On February 2, 1924, 15 year old singer Marino Sensi, of 4534 South Adams, presented a concert at City Hall for Mayor Angelo Vance Fawcett (seated), city councilmen, employees and visitors. The South Tacoma boy, who had lived here for the last nine years, performed selections designed to illustrate his powerful bass range, rare in a young boy. The bass performs in the lowest vocal range of the human voice. Friends of the young singer were trying to raise money to purchase a piano for his use. Mayor Fawcett and attorney S.A. Gagliardi were pleased to make the first, and generous, contributions. This was not the first time young Sensi had sung for a mayor; he had performed for San Francisco Mayor Rolph the previous year. (TNT 2-2-24, p. 7-article; TNT 2/6/1924, pg. 9) G1.1-066 ALBUM 16

Sensi, Marino; Singers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fawcett, Angelo Vance;

New floors at City Hall. The flooring in this January 13, 1925, photograph appears to be hardwood. City Hall in 1925 was still at 625 Commerce St., situated in a six-story building designed in the Italian Renaissance style. G67.1-011

Old City Hall (Tacoma); Floors--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On October 29, 1924, a group of city and railroad officials met in Mayor A.V. Fawcett's office in (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce St., to sign Belt Line contracts. The municipal carline was now the industrial belt line, effective November 1st. Mayor Fawcett is seated at far left; also seated are City Attorney E.K. Murray and chairman Ernest Dolge of the traffic bureau. Among others present was the mayor's son, and future mayor, Val Fawcett, second man standing in rear at left. The sole woman in the group is city clerk, Genevieve Martin. (other officials are listed in the Tacoma Daily Ledger article, 10-30-24, p. 4) TPL-10461

Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fawcett, Angelo Vance; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1920-1930; Contracts; Martin, Genevieve; Dolge, Ernest; Murray, E.K.;

Prohibition actually began early in Washington state where saloons were ordered to close at midnight on December 31, 1915. However, alcohol was soon readily available as enterprising entrepreneurs produced "moonshine" from homemade distilleries, "stills," like the one pictured at (Old) City Hall in August of 1920. A long tube comes to a narrow point, allowing the liquor to drip conveniently into a bottle. (TDL 8/15/1920, pg B-5) G24.1-076

Prohibition--Tacoma; Stills (Distilleries);

On June 1, 1942, Einar Langseth (center) greets the heads of his city protective services after taking on the duties of Tacoma's wartime Public Safety Commissioner. He had defeated Holmes Eastwood for the office. He is pictured in the City Council Chamber shaking hands with reappointed Fire Chief Emory N. Whitaker. On the right is his new appointee as Police Chief, Tom Ross. Ross had been acting as chief of the department since Langseth, who held that post, had started his run for office. Langseth had served the city for over 20 years as a patrolman and police chief. (T. Times 6/1/1942, pg. 1)

Langseth, Einar, 1892-1968; Whitaker, Emory; Ross, Tom; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Christmas, 1941, party for City employees given by Mayor Harry Cain in his office in (Old) City Hall. The staff apparently enjoyed snacks as the dessert-laden table testifies. Small gifts may have been exchanged as well. City Hall closed at noon on Christmas Eve that year. ALBUM 12.

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

Eleanor Roosevelt chatted with Mayor Harry Cain and his wife Marjorie in the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce Street, on December 13, 1941. The First Lady had come to Tacoma to speak to local civilian defense officials. Pearl Harbor had occurred just six days before her visit and Mrs. Roosevelt had made several stops at major cities, including San Francisco and Portland, to assess the nation's readiness and listen to local concerns. While in Tacoma, she also met with a small delegation representing the Japanese American Joint Defense Corp. She was accompanied to Tacoma by her daughter and son-in-law, Anna and John Boettiger. (TNT 12-13-41, p. 1) TPL-153 ALBUM 1.

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Small audience listening to Eleanor Roosevelt speak in the Mayor's office on December 13, 1941. Six days after Pearl Harbor, Eleanor (Mrs. Franklin D.) Roosevelt, Assistant Director of the Office of Civilian Defense, speaks to Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain and local Civilian Defense leaders about wartime issues in the Mayor's office at City Hall. The man to the far right is ex-Mayor J.J. Kaufman. (T.Times, 12-13-41, p. 1) ALBUM 1

Visits of state--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Union Officials direct Wartime Salvage Committee. Mayor Harry Cain and John Jacobs, Business Agent for Teamster's Union 313, look at map of Seattle/Tacoma area during a meeting at the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. They are planning the upcoming salvage drive for November 1st. On that date, 600 union volunteers, with trucks borrowed from their employers, will pick up scrap piled on the curb in front of private homes. The yield from this type of collection was expected to exceed that of earlier scrap drives.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jacobs, John; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Labor unions--Tacoma;

Mayor Harry P. Cain samples a doughnut at (old) City Hall on April 5, 1941, with Camp Fire Girls Margaret Turner, Ruthella Raver, Joan Thrasher and Billie Mellis. These Camp Fire Girls club presidents were interested in selling Mayor Cain the first ticket for their current doughnut drive. Participants could enjoy a week's outing at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. ALBUM 12. (TNT 4-7-41, p. 9)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Doughnuts; Turner, Margaret; Raver, Ruthella; Thrasher, Joan; Mellis, Billie;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain reads the city charter to CCC boys who took over the running of city government for a day. Mayor Cain had proclaimed March 29, 1941, as "CCC Day in Tacoma." Howard Hembree of Spata, Tennessee, believed to be kneeling on the left, was named mayor for that day. The CCC would be celebrating its eighth anniversary with open houses the following week. There were 300,000 boys in 1500 camps nationwide. The northwest area district had 27 Washington and two Alaskan camps. The 55,000 boys trained in eight years planted 20 million trees, fought fires, built trails and telephone lines and manned lookout towers. Names and camps of the CCC participants shown above were listed in the News Tribune's March 28, 1941, edition. (TNT 3-28-41, p. 1) ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma);

Marjorie Cain, wife of the Mayor, and son Harry P. Cain II (Buzzy) at (Old) City Hall for the installation of city officials, including Mayor Harry P. Cain, reelected to a full term in March, 1942. This would be Mayor Cain's first full four year term. He had previously been elected, in 1940, to fill the last two years of Dr. John Siegle's term after his death in office. Cain had lost in the 1940 primary to Dr. G.B. Kerstetter, a former Senator. When Kerstetter died just days before the election, Cain's name was placed on the ballot. He defeated former mayor Melvin G. Tennent, who hotly contested the election. (T. Times 6/1/1942, pg. 1)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979--Family; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Cain, Harry P.;

Mayor Harry P. Cain buys a ticket for the Cooks' and Waitresses' Union Derby Dance at his office in (Old) City Hall. Mayor Cain carried on a long held tradition in buying tickets to support local business endeavors. L to R in this February 24, 1942, photograph are: Harold Elrod, Coffee Pot Cafe owner; Jim Canto, Local 61 Bus. Agent, Helen Martineau, The Turf; Eula Nick, Coffee Pot Cafe. (TNT 3/1/42) ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elrod, Harold; Canto, Jim; Martineau, Helen; Nick, Eula;

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;

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;

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 and county PTA President Mrs. Byron Moye are pictured on April 27, 1943, at the Mayor's Office in (Old) City Hall. Mrs. Moye is buying a $1000 War Bond, fulfilling a promise made the previous Saturday at the Liberty Center. All purchasers of Series E Bonds at the rally were given a wild ride in an open Army Jeep. Mrs. Moye promised to buy a bond for every jeep load of women buyers that afternoon. (TNT 4/29/1943, pg. 27)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds;

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.;

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;

Mayor John Anderson accepts an invitation from the Greater Seattle Gospel Crusade's Official Committee, Tacoma division, to hear evangelist Billy Graham speak during the summer of 1951. Mr. Graham is coming to Seattle for a series of revivals beginning July 29, 1951, to be held at the Memorial High School Stadium. Choir director Cliff Barrows and gospel singer George Beverly Shea will be accompanying Mr. Graham. From left to right are Rev. Don R. Rogne, Mayor Anderson, A.W. Pitts and Rev. Harris G. Hunter. Special arrangements are being made for Tacomans to attend the August 3rd revival as it has been designated as Tacoma Night. Photograph commissioned by Rev. Harris G. Hunter, pastor of the Tahoma Terrace United Presbyterian Church. (TNT 7-29-51, A-10) ALBUM 16.

Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Graham, Billy; Revivals; Rogne, Don R.; Pitts, A.W.; Hunter, Harris G.; Clergy;

Tacoma Mayor "Big John" Anderson with two members of the Pierce County Association of Catholic War Veterans at the Mayor's Office in (Old) City Hall. On March 13, 1952, Mayor Anderson received the "Cross of Peace" from Lew Turner (L), state commander of the Catholic War Veterans organization and Peter J. Schmalz, commander of the Pierce County chapter of the C.W.V. ALBUM 14. (TNT 3-14-52, A-6)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Turner, Lew; Schmalz, Peter J.;

Sepia photograph of new city officers at (Old) City Hall. Left to Right: Frank Callender, C. Val Fawcett, Mayor George A. Smitley, Abner R. Bergersen, Ira S. Davisson. Mr. Callender and Mayor Smitley won election bids on March 13, 1934, but were not sworn in until June 4, 1934. Mr. Smitley defeated Dr. John C. Siegle by 5325 votes while Frank Callender was elected as the new Public Safety Commissioner. Voters also rejected the city manager proposal whereby freeholders would have been elected on May 1st in order that the city charter might be revised to provide for a city manager plan. Val Fawcett had been re-elected Finance Commissioner; he, the new mayor, and Mr. Callender took oaths of office on June 4th administered by city clerk, Genevieve Martin. Mr. Bergersen was already Public Works Commissioner and Mr. Davisson, Public Utilities Commissioner. These men composed the re-organized city council. (T.Times, 3-14-34, p. 1, 6-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

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

C. Val Fawcett takes the oath as City Finance Commissioner for the third time from Clerk Genevieve Martin at (old) City Hall on June 6, 1938. Newly installed Mayor John C. Siegle looks on smilingly. Mr. Fawcett would serve multiple terms as finance commissioner for the city. He would go on to become acting mayor during Mayor Harry P. Cain's absence during WWII and then be elected mayor in March, 1946. In 1938, Ms. Martin had already held the position of City Clerk for 16 years. (T.Times, 6-6-38, p. 14)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Oaths--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Martin, Genevieve;

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;