Joseph H. Choate, Jr. chaired the Voluntary Committee of Lawyers (VCL), a group of highly influential attorneys established in 1927 that promoted the repeal of National Prohibition (1920-1933). With its urging, the American Bar Association called for Repeal in 1928.
Choate and the VCL worked closely with other repeal organizations such as the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Repeal (WONPR), the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA), and others. In fact, there were many groups working for Repeal.
Choate played a pivotal role in providing valuable assistance to state initiatives to bring about repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.
For example, he spearheaded the drafting of model legislation that states could follow in creating state conventions to ratify Repeal. That is, the Twenty-first Amendment. The effort was very successful.
- Twelve states adopted the draft without any change.
- At least eight others followed it with slight modifications.
- Several adopted sections of the draft.
- Many others used its ideas in developing their own legislation.
The states repealed Prohibition in 1933. Then President Roosevelt named Choate the first director of the Federal Alcohol Control Administration (FACA).
As head of FACA, Choate promised to let the individual states determine how they wished to regulate the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages within their borders. He then assisted states as they developed their individual policies.
Also visit Repeal Trivia. It’s fun!
Upon Repeal the Voluntary Committee of Lawyers closed its books and ceased to exist. However, prohibition continued to exist in many states and strong temperance sentiment continued.
Even today, many people and organizations support neo-prohibition ideas and strongly defend the many vestiges of Prohibition that continue to exist.
Resources on Joseph H. Choate, Jr.
Also visit the web pages on Repeal at the bottom of the page!
Works by Choate
- Reasons for the Repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment: An Address. Washington: Library of Congress, Temperance pamphlets, part 3.
- America’s drinking habits: wine and national problems. Vital Speeches of the Day, v. 2 (1935-1936)
- Shall America Remain the only Important Country at the Mercy of the German Chemists? NY: Chem Found, 1921.
Works Discussing Choate
- Kyvig, D. Repealing National Prohibition. Kent, OH: Kent State U Press, 2000.
- Vose, C. Repeal as a Political Achievement. In: Kyvig, D. (Ed.) Law, Alcohol, Order: Perspectives on National Prohibition. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1985. Pp. 97-121.
- Lender, M. The Historian and Repeal. In: Kyvig, D. (Ed.) Law, Alcohol, Order: Perspectives on National Prohibition. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1985. Pp. 177-205.
- Root, G. Women and Repeal: the Story of the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform. NY: Harper, 1934.
- Vose, C. Repeal papers of the Voluntary Committee of Lawyers, Inc. 1927-1933. Files of Joseph H. Choate, Jr. and Harrison Tweed. Library, Wesleyan U.
- At the dinner to Joseph H. Choate. In Reed, T. and Ashley H. Thorndike. A. (Eds.) After Dinner Speeches: N-Z. NY: Modern Eloquence, 1923.
- Parke-Bernet Galleries. Catalogue including items from the estate of Joseph H. Choate, Jr. NY: Parke-Bernet Galleries, 1968.
Newspaper Articles about Choate
- Appeal for Ethel Dickens; Joseph H. Choate again asks aid for author’s granddaughter. New York Times, Feb 7, 1912, p. 10.
- Class day at Harvard; Joseph H. Choate, Jr. and Herbert Schurz of New York take part in the exercises. New York Times, June 25, 1897, p. 3.
- Embargo is urged on German dyes; Joseph H. Choate, Jr. argues that tariff is not sufficient to protect industry. New York Times, May 23, 1921, Business & Finance, p. 25.
- Fine golf by Hollins, Jr.; wins the gold medal for the lowest score in the opening round at Westbrook. Able players on the links W.B. Cutting, Jr., Joseph H. Choate, Jr., and Dr. Holbrook Curtis qualify for the club cup. New York Times, Sept 9, 1877, p. 4.
- Friendly Sons banquet; Recorder Smyth and Joseph H. Choate spoke. New York Times, March 18, 1893.
- German chemists grip our industry, Joseph H. Choate says three billion dollars at stake in dyes. New York Times, March 11, 1921, p. 30.
- Golf players at Stockbridge; Joseph H. Choate, Jr. and W.T. Gray in the finals for to-day. New York Times, Sept 30, 1897, p. 4.
- Hovey again golf winner.; Joseph H. Choate presents the Stockbridge cup. New York Times, Aug 21, 1915, p. 7.
- Joseph H. Choate, Jr. coming home. New York Times, March 3, 1901, p. 4.
- New York alumni dine; Joseph H. Choate pleas for American shipping and Dr. DePew speaks. New York Times, Dec 16, 1898.
- Post for Joseph H. Choate, Jr. New York Times, June 23, 1899, p. 2.
- The Republican campaign; Joseph H. Choate to speak a Wednesday night rally. New York Times, Oct 2, 1898, p. 2.
- $3,000,000 estate to Choate family. New York Times, May 22, 1917, p. 13. (Joseph H. Choate, Jr. received inheritance.)
- $137,6627.14 for men blinded in the war; committee headed by Joseph H. Choate reports on work since June 1 last. New York Times, Feb 25, 1917, Arts & Leisure, p. 35.