Controlling Heartburn

Did you know that the US went dry during the 1920s? If you are well-informed of your history, you’d notice that that was the Jazz age. Can you imagine jazz without spin]booze|alcoholic drink[/spin]? How about a world without your favorite flask? Now that’s definitely a dark prospect. I’m glad I never lived to see that era.
It’s a good thing the authorities went back to their senses. Now we get to enjoy a night at the pub, drinking our favorite beer or brandy.

The Dry Forces

The dry forces were led by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League. They argued that alcohol was responsible for a number of serious social problems, including child abuse and wife beating. Then the industrialists butted in. For one, Henry Ford was concerned about alcohol cutting down labor productivity. The dry forces succeeded and thus, the ratification of the 18th movement. But that wasn’t for too long. There’s no stopping the silent public from fighting for their booze.

Failed Enforcement

The advocates of the prohibition made a mistake. They felt that a small administrative apparatus was enough to keep the law running, with the federal government setting up a team of only 2,500 agents. They proved themselves wrong, with bootlegging and smuggling going widespread.
And there was the issue of budget. The Congress appropriated only $5 million for enforcement. But the government later estimated that the enforcement would need $300 million.

A Few States Tried to Help

A number of states tried to contribute to the enforcement of the Prohibition. Vermont required identification of the source of alcohol for those who were found to be drunk. Indiana went as far as to ban the sale of hip flasks and cocktail shakers.

The Supply Kept Going

Speakeasies, rum runners, bathtub gin, moonshine, speakeasies and bootleggers made sure that there was a constant supply of alcohol. The total number of speakeasies went over that of the legal bars (those that operated before the Prohibition). And people at home learned to concoct their own wine and beer. It was also easy to get a doctor to authorize prescriptions for medicinal whiskey available at drugstores.

Noble Experiment

The Prohibition eventually turned out to be nothing more than a noble experiment. Some even refer to it as the government’s misguided effort.

Pre-Prohibition Levels

Everything unavoidably went back to pre-Prohibition levels. And I’m certainly glad that I get to enjoy these sunshiny times. I get to carry my flask around without worrying about getting caught. My cigar flask is just too fabulous to be left in some closet. And I just love how flasks make for cheap groomsmen gifts. They’re heaven-sent for someone who attends a lot of weddings.
Bottom line is, I just can’t live without booze.