The Wet-Dry Tug-of-War: Voters Face Triplicate Liquor Initiative
As Washington state grapples with its new dry status, three competing liquor initiatives challenge the stability of the 1914 prohibition law.
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Now comes another initiative bill and it is the first of its kind, a repeal measure. It proposes to repeal the statewide prohibition law adopted in 1914 and which went into effect on January 1 of this year. It will require the same number of signatures as any other measure to be submitted to the people. If it is successful it would automatically restore the old liquor laws to force. It is officially known as initiative measure number 25. If the necessary signatures are secured it means the people of the state of Washington will have to pass on three liquor bills at the next election. The first of these known as the 'hotel men's law' permits hotels to sell liquor to guests and goes on the ballot automatically, the last legislature having failed to act upon it when it was filed by initiative petition with that body. Then there is the so-called 'brewers' bill' which would permit Washington breweries to manufacture and sell beer in this state, and also export it. This measure is surrounded by stringent provisions. Then comes along the measure to provide for the repeal of the statewide prohibition law.
“The voter of Washington has still another task before him. The end is not yet.”
This reflects the volatile era of early 20th-century temperance battles, foreshadowing the national Prohibition era. The confusion of having multiple competing ballot measures remains a hallmark of Washington's direct democracy process today.
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