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The Anti-Saloon League (ASL) and Wayne B. Wheeler were instrumental in the Prohibition movement in the United States during the early 20th century. They cared deeply about the Federal Income tax for several reasons:
Revenue Source: The Federal Income tax was seen as a potential alternative source of revenue for the federal government. Prohibition advocates believed that if alcohol production and sales were prohibited, the government would lose significant revenue from alcohol taxes. They saw the income tax as a way to make up for this lost revenue.
Moral Argument: The ASL and Prohibitionists argued that alcohol consumption led to various societal problems, including crime, poverty, and family issues. They believed that taxing alcohol was essentially profiting from a harmful and morally corrupting industry. By advocating for the income tax as a replacement for alcohol taxes, they framed it as a morally superior source of revenue.
Political Strategy: Wayne B. Wheeler, a key figure in the ASL, was a skilled lobbyist and strategist. He recognized that linking Prohibition with the income tax could garner broader support for the temperance movement. By associating Prohibition with the income tax, they were able to sway politicians and gain support from groups and individuals who were interested in both fiscal responsibility and moral reform.
Prohibition Amendment: The ASL and Wheeler used their influence and lobbying power to push for a constitutional amendment that would ban the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States. They believed that by eliminating alcohol production and sales, they could eliminate the need for alcohol-related taxes altogether.
Ultimately, their efforts were successful, and the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established Prohibition, was ratified in 1919. This amendment remained in effect until it was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933. The Prohibition era had a profound impact on American society and its approach to alcohol regulation and taxation.