The Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic was a standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1893 to 1927. It was preceded by a select committee formed in 1879 during the 46th Congress.[1]

History

The Select Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic was established on May 16, 1879, pursuant to House resolution. The select committee terminated August 18, 1893, when it was made a standing committee[1]

In 1890, the Select Committee recommended the creation of a presidentially appointed commission on alcoholic liquor traffic. The commission was to consist of 5 members, responsible for investigating "the alcoholic, fermented, and vinous liquor traffic, in all its phases, its relation to revenue and taxation, its effect upon labor, agriculture, manufacturing and other industries and its general economic, criminal, moral, and scientific, social vice, and the public health" among other issues.[2]

Jurisdiction

As its name suggests, the committee was responsible for all subjects relating to alcoholic liquor traffic, including the manufacture, distribution, and sale of intoxicating beverages in U.S. states, territories, government-owned buildings as well as the District of Columbia, Indian reservations, and military bases. The committee was also responsible for investigating issues related to the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established Prohibition, outlawing the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States.[3]

Official records of the committee generally include petitions and memorials requesting the appointment of a commission to study alcoholic traffic and praying for prohibition of the manufacture, sale, and distribution through interstate commerce of alcohol in the United States and in various locations under federal authority and its export to certain countries.[4]

Members, 52nd Congress

During the 52nd Congress, the committee was chaired by William E. Haynes of Ohio and the Ranking Member was Joseph D. Taylor of Ohio.[5]

Majority Minority

References

  1. ^ a b Walter Stubbs (1985), Congressional Committees, 1789-1982: A Checklist, Greenwood Press, p. 5
  2. ^ "A Fair Division Wanted" (PDF). New York Times. March 22, 1890. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  3. ^ Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic (1925). Survey of Alcoholic Liquor Traffic and the Enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
  4. ^ Schamel, Charles E.; Mary Rephlo; Rodney Ross; David Kepley; Robert W. Coren; James Gregory Bradsher (1989). "Guide to the Records of the United States House of Representatives at the National Archives, 1789-1989: Bicentennial Edition". National Archives and Records Administration. pp. Chapter 14. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  5. ^ United States Congress (1893). Official Congressional Directory. 52nd Congress, 2nd Session (2nd ed.). Government Printing Office. p. 134. OCLC 457274180. Retrieved 2009-02-21.


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