Speech Delivered - Dry Law Greatest Evil in U.S., Woman Tells World Congress

Sep 21, 2026

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Formal speech text delivered by M. Louise Gross, chairman of the Women’s Moderation Union, presenting arguments against U.S. Prohibition before the Tenth Congress of the International League Against Prohibition in Copenhagen (June 27–29, 1929). The address contrasts Europe’s freedom from prohibition restrictions with Americans’ fear of imprisonment and fines, denounces enforcement abuses, and links political outcomes to public discussion about prohibition, emphasizing moral and social consequences for families and citizens.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Speech Delivered

Restrictions on Use and Technical Microform Data

Prohibition and Its Effects in the United States

Political Context and Presidential Election Discussion

97-84073-22Gross,M.Louise Speech delivered by M.Louise GrosS[Harrison,N.Y.] [1929] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISION BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED·EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbla Unhversity Lbraries TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 5mm IB IMAGE PLACEMENT:IA INITIALS: 1 DATE FILMED: 5-6-97 TRACKING\#; 23732 、FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. .9 308 Z Bo×231 # SPEECH DELIVERED by M.LOUISE GROSS,Chairmanof the Women's Moderation Union,A National Women's AntiProhibition Organization With MembersA11 Over the United States. before the Tenth Congress of the International League AgainstProhibition Held in Copenhagen,DenmarkJune 27th to 29th,1929 AU111 CG # Dry Law Greatest Evil in U.S.,WomanTells World Congress NATION OF WHISKEY DRINKERSNOW,SAYS MODERATION CHIEF By M.LOUISE GROSS M.Louise Gross Tells Copenhagen Conference EuropeIs Free of Prohibition Curse. MISS M.LOUISE GROSS,chairman of the Women's Moderation Unionwho attended the tenth congress at Copenhagen of the International Lea-gue Against Prohibition,and dellvered one of the prinelpal speeches at theconvention just closed. Her speech,cabled to the Hearst /newspapers,is subjoined.It containsthe views of a thoughtful and informed woman on the entire subject ofprohibition—Editor's note. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity of discussing the subjectof prohlbition before a sympathetic audience such as this,in a countrynoted for its common sense and achievement along practical lines ofsociological and civic endeavor.It is such a relief to be in Europe,whereone need not think of the prospect of being sent to prison for fve yearsor fined $10,000 for having a bottle of alcoholic beverage in his possession. It is a rellef to be free from hearing the everlasting talk and preachingabout law enforcement of unenforceable 1aws,and it is a joy to be ableto go for a motor ride without fear of being shot dead by some over- zealous prohibltlon agent in the employ of the United States Government.I don't wonder that American citizens come to Europe in the large num-bers they do. Really,you people lving in countrles free from the prohibition curse haveno idea how lucky you are and how happy you ought to be because you canenjoy a peaceful,happy lfe,eat and drink what you lke,and be free fromthe restraints placed upon us as a result of fanatical prohibition.PerhapsI sound woeful and unhappy,but no matter how black I paint the plctureabout conditions in the United States regarding prohibition it wlll not coverone-half of the terrible gituation and the frightful conditions resultingfrom ten years of it. Only three days before I salled away from New York City,June 15,an-other innocent man was shot dead in his motor ear in front of his wifeand children,and it was s miracle that the bullets did not kill the rest ofthe familly—and for no reason at all,only because the prohibition agent,paid by the Government,thought that perhaps there was liquor in theautomobile. This was about the 150th case of an innocent person belng killed andwith no punishment for the agent who did the killing.Can you imaginethe state of mind the Amerlcan citizens are in today?Our ancestorsfought for liberty and against tyranny and we of today will fight againif something is not done soon by the Federal Government to end thisoutrageous condition. You were no doubt interested in our recent Presidential campaign inwhich two outstanding men were the candidates of thelr respective parties.I am going to explain the status of prohibition in this recent election beforeI go any further,because of the conflicting deductions drawn

FAQs

Who delivered the speech and what organization did the speaker lead?

M. Louise Gross delivered the speech and served as chairman of the Women’s Moderation Union.

Where and when was the speech delivered?

The speech was delivered before the Tenth Congress of the International League Against Prohibition in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 27th to 29th, 1929.

What central critique does the speech make about U.S. Prohibition enforcement?

It argues that Prohibition leads to severe penalties and dangerous or abusive enforcement actions, including harm to innocent people and families.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Aria