Why did the ASL and Wheeler care so much about the Federal Income tax? How did
they use taxes as their launching point for a Federal Prohibition Amendment?
The Anti-Saloon League (ASL) and Wayne Wheeler, who was the general counsel for the ASL, cared deeply about the Federal Income tax because they recognized its potential as a tool to advance their temperance agenda. They believed that by imposing a federal tax on alcohol, they could discourage its consumption and ultimately achieve nationwide prohibition.
The ASL and Wheeler understood that Congress had the power to levy taxes on the production and sale of alcohol under the Constitution's taxation clause. They saw this as an opportunity to use the revenue-generating capacity of the income tax combined with the public's growing support for alcohol control to push for prohibition at the federal level.
To achieve their goal, the ASL and Wheeler devised a strategy known as the "Camel's Nose" approach. They first advocated for a graduated federal excise tax on alcohol, which started at a relatively low rate but increased over time. This served as a stepping stone towards total prohibition, as they aimed to make the tax so burdensome that it would essentially render alcohol economically unfeasible.
Furthermore, the income generated from the alcohol tax was strategically used by the ASL to finance their lobbying efforts and promote the prohibition cause. It helped them fund publicity campaigns, hire lobbyists, and organize grassroots movements to exert pressure on Congress to take stronger actions against alcohol.
By effectively utilizing the income tax as a mechanism to generate revenue and build political momentum, the ASL and Wheeler were able to create a platform that eventually led to the passage of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919, which prohibited the sale, production, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.
ASL, which stands for the Anti-Saloon League, and Wheeler, who refers to Wayne Wheeler, were both prominent figures in the temperance movement in the early 20th century in the United States. They were passionate advocates for the prohibition of alcohol and viewed the federal income tax as a means to achieve their goal. Here's how they used taxes as a launching point for a Federal Prohibition Amendment:
1. Revenue generation: The ASL and Wheeler recognized that the federal government relied heavily on revenue generated through taxes, including the income tax. They saw an opportunity to leverage this dependence to push for an anti-alcohol agenda. By linking alcohol consumption with tax revenue, they aimed to show that prohibition could lead to alternative sources of income for the government.
2. Moral argument: The temperance movement argued that alcohol consumption was a societal vice that led to various social and economic problems, such as domestic violence, crime, and decreased worker productivity. By drawing attention to these issues, they sought to convince the public and lawmakers that alcohol should be banned for the greater good of society.
3. Public sentiment and political pressure: ASL and Wheeler actively campaigned to gather public support for their cause. They mobilized grassroots movements and encouraged citizens to voice their concerns to their elected representatives. Through widespread propaganda, rallies, and lobbying efforts, they exerted pressure on politicians to support the prohibition agenda.
4. Leveraging political influence: The ASL and its leader Wheeler were highly effective in influencing politicians, especially through financial contributions. They used their organizational capabilities and monetary resources to support candidates sympathetic to their cause, essentially using their political leverage to promote prohibition.
5. Constitutional amendment: Recognizing the limitations of state-based prohibition laws, ASL and Wheeler aimed to establish a nationwide ban on alcohol consumption. They pursued a constitutional amendment to achieve this goal, as it required much broader support than a regular legislative act. By using taxes and revenue generation as a starting point, they successfully pushed for the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which enacted nationwide prohibition.
Overall, the ASL and Wheeler considered the federal income tax as a strategic tool to further their prohibitionist agenda. They capitalized on the government's reliance on tax revenue while employing moral arguments, public sentiment, political influence, and eventually constitutional amendments to achieve their goal of federal prohibition.