Seattle’s Liquor Dealers Form Defense Association
Saloon keepers across Washington state organize to fight prohibition and regulatory pressure.
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The saloon keepers of the state have formed a protective association, the object of which is to enable them to combat the increasing legislation which is being brought against those engaged in the liquor traffic. In order to do this, they propose to avail themselves of all the rights which are guaranteed them by the constitution and laws of the state, either in an individual or collective capacity. This was effected by a convention which met yesterday afternoon in the Men's hall, pursuant to a call sent out by the Retail Liquor Dealers' Protective Association of Seattle. There were forty-two delegates present, including representatives from Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsend, and King, Clallam, and Snohomish counties. The executive committee was instructed to take steps towards a permanent organization to protect the interests of the retail liquor dealers throughout the state. It is understood that a considerable sum of money has been subscribed to carry out the objects of the association.
“The object of which is to enable them to combat the increasing legislation which is being brought against those engaged in the liquor traffic.”
Long before Washington went dry in 1916, local saloon owners formed trade groups to protect their interests against temperance advocates. This early labor-adjacent organizing mirrors modern lobbying efforts by hospitality and nightlife industries facing shifting regulatory environments in urban centers.
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