On February 8, 1928, Mayor M.G. Tennent was photographed aboard the "City of Tacoma" airplane. He is wearing protective headgear and goggles. The "City of Tacoma" had been the local entry in the New York-Spokane aerial derby which occurred in September of 1927. TPL-8080; G12.1-025

Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1928. Melvin Green Tennent was elected to be mayor of Tacoma twice. He was elected March 9, 1926 but resigned before the end of his term. James Newbegin was chosen as his replacement in March of 1929. He was elected the second time March 13, 1930. This photograph is Boland # B18391. ALBUM 16. Also G2.1-039 and MAYOR-016

Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In front of City Hall Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, second from left, welcomed Leo, the Metro Goldwyn Mayer lion, and his entourage to Tacoma in August, 1930, during Leo's World Tour. Mayor Tennent is standing in front of Leo's ornate, and very fortified, traveling cage. The cage was 13 feet long and part of a 24 foot Reo speedwagon. Unbreakable glass three feet high and canvas drops that could be lowered in case of inclement weather assured Leo's comfort and health. MGM had trademarked Leo's very distinctive roar which appeared at the beginning of their films for decades. Leo seemingly was a cat with nine lives: while touring the globe for MGM, he survived two train wrecks, a Mississippi flood, a California earthquake, a fire and a plane crash. He died at an advanced age of 23, in 1938, and is buried in Gillette, New Jersey, on the farm owned by Volney Phifer, premier animal trainer. The uniformed man at the right is believed to be Mr. Phifer, Leo's trainer. (TDL 8-17-30, E-5)

Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cages--Tacoma; Leo (Lion)--Associated objects;

This is what 9th & Broadway looked like in the late afternoon of September 20, 1932, as throngs strain to catch a glimpse of Presidential candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Democratic candidate's open vehicle is led and followed by motorcycle police. Mr. Roosevelt, the governor of New York, had just concluded a speech to thousands at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. His motorcade arrived in Tacoma about a half-hour earlier than expected so hundreds missed their chance to see him swing through the streets of downtown Tacoma. TPL-2679 (TNT 9-20-32, p. 1-article; TNT 9-21-32, p. 1)

April 8th was authorized as "Roosevelt Day" by the mayor and city council in recognition of the President's leadership during the Country's economic crises. He was honored with a large downtown parade incorporating military, civic and business groups. Carstens, a large meat packing firm in Tacoma, had a clever play on words in utilizing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "New Deal" slogan for their parade truck--"The New Deal is Here with HAM and Good Cheer." Easter in 1933 was soon arriving and Carstens was promoting their hams, plain or baked, as a fine economical choice for the traditional feast. (TNT 4-7-33, p.1-article; TNT 4-8-33, p. 1-article) TPL-5449

Future Tacoma mayor, and later U.S. Senator, Harry P. Cain (far right) starred in the Tacoma Little Theatre production of the play "Engaged," by. W.S. Gilbert in April, 1934. Mr. Cain played the part of Cheviot Hill, who declared "You are the flower of my existence" to every woman he met. The Tacoma Drama League production was directed by Ann Gordon and presented at their theater in the Slovonian Hall in Old Tacoma, 2306 North 30th Street. ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Drama clubs--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. L-R are Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Mrs. Smitley and an unidentified man. Photograph was probably taken in the morning of September 3, 1934, at the time of the historical pageant which occurred on downtown streets. Dedication of the old fort later that day would be the feature of the Labor Day celebration. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, far left, his wife and Governor Clarence D. Martin, second from left in photo, and an unidentified man stand in an open automobile during the historical pageant held in downtown Tacoma on Labor Day. The man to the far right is possibly a Tacoma city councilman. Later that day, throngs would attend the formal dedication of Fort Nisqually's restoration. The Young Men's Business Club was instrumental in pursuing restoration of the historic fort. It provided the funds for the materials necessary for the project. Much of the labor was done through the CWA. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Army Day at Fort Lewis, 1935. Governor Martin shaking army officer's hand, another officer standing beside the first one. On Saturday, April 6th, 1935, Ft. Lewis, under the command of Brig. Gen. Ortho B. Rosenbaum, threw open the gates of the fort to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the US's entry into WWI. Thousands attended, double the attendance of the previous year, and were treated to exhibitions, drills and demonstrations. (T. Times 4/8/1935, pg. 1)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Governor Clarence Martin, in dark overcoat, is a guest at the Washington National Guard Review in June of 1935. Mrs. Martin stands beside her husband. Future Tacoma Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman is third from left and current Mayor George Smitley is to the right of Mrs. Martin.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Girl representing the Disabled American Veterans pins a Forget-Me-Not or "Buddy Poppy" on Mayor George A. Smitley at his office in (Old) City Hall. Miss Viola Wilson is holding a handful of paper poppies as she fastens the Forget-Me-Not to Mr. Smitley's lapel. Mr. Smitley helped to kick off the annual Forget-Me-Not sale by purchasing the first flower from Miss Wilson, who is the daughter of state disabled veterans commander Virgil Wilson. It was noted in the Tacoma Times article attached to the sepia September 25, 1935, photograph, that Mr. Wilson was seriously ill in a Seattle hospital suffering from the effects of wounds received in the war. ALBUM 11. (T. Times, 9-26-35, p. 5)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Wilson, Viola;

Mayor George A. Smitley buying a Forget-Me-Not or "Buddy Poppy" from a volunteer worker representing the Disabled American Veterans at his office in (Old) City Hall. He is in the process of handing over a check as a donation to Viola Wilson. Miss Wilson is the daughter of Virgil Wilson, state commander of disabled veterans, and the youngest member of the women's auxiliary here. The proceeds of the two-day sale will go to rehabiliation efforts of the veterans' organizations. Sepia photograph taken on September 25, 1935. ALBUM 11. (T. Times, 9-26-35, p. 5)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Wilson, Viola;

1935 Armistice Day Navy vs. Army football game at Stadium Bowl. Tacoma Mayor George Smitley (center) with Rear Admiral T. T. Craven and Brig. General C.H. Conrad Jr., commanding officer at Fort Lewis. (Bremerton Sun)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Craven, T.T.; Admirals--Tacoma; Conrad, C.H.;

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;

Lou Henry (Mrs. Herbert) Hoover, Honorary Vice- President of the Girl Scouts, greets a line of Scouts during a ceremony in the Crystal Ballroom of Tacoma's Hotel Winthrop. She appears to be holding back a smile at an eager young Scout. Mrs. Hoover addressed the crowd and presented a coveted "Golden Eaglet" award. ALBUM 1.

Presidents' spouses; Hoover, Lou Henry, 1875-1944; Girl Scouts (Tacoma);

The WPA (Works Progress Administration), a federal work relief program enacted in 1935, put millions of unemployed on the federal payroll with public work jobs. In Tacoma in 1936, streets such as South Tyler were extended and work conducted at Point Defiance Park. This February, 1936, picture shows a number of laborers hard at work shoveling dirt from a hillside at Point Defiance into wheelbarrows. To employ as many men as possible, much of the work was done by hand instead of machine.

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Laborers--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

In February of 1936 the section of South Tyler that stretches from Snake Lake to South 66th Street was being built by hand by WPA workers. The new section of road was designed to open a large area west of South Tacoma. When finished the road would be 30 feet wide with a gravel surface. (T. Times 3/7/1936 p.9).

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Road construction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Laborers--Tacoma;

Sepia photograph of City Controller Tom Swayze, Mayor George Smitley and Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson at (Old) City Hall on May 25, 1936; the city officials are signing contracts with St. Regis Kraft Co which will enable the pulp industry, idle since 1930, to reopen and remodernize facilities. The city would supply millions of gallons of water and hundreds of electrical horsepower daily. Utilities Commissioner Davisson is holding a check from Kraft for $10,000 to begin service. Mr. Davisson, furthest right in the photograph, was a longtime Public Utilities Commissioner first appointed in November, 1918. He led Tacoma's utilities through difficult times in the 1920's and 30's and managed to improve service while keeping rates low. During his long tenure, a 25-million gallon North End Reservoir was built in 1927, and Mr. Davisson worked to extend water service to the Tideflats which helped the growth of industrial development. He was finally voted out of office in 1940 at age 80. ALBUM 11. (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org, T.Times, 5-26-36, p. 2)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Swayze, Tom; Davisson, Ira; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Mayor George Smitley shakes hands with Maj. Gen. David L. Stone during the second annual Armistice Day Army-Navy football game at Stadium Bowl. General Stone is the commander of Fort Lewis. His counterpart, Rear Adm. T.T. Craven, head of the 13th Naval District, was also in attendance. Ten thousand-plus fans watched the football game and military pageant which saw Navy triumph 14-0. Navy had also won the previous year's contest 6-2. Sepia photograph taken on November 11, 1936. (T. Times 11-12-36, p. 1, 17) ALBUM 11. TPL-10453

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Stone, David L.; Generals; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Harry P. Cain, future Mayor of Tacoma and U.S. Senator, appeared in the Tacoma Little Theater production of "The Animal Kingdom" under the direction of his wife, Marjorie Dils Cain. Mr. Cain, who starred as Tom Collier, is pictured in this March, 1937, print speaking to the woman on the stairs. He portrayed a small-time publisher with a genuine sense of humor. Other cast members included Mrs. Salem Nourse, Salem Nourse, Uwarda Egley, Claude Brennan, Mrs. Galvin Hopper, Gordon Tuell, Mrs. Thomas Turner and Merle Benedict. The well-received play completed its 3-day run on March 14, 1937. (T.Times 3-3-37, p. 11, 3-12-37, p. 8) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

City officials join Safety Council. Mayor George Smitley was the chairman of Safety Week, held March 1-7, 1937, bolstered with a free exposition at the Armory to promote better driving. All the city officials pictured above bought memberships to the Safety Council and were given ornaments with a red reflector which served as an auxiliary taillight. Mrs. Walter M. Snell, president of the Junior Women's Club and chairman of the committee to sell memberships, is shown putting a button on the Mayor's lapel. Gazing at her are L-R Howard Carothers, corporation counsel, C. Val Fawcett, finance commissioner, Ira S. Davisson, utilities commissioner, Mayor George A. Smitley, Abner R. Bergersen, public works commissioner, Frank Callender, public safety commissioner and Tom Swayze, city controller. Tacoma in the 1930's did not have a city council which was broken up into districts. The men listed above ran the City of Tacoma. ALBUM 11. (TNT 3-3-1937, p. 5)

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

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Mayor George Smitley at right center, by window. Portrait of Mayor A.V. Fawcett on wall, now hangs in Rare Book Room of Tacoma Public Library. (T.Times)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956;

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;

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Photographed in April of 1937 for the Tacoma Times but apparently not used. (T. Times)

Municipal officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Interested observers listen intently to council proceedings in April of 1937. (T. Times)

Municipal officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Men in conference at table. (T. Times)

Municipal officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. As the seating arrangement indicates, officials did not face the audience as they met. This photograph was part of a series taken in April of 1937 for the Tacoma Times newspaper but apparently not run. (T. Times)

Municipal officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Mayor George Smitley (R) shakes hands with El Haren, newspaper astrologer, during his visit to Tacoma. El Haren's column was carried by the Tacoma Times for a limited time; the Times ran this photo on May 12, 1937. Free daily advice was dispensed by America's "most celebrated astrologer" with replies printed in the Times. For $1.00 and a 6 cent self-addressed stamped envelope, El Haren provided a complete astrological reading and answered three questions free. If the reader chose to save money, he/she would be entitled to one free question using the Times coupon. The newspaper was apparently swamped with thousands of requests during the astrologer's short stay here. Samples of questions and El Haren's answers can be found in the Tacoma Times issues of May 11, 12, 14 and 17, 1937. (T.Times 5-10-37, p. 7, 5-11-37, p. 8, 5-12-37, p. 4, 5-14-37, p. 16, 5-17-37, p. 4) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Haren, El; Astrology--Tacoma;

Sepia photograph of Mayor George Smitley, front right, at meeting of the Young Men's Business Club during the planning of the organization's "Air Circus." Seated next to Smitley is Dr. Herbert Hoover, president of the Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch, Inc. Arthur M. Angove, past president of the YMBC, in background holds poster for the event which will occur on June 13, 1937. A variety of events, including races, stunts, parachute jumps and acrobatic flying, was expected to draw a large crowd at Mueller-Harkins field. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Mayor George Smitley, center, at meeting of the Young Men's Business Club during the planning of the organization's "Air Circus" event. Man on the left is Arthur A. Cook, secretary of the YMBC, and the one on the right is M.J. M'Caslin, chairman of the Aviation Committee. The big show, featuring races, stunts, contests, acrobatic flying, bombing contests and parachute jumps, would occur on June 13, 1937, at the Mueller-Harkins field. A Boeing transport would also be displayed. (T.Times 6-10-37, p. 4) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940;