Aa history Lovers 2009 moderators Nancy Olson and Glenn F. Chesnut page
Part 1 - What and when did Bill W likely know about the Washingtonians?
Yüklə 11,49 Mb.
|
| Part 1 - What and when did Bill W likely know about the Washingtonians?
Part 2 - The Washingtonians Part 3 - The birth of the Traditions Part 4 - The evolution of the Traditions from long to short form Part 5 - The role of the Traditions in the General Service Structure Part 6 - The links among the Traditions, Conference Charter (Warranties) and Concepts
the "Big Book"] -- [AACOA-AA Comes of Age] -- [AGAA-The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, by Dick B] -- [BW-RT-Bill W by Robert Thomsen] -- [BW-FH-Bill W by Francis Hartigan] -- [BW-40-Bill W My First 40 Years, autobiography] -- [DBGO-Dr Bob and the Good Old-timers] -- [EBBY-Ebby the Man Who Sponsored Bill W by Mel B] -- [GB-Getting Better Inside Alcoholics Anonymous by Nan R]
Conference-Final Report (identified by year)] -- [GSO-General Service Office-service pieces] -- [GSO-AC-General Service Office Archives Collection] -- [Gv-Grapevine-identified by month and year] -- [HIW-How It Worked by Mitchell K] -- [HT-Harry Tiebout-the Collected Writings, Hazelden] -- [LOH-The Language of the Heart] -- [LR-Lois Remembers, by Lois W] [MMM-Mrs Marty Mann, by Sally and David R Brown] -- [NG-Not God, by Ernest Kurtz] -- [NW-New Wine, by Mel B] -- [PIO-Pass It On, AAWS] -- [SI-Sister Ignatia, by Mary C Darrah] -- [SD-Slaying the Dragon, by William L White] -- [SM-AA Service Manual and Twelve Concepts for World Service] -- [www-Internet]
Arthur S
++++Message 5516. . . . . . . . . . . . Part 1 - What and When Did Bill W Likely Know About the Washingtonians From: Arthur S . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/11/2009 10:49:00 PM
"Modesty One Plank for Good Public Relations" (LOH 3-6). The previous month's Grapevine had an article by CHK of Lansing, MI about the Washingtonians. Bill used the CHK article as a reference to begin his Traditions essay commentaries. The July 1945 Grapevine article by CHK contains a number of factual errors about the Washingtonians that eventually carried into Bill's Grapevine essays and subsequently into the 12&12 and AACOA. So far I can find no other source that Bill W was exposed to on the Washingtonians prior to 1945 (that does not mean there weren't any).
"Rules Dangerous, but Unity on Public Policies Vital to Future of AA." He mentions the Washingtonians again but his commentary is misinformed i.e. "they mushroomed to a hundred thousand members, then collapsed."(LOH 6-9 - its title has been shortened). In an October 1945 Grapevine article titled "The Book is Born" Bill mentions the Washingtonians again, in what I believe is an incorrect context as to the major issues of division in the Washingtonians (LOH 9-12) - more on this later. The December 1946 Grapevine reported on the NY Intergroup's 11th annual dinner that "Bill W, one of the two co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, delivered the principal AA address at the dinner. He reviewed AA'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 AA 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 AA is to survive. He compared the principles of the Franciscan order of 700 years ago to the principles of AA today, and concluded with a restatement of the Twelve Points of Tradition that have evolved through experience in AA. In 1950 past General Service Board Chairman Milton A Maxwell, published an extended paper on the Washingtonians while he was Assistant Professor of Sociology at the State College of Washington at Pullman. This paper was the primary source reference for October 1962, February 1971 and January 1991 Grapevine articles. There are other Grapevine articles about the Washingtonians and it should be noted that these articles do not necessarily go through a vetting and editing process to validate and corroborate their content. An excellent source of information about the Washingtonians is William White's "Slaying the Dragon" (the whole book is a gem).
of the difficulties and precautions of using the magazine as a reference source. Editorial license is interspersed among source references. The October 1962 Grapevine article states: "What happened to them? By an AA 'coincidence' there arrived at the Grapevine the same week an excerpt from a scholarly treatment of 'The Washingtonian Movement' written by Milton A. Maxwell, PhD and published in the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol. The Washingtonians, Dr. Maxwell points out, had certain notable features later incorporated into AA: ( 1 ) Alcoholics helping each other (2) Weekly meetings (3) Shared experience (4) Fellowship of a group or its members constantly available (5) A reliance upon the Higher Power (6) Total abstinence from alcohol. Unfortunately, the movement eventually was torn apart in the political and doctrinal warfare associated with the temperance and abolition movements." The last sentence beginning with "Unfortunately" is the editorial license of the article's author. It gives the impression that it is a conclusion derived from the Maxwell paper. In fact, Maxwell's paper makes no mention at all of abolition or slavery. The paper also lists the guidelines published by the Washingtonians on how to organize and conduct Washingtonian meetings. Article 3 of these provisions was to "Forbid the introduction of sectarian sentiments or party politics into any lecture, speeches, singing, or doings of the society." The matter of prohibition evolved into a definite divisive issue among the Washingtonians.
From: Arthur S . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/11/2009 10:49:00 PM IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII In the early 1800s, the relatively new republic of the United States was truly on a destructive alcohol binge and the effects were devastating. Prominent historical figures, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, urgently called for a change in drinking practices. They appealed to the country for “temperance” which at that time
meant “moderation” in drinking. (SD 4-5) By the 1820s, people in the US were drinking on average 27 liters (7 gallons) of pure alcohol per person each year. Many religious and political leaders were beginning to see drunkenness as a national curse. Momentum was picked up by religious leaders to change the notion of “temperance as moderation” to mean “temperance as abstinence.” This began the growth of American temperance societies that would later lead to the alcohol prohibition movement. (SD 4-5) 1840 April 5 - a group of six drinking club friends (William Mitchell, John Hoss, David Anderson, George Steers, James McCurley and Archibald Campbell) from Chase’s Tavern in Baltimore, MD formed a total abstinence society. Pledging to “not drink any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider” they named themselves the Washington Temperance Society (in honor of George Washington). They later became known as Washingtonians. They required a pledge of total abstinence and attendance at weekly meetings where members would tell their stories of drunkenness and recovery. As a body, they recognized no religion or creed and were politically neutral. Each member was supposed to help alcoholics who were still drinking. They sought out new prospects (“hard cases”). Their weekly meetings were held at Chase’s tavern until the owner’s wife objected to the increasing loss of their best customers. They had a 25-cent initiation fee ($5.50 today) and member’s dues
of 12 ½ cents per month ($2.75 today). (SD 8-9, www Milton Maxwell paper) 1840 November 19 - the Washingtonians held their first public meeting. Growth of the movement was extremely rapid. Widespread and enthusiastic support came from numerous temperance societies. The Washingtonians had great success in mobilizing public attention on temperance by relaying their “experience sharing” of alcoholic debauchery followed by glorious accounts
of personal reformation. A leader of the movement noted, “There is a prevalent impression, that none but reformed drunkards are admitted as members of the Washingtonian Society. This is a mistake. Any man may become a member by signing the pledge and continue so by adhering to it.” (SD 9, www Milton Maxwell paper)
Society meeting for women and children in NY. They provided moral and material support to reform female inebriates and assisted the wives and children of male inebriates. This was the first temperance movement in which women assumed leadership roles. The movement also spawned juvenile auxiliary groups. Freed blacks organized separate Washingtonian societies. (SD 10) 1843 Mid-to-end - the Washingtonian movement peaked after having reached all major areas of the US. Estimates of its membership vary and are contradictory. The sole requirement for membership was to sign a “total abstinence pledge.” Members included teetotalers, temperance advocates, and a large segment of adolescents (under age 15) and drinkers of various types whose numbers far exceeded that of the “drunkards.” A reliable estimate of the number of alcoholics in the mix is impossible to derive. Over the lifetime of the movement, hundreds of thousands signed pledges but the number of rehabilitated alcoholics was likely under 150,000. (1996 GSC-FR 15, SD-10, www Milton Maxwell paper)
society
originally favored “moral suasion” to achieve reformation of the alcoholic through abstinence. However, the Washingtonian membership makeup changed rapidly and radically to consist mainly of non-alcoholic temperance advocates. Sentiments shifted away from reformation of alcoholics to the pursuit of a legal means to prohibit alcohol. Washingtonian practices came to be viewed as outmoded and interest waned. There was no sudden collapse. When the novelty and emotional appeal of the Washingtonians became outmoded, they simply faded from the scene.
abolition of slavery as root causes of the Washingtonian decline. While there were certainly cases of this, there is no compelling evidence to support or conclude that these issues had a major role in the Washingtonians downfall. Prohibition was certainly a very divisive issue among the Washingtonians as were power struggles among its leadership. However, the major and pervasive causes of the Washingtonians downfall appear to be a direct result of their departing from their original membership makeup (which started out as all alcoholics) and their departing from their original primary and single purpose (which began as one alcoholic helping another alcoholic who was still suffering). It is a powerful lesson on the vital importance of AA’s Traditions to the ongoing survival of the AA Fellowship. (SD 8-14, 12&12 178-179, AACOA 124-125, PIO 366-367. www Milton Maxwell paper) IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ++++Message 5518. . . . . . . . . . . . Part 3 - The Birth of the Traditions From: Arthur S . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/11/2009 10:49:00 PM IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1935 June - Almost a century after the Washingtonians, the AA Fellowship started in Akron, OH. It was a result of an action that later formed the heart of Step 12 and Tradition 5 as AA's primary purpose of carrying a message of recovery from one alcoholic to another still-suffering alcoholic. AA's co-founders, Bill W and Dr Bob, first met on Mothers Day May 12, 1935. A few weeks later, Dr Bob went on his last binge. Bill helped him through 3 days of sobering up to get ready for a scheduled surgery. Dr Bob had his last drink on the day of the surgery, which is celebrated as June 10, 1935. Bill W's sobriety date is December 11, 1934. AA marks its beginning as the day that Dr Bob, the second alcoholic, had his last drink. (AACOA, DBGO, PIO)
the founding of AA's first group. Bill W and Dr Bob visited Bill D at Akron City Hospital in late June. Bill D had already been hospitalized 8 times in 1935 for his drinking and It took 5 days before he admitted he could not control his drinking. The 4th of July is an important date in our nation's history (it is Independence Day). The 4th of July is also an important date in AA history. AA's first group, Akron #1, marks its beginning as July 4, 1935 when Bill D, AA #3, was discharged from Akron City Hospital and joined with Bill W and Dr Bob to help other alcoholics. During the first 4 years of the AA Fellowship, there were two groups: Akron #1 and New York City. (AACOA 71-73, AABB 184, BW-RT 219-220, DBGO 81-89, NG 37, 319, PIO 152-154, GB 42, AGAA 202-203). In their earliest years, the AA groups in Akron and NY were directly affiliated with the Oxford Group. It certainly was helpful at the beginning but over time, it produced problems. During 1936, Bill W's efforts in working only with alcoholics were criticized by NY OG members. Similarly, in Akron, T Henry and Clarace Williams were criticized by OG members who were not supportive of their efforts being extended primarily to alcoholics. (NG 44-45, NW 73, AGAA 76)
experiences that influenced the Traditions occurred when Bill W was two years sober. Charles B Towns offered Bill a lucrative job at his hospital as a lay alcoholism therapist. After years of a hand to mouth existence Bill wanted the job very much. The question was put to the NY group meeting in Bill's home and they rejected it. Bill complied and cooperated with their decision and later wrote in AACOA 101-102: "Three blows, well and truly struck, had fallen on the anvil of experience . The common welfare must come first . AA cannot have a class of professional therapists . and God, speaking in the group conscience, is to be our final authority." Bill went on to write "Clearly implied in these three embryo principles of tradition was a fourth: Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern." (AACOA 100-102, LR 197, BW-RT 232-234, NG 63-64, PIO 175-177)
member asked to be admitted who frankly described himself to the "oldest" member as "the victim of another addiction even worse stigmatized than alcoholism." The "addiction" was "sex deviate" (revealed by Bill W in an audiotaped talk to the 1968 GSC). Guidance came from Dr Bob (the oldest member in Akron, OH) asking, "What would the Master do?" The member was admitted and plunged into 12th Step work. (DBGO 240-241 12&12 141-142) Note: this story is often erroneously intermingled with an incident that occurred eight years later in 1945 at the 41st St clubhouse in NYC. (PIO 318, 12&12 141-142). 1937 Late spring - some leaders of the OG at the Calvary Mission ordered alcoholics staying there not to attend meetings at Clinton St. Bill W and Lois were criticized by OG members for having "drunks only" meetings at their home. They were described as "not maximum" (an OG term for those believed to be lagging in their devotion to OG principles). (EBBY 75, LR 103, BW-RT 231, NG 45, NW 89-91) 1937 August - Bill and Lois stopped attending Oxford Group meetings and the NY AAs separated from the OG. This was the beginning of AA separating itself from outside affiliation and it set the groundwork for what would later become Tradition 6. The Akron group remained affiliated with the OG for two more years. (LR 197, AACOA vii, 74-76) 1937 October - Bill W and Dr Bob met again in Akron, OH. There were two groups then and about 40 sober members (more than half were sober for over a year). It was a remarkable success story since every one of the sober members had previously been considered hopeless and beyond any help at all. Bill had some rather grandiose ideas for AA hospitals, paid missionaries and a book of experience to carry the message to distant places. Dr Bob liked the book idea but not the hospitals and paid missionaries. In a meeting at T Henry Williams home, Bill's ideas narrowly passed. A single vote made the difference among the meeting of 18 Akron members. The NY group was more enthusiastic. This historic milestone marked the decision to write the Big Book. (AACOA vii, 76-77, 144-146, BW-RT 239-243, DBGO 123-124, NG 56-57, PIO 180, LOH 142)
simple matter. The country was still in the grips of the great economic depression and the prospects of World War II were looming dangerously large in Europe and Asia. Initial efforts to raise funds were not successful. Bill W's brother-in-law, Dr Leonard V Strong, set up a meeting in December 1937 with Willard S Richardson (who was an ordained minister and manager of John D Rockefeller's philanthropies). A second meeting took place in January 1938. (AACOA 147-149, BW-RT 245-246, NG 65-66, PIO 181-185) 1948 February - Willard Richardson asked Frank Amos to visit Akron and make a report on the Fellowship. Amos wrote a very favorable and glowing report that Richardson sent to John D Rockefeller Jr urging a donation of $5,000 a year for 1 or possibly 2 years (the equivalent of $74,000 a year in today's dollars). (BW-FH 105-106 says $10,000, $5,000 a year for 2 years, in LOH 61 Bill W says $30,000 - both figures are wrong). (SM S3, BW-RT 246, LR 197, DBGO 128-135, BW-FH 105-106, PIO 185-187, LOH 143, AGAA 217, 258)
policy of his philanthropies to fully fund a charitable enterprise unless it was decided to carry it indefinitely. Rockefeller declined to make a donation for the second year but did provide $5,000 to be held in a fund in the Riverside Church treasury. Much of the fund was used to immediately assist Dr Bob by paying off the mortgage to his home. The remainder was used to provide Bill and Dr Bob, who were both in very difficult financial straits, with $120 a month ($1,800 a month today) so that they could continue to dedicate themselves full time to the Fellowship. (BW-RT 247, AACOA 149-151, DBGO 135, PIO 187-188, GSO-AC) 1938 August 5 - the Alcoholic Foundation was established as a charitable trust with a board of five Trustees (in LOH 61 Bill W said it started with seven Trustees). The trust indenture document specified that non-alcoholic trustees were to make up a majority of the board. The terms "Class A" and "Class B" trustees were used to make a distinction between non-alcoholic and alcoholic board members. Its first meeting took place on August 11. (GSO, BW-RT 248, AACOA 151-152, LR 197, NG 66, 307, 330).
selling price of $3.50 ($52 today). the Foreword to the first edition Big Book has many of the key principles that later shaped the Traditions. To quote from the foreword: "... It is important that we remain anonymous. We would like it understood that our alcoholic work is an avocation. When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, we urge each of our Fellowship to omit his personal name, designating himself instead as 'a member of Alcoholics Anonymous' ... Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this request, for otherwise we shall be greatly handicapped ... We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. There are no fees or dues whatsoever. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted ..." (AABB xiii-xiv 4th edition) this text also later formed the basis for the AA Preamble
impact on AA membership growth. Liberty Magazine, headed by Fulton Oursler, carried a piece titled Alcoholics and God by Morris Markey (who was influenced to write the article by Charles Towns). It generated about 800 inquiries from around the nation. Oursler (author of "The Greatest Story Ever Told") became good friends with Bill W and later served as a Trustee and member of the Grapevine editorial board. (AACOA 176-178, LOH 145, 180-183 BW-FH 127-129, PIO 223-224) Membership grew suddenly in Cleveland due to the September Liberty Magazine article and a series of editorials in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Elrick B Davis. As a result, the Cleveland group was flooded with appeals for help. Newcomers with just a few days of sobriety were assigned to make 12th Step calls. Cleveland membership surged from 20 to several hundred. (AACOA viii, 177-178, BW-RT 261, LR 197, LOH 145-146, SI 164, PIO 224, AGAA 4-5) 1939 October - (AACOA viii says summer) Akron members of the "alcoholic squad" withdrew from the Oxford Group and held meetings at Dr Bob's house. The founding of the Cleveland Group and this action by the Akron Group ended all outside affiliation between the AA Fellowship and the OG or anyone else. Yüklə 11,49 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
|