CENTRAL BULLETIN UNSELFISHNESS – HONESTY – TRUTH – LOVE VOL. I -N o . 3 BOX 1638, STATION C, CLEVELAND, OHIO December, 1942

Editorial . . The First Step When we became members of A. A., we admitted that we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. This was the most important step in our getting dry. We had to admit to ourselves that we were alcoholics. We had to recognize that all our efforts to control our use of alcohol had failed. We had to recognize that our periodic spells of not drinking had not given us the ability to control the use of alcohol. We had to recognize that we could make our lives manageable only when we had given up alcohol entirely. Habits are tricky. They are the result of years of doing something under certain conditions. They have associations that we often are not aware of, which tend to lead us back to the path of that habit despite our efforts. The Devil within us is the prompting of our nerves, which leads us either to act without thinking or to think up excuses for denying the lessons we have learned. The single act of confession that made us dry is not enough to keep us dry. The Devil within us prompts us anew in many mysterious ways. The habit that prompts us is an unconscious body yearning, which calls now and then for that “one little drink” that will line up the tracks for twenty drinks and a blackout. To stay dry we have to continue to recognize that we are powerless over alcohol. We have to recognize that we can escape alcoholism only by not drinking. There have been enough of us in the seven and a half years of AA, who have been tempted to believe that through A.A. one could regain control over alcohol. The experiences of those thus tempted have been tragic. Some men have had difficulty at the start, because they never really admitted that they were powerless over alcohol. They had a mental reservation. They kept debating with themselves and finally reached the wrong answer. But some men get into difficulty long after they think that their troubles are over. They work hard. They pray. They attend meetings and work with new candidates. But the Devil of old habit, sleeping in the nerve cells, sneaks up on them and begins to whisper that they have themselves under control and it would be all right to take a drink now and then. When a man begins to tell himself “I know I can take a drink right now and nothing will happen,” his old habits and body yearnings are prompting him to think dangerous thoughts. That is the seed of disaster. Call the roll of those you know who have had to have this bitter experience of learning all over again that they were powerless over alcohol. Strange, too, how some members sometimes get the notion that because they have gone off to another city that the rules no longer apply. They couldn’t drink in Cleveland, but they think it would be all right in New York or Chicago or Detroit or Akron! Of course we are just as powerless away from home as at home. Devil habit may prompt us to a forget that first lesson, and may whisper in our ear that “no one will know!’ Well, call the roll, here, too. Wherever we are and regardless of the passage of time, we are alcoholics. We are powerless over alcohol. We cannot use alcoho1 and successfully manage our lives. We learned that painfully. But our whiskey-hungry nerve cells have sly ways of working on the mind. If we yield, disaster awaits us. That first step is important always: at the beginning, after the passage of time, at home and away from home. We are powerless over alcohol.

“Lord, I am powerless over alcohol. Whenever I yield to it, my life is unmanageable. Whenever I yield to it, I no longer am a man, and I harm my family, my neighbors and myself. “Lord, deliver me from temptation, and strengthen me as I cast drink from my life!”

PRAYER AT THE TURNING OF THE YEAR At the close of another year, O Lord, and at the dawning of the new, we come before Thee with our prayers of thanksgiving. Throughout the past twelve months Thou hast again been with us with Thy boundless mercy, blotting out all of our transgressions in the blood of our divine Redeemer. We know that Thou wilt be with us also in the coming year, forgiving us our many sins because of the merits of the Savior. O Lord, as we contemplate the unknown year which stretches out before us, we recognize our weakness. As we view its endless problems, we humbly confess: “With might of ours can naught be done.” At this solemn hour we therefore bring the difficulties and perplexities of the coming year to Thee – imploring Thee that, according to Thy promise, Thou wilt be with us and wilt share our many burdens and wilt finally lead us out of darkness into light. Bless this year, O heavenly Father, to Thy glory and to our good, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

NEW YEAR’S EVE JAMBOREES New Year’s Eve parties are scheduled for both East Side and West Side. Last year’s celebrations were so well received that both augur large participation. The pattern for these respective parties is similar. Committees representing each group are working hard on preparing their programs. These programs will include floor shows composed of acts contributed by the talent in each Group, dancing to the melodic strains of accomplished orchestras, buffet suppers, cards and other entertainment. The East Side party will be held at Sommers Hall, 13931 Euclid Avenue, and the West Side party will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall, 4421 Pearl Road. Tickets may be purchased for these jamborees from the committee members of each group. To those who have not attended these grand A.A. parties, let them be assured that they are high class and far more joyous than any New Year’s Eve party they have previously participated in.

A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

NEW’S FROM THE CAMPS Letters and news from A.A.’s are greatly appreciated. Every effort will be made to pass on information as space will allow. No address will be given without consent, and excerpts from letters will be published whenever possible. A few minutes a week spent writing our boys will certainly help them and be a means of calling on them at camp. So for your A. A. calls this week write the fellows, whether you know them or not, a Xmas Letter. Soldiers, in your monthly letter keep us informed of your address. Editor.

Central Bulletin – “Acknowledging receipt of my copy of the Bulletin. In keeping with the policy of anonymity no names appeared therein, except my own and a couple of other members of our armed forces, so I will have to tender my thanks to A.A. in general as I have so often done in the past. May I congratulate the person or persons responsible for the birth of the Bulletin. Good luck and carry one. Sgt. G.R. Wadick, Co. D, 29th Eng. Tr. Bn., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.”

Leslie Clapper who is in the hospital writes: “Sorry not to be able to write sooner, but have been in the hospital having a tumor removed from inside my ear. Hope you and all our A.A. members are O.K. Thanks for the Central Bulletin and good luck. Pvt. Leslie A. Clapper Hdq. Co. 25th arm’d Engr. Bn. Desert Maneuvers A.P.O. No. 256 Postmaster, Los Angeles, Calif.”

Karl Murton meets Frank Orpse in Denver. His letter in part follows: “Met Orpse in Denver … Frank came over to see me last Sunday and I surely was glad to see him. I tried to get over to his hotel this week but we were on the firing range and it is pretty late when we got in. I hope to see him for we don’t know when we’ll be shipped. May God bless you and the new Southeast Group. Please give them my heartfelt wishes for their success. Write as often as you can. As always, your first alky-baby. Pvt. Karl R Murton, AAf 10th Tech. Sch. Squadron Barracks No. 875, Lowry Field No. 2 Denver, Colo.”

From Clarence Snyder, a letter, which we publish in its entirety: Greetings to you and the Mrs. and thanks a million for Copy No. 2 of the Bulletin. If the other boys receive half the kick out of receiving the Bulletin that I did, its existence is more than justified. In addition, I have received a number of letters and cards from various persons who found my address in the Bulletin. Since being here I obtained special leave one night several weeks ago to speak at the Louisville meeting. It is the only meeting I have been able to attend since being here. Today some of the Louisville A.A.’s brought a couple of fellows out here for me to talk to. Hope I did some good. My daily schedule never runs less than sixteen hours and in many instances longer. The pace is terrific and I am losing considerable weight, which I can ill afford to lose. In addition to my regular basic training which all troops take, I am a squad leader; also act on occasion as instructor on trucks, rifle range, maps and map drawing, first aid, sanitation, 45 cal. pistol, 30 cal. M.G. and Thompson M.G., scouting and patrolling, drill, and various and sundry other things. Also I attend officers’ preparation school Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 to 9:30 and Saturday afternoons from 12:30 to 5:30. Other nights, of course, are taken up with study and squad reports and various other details. When I am ready for bed, I then do whatever is necessary in cleaning my clothes and self and trying to keep some semblance of order with my clothes and other minor possessions. Sunday is the only day I can hope for any respite. However, today I am corporal of the guard and have been somewhat occupied by that assignment since 12:30. The real work begins about 8:30 tonight, which is about one hour from now, and I must get my guards on their posts and see that they are relieved all night until 6 A.M. tomorrow. Then I must go right on without any sleep tonight, so I imagine I will be a little weary by tomorrow night when I have about three hours of homework to do. So it goes. I am certainly thankful for all the blessings I have received since becoming associated with A.A. The principles of A.A. have taught me how to live and in so living I have found on countless occasions that seeming impossible things have come to pass. My feeble efforts at trying to live this plan of life has taught me much that has stood me in good stead in many circumstances. My many happy memories of my association with my fellow A.A.’s in Cleveland is a source of much pleasure to me here. Before leaving Cleveland I told … that I would try to write something for the Bulletin every month, but you can see how things are here with me. If there is any part of this letter or all of it that you want to use for that purpose, go ahead. By the way, as a suggestion, you might keep reminding the folks through the Bulletin to write to the fellows in the service. It does help them so much. Mail call is about the only bright spot of the day for a good many of them and all the fellows are always so eager to receive mail, and it is quite a pathetic scene on occasion to see the dejection of some of them when they go on day after day without word from anyone. Publish the names and addresses of the different fellows and keep reminding people in each issue. I know I probably receive my share of mail and consequently, if people wish to write someone have them write to someone other than me, as there may be the chance that they may pick a fellow who gets very little. Since I have charge of the mail in my platoon, I know whereof I speak in connection with this mail situation. You will be filling in a real need if you can put that idea across. Give my best to everyone and continue your good work. Please extend my compliments to your very able staff. I will be looking forward to the next issue – don’t forget me. Pvt. Clarence H. Snyder Co. B 8th Bn. AFRTC. Fort Knox, Ky.

“We are down here where it is pretty hot so going through our training it sure does make us tired. Standing it pretty good for an old man as I am. I sure hope that I get the stiffness out of my body pretty soon. Say, I left in such a hurry that I could not find the list of addresses which I had of the group. I wish that you would send them to me. If there are any of the fellows down here that you know of I wish you would send me their names and addresses. I just wrote a letter to Clarence Snyder. Well, I do not know any more now and have to get lights out so had better get ready to close. You see we have to be very careful about lights being on along the coast. We are in a dim-out all the time. It sure seems funny – the street lights are all painted with just a little light showing, no bright lights on the cars or busses. Even when we turn our lights on in the room we have to have our shades down. So you see we have to be very careful. Pvt. Spenser W. Powel, So. 1134 Tech. Sch. Sq. (SP) Flight No. 19 Spec. Tr. Unit, Miami Beach, Fla.”

Thanks to Lt. Russ for his subscription. We wish to stress however, that the Bulletin is mailed free to all service men, PO Lt. Russ’s dollar has been forwarded to the Lorain Ave. hospitalization fund, as he requested. “I’ve been in the Army for about three months and was surely glad to read a little news about A.A. in Cleveland. I noticed that the back of your Bulletin was used to good advantage, but would like to suggest using that space as a listing column for some of the men in service. The situation I am in at present prevents me from doing more in the way of direct approach. In civilian life the worst a prospect could do would be to throw you out of his home; in the Army a superior officer might resort to more drastic measures. I am enclosing a buck and if you can mail me the next Bulletin, will try and make it five. If you don’t need money, give it to the Lorain Group for their Hospital Fund. Please use my name and address in the Bulletin. Yours in spirit, Lt. H.C. Russ, Sta. Hospital, Camp Maxey, Texas.”

A new address for Frank Orpse: “My sincere appreciation for mailing me the November issue of the Bulletin. I just received it as it was forwarded to me from the last post I was stationed at, Atlantic City, where I made contact with a couple of A.A. members. It is very interesting to read about the different activities in the Bulletin and it almost makes me homesick, as that is one of the things I miss at camp – the fellowship and association of all my friends of the different groups. Sorry that I had to miss the dinner for Bill Wilson, so the next best was the enjoyment of reading the editorial in the Bulletin and a clipping from newspapers my sister sent me – also the fine article ‘Responsibility of Sponsors.’ I received word that two of my ‘babies’ have been inducted – hope that they can ‘keep on the beam’ as we say in the Air Corps. Pvt. Frank M. Orpse, 793 Tech. Sch. Squad, Bar. 335 Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, N.C.”

NEW GROUP FORMED IN ROCKY RIVER Gas rationing has prompted members of Lake Shore and Lakewood Groups who live in and near Rocky River to start a new group which will meet Friday evenings at St. Christopher’s Hall, Detroit Road and Lakeview, beginning Friday, December 11th, at 8:30. Visitors with “C” ration books will be welcome, this editor believes.

OFFICIAL APPRECIATION The editors of Central Bulletin wish to thank artist member (name on request) for his excellent design of our present masthead. He has properly portrayed the idea that the four basic fundamentals of A.A. will permanently permeate the articles appearing in Central Bulletin. Thanks again, Artist ________. The editors also wish to ‘thank the members who have already contributed to the support of the paper to the extent that one-third of the first year’s budget has already been secured. Several groups have subscribed practically 100% of their active membership and it is hoped that other groups will also do the same. If every A. A. who can afford it subscribes, more missionary work can be done by mailing the Bulletin to soldiers affiliated with other than Cleveland groups. The subscription price is $1.00 per year, mailed first class on or about the 15th of each month. There is no charge to members in the armed forces.

ACCREDITED A.A. HOSPITALS Approved by Hospital Committee of Central Committee *Charity Hospital, Central at East 22nd, Main 9400 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($10.), Room Rate (Reg. Rate), Cash Dep. ($5. per day) *Deaconess Hospital, 4233 Pearl Road, Florida 0070 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($10.), Room Rate (Reg. Rate), Cash Dep. ($5. per day) *East Cleveland Clinic, 13240 Euclid Ave., Glenville 3244 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($10. & $5.), Room Rate ($6.), Cash Dep. ($45.) Farquharson’s Home, 6037 Pearl Road, Shadyside 8374 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($5. & $5.), Room Rate ($7.), Cash Dep. ($45.) Harmony Home, 9711 Lamont Ave., Randolph 2703 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($10.), Room Rate ($6.), Cash Dep. ($40.) *Nottingham Hospital, 18920 Nottingham Road, Ivanhoe 0133 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($10. & $5.), Room Rate ($6.), Cash Dep. ($45.) Al Webster’s Inc., 3730 Euclid Ave., Express 0180 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine (included), Room Rate ($6. per day over 6 days), Cash Dep. ($45. for 5 days) Women’s A.A. Hospital, 12214 Detroit Ave., Academy 4688 – Doctor’s Fee & Medicine ($5.), Room Rate ($7.), Cash Dep. ($40.) Wright Nursing Home, 15315 Detroit Ave., Academy 4879 – Call for information.

*Hospitalization recognition.

GROUP MEETINGS Monday Borton, 13931 Euclid Ave., 8:45 Lee Road, 1637 Lee Road, 8:30 Lakewood, Townsend Hall, 15903 Detroit Ave., 8:30 Lake Shore, Lake Shore Hotel, Dinner at 7:30, Meeting at 8:30 Lorain Ave., Banater Hall Annex, W. 120th at Lorain, 8:30 Miles Ave., 12907 Union Ave., 8:30 Shaker Heights, Shaker Jr. High, S. Woodland and Woodbury, 8:30 South East Group, 10203 Miles Ave., 8:30 Tuesday Wade Park, Emmanuel Church (Rear), 8614 Euclid, 8:30 West Side Men’s, Pilgrim Church, W. 14th and Starkweather, 8:30 Douglas, Mansfield O, North Lake Park, Sec. Address, 1.17 W. First St., Mansfield, 0, 8:30 Wednesday Crawford Men’s, 8920 Euclid Ave., 9:00 Brooklyn, K. of P. Hall, Broadview and Pearl Rd., 8: 30 Lee Road, l637 Lee Road, 8:30 Collinwood, 14709 St. Clair Ave., 8:30 Women’s, 12214 Detroit Ave., 8:30 Lorain, Ohio, Antlers Hotel, 8:30 Thursday Lee Road, 1637 Lee Road, 8:30 West 25th St., Schmotzer’s Hall, W. 25th and Erin Ave., 8:30 Glenville, E. 105th and Marlowe, 8:30 Friday Lee Road, l637 Lee Road, 8:30 Avon Lake, 1112 W. Erie, Lorain, 8:30 Berea, Bagley and Seminary, 8:30 Gordon Square, CIO Hall, 6221 Detroit Ave., 8:30 Brooklyn-Parma, 4421 Pearl Rd., 8:30 Rocky River, St. Christopher’s Hall, Lakeview off Detroit Rd., 8:30 S u n d a y Crawford Training, 8920 Euclid Ave., 2:00 Morning Meetings Wednesday Mornings Collinwood, 14709 St. Clair Ave., 10:00 A.M. Thursday Mornings Schmotzer’s Hall, West 25th St., W. 25th and Erin Ave., 10:00 A.M. 1st Tuesday every month Central Committee, 8920 Euclid Ave., 8:30

A PLEA TO SECRETARIES Please mail to Box 1638, Station C, an up-to-date list of men in the armed forces. Two Bulletins were returned to us because of faulty addresses. So if you will contact the relatives of your A.A. members as soon as you get through reading this Bulletin, get their correct and latest addresses and send them to us, we will mail this Bulletin to the new address immediately. The two Bulletins returned were sent to Capt. Paul F. Siegel and Pvt. Norman Gavin. Any information concerning their new addresses please forward.

THE CORINTHIANS In September, 1941, eight members of the Lee Road groups formed a social club composed of A.A. members who had been total abstainers for a year or more. Since then, this club, the “Corinthians”, has had continued growth. It was formed to encourage complete abstinence indefinitely, to further social activity and to contribute toward the better understanding of the essential principles of A.A. To be a member, an A.A. must have had absolutely nothing to drink for more than a year, and must continue to carry on his active membership in his regular A.A. group. The Corinthians have outgrown their original quarters at Tudor Arms Hotel and are now quartered in Channing Hall, Euclid Avenue and East 82nd street, where they meet every Tuesday evening. The members’ wives are entertained at least once a month. Some of the group’s recent social affairs have been group attendance at the Navy-Notre Dame football game and at the Ice Follies. One coming event is an entertainment for the ladies, with refreshments served by the men. A New Year’s Eve party also is planned.

THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE Each group in A. A. is completely self-governing. Each group is completely free to meet in its own way the problems of helping its members to keep dry. There are in Greater Cleveland 26 groups, each meeting its own problems in its own way. The Central Committee has been formed as a means of exchanging information between the groups, and as a means of co-operation in the development of various phases of the work. It makes no attempt to lay down rules or to determine policy. It makes no attempt to set up a governing body. Each group is invited to send two members to the Central Committee. Such delegates, who are the entire membership of the Central Committee, have no special powers or authority. They may be instructed by their groups to place certain problems before the Central Committee for discussion, and they may report back to their groups the results of the discussion. But no suggestion of the Central Committee is binding on any group. The Central Committee has grown out of the feeling on the part of many members that it would serve useful functions. The rapid growth of A.A. in Cleveland presents many problems in method. These problems may be met best by the existence of a central clearing house that can pass on to others the experience of the various groups. The Central Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 8920 Euclid Avenue.

YOUNGSTOWN MEETS SUNDAYS The Youngstown groups have a combined meeting every Sunday evening, which virtually every member in the Youngstown region has been attending. The Sunday meetings usually are led by members from out of town: Cleveland, or Pittsburgh or Akron. At these discussion meetings the usual discussion period is omitted, so as to leave the speaker’s message fresh in the minds of the members. The first Sunday of every month, the Lisbon group also attends. Several members from the Cleveland area have recently led the Youngstown Sunday night meeting. They report the membership in Youngstown doing fine work and holding to high standards.

If you can’t attend meetings (because you are in the armed forces or working evenings in defense factories), don’t let that get you down. If you’ve gotten the fundamentals of A.A. and observe them every day, wherever you are, and if you don’t forget the Man Upstairs, you won’t get into trouble.

Don’t feel sorry for yourself. A.A. is not a shackle; it is a means of setting your spirit free from the shackles of sensuality.

The annual dinner at Hotel Carter cleared $5 after all expenses were paid.

LAKEWOOD CELEBRATES Thirty-seven men and women attended the annual reunion and dinner of the founders of the first West Side Group at Cousin’s Restaurant, Lakewood, Saturday evening, November 28th. After the turkey dinner there was an informal discussion and talks by all the members. The future welfare of A. A. work was thoroughly discussed. Guests of honor were the man and woman at whose home the first meetings were held in Cleveland and from which meetings the first Lakewood Group was created. What wondrous works God has wrought!

The third annual party celebrating the founding of the Lakewood Group, parent of all West Side Groups, was held at their meeting hall, Saturday evening, November 21st. A pot-luck supper was served and cards and games followed. A large crowd enjoyed the festivities.

The Lakewood Group regrets very much that its third anniversary party interfered with the Women’s Group party and dance. It wants the Women’s Group to know that they can be called upon at any other time in the future and they assure full cooperation.

In the record, as compiled by Norman Ebert, there is a slight error which should be rectified. The Lakewood Group originated from the Golrick Group, not from the Borton Group as the record indicates.

An unusually large group met at the newly instituted stag meeting of the Lakewood Group on the first Monday in the month. It met with hearty accord as was indicated by the surprising number of members who got up on their feet and those who never before had done it – evidently the ladies scared ‘em.

A.A. ON RADIO A. A. is going on the radio. The publicity committee, composed of members from both east side and west side groups, is working on a script for the organization’s first radio program, which is designed to let those who have a problem know that there is something they can do about it. Naturally, the broadcasts will be completely anonymous.

WOMEN’S GROUP The Thanksgiving dance given at the Gordon Square Group’s hall, 6221 Detroit Avenue, was a whopping success, the Women’s Group reports. They wish to thank all members of A.A. who helped put it over. The food and orchestra were excellent as was the “punch” and a good time was had by all with an urgent request for another one soon on the parting lips of the guests.

TELEPHONE SERVICE A. A. now is listed in the phone book as A.A. Associates giving us the first position in the book, and also as Alcoholics Anonymous. In the first week, before the dispatching system could be worked out four telephone calls were received, by out of town visitors, and persons wishing to contact A.A. by calling information, to see if we were listed. A dispatching system has been set up, so that these calls will be received twenty-four hours a day, with three members on the east side and three members on the west side, as centrally located as possible. Another big step ahead, by your central committee.

JUST FOR TODAY Lord, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray; Keep me, my God, from stain of sin just for today; Let me no wrong or idle word unthinking say. Set thou a seal upon my lips, just for today. Let me both diligently work and duly Pray. Let me be kind in word and deed, just for today. Let me in season, Lord, be grave, in season gay; So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray. But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord, just for today.