May 22 in A.A. History

In 1940. Works Publishing, Inc. was legally established as the publishing arm of the Alcoholic Foundation. Bill W. [near right] and Hank P. [far right] were asked to surrender their stock, with the stipulation that Dr. Bob and Anne S. would receive 10% royalties on sales of Alcoholics Anonymous for life (35¢ per book [~$7.99 in 2025]), which would normally have been the author’s (i.e., Bill’s). Hank was persuaded to give up his shares in exchange for a payment of $200 [~$4,570 in 2025] for office furniture that he claimed belonged to him, although it likely had already paid for.

In 1943, Cleveland, Ohio’s Alcoholics Anonymous celebrated the 4th anniversary. The June 1943 Cleveland Central Bulletin reported on the event [left] as follows:

FOUNDERS’ ANNIVERSARY PARTY

    Over 300 [?] persons jammed Masonic Hall in Cleveland Heights when the originators of the AA movement in Cleveland helped sponsor the Fourth Anniversary party, Saturday evening, May 22, in conjunction with the Lee Mayfield Group. After an excellent dinner, where the choice was steak or chicken, various speakers arose and spoke on the progress of the AA movement in Cleveland. These speakers included the first Clevelander in AA and the several others who were convinced by him as well as well-known Akronites.
    Excellent entertainment was also supplied and with the singing of Old [sic] Lang Syne, the crowd disbanded united in praise for the committee who arranged this inspiring evening.