“A ‘Wet’ Meeting in Washington

The Washington State Pharmaceutical Association held its annual convention last month aboard the steamer Governor in a three-day trip about Puget Sound, a ‘wet’ trip in a dry state.  A recommendation that no changes be made in the laws governing the sale of liquor by druggists, but that the laws be strictly enforced, was adopted.

The association’s stand was taken against the recommendation made by the president, Dean C.W. Johnson, of the college of pharmacy at the University of Washington, who suggested that the association adopt a resolution asking the legislature to amend the law so as to take the sale of liquor entirely out of the hands of the druggists.  A motion was passed, however, providing that a referendum vote be taken by the mail of all the druggists of the state on the matter.  The proposition aroused considerable interest among the pharmacists and Dr. Johnson’s suggestion was rejected by a vote of nearly two to one.

The steamer Governor, which was rechristened ‘The Good Bark Sassy-Fras’ with a mock ceremony, visited Tacoma, Bellingham and Vancouver enroute.

The rechristening was preformed with great pomp at Vancouver, Miss Millie Ware of Seattle Broke a bottle of sassafras tea over the prow with the words, ‘I christen thee Sassy-Fras,’ and placards with the new name were hung over the bows for the rest of the voyage.  Champagne, it was announced, was considered inappropriate for use by druggists from a dry state.”

Reference Data:

National Association of Retail Druggists, Vol. 22, Issue 15, by the Association, 1916, page 753