Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes gestures to diners attending the sold-out Elks Club banquet on September 5, 1941 where Secretary Ickes was the principal speaker. He had been vacationing with his wife on the Olympic Peninsula before arriving in Tacoma on Friday, the 5th. Secretary Ickes spoke on the subject of "Public Power and National Defense" before a crowd of 562. His speech was carried nationwide for the benefit of those unable to attend. Harold Ickes was to serve 13 years as Secretary of the Interior, most of which was during the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration. While Secretary, he also served as director of the Public Works Administration. (T.Times, 9-4-41, p. 1-article)

Ickes, Harold L.; Cabinet officers--United States; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950;