February 9 in A.A. History

1939: After many months of debate in Akron, Ohio, and New York City, during which “more than a hundred titles all told” were considered, The Way Out—which was heavily favored in Akron—was ultimately adopted over Alcoholics Anonymous, which had strong support in New York City, particularly from Bill W. and Hank P.
    Following this decision, Hank decided to

    wire 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 an attempt to bypass the group’s collective conscience.

1940: The day after the Rockefeller Dinner, which introduced Alcoholics Anonymous to potential supporters identified by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., newspaper headlines were plentiful. Here are a few:
    The New York Daily News ran the story with the headline “ROCKEFELLER DINES EX-SOTS, NOW RUM FOES” [far right] and led with, “Sixty members of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of ex-toss-pots….”
    In Washington, D.C., The Evening Star titled its article “Rockefeller Is Backing Move to Cure Alcoholics” [above, near right], referring to A.A. as a “secret organization.”
The New York Post featured the headline, “60 ON WAGON—AND ROOM FOR MORE.”
    Meanwhile, The Daily Argus in White Plains, New York, published under the headline “Rockefeller Supports Regeneration Work” [below, near right], revealing that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was

    … interested in a “secret” organization aimed at rehabilitating alcoholics. The organization is “Alcoholics Anonymous” which started when three 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.

2002: Suzanne (Sue) S—– W. [far left, 1975], 83, the adopted daughter of Dr. Bob and Anne S., died at home after a long illness, surrounded by her family [near left: gravestone]. She had been actively involved in A.A. most of her life.