The Battle for the Beer Ballot
With prohibition looming, Washington voters prepare to weigh in on the 'Beer Consumers' Act' while other radical initiatives fall flat.
Failure to secure enough signatures will keep the proposed initiative bills off the ballot this year, with the exception of the 'Beer Consumers' Act,' which received about 70,000 signatures or more than twice the number required to secure a place on the ballot. The first-aid, home rule and fisheries tax bills, proposed by the Direct Legislation League, did not meet with much support, however, and fell considerably short of the necessary 82,000 signatures. The lack of interest in these measures indicated that the voters are tired of making a plum out of direct legislation. The only initiatives to go on the ballot in November will be Number 24, allowing the manufacture of beer in this state and its sale to individuals for home consumption, and the hotel men’s liquor act.
“The only initiatives to go on the ballot in November will be Number 24, allowing the manufacture of beer in this state.”
This reflects the volatile period leading up to Washington's dry laws in 1916. The tension between popular direct legislation and established political control over alcohol sales remains a recurring theme in Washington politics.
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