Impeachment trial of Public Safety Commissioner Einar Langseth for misconduct and neglect of duty stemming from allowing illegal gambling to prosper in Tacoma. L to R: Corporation Counsel Howard Carothers, Defense counsel E.K. Murray, Commissioner Langseth, Public Utilities Commissioner R.D. "Bob" O'Neil, Public Finance Commissioner C. Val Fawcett, Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen, Mayor Harry P. Cain during one-day impeachment hearing on April 30, 1943. Mayor Cain served as his own counsel when he attempted to remove Commissioner Langseth from his office. The city council chose to retain Commissioner Langseth; Mayor Cain had the only "no" vote. Commissioner Langseth did not vote. (T.Times, 5-1-43, 4-30-43, 4-28-43, TNT 5-1-43, 4-30-43)

Impeachments--Washington; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Carothers, Howard; Murray, E.K.; Langseth, Einar, 1892-1968; O'Neil, Robert D.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Bergersen, Abner R.;

Val Fawcett, acting mayor of Tacoma, looks up at a portrait of his father, colorful former Mayor A.V. Fawcett, hanging on the wall in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall at 625 Commerce St.. Val Fawcett assumed office to allow Mayor Harry Cain to serve in the Army. C.V. "Val" Fawcett took over as acting mayor in May of 1943. He was elected mayor in 1946 and served until 1950. The portrait of A.V. Fawcett is now hanging in the Rare Book Room of the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. TPL6634 (T. Times 5/13/1943, pg. 1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Angelo Vance; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, in Army Major's uniform, giving salute at mayor's office in (Old) City Hall in May, 1943. The mayor was about to take a leave of absence to serve in the Army. He was apparently wearing his major's uniform for the first time. The second of two photographs used for a Tacoma Times montage. The mayor would preside over his final council meeting for the indefinite future on May 12, 1943. He would request that acting mayor C. Val Fawcett and Commissioners Abner R. Bergersen and R.D. O'Neil continue support for the planning programs for Tacoma and Puget Sound. (T.Times, 5-12-43, p. 1) ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States; Saluting--Tacoma;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain in salute in the mayor's chambers. This is a cropped photograph of D14478-2. A solemn Cain is caught in salute; he is wearing his Army major's uniform for the first time on May 11, 1943. He would be leaving very shortly for military training school. Commissioner C. Val Fawcett would become acting mayor during Major Cain's absence. (T.Times, 5-12-43, p. 1) ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States; Saluting--Tacoma;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, in civilian suit, giving "V for Victory" sign at mayor's office in (Old) City Hall in May, 1943. The mayor was about to take a leave of absence to serve in the Army. One of two photos used for a Tacoma Times montage. The second photo was designed to show Major Cain, in Army uniform, saluting. The two photographs were blended so that Harry P. Cain could be seen acknowledging his own salute. ALBUM 13. (T.Times 5-12-43, p. 1)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

City Finance Commissioner and Acting Mayor Val Fawcett poses with V.F.W. Auxlliary Ladies for a Poppy Sale publicity photo in front of (Old) City Hall. The proceeds from the sale of the tiny red flowers go to support veterans' programs. (T. Times) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Veterans organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Bell tower of Old City Hall. Designed in the style of "fifteenth-century Italian town hall architecture," the six-story building was constructed in 1892. It became "Old" City Hall upon the opening of the County-City Building in 1959. Saved from demolition, it was restored as a shopping center with grand opening in 1974. In 1980 it was converted into an office building. The 32-square foot tower had its bell chimes restored in late 1993. The Old City Hall is on the City, State, and National Registry. TPL-9206

Clock towers--Tacoma; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Sepia 1937 photograph of Tacoma City Officials at (Old) City Hall. L to R: Frank Callender - public safety commissioner, C. Val Fawcett - finance commissioner, Tom Swayze - city controller, Mayor George Smitley, Genevieve Martin - city clerk, Abner Bergersen - public works commissioner, Ira Davisson - public utilities commissioner, and Howard Carothers- corporation counsel. Group is seated at a glass-top table with two spittoons on floor. Furnishings, including wood floor, appear plain and utilitarian. ALBUM 11.

Municipal government--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Callender, Frank T.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Swayze, Tom; Martin, Genevieve; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira; Carothers, Howard;

ca. 1935. Mayor George A. Smitley with Ethlynne "Skit" Smith (later Babson) and Ellis-Ayr Smith at his office in (Old) City Hall circa 1935. The Smith sisters were noted local skiers, Ellis-Ayr being a U.S. team member for the 1936 Winter Olympic Games at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Skiers; Babson, Ethlynne; Smith, Ethlynne; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A uniformed Harry P. Cain in the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall, shortly after his return from Europe. A Christmas tree, dripping in tinsel, is in the background. Framed photographs fill the wall behind Lt. Col. Cain. He had interrupted his mayoral duties to join the US Army in 1943 and fought in the European theater. ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States; Christmas trees--Tacoma;

In December of 1945 Mayor Harry P. Cain returned to Tacoma to once again take up his mayoral duties. In 1943 he had taken a leave of absence from his elected office to enter the Army as a major. He left the city in the capable hands of C. Val Fawcett, who had previously served as Commissioner of Finance. By the end of the war Mayor Cain had risen in rank to Lieutenant Colonel. Once back in office he served as mayor of Tacoma until June 15, 1946, when he chose to run for the U.S. Senate. Album 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States;

Mayor Harry P. Cain signs "Paternal Week" proclamation for the Maccabees on May 17, 1946. Observing is believed to be Robert Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg was also the president of the Fraternal Congress of the State of Washington. ALBUM 13. (T.Times 5-13-1946, p. 7-article & photograph re: Fraternal Congress of the State of Washington)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Order of Maccabees;

Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett, son of the celebrated Mayor A.V. Fawcett, at (Old) City Hall for his swearing in ceremony on June 3, 1946. Members of the city council flank the mayor. They are: (l-r) L.W. "Roy" Craig, Abner R. Bergersen, Robert S. Temme and C.A. "Clif" Erdahl. (T.Times 6-3-46, p. 1)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Craig, L.W.; Bergersen, Abner R.; Temme, Robert S.; Erdahl, C.A.; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three generations at swearing in of Mayor Val Fawcett. L to R: wife Linda, granddaughter Linda, Fawcett, mother Margaret (widow of Mayor A.V. Fawcett), daughter Margaret, son-in-law Norbert Knecht. Fawcett Senior's portrait overlooks the family group. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family;

Newly sworn in mayor Val Fawcett posed proudly with his immediate family on June 3, 1946. This is a cropped version of D22427, image 6, with the portrait of Mayor A.V. Fawcett nearly removed. Mayor Val Fawcett is holding his granddaughter Linda Knecht, and is flanked by wife Linda (with orchid corsage) and mother Margaret, widow of A.V. Next to Margaret Fawcett is Val's daughter, also named Margaret and her husband, Norbert Knecht. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family;

Three generations at the June 3, 1946, swearing in of Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett. Left to Right: wife Linda, granddaughter Linda, Mayor Fawcett, mother Margaret (widow of Mayor A.V. Fawcett) and daughter Margaret. The City of Tacoma got a new mayor and two new councilmen on Monday morning, June 3rd, as Val Fawcett and L.W. (Roy) Craig (new Finance Commissioner) and Robert S. Temme (new Public Safety Commissioner) took the oath of office. Mayor Fawcett was no stranger to the office of mayor - he had managed the dual role of acting mayor and finance commissioner for 2.5 years while Harry P. Cain was on military leave with the Army. Harry Cain had vacated the mayor's post to run for U.S. Senate. ALBUM 14 (TNT 6-2-42, A-1-article)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family;

Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett wears a Hawaiian lei in a publicity photo for KVI Radio taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Leis;

Aloha! An unidentified woman drapes a flowered Hawaiian lei around the neck of Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett in a publicity photo for KVI Radio taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Leis;

Voting against the wishes of Tacoma's churches and social service organizations, Mayor Val Fawcett (left) and the city council passed an ordinance on December 30, 1946 amending the pinball machine regulations in Tacoma. Rather than banning the "one armed bandits" as the churches preferred, the city voted to collect a 5% tax on all "payoff" machines within Tacoma city limits. An estimated $120,000 would be added to the city's coffers. An unidentified man is pointing to the wording on one of the 35 petitions brought in to city hall by the pinball machine opponents, including those signed by the YMCA, Salvation Army, WCTU and the PLU student body. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-30-46, p. 1, 14-article; TNT 12-30-46, p. 1-article)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Petitions--Tacoma;

Mayor Val Fawcett, seated center, and city Public Utilities Commissioner C.A. "Clif" Erdahl (seated foreground) listen patiently to delegations from church groups and others, who have just delivered petitions calling for the outlawing of pinball machines. A city Legal Department memo, dated 12/29/1946, is on the table in foreground. Despite two hours of fervent protest by council visitors, the mayor and council would go on to pass an emergency ordinance on December 30, 1946, amending pinball regulations in the city. Pinball machines would not be outlawed but instead have a 5% tax on these "payoff" machines. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-30-46, p. 1, 14-article; TNT 12-30-46, p. 1-article)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Petitions--Tacoma;

Safety Award being presented in Mayor Val Fawcett's office to Police Department and other city departments by the American Automobile Association. The Pedestrian Protection Award was presented to the Tacoma Police Department and citizens for their reduction in pedestrian accidents. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Safety Award being presented in Mayor's office to Police Department and other city departments, AAA Pedestrian Protection award. Tacoma won a National Safety Plaque by the Automobile Association of America in recognition of the work done by Tacoma police and citizens to reduce pedestrian accidents. Tacoma was given third place in cities with populations from 100,000 to 500,000. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards;

Mayor Val Fawcett looks at the proof sheets for the September, 1947 issue of Holiday Magazine, the State of Washington issue, in a promotional photo taken at his office in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce St.. H.N. Bergeron (in a light suit), sales representative of Curtiss Circulation Company, points out to Mayor Fawcett the photographs and articles that will highlight the industrial, civic, and cultural life of the Pacific Northwest. Edwin J. Schneebeck, a local magazine wholesaler, looks on. (T.Times, 8/19/1947, p.9) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Val Fawcett looks at the Holiday Magazine State of Washington issue in a promotional photo taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. Looking on are Curtiss Circulation Co. sales representative H.N. Bergeron and local magazine wholesaler Edwin J. Schneebeck. The upcoming September 1947 issue would highlight the City of Tacoma with 30 pages of information and photographs. ALBUM 14. (T. Times 8-19-47, p.9)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett studies a pre-publication copy of the September, 1947 issue of Holiday Magazine in his office in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall in August of 1947. Tacoma received three pages, including 5 photographs, in the 36 page section of the issue devoted to Washington State. The long article, written by northwest author Nard Jones, included over 90 photographs of scenic views, Washington industries and her people. Enjoying the sneak peek along with Mayor Fawcett are Curtiss Circulation Company sales representative H.N. Bergeron (left) and local magazine wholesaler Edwin J. Schneebeck. (T.Times 8-19-47, p. 9-alt. photograph) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's Mayor C. Val Fawcett (left) and Fircrest's Mayor Nelson J. Morrison are promoting free x-rays. They are encouraging all Pierce County citizens to get their chests x-rayed. The Christmas Seals mobile x-ray unit is scheduled to make several stops in the next few days, it is currently parked in front of Tacoma's City Hall. The free x-ray service is being sponsored by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (T.N.T., 6/4/48, p. 5).

Radiography; Mobile health units--Tacoma; Health care--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Clinics--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Morrison, Nelson J.;

Asa E. Troyer's neighbor, R. H. Frogner used a 6% DDT solution and a spray gun to get to this yellow jacket nest, that was on his property at Caledonia Beach. This beehive probably housed 1,000 busy wasps; after he stripped off the outer mud protective wall, a pagoda-like construction is visible, hundreds of cells for eggs, food and shelter can be seen. View of Asa E. Troyer, Tacoma City Treasurer, holding up half of a yellow jacket nest (T. Times, 12/19/48, p. 5).

Wasps' nests--Tacoma; Wasps; Poisons; Pest control--Tacoma; Municipal officials--Tacoma; Troyer, Asa E.; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Mayor George A. Smitley with Rhododendron Queen Myrtle Olson at the mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. Queen Myrtle is the emissary for Rhododendron Days, to be held on the Olympic Peninsula May 22-23, 1936. She is delivering an invitation from Port Townsend Mayor Bangerter to Tacoma Mayor George Smitley for all Tacomans to attend the festivities. (T. Times 5/15/1936, pg. 1)

Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Olson, Myrtle; Rhododendrons; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Port Townsend--1930-1940;

Mayor George A. Smitley with Rhododendron Queen Myrtle Olson at his office in (Old) City Hall. Photograph taken for the Seattle Star. Miss Olson brought Mayor Smitley a bouquet of Washington's state flower and an invitation from Port Townsend's Mayor Bangerter for all Tacomans to attend Rhododendron Days on the Olympic Peninsula May 22-23, 1936. (T. Times 5/15/1936, pg. 1)

Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Olson, Myrtle; Rhododendrons; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Port Townsend--1930-1940;

Mayor George A. Smitley with Rhododendron Queen Myrtle Olson and American Legion Post Commander Paul Chaplain at mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. Rhododendron Days on the Olympic Peninsula would celebrate the blooming of the state's official flower May 22-23, 1936. Most of the festivities would be centered in Port Townsend. Queen Myrtle will reign over sporting events, parades and flower tours. (T. Times 5/15/1936, pg. 1)

Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Olson, Myrtle; Rhododendrons; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Port Townsend--1930-1940; Chaplain, Paul; American Legion (Tacoma);