February 9 in A.A. History

In 1939, after many months of debate over what the title of their new book should be in Akron, Ohio and New York City, considering “more than a hundred titles all told,” The Way Out—heavily favored in Akron—was adopted over Alcoholics Anonymous—heavily favored in New York City (especially by Bill W. and Hank P.). Hank

    … wire[d] Fitz M. in Maryland asking him to go to the Library of Congress in Washington and find out how many books were called The Way Out and how many were called Alcoholics Anonymous.

    This may have been some kind of end-run around the group conscience.

In 1940, the day after the Rockefeller Dinner, which introduced A.A. to men whom John D. Rockefeller, Jr. thought might help support this new organization with its impressive record, newspaper headlines abounded.
    The New York Daily News headlined its story, “ROCKEFELLER DINES EX-SOTS, NOW RUM FOES” [right] with the lede “Sixty members of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of ex-toss-pots.…”
    Meanwhile, Washington, DC’s The Evening Star headlined its article“Rockefeller Is Backing Move to Cure Alcoholics”[left], identifying A.A. as a “secret organization.”
    The New York Post headline was “60 ON WAGON—AND ROOM FOR MORE.”
    And White Plains, New York’s The Daily Argus, under the headline “Rockefeller Supports Regeneration Work” [below right] revealed that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was

   … interested in a secret” organization aimed at rehabilitating alcoholics. The organization is “Alcoholics Anonymous” which started when three [sic] men who overcame their craving for whiskey and wanted to help others in the same plight began the movement that today numbers 120. Rockefeller was host at a dinner last night to hear a report on the work of the men who have been cured or are in the process of reestablishing themselves on a more normal plane.

In 1940, Suzanne (Sue) S—– W. [below left, 1975], 83, the adopted daughter of Dr. Bob and Anne S., died at home after a long illness, with her family by her side. She had been active in A.A. most of her life.