Mayor George A. Smitley shakes hands with J. Lee Kress at his office in (Old) City Hall while congratulating the businessman on the opening of his new Malt Shop in the Bostwick Building. Young Mr. Kress' new Tacoma establishment would be located at the front of the flatiron building. It would serve 40 in both private booths and counter service. The Kress Malt Shop is owned solely by Mr. Kress and will be union operated. Mr. Kress was educated in Tacoma schools and has had much experience in the food and fountain service business. He already owns two other Kress Malt Shops in Olympia. (T. Times 7-2-37, p.4) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Kress, J. Lee; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Mayor George A. Smitley hands J. Lee Kress a letter at his office in (Old) City Hall congratulating the businessman on the opening of his new Malt Shop in the Bostwick Building. Mayor Smitley is a personal friend of Mr. Kress; the letter welcomed him back to Tacoma and thanked him for the improvements to the area. He wished Mr. Kress a successful career. This is the third Kress Malted Milk Shop in the Puget Sound area with two others in Olympia. (T. Times 7-2-37, page 4.) ALBUM 11.

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

Mayor George A. Smitley and businessman J. Lee Kress in a July 1, 1937, photograph taken at (Old) City Hall. Mr. Kress, a personal friend of the mayor's, was opening a new Malt Shop in the Bostwick Building. The men are holding a letter from the mayor that welcomes Mr. Kress back to the Tacoma area. He also owned two other Malt Shops in the Olympia area. (T.Times 7-2-37, p. 4)

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

Montana Governor Roy E. Ayres, Admiral E.B. Fenner, Oregon Governor Charles D. Martin, Washington Governor Clarence D. Martin and Brigadier General Alfred E. Smith, the base commander, during the Governor's review at Fort Lewis. 14,000 regular army and national guard troops of five northwest states passed in formal review during a three hour military pageant. The governors of Idaho and Wyoming were not expected. Planes from the 91st and 116th observation squadrons buzzed overhead for the thousands of civilian spectators. (T. Times 8-21-37, p. 1, 8-23-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Ayres, Roy E.; Martin, Charles D.; Admirals--Tacoma; Fenner, Edward B.; Generals; Smith, Alfred E.; Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955;

Mayor George Smitley congratulates a jockey after a horse race during the grandstand show on Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. A horseshoe of blossoms decorates the horse's neck. Mrs. Smitley had a hand in decorating the winner. September 22, 1937, was "Tacoma Day" at the fair and also Army & Navy Day. Mayor Smitley was the honored guest at the afternoon's grandstand show which included a rodeo, outdoor circus, vaudeville acts, band concert and dancing horses. There were also three horse races; the above sepia photograph is probably that of "Premier Jim," winning horse in the feature event, the Mayor Smitley race with a $200 purse. The feature event was a one-mile race for three years and older horses who were nonwinners of that week. ALBUM 11. (T. Times 9-22-37, p. 1, 9-23-37, p. 1) TPL-9627

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Horses--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

President Roosevelt addresses a large crowd from his train at Union Depot. On the car platform with the President are his granddaughter Anna Eleanor (nicknamed Sistie) Dall, 29 year old son James, daughter Anna (Mrs. John Boettiger), his bodyguard, and grandson Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p. 9).

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Boettiger, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dall, 1906-1975; Dall, Anna Eleanor; Roosevelt, James; Dall, Curtis; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

A radioman stretches his microphone toward President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, center in profile, who looks over the large crowd gathered at the Union Depot. He was preparing to leave on the Great Northern Railway for a tour of the Grand Coulee Dam project site. The small children behind the railing are his grandchildren, Anna Eleanor (nicknamed Sistie) and Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. The men are believed to be, left to right, Senator Homer T. Bone, Harold Allen, the President's son James, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley (waving to the crowd) and the President's bodyguard (in hat.) ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Dall, Anna Eleanor; Dall, Curtis;

On October 1, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made an early evening speech from the back of his train at Union Depot. The train made a 15 minute stop to allow the President to board. Roosevelt was being picked up after an automobile trip around the Olympic Peninsula and a motorcade from Olympia to Tacoma. It was estimated that over 50,000 Tacomans lined the street and crowded Union Station to catch a glimpse of the popular President. The President's next destination was the site of the Grand Coulee Dam project. Visible behind the President on the train car deck are believed to be Tacoman Harold Allen, the President's son James Roosevelt, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley and the President's grandson Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. At the time of this photograph, he was in his second term as President. He died April 12, 1945, during his fourth term, of a cerebral hemorrhage. (T. Times 10/02/1937, pg. 9) TPL-1999 ALBUM 1

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

African-American porter or waiter beside President Roosevelt's train upon arrival at Union Depot at 7:35 PM for a 15 minute whistle stop. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p.9).

Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad employees;

Tacoma Mayor George Smitley arrives to visit President Roosevelt on his train at Union Depot. Along the motorcade and at the depot, the popular president attracted crowds estimated at over 50,000. (T.Times, 10/2/1937, p. 9)

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

Tacoma Mayor George Smitley with President Roosevelt on his train at Union Depot. Posed on the platform with the President were, left to right, Senator Homer T. Bone, Tacoman Harold Allen, granddaughter Anna Eleanor (called Sistie) Dall (at the railing), Roosevelt's son James, the President's bodyguard (wearing hat) on his left side, and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley. The President's next stop was the Grand Coulee Dam project. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p. 9). ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Roosevelt, James; Dall, Anna Eleanor;

African-American porter or waiter beside President Roosevelt's train upon arrival at Union Depot at 7:35 PM for a 15 minute whistle stop.Most of the train's crew was handpicked by the President and had served him before. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p.9).

Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

Fireman Ray Foster (left) and engineer John Finn were the regular crew of the Great Northern Railway "Fast Mail" train. This photograph was taken October 1, 1937 at Tacoma's Union Station shortly before it left Tacoma for points north and west. Number 2500 was carrying President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who had made a special stop in Tacoma while on a trip to Washington state. Over 12,000 Tacomans crowded into the Union Station train yard to see and hear the President. (T.Times 10-02-1937 p.9)

Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad employees; Foster, Ray; Finn, John;

Conductor E. M. Osborne gives his "highball" as President Roosevelt's train pulls out from Union Depot after an early evening 15 minute whistle stop in Tacoma on October 1, 1937. Fifty to sixty thousand Tacomans lined the streets of Tacoma to catch a glimpse of the President as he entered the city by automobile from Olympia. More crowded into Union Station to hear his short speech. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p. 9)

Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad employees; Osborne, E.M.;

Sepia photograph of Governor Clarence D. Martin and other dignitaries at the head table at the Community Achievement Dinner held at the Masonic Temple on December 28, 1937. A large poster of President Roosevelt is the only decoration on the wall. City and political leaders packed the head table, including Puget Sound National Bank's Reno Odlin, Congressman John Coffee, U.S. Senator Homer T. Bone, and Mayor George Smitley. The dinner combined the annual Tacoma Chamber of Commerce banquet and the city's achievement dinner. Governor Martin spoke of a brighter future for our state and its inhabitants. (T. Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Coffee, John; Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Posters;

Governor Clarence D. Martin shakes hands with F. Rodman Titcomb of Weyerhaeuser Company, in front of a large poster of President Roosevelt, at a Community Achievement Dinner at the Masonic Temple. Mr. Titcomb was the former General Manager of Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. and was married to Elizabeth Weyerhaeuser, oldest child of John Philip Weyerhaeuser. He was announced to the 1000+ diners as the 1938 president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's usual banquet was combined with the community dinner, hence the large crowd in attendance. (T. Times, 12-29-37, p. 1). ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Titcomb, F. Rodman; Posters;

Governor Clarence D. Martin looks unsmilingly into the camera at December 28, 1937's Community Achievement Dinner. He is seated directly under a large poster of FDR entitled "Our President." Joining him at the head table are Sixth District Congressman John Coffee, Puget Sound Bank's Reno Odlin, and U.S. Senator Homer T. Bone. Governor Martin would later address the 1000+ diners on the reawakening of the industrial spirit in our state. He would also advocate a renewed push for vocational education for the state's children. (T.Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Coffee, John; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970; Legislators--Washington--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Posters;

Civic and political leaders join in song at the Community Achievement Dinner held at the Masonic Temple. L-R are Sixth District Congressman John Coffee, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Puget Sound National Bank president Reno Odlin, U.S. Senator Homer T. Bone and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley. Over one thousand people attended the achievement dinner which was combined with the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet. Governor Martin predicted a brighter future for our state with the initiation of a million dollar advertising campaign to bring more people, industry and payrolls to this area. (T. Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Coffee, John; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970; Legislators--Washington--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Posters; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma Mayor George A.Smitley (L) shaking hands with Harold A. Allen, retiring president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Allen had held the post for two years. The Chamber of Commerce combined their usual banquet with the city's Community Achievement Dinner on December 28, 1937, in the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. Governor Clarence D. Martin and a host of political and civic leaders attended the dinner, as did approximately 1000 residents. Toastmaster Reno Odlin presented Mr. Allen with a framed check for $2 as a humorous gesture for his years of service. (T.Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Allen, Harold A.; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Governor Clarence Martin at Community Achievement Dinner held at the Masonic Temple on December 28, 1937. He is flanked by Congressman John Coffee and Toastmaster Reno Odlin of Puget Sound National Bank. U.S. Senator Homer T. Bone and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley are seated to the far right. A large poster of "Roosevelt, Our President" hangs on the wall. Over a thousand attended the Achievement dinner which was being held for only the second time in the city's history. (T. Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Coffee, John; Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1937. In 1937 former Tacoma mayor Melvin G. Tennent (far left) was photographed while visiting the Globe Machine Manufacturing Company at 301 East 11th Street. Melvin Green Tennent was twice elected mayor of Tacoma; first when he defeated four-term incumbent Angelo Fawcett in March, 1926, by 4000+ votes, and again in 1930. Born in 1885 in Marietta, Georgia, Mr. Tennent went to work in an iron foundry when only 10 years old. He moved to Washington state in 1920 and became the president of Tennent Steel Casting Co. with branches in three cities. In 1937 the City Directory listed him as the vice-president of the Atlas Foundry. Mr. Tennent, who claimed to have tried to retire three times, died in 1969 at the age of 84, still active in real estate. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennent, Melvin Green;

ca. 1937. Two-term mayor of Tacoma, Melvin G. Tennent, poses outside Globe Machine Works in 1937. The older man standing next to him is not identified. By 1937, Mr. Tennent was out of politics; he was the vice-president of Atlas Foundry. He had served as mayor during the mid-1920's and later in 1930. He would later seek a third term as mayor in 1940 but was defeated by Harry P. Cain. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennent, Melvin Green;

ca. 1937. Former Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, left in photo, at Globe Machine Works. He and an unidentified older man are glancing off to the side. By 1937, Mr. Tennent was the vice-president of Atlas Foundry. Mr. Tennent was mayor of Tacoma twice, in 1926, and 1930. He was a native of Marietta, Georgia, who had left school at an early age to help support the family. He arrived in Tacoma in 1920 and in a mere six years of residency, defeated longtime mayor Angelo Vance Fawcett in the 1926 elections. Later in 1940, Mr. Tennent lost a bitterly contested race with Harry P. Cain for the mayor's office. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennent, Melvin Green;

ca. 1937. A young John Anderson, future Mayor of Tacoma, works a saw during the construction of a home. Photo ordered by Al Gehri for "Better Homes and Gardens" but did not appear in the magazine. Prior to becoming mayor, Mr. Anderson had a successful career as a contractor. He served from 1950-54 as mayor and again from 1956-58.

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Carpentry; Construction; Construction industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

C. Val Fawcett, after his reelection as Commissioner of Finance in the 1938 Primary Election. Val Fawcett was a native son of Tacoma and attended schools in Tacoma and Long Beach, Ca., where his family spent the winters. His first taste of public life was serving from 1921- 1926 as secretary to his father, Tacoma's "Fighting Mayor" Angelo V. Fawcett. The elder Fawcett served 5 tumultuous terms as Mayor of Tacoma. In 1926, Val Fawcett was employed by the State Labor & Industries Department as auditor in the Tacoma office. He rose to assistant superintendent. He resigned in 1930 to successfully campaign for the position of Commissioner of Finance. In 1943, as vice president of the City Council, he became acting Mayor when Mayor Harry P. Cain was called to active military duty. He ran on his own right in 1946, was elected and served until 1950. He died in 1965 at the age of 65 of a heart attack at this home at 3416 No. 19th Street. (T.Times, 2/22/1938, p.1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;

C. Val Fawcett, re-elected Commissioner of Finance in the 1938 Primary Election. (T.Times, 2/22/1938, p.1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;

During March of 1938 the Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Eugene Linden, presented the first in a series of three concerts to be held that year at the Temple Theatre. The 60 member orchestra played the Overture from the "Magic Flute", Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony, and the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra by Mowery with Dent Mowery as soloist. The Philharmonic attracted their largest audience ever, with approximately 1,400 persons attending. The musicians in rehearsal are: seated l to r, Philip Meyer, Charles Bird & John Kolilis. Glen Dodge is standing at the far right, and Herb Jones is standing at the center under the calendar. The sign on the wall indicates that the Philharmonic Orchestra in 1938 was part of the WPA Federal Music Project. (T.Times 3/4/1938, p.3).

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brass instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meyer, Philip; Bird, Charles; Kolilis, John; Dodge, Glen; Jones, Herb;

Arrival of army transport U.S. Grant bringing 808 officers and men of the 15th Infantry Division home from Tientsin, China. Pictured left to right are Col. Joseph A. McAndrew, commander of the 15th Infantry, unidentified officer, Governor Clarence D. Martin, an unidentified officer and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1),

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Troop movements--1930-1940; McAndrew, Joseph A.;

This photograph taken in 1938 shows Mayor George A. Smitley buying a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (left) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary, at his office in (Old) City Hall. Mayor Smitley was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1872, and although his formal education was limited to four years in a country school, he went on to be a successful businessman and Mayor of Tacoma from 1934 through 1938. Buddy poppies date to the early 1920s. They were inspired after WWI by the poem "In Flanders Fields" and are sold by the VFW to raise funds for disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; Burrows, Mary Lee; Armstrong, Elizabeth;

On May 25, 1938, Mayor George A. Smitley, in his office at (old) City Hall, bought a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (L) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Buddy Poppies were assembled by disabled and/or needy veterans and proceeds used for veterans welfare. (T.Times).

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Burrows, Mary Lee; Armstrong, Elizabeth;