would appear on the that most newspaper people tend to show-me attitude. Note this sober (no behind him than Bob did. cover with his back to the camera, be suckers for underdogs. They were pun intended) treatment in a News- But the same “civilians” might pulling for what appeared to them to Time would still do the story. Bill week article: “Medicine usually have great difficulty understanding admitted that he was tempted – but be a plucky little band of people claims to cure only about two percent why Bill continued to refer to Ebby as after a great deal of discussion and fighting against insurmountable of the cases of acute alcoholism it his sponsor in spite of Ebby’s slips soul-searching, he turned the offer odds. treats. Last week a nonmedical group over the years. To most AAs, how- down. The humor only made us more atappeared which made the unusual ever, that situation emphasizes the “If I appeared on the cover this tractive – especially when the AAs claim that twenty-five percent of its permanent vulnerability of each cases were cured. Called Alcoholics individual and the main reason that Anonymous, the group was a club we simply cannot afford to have any composed of ex-drunkards and men kind of hierarchy – even one based trying to overcome the liquor habit on length of sobriety. “The soberest who, for obvious reasons, prefer to person in the room,” the old AA sayremain anonymous. . . . ” ing goes, “is the one who got up But to AAs, the writer’s “obvious earliest this morning.” reasons” were obviously wrong. He (All of that was obviously lost on misinterpreted our principle of ano- the journalist who covered the second nymity, assuming that the members annual dinner held for Bill in Clevewere worried about their reputations. land, November 9, 1942. His headline But as all of us who have traveled the read: 1,000 PAY TRIBUTE TO CHIEF OF route to our first AA meeting know, ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.) reputation is one of the early casual- The first generally conceded exam- ties in the life of the active alcoholic. ple of this principle, i.e., anonymity, ‘

the local AA group. That writer’s confusion, however, apparently occurred when the press’s month with my back to the camera,” themselves did so much laughing is understandable. To this day, it is “chief” finished writing the Big he reasoned, “it wouldn’t be long about their condition. Peter Craig of hard to explain to a nonmember that Book. After some debate, Bill decid- before some other drunk would be the Atlanta Journal covered the first anonymity is our way of maintaining ed not to sign his own name, and he there with his face to the camera.” anniversary of the Atlanta AA spiritual equality – or to explain why also cast his vote for Alcoholics There was another side to anonym- Group, and he couldn’t resist one of this spiritual equality should be such Anonymous as the title. ity in the early days that might well the signs he saw hanging over the a critical factor in staying sober. One of the lasr known examples of have worked for us in a strange clubhouse door. He turned it into his It is really the same principle ex- Bill’s use of the principle occurred manner. Anonymity has a way of ap- headline: “CAN’T BEAT DRUNKS pressed by the phenomenon of spon- about three years before his death – pealing to the American imagination. WHEN SOBER.” SAY EX-ALCOHOLICS. sorship among early AAs. For by which time there was no shortage Our history and folklore are shot The term ex-alcoholic, incidenexample, few “civilians” who know of favorable press interest in AA. through with anonymous characters tally, had fairly common coin in the the story of AA’s origin would have Time magazine asked Bill to pose for such as vigilantes in lawless areas of early days of press coverage – just trouble understanding why Bob a cover shot so the magazine could do the early West, and all those masked another example of the misinforma-

“‘ ~ tion surrounding the disease. from suffering alcoholics, but from It really wasn’t until the famous civic and social groups, spiritual J a c k Alexander article in t h e leaders, and doctors. Saturday Evening Post of March 1, That incredible picture is lost, but 1941, that people began t o take the reprints of it in the Alexander article program seriously. It was a turning and in a few subsequent newspaper point for us. And perhaps the oddest articles can be seen under glassine at thing about it is that it also represents the AA archives in the General Sera departure from the principle of vice Office in New York City. Bill anonymity at the media level. never again departed from the principle, and with the possible exception of Dr. Bob, he was its strongest “. . .AA is no set of advocate. Some people may be upset by aptablets handed down to parent contradictions such as Bill’s some latter-day Moses – breaking his anonymity. But I love but a continuing them, because they reveal the evolucreative process tionary nature of the program. I also love finding out about the personal in which we all quirks and scrapes of the early AAs. I take part” love Bob’s passion for sporty cars. I love Bill’s battles with his own promoter instincts. (Sometimes he lost.) At that time, the founders were try- And I love all the little things that ing desperately to get some exposure keep them human to me. for the program. Alexander wanted These things remind me that AA is very much to do the article, but his no set of tablets handed down to editors balked at a story about people some latter-day Moses – but a conwho wouldn’t show their faces. They tinuing creative process in which we refused to publish unless they could all take part, a perpetual journey show photographs of real AA mem- from the known to the unknown, a bers at a meeting. truth ever-arriving through experi- And so Bill and several other ence. That’s what it was for our AA alcoholics broke their anonymity by pioneers, as it is for me. allowing themselves to be photo- God bless those early headline graphed at a meeting. The site makers – those who stayed sober selected was the old 24th Street and those who didn’t. They are dear Clubhouse in Manhattan. to me, not for the road maps they left The article was printed – and sud- (I must, after all, chart my own), but denly AA was on the map. The re- for the example of their courage. sponse was overwhelming, not only C. S., Manhattan. N. Y.

AA Grapevine, July 1983

All . Volunteers OLICS ANONYMOUS figured among twenty recipients of The President’s Action Awards, presented in Washington, D.C., on April 13, 1983. Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee William E. Flynn, MD, n behalf of the fellows hi^ as a whole, acce~ted the citation and a silver medallion. AA’s power of attraction was evident during the ceremonies as other recipients and participants (several of whom were members of AA or Al- Anon) privately shared their own experiences. A member of the board that reviewed the awards had been a parishioner of Calvary Church, New York City, in the early 1930s, and had known Bill W. when he was active in the Oxford Group, before he met Dr. Bob. Another award recipient spoke of gratitude not only for the recognition she received, but for the fact that she was being honored along with AA: Her father, a member, had died sober in January. Many participants previously unfamiliar with AA were deeply impressed with the Tradition of self-support and, especially, with the spiritual principle of anonymity in a Fellowship of equals. The awards are sponsored jointly by Volunteer, a private nonprofit organization, and Action, the Federal agency that sponsors VISTA and + other long-standing programs. The Volunteer Action Award is the fifth award presented to AA over the years. In 1950, the Fellowship was honored with the Poverello Medal; in 1951, it received the Lasker Award; in 1967, the Franciscari Award; and in 1972, the American Industrial Health Conference Award.

June 1984

In Memoriam Tom N., art editor of the Grapevine since November 1978, died suddenly the morning of March 16. He was well and at work until three days before his death – just as he would have wanted to be. Tom’s influence on the magazine has been profound. His creativity enlivened every page of every issue he designed: fresh, contemporary layouts, illustrations that captured the spirit of the articles, and most of all, imaginative and striking cover concepts. It seems fitting that the last cover he designed should appear on this issue, celebrating the Grapevine’s fortieth anniversary. Those who knew Tom valued his extraordinary talent and expertise, but far more, we valued the person that he was. His kindness, his quiet humor, his humility, his caring – the kind of caring that springs from real identification with the joys and sorrows of others – added much to our lives. We are saddened by his passing, but more important, we have been enriched by his life.

October 1984

W HEN THE Oklahoma AA Assembly and Area Committee voted to establish an archives to handwriting appeared; and later on a third. If you wanted to know the name of the man Great-Aunt Sophie collect, safeguard, and display the married, it was in the Bible. If you past history of AA in the state, one needed your grandfather’s date of group registered a dissenting opinion. birth, it was there. The group sent word to the commit- “And so were other things, yeltee, through its district committee lowed papers between the pages. An member, that archives were a waste invitation to your parents’ wedding. of money and did nothing to carry the A newspaper clipping about Greatmessage, and the group would with- Uncle Joseph’s election to the state hold financial support from the legislature. Another telling of the committee as long as money was death of a loved and respected citibeing squandered on archives. zen, your grandmother. One of the area’s longtime mem- “Would anyone say of your Bible bers, a veteran of many years in AA and its contents, ‘Don’t waste money service, had this comment: trying to hold on to such worthless “I wonder if any members of that junk. Throw it out’? group ever had an old family Bible, “More than anything else I can the kind with pages in the center to think of, our archives are like that old record the births and marriages and family Bible, preserving the valuable deaths in the family. Someone, per- records and the irreplaceable memenhaps your great-great-grandmother, tos of our AA family.” started filling them in; then another E. E., Tulsa, Okla.

March 1 9 8 5

ued, this tangled mass of parapher- longer just his; it was my roots and Gifts from Curiosity impression was that Sackville M.’s natural habitat resembled an Old Shop or, to put it bluntly, nalia, which obviously meant so much to him, began bit by bit to take my history as well. For the first time, I began to feel in touch emotionally the Past It was full ofof apilespurveyor the back room of junk. of old books, me over. These were his memorabilia, collected during his years of active with the early members of AA. I suppose this was the beginning of my in- A slice of history as British magazines, and pamphlets, often membership in Alcoholics Anony- volvement with others. members form covered with dust, and a myriad of mous. Slowly, he began $3 idroduce Seeing that I was hooked, Sackville their AA archives knickknacks and pieces of bric-a- me to each book, eacn signed began to encourage me to collect, brac, which seemed to have no con- photograph, each piece of his collec- starting with simple items – menus

I T WAS IN the early 1960s that I first visited my sponsor’s private rooms in Dublin, Ireland. My first nection with him, his personality, or his character. I knew but little, it developed. As my visits to him contintion: “This is a signed photograph of Bob.” . . . “Here is a photograph of dinners, programs of conventions, photographs – and to make notes of dates. I think he knew that in fact he of Bill with his violin – you knew, was performing a very valuable of course, that we both played the Twelfth Step. violin.” . . . “This prayer book was One of the first things I did on the given to me by Sister Ignatia. You death of my sponsor in 1979 was to may care to see what she has written gather all the letters, photographs, on the flyleaf.” . . . “Here is a photo- and convention and anniversary prograph with some friends in Okla- grams, together with memorabilia homa visiting an Indian reservation, that I had relating to Sackville’s intrying to set up a new meeting.” . . . volvement with the formation and “This bundle of letters came from growth of Europe’s first AA group. Father Eddy Dowling. Did you know Encouraged by what I had, I began to he came and spoke to us at the Coun- collect anything relating to the start try Shop here in Dublin?” . . . “That of AA, not only in my own area, but Indian headdress was given to me on also in the whole of England. I tried my second visit to America by the to contact people who I felt might be group I told you about, that we start- interested in joining me in this work; ed on my first visit. Did you know regrettably, there was no response. they made me an honorary chief?” I tried unsuccessfully to “twelfth- During these early +i:r ‘ felt a step” the secretary of my group into great change coming about in me. this work. She could see neither the For the very first time, A A Comes of point nor the need of gathering Age became a living book. Bit by bit, material. I was fortunate that year I began to be emotionally captivated (1980) to attend the International by what I had first viewed as a load of Convention in New Orleans with her. junk, until I started to handle each I persuaded her to attend an early item with a reverence that I had never morning workshop led by Nell Wing shown toward any material substance (a nonalcoholic), archivist at the AA before. This pile of junk had become General Service Office. Our secretary a storehouse of treasures. It was no went reluctantly – but that was the

turning point. She left that workshop through to in all kinds of situations. completely converted, full of enthu- They were living in homes for sesiasm for archives. I am delighted to nior citizens, homes for retired offisay that in the years since, her en- cers, and geriatric hospitals. Their thusiasm has never waned. ages ranged from seventy-five to We formed a little committee, and ninety-four. Most of them had not our work began in earnest. The fol- had active contact with the Fellowlowing year, we were able to hold, at ship for years. Nearly all were exthe Bristol Reunion, our first archives tremely cooperative and most willing meeting. The 1982 and 1983 Bristol to help our project. We just sat with Reunions saw larger archives meet- them, started the cassette recorder, ings, and an archives room, with our and gently encouraged their recall. growing collection, was on display Slowly, it began to flow – names, each year. As a result, we were able to places, people. Very often, names involve other members in other parts mentioned would be those of people of the country. We received great co- we had already seen. Then, the oldoperation from our friends in Ireland timer would be delighted to know and also great encouragement from that they were alive and to have news Nell and from the AA who became of them, and nearly always asked archivist after Nell’s retirement. We whether it was possible to contact were really on our way. these other “ghosts of the present,” Then came a bonus. Like most bo- who were still very much alive and acnuses in recovery, it was never envis- tive members of AA in the speaker’s aged by me, never asked for, and it memory. came as a true gift. It happened this I saw miracles begin to happen beway: fore my eyes: long-forgotten mem- Our little committee’s first priority bers being contacted by their old was always to trace back a group’s groups; isolated, institutionalized origins, as far as we could go. We members once again, through arwould talk with surviving early mem- chives involvement, being stimulated bers, tape their recollections, and in such a way that they again wanted piece together the pieces of the jigsaw to be a part of our whole. Because of puzzle. Rather, it was like joining to- financial and health considerations, gether unrelated pieces of material to they were sometimes unable to make make what eventually has turned out direct contact themselves and used to be the most exquisite patchwork me as a messenger boy extraordinary, quilt of recovery. Very often, the conveying their very special messages pieces were only names. We had diffi- of experience, strength, and hope to culty in tracing some of them. Some one another. Their vitality was rehad died; many were lost in the mists kindled once they were needed. forever; but a few we eventually got T. C., Brktol, England

June 1985

A GREATEVENT is occurring in 1985. Alcoholics Anonymous will be fifty years old. Think of it – half a century! And I believe we can be proud of the progress AA has made. It is helping people in many countries, spreading nearly around the whole world. AA has been so successful that other fellowships are calling themselves this or that “anonymous”: Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and others. It is ironic that that which makes AA such a success is humility. And AA will continue to prosper just as long as its members keep their humility. With all good wishes for the Grapevine to continue to grow. I look forward to seeing some of you at the great event in Montreal in 1985. Love to you all,

June 1985

First and foremost, we’ve come stopped drinking. While attending from spiriiualiiy. Although on June Group meetings at Calvary Church in 10 this year we are celebrating Bill New York City, Rowland reached out W.’s meeting with Dr. Bob, Bill him- to help a childhood friend and fellowself almost always traced the begin- drunk, Ebby T. Ebby, too, began atning of Alcoholics Anonymous back tending the Oxford Group and found to 1932, to Zurich, Switzerland, and sobriety. to the study of the world-famous psy- Then – fortunately for all of us in chiatrist, Dr. Carl Jung. AA – one of the “others” whom As Bill tells it, Rowland H., scion Ebby, in turn, sought to help was anof a well-to-do Vermont family, had other old friend and drinking buddy become a drunk. His parents sub- from Vermont, Bill W. Bill, once one jected him to the “cures” of that day of Wall Street’s fair-haired boys, had without success a d final’y sent him fallen into a gin-soaked, unemployabroad to the care u i Dr. Jung. After able state through alcoholism. Ebby about a year of therapy, Jung called carried the message of hope to his old Rowland into his study and said, in friend at his house at 182 Clinton effect, “Your illness is beyond the Street, in Brooklyn. reach of our science, so 1 am dis- And what was that message? What charging you.” was the message carried to Bill by The American, taken aback, Ebby, who had heard it from Rowasked, “Is there no hope, then?” land, who had received it from Dr. “None,” replied Dr. Jung, “ex- Jung, one of the world’s pre-eminent cept we know some alcoholics have men of science? It was: we can recovrecovered if they have undergone a er from alcoholism (f we undergo a transforming experience of the “transfortning experience of the spirit.” spirit ”! Rowland left Zurich and returned Bill and his wife Lois had already to drinking. However, he later found learned from Dr. William Silkworth, his way to the Oxford Groups, a reli- chief of staff at Towns Hospital in gious movement of the time, whose Manhattan, that Bill’s was a hopemembers followed certain spiritual less, progressive, irreversible case of precepts. These included: cleansing alcoholism, an allergy-like sensitivity one’s inner self of past guilt, wrong- to alcohol combined with an obsesdoing, and sin; making restitution to sion that condemned him to drink those they had harmed; surrendering against his will. After Ebby’s first to God through prayer; and helping visit, Bill went on a last, terrible others. In his Oxford Group experi- binge, which landed him once more ence, Rowland underwent the “trans- in Towns Hospital in December 1934. forming experience of the’spirit” of There Ebby called on him again, after which Dr. Jung had spoken, and he which Bill had his own “transform-

I “

“. . .Who Has Thoroughly Followed Our Path” ity. At a recent Regional Forum, cidence that Bill’s last message, after trustees, General Service Office framed on many an AA member’s and Grapevine staff members, and wall, deals bluntly and emphatically Conference delegates had shared with this very issue: what their service responsibilities “If 1 were asked which of these were, a new member came to the mi- blessings I felt was most responsible crophone and remarked he had never for our growth as a Fellowship and heard such “self-importance run most vital to our continuity, I would riot.” Contrast this with the touching say, the ‘Concept of Anonymity.’ recollection of Bill W. by an early . . .AA must and will continue to visitor to the New York office, as change with the passing years. We related on the flyleaf of Bill’s new cannot, nor should we, turn back the biography, Pass It On: clock. However, I deeply believe that “. . . I was a couple of months the principle of anonymity must re- . sober and so excited, so thrilled to ac- main our primary and enduring safetually meet the co-founder that I guard.” gushed all over him with what my so- Bill not only spoke this conviction, briety meant to me and my undying he lived it. He turned down an honorgratitude for his starting AA. When I ary degree from Yale University. He ran down, he took my hand in his and chose not to be listed in Who’s Who said simply, ‘Pass i t on.’ ” in Americu. He declined having his Ego-driven though he was, Bill was picture on the cover of Titne magaever pushing off credit to others. To zine with a major profile inside the Ebby, who was never able to achieve magazine. All his life, he turned away lasting sobriety but whom Bill invari- personal publicity and honors of all ably introduced as his “sponsor.” To kinds. Not because he wouldn’t have Lois. To Dr. Bob, whom Bill never let liked them, but because he believed us forget was the co-founder! Bill, so strongly in the spiritual value of warning us not to be “so vain as to anonymity. imagine ourselves authors of a new We’ve come from rejection of ing experience of the spirit.” He ter Five read at countless thousands religion,” and reminding’ us that power. In this respect, Bill may have never drank again. of AA meetings every day, the pas- “everything is a gift from God.” been unique among the charismatic T h a t is the message Bill carried to sage sometimes referred to as the We’ve come from anonytnity. Our leaders of the world’s greatest move- Dr. Bob some five months later -. “a-b-c’s,” which concludes with Eleventh and Twelfth Traditions are ments. Most such leaders, in fact, and from that fateful meeting, it has these “pertinent ideas”: being assaulted today as never be- hang on tenaciously to their power been carried to every alcoholic who “b. That probably no human pow- fore. With political figures, movie until they are ousted by young Turks has come to AA in the half-century er could have relieved our alco- and TV stars, sports heroes, and cele- – or until they die. Bill, on the other that has since passed. That is the mes- holism. brities of every stripe finding recov- hand, labored desperately to get us to sage carried in dozens of passages in “c. That God could and would if I I ery in AA, more and more well- accept the power, through the Conthe Big Book, but no place more He were sought .” meaning members are saying ano- ference structure. As Dr. John L. clearly than in that portion of Chap- Likewise, we’ve come from humil- nymity is old-fashioned. It is no coin- Norris, long-time chairman of the

kind of service office to receive calls. liant on its own conscience as a guide If people in that country speak anoth- to action. In charting this enormous er language, Alcoholics Anonymous expanse of freedom we found it neusually does not grow very rapidly or cessary to post only two storm sigvery big until the recovery literature nals. A group ought not do anything – and especially the Big Book – is which would greatly injure AA as a translated and published in the native whole, nor ought it affiliate itself . tongue. Gradually, a service structure with anything or anybody else. . .Socomes into being: 2 service board, a briety had to be its sole objective. In Conference, a national service office, all other respects there was perfect and intergroups. Thus the Fellowship freedom of will and action.” has always grown from the bottom In a Grapevine article, Bill made General Service Board, said: “He of a decision by some faceless execu- up, not from the top down. the same point by saying facetiously was willing to let go of us before we tive in a headquarters office that We’ve come from a freedom from (and borrowing an expression from were willing to let go of him.” money and effort should be directed rules. The co-founders and the pio- Wilson Mizner, a wit of that day) the We’ve come from the bottom up. to develop Country A and then neer members must be turning in only rule an AA group ought to have We have always been – and we still Country B – as it might have, if AA their graves at the trend in AA today was “no opium smoking in the eleare – an upside-down organizaiion. were a multinational commercial or- toward rigidity and rules. Stories are vator!” The “ultimate responsibility and ab- ganization. Rather it spread, as it al- legion of Bill W.’s permissiveness. At We’ve come from tolerance solute authority” (in the words of ways does, by means of one con- one time, a small delegation of mem- from understanding and sympathy Concept I) reside in the groups and cerned and caring alcoholic, sober in bers from St. Louis traveled to New and patience and kindness toward not in any board of governors or hier- AA, reaching out to help,a fellow-al- York to meet with Bill and cite a long each other. The Big Book compares archy of officers or headquarters of- coholic who still suffered. bill of complaints against a clique of us to shipwrecked passengers who fice. In the beginning, AA sprang Sometimes the message was carried members who were ignoring or viola- have been rescued, so “camaraderie, from groups of newly sober drunks, by a traveling member. In other ting every Tradition in running a local joyousness and democracy pervade and it spread as new groups were cases, it was a member in the U.S. or clubhouse. When the visitors were the vessel from steerage to Captain’s formed wherever the message was Canada trying to share his recovery finished voicing their anger and their table.” It speaks of our discovering carried. The incredible diversity of with a relative abroad. Or the mes- resentments, Bill thought for a while “a way out on which we can absomeetings in AA today – open, sage-carrier was a magazine article, and then asked, “Are these fellas lutely agree, and upon which we can closed, discussion, beginners, Step the result of good public information sober?” The delegation assured him join in brotherly and harmonious acstudy, Big Book study, Eleventh work; one article in 1946 in Reader’s they were. Whereupon Bill spread out tion.” And, “Tolerance of other peo- Step, men’s, women’s, young people, Digest brought calls for help from his palms and shrugged and asked, ple’s shortcomings and viewpoints gays, airline pilots, priests, doctors, places as far away as South Africa “Well. . .?” And that was the end of and a respect for their opinions are and many more – has come about and New Zealand, to the young Gen- the talk. attitudes which make us more useful not through any direction from a eral Service Office in New York. One of Bill’s favorite expressions to others.” The Big Book speaks even “headquarters” but rather in re- By whatever means, in whichever was, “Every group has a right to be more strongly in discussing Step sponse to the needs of the members of country, a lone drunk gets sober with wrong.” How often do we hear that Four: “We cannot be helpful to all the groups themselves. the help of the AA program. Then he viewpoint expressed in 1985 AA? In people, but at least God will show us AA is now present in 112 countries or she twelfth-steps another prospect. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, how to take a kindly and tolerant around the world, but it did not Soon there’s a small group. Then sev- page 151, Bill states “each AA group view of each and every one.” spread to other countries as a result eral groups, and the need for some [is] an individual entity, strictly re- R. P., Riverside, Conn.

Jd ‘

AA Grapevine, June 1985 , As he begins his opening remarks I blocks east of his church. He constart to drift off, hearing the sounds verted an unused chapel belonging to but not the words. I think of this the church into the Mission, which room, of why this AA meeting room eight years later would house a newly is different from all others. And as if sober Ebby T. who brought the meson cue, the speaker tells me: ” . . .As sage to a drunken Bill W. a man who used to be here” – and he A few days later Bill, wondering is pointing his finger straight up – what on earth had so changed his old “often said, ‘If you want to see Faith drinking crony, decided to go to the in action, go to an AA meeting.’ This Mission and see for himself just what man, no longer with us, was the rec- “brand” of religion got Ebby! Bill tor of Calvary Church from 1926 to started out sober but, after leaving 1951.” the train at 23rd Street and Fourth The man the speaker is quoting was Avenue, hit all the low-life saloons of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Shoemaker, the Gas House district on his way to whose Oxford Group meetings were the mission, picking up Alec the held in this very room. This room Finn, seaman and sailmaker, in ,the where our co-founder Bill W. sat on process. Bill, still drunk in spite of a Sunday evenings between 1934 and plate of beans given him by Ebby, de- F RIDAY. THE NIGHT of the first have never been in this room, this day of February 1985. It is rain- very special room, before tonight. ing, with snow on the way. I have just The meeting is called to order; the 1937 and received much of the spiritual part of our program! cided to go forward with other penitents when they were “called to entered the tall church house diagon- chairwoman reads the Preamble. Be- This meeting is being held next Jesus.” Ebby, embarrassed, grabbed ally across from New York City’s ex- hind her are hung the Steps and the door to Calvary Episcopal Church, the coattail of Bill’s second-hand clusive Gramercy Park. From the Traditions; between them and higher East 21st Street and Park Avenue Brooks Brothers suit, but Bill shook lobby I can see into the AA meeting up is a church emblem with the motto South, at Calvary House, a nine- him loose, and, standing tall and eleroom, and if I were shooting a movie DISCIPLINIA EST LIBERTAS – but be- story annex caused to be built by Dr. gant compared to the other ragged about AA, this would be the perfect tween the two main words and cover- Shoemaker in 1928. The speaker was drunks, gave what amounted to AA’s set. Not only is this room typical, it ing the “EST” is Our ~10gan ‘Easy pointing his finger up because Sam first qualification. After some initial might be the archetype of all AA Does It,” softening the effect consid- Shoemaker and his family lived in an resistance to his speaking from the meeting rooms! erably. All this on a wall made up of apartment high in the building. floor, Bill’s speech was well received. Inside, there is a cubbyhole kitchen five gothic arches. But then I remem- Bill found his way to this special Three more days of drinking with serving counter built into the ber, this is, after all, a very special room via Calvary Mission, located in brought Bill to Towns Hospital for 1934 at 346 East 23rd Street and his fourth and last detox. There Bill back wall, but the coffee table is set room. had his powerful spiritual awakenout in the main room. I get my coffee The speaker is announced, and a opened in February 1926 by Sam Shoemaker during his first year at ing, and several days later either Ebby and take a seat in the back row. Slow- man dressed all in black, whom I had Calvary. Shoemaker believed his or Rowland H. brought Bill a copy of ly, the room begins to fill: some at- seen earlier and mistaken for a priest, William James’s book The Varieties tractive women, some nicely dressed steps forward to the podium. He is a ministry should extend beyond the men – a lot of people I’ve never seen handsome man in late middle age upper middle-class environs of of Religious Experience. With some Gramercy Park to the homeless alco- difficulty, Bill read it through. (One before, although I’ve been coming to with wavy white hair and a rugged holics and derelicts who swarmed in of the stories in that book was about meetings in New York for fourteen man-of-action face – turns out, he is the old Gas House district just a few Samuel H. Hadly, whose son, coinyears and this group is only a fifteen- a businessman and a former Navy minute walk from my home group. I pilot.

– 6, return; prayer – later helped him business first. Soon after, in Akron, cidentally, was Shoemaker’s first House. The principles he learned formulate the Twelve Steps of Alco- Bill took Dr. Silkworth’s advice and . superintendent of Calvary Mission, there (and first heard from Ebby) – holics Anonymous. used this approach on Dr. Bob. Henry Harrison Hadly 11.) admit you are licked; take stock in Bill also, at this time, was having Even before Bill’s trip to Akron, he In the six months before his histor- yourself; recognize your character talks with Dr. Silkworth at Towns became a member of a little group of ic trip to Akron and meeting with Dr. defects; confide your shortcomings Hospital and learning about the alcoholics that would meet at Bob, Bill became an active member to another person; make restitution medical aspects of alcoholism. These Stewart’s Cafeteria after Sunday of the Oxford Group and attended its to those persons you have harmed; two doctors, one of the spirit, the night meetings at Calvary House. Sunday night meetings at Calvary live a life of giving with no thought of other of the body, were Bill’s advisers These were all drunks recovering in during these early days. His real the Oxford Group. They had a rear teachers, however, were the drunks table at Stewart’s, and over endless Bill tried so desperately and unsuc- cups of coffee in a haze of cigar and cessfully to get sober those first six cigarette smoke they would talk and months. joke and relax with one another long Bill was a firebrand. His natural into the night. There was Ebby, of enthusiasm and salesmanship, cou- course; sometimes Rowland H. pled with the zealotry of the recent would be there; there were Grace convert, sent him off like a misguided McC. and Shep C. and one or two missile. He preached to drunks at the others. This was the start of a long staid Oxford Group meetings; he and valued AA tradition – the afterthundered at them at the Calvary meeting meeting. Mission; he exhorted them at Towns A bit of doggerel written by Lois Hospital. Bill knew he had a superior W. referred to “a funny man who product here, the real goods, and he lived at 182” and “had so many was giving it the hard, hard sell! The drunks around he didn’t know what trouble was, Bill was concentrating to do.” It concludes: “But the funon the spiritual, trying to force his niest thing about him was, he really drunks into “deflation at depth” ‘fixed’ a few.” This pretty much whether they wanted to deflate or summed up Bill’s and Lois’s experinot. He wanted them all to have his ence of turning their house at 182 kind of “blinding flash” spiritual Clinton Street in Brooklyn into a hostransformation, and would be satis- tel for drunks. fied with nothing less! When Bill returned from Akron Later, when Bill asked Dr. Silk- late in August 1935, he and Lois, folworth what he was doing wrong, lowing the example of Dr. Bob and Silkworth gave it to him straight: Anne, converted their home into a “For God’s sake, Bill, stop preaching sort of halfway house. Bill then had to them, you’re scaring them half to the notion that what most drunks death!” He went on to say that Bill were lacking was love and he and had got the cart before the horse – Lois were the ones to supply it. Much that Bill should give them the medical later, in the Big Book, Bill wrote of

spoke of Bill’s Tuesday night meet- and love – were fine as ideals, but ings as “special meetings held surrep- you don’t tell any drunk that he “abtitiously behind Mrs. Jones’s barn.” solutely” must be or do anything! Finally, those in charge of the mission Finally, Bill believed that the princiforbade any of the resident drunks ples of love and tolerance had to be there from attending the Brooklyn much more emphasized than they meetings. were in the O.G. “Especially toler- This criticism and rejection hurt ance,” he wrote: “We had to become Bill and caused him to become disap- much more inclusive and never, if pointed in the O.G.3 leadership. But possible, exclusive. We can never say he was not, at this time, disillusioned to anyone (or insinuate) that he must with the Oxford Group itself or with agree to our formula or be excommuits principles. He continued going to nicated. The atheist may stand up in Calvary House meetings, and until an AA meeting denying God, yet rethe summer of 1937 he and Lois porting how he has been helped in would attend weekend “house par- other ways. . .” ties” given by the Oxford Group in The Oxford Groups wanted to such places as Richmond, Virginia, change the world – Bill just wanted West Point, New York, the Poconos to change a few drunks. in Pennsylvania, and Stockbridge, On a job-seeking trip west during Massachusetts. Lois described these the summer of 1937, Bill stopped in New York City drunks attended Oxford Group meetings at Calvary Church (left) near hktoric weekends as “a cross between a con- Akron to compare notes with Dr. Gramercy Park (lower right), then moved on ro AA meetings in Billand Lois’s home at 182 Clinton vention and a retreat.” Bob and they discovered that between Street, ~ r o o k b n~ e i g h k . By 1936, the Oxford Groups were the two groups, Akron and New at the peak of their popularity. By York, there were forty sober drunks! the dangers of bringing alcoholics tinue until they had to give up the 1937, the once-intimate group that They discussed ways to bring the mesinto your home; that love alone was house in April 1939. met at Calvary House had grown too sage to more people. They came up not the answer, in fact it was often From Towns Hospital, from Cal- large, and Bill and his sober alcohol- with three ideas: paid missionaries to counterproductive, leading to over- vary House, from the mission for ics formally left the Oxford Group. take the message on the road, special protection and “institutionalism.” derelicts came drunks in various In 1940, Bill wrote why he left the hospitals for alcoholics, and the Ebby moved into the house that stages of recovery to Bill’s house in Oxford Group. Among other things, publication of a book. The first two year, as did Alec the Finn, the seaman Brooklyn. Eventually, these became Bill thought that the O.G. principle schemes were shot down at the fam- Bill picked up on his drunken ex- the nucleus of what was to become of “aggressive evangelism.” just ous Rockefeller meeting, which cursion to Calvary Mission the year New York AA. would not work with alcoholics, as he turned out to be a blessing because it before. Altogether, there were be- Toward the end of 1935, some of discovered to his chagrin during his ensured we would always be nonprotween fifteen and twenty alcoholics the Oxford Group leaders were disap- first six months of “preaching.” The fessional. The last idea eventually who came to live, at one time or proving of Bill’s band of sober Oxford Group penchant for personal became our Big Book. another, at the Brooklyn brown- drunks, saying that this splinter publicity was, Bill found, extremely In the spring of 1938 Bill started on stone, staying from a few days to as group was “not really maximum,” dangerous to recovering alcoholics. the book, and at the Tuesday night long as a year. At the same time, Bill that Bill’s group within the Oxford The O.G.3 Four Absolutes – abso- meetings Bill would read the sections started regular Tuesday night meet- Group was “narrow and divisive.” lute honesty, purity, unselfishness, of the book that had been done that ings at the house, which would con- An assistant of Sam Shoemaker

week. There was much discussion day Evening Post, and groups began (heated and otherwise), many sugges- springing up all over the country. In tions, and many revisions, and this 1946, an article about AA appeared was how the Big Book was put to- in the overseas edition of the Reader’s get her. Digest, and AA groups began to form In April 1939, Bill and Lois had to in Europe and other parts of the leave the house on Clinton Street. world.. . . Then began two years of “living February lst, 1985, The meeting is around,” as Lois described it. She over, and I’m standing outside Calsaid they stayed at fifty-one different vary House (now called Tracy places (not including weekend visits) House). I cross over to Gramercy during that period. Mostly, they Park, encircled in its high wrought stayed at the homes of AA people, iron fence, gates locked to all outand wherever they lived meetings fol- siders – you’ll find no winos sleeping lowed. The Clinton Street meeting on its benches. I think of the tremenwas transferred to Burt T.’s tailoring dous debt of gratitude we owe to the establishment on Manhattan’s Fifth Oxford Group that met fifty years Avenue, and later to his uptown loft. ago at Calvary House. This tiny By 1940, there were probably a neighborhood in Manhattan, I feel, is dozen regular meetings at the homes the source, the cradle, of what AA of members throughout the metro- has become today. From this spot politan area. In February of that today, by car, train, or bus, and withyear, AA had its first real home, in a in an hour and a half, I could find any converted stable at 334% West 24th one of 1,077 groups of Akoholics Street – the legendary 24th Street Anonymous offering 2,868 meetings Clubhouse. A year later, the Jack Al- each week! exander article appeared in the Satur- R. K., Manhattan, N.Y.

June

The Good Old Times gratitude for being a plrt of ,\lcoholics Anonymous. I belong – we all beup the street, Dad and Bill hot after him – Dad in his car and Bill running long – to a group of people who, al- him down on foot.. . .Just before Bill most uniquely in history, have been gave out, Eddie did, too, and Bill corable to profit from the lessons of the nered him and took him back to the past and to remain grateful and house.’ ” teachable in a radically changing Eddie was one of the earliest prospresent. pects, before Bill D., AA Number Today we can look back and laugh Three, got sober in Akron City Hosat the infant antics of our co-found- pital. At the time, Bob and Bill gave ers and the other early members, and up on him (the last straw was the day the laughter is all the heartier because he chased Dr. Bob’s wife, Anne, upwe know that in essence we’re laugh- stairs with a knife), though he did get ing at ourselves and with ourselves. sober through the program some For instance, we can chuckle at the years later. recollections of Dr. Bob’s son: The painting “Man on the Bed” “Young Smitty, who noted that depicts the !wo co-founders visiting Bill and his father were ‘delemined Bill D. in the hospital, but that wasn’t to make a convert out of somebody at quite the beginning of the story. They that time,’ recalled that our co- heard about Bill D. from the admisfounders would lock Eddie up in a sions nurse at Akron City Hospital, second-floor room of his house in who obligingly kept an eye out for an effort to keep him sober. prospects (Bill D. was “a dandy”). Bob and the Good Oldtimers. ” ‘One time, Eddie slid down the “Dr. Bob and Bill did not visit Bill The founding members made every drain spout and was heading merrily D. right away. First, he was in no more than a year. Along with a deep mistake in every book – every “misthankfulness for being home again, take,” that is, by 1985 standards. But I’ve occasionally experienced some they indeed made them for us. Out of irritation (perhaps a stab of false those monumental errors came a Felpride) on being told by another mem- lowship that is now more than a milber, “I don’t have to drink again – lion strong. And out of them came, you did it for me!” also, the Twelve Traditions, our safe- That slip brought me closer to phy- guard against the same mistakes in sical, mental, and spiritual hell than 1 the future. like to think of today; yet out of it As 1read Dr. Bob’s biography, and came a new and intimate knowledge chuckled over practices we have so of gratitude, never experienced in far outgrown today as to find them seven previous years of sobriety. That ludicrous, I was swept with a sense of might account for my strong reaction to -and identification with – much *All quotations from Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, copyright O 1980 by AA World of the early AA history told in Dr. Services, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

condition to see anyone. Second, they the finest homes in this man’s town. thought it a good idea to have a pre- “What? Me an alcoholic? Get the liminary talk with his wife. And this hell out of here!’ ” became part of the way things were “Following this preliminary quesdone in the early days: Discuss it first tioning, the new prospect would be with the wife; find out what you hospitalized and ‘defogged.’ ” (Hoscould; then plan your approach. It pitalization was the rule, and few should be noted, as well, that the al- were “allowed in” without it – an coholic himself didn’t ask for help. interesting reflection for some mem- He didn’t have anything to say about bers today who bemoan the prevalit.” ence of hospitals and rehabs.) Afjer talking with the wife, Dr. Paradoxically, along with an al- Bob would talk with the prospect most missionary zeal, the early AAs himself: ” ‘If you are perfectly sure were easily threatened by new situayou want to quit drinking for good, if tions. I smile when I think of the you are serious about it. . .you can be thousands of young people active in relieved.’ AA today, then read an account of ” ‘In Cleveland or Akron, you the way Bob E. came into AA, spon- ” ‘Dr. Bob was about to hang up while he was at the City Club engaged couldn’t just walk into AA the way sored by his friend Paul S.: on me,’ Dorothy continued. ‘But in his sacrosanct Monday-night you can today,’ said Cleveland’s ” ‘I did show up at Paul’s office, then he relented and said there was bridge game. Clarence S., one of those early and. . .he took me out to see Dr. one man in Cleveland who might be “In any case, Victor decided it was members. ‘You had to be sponsored. Bob, who was at home with a cold. able to help Clarence.’ ” time for him to go home – but Lil The wife would call, and I would go He was lying on a couch, covered Women were another “minority was loaded. So he called Ernie to exto see her first. I told her my story. I with a blanket. group” that terrified many early plain the predicament. When Ernie wanted to find out several things ” ‘He looked at me. I was only 32, AAs: arrived, he saw Lil grab a handful of about the prospect and his relation- and I was shaking so bad, I couldn’t “In addition to Eddie, there were a little pills from Dr. Bob’s cabinet. ship with her. Is he a chronic or a per- hold anything. I remember how I couple of other alcoholics around in ” ‘We started going around the exiodic? Then I would know how to ap- tried to hide my hands. “You’re pret- the summer and fall of 1935 who amination table, and she was trying proach him, figure out how to reach ty young,” he said. “I don’t know if didn’t jell. However, they still de- to get the pills in her mouth,’ Ernie him. I might set some kind of trap you can make it. . .I haven’t got any serve to become a part of AA folk- recalled. ‘Then she made a dive for for him. I had a lot of whammy time or strength to waste on this lore. the window. I caught her halfway working.’ ” unless you’re serious about it.” ‘ ” “There was a man we’ll call ‘Vic- out. She was strong as a horse and Then the twelfth-stepper would Dorothy S., Clarence’s wife, re- tor,’ a former mayor of Akron, and a used some profanity I never heard betalk to the prospect. ” ‘We had great calls her call to Dr. Bob: lady we’ll call ‘Lil,’ who was the first fore or since. enthusiasm in those days, a dedi- ” ‘Right away, he wanted to know woman to seek help. ” ‘I got her quieted, and Doc cation that sold this program. . .By how old Clarence was. “Thirty- “Together, Victor and the lady came. We took her out to Ardmore the time we were through, most of four,” I said. “Impossible,” he known as Lil started out to write the Avenue [Dr. Bob’s house] and put them at least wanted to try it’ [said replied. “He hasn’t suffered enough. ‘thirteenth step,’ long before the first her in a room in the basement. She Warren C.]. There’s never been anyone that twelve were ever thought of. What is stayed there two or three days, and ” ‘But not all of them,’ he added. young come into the Fellowship and more, they say it began in Dr. Bob’s then her people took her home. Of ‘I have been kicked out of some of recover. ” . . . office – on his examination table – course, they were never too kind

about it and thought we didn’t handle I am a woman, and I was younger her right. But we felt we had done all than Clarence S. when I went to my we could for her when she wasn’t first AA meeting. I was welcomed helping herself any.’ with warmth, not met with fear. Lil “They say Dr. Bob was leery of and Clarence were there for me. I anything to do with women alcohol- never slid down a drainpipe to escape ics for a long time thereafter, al- AA, but I slid swiftly and quietly out though he still tried to help as best he of many meeting rooms before I got could with any who came along. And the message. No one forced me back Bill Wilson, speaking with Sue Win- in; they let me find my own way. Bill dows [Dr. Bob’s adopted daughter] W: and Dr. Bob and Eddie were there in the 1950s, recalled how they all for me. were scandalized by the episode. Perhaps the next time someone ” ‘As drunks, I don’t know why tells me I drank again for others, 1’11 we should have been,’ Bill said. ‘But know more deeply what that means. we felt that the performance of some Perhaps the lesson of Dr. Bob and the of those early people coming in Good Oldtimers, for me, is that all would disrupt us entirely. – [‘Lil’], my actions as an AA member affect I guess, was absolutely the first other AAs and the Fellowship as a woman we ever dealt with.’ ” whole. A sobering thought. Anonymous, Manhattan, N.Y.

0ctober1985 ELEBRATIO AA’s 50th Anniversary International Convention, Montreal,Quebec, July 4-7, 1985 ThisisthestoryofAA’s50thbirthdayparty.Itmustbetoldin many voices,for noindividual’swords or perceptions could capturetherealityoftheexperience.Thepagesthat followcontainthereflectionsofnumerousAA memberswhoattendedtheConvention. :TheGrapevineeditorshavesimplygiven shapetoamosaic,fashioningthegenerous contributionsofmanyintoanimpressionisticaccountofanindescribable event.

“”–

rained?” spare key to their room. Actions T HE THEME WAS “Fifty Years with Gratitude,” and gratitude walked the streets of Montreal, burst trailer, by boat (on special pre-Convention cruises without booze), by any conveyance whatever that would “Pine trees give the best shelter. I just got under one.” speak louder than words, don’t they?” (A member from Massachu- For travelers who wanted more setts wrote of a different lesson in the seams of hotels all over the city get them there. They shared bumper- than a pine tree, accommodations and outlying areas, roamed the corri- sticker stories from different high- humility, when she met the creator of dors and b o u n d off the walls of the ways. Some drove back and forth were often the first order of business. Victor E. at a Grapevine workshop. Convention Center, and filled the from Vermont or upstate New York All the hotel space set aside for the “Funny – I used to be a place-and- Convention had been filled for name-dropper because I traveled a Olympic Stadium with wave after each day, while others were housed as months, and the overflow crowds wave of cheering AAs and Al-Anons, much as sixty miles out from the city lot. Now, being able to say that I had reserved other rooms or booked talked with the man who draws Vicflinging their arms wide in the sheer and commuted cheerfully. A favorite into university dormitories or joy of sobriety. memory for many will be the sight of tor means more than any of them.”) planned to camp out in trailers. There were touches of humor. One It was AA’s largest International the Fifth Chapter Motorcycle Club Others arrived with no reservations, (registration was over 44,000, from gathered in front of the Convention woman had innocently checked into a just a profound faith that their higher power would step in. A planeload of forty-one AAs from Northern Ireland “took a flyer” and came with no reservations, and eleven AAs and Al- Anons who flew in from Mexico told others, without worry, that they had no hotels. Last-minute cancellations took care of some; the Convention housing crew of others; and others brought sleeping bags and crowded by the dozen into hotel rooms or suites; some even slept in lobbies, or on the floor of the Regency Ballroom Center plaza, the gang of ex-toughs at the LeGrand, where the marathon motel only to find out at checkout , fifty-four countries), and by far the meeting was held. most exuberant. One member called adding a picturesque note to a gen- time the next morning that she had it “a weekend in a perfect world, a erally more conventional crowd. One member reported: “I think been charged by the hour – she had There was the AA from Scot- God wanted my judgmentalism to be happened into one of those. A couple foretaste of what the world could be punctured a bit. I have sometimes felt if everyone cared enough.” Others land who flew from Glasgow to Bos- reported that shortly after arriving at ton with his bike, then cycled the rest smug and superior to the ‘quiet’ AA a Montreal hotel, and being warmly described it as “wall-to-wall drunks, folks. My upbringing in sobriety has all vertical,” and “one big love-in.” of the way. And a rather dusty girl greeted as AA visitors, a room service from Maine said she had no money so been in a rather extroverted town, waiter arrived at the room with a gift, A newspaper account began: “Forty- AA-wise. But there I was in Monfour thousand alcoholics converged she walked, three days’ worth. To compliments of the house. It was a “Where’s your gear?” she replied, treal, a victim of an overbooked large chocolate bar, filled with whison Montreal this weekend looking for hotel, and I told the sad tale to some a good time, and nobody had a hang- “You’re looking at it – except for a key. (The “candy” went down the sleeping bag that I stashed in a new quiet AA folks I’d just met on the drain, but the wrapper remains as the over.” charter bus ride to the Convention. Members chatted about how they friend’s car just now.” souvenir of a thought that counted.) “What did you do when it Without a word, they handed me the And of course, there were the “coarrived -by plane, train, bus, car, or

incidences” – the kind that AAs amends, and was late in joining the first AA group was started in 1981). It speak of with emphasis on the quota- meeting because he had spent so was the first time a Polish contingent tion marks. A New Mexico member much time with these friends. They had attended a Convention, and out shared in a triple-duty coincidence had welcomed him warmly and of- of the fourteen who wanted to come, Tuesday night before the Conven- fered him a place in their home -the only four could afford the journey. tion: same home he had been evicted from Rooms had been reserved for them at “There were about twenty of us sit- many years earlier. His only remain- a local university, but when the men ting around the lobby of our hotel, ing difficulty: to explain to his hotel arrived, they didn’t know where to and we decided to have a meeting. It that he had somewhere else to stay go; they found (and paid for) other was one of those meetings where you and wanted his money back. The rooms. When two of them turned up literally feel the spirit. One woman woman in need of a room solved that at the registration windows at the ‘ came into the lobby distraught: she problem. Convention Center to get the situhad come to Montreal with no place “But that wasn’t all. A new wom- ation straightened out, the first memto stay, sure only that God wanted an had come to the meeting with me, ber of the Host Committee they and returning thegreetings. her to be there. A little later, a man someone who had been having trou- turned to for help turned out to be a Citizens and “aliens” alike were from Ireland spoke up, and told us ble finding a God of her understand- native French-Canadian and second- good-humored in the Metro (subthat he had been in Montreal several ing. As we left, she squeezed my hand generation Pole. He was not only way), which was jammed to the doors years before and had harmed some and confided with joy that now she able to speak to them in Polish but before and after events at Olympic close friends. Now, sober, he felt it had felt the presenq of her higher also brought along his nonalcoholic Stadium. All joined in the spontaneparish priest to help. ous bursts of singing and laughter, in As more and more AAs arrived, the conversations that sprang up bethe city’s newspapers, TV, and radio tween friends-just-met, and in the pitched in to help, and when it be- cheering as overcrowded subway came known that some visitors were trains came into overcrowded stasleeping in their cars, thousands of tions – and in a generous gesture, the residents offered housing. “I’m ap- city allowed the crowds to ride free palled,” said one Montrealer encoun- coming back from the stadium after tered at the Picasso exhibition, “that the big meetings. A New York State they didn’t ask us to open our homes AA was moved after the Saturday as we did for Expo. ” night entertainment when, a “coun- Montreal opened not only its try girl” frightened by the subway, homes but its heart. A local radio re- she joined in with a crowd that sang porter compared the city during the through the turnstiles, onto the plat- Convention to the scene in a recent form, and into the train. After runscience fiction movie. He said that ning through most of the usual group Montreal had been invaded by tens of songs, there was a moment of silence thousands of benevolent aliens. as they tried to think of what to sing Wearing blue badges, they were wan- next. Then someone started to sing dering throughout the city, happy, “Amazing Grace,” very softly, and smiling, and greeting passersby. The as the song was picked up by the rest citizens of the city, he went on, had of the crowd, tears came to her eyes

‘**> at the special meaning of the words, Convention special issue or Al- From Delaware comes this remem- wonderful straw hatters.” The smil- “I once was lost, but now am Anon’s new spiritual booklet, or just brance: “One of the familiar sights at ing faces under the white straw hats found.” to mill around and get into the action. any AA event greeted us when we with blue and red trim greeted every- Other stories abounded. “They Several days before the Thursday reached the Convention Center: AA one at the door with a hearty “Welwouldn’t bring the wine 1 ordered for night welcome dances, the Conven- people exchanging autographs and come to Montreal.” One description my Al-Anon wife,” said an AA from tion Center floor was crowded with sobriety dates. A woman member is typical: “They were everywhere. Massachusetts. He felt good about eager ex-drunks. It was reunion time, asked an AA man to sign her copy of They knew everything. A woman that: “They meant to protect me.” and meeting-new-friends time, and the blue souvenir booklet, Fvty Years from Verdun, a member of the Host .. . At the five o’clock Saturday people-watching time par excellence. with Gratitude. When he did so, he Committee, even plonked down on Mass at Mary Queen of the World An Oklahoma member commented: was startled to see her eyes fill with the floor to try and straighten a bent Cathedral, the priest added the Seren- “Someone asked me what I tears. They shared the same sobriety spoke on my wheelchair. They stood ity Prayer to the liturgy, and assured planned to do over the Fourth of date: September 20,1954.” and worked all day, while we were Conventioneers that they would al- July. ‘Oh,’ 1 answered airily. ‘I’m goways be welcome. . . . In a pre-Con- ing to Montreal to spend the weekend vention show of hospitality, the male with 40,000 close friends.’ purser on an Air Canada flight liked “And that’s how it was. Most of the AAs who traveled with him so the men and women 1 smiled at, much that he rented a van and took talked to, shook hands with, I’d about a dozen of them sightseeing – never seen before and won’t see on his day off. . . . And a tour guide again, but we were friends, close was startled when he announced to a friends, hecause of our common busload of AAs, “My name is Mario, problem,-and the solution to it we and I’m your guide for this after- were sharing. noon,” and was greeted by a shouted “Each of us, probably, brought “HI, MARIO!” home vivid memories of individuals Only the bars and liquor stores who stood out from the crowd for an Another familiar sight is that of en- free to enjoy the rich program of were left out, along with a few hotel indelible moment. The young man I thusiasts handing out souvenirs of meetings on the agenda. I don’t think bartenders who complained gently remember best wasn’t near enough their own.’ These generous souls we could possibly thank them that they had been pressed into ser- for me to read his name card, so 1 prompted someone to write: “At the enough. ” vice as waiters, and the tips weren’t as don’t know his name or home, but I 1990 Convention, I want to be one of Scheduled events began Thursday good. The House of Seagrams took feel sure many besides me carried those giving everyone a card, or a night, with two overflowing welcomthe invasion both philosophically and away a misty-eyed memory of that button, or a ribbon, or a slogan. Like ing dances, one with the “big band humorously: its Montreal headquart- unforgettable face. He was thin, one Al-Anon lady from Mexico, who sound” and the other with a disco ers building flew three flags at half- dressed in blue jeans and a cotton was handing out a tiny green turtle beat. Then, all day Friday and Saturmast during the entire weekend. shirt, immaculately clean but so worn with a yellow head and flower on his day and through both nights, the Once settled in, most Convention- as to be almost ragged. He made his back – Easy Does It, perhaps? ” fourth floor of the Convention Ceneers headed for the Convention Cen- way through the throngs at the Con- That first trip to the Convention ter and the meeting rooms of several ter – to register, to pick up badges vention Center on crutches, for he Center was everyone’s introduction hotels were filled with workshops, (blue for AA, red for Al-Anon), to had only one leg. Of all the happy to some of the most important people panels, marathon meetings, red ball buy copies of the souvenir booklet or faces I saw in Montreal during those there, the volunteer Host Committee meetings, newcomers meetings – the Best of the Grapevine or La Vigne’s three days, his was the most radiant.” of 3,000 Montreal AAs – “those only problem was deciding where to

drove to the airport to meet his He has been sober ten years now, and former-inmate sponsee, now active in is active in AA.” AA on the outside for nearly a year, The story of AA’s fiftieth birthday they knew each other immediately. party, like the story of AA itself, is (See the July 1984 Grapevine for the made up of thousands of personal exstory of their friendship through the periences along the collective road to mail.) recovery. For four magical days, the Another former inmate found a road to recovery was the streets of surprise: A New York AA reported Montreal and “the many one-to-one that “out of a sea of faces, one mini-meetings held at strange tables jumped out of the crowd. His badge and in new corridors, the smiles that said ‘Don from Syracuse,’ and he came from deep inside.” For one asked, ‘Do you remember me?’ After Conventioneer, it was at first “a a moment, I did. Don had twelfth- sense of being alone in a crowd. I stepped me in 1961, but slipped after wanted to find everyone I knew from that. He also developed the bad habit back home. Through the grace of of robbing banks – and getting God and love I ,, . caught. He told me he may be the only person who has been chairman of AA groups at both Sing Sing and Attica. But the story has a happy end- *, \\ ing; we were both sober a. \\ in Montreal.

be, when, with a wide choice of tation. . . . It was the old-timers, events at any hour of the day or “golden oldies in AA,” with their renight. minders of the roots of the Fellow- It was forty thousand people (give ship and the reality that the more or take a thousand or so) speaking the things change, the more they remain language of the heart, from plat- the same. forms, in the corridors, on lines wait- It was proof piled on proof that the ing for lunch at the restaurants and program works. It works in prisons: refreshment stations. . . . It was the At the Friday afternoon workshop on impromptu speakers at the Around- AA and Prisons, two speakers told ‘ the-World Call-up meeting, where how they had “met” through particithere was no language barrier be- pating in the Institutions Correstween AAs from many countries. . . . pondence Service (sponsored by the It was the deaf member who told her General Service Office), and met in story entirely in sign language, with person for the first time two days bevirtually no need for a voice interpre- fore. When the “outside” sponsor

The “little things” stand out: The and spent the entire Convention to- AA who sat down in the stadium Fri- gether. day night, introduced himself to his Some of the “coincidences” were neighbor, and discovered that he was Twelfth Step opportunities: Alex sitting next to his niece’s counselor at from Canada (via Scotland) talked in a rehab. . , . The member who cele- a small meeting at one of the hotels brated his first year of sobriety, after about falling casually into conversatwenty-five years in and out of AA, tion with a fellow from Australia. with a trip to the Convention. . . The The Aussie was able to tell Alex how young AAs from Massachusetts who to get in touch with his still-active turned up in beautiful red T-shirts brother, lost to him for nineteen labeled on the front, in white letter- years. . . . Another member noticed a ing, “Bill W.3 friend, Dick” (or Har- blue badge with the name Ed S. and ry, or whatever). . . . The two old asked its wearer if he happened to drinking buddies, one now a priest, know another Ed S., from a certain who met for the first time in many town. “That’s my dad,” was the I soon realized that I was with thou- alcohol. But they were the excep- years, made their mutual amends, reply. Both he and another son are in sands of people who could and would tions. Most of us were just interested help me, if I would only let them.” in everything that was going on, and From California, a member wrote: pleased to be part of it.” “Trudging through the throngs on And a lot was going on, between Montreal’s downtown streets, creep- friends old and new. Many AAs ing uneasily into the underground found old friends in unexpected world of the Metro, plodding along ways. A speaker at one of the meetcorridors in the Convention Center ings told the story of five drinking and the hotels where we talked to one buddies from boarding school: she another incessantly at nonstop meet- and one other who were sober in AA, ings, 1 found that my predominant one now dead, one still drinking, and impression was that this was the most a fifth whom she hadn’t heard from good-natured mass of people I had in many years. At the end of the ever encountered. More than good- meeting, the fifth friend, now a sober natured; they were good-humored, member, came up and reintroduced for the most part quietly well-man- herself. . . . Then there was the New nered, moving with simple dignity Yorker whose drinking story of washand self-assurance, and all of them, ing her hair Iroquois-style, along with even if seemingly aloof or timid, ex- an Indian friend, in the St. Lawrence traordinarily approachable. Seaway had been met with skepti- “There were a few loud and rau- cism in her home group – until a cous. ones, of course, apparently bent Montreal friend who had been her on demonstrating how noisily they companion in that venture told the ‘could have fun without resorting to same story at a local meeting.. ..

the program and have tried, unsuc- ments, bringing order to the dizzying meeting at Olympic Stadium.” One the making of history, and of “down cessfully, to talk to their father. Per- round of “happenings,” large and AA wrote that “the panorama of AA home” AA brought by members of haps an old business friend will be small. A member who commented history unfolded and became alive the family we all share. .more successful – the door is now that “the first hour of the Friday again as it was recounted before us by Saturday, it was meetings, meetopen. . . . An AA from Nebraska was night opening ceremony was worth those living’witnesses of its birth.” ings, meetings during the day, and hunting for a cup of coffee late at the whole trip” probably expressed The present and the past were repre- out to the stadium again for the Big. night, “and the only place open was the thoughts of several thousand oth- sented on the dais: Sarah P., GSO Sh0.w.There were more human waves the hotel bar. I made some comment ers. A Florida AA described Friday staff member and Convention coor- (rapidly becoming a Convention about drinking coffee at a bar, and night’s Big Meeting this way: “While dinator; the current trustees of the “must”), and overwhelming enthusithe bartender replied that she drinks a the Stadium filled up with spectators, General Service Board: old-timers, asm for the Inkspots and the Mum- , lot of it, too. I asked her if she was a we reveled in human wave after alcoholic and nonalcoholic, including mers and the can-can dancers. There friend of Bill W., and she replied, ‘off human wave as people stood and Bob Smith Jr., the only living person was also the reality of the rain that and on.’ We got to talking a bit about cheered in the stands at Olympic Sta- who was present when Bill W. and had threatened all day, and broke af- AA, and after looking through the dium. I danced in the aisle with Dr. Bob met for the first time in Ak- ter the show. A member from Oklaho- Convention program, found a meet- countless others, young and old, to ron. Ruth Hock, Bill W.’s first secre- ma shared this memory: “Saturday ing topic that caught her fancy, the beat of Michael Jackson tunes on tary at the original Alcoholic Founda- night at 1l:3O, and I was riding around scheduled for late at night after.the the loudspeaker system. We cried tion office, who typed the manuscript with a busload of wet drunks! The bar closed. We don’t know what h a p during the Flag Ceremony. Witness- of the Big Book, was presented with love of this beautifuI Fellowship was pened, and probably never will – but ing and being a part of history, past the five-millionth copy by Gordon shining everywhere in Montreal, but I and present, created a Patrick, nonalcoholic chairperson of especially noticed it Saturday night, feeling of melancholy, the General Service Board. And “the when we were all rain-soaked and runa sense of sadness highlight,” as one Nebraska member ning to catch our bus. No one grumwithin our joy, be- wrote, “was when Lois W. came into bled about hair, clothes, or cameras cause we knew this the stadium and everyone stood up. It -a far cry from the drinking days!” would never happen was a sign of appreciation that only Sunday opened with a 7:00 AM again.” members of AA and Al-Anon would “Fun Run,” from the LeGrand After the impromp- understand. When she reached the Hotel through Old Montreal, along tu dancing and cheer- podium, I developed the largest tears the St. Lawrence River, and back to ing came the official I have shed since entering the Fellow- the LeGrand. Then it was off with the opening ceremonies. ship. So much of this program to me jogging suits and back out to the sta- First the Flag Cere- is a miracle; it was good to be remind- dium for the wind-up and official mony, with flag-bear- ed by Lois that our co-founders were closing of the Convention, the Spirers from fifty-four just human beings, not gods as I itual Meeting. It was moments of incountries marching in sometimes picture them to be.” spiration from chairperson Betty L. formation and step- The three speakers – Guy from of the GSO staff and speakers Walter ping forward as their Quebec, Sybil from California, and from Guatemala, Liz from New Zeacountry’s name was Dave from North Carolina -evoked land, and Joe from Arkansas. It was we believe there was an unseen guest called. The meeting itself started off a sense of history and a spirit of pres- blowing out the candle lighted at midat the bar that night, who will finish with a roar of laughter when Bob P., ent gratitude that sent the crowds off night on Thursday by the person with the story.” Convention chairperson, welcomed to the Metro with mixed feelings: of the most sobriety at the first mara- The main events were peak mo- everyone to “the regular Friday night awe because they had been present at thon meeting. According to custom,

I

five hours in North Bay. Twelve of us wrote the Grapevine, a member from ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AAs, some from as far away as Aus- California, summed it up this way: tralia, left the train and headed for “Once in my youth, I was told that We gratefully acknowledge the following members, who in reality some ice cream at a nearby restaur- the whole is greater than the sum of are the writers of this article: J. H., Port Hueneme, CA; R. H., ant. Then we went to a local meeting. its parts. Never was this more true Citrus Heights, CA; B. M., Saratoga, CA; F. F., Wilrnington, DE; It turned into an international meet- than at the International Convention C. C., Miami Beach, FL;T. K., Honolulu, HI; P. L., Crofton, ing, and the chairperson gave us all in Montreal. By their very presence, ‘ MD; A. C., Brighton, MA; M. P., Dedham, MA; R. G., Salem, five minutes to speak. Gratitude be- AAs streaming in from all corners of MA; R. W., Springfield, MA; T. S., Templeton, MA; R. P., , came the theme, and it was expressed the world brought to me the clear and ;Bellewe, NE; D. A., Snyder, NE; T. B., Delran, NJ; V. V., by people from the U.S., Germany, comforting message, ‘1 can’t, but we ;Freehold, NJ; N. ‘A., Wenonah, NJ; C. P., Albuquerque, NM; Spain, Sweden, and Canada, to name can!’ The open fellowship in the J. M., Madrid, NY;D. O., Martville, NY;S. G., J. Y., J. S., D. D., only a few.”. . . Undoubtedly, there streets, in the meetings, and in the were many such mini-Conventions in Convention Center and Stadium *E.B., and J. M., New York, NY;R. S., Edmond, OK; E. E., Tulsa, those first weeks of July, held by AAs proved to me once again that in our IOK; R. K., Portland, OR; T. B., Kenora, ON: E. R., Austin, TX – who couldn’t, or wouldn’t, let the ex- diversity lies our strength.” : and numerous others whose recollections could be included only if perience end. – ,the Grapevine was a magazine-without-end. The Editors the person with least sobriety at the ing through the city.. . . On Monday last marathon meeting blows out the night, one of the local meetings was candle, and this time it was Lamont so mobbed that it had to move from C. from Texas, with three and one the basement into thechurch itself. half days. (A member from Massa- The experience continued as Conchusetts reflected, “I wonder what ventioneers went home. This recollecit’s like to have 40,000 sponsors.”) tion comes from an enthusiastic And finally, it was more than 40,000 Massachusetts member: “For me, voices joining in the closing Lord’s Montreal was like getting drunk on Prayer, and 40,000 faces wet with friendliness, a natural high on handtears of gratitude. shakes and hugs. Like a greedy alky, 1 For some conventions, extinguish- wanted MORE, MORE, MORE. So I kept ing the candle and saying the closing my badge on for four days in Quebec prayer might have been the end, but City, and I got MORE – from Texas what alcoholic ever stopped anything and Washington and Oklahoma and willingly? A Sunday afternoon tour Ontario and New Jersey. Tuesday on the St. Lawrence River turned into night, a group in Quebec City happily an AA outing. . . . An Oregon mem- accommodated the overflow from ber planned to meet some Scottish Montreal; they went from an average friends at the Convention Center of about twenty members to eightyplaza; they were joined by others, two!”. . . “Returning by train from and a group of ten or twelve AAs Montreal,” wrote an AA from Onjoined other groups of AAs meander- tario, “we were held up for four or

November 1 9 8 5

Anonvmitv- ‘… th&SPi”ritual Foundation’ During the Sunday morning meeting at the International Convention, the Fellowship reaffirmed the spirit of anonymity as Bill’s last message was read “My dear friends, Recently an AA member sent me which we are capable; on the practian unusual greeting which I would cal level, anonymity has brought prolike to extend to you. He told me it tection for the newcomer, respect and was an ancient Arabian salutation. support of the world outside, and se- Perhaps we have no Arabian groups, curity from those of us who would but it still seems a fitting expression use AA for sick and selfish purof how I feel for each of you. It says, poses. ‘I salute you and thank you for your AA must and will continue to life.’ change with the passing years. We My thoughts are much occupied cannot, nor should we, turn back the these days with gratitude to our Fel- clock. However, I deeply believe that lowship and for the myriad blessings the principle of anonymity must rebestowed upon us by God’s Grace. main our primary and enduring safe- If I were asked which of these guard. As long as we accept our blessings I felt was most responsible sobriety in our traditional spirit of for our growth as a fellowship and anonymity we will continue to receive most vital to our continuity, I would God’s Grace. say, the ‘Concept of Anonymity.’ And so – once more, I salute you Anonymity has two attributes es- in that spirit and again I thank you sential to our individual and collec- for your lives. tive survival; the spiritual and the May God bless us all now, and forpractical. ever. On the spiritual level, anonymity Ever Yours, demands the greatest discipline of Bill” Reprinted with permission of AA World Services. Inc.

AA Grapevine,May 1988 A Few of the Many… nonalcoholics who helped shape AA’s principles In AA’s pioneer days, Episcopal clergyman Dr. SamuelShoemakerinstructed manyearlymembersinthe spiritualprinciples now embodiedintheTwelve Steps. SisterIgnatia drunksintoSt.Thomas Hospital,Akron,andwith Dr.Bob setan example of the practice ofAA’s Twelfth Step. Dr.William D. John D.Rockefeller,Jr. Silkworth,”the littledoctorwho eager AAs”it is our” loved drunks,” beliefthatAlcgholics wasthefirstto Anonymous shouldbe describeour self-supporting sofaras illnessasa money is concerned” physical compulfirstarticulatedour sioncoupled Seventh Tradition. witha nental Since the early days of AA. obsessipn. many nonalcoholics have ops giving that asks no rewards.” Austin MucCornick(top) fostered thespreadofAAin prisons;John L.Norris (“‘Dr.Juck”)pioneered in introducingAAtocorporate medicalprogrums.Bothserved as Class A trustees,Dr.Jack as chairmanof theGeneralService Board from 1961 to 1978.

DECEMBER 1 9 8 8

Lois W. lived a long, full life. She died on October 5, 1988 in Westchester County Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York, at the age of 97.

Her part in the formulation and the subsequent success of the M Fellowship is incalculable. As a founder of the Al-Anon Family Groups she has brought hope and new life to millions who once suffered the loneliness and despair of alcoholism. There is no doubt that she will be loved until time itself stops. ‘ Lois W.: 1891 – 1988

With deep appreciation and everlasting gratitude,

all we can say in farewell to Lois W. is,

“We thank you for your life.”

April 1989

The Book Carriesthe Message The “chip of a book. . .launched on the world tide of alcoholism” has been carried around the world, bringing AA’s message of recovery to oncehopeless drunks. In the process, it has become a best-seller. The five-millionth copy was presented to Bill W.’s nonalcohol (who typed the original manuscript) at AA’s 50th Anniversary International Convention in Montreal in 1985. The chart at the right reflects sales of the English Big Book (including the paperback version published in November 1985), but not the IS published foreign-language translations.

Journal of Nervous Mental Disorders September 1940 . . .This big, big book, i.e. big in words, is a rambling sort of campmeeting confession of expenences, told in the form of biographies of various alcoholics who. . .have provisionally recovered, chiefly under the influence of the “big brothers get together spirit.” Of the inner meaning of alcoholism there is hardly a word. It is all on the surface material., Inasmuch as the alcoholic, speaking generally, lives a wish-fulfil!ing infantile regression to the omnlpotency delusional state, perhaps he is best handled for the time being at least by regressive mass psychological methods, in which, as is realized, religious fervors belong. hence the religious trend of the

April 1989

– AFTER Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed ; <-/:: our path. .. —

stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what .’ happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you c want what we have and are willing to go t o any length to get it then you are ready to follow directions. want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it then you are ready to take certain steps. – I At some of these you may balk. You may think you can find an easier, softer way. We doubt if you can. . . Remember that you are dealing with alcohol – cunning, baffling, At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, ,… softer way. But we could not. . . Remember that we deal with alcohol – cunning, baffling, power- , ‘, . 3

.

powerful! Without help it is too much for you. But there is One ful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has who has all power – That One is God. You must find Him now! all power – That One is God. May you find Him now! Half measures will avail you nothing. You stand at the turning Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. point. Throw yourself under His protection and care with com- We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. plete abandon. Now we think you can take it! Here are the steps we took, which Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of are suggested as your Program of Recovery. . . recovery. . . – –

7. Humbly, on our knees, asked Him to remove our shortcomings 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. – holding nothing back. Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after, have been designed to our personal adventures before and after make clear three persell you three pertinent ideas: tinen t ideas: (a) That you are alcoholic and cannot manage your own life. (a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (b) That probably no human power can relieve your alcoholism. (b) That probably no human power could have relieved our (c) That God can and will. alcoholism. If you are not convinced on these vital issues, you ought to re-read (c) That God could and would if He were sought. the book to this point or else throw it away! Beinn convinced. we were at Step Three. . .

April 1989

\

‘More Crank Stuff’ In 1939 I was engaged in a critical review of the alcoholism literature. Among my readings were some true gems and an overwhelming number of papers ranging from mediocre to frankly crank productions. One day that year, I found on my desk a book with a yellow and red dust cover. Its title was “Alcoholics Anonymous.” With a sigh I picked it up and said to myself: “Some more crank stuff.” But I had hardly read a few pages when I realized that I had one of the most precious gems before me. -Dr. E. M. Jellinek; . . AA Today I

June 1989

AVery satisfactory Life’ The story of a long-timeGrapevine contributor who is still going strong! —

Marty, my spon- myself in part, “All right – you’re sor, and Priscilla, fifteen years behind in your life. Fifour good friend, teen behind in career. (I and Lois K., and am a professional writer.) Thank God Maeve. These were you came into AA when you did. Now the founders of the you can begin to get your life back.” I Grapevine, along with Chase H. and ended by saying I felt I had to write Bud T. I was in Marty’s New York this letter because 1 was grateful to apartment when they first talked AA for seeing me through the growabout a magazine devoted to AA and ing pains of early sobriety. alcoholism. It would be about eight I signed the letter Felicia G., which pages, rather like a tabloid, with is my maiden name and the one I beautiful print that would be easy to write under. In the last thirty years read. Priscilla, who was the art editor I’ve been signing my Grapevine artiof Vogue, designed the title page. She cles with the initials F. M. I was mardrew the grapes, hanging on the vines ried to another AA, John M. We as a background. Then she drew both stayed sober through three and a “The Grapevine” as the title in big half years of perfect hell. Then, thank black letters almost an inch high. You God, we got divorced. can see this beautiful title page and Priscilla had wanted me to write read all eight pages when you visit the something for that first edition and I Grapevine office or the AA archives had said I would. But I was pretty in New York City. new in AA and my self-esteem was I had a letter addressed to AA in wobbly. Although I was earning my that famous first edition. 1 said I was pork chops writing for such slicks as so grateful to be sober. For a year and Colliers, Mademoiselle, and the Sata half I had not had a drink. I said to urday Evening Post, I felt the eyes of

t h e Grapevine Dear Grapevine: I’ve been in A.A. a year five flights and I founders f ~ e ud p “All right-you’re fifteen yeare behind in and a month and I’m BO happy, so glad at ran out on my on me. My Lord, your life. Fifteen years behind in your career. rooftop terrace this piece had to last, to be alive. A year and a month aeo I Thank God you came into A.A: when you and looked down. be great. It had to wanted to die-although I didn’t do anything did. Now you can begin, elowly, m d get your 1 saw Priscilla put be as good as about it except go on drinking, which is a life back.” Perhaps eome of you know this one beautiful glove Shakespeare – pretty good way. My career, for I happen into the stinking maybe even a little experience of diecouraged impatience. Per- mess, take out the to be a writer, was at a standstill, and my way haps you’ve been eober a certain number better than the pages, straighten Bard. I wrote and of living, my habits and emotions were as of months and are beginning to say, “Well, them, shake garwrote and tore it distorted as the view I used to see of myself so what?” Don’t go out and get drunk, as I bage off them, up ‘and wrote and in the bottom of a glass. came so near doing a month ago. Weather read a few words, tore it up. Now, very, very elowly, I am becoming the and then turn PrisciUa phoned this let-down period between first getting trnly toward Park Avefrom her office at person I’m supposed to be. Normal habits sober and getting youraelf adjusted to life nue to hail a cab. Vogue and said I and pleasures come back slowly. Things like and living. Work like a beaver with an Why, heaven was )ate with it. enjoying food, gardening, going to the theatre, cxtra spurt of effort in, for and with A.A. help me, it was They were going to spending an evening with friends while con- That’s the solution. I am sure of it. I had to worth running in p m in hours. She sciou+all these habits had to be reformed, the Grapevine! Or was coming right write this because I’m eo grateful again to so it seemed. I let up herself to get it. like a paralytic learning the re-rrse of his A.A. for eeeing me through thew ugrowing out a sigh. But I burst into a limbs. Just the other day I said to m y d ; painsn. Felicia G. then I said to my? sweat. I went back self, “They sure to the typewriter are desperate for and typed out a piece with a begin- downstairs. I was a little afraid of “You mean you haven’t written it? material.” ning, a middle, and an end. her. She was my friend, to be sure. Come, come, my girl, you said -” Marty had written an article for , I jerked the last page out of the But she never put up with nonsense, “Oh, I typed out a few pages of that inaugural issue too, though she typewriter, read it over, and said and she had a very sharp tongue. stuff, and it just wasn’t any good, did not sign hers, which is just a little aloud, “This stinks.” She came through the door of my Priscilla. You see, I’m a fiction longer than my letter. It’s called “M I ran down my five flights of stairs apartment, in a chic beautiful suit writer, probably because I have a very Goes to Sea.” She says, in part, and, happily, the garbage man hadn’t and a pair of spanking clean yellow weak grasp of fact. I mean, a fiction “Doctor Florence Powdermaker, a come by yet. The garbage cans out- cotton gloves. writer is a failed journalist. This is well known psychoanalyst, sent us a side my New York apartment house “MI right, darling,” she said. u~’Il well known.” patient who promptly dried up, pleaswere fdled with refuse, and so I take it just as it is. We’ll correct it if I “Where did you put what you ing the good doctor no end. Then plunged my typed pages down into the need be. ” I wrote?” Doctor Powdermaker (this being first can, and ran back up my five “You – you – you won’t take She wandered toward my waste- World War 11) put on a naval uniflights. it,” I said. “It isn’t here.” basket, which was filled with torn up form and took up the problems of I was going to be all sweet and non- “Where is it?” manuscript. tired or shell shocked seamen. Oddly chalant when Priscilla arrived. Un- “It’s elsewhere.” “No, no,” I said. “It’s down on enough she found that many of them fortunately, I was still sweating and “And where is elsewhere?” had just the same problem we land the street. It’s in a garbage can.” Priscilla turned and ran down the lubbers are cursed with. . .they were close t~ tears when she rang the bell “I couldn’t write it.’?

coholic Foundation. Chase got sober after he had a life. He put out a wonderful Grape- Bill said, “Do you think you are major miracle. He was drunk in vine. And he was also a wonderful one of us?” The greatest thing any- someone’s apartment in the Village, sponsor. one had ever said to me. Drinking using the john, next to a wide open When Jack, the creator of Victor alone in bars in Greenwich Village, I window at night. He stood therb E., and Paula C. and Lee were edihad been cast out by most of my swaying with his pants down. Sud- tors, the office was in a building near friends. I hadn’t been part of any denly he fell out of the window. He the United Nations. I worked in that group for a long time. I nodded my landed in a barrel of soft ashes. The office as an editorial assistant. I loved head and said “yes” to Bill. “Yes.” next day, he went, all hung over, to it, but I wouldn’t stick to it. Alas, I This outrageous, immoral behavior look at that barrel. Right next to it wasn’t ready to commit myself to of mine – why, it entitled me to be was a barrel of broken glass. He anything permanent. I see now that I part of a group! Here was Bill, here could have landed in that. He had re- missed something very good. I wish was Bobby B., Bill’s assistant. They sisted AA, but now he joined in a I’d gone on working in that office till were like me, sick not bad. Bill, hav- I was ready to retire. However, I have ing explained this to me, sent me to contributed articles over the years. I see Marty, who became my wonder- always love to do that. I loved writing ful sponsor. Priscilla was a sort of this one. It makes me remember second sponsor. Both of them are Grace O., Lois K., Marty and Prisgone now, but the three of us became cilla, Chase and Tom Y., and Paula, lifelong friends. , our co-founder, whom we After two years, I think it was, the ell. And dear little short fat alcoholics and they wanted in the Grapevine was taken over by Chase ,Florence Powdermaker looking and his pigeon and friend, Tom Y. bsurd in a naval lieutenant’s worst way to get over it .” They agreed to run it for a couple of uniform. All of them are gone now. Well, I was the patient whom Doc- years. Chase and his wife, Josephine, I’m sure that the AAs are attending tor Powdermaker sent to AA. She owned and ran the Washington the Celestial Group. I bet that Florhad gone to a meeting of psychiatrists Square Bookshop, which was on 8th ence visits them, talks to them. Florin New York to hear Bill W. speak Street between Fifth and Sixth Aveand she said to me, “These people ence, then Bill, then Priscilla and nues, down in Greenwich Village. On Marty, then Chase. These five people were active alcoholics and they’ve this lively block, crowded with eccenstopped drinking. Perhaps you ought have saved my life. Without them I tric Village types, this bookshop was would not have been sober. I would to go and see them.” I had been roll- well known as an oasis for local arting around on her couch for a couple not have stayed sober. I would have ists and writers, who dropped in all been locked up or crazy, or dead and of years, either drunk or terribly hung over and filled with guilt at my behavior. Dear Florence. Of course, I resisted day long. On the same side of the street was a gay bar called “Main Street.” Also the bar where 1 used to – That article in the first issue of the Grapevine was my first written statedrink most evenings. This was called And he became another sponsor of ment about my sobriety, my sanity, her at first. Finally I went down to “The Old Colony Bar and Grill.” 1 Vesey Street, in the Wall Street sec- mine, after 1 was sober. Being the co- and despite a few ups and downs, a was such a good customer that the owner of a bookshop, where AAs very satisfactory life as a member of tion of New York, where Bill and his bartenders always got me into a cab staff had a small office called The Al- now dropped in all day, he knew an Alcoholics Anonymous. and gave the driver my home address. awful lot about literature and about Felicia M., New Canaan, Conn.

– J u n e 1989

their awakening to something they The war at home meant shortages read in the Grapevine. of goods and services; restrictions on It’s 1989: An AA member working transportation and communications. at an insurance office on Montgom- At the end of 1941 they stopped makery Street in San Francisco sends a ing cars for civilians, so if you had a cartoon of two drunks sitting on a car in ’44, it was an old one – parts curb to an AA friend working at a were nearly impossible to get. Gasolaw office in Boston via Fax machines line was severely rationed; no AA – elapsed time between transmission member would casually make a fifty and reception: three minutes. There mile round-trip journey to an outly- I knocked around but it was the little book that caught are AA networks where members ing AA meeting. Most people did not the program eight my attention. During that eight year meet only by way of computer mo- have telephones in 1944 and if you years before 1 was period when I was both a contributor dems. A sponsor in a restaurant hears were newly sober and felt you needed able to put a year to the GV and an active drunk I had his beeper go off, finds a public tele- a telephone, you couldn’t get one together without a two occasions to see the magazine phone and calls back his pigeon, until 1946 – unless you had special drink or a drug. from a unique position -as an inmate whose number is displayed on his priority (recovering from alcoholism During those eight years, four of my at a rehab and a patient at a detox, beeper readout. In Los Angeles and was not considered essential to the stories were published in the Grape- where I saw old GVs with stories 1had New York there are “bicoastal” war effort). Making or receiving a vine. When I brought my first story written donated to these institutions. groups, members of which live and long-distance telephone call in those to the GV, the editor did not ask for In the years I’ve been sober I’ve work in both cities, flying back and days was a major event unless you any documents attesting to the length both chaired and spoken at detox forth several times each week. Those were a corporation executive or a and depth of my sobriety. Nobody meetings and I always check to see if AAs who have not been to meetings movie star. Almost nobody flew in told me I needed 90 days of sobriety they have a supply of old GVs lying in other parts of the world have, at those days and if you were going to write for the Grapevine – or, for around – partly, it’s vanity: are any least, heard speakers who have. This coast to coast by train it would take that matter, that I needed to be sober of my stories here? But mainly I’m is the time of AA’s “Global Village.” you three days, if you were lucky; if at all! When I got word that my first curious to see which issues get the Enjoy it. not, you could spend hours stopped story was accepted and would be pub- most attention. Some look like they In 1944 there were, perhaps, 300 and waiting in a siding while troop lished I went out and got drunk. I re- have never been opened, but most groups in North America. For the trains or trains loaded with war matemember showing the acceptance let- are well worn, many have dog-eared most part these groups lived in isola- rials used the main line. ter to the bartender at a Blarney pages, some have the joke page or tion from each other. “Headquar- Besides the Big Book and a couple Stone on 14th Street. Victor E. torn out; others have been ters” – Bill’s name for what later be- of pamphlets there were no AA publi- This year marks the forty-fifth an- folded to fit into back pockets; some came the General Service Office – cations in 1944. After the Jack Alexniversary of the Grapevine and the have passages heavily underlined. did what it could to keep these groups ander article appeared in the Saturday tenth year of my sobriety. The ones that move me the most, informed of what was new and what Evening Post in March of 1941 AA For the eighteen years I have been however, are those issues that have was going on in AA in general, but it had increased dramatically from around the program 1 have felt a been folded and refolded so often was a huge task for an office that had 2,000 to 8,000. The war caused vast stronger linkage to the Grapevine they have lost their covers: 1 know little money and a small, mostly un- movements of people to the various than I have to the Big Book. On the that these anonymous issues have paid, staff who had to work at other war-production centers around the literature table at my first meeting in been loved and read and passed jobs to support themselves. Besides country; new groups sprang up every- March of 1971, both the Big Book around by many drunks, some of that, in case you’ve forgotten, there where. We will never know how many and the Grapevine were displayed, whom are now sober and can trace was a war going on! of these groups went bad for lack of

guidelines and the wisdom of experi- time when many recovering alcoholence that had shaped the earlier ics discover the fire burning within groups. It was obvious that an ongo- themselves (Bill, after all, at three ing national AA communication link years of sobriety, had begun writing was needed, but what form it should the Big Book). “I had,” Lois writes, take was not yet clear. “the courage of my ignorance.” There were a few local newsletters After another visit with Bill, Lois U.. rr ,mid ~ h u .rk v.. m d u d IWYW. c e l ) ) ~.I #hi. p p LWI in 1944. In the Los Angeles area there had dinner at a little restaurant on u; m r m h r * I. .I A.A. 1 1 I.-*# . .. / den. t r idi& .nd uL 1 l . r m r q m t .ur u e n p i l , ? Plnu da n u q u a r rryrkt r i r h err prr*tlr. was one called the Eye-opener. In 23rd Street with Marty M. and Pris- Ohio there was the Cleveland Central Bulletin – a rather grand name for an amateur two-page effort. But early in 1944, a copy of that homecilla P. Marty was a professional writer and one of the first women sober in AA. Priscilla was an art director for a magazine, and both she and T\VO YALE S A V A N m

AS r h l r I.a k L d 4 1 q 4 a**..(k 4 a k Cllakh I h hW. rill hl’ ‘hd* hb” d h h 1″ &l.lq sntlrss ALC~IIOLISM 2~;;,;h~~-~,;l~i; ;;yy-d ;.yet ‘ISEASE .I h.~i.i&.lr-. I I W ~ 1.n-d .I #dl.-. ~r)l ~ h . ai~h c k lhI d k U k a n 1h.l h r . b dl. *I”a h & n

;”; la k l n n p- .1 bvi.,hq IIL. lh. p d h – . b. 4.4 by . l d,

h I- #-.I u p.r n nn br y n spun Cleveland newsletter was pre- Marty were immediately infected with I. At $k lurh*. 4 TI. C,.p14~r. r. r W d 4 I a ,u.IM. -8.d .npvm r r L..dm~ -.”.l*i.r am1 ‘L.rp “,*( 4 A&lh r l l h 111. k . 1 A u ~ r I tu F rr . q u l m r l r T h . r y r * * . II.Uda u 4 dl r’.Julh W r . IP k

sented and passed around to a gather- Lois’ enthusiasm. “Bless them,” k r I., ~l I.I. “4 ~ h b wrr I. r- p.L ~1,h.n h t rr 4 r r *.lnlI.” h t. l.nh *I.,u -uul n.pn -4.I*.-rU.#4 =rL

., .I. UI**.. TL. ~..h.ah -.ih .rl -6Cm In A k d d m .I-s h A 1 H b*( -H*. ; a&. #heLa k 4 bun -,.A- .L. h.n .r .I1 t h r rbm hm1.4 I*fb.1 ing of AA friends at an apartment in Lois later wrote. “They caught fire at ,- .n ah. 1 J-1 .b

nhab kl.m -6ar r. kld 41 #tI*.r Ir.4 4 h rh. Inn..U J A l m h – l k Tlr d u b . . m q ilr+.~*lr Idrd ItL. U l m h w i l t k . n t h a#-J b u k IL. drJ.lk h (L. We .( (L. .r-ut(p. White Plains, a town a few miles once and over a tough piece of pot -,-.A. .r( IL. b-4 ~rl r he h e n .(ah …In* I .” r # hI &p.amm. 4 IC.3. P e r b ,I.*.””.I.. .Ill ..”*l)n. (*r 11-. h-la .”&,.L,. r .U up”. 4 .h.W*r -. . I l d r . ll.,,.tJ north of New York City. Lois K. took roast and muddy coffee, the Grape- -.–. -. *

one look at that newsletter and won- vine was started on its way toward its They added several members to the the next one is slightly off-color (it dered why New York didn’t put out happy, though painful birth. staff – one or two took one look and looked pristine to me) so, after rejectits own publication. Lois had been “We saw clearly that we needed quietly disappeared. Kay M. and ing one after another, you delve into worried about “the growing pains more people than just us, preferably Grace O., however, stuck around for the dusty shelves at the back and find which were causing a certain amount men. These, remember, were early a while. Kay, who in real life was a the perfect goodie.” After selecting of lack of understanding among the days in AA. It was a man’s organiza- proofreader, was of immense value to the paper, Priscilla told Lois that now few groups which were forming in tion and we women were tolerated as the fledgling publication. Grace and they would have to decide on the and around the Metropolitan area.” long as we knew our place – and her nonalcoholic spouse helped in type. Lois said, “Don’t we just give She thought a newsletter could pro- stayed there.” TWOmen were found: more ways than one: the printing costs him the copy and let him print it?” vide “harmony between groups.” Chase H. and Abbott T. (who was of the first issue ($125) were paid for Priscilla raised an eyebrow and gave The next day Lois went up to Bed- known by all as “Bud”), plus another by Grace’s husband (a well-known Lois a withering look while she conford Hills. Bill W. was stretched out woman, Maeve. By April, they had writer and editor who had written an ferred with the printer in an obscure ,on the floor in front of the old cob- produced a rough dummy of the first early favorable article about AA). language with words like pica, bold blestone fireplace while Lois told him issue. The next order of business was Some of the “editors,” however, face, Bodoni, and Times Roman unof her idea to produce a local maga- to decide on a name for the as yet non- had no publishing experience at all; in til, finally, everything was settled. zine. Bill, no doubt already seeing existent magazine. Lois took to her fact, such trade terms as “galley,” The first issue arrived from the this as a national or international bed with fever of 104 and after a night “dummy,” “paste-up” seemed like printer late in May. It was bravely lajournal, told Lois to go for it, “And blessings on you.” of fantastic thoughts and feverish nightmares came up with a name. gibberish to them. Lois tells about the beled “Volume I, Number 1 It was .” time she went with Priscilla to the newspaper size (tabloid), three col- Lois says of herself at this time: “I “This,” she told the others, “is prob- printer’s to pick out a paper stock: umns wide, eight pages long. A very was a dizzy alcoholic with a dreamy idea and no experience to back it ably the result of delerium and fever, but how about Grapevine for a “. . .Were my eyes opened! For in- professional-looking job (facsimile stance, the sample of paper that looks copies of that first issue are available up.” She was three years sober – a name?” absolutely magnificent is no good, through the Grapevine). Even though

tions. No question about it, from the wanted to share the excitement and quarters for help. Bill personally sent start, that little local newsletter had the ritual of opening and reading the out an open letter to all AA groups delusions of grandeur! congratulatory letters and subscrip- asking if they wanted the Grapevine “The editors) who One of the original concepts of the tions. It was a heady time. for their national publication. The Grapevine was to provide a “meeting The first typed statement of “sub- response was overwhelmingly affirstill had no real in print” to the estimated 300 AA scriptions received” was dated June mative. The December 1945 issue 10,1944. From Pennsylvania came 3 1 o@e, met at each members in the armed forces all over the world. In the first issue there was subscriptions; Wisconsin, 11; Ohio, bore the legend “The national monthly journal of Alcoholics Anonother’s h w s ) a page called “Mail Call for All AAs in the Armed Forces.” It was a page 10; California, 17. There was no record of how many subscriptions came ymous,” and it had grown to twelve pages. By January 1946, the Grapewaitiy until they of letters from servicemen, and this from the Metropolitan area, but the rest of New York State produced only vine’s yearly subscription rate went from $1.50 to $2.50. section continued for the rest of the m e all together war and into the period of Occupa- five subscriptions. Lois K. later The Grapevine’s first real office tion where it became “Mail Call for wrote, “Of course we were delighted, was a small one-room apartment near befbve the AAs at Home and Abroad.” The fea- but by tacit agreement we closed our Grand Central Station leased in S e p ture continues today as “PO Box eyes to the self-evident truth that we tember of 1944. Early in 1945 they mail; all wanted to 1980.” were more popular in Texas, Michi- realized they needed a paid employee share the excitemmt~’ The first issue of the Grapevine appeared in June of 1944 – on the gan, California, el al, than we were east of the Hudson. to manage the office, type letters and manuscripts, and help with the r a p ninth anniversary of Bill’s meeting “Then came the night 1’11 never idly increasing subscription list. Bill everyone involved with the produc- with Dr. Bob. It was an exciting time forget. We were gathered around the sent for his half-sister, Helen Evans, tion for the first Grapevine intended for the tiny staff of the Grapevine: big table with the tin plate ashtrays then living in Canada, inviting her to it to be strictly a local newsletter, they not only was their little magazine almost full, looking over our store of come live in Bedford Hills and to decided to mail off copies to the 300 launched, but on June 6th the long- material for the coming issue and re- “share in the AA way of life,” and, group secretaries across the country. awaited Allied invasion of France be- viewing our subscription list, when not to worry, there was a job for her. On the back of each copy was printed gan and the end of the war in Europe one of us said, ‘Let’s face it, kids, this On Helen’s first day at the office ‘

a subscription form. It wouldn’t be seemed, at last, to be in sight. isn’t a local job – it’s national!’ ” the first renewal subscription came in the first time an alcoholic would Twelve hundred copies of that first By the fall of 1945 new subscrip- the mail to everyone’s surprise and think small while dreaming big! issue were printed, and while many tions were coming in at the rate of 100 delight. They had not yet begun to so- One of the Grapevine’s founding were given away, the rest were sold a month from every state in the union licit renewals, so it was totally unexeditors, Marty M., was at that time for fifteen cents each. The “six ink- and from other countries as well. pected; it seemed to underscore that organizing what later was to become stained wretches” – the appellation There were over 3,000 paid subscrib- the Grapevine was no “flash in a ,the National Council on Alcoholism the founding editors gave themselves ers and additional copies were sold pan,” but was here to stay. (NCA). Beginning in October of in the first issue – hoped to get individually at meetings. And al- Helen soon realized that the office 1944, Marty left town for a year to enough revenue from subscriptions though business was booming, costs was in total disarray; that she would drum up interest and support for her to finance the July issue. Subscrip- had also risen sharply: there was now earn her $40 per month salary. Recinfant organization. She traveled tions started to trickle in from all over office rent to pay and, that spring, ord keeping was chaotic: for some 25,000 miles on this mission, but the country. The editors, who still they had to hire a part-time employee reason it took three separate cards to wherever she went she visited AA had no real office, met at each other’s to help manage the office and deal keep track of each subscriber. Helen groups, passing out copies of the homes, waiting until they were all to- $withthe mass of paperwork the mag- was able to reduce it to one card each. Grapevirie and collecting subscrip gether before opening the mail; all azine generated. They asked Head- (Continued on page 34)

Bill had an old oak desk of his writings, published last year by the moved into the basement on Minetta Grapevine, seems likely to become Lane. Although Bill wrote the edito- the best selling of all the GV books! rial in the first issue of the Grapevine, There is at least one instance where he was never an editor, nor was he 1a letter written to the GV by Bill was ever connected in anv other “offi- rejected for publication on the cial” way to the magaiine. He plainly grounds that it was “an improper inloved the Grapevine; from its very be- trusion of the Grapevine’s editorial ginning, he gave it his full support. independence” – a policy, inciden- Early on Bill promised to write an ar- tally, established by Bill himself! As ticle every month for a period lasting the Grapevine gained prominence in several years because he knew the AA, a corporate structure was set up value to the magazine of this kind of naming five trustees (now a board of personal endorsement. The Twelve ten directors) to oversee its opera- Traditions first appeared in the GV, tions and insure its editorial indepenbcginning with a 1946 article Bill dence from the Alcoholic Foundation wrote called “Twelve Points to (now the General Service Board). . Assure Our Future.” Until his death Over the years the Grapevine’s inin 1971 Bill often “hung out” at the come has not always caught up with various Grapevine offices. He loved its expenses. Ideally, the Grapevine to “bounce ideas” off the staff. In a should be completely self-supporting, sense the Grapevine was Bill’s forum but because of its value to the Fellow- – if not his personal magazine. As ship as a whole, its shortfalls have at “The treasurer, Bud T., who was a Soon, they had to move again. The Bob P., past general manager of the times in the past been underwritten real dear, kept all the records in his old church building had been sold. General Service Office, points out: by the Reserve Fund of the General shirt pocket on tiny pieces of paper!” They found a basement in a con- “There were several reasons for this Service Board. Several months later, they had to demned building on Minetta Lane in special interest. Bill perceived early There is a favorite story about how vacate that apartment when the land- Greenwich Village, just off Sixth that this was a means for him to com- the Grapevine became the AA Grapelord discovered it was being used as Avenue. No one had any money to municate directly with the Fellowship vine. Seems that early in 1946 somean office – the wartime housing pay a moving van so they persuaded without going through the Board of one told Bill that the FBI called and Trustees – especially when he was at he’d better call them back pronto. shortage made it illegal to lease hous- an ice-truck driver they knew, who ing for commercial purposes. They had delivered ice to the old club- odds with them on a given issue.” For The next morning Bill called and dismoved everything to the basement of house, to move all their possessions the most part, though, Bill realized covered that the call was really from a an old church building on 41st Street down to Minetta Lane. The basement that the membership of AA had delegation of former FBI agents who and Ninth Avenue, which also office was gloomy and dark; the floor grown so large and spread-out that he put out a newsletter called The housed an AA clubhouse. There was slanted so badly wheeled furniture could no longer speak to all the mem- Grapevine. They threatened to sue if no way they could get a telephone be- would roll to one corner, but it was bers in all the groups as he once had. the AA publication didn’t change its cause of wartime restrictions, so all of home, at least for a while. Outside, The Grapevine became Bill’s way of name. A friendly compromise was the Grapevine’s calls had to be made drunks and derelicts were often talking to each of us. It is hardly sur- reached and “AA” was added to the from a pay phone on the comer. found sitting on the stoop. prising then, that The Language of official name. the Heart, Bill’s collected Grapevine If the September 1948 issue of the

Grapevine were to appear on the liter- and monthly circulation of slightly ature table at your local group today, over 130,000, that might widen their you might at first glance mistake it eyes , a little bit. When they learned for the current issue. This was the that the GV also publishes books: first “pocket-sized” Grapevine. Ear- The Best of the Grapevine (Volumes I lier, the Grapevine polled its readers and 11); Best Cartoons from the about the proposed change to the Grapevine; The Language of the more convenient size and got over- Heart. That the GV also publishes whelming support. There is much in calendars, pocket planners, plus picthe September ’48 issue that would be tures, slogans, et cetera, et cetera, familiar to today’s readers: there is a and so on. Oh yes, the GV also proletters page; there are jokes; the Se- duces a line of audio tapes for people renity Prayer; the Twelve Steps; the who don’t read, can’t read, or want Preamble (written by the GV’s first to get the message while they are driveditor); there are stories from mem- ing their car, working at something bers that are little different from else, riding their bike, watching a stories found in current issues. The ballgame, or idling on their yacht. lead article is from Dr. Bob. Bill At this news one or two of the writes an “Editorial” about the founding editors might begin to Tenth Tradition (its first appearance twitch. When told that the GV budget in print). There is also a book-review for 1989is nearly two million dollars, section, a feature long discontinued. tears would appear in their eyes re- But overall, there is a wonderful membering, no doubt, the humble sameness; a comforting familiarity beginnings and their fear that they between those first issues and today’s would not get enough subscriptions Grapevine. to put out the second, the July 1944, Today, the Grapevine occupies one issue. floor in the same midtown Manhat- In all of the history of publishing, tan building that houses the General there is no magazine like the Grape- Service Office and AA World Ser- vine. What other magazine do the vices, Inc. The offices are light and readers write? In the first issue the spacious. If, by some trick of time, editors wrote: “We six are sort of gathe founding editors could see what rage mechanics, servicing the paper. their “local newsletter” has become, We don’t write it. That’s the creamy they would probably keep their cool part for every Jack and Doris of AA and remark, “A very professional who can lay hands on some news and looking operation.” They might a pencil stub. We wrestle with the really be impressed, but you know punctuation, if any. Hammer for how New Yorkers are. If we were to copy as the deadline creeps up. Paste tell them that the Grapevine has a up the dummy and hope for the best.” staff of twenty-two paid employees Richard K.,New York, N. X

MIRROR OF THE FELLOWSHIP WiBBob O: JLhE EErrOM2HIb Throughout its history, as the Grapevine has grdwn and developed with the Fellowship, Grapevine articles have reflected major trends in AA based onthe’trial error.oi 8S096 Youngpeople-andwomenj Twelve SuggestedPoints for A.A.Tradition nqudu Cnemapny AReport on From ihe May 1945 Grapevine YOUTH GROUPS ll One ofa proposed series of articles on ROCHESTER PREPARES NOVICES Women Aicoholics special interest groups in AA FOR GROUPPARTICIPATION Have a Tougher Fight How this fact ofers an except h ChsfS Where A13-poge secion in whichfiveindividuals Psychiatry On Living Drug-Free expressheiropinionsonn Conference Report issue ofmoment inAA Fits in Mood-changersmaynot et usdrunk,bu they cancertainlymakeus vulnerable Peoel of the Conference 1 said. OurPrimaryPurposeand ReCENTLY,whileIwas taking “*Whoa!” ._The high theSpeclal-Purpose Group by peychoted byJole L. Norrs,μD ServiceCoc Apil 19toug 22, thie ach.This firs , Mariju chairman N RECENT YEARS, ho subject riedepp u andia 1951. dicting. Lo escag People AAGenerglServl ofthe iti indeedfar safer

June 1989.

Application for &fernbership 3

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS /laving read the Twelve Steps and having taken Step No. I, I apply for membership in the Montreal Group o/ Akohollcs Anonymous. Whm admitted to membership it will be my desire to co-operate w&h the group as fully as possible and not to harm It, lnter/ere with ‘ . b work, or imprdr its progress in any way. Therefore:

1. I agree not to attend any meeting on a day on which I have taken anything whatsoever of an alcoholic nature. 2. In the interests of complete honesty, if I do any drinking whatsoever at any time. I will make the fact known to niy sponsor, or in his absence. to some o ~ h e rsenior member of the group, and will not attempt to deliberately hide such drinking from the group. 3. Further, in the event that I continue drinking intermittently while ostensibly a member of this group, I agree to relinquish my membership if asked to do so by the group through my sponsor or the group secretary. 4. Understanding that although the aims and objectives of AA are well known, names and affairs of the group are definitely secret, 1 agree not t o divulge names of members to outsiders or to discuss private affairs of the group with non-members. 5. 1 undertake to introduce new members to the group only after they have fulfilled whatever qualifications for membership the group may from time to time require. 6. 1 undertake t o familiarize myself with the duties and obligations of a sponsor and when called upon to sponsor an applicant will make every effort to see that he becomes a good member.

*Reprintedfrom La VixncAA

October 1 9 8 9

Fragments of AA History members were serious. And the meet- what you have spared” attitude ing grew – like so many others. sometimes found in-older AAs. 6 6 r q o n , I’ve spilled more booze hell the rest of us had gone through.” By 1958, there were enough young At a 1961 Conference of Young than you’ve drunk” – an old- But young people kept coming and people and groups to hold the First People in AA in Milwaukee, memtimer’s comment, once common in by the mid-forties, several young peo- International Conference of Young bers talked about groups that started AA – is rarely heard today. It seems ples’ groups had begun around the People, in Niagara Falls, New York. with “high hopes and flood-tide clear that while AA is growing older country. This ongoing Conference (known as energy, but little stable or wise leader- – the Fellowship is now in its fifties In Philadelphia, a group of six ICYPAA) now attracts over 4,000 ship.” Older members are needed – – its members are getting younger. (only three of whom had been sober participants. and are available – to share the And we are looking at a new defini- for more than four months), met in Young people, according to one structure that is the cement of the Feltion of “young” and “young peo- January 1946. They wrote the Grape- member from a San Francisco young lowship. Groups give testimony to ples’ groups.” vine that “we were under the impres- peoples’ group, have a problem in the strength lent by those “white- Historically, AA has always been sion when we began this group that that “being young, we recover fast haired types” whose length of sobriconcerned with young people. In we were trailblazers in the field, but physically and some old-timers be- ety adds credibility in the community 1939, the Big Book talked about reports from some of our visiting lieve we’re doing great. It often takes and stability within the group. “young” men: “Several of our AAs have indicated that it has been the closeness of a group setting to One of the continuing problems of crowd, men of thirty or less, had been tried before, although with very little break down that barrier. But our in- young peoples’ groups is that they are drinking only a few years, but they success.” sides still boil like mad.” A young often poor. Many young people do found themselves as helpless as those In San Diego, a Young Woman’s peoples’ group allows members to not recover financially for several who had been drinking twenty years.” Group (under 35) and the Young share their inexperience, as well as years. They lack an employment his- In earlier days, some AA members Men’s Group (under 40) were formed “strength and hope.” tory so it takes longer to achieve some believed that younger people had in 1946. The young men felt that there In such a group setting, it is easy economic stability and this is rehigh bottoms or weren’t “real” alco- was a group of “old goats” telling for young members to identify flected “in the basket.” But rent and holics at all. 7kelve Steps and Twelve newcomers that they “couldn’t make quickly with others who have short coffee and other responsibilities are Traditions describes those people en- the Program because they hadn’t but desperate drinking histories. somehow dealt with, and the groups tering AA as “scarcely more than po- been kicked around enough.” But the They are spared what one member flourish as young people come in intential alcoholics. They were spared “old goats” came to the meetings from the Bahamas called the “listen creasing numbers. that last ten or fifteen years of literal long enough ‘to see that these young to me my children and you shall hear And those who are corning are often

half the age of those who have tradi- growth of their groups. tionally been considered “young peo- Young peoples’ groups have truly ple.” Newcomers today include pre- “come of age” within the Fellowteens. In one area a young peoples’ ship, and they have provided trusted group (ages twelve to eighteen) was servants throughout the structure. begun in 1981, because those nine- Some recent delegates to the General teen-year-olds in the original group Service Conference began their sobriwere declared “too old.” It is diffi- ety as members of such groups, often cult for such new members to identify expressing their gratitude that young with some of the stories they hear. peoples’ groups provided them with One member who got sober at age service opportunities early in their soeighteen in 1965 found that he had to briety. One member explained that identify with how people felt. He re- “because we wanted so badly to be alized that “all those people in those accepted, we were always concerned meetings, whether seventeen or sev- with the Traditions and frequently enty,” were just like him. And he read the back half of the ‘Twelve and vowed to concentrate on what he had Twelve’ to find solutions to group in common with others, rather than problems. ” on differences. It is clear that young people con- This continuing thread of remem- tinue to be the “promise and power bering what alcohol did to us, instead of future leadership,” and by sheer of a recitation of how much and how numbers, coupled with enthusiasm and long we drank, is found throughout dedication, they will surely become the history of young peoples’ recov- the old-timers and “elder statesmen ery in AA, and in the continued and women” of our Fellowship.

DEcember 1989

old-time stalwarts, coming from which took over the founding memplaces as far flung as Boston and San bers’ responsibility for the guidance Diego, beautifully reviewed the years and continuance of AA’s world serof AA experience which had led to vices. A Grapevine writer using the the writing of our Traditions.” Then aaonymous sobriquet “Altered Ego” Bill summed up, and “Inquired if wrote ip the August issue that year: those present had any objections to “Highlights? The moment when Bill the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics asked us to take up responsibility for Anonymous as they stood. Hearing our very life, and we said Aye. This none, I offered the AA Traditions for underlined for all our todays the prinadoption. Impressively unanimous, ciples of rotation and humility al- Fragments of AA History the crowd stood up. So ended that ready unanimously reaffirmed by the fine hour in which we of AA took our delegates to the Conference, that the destiny by the hand.” performance of special services for he AA Fellowship is approaching ‘ Cleveland. About 3,000 AAs (out of Bill writes of toasting “the absent AA shall never create a special class its 55th Anniversary, and looking a total membership of 97,000) gath- ones.” and movingly describes some forward to an International Conven- ered that year for more than a birth- of AA workers.” o t the AAs who traveled great dis- With the Twelve Traditions firmly tion in July 1990 to celebrate. Inter- day party, for it was there that AA tances to be there: the AA “from the national Conventions – birthday “came of age” and accepted the in place, and the General Service Marshall Islands who, though all Conference well launched as guarparties for AA – have been held Twelve Traditions. alone out there, still claimed his every five years since 1950, and since Bill W. described those three his- dian of AA’s world services, succesgroup had three members, to wit: sive internationals have reaffirmed most alcoholics like to operate on a toric days in a September 1950Grape- ‘God, the book Alcoholics Anonygrand scale, it’s not surprising that vine article: “On AA’s 15th Anni- and celebrated AA principles. In mous, and me.’ ” This man had trav- Long Beach, Calif., in 1960, where when AA has a party, it makes a bit versary everybody knew that we had eled 7,000 miles and brought, from a of a splash. . . grown up. There couldn’t be any the theme was “Recovery, Unity, Serstopover in Hawaii, “with great care vice,” Bill closed the Saturday night Montreal, July 4th weekend, 1985: doubt about it. Members, families, and refrigeration,” a cluster of leis, Almost 50,000 sober alcoholics from and friends spent three inspiring, al- meeting with a message of rededicaincluding one sent by the AA lepers tion “to an ever-deepening. love of 54 countries celebrated AA’s golden most awesome days with our good at Molokai, “those isolated AAs anniversary, saturating that pictur- hosts at Cleveland. . . .Just what did each other, love for the wondrous who will always be of us, yet never creation in which we live and serve, esque city with the joy of sobriety. we do? Well, we had meetings, lots of with us.” New Orleans, July 1980: Not even them.” He goes on to describe the and love for its supreme author, God It was Dr. Bob’s last public appear- Himself.” Nearly, 10,000 listened as a 100 degreeplus heat wave melted banquet, at which they had expected ance: “Earlier we thought he’d never the enthusiasm of more than 22,000 enough people to fill the Hotel Car- twelve AA members representing make it, his illness had continued so Australia, England, Norway, Bel- AA celebrants from all over the ter’s ballroom and where enough severe.. . . He spoke in a strong sure world. “surging celebrants” turned up to fill gium, Scotland, West Germany, voice for ten minutes, and he left us a South Africa, the Canal Zone, Puer- Denver, July 1975: Nearly 20,000 two extra rooms. great heritage.. .by which we AAs gathered and reminded themselves, And then: “Several thousand of us to Rico, and El Salvador accepted crowded into the Cleveland Music can surely grow.” copies of this rededication from AA’s “Let It Begin With Me.” The Fellowship claimed that heri- The sheer numbers were not so im- Hall for the Traditions meeting, co-founder to take back to their tage five years later, at St. Louis, home areas. pressive when Conventions began, at which was thought by most AAs to be where delegates approved the charter the first International in 1950, held in the high point of our Conference. Six The Toronto Convention in 1%5 of the General Service Conference, saw the birth of the familiar R e ~ p o n ~

sibility Declaration: “I am responsi- smooth motion the throng of 11,000 ble. When anyone, anywhere, reaches was on its feet in a standing ovation out for help, I want the hand of AA to Bill W., the surviving co-founder always to be there. And for that: I am of Alcoholics Anonymous.” responsible.” Two major themes ran The full realization of our cothrough the many Convention talks: founder’s mortality may have been the first was gratitude: the other was one reason why, in eleven different a concern over the possibility that languages, the participants in that success might lead AA to compla- Convention looked to the future in a cency about the size of the job still to pledge of unity: be done. To that end, Bill W. stressed “This we owe to AA’s future: in his talk the need to cooperate with To place our common welfare first; all who work on the problem of alco- To keep our Fellowship united. holism. “We should very seriously For on AA Unity depend our lives, ask ourselves how many alcoholics And the lives of those to come.” have gone on drinking simply because Over the succeeding nineteen we have failed to cooperate in good years, Conventions in Denver, New spirit with these many agencies. No Orleans, and Montreal continued to alcoholic should go mad or die simply celebrate sobriety and give thousands because he did not come straight to of AAs the opportunity to rededicate AA in the beginning.” themselves to the Fellowship’s spiri- Our 35th Anniversary in Miami tual principles. Each year, more and Beach was the last where Bill was able more AAs have “gone to the meetto appear, and the moment was de- ing,” and attendance at our 55th Anscribed in the October 1970 Grape- niversary celebration in Seattle in vine: “The man in the wheelchair July 1990 is expected to be around reached up, gripped the lectern with 45,000. But whether there are 3,000 both hands, and in one smooth motion of us or 50,000, the spiritual decibel hauled himself to his full six-foot- level will probably be about the same. three-inch height. And in another Very high – on sobriety.

February 1990

ing, Ken S. arrived at their doorstep. number. Landon Laird did for AA He was about to lose his bookkeeping locally what Jack Alexander did for job for a second time and be evicted the Fellowship nationally. The Kanfrom his home. But the last straw was sas City Number One group was safe that his wife, made sick at heart by his and growing by leaps and bounds. drunkenness, was finally threatening A Coffeepot and a Resentment to take the children and leave. But she By 1950, the group had grown had also seen the ad in the Star and enormously and there were the ineviwritten to the post office box asking table stresses and strains. As sure as for help for her husband. taxes a controversy arose which was Her ultimatum to Ken came on a severe enough to cause fifty or sixty Sunday. He quit cold-turkey, promis- members to withdraw and form the Fragments of AA History ing yet again never to drink if only she Fellowship Group, which later bewouldn’t leave him. He went to work came known as the Plaza Group Kansas City Number One on Monday, too sick all day even to because of its location. Wrenching as eat. When he got home that night his the experience was, it proved benefiohnny P. from Chicago brought room at the Robert E. Lee Hotel. Dr. wife told him two men from AA had cial to AA’s growth in Kansas City the AA message to Kansas City, Z. Miles N., William “Bill” T., the called. They came by the house and because members with some sobriety Missouri, in early April 1941. He had druggist, and Harvey L., the CPA, twelfth-stepped him on Wednesday began establishing meetings all over lived on skid row and tried to kill scheduled their first real AA meeting evening and told him to come to the town and by 1970, when the Central himself three times before he had as a group a few days later at the Vic- meeting on Friday. Office was organized, there were stumbled into the Chicago Group the toria Hotel, then at 9th and McGee He did go on Friday and stood twenty-nine groups. By 1985, that previous summer. Now, with nine Streets. They called themselves the across the way watching the group number had grown to ninety-seven months of sobriety under his belt and Kansas City Number One group and laughing and talking together. He plus almost that many more in sura job as a candy salesman, he was they placed an ad in the Kansas City lost his courage at the last moment rounding towns in Western Missouri. doing so well that his company was Starto run each Sunday, giving a post and was about to turn away and head Most of the original members of . about to transfer him to a new terri- office box number. for a familiar bar across the street. Kansas City Number One have passed tory. He knew his life depended on As in most other places, the group “Then Divine Providence took a away, but in 1985, Ken S. – then 89 finding some drunks to talk to, so he had to struggle to survive at first. hand in my life,” he said. One of the years of age and 44 years sober – was wrote the New York office asking for Most of the members had suffered men spotted him, came forward and still actively serving as manager of the any information they had on AA terribly from alcoholism. Some new- asked if he was looking for the AA Kansas City Central Office. He was groups in Missouri. comers were so ill they died soon after meeting. He remained a member of introduced from the stage at the New York wrote back saying there coming into the program and the so- cansas City Number One for the rest Friday night opening meeting of the weren’t any AA groups they knew of, briety of others was fragile. At one of his life. 50th Anniversary International Conbut there were three people who had point, they were down to three mem- A couple of years later, Landon vention in Montreal, and was recogwritten to the office in response t o bers and they had so little money they Laird, an extremely popular column- nized not only for the longevity of his Jack Alexander’s Saturday Evening couldn’t afford coffee at the meeting. ist on the Kansas City Star and a sobriety and service but also his re- Post article; a doctor, a druggist, and Their treasurer had gotten drunk and friend of one of the members of the markable record as the only person a certified public accountant. disappeared with all of the group’s group, began to mention AA fre- (other than Lois W.) who had attend- As soon as Johnny P. arrived in funds: $3.74. There was always an quently in his daily column, “About ed every International Convention Kansas City, he called the three letter undercurrent of fear for their survival. Town,” usually giving the PO box AA has ever had. writers and they got together in his Five months after that first meet-

April 1990

Bob’s drinking. He didn’t think that thought, so I called Bob and said I people knew it. . .So I decided to had guidance for him, and that it was gather together some Oxford Group very important. He came over at ten people for a meeting, and that was in o’clock in the morning and I told him T. Henry Williams’ house. that my guidance was that he mustn’t “I warned Anne that I was going to touch one drop of alcohol. He was have this meeting. I didn’t tell her it very disappointed because he had was for Bob, but I said, ‘Come pre- thought guidance would mean seeing pared to mean business. There is somebody or going someplace. And going to be no pussyfooting around.’ then he said, ‘Henrietta, I don’t And we all shared very deeply our understand it. Nobody understands it Fragments of AA History , shortcomings, and what we had vic- . . .Some doctor has written a book tory over, and then there was silence about it, but he doesn’t understand it. and I waited and thought, ‘Will Bob I don’t like the stCff. I don’t want to n the spring of 1971, newspapers say something?’ Sure enough, in that drink.’ I said, ‘Well, Bob, that is address the Founders Day gathering, deep, serious tone of his, he said, what I have been guided about.’ And around the country reported the Henrietta was living in New York and ‘Well, you good people have all that was the beginning of our meetpassing of Bill W. in New York City, did not feel up to traveling. In her one of the two co-founders of Alco- shared things that I am sure were very ings, long before Bill ever came. place, then, a request was put for- costly to you, and I am going to tell “Now let me recall some of Bill’s holics Anonymous. The other co- ward to her son, John Seiberling. very words about his experience. founder, Dr. Robert S. of Akron, you something in turn which may John agreed to speak; however, it cost me my profession. I am a silent “Bill, when he was in a hotel in Ohio, had passed on some years was hid conviction that what would earlier. drinker, and I cannot stop.’ This was Akron and down to a few dollars and really mean the most to those assem- weeks before Bill came to Akron. So owed his bill after his business ven- Shortly after Bill’s death, the Akron bled would be to hear some of Henri- Alcoholics Anonymous groups asked we said, ‘Do you want us to pray for ture fell through, looked into the etta’s own words. For that purpose, you?’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ Then some- cocktail room and was tempted and Henrietta Seiberling to speak at the he made a tape recording of her reannual Founders Day meeting in one said, ‘Do you want to go down thought, ‘Well, I’ll just go in there marks and played a part of it at the on your knees and pray?’ and he said, and get drunk and forget it all, and Akron, which is attended by AA 1971 Founders Day meeting which that will be the end of it.’ Instead, members from all over the world. ‘Yes.’ So we did. was held in the gymnasium at the “And the next morning, I, who having been sober five months in the Henrietta was not an alcoholic. University of Akron with a couple She was a Vassar College graduate, a knew nothing about alcoholism (I Oxford Group, he said a prayer. He of thousand people present. What thought a person should drink like a got the guidance to look in a housewife with three children, a follow are Henrietta’s own words, woman who had, as Bill W. later de- gentleman, and that’s all), was saying minister’s directory, and a strange as taken from a transcript of that a prayer for Bob. I said, ‘God I don’t thing happened. He just looked in scribed it, “worked through many a recording. hard problem and found her answers know anything about drinking, but I there and put his finger on one name: “I would like to tell about Bob in told Bob that I was sure if he lived Tunks. And that was no coincidence, in the Oxford Groups. She under- the beginning. Bob and Anne came stood deep suffering.” It was through this way of life, he could quit drink- because Dr. Tunks was Mr. Harvey into the Oxford Group, which, as you ing. Now you have to help me.’ Some- Firestone’s minister and Mr. Fire- Henrietta that the two co-founders know, was the movement which tried had first been brought together at thing said to me (I call it ‘guidance’ – stone had brought 60 of the Oxford to recapture the power of First Cen- it was like a voice in the top of my Group people down there for ten the gatehouse of her family’s estate tury Christianity in the modern world, in Akron. head), ‘Bob must not touch one drop days out of gratitude for helping his and a quality of life we must always of alcohol.’ I knew that wasn’t my son who drank too much. His son At the time of the invitation to exercise. Someone spoke to me about

had quit for a year and a half or so.. . under it, so potted that he couldn’t “So Bill called Dr. Tunks, and Dr. get up.’ The meeting was deferred Tunks gave him a list of names. One until the next day. of them was Norman Sheppard, who “Late in the afternoon, the shaky was a close friend of mine and knew Akron surgeon met the Wall Street what I was trying to do for Bob. Nor- broker at Mrs. ~eiberling’s house. man said, ‘I have to go to New York They talked late into tbe night. The tonight, but you call Henrietta Sei- unseen catalytic agents that had berling.’ When he told me the story brought about this first fully successlater, Bill shortened it by just saying ful ‘AA meeting’ were few but powerthat he called Dr. Tunks, but I did not ful. Both men were ‘hopeless’ alcoknow Dr. Tunks. Bill said that he had holics who had tried ‘everything’ to his last nickel and he thought, ‘Well, stop drinking. Both were middle-aged I’ll call her.’ (although Dr. Bob was fifteen Years “So I, who was desperate to help older than Bill) and respectably mar- Bob in something I didn’t know ried. Neither was the stereotyped, much about, was ready. Bill called, skid-row caricature of the town drunk and I will never forget what he said: generally accepted at that time. Both ‘I’m from the Oxford Group and I’m were professional men with intellia Rum Hound.’ Those were his words. gence, skill, and drive. ~ 0 t h were also I thought, ‘This is really manna from individuals with enormous potential Heaven.’ And I said, ‘You come right – here coinspiritual resources. ~ 0 t h out here.’ My. thought was to put cidence merges into fate were from these two men together. . .And so he the state of Vermont, and therefore came out to my house and he stayed the empathy they achieved was rootfor dinner. And I told him to come to ed in the soil of their birthplaces and church with me next morning and I the idioms they spoke.” would get Bob, which I did.” Of the results from that meeting, An account of what happened after Henrietta Seiberling’s ~ o u n d e r sDay that can be found in the March 1971 remarks had this comflent: “1 feel Grapevine, the issue marking Bill’s that the whole wonderful experience qeath and dedicated to his memory: of Alcoholics Anonymous came in . “Henrietta called Dr. Bob’s wife, answer to a growing grest need in the Anne, on the telephone, only to be world, and this was met by the comdiscouraged with the news that Bob bination of Bill, who was a catalyst was celebrating Mother’s Day and and promoter, and B O ~ , with his had just brought home a potted plant great humility (if you spoke to him that required his entire attention. As about his contribution, he’d say, Bill subsequently explained, ‘What ‘Oh, I just work here’), and Anne, Anne didn’t say was that the plant who supplied a homeypess for our was on the table and that Bob was men in the beginning.”

June 1990

Denver, where his doctor, who spe- bers mushroomed. cialized in alcoholism and drug addic- Among those who found AA in tion, had shown him a copy of the Big Los Angeles at this time was Sybil C., Book. Mort was intrigued, but went who called and asked Cliff to send the on a monumental binge through the AA ambulance and was indignant western states and Mexico before when told there was no such thing. reading and absorbing the Big Book Sybil came to the meeting anyway, message. Now in Los Angeles and and is the first woman in AA to find eager for a meeting, he called New lasting sobriety in the West. She went York and was given Kaye’s name on to become the first secretary of the and address. When she told him that Los Angeles AA Central Office, and “there aren’t any meetings anymore” was honored at the 50th Anniversary Fragments of AA History and that “the AA members are all International Convention in Montdrunk,” Mort insisted that he wanted real in 1985 as the woman with the Los Angeles to get in touch with them, and he did, longest sobriety in AA at that time. Kaye was true to her resolve. She using Kaye’s index cards of pros- Another notable member who n 1939, there was no AA group was soon in contact with Genevieve pects, which he fished out of her found AA at this time is A1 M., a west of Akron, but in Los Angeles, wastebasket. Mort rented a room on trombonist who played in movie stu- 5 M., a practicing alcoholic, .had D. and Johnny H., nonalcoholic the mezzanine of the Cecil Hotel on been given a prepublication multilith social workers in Los Angeles, and dio orchestras. Al proved to be an was asked to explain the AA recovery Main Street, in Los Angeles’ Skid impassioned service worker and sponcopy of the Big Book. He was im- Row, and the first meeting took place pressed, saying it was the “first time program to parolees of the Superior sor, and was elected delegate on Panel I Court who had been jailed for being in March of 1940. About ten men 1. He championed Southern Califorhe’d ever seen something which unshowed up. Mort, not sure of how an nia AA – “We were lucky we didn’t derstood him – who he was and why drunk and disorderly. Barney H. and AA meeting should be conducted, he drank.” Kaye, his nonalcoholic Hal S. were a few of the first enthusi- have any help from over the mounasts from among the parolees. opened the meeting by discussing his tains,” he would say -and remained wife, had been trying for several years The first actual AA meeting was five months of sobriety. Then he de- extremely active in the Fellowship to sober her husband up, and she held at Kaye’s home on Benecia Street cided to read “How It Works” from until his death in 1985. immediately wired the New York the Big Book, and that apparently beoffice for the nearest location of a in Westwood on December 19, 1939, Bill W. agreed that the growth of with about fifteen present. Of those gan the practice, not only in Califor- the Fellowship in Los Angeles was meeting. Undeterred by the response nia but in many AA groups around that the nearest AA group was in fifteen, not many were successful in indeed remarkable. In recalling his the new program of recovery – with our AA world, of reading, “Rarely 1943 visit to Los Angeles, he spoke Ohio, Ty and Kaye made the long trip have we seen a person fail. . .” at the to Akron so that Ty could join with the exception of Hal S., who proved about the big November 6th meeting to be an indefatigable twelfth-stepper, beginning of a meeting. at the American Legion Hall: “When Dr. Bob and the Akron group. Kaye By the time the Saturday Evening traveled on to New York for an in- and later founded AA in San Diego. I peered out from behind the curtain, But Kaye felt she was a failure and Post story on AA was published in I saw a thousand people sitting there. spired talk with Bill W., who gave. her March of 1941, the group at the Cecil a copy of the newly published Big the meetings ceased. Bill W. wrote It was incredible. Here was evidence later, “That first candle in Los Ange- Hotel was firmly entrenched. The that AA could cross the seas and Book. She attended an AA meeting in three stalwarts of the group – Mort New York, and returned to Los Ange- les was flickering, but it never quite mountains pretty much on its own.” went out.” J., Cliff W. and Frank R. – reacted Mort J., who was present, recalls that les resolved to spread the fame of this zealously to hundreds of pleas for new and most promising movement, Mort J. walks centerstage next – a Bill shivered and then murmured, help, and the number of AA mem- “Nothing can stop us now.” whether 5 got sober or not. recent arrival in Los Angeles from

July 1990 (NORWAY) AA groups in the clinic has been very What is my experience with AA important, and the AA members are during these forty years since my first valuable participants in the activities encounter with the Fellowship? First of the clinic, though they are not of all I am thankful for the invaluable involved in administration. support Alcoholics Anonymous has I have also had the privilege for been in my clinical work, and my many years to be a nonalcoholic mem- experience is that AA fellowship is ber of the Norwegian Board of Trust- very important for the alcoholic in ees for AA, and served a four-year maintaining his sobriety after treatterm as a World Service Meeting ment, and in learning how to live delegate. 1 have had the opportunity comfortably with oneself, others, to participate in four AA conven- and the Higher Power. tions, and attend service conferences I am thankful to serve as a member – — in England and other countries. I had of the Literature Committee in Nor-

a~ f i e n dof the ~ello~rship the pleasure to meet Bill W. and Lois when they visited Norway in 1950, and met Bill again in New York in way, which gives me an opportunity to be up-to-date with the AA literature that has meant so much to me am one of those lucky medical So AA was not completely unknown 1965. On that occasion I asked him, personally. doctors who for years have had to me when an AA group started in among other things, to give me, in a As it has in most countries, AA the pleasure and privilege to coop- my hometown, and I was asked to few words, his explanation of the has gone through difficult times in erate with AA and be accepted as a support the group as a kind of med- Twelve Steps. His explanation was: Norway. I have witnessed the rapid nonalcoholic friend of the Fellow- ical advisor. the Twelve Steps are not the Ten growth of AA in Norway in the first ship. (It means so much to me that In some kind of medical enthusi- Commandments of the Bible. There years, then years with stagnation and sometimes I think of myself as being asm (or maybe medical arrogance!) I is no “you must” in the Steps. Notice even decline. But luckily, the last a part of it, so please forgive me.) thought I could contribute a lot in they are written in the past tense. The years have been filled with new But first let me introduce myself. I helping alcoholics stop drinking. I experience of the first members of growth, new groups, new spirit and had my medical education before soon had to realize that while I knew AA, how they learned a new way of enthusiasm. In my opinion AA is one World War 11. After being a refugee a little about the consequences of life, is condensed in t.he Twelve Steps. of this century’s miracles, and I am in Sweden for three years during the hard drinking, cirrhosis of the liver, You can’t compel anybody to follow sure that AA still has a job to do in war, and serving a four-year term as a DTs, etc., I had to learn from the the Steps, but you can suggest to a this troublesome world in creating member of the Norwegian Parlia- members of AA and from the AA newcomer to give them a try. individual miracles. ment after the war, I returned to literature what it was all about, and my hometown and my medical prac- how to recover and stay sober. tice in 1949. On the initiative of the groups in In 1947 a friend and colleague of the area a little treatment center was mine, Dr. Gordon Johnsen, a well- established in 1954. I was physician in known psychiatrist in Oslo, had told charge of the treatment center for 25 me about a little group of Alcohol- years, and retired in 1979. (I am still ics Anonymous. He supported the working with alcohol problems in a tiny group, because he had seen the community center part time.) During implications of the Twelve Steps. all those years the cooperation of the

July

than Yankees know. Ministik of Kamsack in Saskatche- Even Nature conspires to Canada’s wan; and Nipawin Group nearby; wetness, not a Canada dry. Three Tignish on Prince Edward Island; oceans touch that far-flung land, and Mont-Joli of Quebec; Medicine Hat . there are lakes that are inland seas, with its good medicine in Alberta; and rampant rivers. And lonely and not far away Red Deer Group, places and open spaces where the wee British Columbia’s Oroville-Osoyoo’s drop or the vin petite might comfort Group, and the camp meetings after a and solace. And miles of mellow day’s work on Powell River, B.C. grain whose yield is high in molten and Thunder Bay at Ontario’s Port gallons to the broad acre. Arthur, and the folks at Sydney But AA stands strong and secure Mines, Nova Scotia. Fragments of AA History northward from the touching point at Hospital cooperation throughout Latitude 42 clear to Baffin Land. the Dominion is generally good, most began in Canada in 1940, from Canada than they took in.” The And from 1,200 members of Van- doctors are cooperative, and several . when the Rev. George Little 10,000 AAs who attended the Inter- couver, British Columbia, on “the penal institutions welcome visiting in Toronto read a review of the Big national Convention in Toronto in coast” to the two-member group of groups. Royal Canadian Mounted Book and ordered a copy for an al- 1965, or the nearly 50,000 who cele- Weymouth the land’s breadth away Police have suggested contact with coholic who had resisted all other brated AA’s 50th birthday in Mon- in Nova Scotia there is the steadfast- AAs for several strays, including one attempts at rescue. The Big Book treal in 1985, would heartily agree. ness and pioneer courage that makes far northern gent who compensated turned the trick, and the two men And they might be surprised to read the Twelfth Step a living thing in the his two-week old home brew by dropwent to work introducing AA to about the Canada described in that Dominion. ping ice from a 10,000 year old glaother Toronto drunks. The first AA May 1951 Grapevine: In the larger cities, intergroups and cier in it to give it age and tone. meeting was held at the Little Den- central committees serve wide areas, AA has conquered vast spaces in Canada Dry – that’s not a mixer, and by trial and error have worked Canada. The hand of understanding mark restaurant in January 1943, as a that’s a fact and a new way of life for out splendid programs for inter- has spread across the wide land in result of the efforts of another To- change of speakers, ideas, mutual faith and fellowship. From Frontenac ronto clergyman, the Rev. Percy 7,251 citizens of the Dominion of Canada in 299 groups who are dry aid. And in the hinterlands lumber- to Fundy there is the firm clasp of Brice. Soon the AAs met weekly, then jack, trapper, prospector, andsalmon friendship that says, “In this land, leased a clubroom – and the rest, as through the Twelve Steps from Detoo, Easy Does It!” troit’s neighbor city Windsor, Ontar- fisher employ ski and kayak and they say, is history. amphibian plane for “intergroup By 1947, when Bill W. and Lois io, to the far Yukon’s iced-in Whiteqisited Toronto, he spoke to a crowd horse and arctic Yellowknife on Great meetings” where perhaps four coffee Today, total AA membership in Slave Lake. Here in the vast northern cups will suffice the whole quorum Canada is 82,949. Canadian AA is of about 800 alcoholics, and the Felhalf of the whole North American assembled. represented proportionally at the lowship had spread far beyond its For the song of faith, the song of Toronto beginnings. continent is a proportion of AAs U.S./Canada General Service Con- The May 1951 issue of the Grape- in the scattered population almost mutual service, rings in this rugged ference and on the Board of Trustees, vine was devoted primarily to Can- exactly equal to that of the United land up north. And there are singing with 14 delegate areas, and three ada, and in that issue, Bill remarked States, despite a much later AA start, names where these meetings come to trustees. GSO New York serves both on the fact that “When AA travelers and despite great handicaps of dis- order: Flin Flon, Manitoba and its countries equally, and a French return from Canada they all report tance, communications, language North of 53 Group; Portage la Prai- Literature Service translates AA how much more they brought away barriers, and festive traditions older rie; Petitiodiac of New Brunswick; literature into that language.

October 1990

and sprawling on the lawns at Seattle Center, filling the Kingdome with applause and laughter and the silence of total identification, traveling back and forth by foot and monorail and shuttle bus, going to the top of the Space .Needle and Mount Rainier, strolling on the waterfront and in Pike Place Market. In hotels and motels and dormitories all over the city and its outlying areas, somewhere between 47,000 and 48,000 sober drunks and their families and guests gathered for a long weekend: happy, joyous, and free. Drunks and their families and friends streamed into Seattle in carloads, busloads, trainloads, planeloads, and boatloads. Bob and Betty from San Jose, Costa Rica, “filed a claim for having driven farthest from our home district to this ‘convention – over 5,000 miles. Central America, Mexico, and the heat of the southern part of the United States were great, because we were where we should be.” There were AAs and Al- Anons from far continents and from just around the corner. Kathy T., from Kent, Washington, volunteered to work on the registration at her first International Convention. “Just driving to Seattle yesterday from about 25 miles south, I wept as I saw cars from other states with AA stickers heading into town. And then issuing badges to people from all over the U.S. and the world! I can’t even keep a dry eye writing this.” Ed B. flew from New York, wearing an “I am a Friend of Bill W.” pin

on his lapel, and the flight attendant up in the enthusiasm that enveloped on his plane stopped him for a mo- the city of Seattle, because on July 4, ment and quietly said, “I’m a friend when new citizens were scheduled to of Bill W., too.” Bill, from Arizona, be sworn in at the Flag Pavilion at reflected on the “happy scene as near- Seattle Center, one of the citizens-toly 48,000 recovering alcoholics, Al- be, a man from China, turned up in Anons, and Alateens came to the city the Convention registration line by built on seven hills, literally start- mistake. He duly paid his $55, but ing at Alki Point(!), to celebrate looked thoroughly bewildered when freedom.” And Don from Illinois asked whether he needed an AA or an summed up the spirit of most par- Al-Anon badge. His money was reticipants: “My flight was cancelled, funded, of course, and two host commy luggage was lost, but it couldn’t mittee volunteers walked him over to take away from the emotion I expe- the Flag Pavilion to become a U.S. rienced.” citizen. Whether Convention-goersplanned The Convention opened officially for months in advance or simply on Thursday night, with dances in turned up, it all seemed to work out. several places around the city – but More than 12,000 registered on site even before that, we needed our meetinstead of the anticipated 6,000, and ings. On Wednesday, when the dele- Lee from Arizona saw it this way: the hall was so crowded that several gates reunion at the Sheraton ended, and AA history, and of course the times during the weekend, eager reg- some of the host committee greeters “I am here in Seattle enjoying the Big traditional marathon meeting that Meeting – the one taking place on began at midnight Thursday and istrants had to be kept outside the at the hotel decided to see how much sidewalks, in restaurants, on bus doors and admitted in batches to it would cost to rent the vacant rooms ended at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. There conform with the fire laws. Mike and supply coffee for an impromptu seats, in hotel rooms, and just about were events for women, minorities, everywhere. This is a miracle.” Many young people, gays, doctors, lawyers, from Florida writes that, “As I wait- AA meeting. The hotel let them use gathered at what came to be known ed in line, with hundreds of others, the rooms free of cost, while coffee pilots and airline attendants, and for on site registration, I noticed that was supplied at the Convention rates. as the “meeting tree” on the lawn at nonalcoholic guests shared their perthe preregistration lines had only Signs were posted, greeters told the Seattle Center, where there was vir- spectives. Many workshops were three to iour people in them. I struck visiting AAs, and at 7:30 p.m. on tually a continuous meeting all week- packed to the doors, but Conventionup a conversation with a gentleman, Wednesday the meeting rooms opened end long. goers who couldn’t get into one could who mentioned that this was his and ran continuously until midnight The scheduled program began on always find another just as appealing Friday, and from morning till evening and informative. fourth International Convention, Thursday, when the scheduled mara- on Friday and Saturday, workshops and asked him why after three previ- thon meetings began. Even though In keeping with the international ous Conventions he didn’t preregis- the first batch of coffee had to be and panels provided a tantalizing flavor, some of the best attended ter. With a twinkle in his eye, the old- charged to an individual AA mem- array of AA fare. While most were in meetings were those that shared expe- English, some meetings were held in rience of AA in countries where the timer said, ‘At my age I wasn’t so ber’s room, the Seventh Tradition Spanish, French, Italian, German, sure if I would be here or not, and I prevailed. Contributions paid for the Fellowship is just getting started. The could imagine how long it might take coffee, provided a gratuity for the and Japanese, and there was some- “Around the World Call-Up” meethotel staff, and left enough for a $200 thing for every need and every inter- ings were especially crowded, and my wife to get a refund.’ ” est: Steps, Traditions, Big Book, all It must have been easy to get caught donation to GSO. panelists from the U.S.S.R., Hunaspects of service, program principles gary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and

i -t the Ukraine in the “AA in Eastern ety, God willing, by the time of the GSO archivist. And of special signif- aspects, but it sounds good to me: Europe” meeting brought tears to the Convention. The last year has been icance to many, Bob S. and Sue Win- from two to two million in a scarce eyes of all who attended. The voices difficult. We just recently had to deal dows, Dr. Bob’s children, were pres- 55 years.” of alcoholics once doubly chained – with our 16-year-old daughter’s ad- ent on the dais. Saturday night, the Kingdome saw to alcohol and oppression – now diction to drugs and alcohol. She is Wini from Texas imagined herself a different kind of meeting, the Big freed from these bonds, were a testa- now in a youth treatment center, and looking out through the eye’s of Dr. Show, with a vocalist, a singing . ment to the strength and universality may be out in time to accompany us Bob’s son and daughter “at the spec- group, and the ensemble group Up of AA’s message of hope. to Seattle. So at a time when I was tacle of massed humanity, close to With People – in and out of the It seemed as if every time you turned down and feeling overwhelmed this 50,000 strong, recovered and recov- aisles, all around the Kingdome, around, you spotted a blue badge wonderful news came and I have re- ering AAs, Al-Anons, and assorted bringing the audience on stage to parfrom another country – as Tom newed faith that my higher power is associates. Smitty and Sue Windows ticipate in the fun. from California phrased it, “the listening to my prayers.” had seen AA before it had a name or And Sunday morning’s Spiritual international textures of AA.” Can- Fran from New Orleans was moved: . a book or a program, and its total Meeting was, for many, the high dan from Turkey remarked, after “During the traditional flag cere- membership was two. And now – point of an indescribable weekend. being asked to sign someone’s Big mony, all countries were applauded wow! A buddy of mine sitting beside Moderator Wayne P., after words of Book for the umpteenth time, that as their banners were presented. But me said quietly, ‘We have changed appreciation for the work of the host with all this popularity, she really the fervor seemed to intensify, and the world.’ As I watched AAs from committee greeters, introduced Eric should head for Hollywood after the applause grew louder with the all over the world, many in colorful B. (host committee chairperson for naming of each country suffering native costume, plant their national the Convention), who chaired the Seattle. On Friday night everyone flocked repression or inner strife, or having flags in front of the platform, I meeting. “How It Works” and the thought in awe, ‘And we’re still doing Traditions were read by Dr. Carl A. into the Kingdome, arriving early to recently won independence. It was as line up for hot dogs, hang out, greet though those present, having gone it.’ Making a head count of an anony- and Lonnie W. from Washington. mous Fellowship has its humorous Jaime H. from Colombia, Eve M. friends old and new, and listen to pre- through their own personal forms of meeting music and entertainment. hell, identified and were supportive.” Then the lights went down and the In addition to three inspiring talks flag ceremony began, with AAs from by Raymond M. from Scotland, June 75 countries, some in their national G. from California, and Jack F. from costumes, marching down proudly British Columbia, the Big Meeting one by one to plant their flags in front provided an occasion for recognizing of the dais. For the flag bearers, the contributions of several nonalcochosen at random from AAs who had holic~instrumental in the developregistered for the Convention, it was ment of the Fellowship. Michael a charged moment. Alexander, nonalcoholic chairman of . Marian M. from Canada wrote AA’s General Service Board, and when she was asked to carry her coun- Ruth J., who chaired the meeting, try’s flag: “I received your letter paid tribute to past trustees Dr. Jack asking if I would carry the flag for Norris and Dr. Milton Maxwell, both Canada. . .The answer is YES! YES! represented by their widows, and the YES! I’m so excited to have the op- ten millionth copy of the Big Book portunity to participate. I will have was presented to Nell Wing, for many almost three and a half years of sobri- years Bill W.’s secretary and later

d ‘ f

from Florida, and Don P. from Colo- and cry at the appropriate times. I’ve holic. I felt like a wind-up toy; I felt more than 40,000 friends who underrado evoked in their stories that basic never felt more ‘with it’ in the nine- exhilarated and afraid. Those stand and accept me. ” reality: what we used to be like, what teen years I have attended meetings. crowds! The noise. Stop, don’t go. And when has there been an AA happened, and what we are like now. Thanks! But I stopped and asked my higher gathering without a multitude of “co- And as Bill from Arizona wrote: “It “I also attended the special meet- power to give me an intuitive thought, incidences”? Judy from Oregon had all evolved toward an incredible spiri- ing for deaf and hard-of-hearing al- and the slogans of AA kicked in: a recurring coincidence: “The Contual awareness during the solo gift of coholics, and sat in wonder at how Easy Does It, Rule #62, Don’t Take vention started off with a bang as I ‘Amazing Grace.’ One hundred thou- accurately and rapidly the message Yourself Too Seriously, Just Do It. was trying to parallel park in front of sand tear-filled eyes expressed deep can be translated by signing.” And I suited up and joined my fel- our hotel, and ran into the car in gratitude as hands reached out for the While the Big Meetings were the lows in attending the 55th Anniver- front of me. A fellow got out of that closing Lord’s Prayer. There is no high points, like all the Conventions sary Convention. ” car, saw my One Day at a Time liother ‘high’ that even comes close to that have gone before, this one will be Morghan from Kansas: “I came cense plate holder, and said, ‘It’s a this, inside or outside the Fellowship remembered for the little things: Like alone, but have met and talked with good thing I’m in the program.’ I of Alcoholics Anonymous.” Pam from Colville, Washington, who people from all parts of the world. I looked at him and realized he was the Both the Big Meetings at the King- said, “I was given and gave hugs to have never felt alone during my stay.” same man from Molokai I had met in dome were signed for the hearing people from 23 nations and 49 states. David from Ottawa shared the same my shop in Portland two days earlier, impaired and simultaneously trans- What a gift to come home with!” feeling: “How to describe the Con- when we had exchanged addresses lated into Spanish, French, ~ e r m a n , And the two AAs from Texas who vention – WOW! I am 26 years old and he invited me to Molokai anyand Italian. Don from San Francisco, were on the monorail when it broke and I am spending the weekend with time. Then, after the Convention, I who has a “significant hearing loss,” down during the rainstorm: “Instead was particularly grateful for those of panic, it became a 29-minute interservices: “1 always wear a hearing lude in which they learned they were aid, but have to sit close to the speaker sitting near some friends they had so I can augment what I hear with lip known in another city.” The Fun Run reading. I still avoid meetings where it on Sunday morning, with about 750 is too difficult for me to hear. completing the hilly three-mile course “I was very pleased to find a spe- – singing marching songs and a p ‘cial area reserved for deaf signing at plauding the Seattle police who were the Big Meeting on Friday night, and looking after them. The tee-shirt venwas about to sit down when I saw the dors doing a brisk business in “unofequipment for simultaneous transla- ficial souvenirs” at the gas station tion on the other side of the King- across the street from the Extiibidome. I asked if one of the channels tion Hall. carried English – there was one! – The feelings – from anticipation so I got a headset and sat down in the to fear. Lincoln C. from California section for nowEnglish speaking par- had some apprehension at first: “1 ticipants. Using the headset was an want to share with you the joy I had exciting experience because I heard so in attending the Convention in Seatmuch more of the speaker’s remarks tle, and the fear, because for me, as than I usually do. It was like listening the Big Book says, fear is like a fiber to a tape – this time I could laugh in a garment, and part of the alco-

i c

. ‘was chatting with a girl I sponsor, sobered up with him and wondered I truly believe that if I had not made how I could sink so low.” Keith from who said she was sorry she couldn’t whatever became of him.’ With so the amends, I would not have en- Pennsylvania writes of “walking in make it to the Convention, but she’d many present, it was a special miracle joyed and appreciated all the Con- the Pike Place Market and saying ‘hi’ been lucky enough to sell her two to run into the one person who knew vention had to offer; I would have to complete strangers as if I had registrations to Steve from Molokai and rememberd my late husband.” been terribly lonely in a crowd of known them all my life, stopping and – yes, the same fellow.” Probably everyone who went to 48,000 alcoholics.” talking as if we were old friends. I can Diane from California came to Seattle reflected on their drinking Wally, from an unknown location, remember when I was drinking and I Seattle hoping “to meet some of the days, and came away changed some- put it this way: ” ‘I made it to the top would meet so-called friends on the people that my late husband David, how. Kate from Putnam Valley, New in Seattle in 1990.’ So reads a souvenir road, and they would just turn and who died in 1986, had met in Mon- York, seized the opportunity to make from the Space Needle. I’m 69 going walk away.” Raymond from Scottreal five years before. I was in the amends to her long-estranged brother, on 17. Mentally, spiritually I feel 17, land, who spoke (wearing a kilt) at Florida hospitality room, and h a p and through that action lost her fear and I’m growing. But physically the the Big Meeting, took a humorous pened to mention that I had sobered of strangers. “In the Big Book it says steep streets tell me I’m 69. Every eve- view: “Twenty-one years ago, I would up in central New York in 1975, and a that if we are painstaking about our ning as I return, pausing at each post, I never have dreamed that I could stand man at a nearby table overheard me, amends then the promises will come recall younger days on the flat streets up in front of 40,000 people without and asked where. When I told him, true. That fear of people did leave, of Chicago, pausing at each lamp my trousers on.” he asked, ‘Did you know Dave O.? I and I did feel the other promises, too. post, in a drunken stupor, wondering Pat from Ireland was attending his I \ ning orgariizing green vests, greeter packets, and all the resour& material’ .. , ‘N o one who was in Seattle will ever forget those wonderful host cornmittee greeters in green vests and white cowboy hats. Stationed at the airport, on street corners, in hotels and dormitories, at the Seattle I we could find. Opening time for the information table was,8:00 a.m., Monday, but the greeters started appearing and answering’questions . Center and the Kingdome – they were ubiquitous, apparently tireless, around 7:30. With four-hour shifts already assigned, many greeters and always ready to answer questions and offer help. helped out on almost a 24-hour basis, and many left their vests on even Stuart from Sedro Wooley, Washington, was among them: “My story after their shifts so they could continue to shake hands and give direc- ‘ started late in 1989when my sponsor ‘suggested’ that 1attend the kickoff tions as they went about their own ventures. The stations were manned organization meeting for the host committee. I thought of what I would until midnight, but were never completely closed down most nights until have done in the past, and then did the opposite – ‘Of course,’ I said. about 1:00 a.m. After a few hours sleep, it was up and at ’em again. There was talk of captains and coffee, registration and reminiscing “Most of the greeters were sorry when Saturday afternoon came about Montreal five years before. I left the meeting feeling that perhaps along, and with it the end of the scheduled shifts. Some of them just this volunteering business wouldn’t be so bad. couldn’t stop greeting; so they continued their job right through Sunday – ; ‘+ “For some months, nothing happened. Then in the spring of 1990the , morning! And it was contagious – some of the visitors had domed . green vests and white cowboy hats and were shaking hands, giving hugs, . A .$

“;:fust symptoms of registration fever began to appear, soon followed by ” site-specific training on June 24, and suddenly a final shuffling of ‘ receiving love, and answering questions. I know that many of our vests ,names, and we were as ready as we could be.” and hats have ventured to other countries, carrying their sharing and caring around the world. . ; . And Linda, from the same nearby town: “Contributing my time and .

from Erik of California: “I am 17 during my stay, was seeing me into years old, and I feel very privileged to the taxi when I left. He had my chair have attended the 1990 Convention. loaded, and me installed in the front It really changed my outlook on a lot seat, but looked a little puzzled, as if of things, and the greatest message it there was one more thing he ought to carried was: I am responsible.” do. Then he put his head through the Perhaps the most important effect window and kissed me. of the Convention was its powerful “Where, except at an AA Convendemonstration of how AA works -a tion, could a gray-haired lady be sped message that came home to AA mem- on her way with a farewell kiss from a bers and the general public alike. Eliz- hotel bellman, and both perceive it as abeth from Oklahoma was attending a natural and proper action?” “my fifth AA International Con- In restaurants, hotels, taxis throughvention, but my first in an electri- out the city, Seattleites responded to cally powered wheelchair, and I soon their friendly visitors. Jamie from learned that AA loving kindness is Pumpkin Hook, New York, went out even deeper and richer than I knew. for dinner with a friend on Saturday My roommate had misgivings about night and, when the waitress noticed my plan to take the monorail unac- their blue badges, she brought them a companied. ‘Are you sure you’ll be special “drinks” menu that listed all right going alone?’ she asked. seltzers, fruit juices, coffees and teas ” ‘I won’t be alone. There are more – nothing alcoholic. And then there than 40,000 AAs and Al-Anons out was the waitress at a restaurant on the first Convention, and wrote: “I never For Rick from Alberta, there was a there, eager to help me if I need it.’ waterfront who couldn’t remember thought I would be in America, let sense of renewal: “Just before com- “What I enjoyed most was talking the name of one of the desserts, and alone the World Convention of AA. ing to this Convention, I had had my with my fellow AA members – the happily accepted the suggestion of I’ve made so many new friends and fill of AA. The politics of personali- woman from California who walked “Easy Does It Cake.” And the monopicked up so many new suggestions ties, mine, was coming to the surface me to the monorail; the charming rail conductor who stood up on a on how to better apply the program.” again. Being here reaffirmed my be- young German woman who shared a crowded car and announced, “My And for Sue from Texas “it was not lief, strength, and hope in the world- table with me at lunch; and then there name is -, and I am an alcoholic,” only Bill W.’s family reunion, it was wide Fellowship of AA. In short, this was the burly, laughing, leatherclad to a chorus of cheers and clapping. my family’s reunion. My two aunts meeting of fellow alkies has brought crew of motorcyclists who offered to Possibly the only people who with fourteen years in AA and eleven my life back once again. Thank you, .sign me up. I accepted. weren’t thoroughly enjoying themin Al-Anon, together with my cousin AA!” And for Rod from Australia, it “And marvelous Seattle, with selves were the active drunks. One who, like me, is three years sober, was much the same: “Six years sober. wheelchair ramps everywhere and AA met on the street “a transient in celebrated our recovery. Ironically, After a year of being unsettled, I green-vested volunteers exuding help an alcoholic fog, who stopped my son the day I arrived in Seattle I was noti- think and feel motivated again. At fulness. Either Seattle people are and me and said, ‘I know Bill W.. .. fied that an uncle had died of this hor- the end of the Lord’s Prayer last night among the world’s nicest, or AA the Steps. I live in the alley, but don’t rible disease. That brought me to my at the Big Meeting, I cried in the arms friendliness rubs off. One of the bell- worry, 1’11 be back. I got one more knees in gratitude – thank God he of a big man – me! of all people! He men at my hotel, who seemed to man to get – see this scar? That’s got me to this program when he did.” said to me, ‘Thank you.’ ” And this make my comfort his responsibility where he knifed me.’ “

There was a far happier ending for earlier stepped up to me. There was the drunk who got into conversation something familiar about him – his with one of the host committee vol- eyes darting away, a few razor nicks ACKNOWLEDGMENTS unteers at a downtown hotel. Stuart from shaving that morning, and then We gratefully acknowledge the following members, who in reality are the writers of this Y. tells the story: “George H. and I 1 stepped a little closer and part of my article: Rick C., Medley, Aha.; Bill K., Lee U., Tucson, AZ; Rod W., Fishing Point, were standing on the steps of the ho- mind said, ‘Ah! Scots whiskey; hello, Australia; Henry L., Victoria, B.C.; Lincoln C., El Toro, CA; Judy C., Carolyn F., tel, and a man I remembered seeing old friend.’ ‘Hello,’ I said, ‘my name Huntington Beach, CA; Tom W., Oakland, CA; Don M., San Francisco, CA; Diane O., Willows, CA; Erik R., Yorba Linda, CA; Bob and Betty, San Jose, Costa Rica; MikeC., is Stuart, and I’m an alcoholic.’ We Delray Beach, FL; Trish C.. Jupiter, FL; Don S., Oregon. IL;Pat. Moneghan, Ireland; stood there and talked, and he blurt- Morghan C,, Wichita, KS; Fran D., New Orleans, LA; VirginiaT.. Ramsey. NJ; Ed B., ed out: ‘I was on my way to the bar Sara G., Stan S., New York. NY; Jamie C., Pumpkin Hook, NY; Kate C., Putnam Valdown the block, but I wanted to talk ley, NY; Elizabeth E., Tulsa, OK; David H., Ottawa, Ont.; Judy W., Portland, OR; Keith T., Lititz, PA; Marian M.. Saskatoon, Sask.; Raymond M., Glasgow, Scotland; to you.’ Obviously distressed, he was Sue J., Dallas, TX; Orlan J., Wini J., Kerrville, TX; Candan O., Istanbul, ‘Ibrkey; Pam trying to blink away his tears. He M., Colville, WA; Kathy T., Kent, WA; Jackie C., Lynnwood, WA; Linda H., Stuart Y., talked, and I just listened and smiled, Sedro Woolley. WA – and numerous others whose recollections could be included only and eventually I suggested we might if the Grapevine was a magazine-without-end. – The Editors go upstairs and have a coffee. I said there were meetings going on right green vest, cowboy hat, and host but- whole lot of twelfth-steppin’ goin’ now, if he’d like to come and see what ton, then sent him off with one of the on. Stan and Marge from New York AA was like. After all, the bar would other greeters. He stuck to his task City took a cab to Seattle Center one still be open for some time. for the remainder of the Convention, day, and began chatting with the ‘”Are you sure they won’t mind?’ usually working sixteen hours a day, woman driver, who commented on he asked. and when the rest of us went to the how nice the people were. The two ” ‘NO problem.’ Kingdome on Friday night he worked AAs responded, “Do you know “Toward the end of the meeting, the hotel and Convention Center di- why? Because we’re all sober.” It Bud leaned a little closer and whis- recting late arrivals. There was a vis- turned out that the driver’s daughter pered, ‘Should I tell them that I too ible change in him; he had purpose was into drinking and drugs, and at am an alcoholic?’ and a new hope. ” the end of that mobile twelfth step ” ‘I don’t know. Do you honestly Perhaps Bud will be in San Diego call, she had new hope for the future think they will believe you?’ in 1995. Like Lamar J. from Hous- and a source of help – Al-Anon – “He thought a moment, and as the ton, whose first day sober was in for herself. next person finished speaking, Bud Montreal, where he blew out the Carolyn from California was struck raised his hand, stood up, and said, marathon candle. He and hi9 whole most deeply during the Convention by ‘My name is Bud, and I am an alco- fimily came to Seattle to celebrate his “our unity and bonding with each holic. This is my first meeting.’ Smil- five-year anniversary. And Henry L., other – coming together as one and ing faces everywhere, and shouts of from Victoria, B.C., who “sobered sharing with each other as well as welcome. He decided to stay for the up on Canada Day, when AA’s 50th whenever asked. We had people stop next meeting. Anniversary was held in Montreal. us on the street to tell us of relatives “The next morning, there he was, This weekend, in joy, humility and and loved ones who just couldn’t stay promptly at eight. In my head I could sobriety I am here in Seattle, sharing sober. And the high point of one afterhear my sponsor talk of the healing AA’s 55th birthday and my fifth.” noon was twelfth-stepping the maid in power of service, so we gave him a As a matter of fact, there was a our hotel. She wanted what we had!”

November 1990

voluminous, and Herb managed to having taken his last drink on the get several articles in local newspa- basis of the sipby-sip method. pers in Rio. Late that morning, Harold shaved Finally, in March 1948, through and bathed, put on clean clothes, had the goodwill of an Episcopal bishop some food with his brother-in-law’s in Rio, he met Harold W. Harold was incredulous family, and set off an Anglo-Brazilian, a real hard- sober, but in terrible shape – to meet drinker, who had sewed with the Brit- Herb, clutching a few pages he manish Army in World War I1 and, since aged to translate. They met in the returning to Rio in 1946, had man- coffee room of the ABI Building, and aged to lose several jobs, get kicked a new period of one month was fixed out of his in-laws’ home, lose his for Harold to try and finish the trans- Fragments of A l l History wife, and end up in the basement of lation so that Herb could print a Porhis brother-in-law’s home in the city tuguese translation. of Niteroi, across the bay from Rio. It took longer than that, but by the How AA Came to Rio de Janeiro The bishop and his brother arranged beginning of 1949, the AA pamphlet he story of AA in Rio began in group. Like alcoholics all over the for a meeting between Herb and ~ a r – was printed and being sent to all who June 1946, when Herb D., who world in those days, drunks in Bra- old on Saturday, March 13, 1948; asked for it. By June 1949, when had sobered up in Chicago in 1945, zil were considered a social nuisance, Herb told Harold his story, while Herb returned to the U.S., there was came to Rio on a three-year contract whose real place was in a psychiatric Harold drank all that morning. Herb a group of twelve AAs sober and as an art director for an American clinic or the police station. told him how he had been able to stop meeting regularly every Monday eveadvertising company. As a newcomer Though Herb got the names of one drinking by substituting pure water ning in a small room at the YMCA. to the program, his immediate con- or two drunks as prospects, none of from the tap for the booze in his Herb first called the group D-‘s cern was to join a group in the city them were bilingual. One of the Bra- glass, sip by sip, until he was drinking Dehydrated Dozen; then it became where he would be living for three zilians was Antonio, whom Herb met only water – and how, after many AA-Rio Nucleus, the Grupo Proyears. But AA as a group was un- in 1947. Antonio sobered up and unsuccessful attempts, he had been ‘vieiro de AA do Rio de Janeiro. known in Rio then, and though he stayed sober – with some difficulty able to avoid refilling the glass with From this small beginning, and had the names of AA contacts in the because of the lack of literature in booze and taking the first drink. He with the efforts of many dedicatcity, they were all transients from the Portuguese – until his death in an talked about the day-by-day system, ed AAs, the Fellowship in Brazil States. Since none of these AAs were accident in 1951. The other Brazilians and the changes for the better in his has grown to an estimated total of planning to stay in Rio very long, they drifted away, and Herb still hungered personal and business life. He asked 100,000 sober alcoholics. Old-timers had not formed an ongoing group. for a group. His only meetings were Harold to try the system and, when like Luiz M. in Rio, the oldest Brazil- After many months of unsuccess- those that could be held “hush-hush” he stopped drinking, to try and trans- ian recovering alcoholic with 38 years ful attempts, Herb turned to a new in the homes of some of his fellow late as much as he could of the AA of sobriety, and Theophilo, with 32 project, the translation into Portu- countrymen, who were sober but not pamphlet Herb left for him. years, in Niteroi where Herb and guese of the AA pamphlets he had ready to work toward the formation The two agreed, tentatively, to Harold met, swell the ranks of AAs brought from the General Service of AA in Brazil. meet at the ABI Building in the center who made it all happen. Now com- Office in New York. He hoped to in- His greatest help was his wife, of Rio, so that Harold could show plete with a national board and an terest Brazilian drunks (and there Libby, a nonalcoholic, who urged Herb if he made any progress with the active service structure, Brazilian AA were many in Rio then), and help him to keep trying to form a group. translation. And Harold passed out grows steadily, day by day. himself stay sober by carrying the Their correspondence with the Gen- in the early hours of that Wednesday, Harold W ,Sao Paolo, Brazil message and forming a Brazilian eral Service Office in New York was

December 1990 4~ level. Sam had written to Bill stating he have in mind when he said such that he thought, in his case, it would things? If, as one who doesn’t know be helpful to reveal his A k member- the Bible very well, I were asked to ship before the general public by answer, I would say that he was trying name and picture. Here are excerpts to throw a heavy emphasis on modesty from Bill’s response – a letter dated and humility; that he was deeply con- June 22, 1946. Our Fellowship was scious of the human tendency to exhieleven years old. bitionism. So, if I hear him aright, “As a fact, there are few principles he is now saying to us AAs ‘go and. or AA attitudes about which 1 have a preach these principles to all the more definite conviction than that of world. But beware of parading your- ‘anonymity before the general pub- selves in the process.’ lic.’ I find support for my conviction “Just as you are now searching As a newcomer in was celebrating its 25th anniversary among the vast majority of AA mem- your soul about anonymity in pub- AA I had a lot of there. At that time, it was their feel- bers despite the fact that there seem lic, so did I have to go through that ideas about needed ing that anonymity was fine for AA to be a considerable number of AAs very process in 1939, the year our changes. Even in in the U.S. but not for them. The Fel- in our southeastern chapters who book Alcoholics Anonymous went 1970, I thought the lowship was getting a great deal of agree with you. But in discussing this to print. I was then called upon to Big Book was too publicity because of the anniversary matter I would rather not rely too make a decision, perhaps the most sexist and I couldn’t understand why convention. There was media cover- much upon the numerical support my far-reaching one I have ever taken. .none of the AA meetings served de- age. One active member, a teacher by own view has. Which of our views is Had it not been for the wise counsel caffeinated coffee. And I was abso- profession, was being interviewed live the better policy – the finer spiritual- of my friends in AA I must humbly utely certain that the biggest mistake by a local talk show host. He was ity, that’s the question, isn’t it? confess that I probably would have was keeping Alcoholics Anonymous identified by full name as an AA “Though less well schooled than abandoned my anonymity before the anonymous. member and was plainly recogniz- you, I, too, regard myself a follower general public. Two courses were In fact, I made an emotional plea able. In the course of the interview, in the tradition of the Master. Per- then before me because two titles for to that effect when I had six months he was asked what percentage of the haps as a layman, I have not much the book had been proposed, and sobriety under my belt – holding the country’s teachers were alcoholic. standing to interpret him. Yet my both were equally popular. Here Fellowship responsible for my fa- Not anticipating the question and own observation is this: that some- they were: ther’s death from cirrhosis of the being nervous in front of the cam- times Jesus advanced propositions “1. The Way Out liver. It embarrasses me to recall say- eras, our friend answered, “about seemingly contradictory. He lambast- By Wm. G. Wilson ing that if AA weren’t so anonymous, fifty percent.” The headline in the ed money changers and people who “2. Alcoholics Anonymous my father would still be alive, which newspaper that evening shouted, stoned whores; yet I believe he said “I don’t mind saying, Sam, that was, of course, an absurd statement. “Half of Country’s Teachers Alco- ‘resist not evil.’ He preached in pub- the first one looked mighty attractive My father knew of AA and chose holic According to AA.” Our non- lic, and this to such great effect that to me. To justify myself I used to say not to go. anonymous member had become an millions wish they could see him and ‘Well, Bill, you have surely learned Since then I have seen example AA spokesman. hear him today. Yet, did he not re- enough about humility by now. So after exahple proving why anonym- As expressed in a letter to Sam D., prove those who made a publicphow the mere signing of this book will ity is so vital for our Fellowship. For an AA member who was also a minis- of giving alms, and did he not say never go to your head. The leaders instance, a few years ago I was in a ter, Bill W. had some thoughts on the that a prayer in a closet was better of every other movement are publi- . country in the Caribbean when AA subject of anonymity at the public than a prayer in public? What, did cized. All movements have to be per-

sonalized. They have to have per- was addressed by a young U.S. Con- associated with the oxford Group for an AA member to be roo anony- . sonal symbols to lend them power gressman from Illinois named Abra- and were on hand, it is reported, for a mous? Too anonymous for the good and character. So why shouldn’t I ham Lincoln. gathering in New York City where of the individual and the Fellowship? sign this book? A good title too – So rapid was the group’s rise that it Buchman revealed for the first time The answer is “yes.” And there are The Vay Out! soon had 600,000 members. Along his personal hopes for dealing with more than a few examples of this: ” I almost succumbed to these ra- the way, however, it became so in- the problem of alcoholism. “I’m all members who feel they must not tell tionalizations but my friends tipped volved – even concentrated – on for alcoholics getting changed,” he their families or their friends or cothe scale the other way. ‘What if you promotion of its aims and success announced, “but we have drunken workers or doctors or ministers or got drunk – and Bill, what kind of that its main original purpose began nations on our hands as well.” lawyers that they are members of AA. an example do you think you would to evaporate. Many of its members It was 1938 and before long the There have even been instances be setting for the rest of us egocen- became embroiled in public activities, Oxford Group was transformed into when members have sent requests for trics? Even if you could stand a lot of giving voice to and taking sides in what was called Moral Rearmament information to the General Service newspaper publicity, we couldn’t. outside matters such as abolition with Frank Buchman still at the head Office in New York and not included Lots of us would get drunk and let and temperance. of it – with a purpose to bring the a last name or have sent checks to our movement down. And anyhow, By the end of 1847, just seven years nations of the world together by GSO – unsigned. isn’t the American public pretty well after it began its original noble ven- strictly peaceful means. There is indeed such a thing as an fed up on personal ballyhoo, how- ture, the Washingtonians had faded By 1939 AA and the changing Ox- AA member being too anonymous: ever good.’ Well, Sam, my friends out of existence and ceased activity ford Group drifted apart. But in talk- where it can mean failure to extend wouldn’t let me do it, and how right except in Boston where, in all too ing later about AA’s infancy, Bill said the helping hand when the need arises; – oh how very right – they were.” brief a time, it too vanished altogether. of the Oxford Group: “They had where it can mean failure to correct The spiritual value of anonymity About seventy years later, another clearly shown us what to do” [and] misconceptions about AA both inside has been recognized for a long time. movement surfaced that was to be “we also learned from them what not and outside the Fellowship; and where The ancient Greeks had a word for it remarkably effective for a couple of to do so far as alcoholics were con- it can stifle -even stop – the flow of and Christ spoke in praise of the hu- decades. This was the Oxford Group. cerned – too authoritarian, aggres- AA knowledge and sobriety from one mility that fosters anonymity when he Interestingly, its founder Frank Buch- sive evangelism, absolute concepts, person to another. said, “Blessed are the meek for they man saw great virtue in anonymity which were frequently too much for This is anonymity at the personal shall inherit the earth.” because there was a considerable drunks, dependence upon the use of level and can indeed be carried too far We will now take a big jump in length of time he preferred to be prominent names (mighty hazardous – in Bill’s words – to “the point of time and space and atmosphere from known as “Frank B.” This was to for us). Because of the stigma (at that real absurdity.” Anonymity at the the Sermon on the Mount to the sec- change, however, along with theover- time) of alcoholism, most alcoholics public level, however, is another matond day of April, 1840 and Chase’s all tone of the original Oxford Group wanted to be anonymous.” ter and no member of the AA Fellow- Tavern in Baltimore, Maryland. On movement. Before too long ordinary Commenting on this still further, ship has shown the genuine humility that dateb six drinking friends made a membership purposes were shunted Bill said: “Anonymity was not born to practice anonymity at the public decision to stop their drinking and aside and eventually overwhelmed by of confidence: the bare hint of pub- level.more dramatically and in a more took a pledge to do so. increasing cases of personal ambi- licity shocked us. . .we were afraid of truly self-sacrificing manner than our They called themselves the Wash- tion, campaigns for funds, and eager developing erratic public characters co-founders, Bill and Dr. Bob. ingtonians and in a year’s time they public searches for support, endorse- who. . .might get drunk in public and I’ve quoted Bill a lot in this article had reformed 1,000 drunks and had ment and participation of well-known so destroy confidence in us. . . .” because he was a prolific writer. Dr. 5,000 other members and supportive personalities. No look at anonymity as practiced Bob also provided us with many illusfriends. On their second anniversary AA’s earliest members, chief by AA can be truly complete without trations of living the Tradition of one of their groups in the Midwest among them Bill and Dr. Bob, were including the question: is it possible anonymity. The example I cite took

place soon after his wife Anne had population, the number of public died and early a year after he learned anonymity breaks – discomforting P he had te minal cancer. It is from his biography, Dr. Bob and the Good when they do occur and sometimes potentially dangerous – are compar- Old1h e r s . atively few and infrequent. This may “This was at a time when AA mem- be because as AA matures its members were thinking about a monu- bers more fully understand the value ment for Anne and Bob. In fact, a to themselves for anonymity at the collection had been started. Hearing public level. It may also be because of this, Dr. Bob promptly asked that the Bill’s remarkable powerful example money be given back and declared of personal sacrifice for the good of against the Fellowship’s erecting for all. As a demonstration of anonymity Anne and himself any tangible me- in action, this is for all to follow: morials or monuments. He told Bill, Bill discouraged any Nobel Prize ‘Let’s you and I get buried just like possibility for himself. other folks.’ Later, while shopping He declined awards from several for a stone for Anne’s grave, he was colleges (suggesting they be offered asked, ‘Surely you’re going to have instead to the Fellowship itself). something on it about AA?’ He re- He turned down the inclusion of plied, ‘Mercv. no!”‘ his name and a brief personal history Another example: in his farewell to in “Who’s Who in America.” the Fellowship at AA’s first Interna- He said thanks but no thanks to an tional Convention in Cleveland, honorary degree from Yale University. Ohio, in July 1950, Dr. Bob said: “I He rejected a Time magazine story get a big thrill out of looking over a that would have included his picture vast sea of faces like this with a feel- on the cover. ing that possibly some small thing 1 He refused the Lasker Award did a number of years ago played an (which was given to AA instead). infinitely small part in making this And posthumously (through his meeting possible.” This from a co- wife Lois), he declined a degree from founder of what some have called the his old school, Vermont’s Norwich greatest social and spiritual move- University. ment, the most far-reaching crusade When Bill died, his anonymity was for health and mental well-being, of broken by the press (as was Dr. Bob’s the twentieth century – an organiza- at the time of his earlier death). Yet tion with a couple million alcoholics both Bill and Dr. Bob were buried who are living or who have died sober without fanfare’and, as they wished, as a direct result of Dr. Bob’s and there is no mention on their tomb- Bill’s determination and dedication. stones of their great indelible contri- This is humility. This is anonymity. butions to Alcoholics Anonymous. Considering the size of today’s AA Anonymous, New York, h!Y

January 1991

major area of the country and was perance advocates, who considered going particularly strong in central the drunk a hopeless case (Justin New York and New England.” Edwards said in 1822, “Keep the tem- At its peak, the Society’s member- perate people temperate; the drunkship was estimated at anywhere from ards will soon die, and the land will be one to six million, of whom perhaps free”), the Washingtonians treated 100,000 to 6OO,OOwere sober drunks. drunks with love and won them over (One difficulty is the terminology – with “moral suasion.” An 1842 docthe Society claimed to have sobered ument gave directions for organizing up everything from “confirmed a Washingtonian Society, which indrunkards” to “hard drinkers often cluded “Declaring that love and kind- Fragments of AA History drunken” to “sots” to “tipplers in ness and moral suasion are your only a fair way to become sots,” and the principles and measures.” distinctions were never too clear.) Accounts of the early Washington- The Washingtonians Others who joined up were friends ians are in some ways remarkably n Thursday evening, April 2, in honor of George Washington. and families (even very young chil- similar to descriptions of AA meet- 1840, six drinking buddies gath- The Society continued to meet for dren), as well as liquor dealers and ings. The Washingtonians were the ered, as was their daily custom, at a time in Chase’s Tavern, but when tavern owners. first to insist on the recounting of per- Chase’s Tavern in Baltimore. A well- the owner’s wife objected to the loss Abraham Lincoln (according to sonal experience in their meetings known temperance speaker was lec- of good customers, they switched to the February 1953 Grapevine) was (apparently this practice began as a turing that night, and four of them the home of one of the members, and “the foremost member of the Spring- pragmatic measure, when public thought it would be a good joke to finally rented a hall. In November, field, Illinois, Washingtonians. He meetings became popular and the go and hear him. As they discussed they held a public meeting which, had never taken whisky, but he had Society’s leaders had to think up a the lecture later that evening, one with subsequent monthly meetings, seen his business partner. . .overcome way to keep them interesting). In Janof them proposed (still not quite seri- proved such a success that by their by it.” And the December 1948Grape- uary 1949, Richard Ewe11 Brown ously) that they form a total absti- first anniversary, the Baltimore Wash- vine describes how “in Dedham, wrote in the Grapevine: “The Washnence society, and on Sunday, April ingtonians counted “about 1,000 re- Mass., a Mr. Thompson proved him- ingtonian charter provided that only 5, while strolling and drinking, the formed drunkards and 5,000 other self such an eloquent speaker that the ex-drunks could address the meetsix men did make a decision “to drink members and friends in the parade to entire town joined.. .. The leading ings. Thus the ‘benefits of experience no more of the poisonous draft, celebrate the occasion.” liquor merchant gave up his business, spoken in burning words from the fyrever.” The Washingtonians were zealous signed the pledge, and was made Pres- heart’ were made available for all to , Each of the six agreed to bring a in carrying their message of hope ident of the village society” and hear. . .Debates, lectures and speeches man to the next ‘meeting, and they beyond Baltimore. Several leaders poured his entire stock of liquor on were definitely out, and matters of wrote and signed a pledge not to turned out to be powerful orators the ground. business were limited to ‘as few re- “drink any spiritous or malt liquors, who traveled widely, speaking to Formation of the Washingtonians marks as possible.’ Politics and reliwine or cider.” The name Washing- large crowds, and “by May 1842 the was tied in many ways to the temper- gion were both taboo as topics of ton Temperance Society was chosen movement had penetrated every ance movement, which had been discussion.” gaining strength since 1825, but was Brown went on to say: “Every ef- A mqjor source for this article is “The Washingtonian Movement,” by Milton A. Maxwell, beginning to lose momentum. At fort was made to prevent the society Ph. D., Quarterly Journal of Alcohol Studies, September 1950. OthersourcesincludeGra~vine articles in the December 1948, January 1949, and February 1953 hues. first, the Washingtonians were not- from encroaching on anyone’s prejuable for their differences. Unlike tem- dices, so that all people would feel

holic.” The movement’s founding lic criticism. . . free to join the organization. One its members. purpose, and one purpose only, was Affiliation with outside enterprises; “Equally important, anonymity held in mind: to rescue men from the aim, helping drunks, “became an public controversy: From the begin- increasingly secondary interest of keeps the groups from exploiting toils of drink.” Another aspect was simplicity: “Responsibility was dining, the Washingtonians were close- those whose primary interest was the prominent names for the sake of vided equally. . .and everyone was ly allied with the temperance move- furtherance of the temperance cause group prestige; and it keeps individkept busy doing missionary work, ment, and outside of Baltimore, the . . .And as fewer and fewer men were ual members from exploiting their early “missionaries” were “invariably reclaimed, the last distinctive features AA connection for personal prestige bringing new members to the weekly sponsored by temperance organiza- of the Washingtonian movement or fame. This encourages humility meetings and helping old members tions.” Temperance leaders looked and the placing of principles before who had slipped back into their for- dropped out of sight.” upon the Washingtonians as a means Anonymity: In his discussion of personalities.” mer habits.” of “sparking” their cause, and in the Bill W. cited the experience of the Yet by 1848, the Washingtonian AA and the Washingtonians, Milton end, this became the chief interest of Maxwell comments: “A comparison Washingtonians in a number of his movement had “destroyed itselfcom- the Washingtonian leaders them- writings, and he considered them pletely and dropped out of sight. with the Washingtonian experience . selves. In many places, Washington- underscores the sheer survival value both a forerunner of AA and an ob- With it went the hope it had held out ians spoke in churches, and some for thousands of drunks of that day,” of the principle of anonymity in Al- ject lesson for the Fellowship’s fucame into conflict with the beliefs of coholics Anonymous. At the height ture. and the only tangible evidence re- religious entities. “Nothing can di- of his popularity, John B. Gough In an article in the August 1945 maining was its Home for the Fallen vide groups more quickly. . .than re- [one of the most prominent of the Grapevine, he reflected on the lessons in Boston. ligious or political controversy. Strong Washingtonian missionaries] either of the movement and emphasized the How did it happen? The similari- effortswere made in the Washington- ‘slipped’ or was tricked by his ene- importance of being “strong enough ties between Alcoholics Anonymous ian movement to minimize sectarian, mi& into a drunken relapse. At any and single-purposed enough from and the Washingtonians are too clear theological and political differences, rate, the opponents of the Washing- within” to be rightly related to the to be overlooked: alcoholics helping but the movement did not avoid at- tonian movement seized upon this world: “We are sure that if the origieach other, weekly meetings, sharing tracting to itself the hostile emotions lapse with glee and made the most of nal Washingtonians could return to of experiences, constant availability generated by these conflicts. . .it was it to hurt Gough and the movement. this planet they would be glad to see of fellowship with the group or its still caught in all the controversy to This must have happened frequently us learning from their mistakes.. . members, reliance on a Higher Power, which the temperance cause had be- to less widely known. . .Washington- Had we lived in their day we might and total abstinence from alcohol. come liable.” ians. Public confidence in the move- have made the same errors. Perhaps Why is AA celebrating 55 years of Singleness of purpose; membership ment was impaired. Anonymity pro- we are beginning to make some of growth, while its nineteenth century requirements: Formed for the pur- tects the reputation of AA from pub- them now.” forerunner fell apart within’ only a pose of helping drunks, a Society ,few years? Most historians are agreed whose membership encompassed alon the reasons: For one, the Wash- coholics, their families, and nonalcoingtonians had no sustained program holic~of many types could not proof recovery comparable t o AA’s vide that vital ingredient of AA’s Twelve Steps. But the real key to their success: identification. “The nonalself-destruction lies in the lack of any coholic member soon grew tired of guiding principles like those incorpo- listening to an endless chain of exrated in AA’s Twelve Traditions. The drunks expatiate on an experience Washingtonian movement “met its that, in the final analysis, had no Waterloo in the conflicting aims of meaning for anyone but another alco-

March 1991

York AAs regularly referred pros- beginnings were made in hospitals in pects to Towns and to Knickerbocker Philadelphia and San Francisco, and Hospital for sobering up and took the idea soon spread to all points AA meetings into these institutions. between. In Akron, through the thirties and At first, the zeal of individual memforties, all newcomers were hospital- bers and groups provided the initiaized – first at Akron City Hospital tive for working through institutions; and later at St. Thomas Hospital, later, institution committees were under the care of Dr. Bob and Sister formed by intergroups and general Ignatia. Over 4,800 passed through service areas to ensure that contact the alcoholic ward at St. Thomas was maintained. Presently more than Fragments of A . History alone during the early days of AA! Part of the treatment were continu- 1,200 treatment centers in the U.S. and Canada have AA meetings and ous visits from AA members, telling A s published in the 1985 A.A.W.S., Inc. souvenir booklet, “Fifty Years with Gratitude,” the following of the world: Ireland and Finland began to carry the message “inside”; the Magpie Prison Group was formed their stories. Warren C., who came from Cleveland in 1939, recalled conabout 31 percent of members joining AA come from treatment centers or through alcoholism counselors. excerpts highlight some of the history in Fremantle, Western Australia in siderable debate over whether he of AA’s longstanding relationship 1958 and had 14 members. Scotland should be admitted to the Akron AA in Business and Industry with professionals in the spirit of and England then swelled the ranks; group, since he had not received this Pioneer members, eager to twelfthcooperation without affiliation (sta- soon to be joined by many other hospital treatment! step other alcoholics, sometimes ditistics reflect 1985 levels). countries. Prison groups sprang up In 1939, High Watch Farm in Kent, vulged their AA membership to their everywhere – Bonne Novelle, Rouen; Connecticut, became the first free- employers and fellow-workers – a AA “Behind the Walls” Northrand, in the Transvaal; Lans- standing treatment facility. Actually, brave step in those days, considering Alcoholics Anonymous was just fengselgroppe, Klofta; Rising Sun, it was called a “drunk farm” -oper- the stigma attached to alcoholism. seven years old when a pioneering Queensland; and Down Under, New ated by an independent board of AA Their sobriety and their spiritual way warden at San Quentin asked nearby South Wales – just to name a few. members and with an AA oriented of life became an example to those AA’s to carry the message to alcohol- Today in the U.S. and Canada program. AA members from nearby around them. In this way – inforics in that fabled prison. The year was structure, for example, there are more towns brought AA meetings to the mally at first, and later as part of the 1942; the warden was Clinton Duffy. than 1,370 AA groups in correctional clients at High Watch. corporate structure – they served as He was heard to say, “If the AA pro- facilities that are serviced by local Also in 1939, Dr. Russell E. Blais- a resource and a referral for drunken gram will help just one man, I want to correctional facilities committees. dell, head of New York’s Rockland employees. start it.” Later, on November 28, Speaking the “language of the State Hospital, a mental institution, Dr. John L. Norris, associate med- 1943, Bill W. was a guest speaker at heart,” AA is reaching out in every learned of AA and immediately ac- ical director of Eastman Kodak Comthe facility’s AA group. In an article corner of the globe to our fellow AAs cepted the idea for his alcoholic in- pany in Rochester, N.Y., in the late which referred to the guest speaker as “behind the walls.” mates. He welcomed AA visitors, 1940s. often described frustration “Mr. Bill,” the event was reported in later allowed the first “institution at his inability to help alcoholic emthe San Quentin News. Despite the AA in Hospitals and group” to be established in Rock- ployees who were referred to him, skeptics, AA “behind the walls” be- Treatment Centers land, and let busl~adsof patients on while those sent to Bert, an AA memgan td’grow. After Bill sobered up at Towns the AA program go to meetings in ber, seemed to recover. His curiosity By the mid 1950s AA meetings in Hospital, he continued to try to help South Orange, N.J. and New York sufficiently aroused, “Dr. Jack” prison’swere beginning in other parts other alcoholics there. Later, New City. At about the same time, similar resolved to learn about Alcoholics Copyright @ by A A World Services, Inc.; reprinted with permission.

Anonymous. This led to his meeting far beyond the limits that prevailed in with Bill W., and eventually to his the civilian world. becoming chairperson of the AA Only slowly did the services come General Service Board. Thus East- to view alcoholism as a disease; and man Kodak became one of the first more specifically, as .a deterrent to large corporations to have an alco- their efficiency and state of readiness. holism program. Through efforts of individual mem- The Du Pont Company in Wil- bers, AA meetings began to be permington, Delaware, was another. mitted on military bases, and even- The program operated successfully tually alcoholism treatment programs for three decades under the direc- were established by the services themtion of Dave M., an AA member. In selves. Notable was the the U.S. Navy New York, pioneers in Employee Program, centered at Long Beach, Assistance Programs, EAPs as they California. It relied heavily on Alco- . came to be called, included the transit holics Anonymous for its program system, Consolidated Edison, the orientation and for referral for after- New York City Police Department, care. As a result, there are now many the Port Authority, and the New “Dry Dock” groups of AA at Navy York Times. facilities, including a number on The idea has since spread through-shipboard! The other services folout the United States and Canada, lowed suit. and it is estimated there are upwards The General Service Office was in of 9,000 organizations – corpora- correspondence with AA members in tions, unions, and governmental de- uniform from World War I1 onward, partments – that have programs to helping establish groups and mainhelp their alcoholic employees. AA taining records of them. By the early does not itself establish alcoholism 1970s, letters were coming in from programs, but it cooperates with these the command level of the armed serprograms in any way it can, and indi-vices requesting advice and help. vidual AA members acting as individ- In 1974, a pamphlet, “AA and the uals are often involved. Armed Services,” was published and ordered in large quantity by the ser- AA in the Armed Services vices. In addition to basic informa- When AA was young, the armed tion, the pamphlet contains ten perservices were not a very favorable sonal stories of recovery. Within environment for recognition of al- AA’s tradition of “cooperation but coholism, let alone recovery from the not affiliation,” Alcoholics Anonydisease. Indeed, heavy drinking was mous has been able to provide muchnot only condoned among sailors, needed assistance to the armed sersoldiers, marines, and airmen, but vices in their own efforts to help their even problem drinking was tolerated still-suffering alcoholics.

May 1991

ed: “Since it was new in concept and minimum of $2 per year per memsince it represented no more than half ber. They felt strongly about the the territory covered by AA, it is importance of providing accurate manifest that the First Panel of the information to the groups, and rec- Conference could not presume to ex- ommended a visual presentation of press the opinions of AA as a whole. general services rendered, with slides This was a beginning. It will take sev- to be made available to every state eral years, perhaps, for the full Con- committee. ference to take final form and assume Unanimously, the delegates voted the responsibilities it proposes to that the nonalcoholic trustees remain bear. The delegates did, however, give in office (a question that “arose Fragments of AA History unanimous opinion on vital phases of through the modest proposal of some the overall AA program. of AA’s nonalcoholic trustees that AA’s First General Service Conference: A Retrospective “Detailed operation of the head- they now step aside”), and recomuietly, effectively, with nei- quarters operations were explained to mended the establishment of a fixed down from AA’s founders, Bill W. ther fuss nor fanfare – his- the delegates, who learned that the term of office for alcoholic trustees. and the late Dr. Bob.” They talked about literature, and tory was impressively written in New -Grapevine, June 19.51 total 1950 income of The Foundation York City during the four days of was $114,200, with total expenses agreed unanimously “that in future the First General Service Conference of $134,200, showing a loss for the years AA’s textbook literature should The historic four days began the have Conference approval.” The of Alcoholics Anonymous, April 19 first evening with a reception and in- twelve-month period of $20,000.” through 22, 1951. Every Conference is different, yet Conference Report clarifies that formal discussion of group problems. action with a comment: “adoption of “Thirty-seven delegates from half The next morning, delegates were up in matters of AA business, those four the states and provinces of the United days in 1951 were remarkably like a the suggestion would not preclude the and out for a visit to the offices of continued issuance of various print- States and Canada joined in delibera- GSO and the Grapevine; then lunch, full week’s Conference in the 1990s. tions and worked out advisory plans Delegates talked about money. ed documents by non-Foundation followed by a welcome from Bernard of action, in harmonious collabora- B. Smith, nonalcoholic chairman of They approved the financial report, sources. No desire to review; edit or tion with the trustees of The Alcohol- and expressed “unanimous surprise” censor non-Foundation material is the Alcoholic Foundation, and an implied. The objective is to provide ic Foundation and with staff mem- historical overview by Bill W. of the at the amount of service accomplished bers of the General Service Office Foundation and the scope of services with so little money – five years ear- . . . a means of distinguishing Founand the AA Grapevine. This was the lier, GSO employed one paid worker dation literature from that issued rendered. locally or by non-AA interests.” First Panel of the Conference, strictly The Conference Report for 1951 for every 3,000 AA members, and in a geographical division, to be joined ‘ 1951 it was one paid worker for every All these as well as other Conferquotes Bill’s description of the assemin 1952 by a similar gathering of the bly as “a huge rotating committee, in 6,000 members. They agreed that ence Actions would have a familiar Second Panel of the Conference, whose hands has been placed respon- quarterly financial reports on the ring for present-day delegates. The comprising representatives of the sibility for AA’s worldwide services Foundation should be presented. question of AA family groups was remaining states and provinces.. . . – assistance to the groups, public They also recommended approval of referred back to local groups for fur- “On behalf of AA members in relations, preparation and distribu- the 15% royalty on the AA Book to ther discussion before the 1952 Contheir respective territories, these dele- tion of literature, foreign propaga- be paid to Bill W. or to Lois, for their ference. And it was suggested that the gates met primarily to decide whether tion and other activities.” And the lifetime. Grapevine could institute a form of to accept the Third Legacy handed June Grapevine that year comment- All present agreed on the need for “mild promotion,” and if finances did group contributions, suggesting a not improve, should raise the price.

Looking back from the vantage General Headquarters staff in prepoint of 1991, a Panel One delegate, paring this material for easy assimi- George S. from Canada, recently lation by the delegates.” shared his recollections: “There was From Massachusetts: “The inforsomething very special about that mal caucus of Thursday night was a first Conference – the first big step gem of an idea. A myriad of regional in AA’s overall growth and belonging problems were thrown into the pot, to itself. I remember the intensity of sorted overnight, and returned to us our feelings; you could cut it with a in &rly fashion for discussion at knife.” For many new delegates, the subsequent formal sessions. I think biggest thrill was meeting and talk- now that we understand better the ing with Bill W., and George recalls meaning of AA services.” sitting with Bill in a hotel room, lis- From Canada: “What greatly imtening to him talk about AA’s fu- pressed me was the unanimity among ture, in the familiar pose with his all the delegates. [They were] unanifeet up on a chair. He remembers, mous in enthusiastically accepting the too, the get-togethers in restaurants, responsibility of ‘taking over,’ but hotel rooms, coffeeshops, and the only. . .with the general understandgroup of delegates and staff people ing that the Conference is not a govwho rode up and down Fifth Avenue ernment.” in an open phaeton, “like a bunch of In his July 1955 Grapevine article, drunken kids.” “What Is the Third Legacy?”, Bill The June Grapevine that year de- W. said of that first Conference: voted several pages to “Delegate Im- “The delegates handled several pressions.” From California: “1 thought puzzlers about which we at know how frightening it is to us to Headquarters were in doubt, somethink of Bill ever leaving; I know also times giving advice contrary to our he can never be replaced. But Bill own conclusions. In nearly every inbelieves and 1 gather that Dr. Bob stance, we saw that they were right. also believed that he and Bill can be Then and there they proved, as never replaced by a principle, that being the before, that AA’s Tradition Two was collective conscience of AA speaking correct. The group conscience could through the delegates of the General safely act as the sole authority and sure Service Conference. I am convinced, guide for Alcoholics Anonymous. now that the first Conference has “Nobody present will ever forget ended, that this will come to pass.” that final session of the first Confer- From Florida: “What impressed ence. We knew that the impossible had me most was the manner in which the happened, that AA could never break problems confronting AA as a whole down in the middle, that Alcoholics were presented, and the staggering Anonymous was at last safe from any amount of work undertaken by the storm the future might bring.”

J u n e 1991 ‘

seized the phone. But my enthusiasm le pot is on the table but, alaLS, Bob soon ebbed. Not a person in the first is on the floor. Could we try to make nine called could, or would, suggest it tomorrow?” Henrietta instantly anything to meet my urgency. issued a dinner invitation for the fol- One uncalled name still stood at lowing day. the head of my list – Henrietta Sei- At five o’clock next afternoon, berling. Somehow I couldn’t muster Anne and Dr. Bob stood at Henrietcourage to lift the phone. But after ta’s door. She discreetly whisked Bob . one more look into the bar down- and me off to the library. His words — — stairs something said to me, “You’d were, “Mighty glad to meet you, better.” To my astonishment a warm Bill. But it happens I can’t stay long; Fragments – of AA History Southern voice floated in over the five or ten minutes at the outside.” I wire. Declaring herself no alcoholic. laughed and observed, “Guess you’re t was a Saturday in May 1935. An I’d had no previous success with any Henrietta nonkheless insisted that pretty thirsty, aren’t you?” His rejoinill-starred business venture had of them I suddenly realized how such she understood. Would I come to her der was, “Well, maybe you do underbrought me to Akron where it imme- work had kept me free from desire. home at once? stand this drinking business after all.” diately collapsed, leaving me in a pre- Because she had been enabled to So began a talk which lasted hours. carious state of sobriety. That after- face and transcend other calamities, How different my attitude was this noon I paced the lobby of Akron’s she certainly did understand mine. time. My fright of getting drunk had Mayflower Hotel. As 1 peered at the She was to become a vital link to evoked a much more becoming hugathering crowd in the bar, I became those fantastic events which were mility. After telling Dr. Bob my story, desperately frightened of a slip. It presently to gather around the birth I explained how truly I needed him. was the first severe temptation since and development of our AA Society. Would he allow me to help him, I my New York friend had laid before Of all names the obliging rector had might remain sober myself. The seed me what were to become the basic given me, she was the only one who that was to flower as Alcoholics principles of AA, in November 1934. cared enough. I would here like to Anonymous began to grow toward For the next six months 1 had felt record our timeless gratitude. the light. But as dear Anne well utterly secure in my sobriety. But now Straightaway, she pictured the guessed, that first tendril was a fragile there was no security; I felt alone, plight of Dr. Bob and Anne. Suiting thing. Practical steps had better be helpless. In the months before I had action to her word, she called their taken. She bade me come and live at worked hard with other alcoholics. house. As Anne answered, Henrietta their menage for a while. There I Or, rather, I had preached at them in described me as a sobered alcoholic might keep an eye on Dr. Bob. And .’a somewhat cocksure fashion. In my from New York who, she felt sure, he might on me. This was the very false assurance I felt I couldn’t fall. could help Bob. The good doctor had thing. Perhaps we could do together But this time it was different. Some- seemingly exhausted all medical and what we couldn’t do separately. Bething had to be done at once. spiritual remedies for his condition. sides I might revive my sagging busi- Glancing at a church directory at Then Anne replied, “What you say, ness venture. the far end of the lobby, I selected the The clergyman gave me a list of ten Henrietta, is terribly interesting. But I For the next three months I lived name of a clergyman at random. Over names. Some of these people, he was am afraid we can’t do anything now. with these two wonderful people. I the phone I told him of my need t o sure, would refer me a case in need of Being Mother’s Day, my dear boy has shall always believe they gave me work with another alcoholic. Though help. Almost running to my room, I just brought in a fine potted plant. more than I ever brought them. Each

morning there was devotion. After He and I were placed in twin beds. the long silence Anne would read out A typical tapering down process was of the good book. James was our inaugurated. Not much sleep for anyfavorite. Reading him from her chair body, but he cooperated. At four in the corner, she would softly con- o’clock on the morning of the operaclude “Faith without works is dead.” tion he turned, looked at me, and But Dr. Bob’s travail with alcohol said. “I am going through with this.” was not quite over. That Atlantic City I inquired, “You mean you are going Medical Convention had to be attend- through with the operation?” He ed. He hadn’t missed one in twenty replied, “I have placed both theoperyears. Anxiously waiting, Anne and I ation and myself in God’s hands. I’m heard nothing for five days. Finally going to do what it takes to get sober his office nurse and her husband and stay that way.” Not another word found him early one morning at the did he say. At nine o’clock he shook Akron railroad station in some con- miserably as we helped him into his fusion and disarray – which puts it clothes. We were panic stricken. Could mildly. A horrible dilemma devel- he ever do it? Were he too tight or too oped. Dr. Bob had to perform a criti- shaky, it would make little difference, cal surgical operation just three days his misguided scalpel might take the hence. Nor could an associate sub- life of his patient. We gambled. I gave titute for him. He simply had to do him one bottle of beer. That was the it. But how? Could we ever get him last drink he ever took. It was June ready in time? 10, 1935. The patient lived. Thisexcerpt was takenfrom an article written by Bill W; in the January 1951 Grapevine, an issue devoted to the memory of Dr. Bob. I t was later reprinted in the book, “The Language of the Heart” ( p a ~ e354). The photos are courtesy of the A A Archives.

June 1991

bigger than anything 1 had ever ex- and show them some of the special perienced. places here. Share in our guests’ If you are new and live in Akron, goosebumps. Ohio, be prepared to be loved just By staying sober, 1 am able to ex- , because you know where The Gate perience again and again the awe House is, or how to get to King School and gratitude first shared by Bill W. or to Dr. Bob’s old home. If you have and Dr. Bob. a vehicle, pile some folks in there Cindy B., Akron, Ohio

” . . .Who Has Thoroughly Followed Our Path”

\V,V/hen I was newly sober, I didn’t over at the Stan Hywet Gate House. Rowland H. — EbbyT. 0 0 0 0 0 VERMONT

V V know anything about Founders’ So what! The ~ a y f l o w e rHotel? I Day here in Akron, Ohio. I had,heard went right by that old hotel every time about it vaguely, but did not connect I went downtown. We had our high it in any way with my personal recov- school prom there. It was like a muery and sobriety. All I knew when I seum full of marble and balconies. started attending AA meetings was Today, however, 1 get goosebumps that the people there seemed to have a thinking about the Stan Hywet Gate solution to my drinking problem, and House – that first meeting of two they kept telling me to come back. I drunks doing something, anything, didn’t understand why at the time, to keep from taking that first drink, but I sure did keep coming back. sharing each other’s experience, When 1 reflect on those early days strength, and hope. The Mayflower in AA, I am in awe at how’little I was Hotel is still standing. I can cry just able to comprehend beyond “don’t thinking about Dr. Bob’s house. As a drink today – this minute, or this matter of fact, I usually do when I am hour.” God was truly doing for me there. 1 can feel something in the what I couldn’t do for myself. atmosphere at Dr. Bob’s. Right in the Living here in Akron, I had always kitchen, over a cup of coffee, or sitjust taken it for granted that this was ting on the porch, 1 can feel love. I where AA got its miraculous start. It would feel the same, I am sure, inside was not a big deal that Dr. Bob lived of Bill W.’s old home, too. right down the street from where I When I first started attending used to drink and party. It was not a Founders’ Day, I was blown away by big deal that the first AA meeting be- the distances people were traveling. tween Dr. Bob and Bill W. was right My mind was opened to something

an active member from Phoenix, Ari- haps even more than now, HOng zona, turned up in the Colony. Kong was a place of transit rather In 1970, George, who then object- than long-term residence. An FA ed ro any publicity about AA I’acili- nieniber might think he’d be here for ties, got a second mecting going good. Then suddenly he’d be which was more to his liking than the Looking back, it seems we needed (advertised) Mariners Club one. The two things for survival. One wOS a new Monday evening meeting place sort of anchorman -someone who’d was the library of St. John’s Anglican stay in Hong Kong and stay sober – Cathedral on Hong Kong Island, an- to hold things together. Two, We other convenient place, very near the needed a good supply of AA visiiors Fragments of AA History Hilton Hotel. Over the years, a strong to pep us up and remind us we vrlere relationship developed- with the Ca- of a wbrldwide show.” AA in Hong Kong – The First Twentv-One Years thedral, and eventually three weekly lunchtime meetings were being held Fortunately, both these resources came into play. David D. is reluclant he launching of Alcoholics Anon- tion, a whiff of sea and the assurance within its precincts. to admit it (“I just stuck around, ymous in Hong Kong was fueled, of having reached a safe haven, and a Thus two of our three main meet- luckily for me,” is the way he put3 it), literally, in Thailand. Providence de- restaurant to gather in before the ing places date back to our earliest but he undoubtedly filled the role creed that David D., an English busi- meeting. It also has something of a days. For the third location, which is anchorman during the crucial period. nessman, should begin his last binge colonial atmosphere – meaning wild AA’s present home – 10 Borrett By any calculation he was a p r ~ d i – -a 48-hour solo fizzer -in Bangkok colonial rather than stuffy colonial. Road, on the slopes of the Island gious twelfth-stepper, taking on \he on August 30, 1969. Flying back to The 8:00 P.M.meeting starts at 8: 15, a overlooking the harbor – the group toughest cases. And for the first PIne Hong Kong, he resolved to get a regu- traditional anomaly explained as would have to wait sixteen years. years he was the main AA telephone lar meeting going as soon as Clark “Iqbal time.” Iqbal, a very early AA As elsewhere, early growth was not answering service. This burden he G., who used to make once-a-month member, couldn’t get there till 8:15. smooth or easy. Perhaps every new was eventually to hand over to a pair ., visits from Guam, next hit town. So we still, so to speak, give him a group has to have a taste of the diffi- of second-generation stalwarts, J$yne David recalls, “Clark flew in, quite quarter of an hour to arrive. culties faced in Akron, Cleveland, and Malcolm S., a husband and wfe unexpectedly, on the first of Septem- David, Clark, and lqbal – respec- and New York in the late 1930s. Hong team (she Australian, he British) +vhO ber. We advertised immediately in the tively British, American, and Paki- Kong old-timers all stress how fragile came into the Fellowship in close SUC- English-language press. And on Tues- stani – reflect three main (sometimes the young Fellowship was. cession in 1975. day, September 2, the first scheduled overlapping) strands in the member- AA meeting in the Colony was held at ship as it developed: British and the , “You’ve got to remember,” says These three, long regarded as fixone veteran, “that it took about three tures in Hong Kong, were to leav6 the the Mariners Club on Kowloon side Commonwealth; North American; years, 1966 to 1969, for AA to get Colony unexpectedly in 1989, D @ ~ of the harbor. The attendance? Clark and Asian. David and Clark were going in Hong Kong. And it was often departing for Guernsey in the CPanand me. Our ad worked – for us.” quick to register the new group with touch and go whether the infant would nel Islands and Malcolm and Jayne Twenty-one years later, Tuesday the general service offices in New survive. At times it looked plain im- for Australia. But by then, AP in night at the Mariners is still the most York and London, the link with New possible.” Hong Kong had acquired suffidIent important weekly engagement for York soon proving to be the more He went on, “It was not just that structural strength to make it led de- I many AAs in Hong Kong. For AA practical. The group began to grow. there were so few of us, and so many pendent on heroic individual effortpurposes, the Mariners has a lot going Ray H. became Hong Kong member slips. AA was an expatriate activity; Turning to the influx of AA v i ~ i f ~ ‘ ~ , for it: an accessible downtown loca- number three. And soon George G., and for many expatriates, then per- one cannot exaggerate the beneflts

they have brought. As a trading and all, go twelfth-stepping together. Ev- time. AA in the Colony is certainly seventeen AAs – possibly the most financial center Hong Kong has al- eryone was everyone else’s sponsor, stronger now and there’s more of it, crowded AA meeting, per square ways had a stream of overseas busi- or so it seemed. When 1 was twelfth- better organized. But those early foot, anywhere ever. ness people passing through. In the stepped, the gang stayed with me, years, back in the mid-seventies in my In 1979, a new weekly newcomers seventies and eighties, especially fol- day and night, for about seventy-two case, were great times to be alive and meeting began, which brought dozens lowing the opening of China to for- hours. It wasn’t just meetings, it was sober here.” of active alcoholics into the Felloweign investment, many of them came being together after and between It’s time to mention some of the ship. The meeting, discontinued ten bearing and sharing the AA message. meetings – coffee sessions in hotels, milestones marking the growth of the years later, was regularly chaired by Quite a few others, with local AA poker sessions in someone’s apart- group. Conspicuous among them was Dr. John. A class of 1979 entrant help, got sober in this hard-drinking ment, picnics in improbable places. the authorities’ decision, in early himself, he had been a headline-mak- 1985, to let us have rooms (at very ing binge drinker; the Hong Kong little annual rent) in the old, high- police learned the hard way that it ceilinged former military hospital at was best to send at least a dozen men 10 Borrett Road. This gave the Fel- out to subdue him. As active in AA as lowship a daily meeting-place – with ever, John now practices medicine 6:00 P.M. meetings now every day in London. of the year. During the early 1980s, closer links One has to go back earlier for other were developed with the Adventist milestones. This account is no more Hospital, largely through Jayne S.’s than a sketch of growth over twenty- perseverance. As a result, many AAs one years, but here are a few key came to join the program either during dates and developments. or after detoxification at the hospital. In 1974, Tony B., a Cantonese- In 1986, through the good offices speaking Irish-American who had of Carole A., a genial restaurateur, sobered up in New York, arrived in and her nonalcoholic partner Bill Hong Kong and lost little time in set- Nash, a Saturday lunchtime meeting ting up a Chinese-language meeting got going in the private dining-room harbor city. AA in Hong Kong also “Everyone seemed to get into the in Kowloon. This was the start of of a high-class restaurant in town. owes much to visiting sailors from act in my home – once even my son, many efforts, which continue, to “Oh, boy, this is real Gold Card AA,” the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The sight of a then aged three. He’d so often heard carry the message to fellow-sufferers said a visiting American sailor as he flotilla entering the harbor is always Jayne and me answering calls from among our Chinese fellow citizens first looked around. The label stuck: welcome to AA eyes, for it prom- inquirers that one day when the (who comprise ninety-eight percent Many of us still refer to this weekly ises especially good meetings in the phone rang, he knew just what to do. of the population). event as the Gold Card Meeting. days ahead. He picked up the receiver and politely In 1978, AA acquired a mini-base, Nineteen eighty-eight saw the start Another thing that the old-timers announced, ‘Alcoholics Anonymous. a ten foot by eight foot windowless of another big push to get Cantoneseemphasize is the camaraderie and in- Can I help you?’ The caller was a box of a room, in Wanchai, then a language AA rolling, with dual-lantimacy that marked the first decade neighbor, distinctly nonalcoholic, to red-light entertainment district. The guage meetings being launched in of AA in the Colony. During a re- whom lengthy explanations had to room, in the Sailors and Soldiers In- hostels in densely crowded Kowloon. cent visit back to Hong Kong, Mal- be given. stitute, had to be given up in the early The initiative came from our outcolm S. summoned up some memo- “Today, maybe Hong Kong is a eighties. Among many memorable standingly durable Chinese member, ries: “There were so few of us, we’d busier place and everyone has less meetings there was one attended by Peter W.

During 1989, baskets for contribu- who’s in town and who’s away. There tions were introduced at the main are eighteen scheduled meetings a meetings. A real old-timer, back on a week, with an average attendance of visit, exclaimed: “Good God, we around twenty. Our non-AA friends were saying in 1970 that we really and sympathizers have multiplied must get a basket. Let no one say that over the years; and we rejoice in the the Hong Kong Group does not get progress made by fellow-pilgrims folthere in the end.” lowing other twelve-step programs It has been remarked that AA is like Al-Anon, NA, and ACOA. Aldifferent wherever one goes in the Anon was on the scene in Hong Kong world, and yet the same everywhere from the start (in 1969), or rather too. Some of the peculiarities of AA from before the start. NA meetings in Hong Kong have been touched on. began, with AA support, in 1986. Regular visitors to the Colony will be We can now look back on a decade able to recall other oddities. For ex- of survival, the 1970s, and a decade ample, despite a variety of meetings of expansion and consolidation, the in various locations and despite re- 1980s. What of the 1990s? Well, most peated attempts to “grou$fy” the of us are optimists and we have high meetings separately, so far we have hopes that, among other things, Chialways reverted in the end to being nese-language AA will really get off one single Hong Kong Group. Again, the ground in the next few years. As most of our meetings are discussion regards the future of Hong Kong and ones, with only one fixed speaker the impending transfer of sovereignty meeting a week. Generally we close in 1997, we seem to worry about it the meetings with the Serenity Prayer, rather less than others – so maybe and often say it seated rather than we’re actually learning not to prostanding. ject too much and to be grateful for There are historical reasons for what we have: something of immost of these ways of doing things, measurable worth. but it would be tedious to relate them It’s a far cry from Akron to a harhere. The important thing is that bor city on the edge of the South when Hong Kong AAs travel over- China Sea. That Alcoholics Anonyseas (as many of us do frequently), we mous should have traveled so far and feel at home in other meetings. And taken root here is something for ,

most of our visitors tell us they feel at which we owe gratitude to all home here too. pioneers – worldwide and from 1935 From two people in 1969, the mem- onward. It is also, for us AAs here in bership has grown to around 150 in Hong Kong, awesome evidence of all today, though the tally of those that Power that makes the impossipresent at meetings can swing up ble come true. and down remarkably depending on David L., Hong Kong

December 1991

attended meetings in the Dallas-Ft. “You’re damn right I did. I wanted to Worth area and had heard about get that building paid for and get clubs. They began to discuss getting a those things out of there.” permanent meeting place in Amarillo. At about this time the family group, In March 1947, money was raised or AA auxiliary, came into being in by individuals within the group as Amarillo. There was no Al-Anon at well as the community for the pur- that time. The auxiliary met upstairs pose of buying a permanent place. with the slot machines. It is said that Very shortly there was enough money my aunt, Irene B., had to be pried for a down payment on the old Dr. away from the slot machines to get Wolflin home, a two-story frame her into a meeting. In 1950 or 1951, Fragments of AA History building with a half basement, on the mortgage was paid off and the Washington Street. One member had slots were removed. brought in two checks for $5,000 In March 1950, a corporation was AA Beginnings in Amarillo from people in the community – not formed under the name of Old Corral members of thegroup. Albert R., AA Club, Inc. Then they became two sepn 1945 a doctor named George I. of with several drunks who they thought member and local building contrac- arate entities, the Old Corral Club Amarillo, Texas was back east on might be interested. tor, remodeled the building and they and the Top of Texas AA Group of business and became acquainted with A few weeks later the first AA moved into it in April 1947. Amarillo on Washington Street. Alcoholics Anonymous. He returned meeting in Amarillo was held in After lengthy discussions concern- Always present at the Sunday to Amarillo sober, bringing with him George I.’s office in the Amarillo ing how to pay the mortgage, the morning meeting was Vaughn G., several Big Books (he remained sober Building at Third and Polk Streets. AAs decided to open a drying-out who was an inspiration to us all. until he passed away in late 1956). At that first meeting there were four place upstairs. Albert R. had an in- Vaughn could say more in ten min- In March of the next year, George men. After a few weeks, there were law who was a nurse and she was to utes than any three convention speak- T., ex-Cadillac dealer and now real ten men, including Squab P. and Bill oversee the “clinic.” There were four ers could say in an hour. The closed estate broker, was committed to St. “Old Scratch” K. Searcy W. came beds for men and two for women. meetings were small, varying from Anthony’s Hospital for the third over from Lubbock. Some of the wives complained – es- about eight to ten people on Sunday or fourth time by his wife, Lucille. As the group grew, the AAs had to pecially after the rumor went around morning to around twenty on Mon- George T. had heard that George 1. seek larger quarters. They first that there were two good-looking day and Friday nights. The open was staying sober and asked, Lucille moved to Judge Gee’s 47th District women in the clinic and two of the meetings on Wednesday night usually tp have George I. stop by the hospital courtroom, then to the old Amarillo AA members had gone out and got had about thirty or thirty-five presto see him. City Auditorium. Amarillo College drunk so that they could get into it. ent. The auxiliary meeting on Friday The very next day George I. – Big was then in the auditorium and the It was then decided to put a battery night was usually attended by seven Book in hand – was at the hospital group met in one of their classrooms. of slot machines upstairs. The slot or eight women. It was years before to see George T. George T. read the As they grew and suddenly became a machines paid off the mortgage even there were any men in attendance. entire book through without stop- little more affluent, they rented an though George T. complained bitterly In early 1957, the property on ping, and the next day, he said to office in the old Johnson Building at about any kind of gambling in the Washington Street was sold to the George I., “Why don’t we start an 606 Taylor. They met there for quite club building. Years later, I asked Gulf Oil Company. The money was AA group in Amarillo?” The two some time and tried to keep it open George if it was true that he played used to purchase the old Christian men ran a small article in the news- during the day, serving coffee. Dur- the slots more than anyone else even Science Church on Taylor Street. paper and also made direct contact ing this time, some of the AAs had though he objected to them. He said, Work was begun to remodel the build-

ing in May 1957 and the Top of Texas Potter County Sheriff Paul Gaither to Group moved in June of that year. work out a solution to the problem of Bob B., the president of the Old the alcoholic who could not sober up Corral Club, contributed many hours on his own and also to relieve the probof his time – as well as hundreds of lems of drunks in jail. Sheriff Gaither dollars – to the move and the remod- came up with a solution: An AA memeling. We had run out of funds and ber could commit an alcoholic to Potvery few people knew this. Bob was ter County Jail for ten days. The alconever repaid nor did he ask to be. He holic would not be booked or charged did it out of love for AA and the club. and the time in jail would not appear The club hired the Golden Light on his record. However, he couldn’t Coffee Company to design the kitch- get out until the full ten days had been en. Dick M. and his wife opened a served and until the AA member who cafe there serving breakfast, lunch, had committed him came to get him and a late afternoon snack. Unfortu- out. He would be released to no other nately, with such limited member- person – not his wife, mother, attorship, Dick lost money and had to ney, a judge, no one. close up shop. This program later came to be From 1957 to 1960, times were known as the “AA Hold.” And it hard for both the Old Corral Club worked very well until 1956 when and the Top of Texas AA Group, but Whistle F. committed Ira W. Then always in the nick of time closed Whistle left for Arizona on business pocketbooks would open and we’d and was gone for six weeks, comsee daylight. pletely forgetting about Ira. Ira called Over the years, many new groups the club on the eleventh day to ask, sprang up. Two are still active today “Where’s Whistle? He was supposed – the Moss Lane Group and Hobbs to pick me up yesterday.” Sheriff Plaza. I have made meetings from Gaither said Whistle put him in so Hawaii to Florida and visited clubs in Whistle had to get him out. After six between and have not found .a city weeks Whistle finally returned to reanywhere near the size of Amarillo trieve poor Ira. However, there is a that has three large clubs serving the moral to this story: Ira is still sober needs of AA and Al-Anon and open thirty years later. Sheriff Gaither reall day, every day of the week, from mained one of Amarillo AA’s best seven in the morning to ten at night. and truest friends until his death in The history of AA in Amarillo, the mid-seventies. When I went into however, would not be complete AA in 1956 over fifty percent of the without mentioning the famous “Ten- sober members of the Top of Texas Day Hold” program at the Potter Group were alumni of the Potter County Jail. Sometime around 1948or County Jail Ten-Day Hold. 1949, several Amarillo AAs met with Johnny B., Amarillo, Tex..

A.A. Grapevine, May, 1992

ment for membership” was carried no dues or fees for AA membership; over into the original wording of the we are self-supporting through our Preamble. However, at the 1958 Gen- own contributions.” eral Service Conference, a delegate Over the years, as the Preamble asked about the words “honest desire caught on within the Fellowship and to stop drinking,” suggesting that with nonalcoholic friends of AA, it since “honest” does not appear in the has been translated into many other Third Tradition, it might be deleted languages – Russian and Danish from the Preamble. In discussion, being the most recent, In addition, most Conference members felt that as the Preamble has been used in tele- AA had matured. it had . become – –…al- .. . vision and radio public service an- Fragments of AA History ~ ~

most impossible t o determine what nouncements, has been adapted (subconstitutes an honest desire to stop ject to copyright approval) by many The AA Preamble drinking, and also that some who other “twelve step fellowships” as a he words contained in the AA is now known throughout the AA might be interested in the program concise definition of who and what Preamble are perhaps the most world as the Preamble. It was written could be confused by that phrase. they are. It has also been cited in often repeated words throughout the by Tom Y., the Grapevine’s first Who was to determine what was an many research papers, self-help AA Fellowship. Used to open many editor, who borrowed heavily for the “honest desire” anyway? Thus, as a books, masters theses, and has apmeetings around the world, the Pre- phrasing on the following paragraph part of the evolution of AA, the peared in the occasional doctoral disamble encapsulates the essence of in the Foreword to the first edition of phrase had been dropped from com- sertation. AA’s Traditions and gives an over- Alcoholics Anonymous: mon usage. The mid-summer meeting Such is the brief history of the AA view of the practices and principles so “We are not an organization in the of the AA General Service Board rati- Preamble – this shining beacon vital t o AA life. conventional sense of the word. fied the deletion, and since then the which draws so many sick and suffer- Yet, where did these words come There are no dues or fees whatsoever. Preamble has read simply “a desire ing alcoholics into its light. And no from? Who wrote them, and why? The only requirement for member- to stop drinking.” matter where the Preamble may end Following the first major surge of ship is an honest desire to stop drink- At the same time, the phrase “AA up, it will always be best known as the AA membership in the early 1940s, ing. We are not allied with any partic- has no dues or fees” was clarified to beginning of yet another meeting of due in part to the Jack Alexander ular faith, sect or denomination, nor read as it presently does: “There are Alcoholics Anonymous. article about AA in the Saturday Eve- do we oppose anyone. We simply ning Post and subsequent media wish to be hel~fulto those who are stories about AA, there was an in- afflicted.” creasing and widespread interest in The Preamble, initially referred to AA, both among potential candi- as “the AA Definition,” took its dates for the Fellowship and among place thereafter in each monthly isthose nonalcoholic family members, sue of the Grapevine, and soon began friends, and professionals who dealt to appear in Conference-approved with alcoholics in their daily lives. literature and many other AA pub- With the hope of providing a concise lications, definition of AA for such interested The phraseology from the Big people, the June 1947 Grapevine Book regarding “an honest desire to carried the original version of what stop drinking” as “the only require-

July 1992

of our group is filled with tears and discovers a promising fluid which he laughter, heartbreaks and happiness. shares with his fellow alcoholics. It was . . . If you will double and triple the ob-deadly poison. Harrowing hours folstacles faced under free world condi- lowed, b during which several of them tions, you will realize what we were up died. The whole prison was tense as the against. Prison environments, as well as fatalities continued to mount. Nothing some prison officials, do not readily ac- but quick blood transfusions could save cept the development of new reforms or those still living. The San Quentin AA ideas. When I first talked of introducing group volunteered instantly and spent AA inside the prison many skeptics the rest of that long night giving of argued that it was a useless fad. But themselves as they had never given be- Fragments of AA History today my original conviction of the fore. AA hadn’t been any too popular, value of AA in prisons is revealed as but now prison morale hit an all time AA in Prison correct. For we find that the man who high and stayed there. Many of the surtakes a sincere part in our Bar-Less vivors joined up. The first Prison Group he following excerpts from old Clinton T. Duffy, a small appropriation Fellowship Group is more than two had made its mark; AA had come to San Grapevines are reprinted here with by the Board of Prison Directors Ibr times as likely to make a successful pa- Quentin to stay. the hope of providing a little history of books and pamphlets to come out of the role as the man who has disregarded the “Warden Duffy then spoke. Apparentan important aspect of the Twelfth Step. inmate library fund, and the attention of program. ly we folks on the’outside know nothing From the February 1958 Grapevine the Board of Prison Terms and Paroles. “. . . There is no question but what of prison sales resistance. The dcepticomes this brief report: Membership now exceeds 225.’ the AA program is a source of strength cism of San Quentin prisoners and keep- ‘The year 1943 . . . marked the first “This quiet report from the prison and courage to the prisoner having a ers alike had been tremendous. They chapterofoneofthe most significant and paper rings the bell on one of the chap- drinking problem and wanting to do thought AA must be a racket. Or maybe moving of all the AA special services. ters in AA history that perhaps reflects something about it.” a crackpot religion. Then, objected the A modest little story from ‘The San the most widely copied and publicly ac- * prison Board, why tempt Providence by Quentin News’ dated June 17th reads: claimed sections of our fellowship . . .” From the September 1950 Grapevine, freely mixing prisoners with outsiders, ‘Approximately one year ago a hand- * reporting on talks given at that year’s alcoholic women especially? Bedlam ful of San Quentin inmates, after read- From the ~ovember1960 Grapevine International Convention: would be unloosed. But our friend the ing the book Alcoholics Anonymous met comes this article entitled “A Twentieth “Next came that wonderful session on Warden, somehow deeply convinced, with Ricardo Maestas, special com- Century Miracle,” by Alfred E. Dowd, prisons. Our great friend, Warden insisted on AA. To this day, he said, not misary inmate clerk, and arrived at two Warden, Indiana State Prison: Duffy, told the startling story of our a single prison rule has ever been broken definite conclusions. First, they decided “It was in 1944 that a twentieth cen- original group at San Quentin. His ac- at an AA meeting though hundreds of they were alcoholics. Second, that they tury miracle came to the Indiana State count of AA’s five-year history there had gatherings have been attended by hunshould do something about it in an at- Prison-Alcoholics Anonymous. Our a moving prelude. We heard a recording, dreds of prisoners with almost no watchtempt to prevent further disaster after group, one of the three oldest prison soon for radio release, that thrillingly ing at all. Hardly needed is that solitary, their release. Despite ridicule of being groups, was inaugurated sixteen years dramatized an actual incident of AA life sympathetic guard who sits in the back dubbed “winos” by their fellow inmates ago, about the time that Warden Clinton within the walls. An alcoholic prisoner row. and the bantering challenge of skeptics, Duffy of San Quentin, California, and mcts bitterly to his c ~ ~ n e m e n andt de- “The Warden added that most prison this nucleus won the support of Joseph Warden Joe E. Ragen, of Illinois State velops amazing ingenuity in finding and authorities throughout the United States ‘ H. Fletcher, Captain of the Yard . . . ob Prison, offered AA to the inmates of drinking alcohol. Soon he becomes too and Canada share his views of Alcoholtained a go-ahead nod from Warden their respective institutions. The story ingenious. In the prison paint shop he ics Anonymous. Hitherto 80% of pa-

roled alcoholic prisoners had to be hospitals ‘dark corners.’ for humanity sccyoped up and taken back to jail. Many and modern medical science have institutions now report that this percent- brought light and hope into the bleak age has dropped to one-half, even one- ‘insane asylums’ and the vegetable bins third of what it used to be.” for thc ‘incurably ill’ of the past. . . . * “There can be, however, no denying And finally, comes this excerpt from the fact that American jails are places “Keep AA Alive in Our Jails!” by into which little light ever pene- Austin H. MacCormick, former nonal- trates . . . coholic Class A Trustee, in the April “In most of the county jails of the 1963 Grapevine: country, no ameliorating influence of “Of all the dark corners of the earth any sort, no application of either huin which Alcoholics Anonymous has manity or science, no effort to salvage taken root and grown to mature the inmates is ever seen, with one strength, the 502 prisons and jail groups exception-when AA comes in and with over 20,000 members and the 445 stays in, although it is usually working groups in mental, veterans’, tubercular under almost insuperable handicaps and other hospitals with about eleven with men and women who are hard to thousand members give me the greatest reach and hard to hold. satisfaction, because of my professional “It is in this area that I hope AA career of 45 years in the correctional groups will increase in number and in field and my life-long interest also in the effectiveness . . . AA has brought some field of mental health. light into this dark picture, and must “It is perhaps not fair to call these steadily bring more and more.”

October 1992

return as a patient. You should also forecast of bad weather. After talking know that this is not an official AA with Clyde, I had to ask my young program, but we have regularly Son Johnny to take over on the tractor. scheduled AA meetings, which you bhnny was barely old enough to will be required to attend. You also handle a tractor, but he knew how. will be invited to lots of informal, Clyde and 1 drove to the city jail impromptu meetings our patients and picked up a man in his sixties hold at all hours. Please go to as many who called himself Bus. He had been meetings as you can, because AA is locked up for about twelve hours after the best way to stay sober.” being involved in a drunken brawl, After Ted was checked in, Sister and he was a mess. I remember espe- Ignatia continued an unhurried con- cially that he was wearing a dirty old Fragments of AA History versation with Clyde and me. She beaver hat, with the lining tom out took a keen interest in what he said and hanging down one side of his Sister lgnatia of Rosarv Hall about my AA progress and made me face. He was surly and refused to tee1 highly complimented with her shake hands with us, but we were IIt was in the spring of 1958, about a year after Madeline and I had joined AA together, that I received a in deep despair, and Ted was a picture of remorse. He was almost eager to go with us to Rosary Hall. questions. In just a matter of minutes, she gave me a kind of encouragement that stayed with me for many months. stuck with him. After his twelve hours in a cell, Bus was soon complaining about late-night call from Clyde T., asking Sister Ignatia, in an immaculate When we picked Ted up, fourteen thirst and demanding a drink. We if I would help him take a sick al- white habit, was there at the reception days later, Sister lgnatia reminded stopped and bought him two bottles coholic to Cleveland’s Rosary Hall desk. As she rose to greet us 1 must him: “Keep in touch with your AA of Coca-Cola, which he promptly the next morning. The place was 140 have had a sudden look of shocked sponsor.” She also gave him a little drained, so we stopped and bought miles from our town of Deshler, surprise. Clyde’s comments about her disk, about the size of a poker chip, him a six-pack of Coke. He was soon Ohio. Clyde said he had called a heroic deeds had led me to expect and said, “Keep this in your pocket complaining again about thirst, but nonalcoholic woman named Sister Ig- some sort of powerhouse person; in- with your change. Before you ever we told him enough was enough. natia to make the arrangements. He stead, I found myself towering over buy another drink, try to break this This time, Sister Ignatia took one had met her on some earlier visit. a delicately beautiful woman who chip in two. It will make you give look at the patient then looked very “You’ll like her,” he said. “Before stood a scant five feet tall and extra thought to what you’re doing.” suspiciously at me. I gave her my she went to Rosary Hall, she worked weighed less than 100 pounds. The My second meeting with Sister Ig- most pleading look, hoping she with Dr. Bob at St. Thomas Hospital welcoming hand she stretched out to natia came about eighteen months wouldn’t send us away on a return in Akron, back in the early days of us was a tiny one, but the handshake later. It began, again, with a call from trip with this disagreeable drunk. I AA. She was the first person who was remarkably firm. She looked me Clyde T. Our group had asked the guess she read my mind. “We will ever got one of Dr. Bob’s sick al- straight in the eyes with a strong, local police department to let us know accept him,” she said. Then she coholics into a hospital.” steady gaze that commanded my total anytime they picked up someone for turned to Bus and asked, “Before we Early the next morning, we picked attention. drunkenness, and the police had wel- take you in here, let me ask you: Do up our new fellow AA, Ted W., in a She spoke softly but very precisely. comed our offer. Now they had a you think you could get sober on your tearful scene with his wife and five After a gracious welcome to Ted, she drunk for us. own, without help?” children. Ted had taken a time-out told him: “This is a one-time, four- This was a very inconvenient time Bus’s response to that was a burst from AA for a binge, and a week’s teen-day program. You may return for me. 1 was a farmer, working in of profanity. He was a big man, over wages had disappeared. His wife was here as a visitor, but you may never one of my fields and trying to beat a six feet tall and weighing more than

did. I should warn you that when you the table and told me, in a pitiful, wouldn’t repeat the mistake we had bring somebody on a trip of that pleading way, “Y’know, I’ve got to made with Bus. length, do not bring him without do something about this. I’ve been Ruff was a gentleman, and very some alcohol to drink – especially if on this now for about two or three polite. But he decided when we were he has been in jail and has been com- weeks and I can’t get off it.” about halfway to Cleveland that he pletely off it.” I said, “Would you be willing to was going to go back home. He began It was another year later that I had go to Cleveland, to Sister Ignatia’s to make such a fuss that Clyde handed my third and last meeting with Sister hospital?” him the bottle and said, “Have a little Ignatia. On that occasion, Clyde and “I’d be willing to go anywhere,” drink, Ruff.” That calmed him down I brought her an AA friend named he said, “if you can just get me off so quickly that we continued to offer Ruff W., a dignified, well-dressed of this.” him a drink whenever he talked about business executive in his fifties. It was going on midnight by that going home. Ruff’s wife, who was in Al-Anon, time, but I called Clyde, who never When we arrived at Rosary Hall, had called me at about ten the night complained, and Clyde, I, and Ruff Ruff got out of the car and asked, before, asking if Madeline and I could set out for Cleveland. I told Clyde I “Where are we?” told him, “You’re come over to their house, right away, would bring a bottle along so that we at Rosary Hall and you’re going to 250 pounds, and he was loud. to see Ruff. We were puzzled by what Almost instantly, I saw a totally sounded like an emergency, bccausc different Sister Ignatia. She was out Ruff had never shown any signs of a of her chair and on her feet, waving problem. To us, he was always a a finger in that man’s face – and he model AA. was wilting. In a steely tone, she told When we arrived, we learned that him: “Sir, we do not tolerate vulgar Ruff was drinking. Ruff’s wife language of any kind in this place. If Martha had hidden his bottle and Ruff you say one more word like that, you was getting belligerent. 1 asked will leave!” Martha to put the bottle out on the ‘ Then in a suddenly gentle tone, she table and let him drink as much as asked me, “Has this man had a drink he wanted. of liquor recently?” Ruff looked at the bottle for a long “No,” 1 said. “Not for about fifteen time. Then he turned to me and asked, hours or so.” “Won’t this bother you?” She nodded, called an orderly, and “No,” I said, “because I don’t want told him: “Take this man out, give any of it. You’re the one who’s sick, him two double-belts, and bring him and I guess you want to get sicker. back in twenty minutes.” So go ahead.” As soon as Bus had left the room, “I will,” he said. “I’ll drink it all.” Sister Ignatia asked me,'”Karl, have “Fine,” I told him. “If that’s not you ever seen a real bad case of DTs?” enough, I’ll get more.” I shook my head. “No, Sister, I Ruff kept muttering, “I’ll drink it haven’t.” all,” but he never touched it. After a “Well,” she said, “you very nearly long while, he slammed his fist on

be a patient here for two weeks.” to admit he was an alcoholic, she said “Oh, no I’m not,” he said in a very that some people seemed to need one feisty way, and he started to get back more, final drunk. “It’s just posinto the car, but I grabbed him. He sible,” she said, “that this was what fought back and suddenly we were he needed.” having a disgraceful scuffle right That was the last time I saw Sister there in front of Rosary Hall. Ignatia of Rosary Hall. Madeline and Fortunately, Clyde quickly inter- I were about to leave the farm, with vened, bottle in hand. “Come on, our four young ones, and move to Ruff,” he said, “have a little drink.” New Orleans; and we were never Ruff took one big swallow, and then good with letters, even to old friends. a few more, and then we all walked But I kept inquiring about Sister Igquietly into Rosary Hall and up to the natia when I met Ohio people at meetreception desk where little Sister Ig- ings, so I was promptly informed natia was waiting in her immaculate about her death in 1966. white habit. I didn’t see a picture of Sister Ig- She immediately called my name, natia until Dr. Bob and rl~eGood 0111and I was flattered that she remem- timers came out in 1980. And never, bered me so well. But her voice, this in any of the books I have read, have time, was surprisingly stern. I seen anything about the unforget- “Karl,” she began, “I told you to table personality of Sister Ignatia, give the person a little something to who worked so tirelessly with Dr. drink.” Her voice rose again and she Bob. She certainly had a lot to do gave me her most wilting look. “I did with my own sobriety, for which 1’11 not tell you, Karl, to bring him always be deeply grateful. here drunk!” Madeline and 1 came into AA to- Ruff was mumbling incoherently, gether in 1957. We did everything that and he asked Sister Ignatia, in a loud, was suggested and now we have slurred voice: “Who are you?” medallions for thirty-four years of liv- Sister Ignatia began to speak softly ing sober. We also have observed our to Ruff and within five minutes he fiftieth wedding anniversary, and was answering questions like a sober Madeline has always been my most person. I couldn’t believe what I was faithful helper on lbelfth Step calls. seeing and hearing. When Clyde and Now I’m eighty-two years old and I I began to leave, Ruff was suddenly haven’t been to a meeting since yesterrified. But Sister Ignatia calmed terday. Without this great Fellowship him down with a few more words. and its program, 1 would not have She had a way of working miracles been given the opportunity to live so with unruly people. full and happy a life after so many Later when I was talking with Sis- years of destructive drinking. ter Ignatia about Ruff and his refusal Karl H . , Eustis, Flu.

December 1992

with one another. sound a trumpet before thee as the People of those times were ad- hypocrites do in the synagogues and vised, for example, to “be a tail in the streets that they may have glory among lions rather than the head of men . . . and when thou prayest ‘ among foxes.” They were reminded enter into thy closet and when thou also that “envy . . . and vainglory hast shut thy door pray to thy Father shorten a man’s life.” In addition, which is in secret and thy father which they were urged: “Do not seek great- seeth in secret shall reward thee ness for yourself and do not crave openly.” honors . . . do not desire the table of It’s a long way in time and space Fragments of AA History kings for your table is greater than and atmosphere from the Mount of I theirs, your crown is more glorious Olives early in the first century A.D. Exploring Anonymity than theirs.” to the second day of April, 1840, and fiom a presentation to the 39th General Service Conference) Still further they were advised that Chase’s Tavern on Liberty Street in here are many in Alcoholics All public offices were open to T Anonymous today who are of every citizen of the state. But the this opinion concerning anonymity: terms of thpse offices were limited to “he who seeks greater reputation loses his reputation; he who makes unworthy use of learning shall Baltimore, Maryland. A big difference in specific purpose, too – though the spirit of the event was one cif that we urge upon each other the prac- one year, or two years at the most. perish.” It, was also taught and prac- mutuality. tice of anonymity not as an act of This was the ancient Athenians’ way ticed by the faithful that “nothing (is) For on that date, six drinking hiding or humility but as a route to of providing equal opportunity for all better for a person than silence . . . friends met to launch a series of one of life’s most elusive rewards – and, at the same time, guarding and whoever talks too much brings nightly meetings, made a decision to a genuine and well-deserved content- against anyone from the general popu- about sin.” stop their drinking, and took a pledge ment with oneself. However, we are lation rising too far above the crowd, As evidence of how strongly the to do so. not the first in history to do so. becoming a big shot and big mouth ancient Hebrews believed in the re- They called themselves the Wash- The Greeks had a word for it almost and attempting to take over. wards of anonymity, a commandment ingtonians and in a year’s time they four thousand years ago: anonymos, In the Ha-Siddur Ha-Shalom, the of the Sukkah reads: “Him that hum- had reformed 1,000 drunks and had or “without name.” daily prayer book of Judaism, it is bles himself the Holy One raises up But though they had a word for it, revealed most eloquently and some- and him who exalts himself the Holy they didn’t have a way with it. Ac- times graphically that the Hebrew One humbles” and “from him who cording to today’s authorities on people of more than two thousand seeks greatness, geatness flees those ancient times – particularly that years ago praised anonymity as a vir- [while] him who flees from greatness, period when Athens was in its glory tue and strove to practice it for its greatness follows.” – the Greeks were justifiably too spiritual as well as its material gains. Several hundred years after the boastful a bunch even to consider In the ancient Mishnah of the Tal- time of the “Ethics of the Fathers,” anonymity, much less to practice it. mud, excerpts from the chapter en- Christ spoke in praise of the humility These same Athenians, however, titled “Ethics of the Fathers” show that fosters anonymity when he said created and nurtured a democracy in how strongly it was urged upon the “blessed are the meek for they shall a form so pure that it was in fact, as people of those times to recognize the inherit the earth.” In his Sermon on well as in spirit, a recognition of at danger of seeking self-greatness and the Mount, he went on to say: “‘Itlke least some of the protectiveness and acknowledging the greater good of heed that ye do not your alms before reward of anonymity. being one of the crowd and working men to be seen by them . . . do not

friends. On their second anniversary, campaigns for funds, and eager pubone of their groups in the Midwest lic searches for support, endorse- Bill said, “Anonymity was not born another “yes” or “no” decision about was addressed by a young United ment, and even group participation of confidence; the bare hint of public- anonymity. And this one was not so States Congressman from Illinois of well-known personalities. ity shocked us . . . we were afraid of easy to solve. The year was 1941 and named Abraham Lincoln. AA’s earliest members, chief developing erratic public characters the subject was the Jack Alexander So rapid was its rise that it soon among them co-founders Bill W. and ‘ who . . . might get drunk in public article scheduled to appear in a forthhad 600,000 members. Along the Dr. Bob, were associated with the Ox- and so destroy confidence in us. . . .” coming edition of the Saturday Eveway, however, it became so involved ford Group and were on hand, it is , There was also a practical side for ning Post. All had gone just as – even concentrated – on promotion reported, for a gathering in New York this early need for anonymity. With planned during preparation of the of its aims and success that its main City where Buchman revealed for the so few members in the beginning piece. Jack Alexander had exhibited and original purpose began to evapo- first time his personal hopes for deal- years, with no office staff or printed grkat enthusiasm and also unusual unrate. Still further, many of its mem- ing with the problem of alcoholism. matter to explain or describe the AA derstanding of the program. Members became embroiled in public con- “I’m all for alcoholics getting program, there was a fear that indi- bers’ names had been changed. No troversies, giving voice to and taking changed,” he announced, “but we viduals would be overwhelmed with pictures had been taken. Everyone sides in such outside matters as abo- have drunken nations on our hands a flood of requests for information concerned was overjoyed with the oplition of slavery and temperance. as well. ” and a chorus of urgent pleas for help portunity to let the whole nation – the By the end of 1847,just seven years It was 1938, and before long the – all beyond the ability of that small world in fact – know about AA, its after it began its original noble ven- Oxford Group was transformed into membership to handle. So AA ano- purpose and progress. ture, the Washingtonian movement what was called Moral Reannament, nymity at that time was not a cover- Then came a message from editors had faded out of existence and ceased with Frank Buchman still at the head up; it was a necessity. at the Post: Pictures would now be activity except in Boston where, in of it – now with the purpose of bring- Was there ever any thought, how- taken to go along with the article. all too brief a time, it vanished al- ing the nations of the world together ever, that there might be exceptions Back went a message from the AA together. by strictly peaceful means. concerning certain individuals or cer- office to the Post: “Because of About seventy years later, another By 1939, a changing AA and a tain circumstances, when the urgency anonymity – sorry, no pictures.” movement surfaced that was to be re- changing Oxford Group had drifted of anonymity need not apply and In quick return came the reply from markably effective for a couple of apart. But in talking later about AA’s could be dropped? Bill himself had the Post: “No pictures? Sorry, no ardecades. This was the Oxford Group infancy in that fellowship, Bill said to struggle with just that question in ticle.” (whose purpose was not primarily to of the Oxford Group members: “They the early days. In responding to a Now a decision – and a hard one sober up drunks – though some did had clearly shown us what to do” . friend who asked, “Is there ever a -had to be made, and quickly. Would sober up using their principles). (and) “we also learned from them time when anonymity could or even the expected positive effect of the ar- Interestingly, its founder, Frank what not to do so far as alcoholics should be dropped?” Bill wrote: ticle ,- especially that of carrying the Buchman, saw great virtue in ano- were concerned – too authoritarian, “Just before publication of the message of hope to the still-active alnymity; for a considerable length of aggressive evangelism, absolute con- book, I toyed with the idea of signing coholic -outweigh the possible negatime he preferred to be known only cepts which were frequently too much my name to it. I even thought of call- tive effect of the anonymity break and as “Frank B.” This was to change, for drunks, dependence upon the use ing AA ‘The Wilson Movement. ‘ Had therefore justify that break? however, along with the overall tone of prominent names (mighty hazard- I then dropped my anonymity it is AA’s answer was “yes” and Jack of the original Oxford Group move- ous for US).” And, because of the entirely possible that you and Alexander’s article ran with pictures. ment. Before too long, ordinary mem- stigma at that time of alcoholism, thousands of others might not be alive (One picture in the Saturday Evening bership purposes were shunted aside “most alcoholics wanted to be today. This movement would have Post article showed full faces of AA and eventually overwhelmed by in- anonymous.” gotten off to a false start entirely.” members; however, they were not creasing cases of personal ambition, Commenting on this still further, Another time, Bill (along with the identified by name.) His report is recentire AA office) was faced with ognized to this day as a major turning

—

1. discouraged any Nobel Prize When Bill died, his anonymity was So, there is indeed such a thing as possibility for himself; broken in the press (as was Dr. Bob’s an AA member being “too anonyrn- 2. declined awards from several at the time of his earlier death). But ous”: (1) where it can mean failure colleges (suggesting they be offered both Bill and Dr. Bob were buried, to extend the helping hand when the instead to the Fellowship itself); years and miles apart, without fanfare need arises; (2) where it can mean 3. turned down inclusion of his and there is no mention on their tombfailure to correct misconceptions name and a brief personal history in stones of their great and lasting conabout AA, both inside and outside Who’s Who in America (his mother tributions to Alcoholics Anonymous. the Fellowship; and (3) where it can did the same); Clearly, in the manner in which stifle – even stop – the flow of AA 4. said thank you but no thanks to they both lived their anonymity, Dr. knowledge and subsequent sobriety an honorary degree from Yale Univer- Bob and Bill acted on the same ideas from one person to another. sity in New Haven; as the advice given in the ethics of This is anonymity at the personal 5. rejected a ‘lime magazine story the fathers more than 2,300 years ago: level and,can indeed be – and some- that would have included his full-face “that it is better to be a tail among times is – carried too far, even as Bill picture on the cover of that national lions than the head among foxes.” says to “the point of real absurdity.” publication; And just as clearly, their lives have Anonymity at the public level, how- 6. refused the Lasker Award demonstrated how sure are the reever, is another matter, and no (which was then given to Alcoholics war& of humility promised those member of the AA Fellowship has Anonymous instead); same many centuries ago, to wit: shown the genuine humility to prac- 7. and posthumously (through his “from him who seeks greatness, greatpoint in the strength and growth of tice anonymity at the public level wife Lois) declined an honorary de- ness flees [while] him who flees great- AA as a Fellowship looked upon with more dramatically and in a more truly gree from his old school, Vermont’s ness, greatness follows.” respect, admiration, and even honor self-sacrificing manner than Bill him- Norwich University. Anonymous, New York, N. Y. around the world. self. No look at anonymity as practiced Considering the size of today’s AA , by AA can be truly complete, how- population, the number of public ever, without including the question: anonymity breaks – though most dis- Is it possible for an AA member to comforting when they do occur and be too anonymous – too anonymous sometimes potentially dangerous for the good of the individual and the are comparatively few and in- Fellowship? The answer is “yes.” frequent. This may be because as AA And there are more than a few exam- matures, its members more fully unples of this. For example, there are derstand the value to themselves for members who feel they must not tell anonymity at the public level. It may their families or their friends or co- be also because of Bill’s remarkably workers or doctors or ministers or powerful example of personal saclawyers that they are members of AA. rifice – his consistent backing away There have even been instances when from personal honor for the good of members have sent requests for infor- all. mation to GSO and not included a What a demonstration of anonymlast name or have sent checks – hard ity in action this is for all to follow. to believe – unsigned. Over a period of years, Bill:

April 1993 just at the time of America’s involve- the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, ment in World War 11. There were and Bill W., AA’s co-founder. Radio seven people present. programs were used to spread the This fledgling AA group soon niessage of hope to still suffering almoved from the dentist’s office to var- coholics. This publicity led to the creious home meetings hosted by AAs ation of an answering service staffed and their wives. These meetings were by AAs. Clubrooms located in area casual, mobile, restricted in size, and hotels were places where members served to convince the AAs that they could find coffee and companionship. had to do two things if AA in Hartford were to survive: repay the generosity Early Strategies For Fragments of AA History of their many hosts and hostesses, Helping Alcoholics and find larger and more permanent During these pioneering years, quarters. there were few hospitals that would The Hartford Blue Plate Group They satisfied the first need accept drunks, especially repeaters, through holding a buffet – and meet- since the illness was considered a n 1941 four towns in Connecticut drinker to talk to. The man was Red ing – at the Blue Plate Restaurant, a moral failing or a lack of willpower r[ had active AA groups: Green- W., and he was just coming off a tea room on Fannington Avenue in rather than a disease or addiction. With no detox facilities available, wich, New Haven, Bridgeport, and binge. At the same time, Harold H. West Hartford. The second took care Hartford. The Greenwich group was met an old drinking buddy at a family of itself when the tea room owners new members were sobered up in a founded in 1939and is the third oldest picnic and discovered that his friend invited the group to use their banquet hotel room by AAs standing watch AA group in the country. Between had been sober a month, thanks to hall on Monday nights when the es- and talking with them in shifts. Some- 1941 and 1955, sixteen more Hartford what he had learned about AA from tablishment was closed for business. times primitive treatment facilities m a groups came into being, all the Big Book. These pioneering AAs had a first-an- were set up, such as one in a farmfounded by courageous men and Red got a copy of the Big Book – niversary celebration at the Allyn house in New Boston or at local hoswomen who were willing to take risks as did Harold H. – and both tried House Hotel in Hartford. It was quite pitals. In those days, the rules reand devote the time and effort needed unsuccessfully to establish their own a grand occasion, with local press quired another AA member to be presto help others and keep themselves AA group. Although neither man coverage, support from congressmen, ent when the detoxed alcoholic was sober. knew it at the time, they had a lot in the governor, a U.S . senator and even released and on more than one occa- The Hartford Blue Plate Group common. Both were single, lived a return visit from Hal of Cleveland, sion – especially as the number of owes a debt of enduring gratitude to near one another, took the same bus who came back especially for this patients increased – a newly sober three men: Hal S. from the Cleveland, to work, were exempt from military event. AA had to stay an extra weekend in Ohio, AA Group, and Harold ” R e d service, and, most important, each the hospital when his sponsor of rec- W. and Harold H., both from Hart- was staying off the bottle with the How Hartford Area AA Grew ord left town for a few days or forgot ford. In 1941, newly sober Hal S. help of the Big Book. During the 1940s, the Blue Plate about him for a day or two. Things came to Hartford to attend an insur- After the AA office in New York members and other AAs carried the didn’t always work perfectly. ance school. He wanted to attend a sent Red the names of two other Big word to other alcoholics through open It was not until 1947 that Sister meeting while there but finding none, Book readers in the area, the first of- or public meetings at which local AAs Aquinas of St. Francis Hospital he did the next best thing and fol- ficial AA meeting was held in a den- and prominent personalities spoke. opened up “Ward 8” to detox up to lowed one of the prime suggestions tist’s office on Main Street in Hart- some of the speakers were ~ h a r l e s eight persons at a time. With an AA of those early days: find a well-known ford. The time was December 1941, Jackson, author of The Lost Weekend, committee of two men and one

woman to help supervise the fledgling chaired the meeting, but had to resign stories influenced the evolution of Group, for example, was founded program, a person could stay for a the post if he or she got drunk. Sur- AA. Some AAs had been in the rnili- with the help of nonalcoholic drinkers week for the sum of fifty-five dollars; names, family names, addresses, and tary, were construction workers and who didn’t join the group and yet a return was not allowed unless a re- telephone numbers were common union members, or knew firsthand the were sympathetic toward alcoholics. peater had been sober through atten- group knowledge. The group oper- problems of street people, workers, The person who collected the rent at dance at AA meetings for six months ated on a “buddy system” – a member and down-and-outers. These folks the Blue Plate Restaurant, for examor more. No one was released from absent for two meetings always got had a particular sense of empathy for ple, sat quietly at the back ofthe room Ward 8 unless two AAs were present a checkup call to see if everything those who, like themselves, needed during meetings, a beer constantly at to escort the individual home. was okay or not. a little more help to get on the road hand, while saying very little about These first AA meetings had no set The meeting was usually opened to sobriety. the whole process that he had a hand patterns or plan of organization until with a brief history of AA, including Sometimes ‘Ibelfth Step work in starting. a comfortable routine naturally something of Bill W.’s and Dr. Bob’s moved in strange ways. One Man- A close working relationship deemerged. Members flew by the seat message of hope for the recovering chester drinker named Fred had veloped among AAs. They respected of their pants, or with the guidance alcoholic. The first speaker was then sought help from his parish priest for one another, cherished their newof a divine providence, in working introduced to tell his story; if he was years to help him get off the bottle. found companionship and mutual out what seemed best for them. Early sober less than a year, it was usually The priest told Fred that he couldn’t concern, love and respect. They dismeetings had one Big Book, a few a short one. One time a new man help him anymore; it was, he said, a covered that AA people were often sober good guys, and a lot of Active came to the Blue Plate meeting hopeless situation. But six weeks well-positioned and well-educated, drinkers. Members chaired meetings washed up, shirted and tied, ready to later, the priest was amazed to see yet had a common problem, an addicalphabetically, with one chair choos- speak at his sponsor’s suggestion. He Fred sober and cheerful and he asked tion to alcohol. When they realized ing a topic for discussion such as had just said, “My name is Tom, I’m him, “What happened?” Fred told they were no longer alone, the next humility, gratitude, or sobriety. Col- an alcoholic,” when his sponsor cut him about attending AA in West important lesson was that they were lections were informal – a hat was in with “OK, Tom, that’s enough for Hartford, and to Fred’s surprise, the in it together and had to do their best passed for those who had some spare now.” priest – called Father T. – im- to make it work for all not just some. change to throw in. There were official greeters to wel- mediately asked. “Could I go to AA Yesterday’s lost causes eventually become newcomers, and as AA grew too?’This he did -with good results, came the next day’s winners, leaders, How Did AA Work in the in size, techniques were developed to we may thankfully add. and service workers. They were learn- Early Days? identify newcomers and to make them Early AAs sought help from physi- ing that what goes around comes The first Blue Plate meetings, ac- welcome. For example, the coffee, cians, clergy, politicians, business around. cording to old-timers, generally cream, and sugar were put in another people – any quarter that could ad- Francis F. and Wayne F., lasted from 8:30 to 10:00 P.M.every room as a surefire way to identify a vance the AA cause. The Blue Plate Farmington, Conn. Monday. Since the group wanted to first-time visitor, who had to ask be independent, their modest collec- where they were. Also discussed tion of coins (folding money was a early on was the utility of women rarity) was used to pay the rent and sponsoring women and men sponsorto get a five-gallon container of How- ing men. ard Johnson’s coffee. Newcomers Meetings made ample use of prayer were not asked to do any more than to keep themselves going, along with simple chores for their first six a strong dose of camaraderie and team months, after which they could spirit. As new members joined AA, ‘ speak, if asked. A group secretary their personal strengths and life

May 1993

a. What was the “Samaritan Treatment” mentioned in the Big Book story, “A Flower of the South?” A. It was a fashionable treatment modality for alcoholism not unlike the Towns Hospital approach which used gold salts, barbiturates, etc., and it may have had an aversion aspect to it which is still being used in some places on the west coast. It was also similar in kind to the so-called belladona treatment Bill W. mentions on page 7. Q. What is the L.I.M.? A. It is a bimonthly bulletin called the “Loners-Internationalists Meeting,” put out by the General Service Office as an AA meeting for those who cannot attend regular meetings. Q. Why is the book Alcoholics Anonymous called the Big Book? A. It was printed on thick paper to help convince purchasers that they were getting their money’s worth. (See AA Comes of Age, page 170.) If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., Box 1980, Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163

June 19J3 had mentioned that he was thinking AA clubroom on Cochrane Street was about sending away to New York to flourishing – it was sometimes reget information about AA. Paddy ferred to as one of the great achieveagreed to call Peter and introduce me. ments of the current government. Peter and I had lunch together, and I vividly recall visiting St. John’s

Firm in his bombastic style he declared that and attending a meeting at that he was on board, and we would be clubhouse. The meeting area was getting our next new member that crowded with people, but as the meet-

Foundation evening. That night we met at Sud- ing was called to order, most of them bury Hospital at the bedside of a pa- moved upstairs to the card and recretient named Malcolm H., and ation rooms. I’m not sure if the AA whether he really wanted it or not, Traditions had been written at that One of the jive AAs who were present at he was subjected to an hour of the time or if they were available, but the AA story and what a wonderful thing brief history of Cochrane Street AA Newfoundland S first meeting, it would be for him. Not only did certainly showed the need for them.’ at the Glynmill Inn in Cornerbrook, October 1949, Malcolm get the story, but so did About two years later, during a visit shares memories of early AA in that province. about twenty other patients on the to St. John’s, I called a friend to ask ward, because Peter was one of the about the time and place for a meetmost effective orators in Newfound- ing, and he told me there were no A bout three weeks after that first meeting, Jerry E. called me and suggested we have a meeting at my as we were beginning to get our hopes up for a decent family life, now you are going to throw it all away again. land. Every time Peter would mention longer any regularly held meetings. alcohol, Malcolm would hold a finger Some time elapsed before the Fellowto his lips and say “hush,” as he did ship once again established a firm home the next night and that I should You know you cannot go to St. John’s not want the other patients to foothold in St. John’s. share some of my experiences before and meet all your old drinking pals know why he was there. Peter did get During the early 1950s there was . and after my two months sober in without getting drunk again.” That Malcolm to agree to be a member, good progress in the Cornerbrook AA. I lay awake all that night, trying night I had a call from Jerry E., who and that was the beginning of the first m a , despite considerable stigma at to put together some thoughts. was also worried about my going to AA group in St. John’s. the public level. As the group mem- That night five of us gathered in St. John’s and was coming over to Peter and Malcolm, both politi- bership grew to the point where we my living room. My wife and her talk about it. cians, started one of the greatest needed space to conduct regular meetcousin, who lived with us, were in Jerry came again the next morning, crusades ever seen in the Fellowship. ings, we had real problems retaining the kitchen. I secured the door from drove to the station with me, gave me They solicited the cooperation of a meeting places. We started first in inthe living room to the kitchen, placed some good advice about carrying the wdll-known psychiatrist and filled al- dividual members’ homes. Then we a rug against the door to block the message, and wished me good luck most every available bed at the Water- rented a room over the PalaceTheater, noise, and warned them that no matter and a safe return. The business deal ford Hospital; after release, efforts and set about with great enthusiasm what might happen we were not to didn’t take very long, and within a were made to find suitable employ- painting and cleaning at our expense, be disturbed, because we were talking few hours my crusade to dry up all ment, and patients were given other and we paid the required rent in advery important business. the drunks in St. John’s was in high help toward rehabilitation. The two vance. But lo and behold, in the sec- In December of that year, 1 had to gear. AAs were actively involved in the ond month of occupancy our landlord visit St. John’s for a business trip. I One of these prospects was Paddy political scene, and their combined said that in the event of fire his insurbroke the news to my wife Madge, H., a lawyer, who felt no need for forces enabled them to acquire fund- ance would be nullified because his and she started to cry. “My God, just AA, but he knew about Peter C., who ing from the government. Soon the premises were being used by a bunch

of drunks. At least two volatile new debating procedural rules and regula- we had learned that each group should next meeting.” members got drunk and suggested tions, such as how bad a drunk had be self-supporting, and the group re- A prominent union organizer had that somebody should bum the Palace to be to qualify for membership, and jected the member’s offer. He just built a new union headquarters, down just to get even. But common how many slips were permitted to stormed out of the meeting, never to and in appreciation for what AA had sense prevailed, and just as there qualify for renewal of membership. return, as a result of our decision. I done for several of his members, he seemed to be no solution, Sid the Gambling and card playing in the was one of his pallbearers about two gave us the old clubhouse for a dollar barber, who was awful sick, asked meeting places soon reared its head. years later, after he had died on a – the first meeting place of our own. for help, and we used his barbershop drunk. It was not a very fancy place – no as a meeting place for two months. In Cornerbrook, as elsewhere dur- running water or toilet facilities -but By this time, though, membership ing this early period, there was a great we had a fine old coal stove and table was growing, and the shop was burst- One morning Bobby spirit of fellowship and enthusiasm and chairs. Our next door neighbor ing at the seams. One of our members managed to put together a rental deal staggered into my among most members. Nearly every- was one of the most popular taverns one who approached the group was in the city, and the location undoubtfor the use of a nice place at the Knights of Columbus clubrooms; it office.. . and to quite well known in the community. edly posed some tough decisions for The most conspicuous in our town some of our prospective members. was really posh, with plenty of chairs, my surprise he was a fellow by the name of Bobby One night, I suggested that it might washrooms, a kitchen, and rent that B. He had taken a terrible beating be nice if we were to invite our wives was within our means. didn’t ask for the from alcohol, and been written off by and sweethearts to some form of so- We were really rolling along, then bang! When we went to pay our rent price of a beer. . . almost everyone in the community. 1 cial evening. Tine suggestion almost believed that if AA could only snare broke our group apart, and I was for the fourth month, we were advised Bobby, the balance of the drunks in shouted down. Some weeks later, I that we could no longer use the prem- ‘Where are those town would surrender or grasp the brought it up again, and we agreed ises. We went from there to a bingo hall for two months, until we were damn meetings, and program soon after. This idea cost me (by a very close vote) to invite the quite a bit of money for about two women to one trial social get-toasked to leave. Despite all these problems, there what goes on years, because every time Bobby and gether, outside of the AA meeting. It I met he would put the arm on me worked out so well that its opponents was never any incident in any of the there?’ for the price of a beer. This would expressed the opinion that it was a places to warrant our being expelled. give me ten minutes to talk to him wonderful evening, which should be- But bear in mind that at that time on the merits of AA and the fact that come a permanent and frequent part public awareness of alcoholism was This common AA problem eventually several of his friends had joined. of our group. practically nil; there was also little went away, but not before driving One morning Bobby staggered into AA continued to prosper and grow cooperation of organized religion in some of our members back to the rrvy office, looking like the wrath of in Cornerbrook, and about five years our area, and regrettably the medical bottle. God, and to my surprise he didn’t ask after the formation of the first group, profession was no better informed I can recall a rather unique situation for the price of a beer. In his very we were blessed by the arrival of the than the clergy. During our drinking at a meeting one night. The group gruff Scotch voice he said, “Where first woman alcoholic, Ruth K., as a days a lot of us had done plenty of needed some extra cash – not a great are those damn meetings, and what member of our group. She proved of harm, so the problems really were of lot. The problem triggered some goes on there?’He agreed to come tremendous help to all us male memour own making, and in retrospect, heated discussion, which brought to a meeting that night, and to my bers, and to the many female memmaybe it was best that way. forth an offer from one of the mem- surprise he just sat and listened. bers who eventually followed. In the first couple of years, we bers present to donate $200, actually When I dropped him off he said, “I Ed K . , spent a great deal of time arguing and more than we needed. By this time I think you can pick me up for your Victoria, British Columbia

land, which is farther east than any Rev. Percy G. Price from the Metother group in North America. ropolitan United Church in Toronto. Canada has hosted two AA Interna- Fueled by a deep faith in AA princitional Conventions: our 30th inToron- ples, Rev. Price got together a group to in 1965, and AA’s gala 50th birth- consisting of himself. ~r.’Little,and day party in 1985 in Montreal. six alcoholics to discuss “alcoholism In this special issue, the Grapevine and how to cope with it.” once again pays tribute to Canada, as This dinner meeting, held at the that great country celebrates its own 50th AA anniversary. The all-toobrief histories that follow lay the foundation for the story of Canada in the 1990s – a story that unfolds throughout this issue, told in the words and experiences of AA members today, who hold in their hands the legacy of the past and build on it to carry the message of AA into the future.

Little Denmark Restaurant fifty years ONTARIO ago in Toronto on January 13, 1943, Our congratulations and thanks to Canada, no finer AA exists. Toronto In January 1940, Dr. Harry marked the first AA meeting in all of This far-flung society of ours has the odd quality of being everywhere the Emerson Fosdick wrote a review of Canada. The success of that first same, yet everywhere so diykrent. We AAs are totally alike, whether by the Big Book that was to have a pro- meeting led to regular weekly meetregions or by nations. This, of course, is just as it should be. found effect on the very existence of ings at the Metropolitan United When AA travelers return from Canada they all report how much more AA in Ontario. The Rev. George Lit- Church House, and from the original they brought away from Canada than they took in . . . [Never] shall the tle, a minister of the United Church six members, within a few weeks atbright memory ever fade of that day in Montreal when Lois and / heard the – a Temperance advocate who had tendance had tripled. Lord’s Prayer spoken in French and English – our first meeting in two tried unsuccessfully to sober up Dr. Little meanwhile ordered more languages. drunks – read the review, immediately Big Books, and in 1942 the Alcoholic We are immeasurably grateful for fast friends from Halifax to Vancouver, ordered a copy, and shared it with Foundation granted him Canadian they are always the same: devoted workers upon that great fabric which is others, drunks and nonalcoholics distribution rights. The fledgling Fel- AA of today – and of tomorrow! – Bill alike. One of the nonalcoholics was lowship in Canada now had all it Canon Quintin Warner. Canon needed to grow: six sober members, ill W. wrote those words to intro- Canada has grown to more than 5,000 Warner passed the book on to a hos- a supply of Big Books, and staunch duce the Grapevine’s “Salute to groups and over 100,WO members, pitalized alcoholic friend, who read nonalcoholic friends. Canada – Salut au Canada” in May and AA has reached out from the it and, on March 29, 1942, made a 1951. Since 1951, when the Grapevine major cities and towns and is thriving decision to stay sober. Windsor and London Before a reported 299 Canadian groups and from the remote areas of the far North The two nonalcoholic friends of year had gone by, two other Ontario 7,251 members, the Fellowship in to the group in St, John’s, Newfound- AA were soon joined by another, the cities had established AA ties. In

f*”

Windsor, a drunk contacted AA in Detroit and began attending meetings there. He soon found another and then another, and the three held their first meeting in October 1943. The message soon spread to London, where the first meeting took place in November of that year. message to reach Manitoba. Dr. Pincock was the provincial psychiatrist in the early 1940s, and was deeply QUEBEC disturbed over the lack of long-term sobriety among alcoholics who were Many old-timers report that AA in detoxified in Winnipeg’s Psychiatric “La Belle Province” was born by Hospital. He had heard about AA, mail. The Jack Alexander article in and in early 1943, when his assistant, the Saturday Evening Post, the Big Dr. Bird, went to Minneapolis for a Book, and correspondence with the professional refresher course, Dr. Pin- Alcoholic Foundation helped Dave B. cock asked him to bring back any find sobriety in April 1944, and information he could. Dr. Bird atshortly thereafter, New York Head- tended a meeting in Minneapolis and quarters sent him about 400 letters returned with all the information from Montrealers asking for help. (A necessary – a copy of the Big Book. year or so earlier, Dr. Travis E. Dan- Dr. Pincock began searching cey, a nonalcoholic physician, had among his patients, and found Percy gotten hold of a copy of the Big Book ferred to meet with the English groups Bie Book was launched in 1963, and E. and Grettir J., who agreed to orand tried to interest Dave – who liter- in order to preserve unity; but it be- ganize a group. lbelfth Step work at a f i r a series of typically AA trials ally threw the book at him!) came apparent that some French- “Psycho” began at once, and soon and tribulations, Publications Fran- The first group consisted of Dave, speaking drunks could not find qaise AA was incorporated in 1979 AA number 3 came along. In January Mary, and Jack, who met twice a enough help that way, and so French (see page 55). This body now trans- 1945, an organizational meeting was week at Dave’s home. In the spring groups were started. The first such lates and publishes all French litera- held at the hospital, and by the sumof 1945, the group – by then 26 mem- group in Montreal met in September ture in North America. The first issue mer of 1945 there were 13 members, bers strong – rented the first outside 1947. of )the Grapevine’s French-language who held regular lunches and meet- . premises, at the Montreal Forum. AA c6unterpart, La Vigne AA, came off ings at the Marlboro Hotel. in Quebec was on its way. b n c h Literature At first, French press in 1965 and has been published In December 1947, Winnipeg AAs hnch-Speaking Groups In 1945, AAs had to rely on an outside publi- bimonthly ever since. held the first AA public information the first bilingual group was founded cation, Joseph Kessel’s “Avec les Al- meeting in western Canada. More in Matane by Dr. Roland B., who cooliques Anonymes.” By the end of than 1,000 people attended, and an attended a medical convention where the 1950s, a few pamphlets were MANITOBA article in the Winnipeg Tribune Bill W. was one of the guest speakers made available by volunteers, and a Had it not been for AA’s great medical brought in a stream of inquiries about and brought back a copy of the Big literature committee was created in benefactor, Dr. Alex T. Pincock, it the Fellowship. The seed was Book. At first, French members pre- 1961. The French translation of the could have taken years more for the planted, and continued to grow.

– BRITISH COLUMBIA 1945. A classified ad began to run daily in the city’s newspaper, and AA midnight sun” southward to In Vancouver, Charles Welsh, a nonal- was off and running. the U~S. border. to the seas coholic, became interested in helping and mountains of east and alcoholics when he lost his wife to west, the AA message has reached the many people and the disease. After hearing about AA ALBERTA varied cultures of Canada. from his brother-in-law, Roland Edmonton George C. found sobri- McK., who got sober in Sacramento, ety in a sanatorium in Vancouver, and Charles Welsh talked with some bus- when he returned home, he set out to iness friends and with the Rev. Joseph find his former drinking buddies. I Smith of the United Church. This Old-timers report that he literally group of men decided they needed a dragged them away from their favor- “guinea pig,” and thought of Charlie ite hangouts and with threats and a B., a drunk who had gotten sober lot of cajoling managed to sober some b through the Oxford Group but could of them up. Strict membership rules not seem to stay sober. One day in were in force, and in an early letter the summer of 1944, Charlie – sick George wrote: “It required a great and shaking – had a caller: Roland deal of patience and perseverance to McK. Charlie stopped drinking im- get the chapter formed under the right mediately; he became a zealous auspices, and although we have only lbelfth Step worker, and his home eight members to date, they are all was a center of AA activity. The first most sincere and anxious to help.” meeting took place on January 12, The first group met in June 1945 in Edmonton’s Merrick’s Cafe, and in 1946 it moved to the “8th Street House,” rented from the Alberta government for $1 a year. From this base of operations came the seed of Edmonton’s current central office.

Calgary Bill I., who had been precariously dry for a few months, heard about AA from his brother-in-law John, who read an article in h r . Life magazine and sent away for the Big Book. Bill read it and got sober right away, but wanted to go it alone rather than starting a group. John persevered, putting Bill in touch with several prospects, and in October 1945 a group finally began.

/. T H E MARlTlMES Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax might have been the first home of AA in It has been said that AA came to the the Maritimes, for in the summer and ‘Maritime Provinces like the riptide fall of 1946, three or four men had on the Peticodinc. Although there formed a group there. But the holiwere loners in the area before late days proved too much of a hurdle and 1946 and 1947, not until then did the the group died. It was nearly a year tide hit, and it flowed alrdst simul- later that Blake G., a salesman who taneously from four directions, with got help in Toronto, was sent to no real connection between them. Halifax on business, and got in touch Prince Edward Island The mes- with Dr. Walter K. At about the same sage came to P.E.I. early in 1946, time A1 M., whose interest had been carried by a former Islander, Michael kindled by AA literature sent to him M., who had moved to New Bruns- by his sister in Massachusetts, visited wick, New Jersey, and joined AA. AA groups in Canada and the U.S. Father Eugene Murray of Emerald and recruited others when he rehad arranged for five problem drin- turned. The efforts of these men rekers from Charlottetown and five from Summerside to meet with Michael M. at his residence. As a result of this meeting, Bill R. of Summerside, who most old-timers regard as AA’s founder on P.E.I., wrote to New York for a Big Book about mid- March 1946.n o groups were formed in September and October of 1946, one in Charlottetown and one in Summerside, and a third started in Emerald in November. New Glasgow, Nova Scotia It was Christmas 1946, and Fred P. of the New Orleans Group visited his home town of New Glasgow for the first time since he had found AA in the south. He passed on the message to some of his boyhood friends, and with an ad in the local newspaper he contacted more. Before Fred left after New Year’s 1947, the Maritime Group held its first meeting.

SASKATCHEWAN Y U K O N TERRITORY AA came to both Regina and Saska- Dal D. was a major in the Canadian toon at about the same time, in the army who got sober in Vancouver in spring of 1947. 1948, and was transferred to White- In Regina, Sandy K. read a reprint horse, Yukon. On his arrival, he was of the Jack Alexander article, wrote put in touch with Boyd J., who the Alcoholic Foundation, and had thought at first that at age 52, it might his last drink in March 1947. He went be too late for him to join AA! Asto Calgary to attend meetings and find sured that it was never too late, he out how to start AA, and though he chose sobriety, and went to work. His had little success at first, by first public information effort, a re- November a group of four was meet- quest to a local editor to place an ad ing in his home. At about the same for AA in the paper, fell flat; the editor time, Bob H. wrote to Akron, re- didn’t see the need, because people ceived a Big Book, and by August who really wanted to stop drinking had started his own group. At some would do so on their own. Dal left point, the two groups got together, the newspaper office and went across and reported a membership of 20 in the street to the Anglican Church, early 1949. where the rector received him joyfully In Saskatoon, Cam McK., who had – only the day before, he had counjoined AA in Calgary in May 1946, seled an alcoholic parishioner that his came to town as a sports reporter in only hope was AA. These two met May 1947. He stayed sober awhile as with Boyd J. on April 1, 1949. The a loner, then started a group in 1948, rector managed to convince the editor which grew to 29 members within a to run an ad, and once the word began year. to spread, AA began to grow.

October 1993

The Vine Line Q. What did Dr. Carl Jung mean when he wrote the phrase spiritus contra spiriturn in a 1961 letter to Bill W.? A. To use Dr. Jung’s own words, “You see, ‘alcohol’ in Latin is spiritus, and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiriturn.” In this sense then, spiritual awakening is an antidote for alcoholism. (See The Language of the Heart, p. 276 for the full Bill W.-Carl Jung correspondence.) Q. What ever happened to Ebby T., the man Bill W. called his sponsor? A. After gaining sobriety in the Oxford Group and introducing Bill to their philosophy, Ebby later came in and out of AA for a number of years with varying lengths of sobriety, and finally died – sober – 1 in March of 1966. (See Pass It On, p. 336.) 1 If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., Box 1980, Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163

October 1993

Getting off to a shaky start, the much to give the group a sense of secretary and a dozen others got identity. It went all over the world. drunk in the summer of 1947. Three A bimonthly group newsletter celeremained sober – Richard, Jimmy R. brating birthdays and group news, it and Sackville (who had joined in also carried recovery sharing in a sim- April) – and they re-formed the group ple unpretentious five-page format. in August with Sackville as secretary. Sackville edited it for twenty-eight- After that they went from strength to and-a-half years before I took over as strength for the new secretary was a its second editor in 1976. good organizer who had clear and def- This little bit of history gives, inite ideas of what they should do. perhaps, some idea of the coherence Fragments of AA History They switched the open public information meeting from Friday to Monof my first home group. Sponsorship was never spoken of but these men 1st Dublin Group day as they found that was a better did a great deal of tutoring and gave evening to catch newcomers in the much care and love to us. Although he first AA group in Europe was discussion meetings, each of which T founded in Dublin, Ireland in had its own secretary. Secretary and 1946; eleven years after Akron and treasurer were part of a steering comfirst flush of a new week’s resolutions. In 1950 they were visited by Bill W. who held a press conference in the Jimmy R. was 22 years sober when I came in he took care to get to know me and would ask about me if I hadn’t New York, only four years behind Los mittee which met once a month or as Mansion House (Lord Mayor’s been seen around. He explained to Angeles. needed. house). Many years later Jimmy R. me that an important reason for hav- The group met for one big open Business matters were for the over- took great pride in showing me the ing a home group was that I would meeting on Mondays at which a panel all group’s approval, but most minor kitchen sink in his basement apart- be missed if I stopped coming. Sackof speakers and a moderator ex- decisions were made by the group sec- ment into which Bill W. had knocked ville’s story is in the Big Book as ‘% plained what AA was about, what it retary who consulted with them if he his cigarette ash as they sat around Career Army Officer.” He died in does and how it does it for the benefit needed help. Group conscience was and talked for hours following the 1979. Jimmy died in 1975 and of anyone who cared to come and rarely invoked, but when it was it press conference. Richard joined them both in Heaven attend. Anybody in Dublin was wel- was a solemn and slow process fol- In 1948 Sackville began a small around 1981. come and we placed notices in the lowing much discussion for weeks; paper, The Road Back, which did Sean M . , Santa Monica, Calif. newspaper for the calendar of events maybe. around town. Occasionally we would Known as the First Dublin Group also write letters to the editor telling or The Country Shop (after the restauof this open AA meeting to which all rant where they met) the group was were welcome. The meeting ex- founded by Conor F., then three years plained much to newcomers and their sober and on vacation with his wife, families as well as medical and social in 1946. The first man to stand up workers who needed to know how and introduce himself as an alcoholic AA worked. The secretary and trea- in Europe was Richard P. His was surer of that meeting were the overall also the first European AA recovery. group officers for a year. Jimmy R., the group’s first recruit, On the remaining week nights the came in the very first introductory group also held regular closed topic meeting night.

l~ i

A A Grapevine, November 1993

the new member’s name, address, etc. and is given to the first sponsor with the instruction that he keep this person under his wing for a few weeks until he has some understanding of the program.

Z~N-& September: “Brooklyn Revives Old When the Grapevine was a New York formatory for Women by members of Custom” -At our closed meetings we City newsletter and AA itself was just have revived an old AA custom: disnine years old, the monthly ”Along cussing only one Step at each meetthe Metropolitan Circuit” pages held ing. The members know in advance the flavor of how AA worked then – which Step will be under discussion. and perhaps only a few dij’ferences The result is a highly informative and from how it works now. Whatfollows interesting evening. Dr. Dwight Griswold of the hospital are some insights from 1944 Grape- staff about AA that he gladly accepted vines into carrying the message in one October: “Manhattan Member Twelfth an invitation to the 10th anniversary AA metropolitan center through Steps on Street Comer” – John B. can AA dinner at the Commodore. He was group life, individual rwelfrh step- be found every Sunday around noon so tremendously impressed that he ping, and public information. at the comer of 207th Street and chose Alcoholic Anonymous as the Broadway. Hard by are several gin subject of the paper he was going to mills. In his own words, John was for read before the New York County July: Mount Vernon Group News – years “one of the worst rummies” A special open meeting to which the Medical Association. – of that 95 percent Irish district. clergy, medical profession, court and He knows everybody, probation officers, and social workersAugust: To get the individual and personal contact with new members, everybody knows him December: “Bronx Combat Teams” were invited was held. The interest and that he is now -We have evolved a twelfth-step work aroused has brought us a deluge of Mount Vernon is using “Sponsor Cards.” This card is in two parts. One sober because he is in procedure of our own: a couple of inquiries for further information. Invi- AA. John stands and old-timers, together with one or two tations have been received for guest part has the list of inter-group meetings on one side and on the reverse waits. He never ap- newcomers, visit prospects. In this speakers to the Rotary, Kiwanis, and proaches any of the jit- way the new members quickly learn Lions Club luncheons. The coopera- the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three older members. This is tery men waiting for the method of working with prostion we have received from the courts the bars to open at 1:00 pects; in no time at all the older memhas been most gratifying. given to the new member, he is introduced to his sponsors, and it is p.m. He waits for bers are sitting back and listening to suggested that he keep in touch with them to come to him. the newer ones take over. Our “com- I August: New Jersey Notes – A com- them when he gets that lonesome feel- They do. Many of them. Result: John bat teams” are bringing great results, edy-drama written around AA was ing or if the butterflies start flutter- gets all the twelfth-step work he can for our membership is growing by presented at the New Jersey State Re- ing . . . The other part of the card has handle – right there. leaps and bounds.

are free to use them if they wish. The question destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes is whether it is best for AA as a whole to have over property, money and authority.’ a sobriety chiplmedallion with the AA name on “The Eleventh Tradition – explicitly warns it authorized and/or issued by an AA entity. against the sensationalism that follows litigation. “Some of the comments made during the Tra- It is essentially negative attention and puts the ditions part of the discussion included: Fellowship at risk. “The First Tnrdition – At the heart of the matter “The Twelfh liudition – Humility is the key, is unity . . . working from the internal to the external, from “The Second Tradition -Therein lies our solu- the smaller to the larger, from ‘I’ to ‘We,’ in a tion. Where is our ultimate authority and where spirit of humility and trust. What course of action Whatever Happened to the Circle and Triangle? is our center? Is it internal or external -principles will keep us on the path of spirituality? . . . arising from a power greater than people, or val- “The committee spent a great length of time Have you noticed that the circle and triangle sym- requests to produce sobriety chips and medal- ues of the world? We must keep in mind that this in the discussion of the Warranties. Warranty Five bol no longer appears at the top of the lions, and the matter was discussed at a joint is also the place where Bill W. points out that states: Grapevine’s Table of Contents? The decision to meeting of the two boards in October 1990.Their ‘. . . the good is sometimesthe enemy of the best.’ “‘Practically all societies and governments remove it has its roots in recent events: actions consensus was that production of tokens and “The Third Tradition -We were reminded that feel it necessary to inflict personal punishment of the 1993 General Service Conference, and medallions was unrelated to our primary purpose we are a self-correcting Fellowship . . . We felt upon individual members for violations of their subsequent actions by the Board of Trustees and of carrying the AA message, and they suggested that it is time for the whole Fellowship to get beliefs, principles or laws. Because of its special , the directors of AA World Services. that the matter be given a thorough airing at the back to the simplicity and basisof our message. situation, Alcoholics Anonymous finds this prac- Adopted at the 20th Anniversary International General Service Conference in order to seek a “The Fourth Tradition makes it clear that we tice unnecessary. When we of AA fail to follow Convention in St. Louis, the circle and triangle group conscience from the Fellowship. must separate the spiritual from the material. sound spiritual principles, alcohol cuts us down. symbol was registered as an official AA mark in At the 1992 Conference, there were presenta- Keeping in mind that any action we take could Therefore, no humanly administered system of 1955, and has been widely used by various AA tions on why we should or should not produce affect AA as a whole . . . penalties is needed. This unique condition is an entities. By the mid-1980s. however, it had also medallions, and on the responsibility of AAWS “The Fifth Tradition – The Big Book, Al- enormous advantage to us all, one on which we begun to be used by outside organizations, such to protect our trademarks and copyrights.The re- coholics Anonymorrs, The Twelve Stel~s and can fully rely and one which we should never as novelty manufacturers, publishers, and occa- sult was a Conference Advisory Action asking Twelve Truditions, AA Comes ($Age, and ‘The abandon by a resort to the methods of personal sionally treatment facilities. There was growing the General Service Board of trustees to under- ‘belve Concepts for World Service’ – are the attack and punishment. . . . concern in the membership of AA about this take a feasibility study on the possible methods basic message, the core message of AA. Every- “‘In case the AA name should be misapplied situation. Some AA members were saying “we by which sobriety chips and medallions might thing else is commentary on the basic message: . . . it would of course be the duty of our General don’t want our circle and triangle aligned with be made available to the Fellowship, and to report all literature published, comments and sharing at Service Conference to press for the disconnon-AA purposes.” In keeping with the Sixth its findings to an ad hoc committee of delegates. meetings, even the Grapevine, is a sort of na- tinuance of such a practice – always short. how- Tradition. that AA “. . . ought never endorse. The ad hoc committee met prior to the 1993 tional commentary. Could chipslmedallions be ever of public quarreling about the matter. . . . finance or lend the AA name to any related facil- Conference, for several full days of discussion another form of commentary, another form of a It was recognized that a public lawsuit is a public ity or outside enterprise . . .”, the AA World and deliberation. and in turn presented its report pamphlet? controversy, something in which our Tradition Services board began in 1986 to contact outside and recommendations on the Conference floor. “The Sixth Tradition calls on us to ‘divide the says we may not engage.’ entities that were using the circle and triangle in After discussion, the Conference approved two spiritual from the material.’ Money is not a valid “The chipdmedallions and trademark quesan unauthorized manner, and to take action to of five recommendations: 1) that the use of sobri- consideration in the question of whether or not tions were dealt with as separately as possible. prevent such use of the symbol. AAWS imple- ety chipslmedallions is a matter of local auton- litigation should be brought against misusers of The committee felt that a distinction could be mented this policy with restraint. and did not omy and not one on which the Conference should ‘ our logo since AA is not in the business of making drawn between the two in terms of their respecresort to legal remedies until all attempts at per- record a definite position; and 2) that it is not money. Similarly, the fear that others would be tive significance to AA. The trademark (logo) is suasion and conciliation had been unsuccessful. appropriate for AA World Services or the making money off our logo does not hurt the the embodinlent of the AA name. The signifi- Of about 170 unauthorized users contacted, two Grapevine to produce or license the production Fellowship on a fundamental level. How do we cance of its shape is described in AA Comes oj suits were filed, and both were settled in the very of sobriety chipslmedallions. let go of this tiger we have by the tail:’ . . . We Age, page 139: ‘The circle stands for the whole early stages. In substance, the ad hoc committee report said: are at the tip of the iceberg of litigation right world of AA, and the triangle stands for AA’s . Denying the use of the symbol to outside en- “We began to see that the issue is ‘What is now . . . We went many, many years without Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service tities raised other problems. however. By early best for AA as a whole’ and not ‘Does the Fellow- lawsuits. To continue on this path threatens to . . . The priests and seers of antiquity regarded 1990. it was clear that some AA members very ship want AA sobriety chipslmedallions?’ or keep our focus on money and property instead the circle enclosing the triangle as a means of much wanted to be able to obtain medallions ‘Can AA produce sobriety chipslmedallions?’ of allowing our view to widen spiritually. warding off spirits of evil, and AA’s circle and with “our” circle and triangle. Both the AAWS The committee did not focus on the use of sobri- “The Seventh Tradition reminds us ‘Experience triangle of Recovery. Unity, and Service has cerety chipslmedallions – groups and individuals has often warned us that nothing can so surely tainly meant all of that to us and much more.’ and Grapevine Corporate boards began receiving i

“Medallions. on the other hand, are not univer- “The registered trademarks, service marks and sally considered an embodiment of the Fellow- logos are symbols of our spiritual Fellowship. ship as such. Many stories are told about the role Alcoholics Anonymous, and should be treated that the coins play in an individual’s continuing as such. sobriety: the coins act as symbolic recognition “The General Service Conference is a living of the length of sobriety. They are not the sobriety entity. From the groupconscience will eventually itself and any attempt to make medallions more emerge an expression of the will of a loving than a symbol may lead perilously towards ego- Power greater than ourselves proven to be firmly inflation, self-glorification, rather thanego-defla- linked to the Traditions and Warranties. keeping tion (see Tradition Twelve). us safe for as long as we are needed.” “The committee felt that the desire to protect The ad hoc committee report was debated on the unique meaning of AA’s symbol is at the Tuesday and Thursday of Conference week. and foundation of litigation, as well as the fear of the subject of chips and medallions came up again the trivialization of the mark. But despite the during a final sharing session on Friday. The vehemence with which we feel ‘ownership’ of chairperson of the AAWS Board made the followthe symbol, we suspect that the belief that we ing statement at that time: “The AAWS Board (or anyone) can ‘possess’ the symbol is a fallacy. will immediately begin a thorough review of its “It actually works against the foundation of policies regarding our marks, will do everything the Steps that lead us to sobriety. Ownership possible to avoid initiating litigation. and will necessarily involves control and to argue over prepare a revised policy statement to be ready that control through litigation takes the focus for next year’s Conference.” away from the fact that we are ultimately power- Immediately after the Conference. the General less. We can own the meaning of the symbol, Service Board accepted AAWS’s recommendaand if someone uses the graphic, our meaning tion to discontinue protecting the circle and will not be diminished, as long as we keep the triangle symbol as one of AA’s registered marks. principles it represents in sight. And by early June, the trustees reached substan- “The committee finally questioned the goals tial unanimity in support of AAWS’s statement of litigation, what would actually be gained from that, to avoid the suggestion of association or a lawsuit. We suspect that the harm done inter- affiliation with outside goods and services, AA nally as a result of litigation would be far worse World Services, Inc. would phase out the “offithan the harm others could do to our ‘property’ cial” or “legal” use of the circle and triangle. from the outside. At the base of this approach is If you’re wondering how to identify Conkrthe trust that is the foundation of AA. It is our ence-approved literature in the future, it will carry trust that AA principles will work to protect our the words “This is AA General Service Confername. just as our trust in God is the foundation ence-approved literature.” As pieces of literature of our program and of our lives. Warranty Five are due for reprinting, the symbol will he deleted: says that we can ‘. . . confidently trust AA opin- and new materials will carry only the Conferenceion, public opinion, and God Himself to take approved wording. . care of Alcoholics Anonymous. . . .’ Like the Serenity Prayer and the slogans. “Concept Seven states ‘[The Conference] which have never had official recognition. the Charter itself is not a legal document . . . it relies circle and triangle will most likely continue to instead upon the force of tradition . . . for its be used widely [or many AA purposes. The dil’final effectiveness.’ ference from earlier practice is that its official “To us, the fear that the incorporation of the use to denote Alcoholics Anonymous materials symbol by others outside the Fellowship would will be phased out. somehow detract from the significance of the (This muteriul is adupfedfrom the August-Sepsymbol is really unfounded. No one outside the tember issue of the GSO newsletter Box 4-5-9; Fellowship can detract from AA’s strength if we portions o f l e ud hoc committee report are taken stick to the Steps,Traditions andconcepts, which from the Final Report ojthe 1993GeneralService unite us. Conference.)

January 1994

and means of AA. “Then she softened up. She says, “We had those men coming up ‘I have a boy. He’s on the bum somethere every night of the week,” Clar- where. Can you fix him, too’?’ ‘Sure, ence continues. “And here’s some- we can fix anybody. Where is he?’ thing that happened. Thc neighbors She says he’s in New York. Oh, are wondering what’s going on up- whereabouts in New York. I don’t stairs . . . behind that funeral home. know. He’s on skid row. Skid row in All these men, a hundred or so, New York, that’s something to find .. . streaming up there every night. They I says, ‘Well I tell you, we got some know that something nefarious is guys up in New York . . . I’ll get in going on up there. And they want to touch with them.’ Fragments of AA History know what’s going on in their neighborhood so they send the police over. “She said, ‘No, who do you have?’ So I give her Bill W.’s name and ad- “So one evening the cops come and dress. And that lady’s on the first ratthe sergeant comes in and I greet him tler going to New York the next morn-

T his is an excerpt transcribed name of Walter B. And the guy says, at the door and ask him his pleasure. ing. And she confronts Bill, of from a talk on AA history given ‘Who?’ I says, ‘Walter B.’ He says, And hc says, I want to talk to you course, but here’s what happened. by Clarence S., originally of ‘Walter, oh Walter,’ and then I knew about what are you guys doing up “She had a daughter living in New Cleveland, Ohio, and the founder of I’m in the right place. He says, ‘He’s here. And he’s looking around and York City. Now she hadn’t heard from the first AA group in that city, which not in here, he lives up over the car- he recognizes a lot of those birds in her son for about two years. He used was in Clarence’s own words, “the riage house in the rear. You’ll find there because they had been custom- to be a sales manager for one of the first AA meeting in the world” in the him up there . . . .’ Anyway, Walter ers of his in the wagon for year after big distilleries. He was advertising very purest sense, since preceding comes to the door and he’s very aff- year. And I says, ‘In a term, we fix manager for Calvert Distilling Comgroups in both Akron and New York able, very polite and very drunk. And these guys. We sober them up.’ And pany. I think he believed his ads too has been offshoots of Oxford Group he invited me in. he says, ‘You mean to say that one’s well and he wound up on skid row. meetings. “So, I go in that place and, boy, sober, and that one?’ I said, ‘Go smell “The very day she landed in New During his talk, Clarence described one look at the place and it’s a theater. them . . . They don’t drink. They York at her daughter’s place this guy the effect of a series of articles on What he’s done, he got hold of about ain’t gonna drink. They’ll never drink called his sister while his mother was AA which ran in the Cleveland Plain two hundred picture show seats from again.’ Oh, what faith we had. So he there. What do you call that? She Dealer in October 1939 (see page 36): a show that went out of business and turned and looks this bunch over and hadn’t heard from him in a couple of “Well, people came in so fast we were he has them stapled to the floor. And he left; there was nothing he could do. years. What do you call that? having an awful time trying to absorb one end of his place is a stage with “Couple of nights later a little old “So they got a hold of this bird. them. . . . So I was trying to find out all the drops and props and he lives lady came charging up there and she And you know what happened? He some way we could train these people in the other end. And I look at that wants to know what’s going on in her became the first editor of our Grapein classes. I didn’t have any money place. I’d been praying for a place to neighborhood. It’s full of these men vine. He lived a sober life for many to rent a hall and I was trying and I train people in classes . . . .” and she recognizes some of these years . . . Wonderful fellow. He got was asking the good Lord to give me Clarence then goes on to discuss birds because she has been sweeping married, beautiful wife he had; sevsome direction on this, as we always Walter’s getting sober and becoming them off her lawn in the morning . . . eral years ago she died. I remember ask him for direction on everything. what Clarence describes as a “captain and she wants to know and I told her that so well. He just passed away a “So one day I went out chasing in AA.” Eventually, true to Clar- the same thing I told the cop. ‘You short time ago himself. These miracles some of these [prospects] down and ence’s vision, they began holding mean those guys are not drinking? that come along, that happen . . .” I had one in my hand there, by the meetings to train people in the ways That one and that one? No . . .’ Bruce W.,Lauderhill, Flu.

March 1994

The Vine Line Q. The 60th Anniversary International AA Convention is coming up in July of 1995 in San Diego, California, but what were the locations, attendance, and themes of previous conferences?

A. The First International AA Conference (in celebration of AA’s 15th anniversary) was held in 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio, with an attendance of 3,000; there was no specified theme. Every five years since, a convention has been held, as follows: 1955: St. Louis, Mo. ;no specific theme; attendance: 3,500. 1960: Long Beach, Calif. ;”Recovery, Unity, Service”; 8,900. 1965: Toronto, Ont .; “Responsibility”; 10,400. 1970: Miami Beach, Fla. ; “Unity”; 10,700. 1975: Denver, Colo.; “Let It Begin With Me”; 19,500. 1980: New Orleans, La.; “The Joy of Living”; 22,500. 1985: Montreal, Que. ;”Fifty Years with Gratitude”; 45,600. 1990: Seattle, Wash.; “55 Years – One Day at aTimeW;48,000. If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., Box 1980,Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163

March

get drunk? Bany and Pat both said family – the attendance of wives was no, but a rift was created between strongly suggested. The Nicollet 2218 and the Nicollet Chapter that Group’s most unusual characteristic never quite healed. was its intolerance of “slippers.” Barry C. had quietly gotten sober Prospective members were asked if in April of 1940, a few months before they were ready, willing, and able to Pat, after a visit from a sober Chicago practice the’helve Steps. If not, they friend, Chan F. (who was also one of were asked to do their drinking outthe two AAs who visited Pat in side of AA. Faith in the program was November). But Barry was chronic- considered paramount, and once a ally ill most of his life, and spent member lost their faith, it was felt much of the first months of his sobri- that it could not be easily regained. ety incapacitated. Barry was in the These were the principles that the hospital when Pat got sober and began Nicollet Chapter started with, and working with others. He always had stayed with. They hung with each Minneapolis: the Nicollet Chapter a much “lower profile” than Pat, and other, did Twelfth Step work, helped did not contend Pat’s status as the start AA in Sioux Falls, South pioneers, however, and this is the founder of AA in Minnesota. Pat, Dakota, and Winnipeg and Manitoba,

M ost AA members in these parts know the story of story 0′. another Twelve-Step call, however, made certain that Barry’s Canada, which still have groups mod- Pat C., the drunken news- another pioneer, and another long- part in our history was known, as wit- eled on the Nicollet Group. Those paperman who borrowed the Big standing AA foundation stone in Min- nessed in this 1941 letter to his fellow groups still correspond today, and still Book from the Minneapolis Library, neapolis: There is a group that meets Minneapolis AAs: “Many of you, believe that their way of practicing read it, and wrote to the Alcoholic in Minneapolis, at 6301 Penn Avenue perhaps, don’t know it but Barry C. the teachings of the Big Book are Foundation [forerunner of the Gen- South, which celebrated its fiftieth an- was the first practicing AA in Min- the best way. In their ideology, the eral Service Office] asking for help niversary in October 1993. The name neapolis . . . Only the fact that he Nicollet Group members stayed to on August 9, 1940. The Alcoholic of the group is the Nicollet Chapter was hopelessly invalided for a long themselves. The growth of AA in Foundation replied to Pat and sent his and it began in 1943 when Barry C. time prevented Barry from getting out Minnesota and nationwide did not name on to the Chicago Group. Two left 2218 to start a new group, styled and organizing. You all know what change them. The adoption of the members of that group came to see after the groups of his friend and AA’s he has accomplished since he has Traditions did not change their meet- Pat in November of 1940. Pat took co-founder, Dr. Bob of Akron, Ohio. been able to get around. That guy has ings, and the General Service struchis last drink on November 11, 1940, It was a big deal when the Nicollet more ideas in five minutes than I have ture did not concern them. and began working with others, and Chapter left 2218. Until that time, in five weeks, and we all owe him a And, fifty years later, the Nicollet the first AA meeting in Minneapolis 2218 was the hub of all of the AA note of thanks . . .” Groups’ 100 or so members still stick occurred shortly afterward. That is activity in this area. 2218 was mother Barry C. corresponded with Bob to the original. Stepping into the the history and the founding that we and mentor to many AA groups, and and others in Akron, Cleveland and meeting is sort of like stepping back hear about most in the l b i n Cities, most early groups asked for and got Chicago, and the Nicollet Chapter re- in time. There is coffee, yes, and and many AA groups all over the state a lot of help in starting. But the Nicol- sembled in many ways the early meet- more food than usual at a meeting can trace their beginnings back to Pat let Chapter started, autonomous from ings in Akron. Barry believed that all place. Folks know each other, and ‘ C. and 2218 First Avenue South, the 2218 and clearly wanted to stay that of the alcoholics’ solutions were in have no trouble spotting outsiders and first (and still operating) Alano Soci- way, and it shook a lot of AA mem- the Big Book. He believed that al- greeting them. The ‘helve Steps and ety in this part of the country. bers up. Was this a fight? Was there coholism was a family problem and the Serenity Prayer are prominently We had other beginnings and other a problem’? Was somebody going to that recovery must include the entire displayed everywhere, but the Tradi-

tions are not. Don’t look for notices hospital. I met a man and his wife, of upcoming conventions or round- in their late twenties, who were celeups – you won’t find Nicollet Group brating their one year membership in members at these events. They have the group. I met couples who were their own social gatherings. There 20 or 25 year members. I saw (and also won’t be notices of upcoming was given to pass on to our area argeneral service assemblies or district chives) a wealth of historical matemeetings, or notices of intergroup rials – correspondence, articles, happenings. They do not participate photographs – all telling of the mirain these events. cles and the timelessness of alco- When I was newly sober, I asked holics working together. an older AA member about our co- As a group, Nicollet is recognizing founders, Dr. Bob and Bill W. She that in order to survive AA groups told me about Dr. Bob wishing to need to work together. For the first keep AA simple, and about Bill the time in many years, the Nicollet super AA promoter. She told me an Group is listed in our local intergroup old AA joke: that if Dr. Bob had his directory. They know they need to way, AA would never have made it work with others, as do we all. Auout of the midwest, and if Bill had tonomy is a valued possession, and his way, it would be set up as an we cannot deny the Nicollet Group international franchise. She said that theirs. There is a lesson in autonomy between the two of them, they created here for me as an AA member. I see the balance between simple service our autonomy must end when others and service organization that we are affected, as it states in the Fourth needed to function and carry out our Tradition. The Nicollet Group will be primary purpose. richer for interaction with the rest of I don’t know if this is what Dr. us, and we will be richer for our in- Bob had in mind, but I thought of teraction with them. this when I visited the Nicollet The Nicollet Group deserves recog- Group. There was love there, and nition for their fifty years of meeting lbelfth Step work, and newcomers, together, growing together, and stayand talk of the Steps, and families, ing sober together. They have contriband sharing, and picnics, and an- uted much to the fabric of AA. nouncements to visit members in the Anonymous, Minneapolis, Minn.

June 1994

Q:Where did the slogans come from?Do they belong to AA?

A: The five slogans (“First Things First,” “Think,” “But for the Grace of God,” “Easy Does It,” and “Live and Let Live”) were originally published on the inside back cover of five issues of the Grapevine (September to December 1956 and February of 1957), accompanied by a short article interpreting each one. The slogans, however, do not belong to AA, and were simply adopted informally by the Fellowship -probably because they worked so well in helping to keep alcoholics sober. If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., PO Box 1980, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y., 10163-1980

June 1994

Spellbound by AA An Interview with N e U Wing

, I N ine years after the Fellowship Within a few years, she became close of Alcoholics Anonymous be- friends with Bill and his wife, Lois, and gan in Akron, Ohio, the on weekends she regularly went up to Grapevine magazine published its first Stepping Stones, their home in Bedissue in June 1944. Three yeilrs after ford Hills, N.Y., to help Bill with corthat Nell Wing arrived in New York. respondence or research, or just to keep A young woman in her late twenties, him and Lois company. Nell had decided to go to Mexico to After Bill died in 1971, Nell continpursue a career in sculpture. In the ued her close association with the Genmeantime, she wanted a temporary eral Service Office and with Lois. She job to earn a little more money for the organized the AA Archives, and last journey. The agency where she ap- year published a memoir called Grateful plied for a temporary job told her to Have Been There. Nell never got to about an opening at the headquarters Mexico, but she worked for AA for office of Alcoholics Anonymous. thirty-six years. She still travels fre- Nell knew about AA, having read quently around the country, speaking Morris Markey’s article “Alcoholics to groups about AA history. and God” in the September 1939 Lib- As a bonus to Grapevine readers for erty magazine, and through other mag- this special 50th anniversary issue, two azine articles in the early forties, as Grapevine staff members – the manwell. aging editor and an assistant – inter- In 1947, she started working in the viewed Nell Wing at the Grapevine office of the Alcoholic Foundation office in New York and talked about (now the General Service Office), and the magazine, Bill W., the early days of in 1950 became Bill W.’s secretary. AA, and a variety of other things.

6V: You’ve described the Grapevine writing the Big Book -so the program Occasionally he’d pay their fines for essarily deeply religious; they were also as having an “improbable history.” wouldn’t get “garbled” in transmission. them – when you’ve been out drink- both pragmatic New Englanders. Bill What did you mean? NELL WING: Exactly. If it’s in print, ing until three A.M., who has any mon- had a way of talking about a deep faith NELL WIN6: It’s miraculous that the it’s a matter of record. And the fact is, ey left to pay fines with? inside himself the way James did. Bill Grapevine is still in existence fifty years Bill was perhaps his own worst enemy I read about AA in the September liked to read about different interprelater. The Grapevine doesn’t have Liberty magazine – sitting in my col- tations of what God was like. He was in trying to get his ideas across. He what a lot of magazines have – like lege dorm – in 1939. So when I first very philosophical, and James’s The Vacould pound you into a corner, so to ads or a sales force. It has to stick to its speak, because of his frustration when came to work at AA, 1 knew about it, rieties of Religious Experience was very primary purpose and basically that’s to his ideas were not understood and ac- and I also knew that a drunk was not meaningful to him, as it was to many ask members to write articles, to share always a “Bowery bum.” AAs both in those early years and cepted by the trustees and the memtheir stories, to feature events happen- bership at large. So the Grapevine was 6V: You worked with Bill W. for since. ing in their areas, now or in the future. an effective way for him to reach peo- twenty years. Tell us more about him. 6V: How were Bill and Dr. Bob dif- But the Grapevine has kept going be- ple -without the pounding! NELL WlN6: As I said, he could be ferent from each other? Was Bill the adamant about what he knew had to greater risk taker? cause there are many, many people 6V: The Grapevine is now fifty years NELL WIN6: 1 think so. Dr. Bob, as who understand and appreciate it. old, and we’re considering what our be accomplished. He had the vision to There are always enough members who see ahead what was needed in order to a doctor, believed in being cautious and role for the future will be. Do you have find it useful and helpful in maintain- any thoughts about where the preserve the Fellowship. But everybody advising people how to evaluate ideas ing sobriety and keep it going. Some liked to argue with Bill, and he liked to and solutions, to weigh them carefully Grapevine fits in? argue, too! -have everyone in agreement before even read it long before becoming NELL WIN6: Preserving the experi- taking action. Bill believed in putting members of AA. ence – to my mind that’s what you do Listening to Bill was some experi- 6V: What was it about the ence. When Bill would be talking, say the goal forward and aiming for it. No in the Grapevine. The Grapevine’s Grapevine that Bill W. found so ap- purpose is similar to the purpose of at a banquet, many in the audience matter who liked it or who didn’t like pealing? archives in general: to preserve the would be very moved and even weep- it: Aim for that goal. Bill always NELL WING: He quickly saw it as a ing at what and how he shared. He thought way ahead. Dr. Bob was the past, understand the present, and dismeans of carrying the message. And cuss and predict the future. So many could touch you in ways that were re- monitor, evaluator, the ground level, since he couldn’t connect personally young people are coming in today and ally remarkable. the supporter of Bill’s ideas, even perwith all groups and areas of AA on a they need to know about the history of Generally, he could learn from ex- haps not always agreeing with the timregular basis, he used it as a primary AA. perience. Like for example when he ing of an idea. Another miracle! A was advised to set the tone a i d tense perfect match! A wonderful partnersource of sharing and explaining the 6V: What was your first acquain- ship, indeed. Yes, Dr. Bob was the right important issues that he wanted ac- tance with alcoholics or AA? for the text of the Big Book: Don’t say you must do it this way. Just say, Look, person to balance Bill. His view was, cepted by the Fellowship. Now, it took N ELL WING: My dad was a teacher Keep it simple. Bill had vision -that several years, as we know, before there and a justice of the peace in our small this is what we do. He was a teacher was a steady and enthusiastic growth of town. I learned about alcoholics very but not a preacher! was one of his gifts -he could see the Grapevine readers. But Bill thought early on because the state police would 6V: What’s amazing is that he lis- road ahead. that sharing his ideas in print this way often drag guys over at three in the tened. 6V: Where do you think he got this! was important. It was there – you morning, rapping on our door. And NELL WING: I always think how Bill N ELL W IN6: 1 don’t know. He simcould read it, you could think about it, many of these drunks were professional was so much like the philosopher and ply was of that character. He had a you could refer to it later. people in our town or nearby towns, writer William James. Both Bill and need to think ahead to the next step, a 6V: That was one of the reasons for and perhaps good friends of my dad’s. James were spiritual, though not nec- sense of direction, an ability to judge

” what the needs were, and a great abili- twentig. She and Bill tried to adopt ing to go all over the world.” He Grapevine article in 1948 -“Modesty ty to bring different streams of thought but the adoption facility said they laughed and said, “Nell, you can say One Plank for Good Public Relations.” together. But h e took time to think needed a friend who could recommend that – 1 can’t.” But the growth was [In this article, Bill discusses how the things through. People said that up at them, and the friend they asked -an phenomenal. After the war, many ser- Washingtonians veered from their ini- Stepping Stones, Lois was the one who old friend of Lois’s – said that quite vicemen in A A were stationed over- tial singleness of purpose -which was did the yardwork, the plumbing, and frankly she didn’t think it was the right seas and were responsible for getting helping alcoholics – and how they the daily things that husbands usually thing to do, because of Bill’s drinking. AA started in Japan in the late forties didn’t have a national public relations do. It was true. Bill would be walking a S o they never got the go-ahead to and in Frankfurt, Germany. Actually, policy -a Tradition, as AA does.] lot, just thinking, contemplating adopt. in Japan, the program started out with NELL W I N 6 : Yes, that was a marahead. But Lois loved children. Up at Step- thirteen steps, not Twelve. And do you velous article. But there were also 6V: Did Bill have a sense of humor? ping Stones, young kids would come know what the wives were called in plenty of things going on in the present NELL W I N6: Yes, he’d knock us off running over to visit with her. She Japan?The Chrysanthemums. Wives that helped shape AA policy and Traour chairs sometimes. He’d tell Lois didn’t treat them like silly children but were invited to open meetings-well, ditions, too. and me something funny that hap- would talk to them as if they were not invited, but tolerated, and they def- GV: Such as? pened to somebody he’d heard about, adults. And even years later, the initely did participate! N ELL WING: Well, for one thing, and the way he told it, we would just grown-up children would come back GV: Any thought on what made AA when Marty M. was soliciting for the : absolutely go into hysterics. He could and see her. At Halloween time espe- so successful? new National Committee for Educatell a naughty story too. It wasn’t that cially there were always lots of neigh- N E11 W IN6: You know, one reason tion on Alcoholism (later the Nationhe was always pristine about every- borhood kids – I n e w r think of is that Bill wanted to avoid the mis- al Council on Alcoholism), she made thing. In the office, Bill and 1 used to Halloween without remembering Bill takes of the past. He paid great atten- a big error in 1946. She said that whoshare a big room; I was at one end and and Lois. Lois always had the table full tion to what made the Washingtonians ever contributed to the NCEA would he was at the other end. So I saw the of pumpkins and treats. When the and other similar movements fail back also be contributing to AA, or that “passing parade,” as it were – people children knocked at the door she’d be in the nineteenth century. AA would benefit from it. Well, that coming in to see him. Occasionally there to give them a little something. GV: That’s true, especially in a created some explosion! Bill was travsomebody would say, “Hey, Bill, I just Then the kids would pull straws to see heard this,” and then tell a joke cur- who got the biggest pumpkin. rently making the rounds. And Bill 6V: You mentioned before about Bill would look at him as if the guy was reading. Did he like to read? crazy. If he didn’t relate to a story or it NELL WING: He read a lot in earlier didn’t have a spark, he’d just kind of years. One of Bill’s great attributes was look at you. T h e poor guy would be that he could listen and learn. And a standing there, so disappointed that he lot of very well-informed people came was telling Bill a joke and Bill wasn’t to visit Stepping Stones over the years. laughing. A lot of ideas were expressed there and 6V: Lois and Bill never had children. talked about. Do you think they wanted them? 6V: Did Bill imagine that A A was NELL WIN6: Lois did, certainly. She going to be as big as it is today? always wanted children but she had NELL WIN6: I remember in the late three ectopic pregnancies back in the 1940s 1 said, “Bill, this Fellowship is go-

eling and speaking out West and AAs lowship as a whole. he wasn’t able to do it. In the end, away and what could wait for their rewere bombarding him with questions: GV: These are more examples of how what took its place was As BiU Sees It turn. “What’s going on? What is this wom- Bill looked ahead. -not a bad substitute! GV: Bill seems to have taken every , an saying?” The trustees of the Alco- NELL WING: Absolutely. That’s why GV: What were Bill’s depressions opportunity possible to communicate holic Foundation had their first press he was so concerned about establishing like? – through memos, letters, Grapevine conference because of this, explaining the General Service Conference in NELL WING: Most times you didn’t articles, the Big Book, the “Twelve and that what Marty said was not endorsed 1951. By the late 1940s, it was no se- know he was going through it. His de- Twelve;” traveling around, talking to by AA, and that the trustees had noth- cret that Dr. Bob probably didn’t have pressions came and went. Sometimes, groups and at special occasions . . . ing to do with the solicitation an- long to live. [Dr. Bob died in 1950.1 not often, but occasionally, when he N ELL WING: Yes, he was a terrific nouncement. Bill and Dr. Bob had And Bill was wondering how much was dictating to me in the office, he communicator! And he felt intensely earlier let their names be put on the time he himself might have. He want- would just put his head in his hands the need to share his plans for AA’s fu- NCEA letterhead because Bill was very ed and expected the Fellowship to be and weep for a bit. The worst of these ture and to receive endorsement of supportive of what Marty was doing in able to go on without him and Dr. Bob. depression bouts were between 1945 them -despite the often feisty oppothe field of alcoholism. Bill never be- But nobody wanted to face the fact and 1955. What he accomplished, sition from some. lieved that AA had all the answers for that he was going to die some day. AA-wise, despite his depressions, is a Right here, I would like to mention every alcoholic. He always said that GV: Weren’t there a number of pro- miracle. the Grapevine book, The Language of whatever worked for the individual was jects Bill wanted to get to in the years So many people wanted Bill’s advice the Heart, for I think it’s a most valu what was needed. Anyway, the Marty following Dr. Bob’s death? – not just AA and Al-Anon friends, able book. If you want to know what M. controversy lasted four years – it NELL WING: In 1954, Bill had the but nearby neighbors at Bedford Hills. Bill W. was all about, read that book! was a fast and furious business at the idea of creating a writing and research They’d ask if they could come over to GV: Did you do any work in terms of time. But it helped galvanize accep- team to help him with, among other Stepping Stones, and Bill always said archiving Bill’s numerous Grapevine tance of the short form of the Tradi- things, a major history of AA. Bill’s de- yes to everyone. articles? tions, which were later accepted in pression was still with him and he To get away from the phone ringing N ELL WING: For The Language of the 1950 at the Cleveland Conference. knew that if he could give a lot of time and all the people, Bill and Lois would Heart?No. But for the General Service GV: While Bill was clearly one of the to doing something specific and keep often go away in the middle of the Office, yes. Grapevines, newsletters, Fellowship’s old-timers, it seems he was at it, that would help the depression. week – to their “hideaway,” they and Conference Reports were among often at loggerheads with other mem- He wanted to do a good, thorough his- called it, a small rented cottage ten or the first items 1 started collecting for bers about a variety of things. tory and also put together a new edi- fifteen miles away. Lois would write the Archives project in 1955. NELL WING: Well, when he wrote tion of the Big Book. The scope of the and work on Al-Anon matters and Bill GV: Tell us about working in the the Twelve Concepts in 1959, most of history project proved to be too much, would catch up on correspondence and Archives of the General Service Ofthe Fellowship wasn’t interested at all. though, and had to be scaled back. memos regarding current AA projects. fice. And in the early fifties he proposed a Nevertheless, the result was AA Comes Then, once a year they often took NELL WING: I wanted the Archives change in the ratio of alcoholics to of Age. The new edition of the Big an overseas trip, usually in the fall, and started, as did Bill. My father, who valnonalcoholics on the Board of Book finally did get completed, and in the spring would take a trip around ued history, had a huge library at home, Tiustees. And nobody wanted to hear Bill was also eager to do a summing up the United States and Canada, visiting and after college I took a course in liabout that proposal, either. Neverthe- of what he had learned, the wisdom AA friends and discussing AA matters. brary science and liked it. I always less, both the Concepts and the ratio that had come up through the Fellow- Harriet, the housekeeper, would pick thought that it was very important to proposal were eventually accepted by ship. He had a very precise idea of the up their mail and I’d go through it to preserve AA history, preserve how it both the Board of Trustees and the Fel- kind of book he wanted to write, but see what needed to be answered right started and how it grew – to remem-

AA Grapevine

ber the mistakes in order to avoid future hadn’t possessed certain leadership abilones. It certainly was important to Bill, ities – where would A A be now? but it was hard to get others to under- Maybe some little sect, who knows? 1 stand the need for setting up an think it was destined. I think the High- Archives. In Europe, in the fifties, er Power set this up, I really do. The archives were thought to be very im- fantastic success of AA is like a big puzportant, but were not generally consid- zle and there are pieces that you know ered so here in the United States. We’re fit in but you just don’t know where una “now” people; we don’t always think til you look back into the past. about the future in terms of preserving GV: How has being so close to the the past. Fellowship affected you? In 1954, a fellow named Ed B. was NELL WIN& Well, I always like to hired to help Bill with his writing pro- say I’m on the outside looking in. .jects. Ed was a wonderful guy -a writer, a criminologist, and just newly sober -but he didn’t think it was important to preserve all the material we had col- About a week after I first came to the office, I attended an open AA meeting at a meeting hall on 41st Street. I remember a gentleman sharing his story 0 n July 3 1, 1993, the Jon Beach Sunday Morning Sunrise Group sponsored a bus trip to Stepping Stones, the former home of Bill and Lois W., in Bedlected and researched. Our desks were and I found myself weeping – while ford Hills, New York. opposite each other and I’d watch him everyone else was laughing! Right from I’ve been sober for nineteen years going through pamphlets and letters, the start, 1 was spellbound by AA. One and yet I had declined previous invitathrowing many of them in the waste- person helping another who had a sim- tions to this “hallowed” spot because it basket. I’d say, “Hey, Ed, we can’t throw ilar problem -that was as stunning an scares me a bit to realize that humans all this away.” I knew from experience idea to me at that time as it is now. love to make saints of the heroes in and his desk has been decothat each of Bill’s letters contained at Over the years, I’ve gained some spir- their lives. 1 feel there are no great peo- rated with numerous cigarette bums. least five different ideas! Ed had had a itual gifts myself. Most nonalcoholics ple, there are only great challenges that Later we sat o n the lawn and enlaryngectomy – so he’d write out a who are familiar with AA feel the same ordinary people are forced by circum- gaged in an open discussion. Bill and note, “No, that’s not important any sense of growth. stances to meet. Lois were with us as surely as was our more.” I didn’t argue, but after he left GV: Hanging around with a bunch of The trip was a revelation, however. I breathing. I felt that when Bill and Dr. work at four o’clock, I’d take everything drunks for this long -it can only go up not only got to see Bill and Lois as hav- Bob founded the Fellowship, we were out of the wastebasket and put it all from here! ing been very human but I’m now more there with them also, because spirit is safely away in storage boxes until I NELL WING: 1’11 tell you something, accepting of my own humanity. The one. I realized there is no death. What could sort it out. 1 don’t know people who have lived caretaker of the property offered us we humans refer to as death is merely I’m especially grateful that Bill so and learned and reacted to life like AA many anecdotes regarding Bill W.’s fam- a transition, a change in molecular strongly believed in preserving AA’s ex- members. I’ve been taught – and I’m ily and mentioned some of their all-too- structure. Bill has dropped the body, he perience. He knew the importance of grateful. Every morning when I wake human foibles. Bill really came to life is at peace, he has gone home. Yet he getting things done, and had a special up, I express gratitude for what’s hap- for me as 1 sat in his chair at “Wit’s lives. He is the tree above our heads. gift for timing. 1 often think, suppose he pened to me. End,” the one-room writing studio that He is the wind and the rain and the zS stands several hundred feet from the main house. He did most of his writing morning air. He is always with us. E. H., B r e n t d , N.Y.

AA Grapevine

The ~ o n g e s & ~ u n n i n ~sue: “What profiteth a man if he has in an era very conscious of slips. The gained sobriety and lost his sense of hu- January 1947 “Alky Album,” for exmor?” And eleven years later, in the ample, featured a garishly attired fe- Story in A l c o h o l i c s February 1961 issue, an editor’s note male flamboyantly proclaiming, “A few observed: ” ‘We , drinks help me get Anonymous: laugh,’ a philosopher once said, ‘because if ALKY ALBUM over my shyness.” Another early carwe didn’t, we’d cry.’ 1toon series, “Men of The Story of the AA @-apevine The poignancy of IExtinction,” parothis remark is pecu- Iiied an advertise-

liarly appreciated by 1ment for intoxicants:

(The firs1 in a scrlcs of portraits of men who cnjnyrd the liner t l t ~ n ~i ns life.) “A n alcoholic is a person with two feet firmly planted in mid-air.” “An alcoholic is a person who finds he has nothing in common with himthe alcoholic whose life has so often been touched by a brush of humor along with the tragedy.” a sloppily dressed vagrant, for example, interrupted in his trash-can rummaging, straining to look self.” The laughter that dignified, is cap- “I was a lot like the guy who shot his heals is laughter at tioned “Eustis wife with a bow and arrow so as not to ourselves. The same Bagley 111, Bon Vi-. wake the children.” issue contained an ar- vant and Collector These one-liners from early issues of ticle asking, “How is of Old Bottles.” the Grapevine suggest one of the con- your D.Q.? (Drunk And in the category tinuing threads that runs through every Quotient).” Noting jew drinks help me get o w of grandiosity even one of its 600 issues – humor. From that the standard shyness” in the act of hitting the stale jokes of “Barleycorn” in 1945, questions used to de- bottom, the July via “Short Snorts” and “Once Over termine alcoholism often fell short of 1945 issue recorded the reaction of a Lightly,” to the even worse jests that identifying “the real alcoholic,” T. W. still-drinking alcoholic on seeing an often grace “Ham on Wry” today, the R. from Virginia suggested a new set, American Airlines plane, the compacomedy that laughs at self, the wit that including: “Did you ever look through ny’s ” A M painted on its wings, passing makes points with a gentle (or not so drawn shades to see if it was three A.M. over his house: “If they’re going to all gentle) twist, the humor that hints at or three P.M.?””Did you ever drive a that trouble to get me, I might just as humility – these have characterized car because you were too drunk to well give up now.” AA’s magazine just as they do AA walk?” meetings. Although stories provide our best The Grapevine and AA Storytelling Most people outside the AA Fellow- healing, cartoons can occasionally But humor, and the sobriety it guards, ship are puzzled by AA humor: Why skewer even those who resist identify- is only one of the continuities to be do those alkies laugh at stuff that just ing. Early Grapevine caricaturists pro- found in fifty years of the Grapevine. E u l t i ~Ragley. Ill. Bon Piuont ond Collector ut O l d Bottles isn’t funny? A good answer can be duced “Alky Album,” which afforded Another is stories. Like the laughter found in a filler from the May 1950 is- a strong antidote to stinking thinking that heals, stories are of the essence of

The story of storytelling in the by members cut off from AA life and roots in the need to guard against aber- Grapevine is a little more corn- companionship. rations that could be dangerous to the plex. The Grapevine began as a lo- And the servicemen wrote back. Fellowship as a whole. cal newsletter -a newspaper that Their letters, which frequentlydetailed linked the rapidly spreading groups the effort to hang on, often in isolated The Development and Concerns of New York City by providing circumstances, began to set a style for of Storytelling news of area events and activities. storytelling. They related some prob- Thus, for a time, the Grapevine moved It was not the first such effort by lem, told what led to its resolution, and away from stories of personal experimembers of Alcoholics Anony- then reflected on the gift of a life en- ence and printed more descriptions of mous: such publications as the riched by the experience. Not quite and comments on the spread of AA Cleveland Central Bulletin and the “what we used to be like, what hap- and the adaptations that some locali- Los Angeles Eye-opener gave im- pened, and what we are like now,” but ties developed to meet that growth. petus to the Grapevine. Its format very close. Most articles in the mid-1940s were consisted primarily of articles and The war ended in 1945. In Septem- about group practices: for example, reports: suggestions for “hospital ber, “Mail Call for All AAs in the ways of holding meetings for greater work,” columns recommending Armed Forces” became “Mail Call for numbers, exchanges of speakers, and books to be read and hobbies to be All AAs at Home or Abroad,” and in procedures used to “indoctrinate” new engaged in, news of groups form- the same year “Along the Metropoli- members. Diversity was honored in this ing and reports on how they oper- tan Circuit” was replaced by “AA’s period, AA members in general showated. Many of the early lead Country-Wide News Circuit,” a ing great tolerance of various underarticles were by nonalcoholics: change related directly to the standings of even such basics as the Doctors Haggard and Jellinek, Grapevine’s new status as the “nation- Twelve Steps. Grapevine issue 918 writers Philip Wvlie, . – Fulton al monthly journal.” In December, (November 1945), for example, began ,Alcoholics Anonymous, and the evo- Oursler, and S. J. Perelman. each issue began to include excerpts a second series of articles on the Steps lution of storytelling in the Grapevine Some stories, very brief ones, do from group publications, a practice that explicitly to give voice to “different reveals much about storytelling within peek in around the corners, and most continued through mid-1948. views and interpretations.” Not all Alcoholics Anonymous. of rhem entered the earliest issues as a The responsibility of being AA’s na- readers were tolerant, however; as in In AA itself, the practice of telling result of a very specific circumstance. tional periodical and, beginning in Jan- the Grapevine today, descriptions of stories of “what we used to be like, The Grapevine’s editors sent copies of uary 1949, its “international monthly experience drew letters of comment what happened, and what we are like their paper to all AA members serving journal,” reinforced the Grapevine’s and often of disagreement. And no now” was not planned; it sort of snuck in the military in World War I1 -300 commitment to reporting what was go- sooner did some express disapproval of in. The earliest AAs, leaving the Ox- of them, 40 of whom had lived in the ing on in the various groups, which some practices than others wrote to ford Group, wanted to avoid the style New York City area. Letters in the were in the midst of the early trial-and- warn against the dangers of criticizing of “witnessing” used by that group. “Mail Call for All AAs in the Armed error period of rapid growth. And that others. They soon discovered, however, that Forces” column, which began in the commitment extended beyond just re- The climax of this process came in the only way to answer the questions first issue, attest that many groups porting: In April 1946, Bill W. would August 1946 with a piece by Bill W., raised by newcomers was to tell the sto- wrote letters to keep in touch with publish “Twelve Points to Assure Our “Who Is a Member of Alcoholics ry of their own experience, strength, their members in the military, but that Future,” the first appearance of AA’s Anonymous?” This article achieved and hope. “newsy papers” were most appreciated Twelve Traditions, which had their two ends. Directly, it suggested extend-

ing tolerance of other groups’ practices cide for themselves about practices and ing about Alcoholics Anonymous, Anonymous itself, which was saved to tolerance of the differences among the applications of principles. imagining a distorted idea of what it from titling its Big Book “One Hunindividual alcoholic newcomers. Indi- The evolving practice of storytelling was and rejecting it, and then telling dred Men” mainly by the timely arrival rectly, Bill’s gentle words invited a shift apparently influenced the wording of how one came to accept AA or give it of Florence R., the AA Grapevine from detailing group practices back to the AA Preamble – perhaps the AA a chance, and what had happened came into being primarily as a result of telling personal stories – a shift that Grapevine’s most historic contribution since. the dedication and effort of some early took place gradually over the next sev- to Alcoholics Anonymous – which At the time this format was devel- AA women. eral years. first appeared in the June 1947 issue, oping, members were paying much at- Not only were four of the “ink- In December 1946, Bill W. described and is now commonly read at the be- tention to “slips,” which seemed to stained wretches” – Lois K., Marty the AA Grapevine as “our principal ginning of AA meetings. Although them to be increasing. With greater M., Priscilla P., and Grace 0.- femonthly journal, devoted to the inter- most of the phrasing was borrowed concern about “stinking thinking,” the male, but Felicia G., Maeve S., and from the foreword to the first edition of “what happened” segment of AA sto- Astrid L. soon also became very active the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the ries became not only the point at in the journal’s writing and production. phrase “experience, strength, and which one stopped drinking, but any And so it does not surprise that, alhope” is original, and it encapsulates significant turning point in one’s atti- though unannounced as such, the May what both AA and the Grapevine had tude. AA stories began to place more 1945 issue, which rnaarked the complebecome: a place where alcoholics could emphasis on experiences of a spiritual tion of a year’s success, quietly celeboth offer and find the “identification” nature – the dawning of humility, brated with five articles devoted to that helps in the never-ending task of consideration, and thoughtfulness in women’s experience. The lead article, penetrating the “self-centeredncss” that place of total self-centeredness. by Marty M., ilcknowledged that “is the root of our troubles.” To read “Women Alcoholics Have a Tougher Grapevine stories over time is to find a Significant Issues Fight.” “Women alcoholics do have mirror of one’s own growth, and lack of Humor and storytelling are two major special problems,” Marty noted, “But growth, in sobriety. areas of continuity over fifty years of we women can get there as well as the The usual theme of the earliest sto- the Grapevine; and not surprisingly, men -witness the number of us, good ries ran along the lines of “I didn’t there is continuity in subject matter as AA members (one in ten of our total ests of Alcoholics Anonymous -and know what was the matter with me, well. Because what we find in the past membership).” Other titles were “One to nothing else. It tries to publish the and, whatever it was, I was pretty sure tends to be shaped by what we know of Woman Alcoholic Writes to Another,” news and portray the views of AAs that nothing could be done for it.” Ear- the present, two topics especially grab “A Daughter is Proud of Her AA everywhere. It aims to reflect a cross liest AA identification, then, consist- the attention of any 1990s reader pe- Mother,” “A Wife Takes Pleasure in section of our thought and action . . . ed in the sheer sense of relief at the rusing Grapevines of earlier decades: AA,” and “Credo for an AA Wife.” bringing us news of each other across discovery that one was “not alone” – women in AA and those who “use oth- As the latter titles hint, a related great distances, and always describing not unique. er drugs.” topic, also still relevant in the 1990s, what can be freshly seen in that vast But that basis of identification shift- Issue #1 offered brief descriptions of graced Grapevine pages from the beand lifegiving pool we call ‘AA expe- ed over time. It had to change as more the “six ink-stained wretches” who ginning. We speak today of “family isrience.’ ” As time went on, it became people got more sober, and an ever brought the publication into existence: sues”; the usual phrase then was “wives clear that readers wanted to hear about larger number of people heard about “a cashier, a radio script writer, an au- of alcoholics” – although as early as people: on the basis of what they AA. The next generation of stories thor, a bookseller, an art director, a wife April 1947 we find an article titled learned about people, they would de- more often described the motif of hear- and mother of two.” Unlike Alcoholics “Husband Sees Rich Rewards for Non-

Alcoholics,” in which a writer from A month later, another physician, AA Changing?’ only decades later, ear- Grapevine reaches the half century San Diego presented himself as “affili- “DOCM.,” wrote in “to assure [Doc N.] ly 1960s letters to and articles in the mark. In every one of the 600 issues, ated with A A as a ‘dry-mate.’ ” The that his experience is one that is he- Grapevine reveal a tug-of-war between Grapevine writers have shared their writer offered at least one observation ginning to be shared by quite a fcw. We those promoting and those denying “~xperience,strength, and hope,” most that can still hit home: “At the first have in our club five men who have change. This was not a new phenome- frequently in the form of stories rather dry-mate meetings I attended, we were had many years of drug addiction but non in Alcoholics Anonymous: Bill W. than suggestions or advice. all in agreement that our mates had who are finding complete freedom had observed in the 1940s that “AA In that spirit, for the Grapevine is a outgrown us. . . .” from drugs and are well on the highway will always have both its fundamental- large source shaping the course of my “Dry-mate meetings”: the term, for- to successful and happy living. . . . ists and its liberals.” What distinguishes own sobriety, 1have offered the foregotunately, did not stick. But the idea was These men, with one exception, were the 1960s is that it seems to be the ing thoughts on some continuities in more important than the name. In the all primary alcoholics, and I believe decade in which the membership as a the Grapevine. I have drawn from my earliest-described AA meetings, spous- this is largely true of all ‘hopheads.’ ” whole discovered the own experience of reades participated on an equal footing The Grapevine’s second year, 1945, reality of change, and ing and studying many with ex-drunks. Early on, however, as saw articles by Bill W. on “Those Goof- the Grapevine was one years worth of maga- Grapevine articles and letters attest, Balls,” and by “an M.D. who also is an vehicle of that discov- zines. And 1 hope that some of the male alcoholics’ wives in- AA” cautioning on “the sleeping-pill ery. January of 1961 others will dig around tuited that some female alcoholic menace.” Another side of the question witnessed a n explicit the backrooms of clubmembers seemed to understand their was tackled by a member writing from rejection of the jour- houses and meeting spouses better than did they. That re- Greenwich Village in February 1948, a 1’5. “meeting in print” places, and will ask old- . . alization brought some pain, but it also whose article asked: “Does a Pill Jag self-image, that under- timers about possible engendered deeper understanding of Count as a Slip!” 1. T. expressed his standing being replaced by the addition caches of old Grapevines – or look in “identification.” view strongly: “The A A who takes to of the phrase “in all our affaid’ to the the back of the closet for more recent A second “old” problem may sur- pills is trading the devil for the witch. If masthead. In April of that year, Bill W. issues. To find such a treasure-trove is prise readers of “new” Grapevines – you are using pills, openly or secretly, published the first of a series of articles to pass absorbing hours noting changes the long history within Alcoholics don’t try to convince anyone that originally intended to be part of a book and continuities – in humor, about Anonymous of attention to “problems you’re still sober or living the A A way (which was never completed) on the “other drugs” and “other problems,” of other drugs.” As early as August of life. It just ain’t so.” topic of AA spirituality. And as a spur about wives, husbands, family, and more 1944, Grapevine issue #3 printed a let- to the complacent, Bill W. quietly ob- . . . even about sobriety. ter from “Doc N.”: “I’m sure there are When AA Was Twenty-Five Years Old served in the first article of his new se- “Those who have no memory, have other AAs who, like myself, are find- The most critical period for Alcoholics ries, “God As We Understand Him”: no hope,” a wise person once observed. ing in A A the highway to freedom Anonymous, if that can be judgcd from “Though three hundred thousand did That is probably one reason why we tell from narcotics.” Suggesting “a ‘hop- the pages of the Grapevine, occurred in recover in the last twenty-five years, stories of “what we used to be like, what head’s corner’ in the Griipcvine,” the the early 1960s. Whiit was going on ;it maybe half a million more have walked happened, anti what we are like now.” writer noted that “even if mine is es- this point, some fifteen years into the into our midst, and then out again.” AA’s “remember when” has to do with sentially the same problem of all alco- Grapevine’s existence, around the time That three hundred thousand has more than drinking, and the AA holics, I occasionally wish that there of AA’s twenty-fifth birthday?One hint grown to two million and more in the Grapevine is a link with the people and were just one other narcotics victim in may be found in the stories that ap- intervening years. Alcoholics Anony- the events that make up our fascinating my A A group with whom I might peared during this era. Although mous celebrated its fiftieth birthday in past. share experiences.” Grapevine editors would title a series “Is 1985 and now, nine years later, the AA E. K. , Michigan

M y first contact with the Grapevine was in July 1961 at a drunk farm in Kent, Connecticut, called High Watch, an AA-oriented, spiriwho practiced in the same suite of offices he did. The shrink’s name was Dr. Harry Tiebout, who, with his patient Marty M., the first woman to have sustained sopicked up some of the dog-eared old Persuaded by him that the magazine Grapevines in the parlor of the main might use my services, 1 went with house. And in their soiled and worn him, shyly yet eagerly, to 305 East 45th pages, 1 got my first dim glimpse that it Street, the 18th floor, where both might -just – be possible to have a GSO and the Grapevine were en- , tual spot. I had been briety in AA, had reasonably happy and productive life sconced. What a thrill! I was escorted dumped there a few brought Alcoholics without alcohol. That was the first on a tour around GSO and even met days before to sober Anonymous to my time this particular thought had oc- Bill W. He stuck out his hand and said, up. After years of town of Green- curred to me in my adult life. It was the “Hi, I’m Bill and I’m a drunk.” That daily drinking, I had wich, Connecticut. beginning of acceptance. 1 have not was the extent of our conversation. gotten cirrhosis of Dr. Tiebout told had a drink since. At the Grapevine, 1 met Paula C., a the liver. Unable to me his science My next encounter with the kind of staff-member-of-all-work. In stop boozing, I had could not help my Grapevine came a year or two later as those days, the editors were outside experienced two disease and phoned an outgrowth of serving as my home volunteers; and at that time, it was massive esophageal the man who be- group’s representative to the New York Gurney W., which really impressed me, hemorrhages, each came my first spon- Intergroup. Doris, the secretary of the for I had known Gurney when he was of which out me in sor and took me to Intergroup office, discovered 1 had writ- humor editor of Colliers magazine. the hospi&l close to ‘ I my first AA meet- ing and public relations experience and When Paula found out 1 was from dying. On the second of these visits, ings. But I was too sick, too mokus, to asked me to help out on their public Greenwich, she told me Jack M. was when my doctor discovered I had stop drinking, so I was packed off to information committee. There I met helping them as an art director, prosmuggled a bottle of vodka into my High Watch. Barry L., another writer who volun- duction assistant, and cartoonist. (Jack sickroom and was happily soused, he There, as I came out of my fog, full teered at both the General Service Of- M. was creator of the long-running carfired me and sent me to a psychiatrist of anger, resentment, and gloom, I fice and the Grapevine. toon feature, “Victor E.”) I knew Jack

from the Greenwich mec but hadn’t T* the apartment of Lois K., a three-yearssober, enthusiastic member, in the New tributing to the magazine in the 1980s. (She was a friend of mine, as well.) kno ! wo rkcci at York City suburb of White Plains. Lois As World War 11 was very much in the Grilpevine. So 1 be- K. recalls that someone pi~llcdfrom his progress in 1944, part of the original gan to do occasional pocket a two-page newsletter gotten concept was that the new publication volunteer chores for the out by Cleveland. Obviously an ama- would be a means of communication Grapevine. Before long, teur effort, it was nevertheless exciting. with AAs in the service. The initial isa vacancv came UD on The next day, Lois hied herself up to sue contained a feature, “Mail Call for the Grapevine ~ o a r dof Stepping Stones to see Bill W. While All AAs in the Armed Forces.” The Directors, and I was invit- he sprawled full-length on the floor be+ first issue was also mailed to the secreed to fill it. The nine-per- fore the stone fireplace, she broached taries of all 300 groups in the country. son Board of interesting her idea: “How about a newspaper or The little group of volunteers gathand able people met quai- magazine for the groups in New York!” ered on May 22, 1944 in a small Manterly to try to deal with the personnel After a brief discussion, Bill said, “Go hattan apartment to see the first issue and policy problems which beset the to it. And blessings on you.” off the press. The first print order was magazine – and most of all, the lack A few nights later, Lois K. found her- for 1,200 at a cost of $187.10 to print of money. self in a small eatery on 23rd Street and mail, and they had no way to Bill W. used to drop in on the Board Grapevine for this purpose frequently with Marty M. and Priscilla P. Marty know whether they would sell enough meetings on an ex-officio basis. I and effectively. The Traditions were M. (whom I knew myself) later re- copies at 15 cents per, or gather enough learned that he was a great friend of the born and grew to their present form in membered, “We had no conception of subscriptions, to even pay for a second Grapevine. He had given it his full a series of articles in the latter 1940s, what was on her mind, but when she issue. But they did, with a heartening personal support from its very begin- beginning with a 1946 piece entitled laid out her plans, we were swept with number of subscriptions coming in ning, and whenever he spoke of it or “Twelve Points to Assure Our Future.” enthusiasm. We agreed a monthly pub- from A A groups outside the New ‘wrote about it, it was with obvious en- In 1950, when a majority of the lication for AAs in the New York area York area. thusiasm and affection. At one point, trustees seemed opposed to the idea, was needed, and if it spread beyond Marty M., who was just organizing when the magazine had occupied di- Bill and Dr. Bob used the Grapevine to that, so much the better. We agreed to the National Committee for Education lapidated quarters in the basement of a propose a General Service Conference help her get it started, and we agreed on Alcoholism (later the NCA), began condemned old building on Minetta through which the AA membership as delightedly on a name: The , touring the country in October in sup- Lane in Greenwich Village, Bill had a whole would take over. Later, after Grapevine.” port of that cause. She carried copies of kept a big, antique desk in the office. nearly twelve years of trying to bring The three women immediately drew the Grapevine with her, talked about it And he was always interested in its or- about a change in the ratio of alcoholic in Chase H., Abbott “Bud” T., and with groups and individual members, ganization and operation, as well as to nonalcoholic trustees on the Board, Maeve. Grace 0. (and her nonalco- and brought home material from distant writing frequently for it. Bill wrote about it in the Grapevine, holic husband, Fulton, a noted maga- locations – and many subscriptions as There were several reasons for his in- and the change was voted in that same zine editor and book author, whom I well. Within a year, the Grapevine was terest. Bill perceived early that this was year. also knew) helped as well, along with carrying on its masthead, “The Nationa means for him to communicate di- I also learned about some of the Kay M., who worked on the outside as al Monthly Journal of Alcoholics rectly with the Fellowship without go- Grapevine’s colorful history. a proofreader. Felicia G. (later Felicia Anonymous,” and only four years later, ing through the Board of Trustees – The idea for the magazine was ap- M.) was a Grapevine writer from the it had earned the right to change the especially when he was at odds with parently born in early April 1944 in very beginning – and was still con- word “National” to “International.”

be used as an office. The ac- culating to outsiders, it was de- regularly, as it has months were utter commodations were barely sirable to make clear to them ever since. Thus chaos. The tin marginal – dark and dingy, iUStwhat AA is and what it is the prayer was staff was almost with slanting wooden floors. not. So in June 1947 the editor, Derelict drunks congregated Tom Y., wrote and published on the stoop. Yet not only the succinct little Preamble, they worked in each did the magazine grow at a borrowing much of the phras- ings, a source of help other’s apartments. surprisingly rapid rate, but a ing from the Foreword to the and comfort to mil- How to handle and number of organizational first edition of the Big Book lions of members over mail subscriptions baf- improvements were intro- (and just incidentally, introfled them. They had duced in the business and ducing five of the principles Between Tom Y. trouble finding a bank circulation side of the office. which shortly became Tradi- and Gurney W., the that would accept their Over the years, the “Monthly Jour- tions). Although still used for Grapevine had a numaccount. They finally found their first nal” has been exciting reading. It re- public inform&ion purposes, the Pre- ber of other outstandoffice, which they furnished with a ported on AA’s Tenth Anniversary amble came to be printed in much of ing volunteer editors: Al S., who later long work table, six chairs, a big stand- Convention in Cleveland in July 1945 the Conference-approved literature. helped Bill W. at the General Service ing lamp -and a coffeepot. – and every International Conven- Along the way, groups and larger gath- Office and composed AA’s Responsi- Around its first birthday, the tion since. Bill wrote in 1945 about erings began to read it to open meet- bility Declaration; Sig H. and Sig S., Grapevine hired a part-time nonalco- “pill problems.” Lois W. wrote her sto- ings, presumably as a painless way to who we’re strong editors and experiholic typist-clerk, Bill W.5 younger ry, presaging the formation of Al- inform the newcomer about the nature enced businessmen; and Don G., a half-sister, Helen Evans. She laughing- Anon. Dr. E.M. Jellinek used the of the organization where he finds him- well-known radio broadcaster who ly remembers the office was in disarray, Grapevine to publish a questionnaire self. The custom spread until today the strengthened the Grapevine staff. with the subscriptions in confusion and on alcoholism that led to his famous Preamble is read tens of thousands of The first part-time paid editor, hired the financial records kept on slips of chart tracing “Phases of Alcohol Ad- times every day at the beginning of in January 1962, was Jerome “Jerry” E. paper in treasurer Bud T.’s shirt pock- diction.” meetings around the world. A talented editor, Jeny was also stronget. Shortly, the landlord appropriated Many articles by early friends of AA The Grapevine is also credited with willed, sometimes contentious, and aptheir office space for wartime housing, enriched the pages of the Grapevine: being the prime means by which the parently caused serious enough and they moved to the basement of an Sister Ignatia, Dr. William Silkworth, Serenity Prayer came into common use problems that he was asked to resign old church building at 41st Street and Dr. Harry Tiebout, Rev. Sam Shoe- in the Fellowship. As related in AA fifteen months later. Ninth Avenue that was then a club- maker, Fulton Oursler, Rev. Harry Comes of Age, an early member who About the time I became a director, house for AAs. It was impossible to get Emerson Fosdick, and San Quentin saw the prayer in a New York Times we hired the next part-time paid edia phone in wartime, so they had to use Warden Clinton Duffy. Other notable obituary in 1939 showed it to Bill W., tor, Tom W., who served three years a pay phone on the corner for contributors included: Upton Sinclair, who wrote, “Never had we seen so but also caused problems. With a Grapevine calls. Charles Jackson, Paul de Kruif, Gerald much AA in so few words.” It was im- strong alcoholic ego, he was inclined When the old clubhouse building Heard, James Thurber, Aldous Huxley, mediately printed on cards which were to issue abrupt commands to his backwas sold, the Grapevine was homeless Reinhold Niebuhr, Dr. Karl Menninger enclosed in letters from the office, and up staff and, in their view, to make again. By pulling strings, they got the and Senator Margaret Chase Smith. was printed in AA pamphlets. After hasty, pressured decisions. He also city to permit the basement of a con- The Preamble originated in the the Grapevine commenced publication failed to consult us on the Board with demned building on Minetta Lane to Grapevine. As the magazine began cir- in 1944, it carried the Serenity Prayer some editorial decisions which got the

., AA Grapevine

nized’that Paula and Jack had a unique manager of GSO two years later, a po- and designated managing editor, and a combination of abilities between them. sition I held for ten years. The offices part-time freelance designer took over So, in March 1969, the Board gave were then at 468 Park Avenue South, layout and some production. them joint and equal responsibility for where 1 was able to keep in close touch The Grapevine’s restructuring was the magazine. The way the arrange- with the magazine. not fully resolved until 1987, when ment worked out in practice was that In the early 1970s, in recognition of team management was established. Paula selected the material (subject to the impending retirement of both Ann W. assumed overall charge of the Jack’s agreement), corresponded with Paula C. and Jack M., the Grapevine operation as executive editor, once Tom W. was contributors and others, and dealt with Board entered a period of restructuring. again making an editor the chief execalso asked t o the Board and the General Service For many years, job responsibilities had utive; Ames S. as managing editor, and Conference. Jack designed and laid out been determined by the specific skills Bob Scherer, the current nonalcoholic . . each issue (subject to Paula’s agree- and strengths of two talented longtime controller, completed the management a member of the ment) and carried it through produc- staff people, and replacing them was team which is now still in place. Grapevine b a r d – a service respon- tion. difficult. There were several false starts: This was the situation sibility 1 enjoyed from 1964 to 1972 – They were ably assisted by ];met G., a succession of manag- when I rotated from my I came to have enormous respect and who worked part-time as copy editor ing editors was hired G S O service in 1987 affection for Paula C., who had joined and proofreader. Janet had a lifetime of and then fired, and the and this was the end of my the Grapevine staff two years earlier. solid editorial experience on the pulp operation began to shift first-hand knowledge of Paula, a tallish woman with deep-set magazines of the day, and had such an from the primacy of the the Grapevine. Today, as eyes and a long, female-Lincolnesque eye for mistakes that she made the magazine and its editor- simply a subscriber and face, was extraordinarily strong, capa- Grapevine (and other work she later ial staff, to greater em- devoted reader of the ble, compassionate and wise. In addi- did for AA World Services publishing) phasis on “promotion” magazine, I am gratified tion to an intuitive editorial sense, she virtually error-free. and production of maga- to see it is as helpful was superb in her relationships with There followed a six-year era when zine-related items -with and exciting as it has ~ e o p l e :staff, Board, contributors, the quality of the magazine was consis- some negative reaction always been – a everyone. In January 1968, Paula was tently excellent, the circulation nearly from A A members. For a “meeting in print,” a appointed managing editor with ad- doubled, and the staff functioned number of years, the chief sharing of AA experiministrative responsibility for the en- smoothly, with good relations with the executive was Retha G., a , strength, and hope, tire operation. Board. The Grapevine Board enjoyed noneditorial administrator. and one of the ~ e l l o w s h i ~ ~ s importkt A t the same time, my friend Jack the services of some exceptional lead- As the operation grew, the Grapevine tools of sobriety. M., who had joined the Grapevine staff ers: legendary Class A trustee Austin directors added a full-time controller to Bill W. put it best himself: “The in 1960, at first part-time and later full- McCormick was its mainstay for eigh- the staff, in the person of Don Meurer, Grapevine is the mirror of AA thought time, was making great contributions teen years; Dr. Milton Maxwell, who a nonalcoholic thoroughly familiar and action, worldwide. It is a sort of to the magazine as artist, art director, later became chairman of the A A with all aspects of AA. magic carpet on which all of us can and production person. He also had an General Service Board, served the In 1985, the deaths of copy editor travel from one distant A A outpost to excellent “feel” for material that would Grapevine for five years. Janet G. and of Tom N. (who had tak- another, and it has become a wonderappeal to AA readers; but, by his own In 1972, I rotated off both the en Jack M.’s place in design and pro- ful exchange medium of our current admission, he was no administrator. Grapevine Board and the General Ser- duction) caused all job responsibilities thought and experience.” Wisely, the Grapevine Board recog- vice Board, only to become general to be reevaluated. Ames S. was hired Robert P., Riverside, Conn.

September 1994

Q:What is AA’s “Reserve Fund,” and what is it for? e The Reserve Fund was established in 1954 and essentially serves as AA’s “prudent reserve.” The principal purpose of the fund is to provide the financial resources necessary to continue the essential services of GSO and the Grapevine in the event of an unexpected and substantial reduction in the normal revenues of the organization, whether that situation be caused by severe economic recession, a disruption within the Fellowship, or a change in the manner of publication and distribution of AA literature, or any other cause. . If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., PO Box 1980, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y., 10163-1980

October 1994

Q: In Appendix I1 of the Big Book (page 570, on the topic of “Spiritual Experience”) there is a quote from Herbert Spencer. Where does this quote come from?

A :Herbert Spencer was a noted English philosopher who died in 1903. Over the course of his lifetime, he wrote numerous books?and the quote which appears in the Big Book, ‘There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -that principle is contempt prior to investigation,” is said to come from his book Principles of Biology.

II you have questions for the Vine Line,mle to: Ediloiii Dept.. W Box 1980. Grad Central Station, Nen York. N.Y. 10163-1980

November 1994 What We Were Llke

member of the Manitoba Legislative in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. I am Assembly who was lecturing on the convinced that I am leaving the instisubject of alcohol. Mr. Bailey had vis- tution with a humility and a lack of reited the Yale School of Alcohol Studies sentment never experienced by me and heard of an organization calling it- before.” self Alcoholics Anonymous. Dr. Pincock was mystified, as he had just The First Meeting returned from a tour of psychiatric fa- Late in 1944, Dr. Pincock wrote to sevcilities in the U.S. and had heard not eral patients who had undergone treatone whisper of this new society. So in ment for alcoholism during the year, the e;dy fall of 1943, when Dr. Brian suggesting that an AA group be Bird, his assistant, went on a refresher formed, and assuring them that they course at University Hospital in Min- would run their own show, with the neapolis, Dr. Pincock asked him to find doctor acting in an advisory capacity out what he could about this Alco- only. Percy E. responded, as did Gretholics Anonymous. Dr. Bird managed tir I., and they met each other on Noto attend meetings at the Nicollet vember 26, 1944. With this meeting, Group in Minneapolis, and returned to Alcoholics Anonymous began in Win- Winnipeg with a copy of the Big Book. nipeg. In February 1944, Percy E., who was With the Big ntmk as their source of Winnipeg Group undergoing treatment for alcoholism in the Psychopathic Hospital of Winnipeg inspiration, the two members began Twelfth Step work almost immediately. In “Psycho,” they found Alex T., Celebrates 50 Years General Hospital (known as “Psycho”), was told about AA and given a copy of who became the third member of the the Big Book. He read it, and on his fledgling group – the first group discharge, wrote to Drs. Bird and Pin- formed between southeastern Ontario cock, stating his willingness to try this and Vancouver.

A lcoholics Anonymous might never have gotten off the ground without early nonalcoholic friends, and the Winnipeg Group of AA in Manitoba is one good much concerned with the treatment of alcoholism in psychiatric institutions and hospitals, and in particular with the lack of long-term success (beyond drying the alcoholic out, giving him new treatment: “I assure you I am sincere in offering my services either in a pioneering capacity, or as a disciple of others if they exist here, and am willing to partici- An organizational meeting was held in the library of the Psychopathic Hospital on January 2, 1945, with Dr. Pincock attending. The three founders realized the need for more members, example. The group, now celebrating back his health, and turning him pate in the movement under discus- regular meetings, and constant discusfifty years of carrying the message, loose). At the time, doctors could do sion. I would appreciate any guidance sion. They ordered Big Books and AA owes its beginnings in November little but that -then watch in dismay or suggestions you might care to offer. literature from the New York office. 1944 to the early efforts of a psychia- as the alcoholic returned to former Faith without works is dead! Never be- Two members of the Nicollet Group in trist who cared about alcoholics. drinking patterns. fore have 1 been brought face to face Minneapolis, Barry C. and Don K., Dr. T. A. (Alex) Pincock, then In the summer of 1943, Dr. Pincock with what I am -an alcoholic whose came up once a week for an entire year, Manitoba’s Provincial Psychiatrist, was spoke with William Bailey, a former case is parallel with many mentioned offering help and advice.

Percy, Grettir, and Alex began to hait~triggeredalcoholic personalities. tempting to do for the alcoholic. and these AAs decided to form a Monthly business meetings, with their meet twice a week for lunch at the St. Eventually, two factions arose in the French-speaking group. In February Charles Hotel, as well as in each othbusiness details and bureaucratic trap- club. One wanted to form a separate 1948, the nucleus of the group that is ers’ homes, and slowly the group ac- pings, did little to diminish friction. group and rent the clubrooms once a now the St. Boniface-Norwood Group quired more members. By the end of The members spent a good deal of time week. This proposal was turned down met for the first time. summer 1945, the Winnipeg Group and energy drafting a constitution and at a meeting in April 1949 – after Women alcoholics came into their had a membership of thirteen, and hadby-laws -really superfluous to an AA which occurred the Great Secession. own when they formed the Women’s begun to hold lunches and meetings ingroup. Everyone meant well, but it was No less than thirty-six members of the Group in February 1953. the Marlboro Hotel. a wonder that anvone Winnipeg Group walked out, and in In those early days, the Winnipeg In fall 1945, Art 8. stayed sober during May of that year formed the Alano Group handled correspondence with offered the use of his this time of troubles. Group. “loners” in Manitoba and Saskatchoffice in the Somerset The members soon ewan, and gradually Alcoholics Building as a meeting realized that in order AA Spreads Across Manitoba Anonymous spread throughout westplace, and three meet- to live the AA way, a We can look back today and see that ern Canada. In 1950, groups were ings were held there true partnership be- all this strife was a blessing in disguise, founded in Stony Mountain Penitenevery week. By early tween alcoholics and for it was the means by which AA was tiary and in Headingly Jail. 1946, there were eigh- their wives was neces- spreading across Winnipeg. But con- Today, there are approximately 170 teen members, and sary. Open meetings flict was not the only stimulus for AA groups in Manitoba, over 50 of they decided to rent a were arranged, and a growth. In December 1947, the first them in metropolitan Winnipeg. Manpermanent home for women’s auxiliary public meeting of AA in Winnipeg itoba AA membership includes more the group. With little made up of the nonal- took place, when Barry C. of the than 5,000 recovering alcoholics, and money but vast faith, coholic wives was Nicollet Group from Minneapolis ad- at one time, the Winnipeg Group was they rented an old formed. This step had dressed the Rotary Club in the Play- one of the largest AA groups in the hall at 213 112 0 s – its down side, though: house Theatre. In February 1948, some world. borne Street, which the -group’s . first real Winnipeg Group members and their Winnipeg members today look back had been used for storing furniture. split arose over some members’ objec- wives drove to Brandon, where they with gratitude, and see that AA in The rent was $40 per month. Five tions to the use of the clubrooms by the spoke to the doctors and staff of the Winnipeg had an ideal sponsor. Dr. members put up securities for a bank women’s auxiliary on Wednesday mental hospital and to the local cler- Alex Pincock had been a medical misloan and spent $3,500 (which at to- evenings. After a bitter discussion, gy, and also helped form the Wheat sionary, specializing in psychiatry, and these members left the group, and on day’s prices represents nearly $40,000) City Group at a meeting in the his professional skill, combined with a January 22, 1947 formed the Assinion furniture and fixtures. The loan was YMCA. deep faith in the power of God to help repaid in two years. Members’ wives boine Group. Bill W. and his wife Lois visited suffering people, enabled him to compitched in to scrub and polish, and thePersonality clashes and friction Winnipeg in February 1948, and spoke municate with alcoholics to a degree continued, although the Winnipeg whole group worked to get the meeting at a dinner meeting at the Royal attained by few. With characteristic place in shape. Group was actively twelfth-stepping Alexandra Hotel. This was a wonder- modesty, Dr. Pincock always mainalcoholics and helping bring to the ful stimulus to the AA movement in tained that he did nothing – that we Growing Pains general public, through churches and Winnipeg. alcoholics did it all. But “we alcoholics” The early growth of AA was some- businessmen’s groups, the knowledge By 1948, the Winnipeg Group had know better. times stormy. Friction arose between of what AA is and what it was at- four or five French-speaking members, Bob F., Winnipeg, Man.

January 1995

— – —

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS – June 29-July 2, 1995 San Wego, Califurnia e For information on registration and housing, see your CSR, call your local intergroup or central office, or get in touch with the General Service Office

March 1995

AA Around the World

of alcoholics, while his dominant personality vived that first storm. Much criticism was levheld the group together. eled at the group for keeping Sister as a per- Thus when, after a few months, Arthur manent member of its steering committee, went on a skid, the group disintegrated rapid- but it would indeed have been an ungrateful ly. Arthur, unfortunately, never recovered lot if it had kicked her out at that point and died in March 1947. just when the movement had been estab- Another serious repercussion was the fact lished on a sound footing. The critics can that the group now discovered that Arthur, have little conception of the heartbreak and in his enthusiasm, had allowed his zeal for struggle of those early years, when an attempt hospitalization to far outstrip the money he was being made to establish something enhad available for this purpose and that it now tirely new in this country. “HowIt All Began: AA in South Africa” – From the October 1993 owed a Johannesburg Nursing Home the sum In the meanwhile, Solomon had been quiof 500,000 sterling (approximately $2,000 in etly carrying on with his life of newfound so- Regmaker, the bimonthly magazine of AA in South Africa briety. It is doubtful whether his own words those days). This money was later repaid with the help can be improved upon. of a grant-in-aid from the Johannesburg So- He relates: “My association with AA, from cial Services. somewhere toward the end of 1946, begin-

I n 1946, two men in Johannesburg were terested from the layman’s point of view, and In spite of this crippling blow, there re- ning like nearly all other similar cases with o n a tear. Each one, independently of they called in others to help spread the news mained, however, a small hard core of stal- the end of a hender, the last of many which the other, happened to get hold of a copy and make contact with alcoholics. warts who had been imbued with the true were always to be the last. of the Reader’s Digest in which there was an These others included two ministers of re- AA philosophy, and these few set about re- “1 woke up that Wednesday morning with article on Alcoholics Anonymous and each ligion, a psychiatrist, the director of social ser- building the group. By this time, a more var- the dreadful apprehension and horror of one wrote to the Alcoholic Foundation in New vices, and an observer. ied supplyof literature had been ordered from who felt that the end of the world had come. York for further information. The two men These people, then, launched the hither- America and more had been learnt about the “There were things – dreadful things were Arthur S. and Solomon M. to unknown movement in Johannesburg.The real AA program. to be faced. The events of the previous day Arthur lived in a palatial house in first ever meeting of AA in South Africa was Thus, although it had suffered this severe and far into the night now confronted me Parkview and was, like one of the original held in Arthur’s home in Parkview. setback early in 1947, there was never any ac- with stark naked reality. Two people stand founders of AA, a stockbroker. He was, of The first newspaper publicity brought a tual break in continuity, and by the midde of out in my memory: my wife and my employer. course, a white man. Solomon, who lived in a congratulatory letter from Solomon who had 1947 the group, though small, was function- “Between the ~ w of them, they literally one-room house in Alexandra township, was already embarked on the AA way of life as a ‘

ing in the true AA spirit. hauled me out of the wreckage, the consea black man. The two extremes of society. Loner. Of those who helped weather the storm, quences of which were to keep me out of When Arthur received the information At this stage, the only literature the group the names of Ronnie M. and Sister Maxwell p r k e t for the subsequent seven months. And from the United States he was so taken with had was the small pamphlet issued by the come to mind. Ronnie was secretary, almost this meant virtual starvation for my family of the program that he immediately set about Foundation, called “AA,” which consisted of the only person prepared to speak at meet- three. forming a group. In order to get into contact excerpts from the Big Book. No one had seen ings, and general “roustabout.” “To revert once more, I was taken to a with alcoholics, he approached two ~rofes- the Big Book itself, and no one had so much Although a nonalcoholic, Sister Maxwell doctor. 1 endured the usual course of lectures .sionals at the Johannesburg General Hospi- as heard of the Twelve Traditions. Many devoted endless time and energy to the group from all and sundry. I made the usual promistal, Miss Donovan and Sister Maxwell, head grand schemes were envisaged. Money raised and it may be said that without her it is es, confusedly,doubtfully, and of course with nurse of the casualty ward. They became in- by Arthur provided hospitalization for dozens doubtful whether the group could have sur- a double dose of high octane resentment.

“Somewhere inside, however, was the feel- followed. The only standhy: the Rig Book and ing that something had cracked up. The an occasional letter from the Foundation. haunted sensation returned, graduallybut re- They also sent useful bits of encouraging litlentlessly and within a few weeks 1 knew I was erature. With the coming of Tk Tendril [a nain for it. tional AA newsletter and forerunner to the “Then I got hold of a copy of the Reader’s Regmaker], things changed. I still remember Digest -rather dogeared. I turned a few pages the first number to which I had the privilege and stopped at an article about AA. Less than of contributing a congratulatory letter. Let me an hour later, my letter was on its way to New add that the Handbook also did its part in York, to the Foundation. bringing home to me that several groups had “Without my knowledge, neither by sprung- into existence all around .

design or previous planning on my me in a remarkably short part, the Higher Power had set to space of time. work, had taken me by the “While I have not been hand, and was surely leading able to make the necessary me out of the labyrinth of contacts to form a group of alcoholism. Africans, I have the pleasure “Most of my records disap- of knowing that I can still do eared in February 1949,when so, thanks to the local AAs who we moved from the onemom man- have always taken a keen interest sion to the two-room palace we occupy as in my welfare as a Loner. T o them and tenants today. In those records was a letter to my sponsor and to all of you, my deep and from Mr. Arthur S., a prized possession, if ever eternal gratitude. I valued anything. Older members of the Jo- “I am now resigned to the role that the hannesburg Group may remember him. How Higher Power has ordained for me, confident I got in contact with him I can’t remember, that sooner or later I shall be a worthier membut he invited me to his house in Parkview ber of the magnificent organization of which twice. A fine double-story structure it was. I have the privilege of regarding myself as a Tea on the back porch, AA, and again AA. humble, though incomplete unit. Two alkies, one white, one black. Talking on “It would be ungrateful of me not to menone subject which both understood all too tion that three AAs in America have been clearly. Talking grimly, openly. writing to me for quite a few years now. “At the end of the session, Mr. S. would “They have done more than 1 can express take out his car and drop me near the en- in words to keep me sober. And along with trance to the so-called residential township birthday greetings to The Tendril, 1 would add which has been my home these many years. my appreciation of the invaluable service the Again the hand of the Higher Power. magazine renders in keeping me and others “Then the blow came via New York. Mr. S. had died. Several empty, anxious months informed of the latest A A developments in South Africa.”

AA GRAPEVINE, MARCH 1995

the BOX 1980

H ave you ever noticed that the words “Box 1980” appear on every cover of the magazine, as well as on most Grapevine mail? Box 1980 is, in fact, the Grapevine’s didn’t change its name. The AAs sought to work out a friendly compromise, so our “Grapevine” officially became “The A A Grapevine.” This event back in 1946 affected the official name – the name by which it Grapevine nearly thirty years later. The is registered with the U.S. Post Ofice. magazine was now forced by the new There’s a story behind this. postal regulations either to pay higher Prior to 1974, the Grapevine was third-class rates or, in order to keep the mailed to subscribers in an unmarked second-class rates,’ to print the full envelope which afforded anonymity to name of the magazine on the outside of the recipients and allowed the the mailing envelope – thereby Grapevine to take advantage of less ex- threatening the anonymity of subpensive second-class postal rates. How- scribers. But a creative solution was ever, in 1974 postal regulations were found: change the official name of the changed and it became necessary for publication to something other than the full name of the publication to ap- “The A A Grapevine.” Since PO Box pear both on the cover of the magazine 1980 had long been part of the itself and on the outside of the mailing Grapevine’s mailing address and was faenvelope – a move with severe impli- miliar to subscribers, the name “Box cations for the principle and practice 1980” was duly registered with the Post of anonymity. Office and now appears on the cover of When the Grapevine began, it was the magazine and all official mail. (By called just “the Grapevine.” But one the way, this box number was assigned day in 1946, a call came in to the by the Post Office and has nothing to Grapevine office from the FBI. It do with the year 1980.) turned out that a group of former FBI The words “Box 1980,” then, repreagents put out a newsletter called “The sent a cherished principle at the very Grapevine,” and they said they’d take legal action if the A A publication heart of our Fellowship – the Tradition of Anonymity.

May 1995

The General Servke Confereaca

York office and the Alcoholic Foundation (a rather grand term for what was essentially a board of trustees, consisting originally of five

Coming members – three nonalcoholics and two AAs). For a long time, the office was mostly Bill, his nonalcoholic secretary Ruth Hock, and an as- It became sorted staff of volunteers. T h e Alcoholic Foun- apparent of Age dation, which was set up in 1938, monitored the legal, business, and financial end of AA. This arrangement was fine as long as A A was that this in its infancy. But as the A A population grew, program for thrived, and stabilized, it became apparent that this program for recovery was no mere expcri- recovery was ment – it was going to endure -and Rill saw two problems for the future: first, there was no no mere link between the AA members and Headquarters. Second, AA’s policy was being set by the experiment What wouB happen to the Fe(lowdh@ rvhen Bill trustees, who were not directly responsible to – it was those they served. a d Dr. Bob were no longer arouna to guise LU? Bill’s worst-case scenario about the future going to AXd amwer: The General Service Conference went like this: “When death and disability finally took us few endure. . . old-timers out of the picture, where would that

T he co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W., had a flair for envisioning the future. He was what might be called a constructive worrier: he could easily imagine worst-case scenarios, but he could also imagine workable solutions to problems. By the mid-nincteen-forties, Bill looked around at the Fellowship, and this worrisome leave the Trustees and the Headquarters?A single blunder on their part might cause a failure of confidence that could not be repaired. Lacking the moral and financi;d support of the groups, the whole Headquarters effort might collapse question came to him: What will happen to A A when the old-timers completely. Our services might never be reinare gone? It was a question that most AAs didn’t want to think about. stated because nobody could be authorized to do The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous began as an organization of the job.” loosely associated entities – the A A groups – bound only by sugges- Bill knew that the Fellowship was used to retions, “principles,” and “traditions,” not rules or regulations. The natural lying on him and Dr. Bob and other old-timers, .autonomy of the groups was balanced only by the need to have a ccn- but he felt that eventually, A A members would tralized source for information, guidance, literature, and public relations. want to run their own affairs. And whether they In the Fellowship’s early years, this source was Headquarters: the New wanted to or not, they were going to have to

The General Service Conference

face a growing-up process; after all, the’old-timers were – as Bill put it EASYDOES IT – BUT DO I T -“perishable.” Bill believed it was critical that the authority of AA When Bill was convinced that an idea was good . should derive from AA itself – that is to say, from the broad spectrum for the Fellowship, he became tenacious. The of the membership. This authority, he came to believe, should be fun- conference became a near obsession for him, neled through a practical body – an elected conference or an advisory and his strong-arm tactics alienated many,AAs council – which would be pri- and even many of his friends on the board. Dr. marily representational and de- Bob was also unenthusiastic about the idea of a ‘Easy does it’ mocratic. The AA membership, conference; he advised Bill in a letter to let the Bill wrote in a letter, should “as- idea rest for a while: ” ‘Easy Does It’ is the best might have sume some responsibility for its course to follow. . . .” all too isolated Headquarters “Easy does it” might have been good advice, been good Services and, at the same time, but it wasn’t always Bill’s style. He continued to afford our Trustees a real cross- try to talk Dr. Bob into the idea of a conference, advice, but it section of AA opinion for their and he finally succeeded in the surnmer of 1950. better guidance.” Several weeks after the 1950 International Con- wasn ‘t always EASY DOE5 IT, BILLY. vention in Cleveland – where Dr. Bob had giv- R E N O U N C I N G AUTHORITY en his last, brief talk – Bill went to Akron,and Bill’s style. In late 1945, Bill wrote a long got Dr. Bob’s go-ahead. (Dr. Bob died on Nomemo to the board of trustees in vember 16, 1950.) Meanwhile, Bernard Smith, which he introduced the possi- the nonalcoholic chairman of the Board of bility of holding a small yearly Trustees, persuaded the board that the conferconference of “older members ence was a good idea. from all parts of the country for So the General Service Conference was born, the purpbse of meeting with the trustees, the Grapevine editor, and the with a certain amount of dissension and personnational secretary.” He went on to say that he and Dr. Bob had found ality clashes, for the course of AA’s history did “that the more we renounce our own claims to authority and power the not always run smooth in those early years. Bill more does group confidence in us rise” -perhaps tactfully laying the called the Conference “a coming of age,” and ingroundwork for the trustees to do the same. He was trying to bring the deed, growing-up isn’t ill~tyseasy. Hc wrote to grass-roots Fellowship into the decision-making arena. an AA friend in Decernhcr 1950: “. . . . the orga- The reaction of the trustees to what Bill was calling a “general service nization and functioning of the Conference is conference” was negative. They didn’t share Bill’s urgent sense that no world-shaking matter,” adding hopefully, AA’s future was in jeopardy, and they believed they could continue to “Sunday school teachers and bartenders alike handle AA’s affairs with competence and fairness. A lot of AA old- seem to bring off such events without undue timers around the country also felt that the status quo was just fine. But harm. Maybe we can, too.” The idea of the Conafter Bill and Lois undertook a cross-country trip in 1948, Bill concluded ference was adopted on an experimental or prothat most AAs were behind the idea of a conference. visional basis for five years, from 1951 to 1955.

The General Sorvlce Conference

‘THE HOUR IS COME’ general services give a minimum of two dollars As he often did on important matters, Bill turned to the pages of the Grapevine to communicate with the Fellowship about the conference. In the November 1950 issue, he wrote: per member for the year. Nonalcoholic trustees should continue to serve on the board of trustees. ‘Bill didn ‘t “So the hour is come when you must take these things into your own keeping. We ask that you guard them well, for the future of Alcoholics COLLECTIVE A N D EVOLVING PRINCIPLES groom a suc- Anonymous may much depend on how you maintain and support these The GSO staffer who serves on the Conference lifegiving Arms of Service. Anticipating that you will happily accept assignment in 1995, Valerie O’N., points out cessor to be this new responsibility, the Trustees, Dr. Rob and I propose The General what a radical idea the Conference was when it Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous; a body of State and was first conceived. In most human institutions, “Bill JL ” – Provincial representatives who will sit yearly with our Foundation a leader who’s stepping down arranges to hand Trustees as their traditional guide. We have long considered and will over his power to one or two people he’s person- he chose a soon present a detailed plan designed to bring this great change about.” ally selected. But, as Valerie says, “Bill didn’t, The first General Service Conference convened in New York for four groom a successor to be ‘Bill Jr.’ -he chose a concept over days in April 1951. Attendees included members of the Alcoholic concept over people.” The Conference replaced Foundation (renamed the General Service Board), staffers from the the guiding forces of the old-timers (personali- people. ‘ Headquarters Office and the Grapevine, and, most importantly, dele- ties) with the collective and evolving principles gates from the Fellowship. Delegates from half the areas attended; these of AA. It was based on rotation of power, and it were called the First Panel; the Second Panel joined the first one the elevated principles over personalities. following year. Thus every Conference has two overlapping panels of In this system, everv delegates – one set of “veterans” and one of “newcomers.” member has a voice. k n y In the June 1951 Grapevine, the delegate from California summed up AA member or group may the importance of the Conference. The delegate wrote: participate directly in the “I know how frightening it is to all of us to think of Bill ever leaving; I Conference by writing GSO or by giving their in- Collective know also he can never be replaced. But Bill believes, and I gather Dr. Bob also believed, that he and Bill can be replaced by a principle, that put to their GSR, DCM, . being the collective conscience of AA speaking through the delegates or area representative. Vaof the General Service Conference.” lerie explains, “Not every The collective conscience of AA made several important decisions request or idea will reach during that first Conference: the Conference floor, but = The temporary Conference charter should be approved for the fol- every one is treated with lowing three years. dignity, honor, and re- = All AA “textbooks” should have Conference approval. spect.” I.All AA groups should be informed as to the 1951 Headquarters In 1955, at the end of the provisional period, budget [which was $107,000]. the Conference met in St. Louis just before the I.It should be suggested that AA groups wishing to contribute to AA International Convention was held there. At

761

The General Service Conference

the Convention, the Fellowship as a whole ratified the idea of the Con- After each committee makes its report, those ference and thus made it a permanent arm of AA. Bill offered a resolu- who want to speak on the issue go to the nearest tion, adopted by the Convention, which said in part that the of six microphones. Sometimes the lines at the Conference “should now become the permanent successor to the microphones can get pretty long, and those who founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, inheriting from them all their for- are chairing the meeting try to keep things . mer duties and special re- rolling by calling on people in order of their arsponsibilities, thus avoiding rival. To make speakers stay focused, there’s a in future time all possible two-minute limit on speaking; after two minstrivings for individual pres- utes, a light goes off and the speaker must retire. tige or personal power, and For the vote, hands are raised and counted by Sometimes also providing our Society volunteer delegates or staff. Recommendations with the means of function- that are passed by two-thirds of the Conference ‘ the lines at ing on a permanent basis.” become Advisory Actions. For those recommendations that pass, the minority opinion is al- the micro- HOW IT WORKS lowed to be heard: that is, after the vote, those .The present-day Conference who are in opposition may speak once again to phones can meets for a week every the issue. An interesting possibility then propos- April. The voting members es itself: if someone who voted with the majority get pretty of the Conference are the has now changed her or his mind, possibly as a delegates, the General Ser- result of hearing the minority opinion, they may long. vice Board of trustees, the call for a re-vote. Charles M., delegate from AAWS Board, the Corpo- Tennessee, explains that he heard a minority rate Board of the Grapevine, opinion and changed his vote: “I got up at one and the AA staff members of the microphones and I said, ‘I apologize. I at the General Service Of- didn’t do my job as a delegate. I was a sheep, just fice and the Grapevine. The work of the Conference truly begins when going along with somebody else’s opinion.”‘ the committees meet. There are conference committees for – agenda, fi- Conference voting can become a marathon nance, treatment facilities, correctional facilities, literature, trustees, co- event, going from Wednesday night, all day operation with the professional community, public information, policy Thursday, through Friday morning, with brief and admissions, report and charter, and the Grapevine. Committees ex- times out for meals. Out in the hall where the amine issues received from a variety of sources – groups, individuals, big coffee urns are always on, the debate may delegates, DCMs, GSRs, GvRs, area assemblies, and the trustees’ com- continue one on one. mittees. After two days of discussion, the committee decides whether to The Conference coordinator makes a point table an idea, make a suggestion, or make a recommendation. Later in about the responsibility of the General Service the week, the entire body convenes to hear the committee reports and Conference: “We aren’t the only general service to vote on recommendations. structure in the world. But because we’ve been

Tho General Servlco Conforenca

around longer, our Conference does set a n example. It provides a sober does spiritual preparation provide? “It helped me reference. We have an historical obligation not just to our U.S. and realize I was powerless. Sometimes at the Con- Canadian membership but to the Fellowship worldwide.” ference, I was overwhelmed. I thought: I’m not This responsibility is felt in a very personal way by the delegates – prepared! I’m not good enough! O n the first day those who have been giv- of voting, I went into a corner and 1 meditated ‘I believe in en “delegated responsibili- for a few minutes. I realized I wasn’t a boss, 1 was ty” by the Fellowship. The just an instrument. I had to rely on the trust my the system Conference represents the area had put in me. I didn’t have to be perfect. intersection of business Understanding that, 1 saw that the Conference itself. and spirituality, where the wasn’t so overwhelming.” business practices and Sandy C. says, “It’s scary because it’s a respon- Mistakes are policies of AA are re- sibility. I feel inadequate sometimes.” She viewed in light of the fun- added, laughing, “I think, I’m just a drunk! made, there damental principles of the What am I doing here!” Did she feel any tension program. Robert P., a dele- between what her area wanted and how her are probgate from Quebec from cbnscience directed her to vote? “No,” she said. lems, but 1991 to 1992, says for him “My area is wonderful. They sent me up there the biggest fear was that with no agenda -just to do the best that 1 overall, the in attending to business, could. I was truly a trusted servant.” “we would lose track of The purpose of the Conference is to reach an process the simple AA spirit.” informed group conscience decision -a corn- However, the AA spirit ing together of opinion, thought, feeling. The works. ‘ always seems to prevail. v process by which it does this is a changing dance * A’.: A: W O R L D S E R V I C E S Sandy C., a delegate from , * lAND GRAPEVINE’ of talking and listening: sometimes lengthy and Southwest Texas, says she CORPORATE B,O A R D S intricate, sometimes brief and to the point. Participants learn by listening -and since they sometimes change their minds, a discussion can go on fc, a long time, as issues are thrashed out and understood and language is revised. Delegates need willingness and patience. Susan C., a past delegate from Virginia, describes the way one group conscience was achieved: “Someone made a comment, and I could feel the whole SPIRITUAL P R E P A R A T I O N room shift: ‘Oh yeah -oops, we forgot about Robert says the best advice he could give a new delegate is to be pre- that!’ And the vote changed.” pared spiritually and to know the Concepts and the Traditions. What Shaaron J., who has just rotated as delegate

The General Servlce Conference

from Central Southeast Ohio, describes how she felt before her first Not every Conference will deal with life and Conference: “I came to the first Conference with preconceived ideas. death issues: the Conference tends to respond Negative. Defensive. Looking for problems. But now I have a totally dif- rather than to initiate. It’s in place to deal with ferent viewpoint. 1 believe in the system itself. Mistakes are made, there the regular business matters of AA, and should ‘The people are problems, but overall, the process works.” What suggestions is she a crisis ever arise, it will be there and ready to giving to the delegate who has become her successor?”Keep an open respond. in my town mind. You may go there with one idea. I was very against the pocket edition of the Big Book, but after I sat there and listened to delegates BRINGINGIT A L L BACK H O M E can ‘t figure from other areas, I changed my mind. One delegate made it clear for The Conference week may be intense and chalme: What are we doing for the still-suffering alcoholic?That’s the bot- lenging, but it’s only one part of the delegate’s out why I’m tom line.” job. When the Conference is over, delegates go back to their home areas and report on the always REACHING A CONSENSUS Conference. Robert explains, “At the June as- Debate, disagreement, even downright controversy may be inevitable sembly, I recounted my week in New York as I putting suitcomponents of decision making at the Conference. Charles M. believes had lived it. I tried to give the spirit of the week cases in the that controversy is necessary, and that in fact it’s part of the learning – this is at least as important as the decisions process for the individual AA: “With my head stuck in a jug, I didn’t that were made. I tried to be honest, I told car and leavhave to face pain or discomfort; I never had to learn anything. But I when things were difficult.” Last year, Susan C. think that’s why we’re here, that’s our primary purpose in living – to spent twenty vacation and personal leave days ing my huslearn our lessons. Through service -through the pains and trials and from her job going to the districts in her area to tribulations – I’m kind of catching up. I’m learning.” But he adds: “It tell them about the Conference. band for days took me a long, long time to get to this point. Now I can sit quietly and How does the Conference affect those who listen to somebody rave and really listen and keep an open mind and participate in it?Susan describes, “There’s a at a time. ‘ see if there’s anything to learn.” subtle change in delegates between their first Susan C. says that the Conference “tested my patience and tolerance, and second Conference. They become stiller. but it also gave me a great deal of love and trust. It gave me the sense of They quiet down. They watch and listen more. being connected to something much greater.” They step out of their own way.” Sometimes it isn’t possible for the Conference to reach a consensus. For Sandy C., the Conference was a “life- In 1993 and 1994, for example, the Conference considered whether the changing experience.” Sandy comes from a Grapevine should continue to produce the wall calendar and pocket town of 1,000 inhabitants -“a little bitty town planner. After much intelligent debate, a vote was taken on the ques- where I can count the cars that go by on one tion, but in neither year was there a two-thirds majority, so no recom- hand. The people in my town can’t figure out mendation was made. (Instead, the 1994 Conference recommended why I’m always putting suitcases in the car and that: All AA members be strongly urged to work toward the goal that leaving my husband for days at a time.” Her the AA Grapevine magazine be self-supporting through the sale of mag- very first plane ride was to a regional forum in \ azinesubscriptions.) St. Louis; she said, “And I’m a person who

‘ doesn’t make left turns!” Like many other delegates, Sandy discovered that New York City doesn’t live up to its unpleasant reputation. “I thought that everybody in New York was going to be mean and ugly and awful, but they were great. They were as nice as they are here in Little River.” Charles M. agrees: “I fell in love with New York when I was up there. I loved the variety, the colorful characters, the street performers, even the scents and the sounds.” The first Saturday after Sandy returned from the Conference, she flew to South Padre Island (from the nearest airport in Austin, seventy miles away) to bring them the news of the Conference. Then she set out to visit all parts of her area, travelling 10,000 miles in four months; she was gone every weekend from May through November. “Before I stood for delegate,” Sandy said, “I talked to my family about this. I said, you’re important and I won’t do this if you don’t want me to.” Sandy’s kids are grown and she has a sympathetic husband. “But for six months my kids had to make an appointment if they wanted to see me!” Like many other delegates, Sandy’s Conference experience -as she put it -“reaffirmed my faith in the Fellowship.” Forty-four Conferences have come and gone since the first panel was convened in 1951; there is a new generation of old-timers and newcomers. AA has survived and prospered for many reasons – including the success of the Conference structure. Bill W. once wrote that the General Service Conference could never be “a policeman or a law-giver for AA.” Rather, it is a source of guidance and a reflection of our common purpose. Valerie O’N. says, “Selfsupport doesn’t always mean money – it also means personal responsibility”; the Conference is one of the ways we take responsibility for AA. As Charles M. says: “I knew why I was at the Conference. I was there as a representative of AA -to perpetuate our existence and to find new and better ways to carry the message.” Because of the Conference, we, like our founders, can help protect the Fellowship – its present policies and its future survival.

What We Were Like May 1995 that his past religious convictions in 1875: “Place a people face-to-face alone could bring on this “vital spiri- with vast labors, lower the physical tual experience.” tone by an enervating climate, let Roland H. was born October 29, them find by experience that the labors 1881 – two years after Dr. Bob and are too great for their powers; and listfourteen years before Bill W. – into a less, slipshod habits will result with family of wealth and respectability. whiskey as a relief from trouble.” This Row land’s father, Row land Gibson H. enlightened statement must have been (the H. family tree had an unbroken considered radical by his fellow induschain of “Rowlands” dating back to trialists. 1763), was superintendent of the Con- Rowland’s grandmother Margaret is gregational Sabbath School for twen- credited with introclucing one of the ty-five years. His mother’s father, a Yale first kindergartens to America. His graduate, was a man of the cloth. The Aunt Caroline was, at the turn of the H. family of Rhode Island was a century, president of Wellesley College. paragon of respectability,dedication to His father, Rowland Gibson, was prespublic service, industrial leadership, ident of Peace Dale Manufacturing in and the values of family life. As early Peace Dale, Rhode Island, and vicesettlers of the colony, their roots in president of Solvay Process Co., Syra- Rhode Island reached back over 350 cuse, New York. So Rowland grew to Rowland H. years. Rowland’s forebears were landowners, manufacturers, men of manhood in a world filled with people who were making things happen. A vital link in the c h i n leading up learning in literature and science who The well-to-do customarily sent left their imprint on America as their young men to preparatory school to the formulation achievers, leaders, and philanthropists. to direct them toward college and train of Alcoholics Anonymous Rowland’s grandfather was known as them in moral disciplines and social the “Father of the American Alkali In- manners; Rowland attended Fay dustry.” Unlike robber barons of his School in Southboro, Massachusetts day, Grandfather Rowland had great and Taft School in Watertown, Con-

I n 1931, the renowned Swiss psy- called vital spiritual experiences.” He respect for the dignity of his employees. necticut. At Yale, Rowland was called chiatrist Dr. Carl lung told a pa- went on to describe spiritual experi- At the family woolen mills in Rhode “Ike,” “Roy,” and “Rowley.” He sang in tient, “You have the mind of a ences as “. . . huge emotional dis- Island, he introduced one of the first the freshman and varsity glee clubs as chronic alcoholic. 1 have never seen placements and rearrangements. Ideas, employee profit-sharing programs in well as the chapel choir. He received a one single case recover, where that emotions, and attitudes which were America. After the purchase of a lead Bachelor of Arts degree with the class state of mind existed to the extent once guiding forces . . . are suddenly mine in Missouri in 1874 he found the of 1903. In today’s vernacular it could that it does in you.” The man, Row- cast to one side, and a completely new miners living in “ignorance, wretched- be said that Rowland was born and land H., asked, “Is there no excep- set of conceptions and motives begins ness, qualor, and drunkenness”; he raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. tion?” “Yes,” replied Dr. Jung, “once in to dominate them.” The doctor, how- shortened the work week, built decent Yet he was by several accounts not a while, alcoholics have had what are ever, dashed water on Rowland’s hope housing, and started a school. He wrote aloof from other people. The years fol-

What We Were Like

lowing Yale were spent learning the Cliff and the daughter of a Chicago When Rowland’s father died in 1918 up. The socially prominent families of family business at the woolen mill, banker. He was just short of twenty- neither ROWI~IIIJ nor his younger the 1920s and ’30s were mum on famistarting out in the wool-sorting depart- nine when the marriage took place in brother Thomas wanted to manage the ly problems; they were especially ment. Then he went to work for the October 1910. The newlyweds spent day-to-day operation of the several guiirded about moral weakness in their family business of Semet-Solvay, the the next few months abroad. Helen companies the H. family controlled, so ranks, and in that day, many considnation’s leading producer of coke and and Rowland had four children: Caro- Peace Dale Manufacturing was sold. ered alcoholics to be morally weak. coke ovens, first in Chicago and later line (1913), Rowland Gibson (1917), Semet-Solvay Company ‘and the The precise beginning of Rowland’s in Syracuse. Peter (1918), and Charles W. B. Solvay Process Company joined with problem with alcohol is difficult to fix. Following his recuperation from an (1920). three other chemical companies to cre- Some events lead us to believe it could appendectomy in 1906, he returned to The H. family had long been in- ate Allied Chemical and Dye Corpora- have been as ear!y as 1918. For exam- Peace Dale Manufacturing as secretary- volved in local, state, and national pol- tion (now Allied Signal, an ple, when Rowland’s father died, he treasurer. Rowland did have ability as a itics and Rowland became active in the eighteen-billion-dollar corporation). was thirty-seven and had held several business manager, but he also had doors Republican Party. He attended the Re- Rowland was a member of Allied’s positions within the corporations. His of opportllnity opened for him. It’s publican National Convention as a board of directors from its inception brother Thomas was twenty-six and faster for :he son of the owner to work delegate in 1912 – the convention until his death. He also served for only three years out of college, but it up the ladder than for the normal as- which renominated President William many years on the board of lnterlake was Thomas, not Rowland, who bepiring employee. In addition, Row- H. Taft. From 1914 to 1916, he served Iron Corporation, another H. family came the one to administer the estate, land’\ life in the business world could in the Rhode Island State Senate. holding. a task of great responsibility.There is a be adjusted to accommodate his As World War I got underway, Row- Any problem Rowland had with al- brief mention of Rowland being presilifestyle – the reverse case of most land became a civilian member of the cohol did not lead to his dismissal from dent of Solvay Securities (likely anstruggling young business managers. Ordnance Department. Later he re- either board. However, with the H. other H. family holding) from 1918 to Rowland spent the winter of 1909 signed to accept a commission as cap- family so deeply invested in the corpo- 1921. From 1920 to 1927 he was a traveling in the West. Upon his return, tain in the Army’s Chemical Warfare rations, the antics of a drinker may member of a New York investment he married Helen, a graduate of Briar Service. have been explained away and covered banking firm, but he resigned from that

What We Were Like

position in 1927 to travel in Africa (at organized a clay products company to The judge agreed and Rowland took certain attitude.” that time an adventure generally re- produce floor and roof tile. In 1932 he Ebby to his home in Shaftsbury and In 1935, Rowland returned to Wall served for the royal or wealthy). took up residence in Vermont. Re- later on to New York City where Ehhy Street as general partner in a brokerage We know that by 1931 Rowland was tween 1932 and 1936 he divided his stayed with Shep C. Of the first meet- firm; from 1938 to 1939, he was assounder the care and treatment of Dr. time between Vermont and New Mex- ing with Rowland, Ebby said, “. . . he ciated with an engineering firm; from Jung in Zurich, Switzerland. The Big ico. The published accounts make no was a good guy. The first day he came 1940 to 1941, he was an independent Book offers this insight into Rowland’s mention of Rowland’s travel to Zurich to see me he helped me clean up the consultant. In 1941 Rowland became battle with alcohol, referring to him to stay a year in Dr. Jung’s care or his place.” executive vice-president of Bristol anonymously as “a return to Jung after Ebby’s carrying the message to Bill Manufacturing of Waterbury, Con- . certain American a slip, as mentioned W. is well-known, but little is known necticut, a leading manufacturer of inbusiness man”: “For in Bill W.’s January about Rowland’s personal sharing with dustrial devices. years he had floun- 1963 letter to the Bill. His later years were filled with saddered from one san- doctor. Bill wrote to In his book Bill W., Robert Thomsen ness. Rowland Gibson, his oldest son, itarium to another. Dr. Jung: “Mr. H. reports that Bill could never recollect a captain in the army, was killed in He had consulted joined the Oxford if it was Ebby or Rowland who gave 1941. His second son, Peter, was a navy the best known psy- Group, an evangel- him William James’s The Varieties of Re- pilot who deliberately flew his plane chiatrists.” This ref- ical movement ligious Experience. A likely scenario is into a screen of American flak while erence suggests that then at the height that Rowland gave the book to Ebby pursuing a Japanese kamikaze plane. both Rowland and of its success in Eu- who in turn gave it to Bill. Thomsen Rowland himself suddenly died of a his family had rec- rope. . .” Returning also reveals that Rowland H., Ebby, coronary occlusion while sitting at his ognized he had an to New York, Row- and others would join with Bill around office desk on Thursday, December 20, alcohol problem for land connected a little table in the rear of Stewarts 1945. At the time of his death, Rowseveral years prior with the Oxford Cafeteria for coffee and sharing after land was a vestryman in Calvary Episto 1931. Ebby T., Group there, led by their Oxford Group meeting. Lois copal Church in New York City and a who carried the Dr. Samuel Shoe- writes in Lois Remembers: “. . . . [Row- member of St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea, Narmessage to Bill, had Portrait of the renowned Swiss psychi- maker. land] remained an ardent Oxford ragansett, Rhode Island. AA students this to say about amst, Dr. Carl Junp. – In Aueust 1934. , J ., Grouper until his death in 1945.” (Lois will identify Calvary Episcopal with the Rowland: “I was Rowland was stay- goes i n to mention that Cebra G. later Rev. Sam Shoemakeiand-the Oxford very much impressed by his drinking ing at his home in Shaftsbury, Ver- joined AA in Paris.) From Rowland’s Group. career, which consisted of prolonged mont, when he learned through two perspective there was no compelling Of all the contributions Rowland , sprees where he traveled all over the other Oxford Groupers of Ebby T.’s reason to join AA. After all, by the and his family made in industry and country.” possible six months sentence to Wind- time the Big Book was published, he’d through philanthropic activities, per- The 1927 to 1935 period in Row- sor Prison for repeated drunkenness. been sober eight years. His sobriety, haps none has had a more far-reaching land’s life is sketchy. While in Africa The Groupers were Shep C. and Cebra however, is evidenced by this comment impact than Rowland’s one unselfish Rowland contracted a tropical disease, G., whose father was the judge before in the Big Book: “But this man still effort to sober up Ebby T. It is in spirit and in 1928 he traveled to the West whom Ebby was to appear. In Ben- lives, and is a free man . . . He can go certainly one of the earliest Twelfth Coast for his health. In 1929 he bought nington, Rowland and Cebra G. inter- anywhere on this earth where other Step calls, a quiet turning point in the a ranch in New Mexico. Upon discov- vened at the hearing and asked that free men may go without disaster, pro- evolution of Alcoholics Anonymous. ering high-grade clay on the ranch, he Ebby be bound over to Rowland. vided he remains willing to maintain a Ron R. , Bowling Green, Ky.

July 1995′ ing in a yellow tablet. And he has told tion of One Hundred Men as a possible A Theory of Evolution us that the expansion of the program title for the Big Book, she soon relapsed from six points to twelve was not unan- and disappeared from the AA scene. It imously accepted. was not until several years later that It took heated debate among the another woman joined and pioneered handful of sober early-timers in New the way for other females to follow. It York and Akron to hammer out the wasn’t just the members who raised language of the Twelve Steps and the roadblocks for women; if anything, text of the Big Book that opened the their wives resisted even more: women way for “those of all faiths and no faith” who drank heavily were regarded as fast to be welcomed. AA literature de- and fallen females, and the wives feared scribes the discussions that ~roduced they would lead their husbands astray.

I s AA changing? I say yes – and thank God! In fact, AA has been evolving from its earliest days. Moreover, had it not changed in important ways, many of us would not be Over the first few years, the tiny groups in Ohio and New York developed a “word-of-mouth program,” which Bill summarized as six “precepts”: the language that removed the barriers Marty M. has written much about the to membership for countless thousands. difficulties of acceptance encountered Early on, it was common practice to by women during the early years. Even screen prospects and to require “sur- though women have long since been render” and affirmation of belief in welcomed throughwt the Fellowship, in AA, and the Fellowship itself might 1) We admitted we were licked, that God to be accepted. Clarence S., many of them still remember the well have become a casualty. we were powerless over alcohol. founder of AA’s third group (Cleve- shame and humiliation they experi- But thanks to changes resulting from 2) We made a moral inventory of land), has given a dramatic account of enced in coming to AA because of the trial and error and divine guidance, our defects or sins. his testing by Dr. Bob to gain admis- greater stigma society attached to the AA membership has been opened to 3) We confessed or shared our short- sion. And Bill records the fact that his female alcoholic. anyone and everyone who has a desire comings with another person in confi- first draft of the Steps was heavily Young people also found it difficult to stop drinking. dence. sprinkled with references to God and to gain acceptance in AA for a long It was not always so. In the begin- 4) We made restitution to all those that The Seventh Step read: “Humbly, time. Old-timers still tell of being rening, only mature white males profess- we had harmed by our drinking. on our knees, asked Him to remove our jected well into their thirties because ing Christianity were welcome, since 5) We tried to help other alcoholics, shortcomings.” of their ~ o u t hand inexperience, and the infant Fellowship grew out of the with no thought of reward in money or The critical change was the adop- told to come back after they had drunk Oxford Group that was founded on the prestige. tion of the phrases “as we understood longer and suffered more. This prejuidea of First Century Christianity. 6) We prayed to whatever God we Him” and “a Power Greater than our- dice against the “high bottom” alco- When Bill W. met with Dr. Bob in thought there was for power to practice selves,” making it possible for agnostics, holic apparently was widespread at Akron in 1935, there were no Steps or these precepts. atheists, and followers of any and all re- least as late as the sixties. Even today, Traditions to guide them -just “one The word-of-mouth program was ligions to feel welcome. the very young do not feel welcome in drunk trying to help another.” They Bill’s starting point when he set out to However, unwritten roadblocks to all groups. Part of the problem probadid have in common their membership draft the “How It Works” chapter of membership remained for a while – bly stems from the fact that many in the Oxford Group and familiarity the Big Book. Bill has recorded how notably for women, young people, and perhaps a majority -of the young are with its “Four Absolutes”: absolute the initial draft of what became our minorities. dually addicted and may sometimes rehonesty, absolute purity, absolute un- Twelve Steps was completed in about Although the first woman to join fer to their problem with other subselfishness, and absolute love. half an hour as he lay on his bed, writ- AA is said to be responsible for rejec- stances, for which they can be

chastised by older members. decades has seen the Fellowship grow An unwritten color line likewise ex- from a tiny closed nucleus of “a nameisted in AA for many years. AA liter- less bunch of alcoholics” to a respectature does not speak to this situation, ed worldwide life-saving movement of but a history of AA in the Washing- over two million women and men of ton, D.C. area records the establish- all races, ages, and sexual orientation, ment in 1940 of a “colored” group in beliefs and nonbeliefs -anyone with a Arlington, Virginia by a white busi- desire to stop drinking. Today women nessman for his black employees. This make up more than one third of AA’s group apparently was short-lived, but membership, people thirty and under in 1945 the Cosmopolitan Group was nearly one quarter, and those of every started and flourished as a segregated race, color, and creed (or none) fill our group in Washington for many years. ranks in some 145 nations. Although today blacks and other mi- Our Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradinorities are well represented in meet- tions have stood the test of time, but ings throughout the Fellowship, one AA has not been so inflexible as to can speculate that their acceptance refuse to change when change is dicprobably followed the pattern of deseg- tated by experience. regation in society as a whole. May it ever be so. AA’s evolution over nearly six Bill R. , Annapolis, Md.

August 1995

Q: IS there a prepublication copy of the Big Book? 0 The General Service Office Archives has photocopies available of the original “Multilith,” which was the prepublication manuscript of the Big Book. This draft circulated in late 1938 among the first members (about 100) in Akron, Cleveland, and New York. Certain nonalcoholic friends of AA -physicians, clergymen, and newspaper editors -were also asked for their comments and suggestions. Twenty-one of the final twenty-nine First Edition personal stories were also a part of the text. There were at least two editings of this draft before it went to the printer. It is available at cost to any member or group who asks for it (suggested price is $12). If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., PO Box 1980, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y., 10163-1980

–

October 1995 Conrmmt1on ‘9s

“W herever I looked, there the same language, but the eyes and we were,” wrote smiles said the same thing: ‘Welcome, Richard from Colorado, I’m glad you made it.’ I bet at night -w and Geff from Ohio marveled: “So there was a glow in San Diego just from many once-broken people all patched our eyes.” And Martha from Kentucky up by AA, and having a good time to- “liked the feeling of connection with gether.” Those reflections were typi- people I’d never met. I was constantly cal among the throngs of sober reminded of the line in the Big Book alcoholics who attended AA’s birth- about our being a group of people who day bash in San Diego, California, the normally would not mix.” weekend of June 29 to July 3, 1995. It Many participants arrived early to Alcoholics Anonymous Celebrates 60 h r s at Our was the largest AA Anniversary Con- see the sights and enjoy the nearly pervention ever held (more than 56,000 fect weather. “Like ants on a marsh- Largest-Ever Anniversary Convention people registered), and the largest mallow, AAs converged on the convention of any kind that San downtown area, strolling the harbor Diego had ever hosted. walk and plazas, going from hotel to The theme, “AA Everywhere – hotel, meeting to meeting,” wrote John Anywhere,” came to life even before from Pennsylvania. “And everywhere the Convention opened. Butch from people were doing the ‘San Diego San Diego met some early arrivals at Salute’ -you meet a fellow AA, hesihis regular downtown meeting: “We tate for a second, then like a giraffe, had a slew of out-of-town and interna- you crane your neck forward to read tional visitors – two from Ireland, a the nametag.” half dozen or more from Finland, one Marilyn from Oregon arrived early from Germany, one from Switzerland, on Thursday and had a chance to help a couple from France, one from Wales, set up chairs on the infield at Jack Murone from New Zealand, and one from phy Stadium. “None of the stadium out of state, Tennessee. employees could figure out why we “It was possibly the most exciting were so excited about setting up those meeting I’ve been to in twelve years in chairs, even after we explained about AA. The leader called on many in- AA service. It took us two hours, and ternational guests, and we got to hear eventually the employees began to talk the message in several foreign lan- with us, sharing about a friend who guages, with their companions inter- drank too much, or a brother. We carpreting for us. I truly experienced the ried the message even in the mess of all language of the heart!” those crooked chairs. Afterward, at the “I was able to meet new friends from Big Meetings, we were able to see all all over the world,” said Sandy from 11,000 chairs from above, and I was California. “We may not have talked proud of us drunks. To be one among

many is all I’ve truly wanted, and at .There were conferences with the on Thursday night, with a “block par- down. What a celebration! Happy, joytwelve years of sobriety, setting up hoteliers, letting them know that AAs ty” in the city’s harbor area, along with ous and free!” chairs still gives it to me.” have some habits different from most dances at the Convention Center and All day Friday and Saturday, panels conventioneers. Warned that at a past at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. “Thursday and workshops on every conceivable How an AA Convention Works Convention some hotels had run out night was out of this world,” wrote Ar- AA topic challenged Convention-go- Once it began, the Convention flowed of coffee, the hotels came through lene from New York City. “My husband ers’ decision-making abilities. David smoothly and looked easy -but “easy” beautifully. The ice cream lasted, too and I went to the big dance at the from Arizona reported: “Fits of indecigenerally has a story behind it. For San – but planners for the year 2000 will Convention Center. The energy was sion. Sessions checked Thursday night Diego, the stpery began fully nine years need to give warning that San Diego’s absolutely explosive! The sight of so and scratched out in favor of other sesago, when the 1986 General Service automatic teller machines ran out of many happy, sober people dancing un- sions were suddenly reconsidered. Too Conference heard bids from several cash! der one roof was exhilarating. The floor many choices! Off to . . . whatever. cities and selected three potential sites. was shaking (what a relief it’s not me “In the afternoon I attended a ses- The final site was selected by the Board And Then It Begins who shakes anymore!) and the beams sion on ‘Electronic Meetings,’ where of Trustees after visits to all three cities. For many, the Convention experience over the stage were moving up and people sharing from the floor present- As Eileen G., GSO staff member who begins even before the opening day. ed two instances where alcoholics’ lives served as Convention coordinator, ex- Marianne from Germany made a stop were saved as a consequence of having plained: “Essentially, we’re renting a at the General Service Office in New ‘cyber friends’ on the Internet. city, and all its major facilities. We York on her way to San Diego. She have to know that the stadium will be said, “Just two days before the opening, free when we need it, that hotels will and my heart was already filled with be able to accommodate many thou- love and overflowing joy to be a memsands of people, that adequate trans- ber of AA.” Alberto, a Convention portation will be available.” volunteer from Chula Vista, talked After the site was decided upon, about the two people in his group who Convention planners could relax for a registered but weren’t able to attend. while, and about two years ahead of the So the group officers met and decided event, the action heated up on several to hold a raffle to donate the registrafronts. In San Diego, a host committee tions to group members who couldn’t chairperson was selected by local A h , afford to come. and Bobbie C., along with co-chairs Ken and Jackie from Louisiana wrote Gary U. and Gail N., formed a core that “during our connecting flight-to committee that took on the job of re- San Diego, the flight attendant asked cruiting, organizing, and training 6,000 over the PA system whether there were volunteers to serve as the city’s wel- any friends of Bill W. on the flight. We coming face for the crowds of visitors. were sitting at the front, and as we Planners met with all city agencies raised our hands we turned around to -harbor and airport, police force, fire see that at least three-quarters of the department -to arrange permits (“for passengers had their hands up, too.” everything,” according to Eileen G.). The Convention opened officially

um, complete with thick black magic pre-registration area to pick up our markers. The tmck was signed all over, badges. We got our badges and moved even on the bumpers and headlights, through registration quickly – amazwith names, sobriety dates, slogans, ingly quickly for a group that never messages, phone numbers, and draw- wanted to be organized.” ings. It was a traveling Convention That speed was the result of meticusouvenir book.” lous planning and hard work on the part of personnel from the General Ser- Hospitality suites were set up at the Marriott and Hyatt for a variety of vice Office and the Grapevine. GSO groups, from young people to old- controller Don Meurer, a nonalcoholic who has worked for AA for fifteen timers to Birds of a Feather (airline personnel). A first was the Living Cyber years, outlined a few of the hundreds of hospitality suite, where AAs who had details that had to be arranged: setting been corresponding on the Internet up Convention bank accounts, schedhad a chance to meet face-to-face. uling Convention Center bonded Geff from Ohio had been e-mailing cashiers, ordering on-site registration . the daily challenges how much we appreciate you people. to Butch in San Diego: “One of my forms and signage, arranging for arof working the program in the real I’ve worked in this building for seven best moments came when I looked for mored car pick-ups of cash taken in, world. Many meetings were so crowd- years, and have never met such a cour- Butch to say hello. And 1 see this designing the floor layout of the Coned that people had to be turned away teous and cooperative group.” bearded guy, with the nametag Butch, vention Center to make sure traffic at the door, and experienced Conven- The third floor of the Convention and I go up and thank him for every would flow, and shipping souvenir , tion-goers knew to come early or they Center, an open-air space under sails thing. And he’s all modest and friend- books and other materials to (and back might not get in. that form a roof, featured food conces- from) San Diego. ly, says he was just trying to be useful. . At the “Practicing These Principles” sions, a large area with tables and After about five minutes, I think we Many GSO and Grapevine employpanel, says Pat R., who served as its chairs for relaxing, eating, or just chat- both realized it was a different Butch.ees, most of them nonalcoholics, moderator, people were sitting on the ting, a huge message board, sales But I made another friend, and we worked twelve-to-sixteen-hourdays all floor, in the aisles and along the walls, booths for the souvenir book and laughed, and I stumbled on to new ad- week to serve the needs of Convenon the steps to the dais. Pat saw a Grapevine materials, and a Grapevine ventures.” tion-gwrs and they often went the woman with a walkie-talkie come in, information booth where a pilot issue second mile. On Thursday, an elderly look around, and motion to her: “I’m of the proposed Spanish edition was And They Say couple stopped their car outside the the fire warden,” the woman said qui- available. We’re Not Organized . .. Convention Center to ask where to go etly as the speaker continued, “and I’m Signing souvenir books was the or- Registration began at noon on Monday for registration, and John Kirwin, going to have to ask everyone to leave der of the day, and overseas visitors in and continued through Saturday after- GSO’s assistant controller, delivered who doesn’t have a chair.” The warden particular were seriously at risk of noon, with peak days on Thursday and their badges to curbside, saving them waited for the speaker to finish, then writer’s cramp. Doug from California Friday. Many had preregistered, but the trouble of standing in line. made her announcement: “We explained that someone went home more than 12,000 people registered on- Grapevine controller Bob Scherer couldn’t get all of you out of here if with a differentkind of memento: “On site. The lines moved smoothly. John was in charge of the souvenir book and there was an earthquake.” And she Sunday, someone parked an old white from Pennsylvania was impressed: “Fri- Grapevine sales booth, and remarked added, “Before you go, I want to say pickup truck by the exit to the stadi- day morning at nine, we were in the that it really is an honest program. On

Saturday afternoon the sales booths “But of course, we made it to the sta- sacred place. Where else on earth twenty years.” stayed open late to accommodate AAs diu’m and were in our seats with time could there be gathered this many Saturday morning began early with who still wanted souvenir books or the to spare. At eight o’clock came an an- souls, all trying to help each other!” a Fun Run/Walk, starting at the Con- Grapevine’s new Spanish translation of nouncement that we were almost ready Flag bearers, some in national cos- vention Center and going along the ‘ The Language of the Heart – but not to start, but one bus was still in transit, tumes, marched into the stadium and waterfront and back. Joan from Nevalate enough. Returning Sunday morn- and they were going to wait for it. lined up in front of the dais. From An- da, who started walking for exercise ing to pack boxes to ship home, Bob There we were, in a full stadium, while tigua to Chile, Ireland and Poland, soon after she got sober, says: “I stayed realized that a large number of books 60,000 alcoholics waited for one bw- through South Africa and Western at the back of the group so as not to be had disappeared overnight. Dismayed load. It was one of many heart-swelling Samoa, every country was cheered loud in the way of serious runners, but I at first, he then spied a box of cash – moments.” and long. soon found myself passing people, and $826, to be exact- on one of the Kit from Alaska rode a bus that got Flag bearers were chosen at random was able to do the whole thing without counters. AA members had bought caught in a “monumental traffic jam. from members who registered from slowing down. It was one of my most their books on the honor system. After about an hour, people began to each country, and they regard their ser- grateful moments in sobriety to particgrumble and complain. Then behind vice as a great honor. In the case of the ipate as a sixty-one-year-old grand- Flags, Flags, Flags me a woman rose to her feet and an- Fiji Islands, the name that came out of mother.” The Flag Ceremony and Big Meeting nounced that she was going to read the hat was a man who lived in the Is- Brent from California said: “When I on Friday night is always the high point from the Big Book. When she got to lands but was not a native. However, signed up for the Fun Run, I thought it of a Convention, and this was no ex- chapter five, ‘How It Works,’ people late in the day on Friday, a native of would just’ be a pleasant experience, ception -even though the trip to Jack joined in to say with her the words we the Islands arrived at check-in, and the and a good opportunity to get out for Murphy Stadium wasn’t easy. Ken and had all heard so many times. And as we original flag bearer withdrew in his fa- my morning exercise. But I don’t think Jackie from Louisiana said they were said the final phrase – ‘God could and vor. AA’s spirit of sacrifice was alive anyone anticipated what awaited us at “very impressed with the transportation would if He were sought’ – the traffic and well. the finish line. A crowd of one hunsystem -except, of course, during the jam unsnarled and a passageway Hamid, who was born in Iran, vol- dred or more formed a human funnel. infamous Friday wait at the Conven- cleared for our bus to move through. unteered to carry the Iranian flag if the The closer we got, the louder and more tion Center curb. Buses only hold so We arrived ten minutes before the person who came out of the hat did not excited became the cheers and encourmany passengers, and it was obvious meeting began.” show up. It was down to the wire. agement. Across the line there was anthat some of us were going to have to Nowhere was the Convention Hamid participated in the rehearsal, other double line of fifty or .more. I wait a while. Add to that the discon- theme, “AA Everywhere – Any- but the designated flag bearer did ar- have been in these before, but nothing certing rumor that ‘the stadium was al- where,” more evident than in the rive. “I was resentful for about thirty ever felt like that. It was an outpouring ready starting to fill up’ (at four in the opening flag ceremony. John from seconds. Then I gave him a hug and of love, encouragement, and recogniafternoon, no less). As buses rolled by, Pennsylvania wrote: “Flags from watched the rest of the rehearsal.” tion of accomplishment like no other I they were hailed with good-natured eighty-seven countries were paraded Bradley from Chappaqua, N.Y.,was have ever seen.” ‘boos’ (imagine people boo-ing and out, Olympics-style, and two huge impressed by the sobriety countdown laughing at the same time). At the screens, on the left and right, broadcast early in the meeting: “I had always ‘More Than 5,000 Years of Sobriety’ stand next to ours, I heard a group say- the speakers. Lights from the cars on looked at a person with twenty years The first-ever Convention Old-Timers ing something in unison, and a few sec- the surrounding freeways kept us in- of sobriety as an old-timer. I was Meeting on Saturday night featured onds later laughter rippled through the formed that we were still on earth, but amazed to see that the median and av- 129 members with forty or more years crowd: they were offering up the Seren- as the house lights were brought up, I erage length of sobriety of all partic- of sobriety, fifteen of whom told their ity Prayer. had the sense that I was in almost a ipants probably ranged from ten to stories. “I couldn’t keep from crying

when I heard those stories,” said Geff happened, and what it’s like now’ in from Ohio. “One guy forgot where he five minutes. But my name didn’t come was but everybody stood and cheered. up, so I removed my necktie and re- He was family and had kept this thing laxed, knowing that my forty-one years, alive and had passed it down to my was a small part of the more than 5,000 generation, so that even cynics and years of sobriety among the 129 names skeptics like me, if they were beaten in the hat. The phrase ‘the whole is ofenough by alcohol, could get sober, ten greater than the sum of its parts’ too.” And Barbara from California seemed to reverberate in the stadium wrote: “The old-timers on Saturday that night. Had the gathering been for night set a wonderful example of hu- a ball game, the rooting fans would mility for all of us when they stopped have had divided loyalties. But no one immediately at the gong without ex- could possibly doubt the solidarity pecting special privileges because of among those electrified sober drunks.” their length of sobriety.” At all three Big Meetings -and in- Marie from California, forty-five deed, throughout the city -AAs caryears sober, reflected: “My heart is so ried a message of courtesy and mature full of the wonder of it all. Saturday sobriety. “During and after each meetnight, there was a ramp for people like ing, there were our Fellowship memme, who move about in wheelchairs. bers picking up and cleaning up,” wrote As we reached the end of the ramp, my Conrad from Tennessee. “Many of the nurse and I were greeted by a man from stadium workers said they never saw V the host committee. He asked if I had the place so clean, or so orderly, during Closine Bie Meeting. When hundreds to mv local iail to more than forty years of sobriety, and or after an event. As we left the stadi- of balknisoared k t o the sky at the tell &hers-about the hope and then helped us make our way to the um, the city police were outside direct- end of the meeting, it was a time for laughter and endless smiles.” Mary enclosure where other early members ing traffic, and we asked them how it goodbyes (till the next time), and for from New Jersey resolved toxake a were gathered. Our names were put in had gone. They replied, ‘Rather boring, reflection on the meaning of the week- more active part in her home group: a hat, and fifeen names were drawn – but we never witnessed anything like end as a whole. “Too often, 1 have sat back out of inermy name did not come out of the hat, it before – not one bad incident.’ I “One thing I heard Sunday morning tia, wanting to be ‘nice,’ and not speakbut I was there and a part of it. heard early in sobriety that each one of really impressed me. One of the speak- ing out when newer members ignored “The program was fifteen years old us may be the only copy of the Big ers referred to ‘this room.’ A voice be- the Traditions. At San Diego, I learned when I joined, and now it is sixty. I re- Book a nonalcoholic sees. In San hind me questioned, ‘Room!’ and that without the Traditions, AA might membered the days and nights we had Diego, that took on a whole new another voice responded, ‘We’re still not have survived for us to be there in carried the message of AA to people meaning for me.” just a roomful of drunks.”‘ Jack Murphy Stadium.” who did not know of the program. As I Ross J. was deeply affected: “I was so And Richard from Colorado felt looked about me, I could see what we And the Balloons Went Up happy there, so excited, awed, emo- much the same way: “For thirteen years had helped to do.” Another old-timer, Sunday morning came, and for the last tional, childlike, yet infinitely a part of I have steadfastly refused to go to con- Allen from Los Angeles, “wondered time Convention-goers climbed onto the power of the flowing of God’s love. ventions and conferences – my only how 1could say ‘what it was like, what buses for the trip to Jack Murphy Sta- Now I want to return and use that en- reason for attending the International ergy to redouble my service efforts. Out was that it could be coordinated with

Conrmntlom ’91

a visit to my parents. But there, I experienced a deeper calling of the spirit of deeting – of being at a great big home group meeting: boisterous, seri- The View from Under a Yellow Visor our Fellowship than 1 had ever known. ous, surrounded by intimates, old and ver 6,000 volunteers from San Diego County, from other California locales, and at I learned that AA is more than 1 could imagine, and I am as much a pan of it as I choose to be. I know that I no longer have to be like the person I brand-new, moved to tears and laughter by the reality and honesty of the speakers. And afterward? The host committee cleaned up. Our people 0 least two from as far away as Ireland donned purple and blue vests, large yellow Host pins, yellow visors, and big smiles to meet and greet the thousands of celebrants at AA’s biggest birthday bash. Some of the volunteer coordinators started preparing for our guests’ arrival two years in have been. Thank you, God, for this gathered trash and folded chairs (all advance. Most of the rest of us began attending organizational meetings, an orientation at experience. Please show me how to use that was missing was the grimy cof- the Convention Center, and other on-site t it to help the new person coming to feepot). Politely asked to vacate the the meeting tonight.” premises, we went -where? -to the Sara from Cold Spring, New York, nearest diner, where my sponsor, a felsaw the Convention experience as part low member, and I did a ‘meeting after of a whole: “The thing that touched the meeting’ with twenty-five plus new me most at San Diego was the sense – and old friends. Just like home. No especially at the Sunday morning it was home.” CL

n We ans&red q u e n i o ~ ~ ~ v e 4′ ikrie c t iY0 t p,I ~ H~ d snh& information! n-4*, ..t,*7 mved, and tried to personally welcome as mdny d ~ d ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i one blocal l ~ & ‘ u newspaper l d : sa~d,”There are no AA @lice, ” but m e of us felt, 11ke that’s what we were as we tried to r, gently & i d our guesP.a%&t San D i e p s s t r i c t ~ o ~ m o k i nIngpublic places” law, the AA ~onventior\’iequ~sfthatno pict&s he,&in rn meetings or at AA gathering places, and the safety re”& t wjn:hall&;’tlbow ahead in lines, or stand on chairs to see over the crowds.’&@&~4.*diP .lW ~ f i ~ ~ ~ g ~ , r These requests allowed us to hear every version of “But . . . I’m different” that we could come up with: “But I’m only taking pictures of my friends”; “But I’ve lost my -” (fill in the blank: wife, sponsor, etc.); “But I’m a volunteer who is late for a commitment” (yes, we were guilty, too). Far too soon to suit most of us, the Sunday closing ceremony at the stadium came to an end. As the crowds filed out we waved goodbye, hugged old friends and new, made plans to meet again, and began folding down the 11,000 chairs that had been set up on the stadium field. You Conventioneers shook hands with us, hugged us back, and tried to thank us for a job well done. We wanted to explain, but words were inadequate to express what was in our hearts. We wanted to tell you that it was an honor to be of service; the lumps in our throats were too big to permit us to say much of anything.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing your experience, strength, and hope O n page one of the Los Angeles Times, there were these observations in a story with us. Thank you for affording us the privilege of volunteering at AA’s 60th Anniversary headline: “AA Quietly Marks 60 Years of Deep Impact on Society.” The article says: “AA International Convention. members and guests are in the midst of celebrating a movement that has changed the atti- God willing, we will see you all again at the 65th in Minneapolis in the year 2000. tude of Americans toward alcoholism and radically altered the way the culture approaches Louisiana D., Oceanside, Calif. myriad ills and afflictions. . . . It is hard to exaggerate the impact of AA and its founders. . . . AA is also unique in its structure and its relentlessly kodest public persona. In a modern culture obsessed with celebrity, AA is hopelessly retrograde.” An Associate Press story said: “Downtown bars are serving up h i t drinks. Airport traffic is as heavy as a Christmas weekend. Coffee flows at the rate of 200 gallons a minute.” .uAnd from Time magazine: “Though many who feel they have been saved by AA

cannot explain exactly how or why it works, they do believe they stay sober by helping others to stay sober too. . . .” The media generally were in some awe of our “organizational” structure, or lack of one. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a kind of talking pyramid scheme in which drunks who’ve

…As Others See Us sobered up help the next one to stare down the liquid demon. Then he helps the next one and so on. . . . A cornerstone of AA is that no one is responsible for the destruction in an alcoholic’s life except the alcoholic himself,” wrote the Union Tribune. In a major editorial, the San Diego paper named AA as “a program that successfully treats “Mother of All AA Meetings” the root causes of many of our nation’s worst social problems.” It goes on: “And how much “AA Success Is a Cause for Celebration” does this program cost the taxpayers?Not one dime. . . . The underpinnings of the organization are people helping each other, thereby helping themselves. There are no contributions

T hese are but two of the high-note headlines in San Diego’s Union Tribune, from a from outside AA. What’s more, it is free to all who need and want it. And it has no leaders series of articles about Alcoholics Anonymous and the Convention that ran for four – most AA members don’t even know each other’s last names – so there are no power days starting June 19, 1995. They sparked my interest in how the media were report- plays or major personality conflicts.” ing our event, and their attitude toward AA. So 1studied the newspaper and TV reports for Likewise, the television reports I saw were circumspect and respected our anonymity. The that period, not to learn what AAs said when interviewed, but what the media were saying AAs who were interviewed were off-camera with the lens pointed at their feet or their about us. badges, and in the case of longer shots, the lenses were slightly out of focus so anonymity Here are a few examples from several writers who contributed to the series in the Union prevailed. Tribune. Oh, there were minor errors or misplaced emphasis, such as referring to our “taking a N “AA is a unique made-in-USA creation that has been able to take root and thrive in pledge” or “signing up for AA” – nothing of lasting significance to outsiders, as 1 see it. The other countries and cultures. The San Diego Convention comes at a time when the AA series of articles did include discussions of other treatment modes, the limitations of AA, Fellowship is seeing a burst of international growth of its power to change the course of

and a little outright criticism. Most of the criticism came from the world of academe, one human lives.” savant reported as saying, “There’s little scientific proof that AA’s program leads to sobri- “Earlier the parking lot of the Stadium (where three big meetings were held) looked

ety.” I read no further, turned to look into a mirror, saw an AA miracle and smiled. a lot like most other gathering except there wasn’t a beer can or a bottle of wine in sight.” All in all, 1 would say that for a Fellowship with no organization and a public relations “AA has held together and flourished for sixty years with an organization that looks policy based only on attraction, Alcoholics Anonymous “attracted” unbelievable amounts of from the outside like a recipe for anarchy. . . . One researcher concluded that the lack of a publicity and respect. The media don’t have to like us, true, but it’s kind of nice that they conventional power structure in AA gives it the tone of the ‘classical anarchy’ that social do, and that they recognize, as we’ve always known, that it works. It really does. philosophers only dream about.” Allonymous, California

January 1996

How I t Began I n Ireland

keep the alcoholic away from the bottle by his own consent and to treat alcoholism as a total disease, not just a medical problem -didn’t arrive in Ireland until 1946. Two events led to the start of AA in Ireland. ‘There are two First, an Irishman, Conor E from the West of Ireland, joined AA in Philadelphia in 1943. characteristics Second, in that same year, AA arrived in Australia. In Sydney, an Irish (nonalcoholic) priest to be found in named Fr. Tom Dunlea, who was running a Boys Town home, had noticed and been impressed nearly all with the success of AA there. In 1946, while alcoholics: back in Ireland on holiday, he gave an interview to the Dublin Evening Mail about the home and hypersensitivity in the course of it also spoke about the success of the Sydney AA group. This interview was the, and in Ireland first introduction of AA to the general public in Ireland. The writer for the newspaper gave a rather egocentricity ‘ blurred impression of AA or perhaps the problem was Father Dunlea’s imperfect understand- TbM year, AA i n Ireland w cehbrating ib GoBen J d i l e e ing. In any event, while the article offers some Year.H e r e w a look at iia very early i)ayd. good insights about AA, it’s also full of wild misunderstandings -a good example of the kind of confusion that existed in the public imagination This article is based on material provided by the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous m Ireland, on material from the AA Archives, and on three talks given by Conor F., Richmd P., and Jimmy R. at the 2 1 st Anniversary Meeting of the Dublin Gmps of Akoholics Anonymous, held in November 1967. ” in AA’s early days:

The members [of AA] live together, doing more or less what they please. No temperance

u ntil the early nineteen-forties, the treatment of alcoholism in Ireland was based on keeping the bottle away from the alcoholic -i.e., a long period of confinement in a hospital or drying-out home was prescribed. Alcoholics were hospitalized for six months or longer in the vague hope that the patient would lose the urge to drink, ~ advocates are admitted into the clubs, nor what are called controlled drinkers. Ministers of religion, doctors, and social workers can all help, but like other nonalcoholics, they must keep severely to their own duties and never mention the subject of drink. Any subject as if his constitution would, in some mysterious way, be changed so he could exercise control if he started drinking again. The AA way -to which might upset the convalescent peace of

How I t In Irmland

mind of the members, such as that of politics, is carefully kept out of earnest; he got busy visiting doctors, priests, and the conversation. others but met with no success. He was assured “There are two characteristics to be found in nearly all alcoholics: that no alcoholics existed in southern Ireland People told hypersensitivity and egocentricity. They have to be treated very care- and was advised not to waste his time in Dublin fully. They are sick people and have to be treated as such. So AA con- but to look for alcoholics in the North of Ire- him that centrates on that and makes no criticism of the amount of drink taken land. He was told that if alcoholics wanted to by people and makes no effort to close saloons. All the members keep stop drinking, all they had to do was join the Pi- they had no their names secret from the public. A great spirit of friendship is en- oneer Association -Ireland’s great temperance gendered among all the members, and the Society can claim to be one society. Most often, people told him that they wish to waste of the few on earth, if not the only one, in which God can be dis- had no wish to waste time on the usual crazy ‘ cussed by Jews, Protestants, and Catholics in a manner which hurts no and short-lived ideas thought up by Americans. time on the .. one’s feelings. . ) ) In short, he was getting nowhere fast and his usual crazy holiday time in Ireland was running out. In spite of its errors, this article proved to be -as early member Conor was near the point of conceding defeat Sackville M. later wrote -“the touchstone for the creation of AA when one morning he had breakfast with a sym- and shortgroups in Ireland.” One of the people who read it was Conor E, who was pathetic nonalcoholic friend, Eva Jennings, to in Ireland on holiday with his wife during what turned out to be a very whom he confided his difficulties. Jennings was lived ideas rainy season. Conor remembered: a social worker and she advised him to meet a Dr. Norman Moore, head of St. Patrick’s Hospi- thought up ( 6 I was down in County Derry, looking out at the rain day after day. tal. She thought Dr. Moore would not only be by Americans. There were only two things left for me to do: go back to America or interested but helpful in a practical way. get drunk. My wife saw a little piece in the paper, in which Fr. Dunlea This proved to be the case. Dr. Moore had spoke of the necessity of having an AA group in Dublin. My wife put learned something about AA from a R e d r ‘ s the challenge to me and asked me why I shouldn’t start a group. In Digest article, and he told Conor that he had a fact, I had taken along some AA books and literature. I don’t know patient who might be a suitable prospect and ofwhy, but I had four or five Big Books with me. ) ) fered to introduce them to each other. Dr. Moore said, “Mr. E, I will tell you what I will do. Conor went to the Evening Mail, outlined what AA had done in the I will turn over this patient to you, and if you United States and what it hoped to do in Ireland. He gave a brief ac- can do something for him, I will be convinced count of his own drinking and said that he came from County Roscom- your organization has something.” mon and was endeavoring to start a group in Dublin. A box number The patient was Richard I? from Belfast in was printed at the end of the article and an invitation: “Those interest- County Down. Richard described what haped, please reply.” pened to him: Conor received a few answers, some ribald, some unprintable. One man wanted money to sign up; one woman inexplicably wanted to trade ( I came up to Dublin in November 1946 as a her double bed for two twin beds. Conor visited anyone who seemed in voluntary patient in St. Patrick’s Hospital.

How It Bmgan In Ireland

When I say ‘voluntary’ that’s not quite accurate because I’d been col- didn’t let me out of their sight, even though it lected off the back streets of Belfast about four days before by my sis- meant they couldn’t have anything to eat; they just had to sit and watch me while the ter-in-law. She took me to a doctor who told me I ought to go to a car was being mended. very pleasant hospital in Dublin for a rest. I said I wouldn’t go because “So there I was at St. Patrick’s Hos ital. ‘He wants to I’d just worked out a new system for collecting some money from a man whom I thought “, After three days Dr. Moore sent for m and could be milked rather talked to me about my past career – if you start somecan call it a career! -and he said, ‘I think easily, and it seemed a great pity not to use this you’re an alcoholic.’ I was absolutely livid, be- thing of this cause I knew I ought to be in prison, I knew I system, which I thought sort in ought to be shut up in a mental institution for would finance my drinklife, but at least I wasn’t an alcoholic. I ing for another month or Dublin. thought this was the ultimate insult. I’d read two. an article about Alcoholics Anonymous in “But my sister-in-law If you’d like Reader’s Digest and I’d been filled with pity said to me, ‘I think you’d and commiseration for these poor people who better go.’ I said, ‘I have to meet him,’ couldn’t control their drinking. no intention of going,’ “But Dr. Moore said, ‘I think you’re an aland then she said, ‘By the coholic. I’m pretty sure I can teach you to 1’11 arrange way, how many checks sleep, which you don’t do very often at the have you cashed this moment. I think I can teach you to eat, and I for you to week?’ Well, I knew I had might even, with a bit of luck, teach you how do that. ‘ cashed about six, so to be to think. But when I’ve done that, I shall on the safe side I said, ‘I have to let you out of this place and if any- . think two.’ And she said, body’s willing to pay for you to come back, ‘Have you a bank ac- I’m quite sure you’ll be back again within six count!’ And I said, ‘Oh months.’ no, I’ve no bank account “That shook me a bit because I knew it was but I’ll pay this money back somehow.’ And she said, ‘I think perhaps true. And then he said, ‘However, I have just this may influence your decision to go to this hospital in Dublin.’ And recently met a man who seems to be some- I said, ‘Well, perhaps on second thought, I might go.’ thing like you are and who belongs to an or- ‘Two days later, with a Methodist minister along as a sort of extra ganization which has enabled him to stay precaution, we got into a car to go down to Dublin. Well, the car broke down in Newry and I was ready to make a very determined ef- apparently happy and certainly sober for quite a time. And he wants to start something of fort to escape. If I’d been let out of their sight for more than three this sort in Dublin. If you’d like to meet him, . minutes, I would have found my way back to Belfast without any I’ll arrange for you to do that.’ I doubt at all. But they knew my f o m pretty well by that time and they

now I t Bagan In Iraland

I “Well, I didn’t particularly want to me& this man at all. I thought, arranged that I could see him again, so I slept I have had enough of these lectures about drink; this is probably some in the hospital at night, and in the daytime, new system of telling me how bad I am and what I ought not to do. we went around trying to get people interest- However, if it gives me a chance of getting out of the hospital for an ed in AA. )) n hour or two, I shall certainly take it. Conor and Richard began to go through some ‘I slept in

I Richard was sent, with a male nurse as an escort, to Conor’s hotel. of the responses to the announcement in the the hospital

” He expected to get “the usual lecture” about how he’d wrecked his life Evening Mail. Conor remembered: , and his family’s life and how he mustn’t do this and mustn’t do that. at night, and But that was not Conor’s response: 1believe the first one we approached was a man by the name of Leo. We went over to in the day- 6 (TO my astonishment, Conor merely said, ‘Well, I understand you Leo’s and I gave him the usual pitch as to time, we went have had a bit of trouble about drinking and so have 1. I don’t drink what AA was trying to do and what it had . now. If you’d like to talk to me about that, well and good; if you’d done, about the article that was in the paper, rather go across the road and get drunk yourself, it’s quite okay with and about the card that he had sent us. He lis- around trying me. Go ahead and do it. Or we could talk about horse racing or any- tened, and when we were all through we got thing else.’ a blank stare from him, because Leo knew to get people “I was flabbergasted by this. I think if he’d said, ‘You mustn’t go nothing about the article. He admitted he interested out’ (the male nurse had left by this time) I probably would have gone drank -though not to excess – but he had and gotten drunk, but I decided I’d better hear what he had to say, never sent in the card. in AA. ‘ Then he started talking about himself, not about me. And as he “But Leo said, ‘I’ll tell you, men, I have a talked, I began to see that this was a man who spoke sense, a man brother who could really use your program.’ who knew these things from personal experience, not from what he’d He said, ‘My brother Matt who lives down on read in a book or from any academic point of view. He was talking Dawson Street, if you contact him, I’m sure about real experiences, real feelings, real troubles, which I was still ex- he will join.’ We ambled off down to Matt. periencing. Matt was a typical Dublin man. He looked “Conor told me I was always getting into trouble not because I was over his glasses and looked under them, and so bad but because these behavior patterns were a symptom of an ill- he looked us all around, and he listened. And ness, an illness which he had, an illness which with the help of AA we told him the story. And he admitted he he had managed to arrest, and that if I wanted to do the same thing drank a little bit. He said, ‘But I thought I he would talk to me about it. And 1did want to do the same thing; sent a card in for my brother Leo!’ [Matt later straight away I saw that this was my chance to achieve some sort of stayed sober.] ) ) life without having to admit that I was just a weakling. So I hung onto every word that Conor told me and I left him in a state of aston- Eventually, Conor and Richard collected four ishment, really, a feeling that here was a new world opening for me if I or five men, and the first closed AA meeting could only learn how to understand it and grasp it and live it. It was was held on November 18, 1946, in Leo’s house.

How It Bmgan’In Iralamd

A week later, the first public meeting of h was held in The Country He remembered how he got there: Shop, a restaurant run by the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (who displayed great courage in accepting the booking of an unknown and 6 6 I had read that first article in the Evening dangerously named association). Conor sat Richard down beforehand Mail about a group of Alcoholics Anonymous ‘And it was and told him he’d be the speaker: being started in Dublin, and I was interested but I forgot about putting my reply into the when Richard 6 6 I was appalled [Richard said] because 1didn’t know anything at all Evening Mail office. So of course I started anabout AA except it was something- I wanted. And I said, ‘I can’t talk other day’s drinking and that was that. It was made that about this subject because I forgotten about. don’t know anything about it.’ “One or two nights afterward I picked up statement, Conor said, ‘That’s nonsense. the Mail again, and here was this damned arti- At least you know more about it cle again! Now I took a dislike to this Ameri- that was than the people who are coming can. Who the hell did he think he was?What who have never even heard of was he coming over to Ireland for, to spoil our the very it!’ ) ) drinking?It was the twenty-fifth of November and the meeting that night was in the Counminute that Conor explained the importance try Shop. Now I had a very important meet- , of that first open meeting: AA started in ing to go to – it was a trade union meeting and my job was at stake. And I set out to go to Ireland. ‘ 6 Richard was the first man, I this bloody meeting very tnuch in fighting believe, in the British Isles to form because I had had a message from the stand up at a public meeting, to union stating that if I didn’t attend that union admit that he was an alcoholic, meeting (which on previous occasions had to that he was powerless over the be postponed on account of my absence), I use of alcohol, and that he had would be fined £5. Five pounds! Look at the joined the association of Alco- drink you’d get for £5, and I wasn’t even holics Anonymous. And it was worth f.5! So I thought I’d have to go to this when Richard made that state- union meeting or they’d withdraw my card ment, that was the very minute and I’d be out of a job and what am I going to that AA started in Ireland. ) ) do for drink? You see, drink was always in my mind. About forty-five people attended “I went down to the bus stop but because that first public meeting and about — /there wasn’t a bus waiting for me, I went into twelve “joined up.” One of those The first public AA meeting phce in a pub which was conveniently located at the who was at that first meeting and lreland was in The Counhy Shop, a bus stop, and I had a few more. I was still gowho stayed sober was Jimmy R. restaurant in Dublin. ing down to the union meeting -these could

How It Bmsm la Ireland

something. I had been told what to do: ask I

be lively affairs, especially when you’d a few drinks in you. But I came out of the pub and believe me or believe me not, there still for help. Now praying was not for me, so I wasn’t a bus -a number 11, it should have been. And I said, to hell think all I said was, ‘Please God I get through with them, and I walked down and got a number 10 bus and the num- this day.’ ) ) ber 10 stopped almost opposite the Country Shop. Then it happened: ‘You ask that I remembered that that Yank was going to be in there tonight and he Conor commented: “Jim became very active was going to stop us from drinking! That’s what he thinks! and was the sparkplug in the early months be- power; “I went into the Country Shop that night determined to tell this cause Richard was on the road traveling. He fellow where to get off, and how to get back to America in the quick- had his own AA room in his house with a Big tomorrow est way. I walked in the door and this Yank put out his hand. He said, Book and what AA literature was then avail- ‘Good evening. My name’s Conor. What’s yours!’ Now the biggest able, and his wife Althea was never out of tea morning bowsie -excuse the language – that ever walked couldn’t strike a and eats for those who dropped in.” He added, when you man for saying that! “0Happy Day that Jim missed that bus to the “He said, ‘Sit down, make yourself at home.’ That’s all right, I ‘bloody’ union meeting.” Though Jimmy R. stayed sober, many did not, wake up, thought, I’ll get him before the night’s out. He said he was almost three years sober -I didn’t believe it. Also on the platform was and by the end of two or three weeks, there to help you Richard and my good friend Matt, who has since passed on. Both of were only four or five men left in the group. them were bleary-eyed -they could have done with a drink! Well, Now there wasn’t enough money to pay the get through they told their story and I said, ‘My God, if these fellows are alco- rent for the meeting room in The Country holics, so am I. And if these fellows are making an effort to do some- Shop, and so for six weeks, meetings were held the day withthing about their drinking, I think I’d get along with them.’ in a cinema teashop. Then some money was “Conor came up to me afterward and said, ‘What do you think of raised and the group resumed their tenancy of out a drink.’ it?’ I said, ‘I don’t know what to think. I think I could do with it.’ He The Country Shop, where meetings continued said, ‘Do you believe in a power greater than yourself?’ I had to think to be held until 1978 when it closed down. For a minute but I knew what he meant. If he’d have said to me, ‘Jimmy, years, The Country Shop was AA’s official addo you believe in God?’ I would have said ‘No,’ and that was what I dress; Dublin Group Number One gave its adwas waiting for. Then I’d know this was just another screwy religion. dress on its letterhead as “c/o The Country But he didn’t say that; he said, ‘You ask that power, tomorrow morn- Shop, 23 St. Stephen’s Green.” ing when you wake up, to help you get through the day without a In January 1947, Conor returned to the Unitdrink.’ And he said, ‘You do your utmost to keep away from that first ed States, and the young Dublin group almost drink.’ came to a standstill since none of the original “I went home. My good wife didn’t ask any questions because she members had much idea of how to reach out to knew if she did, she’d get a rude answer as she’d been getting for quite other alcoholics. However, a new member was some time. I went to bed (terrible night) and I woke up (shocking to provide the shot in the arm the group needmorning). But for the first time in years, I remembered where I’d been ed. Sackville M. was a retired major from the the night before. I had been to an AA meeting. I had been offered British army who had joined AA and settled in

– How It Began In Ireland .

AA was becoming respectable, but not yet in 1 Ireland. He became a force for good for the struggling group. . And struggles there were. The first group secretary to be appointed a very important quarter -the Church. The was given five shillings (then about a dollar) for postage and minor ex- vast majority of the Irish population belonged to penses. After about four months, he came in very much the worse for the Catholic faith, so it became very wear and broke up the meeting. The main anxiety of the group was not necessary to acquire the goodwill of to try and help him but to find out if he had anything left of the postage the Catholic clergy. money. Sackville and Jimmy managed to salvage the book containing Fortunately, Sackville got to know members’ names and addresses and together they started not only to put one of the professors of theology at the little group back on its feet, but to put some life into it. St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, the Two things were evident from the start: 1) Either the Catholic heart of the Catholic Church in Ire- Church would be made an ally or AA in Ireland would be sunk. 2) Ei- land. This man was the editor of the ther AA publicized itself in Dublin or it would perish of dry rot. influential Maynooth College paper, As to the latter, Sackville got busy and began to send letters about The Fuwoeu, and was to become a AA every ten days or so to the Evening Mail, beginning with a point of very great and valued helper to AA interest and ending with a punch line, saying that an open meeting was in Ireland. He arranged for the publiheld every Monday and that it was hoped people would come along to cation in The Fuwow of a most favorobserve and listen to what was going on. Sackville later described the able article about AA called “Drink difficulties and isolation of those early days: and Compulsion.” AA co-founder Bill W. later referred to the publica- 6 6 We had no publicity worth mentioning; no doctor members; no tion of this article as an “impressive country members; no women members; very few contacts with the step forward in AA’s relations with clergy of any church, or with the medical profession. We had no liter- the churches.” Most important was ature of our own. We had no contact with any other group in the the decisive influence the article had on priests AA was world and only a very tenuous one with New York. throughout Ireland. For now when a parish 99 priest was dubious about supporting the forma- becoming re- Gradually, the attendance at public meetings increased and news of tion of an AA group in his parish, he could be AA started to percolate through Dublin. Soon the other two evening referred’to prestigious Maynooth College and its spectable, but papers asked for letters too, on the understanding that their letters approval of AA. would be differently phrased. The police soon were able to direct people In 1950, Sackville decided he should “make not yet in a to the meetings. Membership began to grow, though the growth was AA safe from himself’ by retiring from the secpainfully slow. A woman member or two joined. Doctors and magis- retaryship he’d held since August 1947. He said very important trates came along -some to listen, others to talk to the members. In at the time, “NOgroup has ever grown up as a 1948, Sackville began publishing the AA magazine, The Road Back, result of one man’s work. But equally, few groups quarter – the which -like the Grapevine in the U.S. -forged a wider communica- ever mature without some directing hand. It was Church. tion between members and groups, both reflecting AA growth and en- my own good fortune to be cast for this role. I couraging it. can truthfully say that the big winner in this

whole transaction was, without any doubt whatever, myself.” By the end of 1950, AA had taken root in Ireland, though group and membership numbers were still comparatively small. Ireland was one of the countries on Bill and Lois’s itinerary when they visited AA in Westem Europe in 1950. They went to Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and Limerick, talking to AA members and visiting meetings, as well as meeting such dignitaries as the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Everywhere, the Irish press was eager to meet Bill -a far cry from just three and a half years before, when the Evening Mail ran the first small announcement of an AA meeting. From Dublin, Bill wrote Dr. Bob about the excitement of seeing the beginnings of AA in Europe: “Like us in the early days, they can take nothing for granted. . . The usual debates whether God made man, or man made God, rage on. They fear all sorts of calamities which you and I know won’t happen, and yet they press on. It makes us relive old times.” Today, Alcoholics Anonymous in Ireland has more than 680 groups with 1,400 meetings per week, and 11,200 members in thirty-two counties. In 1996, AA in Ireland celebrates fifty years of carrying the message. As part of the celebrations, the All-Ireland Convention held in Killarney at the end of April will honor the event, and there will be a permanent National Archives display at the General Service Office in Dublin and a special mobile archives display that will visit each of the provinces. In addition, every individual Irish AA member will have the chance to celebrate on Monday, November 18,1996: the Jubilee Committee has suggested that every AA group in Ireland meet that night, at precisely 8:30 – the exact 50th Anniversary of the first AA meeting in Ireland -“and thus unite the Fellowship in Unity and Gratitude at the same time throughout Ireland.” Richard P.,the first person to join AA in Ireland, once said, “I have often thought that if Irish AA was a race horse, one could easily say of its pedigree that it was by Conor E out of St. Patrick’s -which would be a very good staying pedigree!”

Feb ruary

What Wo W o n Llko

he said, ‘When she comes out of it and Law. It covers a multitude of sins. Love she decides she wants to be a different is absolutelv invincible.” woman, get her Drummond’s The Fox went on to say that forgiveness Greatest Thing in the World. Tell her to was an integral part of the Pathway of read it through every day for thirty days Love, “which is open to everyone in all and she’ll be a different woman.’ Those circumstances, and upon which you were the three main books at the time; may step at any moment -at this mothat and The Upper Room and The Ser- ment if you like – requires no formal mon on the Mount .” introduction, has no entrance exami- Perhaps the fundamental contribu- nation, and no conditions .. – whatever. It tion of Emmet Fox to Al- calls for no expensive coholics Anonymous was laboratory in which to the simplicity and power work, because your own of The Sermon on the daily life, and your ordi- Mount. This book sets nary daily surroundings forth the basic principles are your laboratory. It of the New Thought phi- needs no reference lilosophy that “God is the brary, no professional’ only power, and that evil training, no external apis insubstantial; that we paratus of any kind. All it does need is that you Emmet Fox and Alcoholics form our own destiny by our thoughts and our be- should begin steadfastly liefs; that conditions do to expel from your men- Anonymous not matter when we pray; tality every thought of that time and space and personal condemnation matter are human illu- (you must condemn a sions; that there is a solu- wrong action, but not the actor), of. resentment

0 ne of the very early recovering Conference-approved AA literature. alcoholics who worked with An account set forth in Dr. Bob and co-founder Bill W. was a man the Good Oldtimers tells of the influence named Al, whose mother was secre- of Emmet Fox and his classic work, Sertary to Emmet Fox, a popular lecturer mon on the Mount. An AA old-timer tion to every problem; that man is the child of God, and God is perfect good.” Central to New Thought philosophi was the perspective which saw thati . for old injuries, and of everything which is contrary to the law of Love. You must not allow yourself to hate either person, or group, or nation, or anyon New Thought philosophy. When recollected: “The first thing he [Dr. love and personal forgiveness were th8 thing whatever. the early groups were meeting in New Bob] did was to get Emmet Fox’s Ser- keys to fundamental transformation! “You must build-up by faithful daily York, members would frequently ad- mon on the Mount. . . . Once when I “Love is by far the most importand exercise the true Love-consciousness, joum after a meeting and go to Stein- was working on a woman in Cleveland, thing of all. It is the Golden Gate o/ and then all the rest of spiritual develway Hall to listen to Fox’s lecture. To I called and asked him what to do for Paradise. Pray for the understanding of opment will follow upon that. Love this day there are AA groups that dis- someone who is going into DTs. He love, and meditate upon it daily. 14 will heal you. Love will illumine you.” tribute Fox’s pamphlets along with . told me to give her the medication and casts out fear. It is the fulfilling of th& One of the cornerstones of Fox’s phi-

February 1996

losophy was to live but one day at a You’ll be surprised how rapidly conditime, to be responsible for one’s own tions will change for the better when thoughts and to clear up resentments, you approach this ideal.” just as AA was to teach that “resent- Emmet Fox emphasized the idea that ments are our number one cause of thoughts are real things, and that one slips.” For Fox, one of the most impor- cannot have one kind of mind and antant rules for growth was to live in the other kind of life. According to Fox, if present: “Live in today, and do not al- we want to change our lives, then we low yourself to live in the past under must change our thoughts first. Many any pretense. Living the past means of his simply stated profundities have thinking about the past, rehearsing past contributed to an AA philosophythat events, especially if you do this with has transformed the lives of literally feeling. ..train yourself to be a man or two million recovering alcoholics. woman who lives one day at a time. Igur S ., Hartford, Conn.

J u n e 1996

Q:What was the role of the Oxford Group in AA’s early history?

A: The Oxford Group is described in Dr. Bob rmd che Good Oldtimers as “a spiritual movement that sought to , recapture the power of first#centuryChristianity in the modem world.” Both Dr. Bob and Bill W. were active in the Oxford Group movement in the early 1930s, and it was through an Oxford Group member that they first met in 1935. Some of the Oxford Group principles influenced the formation of AA’s Twelve Steps, but AAs split off from the Oxford Group because of its insistence on “absolutes,” . because it used celebrity names to promote its cause, and because AA’s primary purpose was to get alcoholics sober. Today, the Oxford Group is known as Moral Rearmament.

ety. The judge referred a young man end! Instead, they wound up with three name Bill G. who’d appeared before days and nights of solid AA. him with marital problems. Jack and The Thunder Bay Group was born Bill met for the first time at the public behind a barbershop on the comer of library in Fort William, and Alcoholics River and Cumberland, with a huge Anonymous was born in the Lakehead. coffeepot on a wood-burning stove. To- The two worked hard, visiting jails day the coffeepot is enshrined in gold and spreading the word of AA. They and sits proudly at the front of the travelled to Winnipeg and members clubroom. Members were issued memthere lent their support as Jack and Bill bership cards which were stamped tried to get AA off the ground. For a every time the member attended a period of time local AA worked with- meeting. (The membership cards were out any publicity, then on February 19, dropped by the group by 1952, al- 1948, it placed the first ad in the per- though many members preferred to sonals column of the Daily 7imes Jour- keep theirs up to date.) nal. Two days later the first article During these early years, members about Alcoholics Anonymous ap- did a lot of travelling -back and forth peared. to Minneapolis and Winnipeg -any- Meetings were held every Thursday where there was an AA “do” to attend. The Thunder Bay Group night, with the first recorded meeting being on February 19, 1948. The first There was never any question about the wives attending meetings and gathbank deposit, for ten dollars, was made erings. The women put on coffee, the following day. In order to be self- served sandwiches, and provided

A lcoholics Anonymous began in the Lakehead region of Northwestern Ontario as it did in countless other places – out of the need of individuals, those who wanted the same battle as he was; he tried to return to Winnipeg once a week to attend meetings and talk with his AA friends. He enlisted the support of Reverend R.A. Peden, a man he’d known supporting, members pledged the amount of money they would donate each month -one, two, or three dollars -and receipts were issued for donations at the end of the year. much-needed support. They were always there. There was no intergroup or central office at this time and those needing help had only the ad in the personals a life free from alcohol. in Winnipeg, who was now a minister The group was growing but still column to turn to. Those who re- From the roots of the Fellowship in living in Port Arthur. p needed help. AA in Winnipeg had sponded were wives, mothers, and suf- Akron, Ohio, AA spread, eventually Reverend Peden was there for Jack been helped along by members in Min- fering alcoholics. Here are a few reaching Minneapolis, Minnesota, and and for many others who needed him, neapolis, and these caring men were selections from letters: “December 23, Winnipeg, Ontario. It come to the but he tried to stand out of the lime- i asked to lend their support to the few 1951: Dear Sir, Dropping you a line to ‘ Lakehead in 1947, when Jack G., a light, for he never wanted to give the who were trying to start the group in see if you would come up t~ the jail, as member of AA in Winnipeg, was wrong impression of the Fellowship the Lakehead. Barry C., Ed W., John I would appreciate a talk with you”; transferred to the area. and drive away desperate men. H., and Obie 0.came from the Nicol- “January 1952: Dear Sir or Madam, my It was a difficult time for Jack, iso- Jack’s first opportunity to work with let Group in Minneapolis to help out husband is an alcoholic and he wants lated as he was. He knew he needed a fellow alcoholic came through a I – but also with the intention of get- to join your club. I wonder if it could the help of others who were fighting judge who knew of him and his sobri- ! ting in some fishing during the week- be done by mail as we’re living out in I I

the country. Kindly let me know be- were purchased and recovered, ashtray out. The gift of sobriety was shared and in Suite Eleven of the Zellers Block, cause something has to be done.” The holders were made for the newly ac- cherished by all. Members who moved with a rent of $125 per month. It is following letter was written on a small quired wooden chairs, and coffee tables out of town were presented with gifts here that Thunder Bay meets today. scrap of paper but says so much: “Dear were made. (All of these now occupy so as always to remember their friends Over the years, thousands of alco- Sir, I’ve been drinking heavy, and I’d the present clubrooms.) in Thunder Bay. holics have found refuge within Alcolike to stop and I can’t. Would you Members also used their talents by The entrance from the street was holics Anonymous as it grew and please give me your help and I hope to making wall plaques and utilized their perfect and the group continued to blossomed in the Lakehead, and with hear from you soon.” carpentry skills to fill the bare walls grow. But as ideal as these new quarters the grace of God there will be thou- By the spring of 1951, the Lakehead with the AA Slogans and the Serenity were, they were not to be the group’s sands more. May we always remember Fellowship had grown considerably, Prayer. Thunder Bay’s medallion, giv- home for very long. The owner of the those who have gone before us, and and getting new quarters was high on en in recognition of sobriety, was de- building broke the lease, and the group who carved a place for us that we too the priority list. Members were urged signed by member Art W. The smaller was on the move again in just over a may enjoy the gift of sobriety. to scout around and bring in sugges- portraits of Dr. Bob and Bill W. were year. In July 1953, it took up residence Pat W., Thunder Bay, Ont. tions. In October 1951, a committee brought from Winnipeg by Jack G. and was formed to investigate new quarters, presented to the group on May 14, with promising locations being over 1951 by Lackie P. He explained that Toole’s Furniture store and H & H the frames had been made by a brother Electric. AA from Vancouver, Tom K., who’d With 1952 came change. Lakehead been a visitor to the group on various AA found new, more spacious club- occasions. rooms, and a new group of Alcoholics On March 3,1952, the Thunder Bay Anonymous was begun in Fort Group held its first meeting in the new William. rooms. But it wasn’t until Sunday, . O n January 30, the decision was March 23, following the Fourth Anmade to lease the quarters above niversary dinner at the Royal Edward Toole’s Furniture store for $1 10 per Hotel, that the clubrooms were formonth. Permission was given by the mally opened. Approximately seventyowner to install a coffee bar, and the five were in attendance, including group was also permitted to serve buf- friends from Winnipeg, Minneapolis, fet dinners. It was wonderful. and Duluth. Members were very excited about In those early days, AA members the new clubrooms, and everyone were not only involved with staying chipped in to make the quarters pleas- sober but they also socialized a great ant. During February it was recorded deal with each other apart from meetseveral times in the minutes of the ings. They held box socials and card meetings that there was no attendance: parties. There were Christmas parties “apparently all [are] working at new with skits and costumes, New Year’s quarters.” It was a time for everyone to parties, and parties for the children. It get involved. Chesterfields and chairs was a family affair and no one was left

September 1996

What Wa Warm LIka

F or twenty-five or thirty cents we cohol in chronic alcoholics is a manibuy a glass of fluid which is pleas- festation of an allergy -that the pheant to the taste, and which con- nomenon of craving is limited to this tains within its small measure a store of class and never occurs in the average warmth and good fellowship and stim- temperate drinker. These allergic types ulation, of release from momentary can never safely use alcohol in any cares and anxieties. That would be a form at all.” drink of whiskey, of course -whiskey, They are, he goes on, touched with which is one of Nature’s most generous physical and mental quirks which pregifts to man, and at the same time one vent them from controlling their own of his most elusive problems. It is a actions. They suffer from what some problem because, like many of his doctors call a “compulsion neurosis.” greatest benefits, man does not quite They know liquor is bad for them but, know how to control it. periodically, they are driven by a vio- Many experiments have been made, lent and totally uncontrollable desire the most spectacular being the queer for a drink. And after that first drink, nightmare of prohibition, which left the deluge. such deep scars upon the morals and Now these people are’ genuinely sick. the manners of our nation. Millions of The liquor habit with them is not a dollars have been spent by philan- vice. It is a specific illness of body and “Alcoholics and God” thropists and crusaders to spread the doctrine of temperance. In our time, mind, and should be treated as such. By far the most successful cure is that by Morris Markey the most responsible of the distillers are urging us to use their wares sensibly, used by the hospital whose head doctor I have quoted. There is nothing sewithout excess. cret about it. It has the endorsement of But to a certain limited number of the medical profession. It is, funda- In September 1939, the first national article about Alcoholics Anony- our countrymen neither prohibition mentally, a process of dehydration: of mous appeared, published in Liberty Maga~neand written by a freelance nor wise admonishments have any removing harmful toxins from all parts meaning, because they are helpless of the body faster than nature could acjournalist named Mom’s Markey. You will see that this article differs, in when it comes to obeying them. I complish it. Within five or six days some significant ways, from AA history as we know it. But it’s a sympa- speak of the true alcoholics and before two weeks at the maximum -the pathetic account of AA and its publication was a real break for the fledgling going any further I had best explain tient’s body is utterly free from alcosociety, which had just published the Big Book and was struggling to make what that term means. holic poisons. Which means that the ends meet. About 800 letters came into AA “headquarters” in response to For a medical definition of the term, physical craving is completely cured, the article. Bill W . later wrote: “We carefully answered each one, not for- I quote an eminent doctor who has because the body cries out for alcohol getting to’enclosea book order blank. Orders soon began to come in and, spent twenty-five years treating such only when alcohol is already there. helped by still more letters from our little officeon Vesey Street, and by people in a highly regarded private hos- The patient has no feeling of revulsion pital: toward whiskey. He simply is not intraveling AA members, y w groups started up.” .. “We believe . that the action of al- terested in it. He has recovered. But

wait. How permanent is his recovery? his brand, or drinking only after meals, it was closer to five] a man appeared at Every member of the group – Our doctor says this: “Though the or changing his companions. None of the hospital in New York of which our which is to say every person who has aggregate of full recoveries through this helps him strengthen his control doctor is head physician. It was his been saved – is under obligation to physical and psychiatric effort is con- and be like other people. Then there third “cure.” Since his first visit he had carry on the work, to save other men. siderable, we doctors must admit that are types entirely normal in every re- lost his job, his friends, his health, and That, indeed, is a fundamental part of we have made little impression upon spect except in the effect which alco- his self-respect. He was now living on his own mental cure. He gains strength the problem as a whole. For there are hol had upon them. . . the earnings of his wife. and confidence by active work with many types which do not respond to “All these, and many others, have He had tried every method he could other victims. the psychological approach. one svmmom in common: Thev can- find to cure his disease: had read all the He finds his subject among acquain- “1 do notbelie;; not start drinking great philosophers and psychologists. tances, at a “cure” institution, or perthat true alcoholism without developing He had tried religion but he simply haps by making inquiry of a preacher, is entirely a matter of the phenomenon of could not accept it. It would not seem a priest, or a doctor. He begins his talk individual mental .. craving . The only real and personal to him. with his new acquaintance by telling control. I have had relief we have to sug- He went through the cure as usual, him the true nature of his disease and many men who had, gest is complete absti- and came out of it in very low spirits. how remote are his chances for permafor example, worked nence from alcohol.” He was lying in bed, emptied of vitali- nent cure. for a period of But are these un- ty and thought, when suddenly, a When he has convinced the man months on some fortunate people real- strange and totally unexpected thrill that he is a true alcoholic and must business deal which ly capable, mentally, went through his body and mind. He never drink again, he continues: was to be settled on a of abstaining com- called out for the doctor. When the “You had better admit that this thing . certain date . . For pletely? Their bodies doctor came in, the man looked up at is beyond your own control. You’ve reasons they could may be cured of crav- him and grinned. tried to solve it by yourself, and you not afterward ex- ing. Can their minds . “Well, doc,” he said, ” my troubles have failed. All right. Why not put the plain, they took a drink a day or two be cured?Can they be rid of the dead- are all over. I’ve got religion.” whole thing into the hands of Someprior to the date . .. and the important ly “compulsion neurosis”? .. “Why, you’re the last man .” body Else!” engagement was not even kept. These Among physicians the general opin- “Sure. I know all that. But I’ve got Even though the man might be an men were not drinking to escape. They ion seems to be that chronic alcoholics it. And I know I’m cured of this drink- atheist or agnostic, he will almost alwere drinking to overcome a craving are doomed. ing business for good.” ways admit that there is some sort of beyond their mental control. But wait! He talked with great intensity for a force operating in the world – some “The classification of alcoholics is Within the last four years, evidence while and then said, “Listen, doc. I’ve cosmic power weaving a design. And most difficult. There are, of course, the has appeared which has startled hard- got to see some other patient – one his new friend will say: psychopaths who are emotionally un- boiled medical men by proving that that is about to be dismissed.” “I don’t care what you call this . .. stable They are over-remorseful and the compulsion neurosis can be entire- The doctor demurred. It all sounded Somebody Else. We call it God. But make many resolutions -but never a ly eliminated. Perhaps you are one of a trifle fanatical. But finally he con- whatever you want to call .it, you had decision. those cynical people who will turn sented. And thus was born the move- better put yourself into its hands. Just “There is the type who is unwilling away when I say that the root of this ment which is now flourishing with admit you’re licked, and say, ‘Here I to admit that he cannot take a drink new discovery is religion. But be pa- almost sensational success as “Alco- am, Somebody Else. Take care of this just like the rest of the boys. He does tient for a moment. holics Anonymous.” thing for me.”‘ tricks with his drinking – changing About three years ago [editor’s note: Here is how it works: The new subject will generally con-

sent to attend one of the weekly meet- self drawn to the meeting. And again idea. We all know that the alcoholic It is not a crusading movement. It conings of the movement. they worked on me while I shook my has an urge to share his troubles. Psy- demns neither liquor nor the liquor in- He will find twenty-five or thirty ex- head. I said, ‘It seems O.K. with you, choanalysts use this urge. They say to dustry. Its whole concern is with the drunks gathered in somebody’s home boys, but I don’t even know your lan- the alcoholic, in basic terms: “You can’t rescue of allergic alcoholics, the small for a pleasant evening. There are no guage. Count me out.’ lick this yourself. Give me the problem proportion of the population who must sermons. The talk is gay or serious as “Somebody said the Lord’s Prayer, -transfer the whole thing to me and be cured or perish. It preaches no parthe mood strikes. and the meeting broke up. I walked let me take the whole responsibility.” ticular religion and has no dogma, no The new candidate cannot avoid three blocks to the subway station. Just But the psychoanalyst,being of human rules. Every man conceives God acsaying to himself, “These birds are ex- as I was about to go down the stairs – clay, is not often a big enough man for cording to his own lights. drunks. And look at them! They must bang!” He snapped his fingers hard. “It that job. The patient simply cannot Groups have grown up in other have something. It sounds kind of happened! I don’t like that word mira- generate enough confidence in him. cities. The affairs of the Foundation are screwy, but whatever it is I wish to cle, but that’s all I can call it. The lights But the patient can have enough con. managed by three members of the heaven I could get it too.” in the street seemed to flare up. My feet fidence in God – once he has gone movement and four prominent business One or another of the members seemed to leave the pavement. A kind through the mystical experience of rec- and professional men, not alcoholics, keeps working on him from day to day. of shiver went over me, and I burst out ognizing God. And upon that princi- who volunteered their services. And presently the miracle – But let crying. ple the Alcoholic Foundation rests. The Foundation has lately published ‘ me give you an example: “I went back to the house where we The medical profession, in general, a book, called Alcoholics Anonymous. I sat down in a quiet room with Mr. had met, and rang the bell, and Bill let accepts the principle as sound. And if alcoholism is a problem in your B., a stockily built man of fifty with a me in. We talked until two o’clock in “Alcoholics Anonymous” have con- family or among your friends, I heartily rather stem, intelligent face. the morning. I haven’t touched a drop solidated their activities in an organiza- recommend that you get hold of a copy. “I’ll tell you what happened a year since, and I’ve set four other fellows on tion called the Alcoholic Foundation. It may very well help you to guide a sick ago,” he said. “I was completely washed the same road.” It is a nonprofit-makingenterprise. No- man -an allergic alcoholic -on the up. Financially I was all right, because The doctor, a nonreligious man him- body connected with it is paid a penny. way to health and contentment. my money is in a trust fund. But I was a self, was at first utterly astonished at drunken bum of the worst sort. My the results that began to appear among family was almost crazy with my inces- his patients. But then he put his sant sprees. knowledge of psychiatry and psycholo- “I took the cure in New York.” (At gy to work. the hospital we have mentioned.) These men were experiencing a psy- “When I came out of it, the doctor sug- chic change. Their so-called “compulgested I go to one of these meetings the sion neurosis” was being altered boys were holding. I just laughed. My transferred from liquor to something father was an atheist and had taught else. Their psychological necessity to me to be one. But the doctor kept say- drink was being changed to a psychoing it wouldn’t do me any harm, and I logical necessity to rescue their fellow went. victims from the plight that made “I sat around listening to the jabber. themselves so miserable. It didn’t register with me at all. I went It is not a new idea. It is a powerful home. But the next week I found my- and effective working out of an old

September 1996

Q: If Bill W. wrote the Big Book, why does the chapter “To Wives” contain a paragraph beginning “We women”?

A:~ c c o r d i nto~’Pars it On’ (p. ZOO), the biography of Bill W., Lois said of that chapter, ” ‘Bill wrote it, and I was mad.’ She added, ‘I wasn’t so much mad as hurt. I still don’t know why Bill wrote it. I’ve never really gotten into it why he insisted upon writing it. I said to him, “Well, do you want me to write it?” And he said no, he thought it shbuld be in the same style as the rest of the book.’ ” If you have questions for the Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., PO Box 1980, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y., 10163-1980

October 1996

lations that were published in local In July 1946 an AA named Lester E

I n March 1941, Jack Alexander’s ar- dress from New ~ o r kand when he ticle about Alcoholics Anonymous went to Mexico for business he paid a newspapers. Some beer manufacturers from Chattanooga and New Orleans appeared in the Saturday Evening visit to Jorge. Jorge felt greatly strength- tried to stop the publications, but they moved to Mexico City and wrote to Post. Among the first people in Mexi- ened by this contact but early in 1942, were too late, thank God. The Mon- New York requesting information co to read it and respond by contacting the contact with Jorge disappeared. terrey Group was born and with it a about starting a group. By September the New York AA Headquarters was In 1944 Gilberto M. received the new life was opened to all the alco- 1946, two other AAs, named Lester an American named Arthur H. who AA message in Los Angeles when he holics in Mexico. The group was sub- and Pauline, who were living in Mexwas a resident of Mexico City. Arthur was visiting with his wife Francisca, try- sequently visited by AAs from the ico City, got in touch with New York. wanted to find out more about this ing to find a solution to his drinking U.S., especially Cleveland. In 1946 the A Mexican lawyer, Fernando I. got miraculous cure for alcoholism. One ~roblem.There he got the addresses of Monterrey Group had twenty-five their address from New York and soon year later the mail from Arthur ended the New York Office and the Cleve- members and appeared in the AA a Mexican doctor, Jesus A., joined and New York never received any more land intergroup. Gilberto returned to World Directory. In June 1945 and them, and the Mexico City Group was news about him. his home in Monterrey in the northern September 1946 the AA Grapevine born on September 25, 1946. In the About that time a Mexican named state of Nuevo Leon. His wife Francis- published articles with news from the April 1947 issue of the Grapevine, an Jorge S. living in Mexico City also ca proved to be an extraordinary group. (Troubles began, caused by article appeared called “The Mexico wrote to New York requesting infor- woman. She was worried about Gilber- shortages of Spanish literature, and City Group Welcomes Visitors.” This mation. He’d learned about AA from to’s sobriety and she established a when the American visitors failed to group is known today as English Speakreading a magazine published by the of- strong communication through the come often, the Mexican AAs were ing Group, and it still opens its doors fice of public education in Mexico. Af- mail with New York. She spread the dismayed. By the end of the forties, to all visitors. ter receiving the information, Jorge felt news in Monterrey and all over Mexico Gilberto M. was the solitary member of Another significant event took place motivated to start an AA meeting. An from August 1945 to June 1946. She the Monterrey Group.) about the same time in Mexico City – AA from Los Angeles got Jorge’s ad- translated several AA booklets, trans-

of forming a Spanish-speaking group. with one of the biggest demographic the visit of Ricardo P. an AA from translated the Big Book; their transla- Finally he met Estanislao S. and to- explosions in the AA world. Mexico Cleveland, Ohio. He was honorary tion was published by the New York of- gether they formed the Grupo Tapatio has the second largest AA population consul of Mexico in that city and he fice in 1962 and is still in use. in 1961. It was the start of AA in the after the U.S. had one special reason for his visit: In 1957, in my homeland of Merida, center and west of the country. It would be a lie if I told you that passing on the AA message to Mexi- Yucatan, two AAs were working to In September 1960 Reader’s Digest everything is okay. We have troubles, can society. Ricardo later translated the start a group and by 1959 the Grupo magazine in Spanish reprinted an arti- maybe because we AAs are trouble- Big Book to Spanish, work that took Panteon Florido (Flowered Cemetery cle called “The Strange Cure of Alco- some – or I shou!d say, we Mexican him three years to complete. Finally he Group) was registered in New York. holics Anonymous,” by Paul De Kruif. AAs. In 1950, when the AA Tradigave the finished translation to Bill W., Our group had its meetings in the in- It was read by a lot of alcoholics and tions were approved, some Mexican and Bill took his personal Big Book stallations of a graveyard, and it was motivated some of them to write New AAs thought that they were made for and gave it to Ricardo, writing a beau- said that this was the only meeting in York asking for information. They re- the Anglo way of thinking, and in tiful note in it. Mexico ever visited by Bill W. He was ceived literature and suggestions to 1954 they started a movement called The first Spanish-speaking group supposed to have exclaimed: “lt’s good start meetings. So AA meetings start- AMAR (Mexican Alcoholics in Rethat survived permanently was the that we’re meeting in a cemetery so we ed in some cities like Tampico, San cuperation Association). AA has good Grupo Hospital Central Militar (Mili- know that our problem is of life and Francisco del Rincbn, and Morelia. relations with them. In 1963 another tary Hospital Central Group). It was death. We can choose to be here or out The nineteen-sixties were distin- movement began: CRAMAC (Rehafounded in December 1956 by a Major in a grave.” guished by increasing numbers of bilitation Centers of Mexican Alco- Joaquin B. and his wife Irma. They By that time in the west of the coun- groups. I have to mention an Ameri- holics Association). In 1974 several were helped by the Mexico City Group try, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, there was can AA, Gordon Mc., who made a groups called 24 Horas (24 Hours) members, especially by a Mexican one English-speaking group, Chapala tremendous effort to pass the message started up, working to give lodging and member, Carlos C. These three people 100, founded by Harry 0.He dreamed into Central America, Mexico, food to chronic andpoor alcoholics. Caribbean countries, Argentina, and Around 1980 a separatist movement Colombia. This effort was called the was formed, called Secci6n Mexico Caribbean crusade. The work of this (Mexican Section). It was begun by man succeeded through the sharing of some former members of the General experience through letters, transmit- Service Office. In 1985 this movement ting public information to authorities caused the separation of eight service and professionals, and much more. areas. In 1964 intergroup offices in Mexico Mexico is celebrating its 50th An- City and Guadalajara were founded, niversary with great faith, as our memand later in Tampico and Merida. Also bers and groups are growing in in 1964, national congresses began to numbers and in strength, experience, .be held twice a year. In 1969 the first and hope. We are used to rowing Mexican conference took place and in against the current and in the war December of the same year our Gen- against alcoholism know that there are eral Service Office was started. Since either a lot of battles to fight or a lot then, every four years our AA popula- of bottles to drink. tion has doubled. God has blessed us . . Fernando Q.,Mexico City, Mexico

October 1996

But regular membership kept slowly in- he was still drinking and was obviously creasing, the majority being British, ei- finding it hard to stop. ther in retirement or working with the With a lot of encouragement from armed forces. Sometimes meetings various members of the International were attended by Americans working Group, mainly the writer co-founder with oil firms in Libya who used to and a Scandinavian who had achieved

Malta spend their holidays in Malta. After some time meetings began to be held in a room adjacent to St. Patrick’s Church in Sliema. In 1968 a Canadian who’d played a prominent part in the start of AA in England took up ressobriety in Malta about five years before, the Maltese members started thinking of setting up a Maltese group. CARITAS, a church social work organization, was asked to provide a small room in its headquarters in Floriana. idence in Malta. His involvement in The first meeting of the first Maltese the local group helped considerably to group was held on July 7,1981, in one give AA the strength and the stability of the smallest rooms in the CARITAS

F rom what old-timers recall, it times to control or stop his drinking it needed at that time. Maltese nation- premises. All five Maltese members of seems that during the couple of but had never managed to do either. als were rarely seen at the AA meet- the International Group were present. years preceding 1966, there were He finally decided to seek the help of ings. The very few who went usually The drinking one was still drinking but various attempts to start an AA group AA, about which he had heard when disappeared after a couple of weeks. he obviously had the desire to stop bein Malta. The main protagonists men- still living in Northern Ireland. He The exception was one lady from cause he kept going to meetings. After tioned were three women who had a wrote to the General Service Ofice in Marsa who, after a period as a “drink- a few months the membership went problem with drink but evidently had New York. ing member,” decided to stop drinking down to four but the drinking member a desire to stop. One of these was mar- At the same time another Irishman, and became a regular member of the stopped drinking and became actively ried to a doctor in the RAF; one was a writer, was also residing in Malta. group. involved in the group activities. Irish, married to a Maltese; the third He’d been sober in AA for about two After 1976 the group began to at- Following a public information camwas an English woman working with years but prior to that he’d had a long tract more Maltese with genuine in- paign, a few more members joined the the British forces in Malta. It doesn’t history of alcoholic insanity in various tentions. Up to 1981 there were five group. Some of these also started showappear that they ever managed to set countries. He was very keen on staying such members – all men because the ing special interest in service and later up a regular group but they used to sober and he too wrote to GSO in New woman from Marsa had to leave Mal- participated in a variety of activities ormeet regularly in the private residence York. In a very short time the two ta with her family when her husband ganized to carry the message to other of one of them. In the November 1965 Irishmen met and immediately was transferred for duties in the UK. Maltese alcoholics in their own lan- Grapevine, the “Maltese Islands, Mal- planned to start a group. One of the Maltese members didn’t un- guage. This small nucleus of Maltese ta” are listed with the “countries where The first meeting of the first in- derstand English and another member members with the right kind of sobri- AA meetings are presently held.” ternational group in Malta was held at used to translate for him there and ety gradually managed to lay the foun- In 1966, a veterinary surgeon from the end of March 1966 in a private then. Many times he himself shared his dations on which the future of Maltese Northern Ireland living in Malta had a apartment in Mosta where the veteri- own experiences and another member AA could be built. serious drink problem. Every evening nary surgeon used to live. Up to the gave a simultaneous translation. He July 7, 1981 was a Tuesday. Up to he had to be carried home, many times year 1976, the group consisted mainly particularly attracted the attention and this day there hasn’t been a Tuesday on by the local police. He’d tried many (at times solely) of the two Irishmen. concern of the other members because which the first Maltese group hasn’t

met, practically always in the same re’kntatives regularly. Maltese speakers interesting history of heavy drinking by member of the Fellowship in Malta. building but in bigger rooms. Space also took part in conventions and ser- members of the British armed forces, There has definitely been an increase had to be increased because members vice meetings in other countries. The mainly sailors from Royal Navy ships in the number of members genuinely kept increasing. After a few more years, year 1983 saw other important “firsts.” anchored in the Grand Harbor in Val- interested in service. CARITAS, evident- ~ a l i e s emembers letta. Many Maltese also go to meetings of ly with great pleasure and satisfaction, One of the participated for the first time in a popu- In April 1989, the first meeting was held at the correctional facilities. In the intemational groups, two of which have Maltese secretaries. All meetings made available the lar TV program June 1989, a public information meet- in Malta, English and Maltese, are listlargest room in their Maltese , (with anonymity ing was held in the sister island of ed in the AA International Directory, premises. Their spa- fully safeguarded), Gozo, and later on, a Gozo group was and in almost all the meetings of the cious conference the first translations hall, complete with members of basic AA literaformed which meets every Wednesday and Friday evening. This was also the intemational groups there are visitors from abroad. When such visitors atloudspeakers and ture were approved year in which AA extended its coop- tend Maltese-speaking meetings, it is recording equipment, was also used didn’t under- by AA World Services, and a series of eration to a drug abuse rehabilitation the local practice to allocate fifteen service. Ever since then, AA members minutes at the beginning or the end many times for the talks to audiences have been holding periodical meetings for the visitors to share their experiperiodical public in- stand English with a special inter- for residents of a therapeutic commu- ence, strength, and hope in English or formation meetings est in alcoholism nity who have problems with alcohol in Maltese, if translation can be organized jointly by the International and another was initiated. On March 30, as well as drugs. On October 4 of that year, the first open meeting was held. arranged. Members of the Fkllowship in Malta and the Maltese 1987, at its twenty- These meetings are still held every accept the Twelve Steps for personal groups. These meet- member used first Anniversary Wednesday evening at the General recovery and the groups follow the ings were increasing- open meeting, the Service Wice in Valletta. They are al- principles of the Twelve Traditions. As ly attended, mainly AA Fellowship in they consider themselves part of the by members of fami- to translate for Malta launched its ways well attended not only by alcoholics but also by family members, world service structure, both the lies affected by alco- own bilingual mag- relatives, and friends. Very often there groups and the General Service Comholism but also by professionals, stuhim there azine FLIMKIENI TOGETHER. It is are also present members of the press, mittee acknowledge the Twelve Concepts for World Service. In its public students, social workers, doctors, . dents, clergy, and still issued quarterly. priests, nuns, and others interested in relations activities, the Fellowship in government officials and then. In September 1988, the role of AA in the treatment of al- Malta has adhered to the principles of interested in the the General Service coholics. “attraction rather than promotion” many related prob- Office was first There are now five Maltese groups, and “cooperation but not affiliation.” lems-of alcoh&m and the AA pro- opened in a small room in Strait Street, one Gozitan, and five international. Besides the cooperation with the gram of recovery. Valletta. The Heal& Authorities made The total number of members attend- church and the government; there has In February 1983, Malta was repre- available this room which had formed ing meetings regularly is eighty. Fifty- been close cooperation with the press sented for the first time at the Euro- part of the Government District Clin- three of the present eighty members and all other forms of communications pean Service Meeting held in ic. Ironically, Strait Street, which at are Maltese; the remaining twenty-sev- media and with the very large majori- Frankfurt, Germany every two years. one time had the largest concentration en are of various nationalities. The ty of voluntary organizations. From then on, Malta has sent two rep- . of bars and barmaids in Malta, has.an writer co-founder is now the oldest Paul V., Valletta,Malta

October 1996

some unprepared husband. There was call. The man was a nervous wreck and also a call from a weekend drinker try- was feeling miserable, guilty, and inading to get in shape for work on Mon- equate. We weren’t surprised nor did day morning. We had one drunk who we lack words when we talked to him. had left the hospital several weeks be- It wasn’t easy or agreeable to come fore. We had a second who was appar- close to the drunk when one is trying ently sober but had other problems. A to come out of the gutter oneself. Our third was the woman who had just first prospect was in very bad shape, but come out of her last binge. And finally, apparently he didn’t need to be hospithere was myself. It’s got to be one of talized. (Later on we got enough expethose miracles of God that AA sur- rience to recognize that cases of DTs vived in the Canal Zone during those required hospitalization.) Filthy, weak, The fobwing article is based on a 1954 memoir of the General Service first months. and incoherent, he acted with the usu- Ofice in Panama, written by an early AA member there. One of our first steps was to buy the al scorn of the alcoholic toward any- Big Book. The lady from our small thing vaguely related to spirituality. group had one. Our friend from Cristo- And besides, he was too confused to bal didn’t desire to have one. We be- think.

w gan to read and study the book, Bob was our first solid convert. en I left Hospital Panama firmed) had become addicted to barbi- hanging onto each word, because it Many has he helped in all the years in November 1945, I wrote turates. made sense and because we had since. After Bob came into AA, our to AA in New York, having In spite of arguments that publicity nowhere else to turn. group began to expand. With expanno idea of what would happen. What I of any kind was not allowed, I looked In the meantime, the AA office in sion, problems arose. Looking back, it’s did know was that I was desperately for and got help from the editor of the New York supported us with a lot of apparent that our problems were anxious not only to stop drinking but Pan-American. He generously let us use solid literature. Then, just when we caused by too much enthusiasm rather to stay sober. the Letters to the Editor column. thought things were shaping up, our than the lack of it. We were conde- Miracle number one happened six In the summer of 1946 we were in- lady friend had a relapse. Our friend scending when we should have been days later, when a bulky envelope ar- formed of a lady alcoholic who had from Cristobal tried to help, using his firm. Nobody can say we were indifferrived. It had a wonderful personal letter some AA experience in the United own version of the program for such a ent or neglected the group. We almost from the secretary, some literature, and States. Her sobriety had been marked situation. The result was that we had a became like crusaders, to the point of the name of an ancient member of the by many relapses, and when we finally great problem trying to get our lady going into bars to look for new recruits. New York Group whose last known ad- reached her, she was in the process of friend back in. We invested freely of our time and dress was in Cristobal, Canal Zone. recuperating from a gigantic drunk. During this struggle to keep AA money. Nobody has ever regretted it. We didn’t waste any time and sent a We had nothing resembling a solid alive, miracle number two happened. One of our members went so far as letter to Cristobal. Contact was estab- AA group. Although a great number of Our correspondence in the Pan-Amer- to create an operating fund’of $2,500 lished, and several days later we made a known drunks existed, none of them ican gave us our chance to begin in order to have a meeting place. Eipersonal call. The contact was a big showed up or demonstrated any inter- Twelfth Step work. We called on our ther because of the sudden prosperity, disappointment since the person had a est in finding what this was all about. first real prospect, whom we found to or to prove that AA doesn’t function very polemic attitude to the program, There were a couple of confused wives, be in very bad shape. Truly, we prayed when there’s a lot of money involved, and evidently (this was later con- trying to find a miraculous cure for to God to give us strength to make the the situation turned into chaos, bigger

than a two-month drunk. In fact, that’s tered a construction office had been Then came an epidemic of the so- more relapses returned, and many of just what happened to two of our mem- used by AA once in a while, and it be- called “cures” expressed in a number of them acquired (perhaps because of the bers. The.only solution was to return came what we today call “the AA magazines. None of them proved effec- relapses) a much deeper knowledge of what was left of the money and return home outside AA.” tive, not even the famous Antabuse. the program and a better possibility for to our old ways of meeting in the house When we occupied it for the first Usually these cures were the by-prod- success. From our original group of four, of members. time it had nothing -no facilities such ucts of scientists and nonprofessional two remained. Relapses and pemmlity conflicts be- as a bathroom, running water, etc. We persons. We were able to witness in our Our first contact, the difficult memtween the new members brought about had to build everything. The roof a lot of resentments and frustrations. leaked and the building needed paint- , group some of these “cures” with drugs, ber from Cristobal,became addicted to followed by failure. barbiturates and was finally sent home Nevertheless, most of ing. There was no fur- On our fifth anniversary in 1950,we to the United States. Our first lady us remained sober. nGure. But in a short had forty active members including a member also returned to the States and We sat up nights Later we time we had every- ‘ small group on the Atlantic side. Our died of apparently natural causes. with alcoholics only thing and without efforts had been crowned with success. We never kept records with regards to realize afterwards any outside help. Latthat they used us to realized that er we got a telephone We realized there were fewer relapses to members, but we calculate the numand the average age was getting lower. ber of AA members who came to us in enjoy the booze we and were listed in the Young people, twenty years old, were the Canal Zone was between 300 to furnished or to share their family problems not all drunks telephone directory. Major respectabilicoming for help. Those that had one or 400 alcoholics. (L, , or to try to save their ty was achieved when jobs. want t o get doctors and the gen- Now that we better understand the program, we realize that sober. eral public became interested in the AA program. A hospital iI@ Fast Facts – AA Around the ~ o r l d our methods were wrong. Later we realoffered us their facilities and showed a – wThe Big Book has been translated into 32 languages, 1 ized that not all drunks want to get more understanding attitude toward the including Russian, Filipino, Icelandic, Hindi, sober.’ We weren’t looking for sincerity alcoholic patient, especially if the pa- I Chinese, Arabic, Lithuanian, Persian, and Vietnamese. or honesty. We were trying to mother tient was endorsed by AA. I – Other AAWS literature such as the ‘Twelve and Twelve,” everybody That was perfect to feed our In the midst of this streak of luck, egos, but was not a solid foundation for tragedy touched our group. One of our I ‘Living Sober,” and the pamphlet “44 Questions,” has been an AA group. lady members tried to commit suicide I translated into 19 languages, including Croatian, Turkish, and Korean. ‘ Anyhow, with knowledge and expe- two times. The second time she sucrience we were able to make it, little by ceeded. Faced with impossible cir- I little, and firmly created a new era in cumstances to solve, she’d married a I At least 34 AA magazines are published around the world, in as many as 14 different languages, including Belgium’s “Partage,” AA. A greater acceptance of our group man who showed her little support. I Canada’s “La Vigne,” Guatemala’s “Compartimiento,” Italy’s was accomplished when the governor He ridiculed her as much as he could, of the Canal Zone allowed us to use a and she resorted to the only way out I ‘Insieme in AA,” Finland’s “Ratkaisu,” India’s “The Twelfth Step.” and Trinidad and Tobago’s “Pumpkinvine.” building for our meetings. she could think of, an overdose of bar- I , Previously a little cabin that shel- , biturates.

October 1996

m How AA STAR’TED IN ,a tivities of the others and they perse- when members from a number of AA vered in solitude for quite some time. groups came together to collate and Val D. started the printing and dis- staple Regmaker. Despite a very detertrtbution of a local magazine on the mined effort, the circulation of the na- East Rand (a gold mining area east of tional magazine remains disappointing. Johannesburg) in the early fifties with a We compensate by extensive use of the minimum of assistance. The magazine publication for PI and CPC work, and was called the Tdril. For many years in correctional and treatment facilities. Val never missed an issue, despite the Fifty percent of the copies are given difficulties he worked under. The task away at no charge as part of our PI and was later taken over by the Service and CPC efforts. Information Committee under the Arnold, a Cape Town member, name AA Newsletter. It was printed on started a Loners newsletter in the mida manually-operated duplicator at the nineteen-fifties. It was his personal pro- General Service Office, then in Preto- ject and he met all expenses himself. It . ria. The printer was Eddie who was consisted mainly of articles written by completely dedicated to this task and Arnold himself and extracts from othconsidered it to be his own. He was a er publications, some of which were committed AA member, but despite very philosophical in content. The A brief history of50 years of AA in South Afnca (1 946-1996) his regular attendance at meetings he publication later became the responsihad great difficulty in maintaining his bility of our GSO and the name besobriety. There were times when, in or- came Alco-Solo. Many members from der to keep him going at the machine, beyond our borders, including the ne of the earliest AA pioneers

0 in South Africa was Arthur S. of Johannesburg. Arthur, a stockbroker, first found out about AA from an article in Reader’s Digest, when he found a tattered copy of a magazine which featured AA. He also contacted New York requesting help and he got sober. Meanwhile, some 1,000 miles away in Cape Town, Pat it was necessary to pop down to the lo- United States, receive Alco-Sob. cal liquor store for a “long wine” which The first black groups were started would allow him to finish the job. He by Dinkie D. at the compounds of the eventually found sobriety after eleven West Driefontein Gold Mine in the years of trying and later married Eda early fifties. Meetings were held reguwhich featured Alcoholics Anonymous O’E also found a solution by writing to who was a fellow member and GSO’s larly on Sundays and because of the quite prominently. He wrote to the AA New York. long-serving voluntary typist. large number of different languages office in New York and received a pam- While the message was being re- In 1965, it was decided to give the spoken in the mines it was necessary to phlet. Armed with nothing more than ceived by Arthur, Solomon, and Pat, ~ublicationa uniquely South African use up to four translators. Certain bathis, Arthur started the first group of the book Alcoholics Anonymous was flavor and after much discussion and sic AA literature was translated into at Alcoholics Anonymous in South given to Val D., who having received deliberation, the name was changed to least three indigenous languages: Africa. this simple set of spiritual principles, Regmaker, which is Afrikaans for “right Khosa, Sesotho, and Zulu. Unfortu- Around the same time, a black man singlehandedly did more to encourage maker” or “hair of the dog that bit me” nately, all efforts to propagate the use named Solomon was wandering the the spread of AA in this country than – the drink that a hangover sufferer of indigenous-languageliterature has to , streets of Alexandra Township near Jo- any other person at that time. These will have to feel human again. Many a large degree failed, except for Zulu, hannesburg. He was in desperate straits four men were all unaware of the ac- happy hours of fellowship were had for which there has always been a large

. demand. Perhaps it’s because the trans- for b,oth local and overseas recordings. Africa has not been without problems Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, and lations were too literal and didn’t use In addition, the Big Book in Afrikaans and it still is vital to implement the Mozambique, often being able to help vernacular or idiomatic language is available on tape. sound principles of structure as laid out with the supply of literature and attenwhich might have better expressed cer- AA’s first tenuous steps toward a in the Service Manual. We’re current- dance at rallies, roundups, etc. tain ideas. conference structure took place in ly busy redrafting the South African Today, South Africa has more than Andries K. took charge of coordi- Durban in 1951 when a Service and Service Manual so it will serve the spe- 320 groups throughout the country, nating the translation of the Big Book Information Committee was formed. cific needs of the South African con- and we’re abundantly aware of our reinto Afrikaans, the well known Alko- This committee continued to meet in text. sponsibility to continue to pass on the holiste Anoniem. It was a unique under- Pretoria until the General Service Of- While keeping strictly to our Tradi- message. “The only requirement for taking, to our understanding the first fice was formed in Johannesburg in tion of attraction and not promotion, AA membership is a desire to stop attempt at translating the Big Book 1964. When the office was moved from our national pblic information com- drinking.” In South Africa this loved into another language. Each chapter Pretoria to Johannesburg that year, a mittee has over the years arranged na- and wonderful Tradition has been rigwas given to an individual Afrikaans- large truck was borrowed for the pur- tional coverage and airings of radio and orously implemented without regard to speaking member to translate. pose of transporting the assets of the television spots to carry the message. social restrictions throughout fifty Although the translation was fairly Fellowship. The move took three tor- Over the years, we’ve also been able to years. We’re poud of having been a well, accepted by Afrikaans members, turous trips and since the vehicle was establish cordial relations, despite some rainbow Fellowship long before South many of them still preferred the Eng- open, it was necessary for three or four real problems, with neighboring coun- Africa became a rainbow nation. lish version. Some libraries and insti- members to sit on the contents to pre- tries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Johannesburg, South Afnca tutions refused to place the Big Book vent everything from being blown on their shelves describing the lan- away. guage as “lomp.” Because it was trans- The first Board of Trustees was lated by so many people, each with his formed in 1969,and in that year South own style of writing, it didn’t flow. African World Service delegates were However, this translation did serve a invited to attend the first AA World great purpose for AA and was well re- Service Meeting in New York. We’ve ceived by Dutch Reform Dominees, been privileged to attend each of the among whom copies were distributed World Service Meetings since then. (thanks to the contributions by AAs Mainly as a result of the dedicated for this purpose). A new translation effort of some individual members, was completed in the early eighties. It’s we’ve gained access to a number of an outstanding effort and many Eng- prisons throughout the country. On lish-speaking members have com- leaving these institutions, ex-inmates mented on the excellent manner in are directed to groups nearest their which the expressive Afrikaans lan- homes. Those on house arrest or bail guage sets out certain Steps. can attend meetings, and are often re- An audio cassette tape service, run quested to do so by the courts. Most under the auspices of GSO, was begun groups will provide proof of attendance in 1967. As a result we have a keen to satisfy judiciary requirements. tape fraternity with a steady demand Growth of the Fellowship in South

January 1997

Q: When someone quits drinking, why are they said to be “on the wagon”?

A: Before pavement was a regular feature of cities and towns, a water wagon made the rounds and sprayed the dirt streets lightly to keep down the dust. Somebody once had the image of climbing “on the water wagon” (like climbing “on board” to join something) and the image took hold in the’ popular imagination. Implicit in the idea of being on the wagon is the idea that you can always jump off! Perhaps because of this, being on the wagon has always had a rather temporary sound to many of us.

If you have queslions for Ihe Vine Line, write to: Editorial Dept., PO Box 1980, Grand Cenlral Slation, New York, N.Y., 10163-1980

May 1997

What We Were Like

cigarettes and eating sandwiches and incorporated in the state of California. drinking coffee while my brother and I “Good luck on the Clubhouse,” Bill were peeking out this door and seeing W, responded, bestowing his best wishwhat they were doing, what they were es in a letter to Chairman Tom 0.writtalking about.” They were talking ten in January 1945. “The first AA about sobriety. Mick C., Frank D., Bud clubhouse, as such, is to be built by the F., Fay L., Carrol “Scotty” S. and a North Hollywood Group,” announced handful of other area men and women the Grapevine, “on Chandler Boulehad begun holding AA meetings in vard property that is now theirs . . . their homes during the spring of 1941. North Hollywood AAs are going to Bill W. wrote a letter to Frank D. in build a clubhouse of their own . . and. September 1941. His encouragement are underwriting their venture through -“complimentary reports about your the sale of ‘sobriety bonds.’ ” More than particular group” -helped inspire the 250 “Sobriety Bonds” were bought by new group to continue. Less than a members purchased for ten dollars dozen men and women were the first each. None of the bonds was ever members; they went from home to cashed in. home, and as word of the group began By 1946, the huge number of alcoto spread, the membership grew. holics searching for sobriety swelled the The North Hollywood Group “The ones who began it,” says Bob membership of the North Hollywood “were people who, like my father, were Group. Jack P. explains that “a lot of going to Los Angeles every Friday the early ~ e o p l ewho attended North night. And then gas rationing came Hollywood came from the Los Angeles . . L os Angeles AA groups began springing up during the early forties. Meetings were held on West Seventh Street and Wilshire Boulevard: quite a drive from the San Ferholism was viewed as shameful and disgusting due to ignorance about the d’isease. “My brother Jack and I used to stand along, so they started some meetings in group . there were so few groups at North Hollywood and it just blossomed that time.” They quickly outgrew their after that. Those were the days if you new clubhouse on Chandler where went out three times you couldn’t parking had become a problem. The out in the hall, like kids do, and listen come back.” solution was found at the end of the nando Valley in the days of gas to the AA meetings going on in my By 1942, membership had grown block at 4343 Radford Street. rationing. “Willing to go to any parents’ house,” Bob D. remembers. and the meetings were moved into a Jack P. recalls the clubhouse ” ~ l e s ” length,” the early AAs traveled wher- Sober for thirty-six years, Bob fondly small stucco building in North Holly- that existed before Traditions Two, ever there were meetings in Southern recalls eavesdropping on those early wood Park near Chandler and Tujun- Three, and Nine were drafted in 1946. California by pooling gas coupons meetings held in his parents’ house on ga. The young Fellowship was “They would put a couple of guys at the and riding together in one of the few Hinds Avenue in North Hollywood. expanding. Softball games were played door and ask some new guy if he wantautomobiles that the members pos- This was the birthplace of the North before meetings; potluck dinners, all- ed to ‘stay sober on an all-time basis’. sessed. The comradeship enjoyed out- Hollywood Group, the first AA group night poker games, and banquets were If the guy hesitated, or said ‘I don’t side the scheduled meetings was crucial in California’s San Fernando Valley. “I regular events for the members and know,’ they’d tell him to come back to these men and women. In those was about nine years old, and these their families. In 1944, Alcoholics ‘when you’re ready to do it on an alldays, alcoholics were ostracized; alco- men were in the front room smoking Anonymous of North Hollywood was time basis.’ That was the idea that

newcomers were given Betty T. agrees: “My first meeting was legal and monetary expenses were back then: this is the men’s stag meeting – I came in large, they were not as damaging to where you come to drunk.” the group as the threat and fear that stay sober, not to learn Bruce G. wrote in 1977, “The bene- the group would be destroyed. It how to drink.” Getting fit to the community from the North wasn’t. sober and believing Hollywood Group is beyond estima- In November 1994 the North Hol- . that if he drank again tion. The number of men and women lywood Group closed its doors at 4343 he would die, lack cel- who have gone through that group, be- Radford and moved north to Victory ebrated fifty years of came sober through the principles of Boulevard where the spirit of recovery sobriety on September Alcoholics Anonymous, and main- continues today. As in families, people 16, 1996. tained their sobriety over the years have moved on and passed on. The Radford, 9s it be- probably exceeds 400,000.” “Walking voices of experience are harder to hear came internationally miracles,” Alabam’ called them. By today, but the message of hope can be ‘ known, was a grateful 1978, the active members numbered heard by any who choose to listen. man’s gift for his wife’s more than 300. Every man and woman who walks sobrietv: Alcoholics During the late 1970s residents and through the doors searching for recov- ~non~6ou bads worked where noth- The Radford family continued to neighbors of 4343 Radford began voic- ery from alcoholism at the North Holing else had. His generous donation al- grow. Fellowship, camaraderie, fun, and ing concerns about the AA club at the lywood Group is in a line with the lowed the group to arrange a trade – laughter attracted newcomers, who end of the street. Once begun, the thousands who came before -whether the modern ooe-story $10,000 building stayed when they found the solution to contest between the AAs and the res- or not they lived and died sober. We are on Chandler for the former school- their problem with alcohol. Others idents continued for the next seven- grateful for their experience. house owned by a church on Radford. came to carry the message. Some we teen years. It was a struggle which cost Linda H., BNce G. remembers that “AA meet- remember: Larry B., Mary C., Big Jack, the Radford Group dearly. While the North Hollywood, California i x s were held in the building at 4343 and Morrie S., who coined the phrase Radford prior to the purchase of the “Keep coming back.” Thousands more property.1′ The North H~llywood remain anonymous. In November Group began holding meetings there in 1971, the name of the group became March 1946, and purchased the prop- official. erty in March 1947 for ten dollars. “Radford was a good spot for peo- Evelyn laba am’ C. got sober in De- ple,” says Bud H., a member since cember 1952, and until her death in 1949. “I still think it’s the greatest 1991, served as an example of Alco- thing there is.” Albertine R., sober holics Anonymous and a much-loved since 1951 and who once sponsored “ambassador” of the Radford Group. Alabam’, expresses “gratitude for being Alabam’ recalled North Hollywood in that group . . . it was a tough group.” Group telling her about at- Calling the North Hollywood Group a tending school in those very rooms, lat- “rough bunch,” Fred H. puts it very er returning there to recover from simply: “If anyone really wants sobrialcoholism. ety, they’ll do whatever it takes.”

August 1997 Alaska – Cold Sober

‘w ay up toward Point Barrow in Alaska, a couple of prospectors got themselves a cabin and a case of Scotch. The weather turned bitter, fifty below, and they got so drunk they let the fire go out. Some o f the Barely escaping death by freezing, one of them woke up in time to rekindle the fire. He was things that prowling around outside for fuel, and he looked into an empty oil drum filled with frozen water. have hap- Down in the ice cake he saw a reddish-yellow object. When thawed out, it was seen to be an pened in and AA book. One of the pair read the book and around sobered up. Legend has it that he became the founder of one of our farthest north groups.” ~nchora~e -As Bill Sees It, page 245 were tragic as hell, and It didn’t take long for AA to reach the frozen some were North. The first printing of the Big Book was in 1939, and the first mention of “Inquiry from hilarious. Alaska” to General Headquarters (now GSO) came in 1940. By 1947, Alaska had two groups listed at Headquarters: the Anchorage Sourdough Group with eight members, and the Juneau Totem Club with five members. AA was well enough known in that year for someone to place the following advertisement in the Anchorage Xmes: “Wish to contact members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Write Box 55 l , Anchorage.” By 1953, Alaska had 112 members in nine cities. (There is confusion about which is the oldest group in Alaskan history since many groups were formally registered much after their start.)

Alaska – Cold Sober .

In April 1976, E.V. C. recalled: “The Anchorage Group -originally cided he wanted help, and he called Lou one called the Anchorage Sourdough Group -was started by Joe Y.and day from a liquor store. Lou said, “I told him, J o r g says grew by leaps and bounds. By the time I attended my first meeting in ‘Just back out of the store and don’t buy any- July 1949, there were probably fifty people at that meeting. The featured thing, and I’ll be there in ten minutes.’ ” Lou be- there was a speaker was Cecil M. that evening, who was a moving force in AA. came Joe’s sponsor, and took a personal interest Some of the things that have happened in and around Anchorage were in helping him recover. Lou said that Joe would bigboom in tragic as hell, and some were hilarious; however, it is a miracle the num- sometimes provoke drunks until they would stay ber of people who have passed through AA in Anchorage and managed sober “just to prove to that SOB that they AA memberto stay sober.” could.)’ Alaska’s wide-ranging geography -with its mountains, valleys, glaci- One of the members of the North Star Group ship in 1972, ers, wide rivers, citysized lakes, deep snows, icy roads, and extreme tem- with the most notoriety was a dance hall girl peratures (80 above to 50 below) -makes carrying the message to named Virginia M. who continued to practice attributed t o many parts of Alaska a testament to going to any length. For example, her chosen profession after becoming a member AA began in District 10 (Wrangell, Ketchikan, Prince of Wales Island, of AA. She always brought her huskylwolf the pipeline oil and remote communities in that region) when an AA meeting was held mixed breed to meetings. Later she married a aboard the fishing vessel “North Star” in the Wrangell boat harbor in photographer and moved to Los Angeles where boom, and 1958. The group continued to meet sporadically throughout the years, she met Walt Disney, who said he was looking and today its thirty members meet at a church. A more recent example for a dog just like hers to star in Nikki -Dog of also t o the fact is the 1996 Roundup which was held in Soldotna during October, when the North. Virginia made several trips back to the first snows of the year fell -over two feet in two days. What should Alaska to get dogs and wolves for different that the state have been a two-and-a-half-hourdrive from Anchorage became a four- movies. She became very wealthy, moved to hour drive through whiteout conditions. But hundreds of Alaskans started fund- Montana, and died sober in 1990. showed up, as well as AAs visiting from out of state, to spend a weekend Jorgy J. joined AA in 1966, and went to the fellowshipping with other M s . ingcounseling three meetings a week available in Fairbanks at Poppa Joe E, often called the elder statesman of Anchorage AA, al- that time. In 1971, four married couples, includ- centers for . ways said, “You can’t run any farther -when you get to Alaska, you ei- ing Jorgy and his wife, bought property and cother sober up or die.” The history of AA in Alaska includes many signed a loan to build an Alano Club on it; it alcoholics. coloful characters and Poppa Joe was one. He was sober for nineteen was completed in 1975. Jorgy says there was a years before he died in 1985, and during that time he helped hundreds big boom in AA membership in 1972, attribof Alaskans gain sobriety -many of them destitute drunks from Fourth uted to the pipeline oil boom, and also to the Avenue (there also were plenty of insurance brokers and bankers). He fact that the state started funding counseling also managed the Alano Club for fourteen years. According to his close centers for alcoholics (membership more than friend, Lou S., Joe arrived in Alaska as a drunk in 1961, after losing his doubled from 347 members and forty-one groups job and leaving his wife and children in Tennessee. Lou said, “Joe lived in 1971 to 732 members and forty-four groups in on the streets, sleeping on the hot air grates downtown, stealing booze 1975).Jorgy said that before the changes from grocery stores, and spending a lot of time in jail.” In 1966,Joe de- brought about by treatment centers in the sev-

Alaska – Cold Sober

enties, new members were most frequently referred by a local judge. Jor- tuality he had. It took me about a year to start gy also talks about how, at the 1975 International AA Convention in feeling better, I was so sick. They told me, ‘No Denver, everyone held hands when they said the Lord’s Prayer, and smoking left-handed cigarettes’ -no dope. Alaskans brought the practice of hand holding back to their home state; They’d pick me up and say, ‘Get in the van and at the time, Jorgy said, “ARs going to hell.” In 1980, everyone began shut up,’ and we’d visit some wet drunk. Poppa hugging and he thought, “Now we’re really going to hell.” But he said, Joe did a hell of a job for the Alano Club. Peo- “Who am I to say?” (He notes that the Hardcore Group, which he ple grabbed hold of new people, and old-timers helped to found in Anchorage, still doesn’t hold hands.) had meetings after the meetings where they met m e up and David S. of the North Star Group I with newcomers. I’ve been involved with serhelped Jorgy J. build the Alano Club, vice work almost since the beginning. There say, ‘Get in and he has been in correspondence were things I just didn’t know how to do and with Smitty, Dr. Bob’s son, for years. people gave me lots of room to learn.” the van and Dave says that he is from the old Marge E’s first experience in AA was in 1953. school. He makes his sponsees – She got sober and then drank again in Virginia, s h u t upJ and even his computer-literate ones – stayed drunk in Germany and Japan, started a write everything out by hand. He group in Yokohama, had a glass of champagne weJdvisit says he has chaired over 1,000 meet- at five years, came back in May 1960, her sobriings, and not one of them was on ety date. Marge says that when she came up to some wet gratitude: David asserts, “Gratitude is Alaska a second time, “There weren’t many not a word in AA. I’ll see it in your meetings, maybe one meeting a night. It was drunk. actions -washing ashtrays, making slow going here for a while. I joined the Gold coffee, sponsoring people. I don’t Rush Group which has moved and moved lots want to hear someone share for fif- of times. It’s been in hotels, laundry facilities, teen minutes about how grateful bingo halls – it was like a traveling crap game. they are.” The group has about fifty members today and Jonathan from Fairbanks, speaking has met in a hotel on Lake Hood for a few years at an Old-timer’s Speaker’s Meeting, stated: “I went to my first meeting now. I used to go to lots of meetings, but now in October 1965. I was twenty-two and in the military. I got sent to AA only one or two a week.” Marge says she has by a psychiatrist in Germany after I ended up in a room with no door been around Alaska AA for so long that “I’m handles on my side. Back in those days it was a moral failing if you part of AA. It’s my life.” drank like I did. In the three years I was in Germany, I went to lots of A Native Alaskan AA, sober since October meetings. I drank on the way to meetings, and I drank in between meet- 1977, recently told this story: “The people I reings. I sobered up in 1970. A lot of things I heard in meetings had hap- member from sobering up were Poppa Joe, John pened to me, and I was desperate. I’m real grateful that I had had E, and Irish C., who encouraged me to stay enough. When I came to Alaska in 1972, I asked Alaska Bob to be my away from Fourth Avenue in downtown Ansponsor. I could sense Alaska Bob just walking into a room – the spiri- chorage. Fourth is full of bars and staggering

Alaska – Cold Sobmr 1

drunks. Everyone knew everyone else there, and they were always offer- fuss”) S. who went to sea as a merchant marine ing drinks, so I stayed at the Alano Club. I didn’t have any money for for more than twenty years in his drinking days. dues, and when Poppa Joe came around hollering, ‘Dues time!’ he just Every time he sobered up from drinking, his stopped and put his arm around me and said, ‘Don’t worry about it, kid, pockets were full of AA brochures, and he just grab a broom sometime.’ John E was the fire chief, and I thought he didn’t know how they got there. He said a lot of was a policeman since his radio was always going off. There were seven sober seamen had belonged to the Loner’s he navy or eight Native Alaskans in meetings then -like Esther (an Group, so he became a Loner and continued in Athabaskan woman), Sophie, Bill W. (who started a group at the Na- the merchant marines for five years after he on ~ d a k .tive hospital), and Ralph A. (who started what is known as ANARC – sobered up, but quit because he wanted to go to a Native recovery center). I looked at these other Native Alaskans stay- “live” meetings. Poppa Joe became his sponsor introduced me ing sober back then, and I knew that Natives couldn’t stay sober very for ten years. Cefas has started many meetings in long, so I waited, and I watched them. Bill W. died sober, Esther and So- the Anchorage area, including the Salty Dog to another phie are still sober, and so I’m still waiting.” Group in 1976, and, with Jorgy J. and Jack G., There are still many areas in Alaska that have no phones, no AA the Hardcore Group which was to be the kind recovering companionship, and no meetings. Alaskan AAs carry the message into of AA that was a “no-nonsense” meeting. Cefas outlying areas through “village support,” film libraries, and the Loners- still runs the Hardcore Group, but he started the alcoholic InternationalistsMeeting (LIM). Members of village support groups vis- Dinosaur Group in 1996 -for an AA meeting it AAs in small villages, help set up AA meetings, and help the Native whose which doesn’t sign court papers. “You will not community to include traditional advisement and spiritual guidance. get your papers signed at the Dinosaur Group,” anonymity Speaker tapes in some Native languages have been produced. Fairbanks Cefas said. “You come there not because you has produced many tapes of speakers meetings, with the permission of have to but because you want to.” was top the speaker, to be borrowed and re-recorded at no cost -they are Tom K., member of the Plug in the Jug Group, mailed out to doctors, teachers, pipeline workers, hunters, fishing fami- sober since October 1974, writes about his expe- secret. lies, and any AA who can get mail delivered to them. rience starting a meeting in a remote community: “I was in Anchorage for a short time prior to ~Io~ers, Homers, Loners, and ~nternationaIists heading back out to Adak [one of a string of Slopers are pipeline and oil workers in remote northern sites who must large and small islands called the Aleutians] to drive many miles between pipeline camps, often in extremely cold complete a king crab fishing season. That’s weather, to hold meetings. Homers are homebound, ill, or disabled where my last drunk took place. After attending M s . Loners are people who are in landlocked, and/or remote areas and meetings daily for about ten days, I needed to re- Internationalistsare seagoing members. Throughout the history of turn to Adak or lose my slot on the boat. They Alaskan AA, there have always been frequent listings of Loners, and already had a guy hired just in case I didn’t show Loner Sponsors are active all over Alaska, serving as connections to up. I’d heard all the horror stories of those who Homers, Loners, and Internationalists. The sponsors are people who can left the nest too early, and I knew I could easily attend meetings on a regular basis, who call, write, or send tapes to their wind up drunk. Eventually, with a Big Book unlong-distance sponsees. One Internationalist is Cefas (pronounced “key- der my arm, floating on a pink cloud, I flew back

.-

Alaska – Cold Sober out there. The navy on Adak introduced me to another recovering alco- bill came, we usually had to chip in in order to holic whose anonymity was top secret. This led to several of us starting pay it. The group is slowly growing, although the Adak Group. We met for another seven or eight weeks in between members with some sobriety are usually trancrabbing trips. When the season was over, I returned to Anchorage sient. Most members are court-ordered.” sober, with a few thousand bucks in my pocket to continue my new Today, AA in Alaska is thriving. In 1975, sober life. It was the first time I’d cashed my fishing check and actually there were about 11 meetings a week in the used it to open an account and state; a decade later, there were 100 a week, and I live o u t o n pay a month’s rent in advance (on now there are about 200 meetings a week in the a one-room apartment a block Anchorage area alone, and thousands of AA the leut ti an away from the Alano Club). Sev- members around the state. AA in Alaska is a eral months later, in August 1974, success story -the success of going to any ~slands,a n d it the fishing season began in Cor- length to carry the message. dova. There wasn’t a group there, gets a little just a small box of AA literature from a minister. In the library lonely being meeting room, a few interested alcoholics and I started the Cordo- On May 9-12, a Special AA Regional Forum’ the only va Group, eventually known as was held in Alaska, with sessions in Ketchikan, the High and Dry Group, still go- Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. Members of member bf AA ing today.” the GSO and Grapevine staffs, along with the In 1986, the Alaska area Pacific Regional Trustee and a Class A (nonal- o n my island. newsletter printed a story from coholic) Trustee traveled with the area delegate “Sober in Sand Point,” with a to all four cities to meet with interested AAs 1982 sobriety date, which states: and exchange information. “Hi. My name is Dutch, and I would like to say that the newsletter makes my day. I live out in the Aleutian Islands, and it gets a little lonely being the only member of AA on my island. I have my Big Book, and Came to Believe, and I am fortunate enough to have six or seven persons with whom I write regularly. It is good to read the newsletter to see how ,other members are growing in sobriety.” John M. recently wrote about AA in one remote area: “The stove didn’t put out heat very well, so we all huddled around it. Our breaths were blowing out clouds of mist from the cold. ‘How it Works’ and the Twelve Traditions had been translated into Yupik Eskimo for us. The meeting was pretty well attended. Bill H. became our first G.S.R., and we had designated officers and coffeemakers for awhile. When the oil

October 1997

Street and met two nights a week. The group decided to call themselves the Grays Harbor Group. Those first meetings were held in drafty, sparsely furnished quarters with the members huddled around a potbelly stove. Anyone interested in getting sober and staying that way was welcome to attend. But the most vital, interesting meetings- were still those impromptu sessions held in the homes of friends. M y s Harbor County, There was no Al- Anon in those days Washington and the spouses, wives mostly, attended with their mates in order to get a genuine insight

I t rains a lot in Grays Harbor Coun- This was in 1950 and the Fellowship into the disease of alty and that’s a perfect excuse to of Alcoholics Anonymous was only fif- coholism. These peodrink. But there came a time when teen years old and still in its fledgling ple were a very some Grays Harbor ~ e o ~ l e desperately stage. But an honest effort was made close-knit erouD 0 n and wanted tb stop d r k k k g bu; didn’; and a local chapter of Alcoholics found comfort in sticking together and finally changed to the Aberdeen know how. Then one day a friend ap- Anonymous was begun with a few peo-, in frequent visiting between homes. Group. The Hoquiam Group more or proached them with the same problem ple and their spouses in attendance. A group in Aberdeen met in the less evaporated at that time. This Aband the same desire to stop drinking, Those first charter members – some Washington Hotel but were more and erdeen Group hosted an annual event and they began earnest discussions. In of whom were Slim, Chuck, Frank, more visited by Hoquiam members as such as a clam-chowder feed and a their talks around someone’s kitchen Virginia, Gordon, Bob, Joe, Vern, and there was a real need for more meet- dance. There were many good times table or in someone’s front room, they Lois – met at the Emerson Hotel in ings. This merged group was first called intermingled with the difficult times. began to realize the solution to the Hoquiam. Shortly after, they moved the Aberdeen Grays Harbor Group; Aberdeen AA’s next group was a problem. into an abandoned store on Ontario but amid heated debates, the name was room upstairs in the Zelasko Building

where the rent was twentyfive dollars coffee would go down the drain and a month. The dubious accommoda- the door would be relocked. The Hotions were next door to the rooms of quiam Group had a very sporadic beladies of the night, and the AAs once ginning but finally settled down into a had their door assailed by boisterous workable unit. loggers looking for “a good time.” An Then in 1972, the Aberdeen Group AA wife was said to have been propo- moved to its present location on sitioned in the hall, much to her cha- Heron Street. Remodeling was begun grin. But then considering the after the structure was found to be in- , circumstances and the hard times, adequate for the group’s needs. A’wall these episodes were understandable was removed, another bathroom inand tolerated. It was worth all the has- stalled, and a back room was added. A sles and inconvenience just to be able little later, a pool table and axelevision to have those organized AA meetings set were purchased after a poll of the and to share with like fellows. group conscience. The pioneers of There were at that time no detox Grays Harbor County’s various AA shelters, treatment centers, or halfway groups stuck with the program with houses; hospitals wanted nothing to do boundless determination and they with the care and treatment of a com- made it work. mon drunk. However, time and perse- Today there are many off-shoot verance on behalf of the charter AA groups which were formed from the members led to a more decent care ap- first parent organization. These AA proach from local doctors and hospi- groups make up District 21 which intals. AA members often sat with the cludes all of Grays Harbor County with suffering alcoholics through those first some slight overflow into surrounding trying days of DTs and took every op- counties. Alcoholics Anonymous now portunity to discuss AA methods, the has members who are court-ordered, Twelve Steps, and the promises of a while some are from our new local better life. treatment facility. There are still many At that time, farther up country in old-timers around and quite a few eastern Grays Harbor County, the promising young people. We represent town of Elma started its own AA many ages, ethnic backgrounds, and group. Hoquiam also began again with job categories and are reassured that a very shaky membership -sometimes Alcoholics Anonymous will always be only four or five people. The group met available to anyone, anytime, anythree nights a week in the Presbyterian where, as long as there is the honest Church. In those days, the group’s sec- desire to join the ranks of the recoverretary opened up the hall and made ing alcoholic. coffee; if no one at all showed up, the Ramona B ., Montesano, Washington

October 1997

pril 7, 1997, marked AA’s fifti- what AA was all about. George had eth anniversary in Norway. planted a seed, but had to go back to A T he event was celebrated with the States and didn’t personally see the candlelit closed meetings all over the concrete results of his work. country. Two larger celebrations were Fredrik advertised in a newspaper held in May, one official and one inter- and after a while he met Gunnar, who nal for AA members. At the official grabbed the message of AA with decelebration in Oslo, AAs met the offi- sire. They started working, and George cials of Noway, including the minister sent some literature from AA head- . The Fellowship Takes Hold in of social affairs, and the media. There were speeches and entertainment. Two quarters in New York. At about the same time there were some patients at days later, AA members assembled at a a health clinic a short distance from conference in Beitostolen. The theme Oslo who started a club of friends. was “Faith, Hope, and Victory.” Three of the members, Arnold, Gustav, and Erling, wanted to find a permanent solution to their alcohol How it began in Norway problem, and they read some AA lit- In 1946 there lived a modest Norwe- erature. When they came back to gian, George, in Greenwich, Con- Oslo, they came in contact with necticut. He had emigrated from Fredrik and Gunnar, and on April 7, Norway some years earlier and owned 1947, these five men started the first a coffeeshop. He was an alcoholic, but AA group in Norway. They called the he had gotten sober in AA in the ear- group Janus 2. ly forties. Then he heard that his At about the same time something brother Fredrik in Norway was having was happening in another Norwegian great problems with alcohol, and town, Bergen on the west coast. It was George decided to help him. He sold developing without any connection or his coffeeshop and together with his knowledge of what was happening in wife returned to Oslo to help his broth- Oslo. Hans had many years of alcohol er. It was very difficult to get his broth- problems behind him in the spring of er sober and even harder to get him to 1946. He met a seaman at a clinic understand what AA was about. whcre he was for the second time. This George almost gave up when his wal- seaman gave Hans some pamphlets he let was nearly empty. But just before he had gotten in New York. Hans read the went back to the United States, his material with great interest and conbrother asked him for a last meeting. tacted AA headquarters in New York Fredrik said he saw at least a hope of and got more literature. At this time reaching what had gotten his brother he worked alone, but after a while he sober. He was beginning to understand met three men who had heard of AA

at a clinic. Together they started the different towns. ernment. But the pioneers in Norway well as a board for the whole country. first group in Bergen, in March 1948. A great thing happened in 1950: Bill contacted the headquarters in New The first meeting was held in Sta- They called their group Anoal. W. visited Norway. His visit was a York and took the stand that AA has vanger in 1951. In the seventies, the strong stimulus to AA in Norway and to base its activity on its own econom- first service conferences with delegates Period of growth the source of great publicity. In early ic resources. Since then self-support has from the whole country were held. The After some time, several groups were 1950, AA in Norway was blooming. In been just as important as anonymity. structure in Norway included commitstarted in Oslo and Bergen. The mem- a few years the total number of groups a As clinics were established around tees at different levels. bers in the two towns learned about reached sixty, and the movement was the country, alcoholism treatment im- It was not before 1970 that AA in each other. At the first anniversary on mentioned positively by the press. ~roved.Many AA members, as private Norway got a service office. In the be- April 7, 1948, they took a survey and There were held great information persons, went into the work to estab- ginning it was run by volunteers, but in found that AA membership in Norway meetings, press conferences, and inter- lish more clinics. 1990 it acquired a paid staffer with an was 200. Most of the members lived in views on radio. But everything was not AA membership grew rapidly in the office in Oslo. Oslo and Bergen, but after a while the idyllic. The pioneers in Norway were fifties. Although AA kept no records, Today we have about 2,000 AA movement spread over the whole flying blind, trying and failing as they we read from newspaper articles that members in twenty regions which work country. The first AA members in Nor- debated questions of money, prestige AA had 5,000 members. for the common interest. Membership way worked very hard to spread the and anonymity. Self-supportwas a new should be higher. Alcoholism is one of message in contact work, group meet- concept in Norway at this time. We Building a service structure the biggest problems in Norway. This – ings, and information meetings. They sought and got economic support from Gradually, an AA service structure was is our challenge. I

traveled around and started groups in outside institutions, including the gov- formed. A monthly magazine began as Thor W.; Kristiansand, Norway

October

groups in Belem, Sao Paulo, etc.; we will come down to earth and Seiior de P. -the rest will come later and slowly as these things will. We want to create a small strong group of Brazilian AAs here, so that when we leave here the group will continue to function. Of course, American, English, etc., are welcome, but the need is great here among the Brazilians. On the basis of a possible widening of AA horizons, we would like, if possible, additional literature. We are very careful with the literature and pamphlets, but there may be calls that we cannot The following is an exchange of letters between the wife of an early AA fill. In Spanish (the Brazilians read it fairly well -so very much like Portuguese) could you send (in Spanish or English) 12 “AA” member (she and her husband were Americans living in Rio de Janiero, [the Big Book], 12 “AA”(pocket size), 6 “So you can’t quit.” Also Brazil), and the associate secretary of the AA Headquarters in New York. the name and address of the publisher of the Upper Room [series of daily devotional pamphlets]. We would like six of these. If you can send these to us, we will reimburse you. In this connection with the tightening up of money here in Brazil, it is a major operation to send a check to the States. Could we send check to you ‘ for the Grapevine, a small contribution for Alcoholics Anonymous as well and for the Upper Room?Thus, only one check. a If you have suggestions regarding opening of a new group, we will appreciate such information. We are particularly anxious to bring the meaning and spirit of AA to this group. Are there any suggestions or “things to avoid” in a newspaper article?Would there be any objection to such an article or should it be referred to New York before it is published?What we want is to bring AA to the attention of the Brazilian public. Possibly you have such an article that we could use. Would it be permissible to run a small announcement stating that there is a group here in Rio?We do not want to advertise, but we want to reach people who need this. We plan to contact the hospitals here also. We appreciate your letters and the bulletins.

Sincerely, Herb and Elizabeth D.

THE ALCOHOLIC FOUNDATION General Headquarters – Alcoholics Anonymous Box 459, Grand Central Annex New York 17, N.Y.

October 2, 1947

Dear Herb and Elizabeth:

We are all so pleased with the thoughts of your group in Rio. It sounds like a very real and fine start. You’ve no idea how excited we are at the prospects. By all means, go ahead with your plans of bringing AA to the attention of the public. Many groups have found newspaper articles helpful in getting started and there is no contraindication, as long as you stick by the traditions,of AA anonymity, purpose, money, etc. I’ll try and find an extra copy of some articles to send you in the near future. After the opening blast of publicity, a number of groups have used ads -just small ones, in the personal column, for instance -giving the information that AA is active there and the address is used, such as a post office box, or the place and time of meetings. I know how hard it is to get money out. We have the same problem in some of the other foreign groups. It will be perfectly all right to send us one check to cover the Grapevine and Upper Room subscriptions and literature. We’ll take care of ordering, etc. for you. Incidentally, we sent you 12 AA pamphlets in English and 12 in Spanish. We didn’t think you wanted Big Books in that amount, and we don’t have it in Spanish. Keep in touch with us for we are very.interested in how everything turns out. Our visions are right in step with yours – though I think both of us realize that it will take time and hard work to make them come true!

Sincerely, Charlotte L. Associate Secretary