City of Tacoma was kicking off their annual clean-up, paint-up and fix-up week in early May of 1949. Mayor C. Val Fawcett (right) and Charles Griffith, Committee Chairman for the annual city clean-up, were getting ready to ask all citizens of Tacoma for 100% participation. City officials were stressing that a clean city helped decrease health hazards (T.N.T., 5/10/49, p. 21).

Municipal services--Tacoma--1940-1950; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal government--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Griffith, Charles H.;

On August 28, 1947 C.V. Fawcett, the current Mayor of Tacoma and the reigning Pacific Coast Mayors' Salmon Derby champion, squeezed in a few extra minutes of practice for the upcoming competition in his City Hall office. The mayor had barely a moment to spare as the derby was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30th in Ilwaco. Dressed in fisherman's waders and a warm plaid jacket, Mr. Fawcett was photographed diligently studying the book "Salmon Fishing on Puget Sound" while dangling his (unbaited) hook over a metal bucket. He hoped to repeat his triumph of the previous year when he hauled in a 22-pound salmon, handily defeating mayors from California, Portland and other Pacific Coast cities. And should people scoff at the mayor's unusual bucket training, it must be stated that he had employed the same technique the year he won. Mayor Fawcett managed to pull in a 25 lb. fish, winning the 1947 derby. (TNT 8-29-71, p. 1) TPL-8264

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fishing; Fishermen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing & hunting gear;

ca. 1934. Portrait of Tacoma Mayor George A. Smitley in his office at (Old) City Hall. Sepia photograph was taken during his first, and only, term of office. 62 years old at the time of the photograph, Mr. Smitley had vowed not to run again, believing that one term was sufficient. His aim, according to a speech to the Democratic Club in March, 1934, was to increase payrolls in Tacoma, by developing industry. Mr. Smitley passed away in 1956 at the age of 84. ALBUM 11.

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

ca. 1934. Sepia portrait of Tacoma Mayor George A. Smitley at (Old) City Hall. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mr. Smitley was a traveling salesman for the Majestic Manufacturing Co. for twelve years. He came to Tacoma in 1905 and worked for the C.E. Horton Furniture Co. for nine years. While in Tacoma, Mr. Smitley joined the Elks Club, eventually becoming the secretary and manager. His association with many civic and social groups, including the Elks, Masons, Lions, Tacoma Gun Club and Shriners, may have assisted him when he made a successful bid in 1934 for the mayor's seat. He had held no previous political office prior to becoming mayor. During his tenure as mayor, Fort Nisqually Reconstruction was officially dedicated and President Roosevelt whistlestopped in Tacoma. ALBUM 11, ALBUM 16.

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

ca. 1934. Portrait of Tacoma Mayor George A. Smitley in his office at (Old) City Hall. Mr. Smitley succeeded two-time mayor, Melvin G. Tennent, as the city's chief executive. Formerly a traveling salesman, furniture company manager and Elks secretary/manager, Mr. Smitley won election in March, 1934, despite never holding a political office. During his administration, Franklin Roosevelt visited Tacoma on a brief stopover and Fort Nisqually's reconstruction efforts took place. ALBUM 11.

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

ca. 1934. Portrait of Mayor George A. Smitley in his office at (Old) City Hall. In this 1934 sepia photograph, Mr. Smitley is wearing a three-piece suit; he has one hand resting on the mayor's desk. Having held no previous political office, he succeeded two-term mayor Melvin G. Tennent. A former salesman, furniture company manager and Elks Club secretary/manager, and well known in Tacoma, Mr. Smitley was mayor for one four-year term. He was married in 1930 to Mrs. W.C. (Isabel) Bowen. ALBUM 11.

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

On Saturday, December 19, 1936, boys from the Order of De Molay took over Tacoma's city government for the day. This annual event was intended to teach the organization's members about the inner workings of government. The young government officials were, left to right, George Helmer-Safety Commissioner, Harry Mitchell- finance, Les Miller- City Controller, Sid Castle- Mayor, Bob Metz-Works Commissioner and Glen Wallace- Utilities Chief. The Order of DeMolay was sponsored by the Freemasons. (T.Times 12/19/1936, pg. 1)

Teenagers--1930-1940; Order of DeMolay (Tacoma); Municipal government--Tacoma--1930-1940; Helmer, George; Mitchell, Harry; Miller, Les; Castle, Sid; Metz, Bob; Wallace, Glen;

ca. 1941. Mayor Harry P.Cain, seated at desk, speaks with a group of intently listening men in his office at (Old) City Hall. Bob O'Neil, Public Utilities Commissioner, is seated to Cain's left.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; O'Neil, Robert D.; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Val Fawcett gives a warm welcome to Al Thrall (L) and Richard Williams visiting (Old) City Hall in the spring of 1947. Quick thinking on the part of the two 17-year-olds during the March 29th Daffodil Parade prevented injury and disruption of the annual event. Richard Williams, driving a float with Al Thrall assisting, warned the packed crowds and managed to stop his runaway float when its brakes failed. (T.Times 4-1-47, p. 7) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Teenagers; Thrall, Al; Williams, Richard;

Mayor C. V. "Val" Fawcett was visited in his office at (old) City Hall by three young women from Olympia dressed as cowgirls. The young women were graduates of the Class of 1947 and had recently won a popularity contest in Olympa. They called on Mayor Fawcett to invite all Tacoma and vicinity residents to Olympia's grand 4th of July show. L-R, Ruth Stubbs, Mayor Fawcett, Martha Strange and Audrey Strandness. (T.Times, 6/13/1947, p.4) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Stubbs, Ruth; Strange, Martha; Strandness, Audrey;

ca. 1940. Mayor Harry P. Cain with personal secretary Pearl Rehbock at his office in (Old) City Hall about 1940. She appears to be taking dictation. There is a copy of a Washington Association of Cities publication on his desk blotter and a City of Atlanta Traffic Study in his "IN" box. By the 1942 City Directory, Mrs. Rehbock of the Steilacoom Lake area, was listed as the office manager of the USO-YMCA. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Rehbock, Pearl; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Mayor Harry P. Cain with personal secretary Pearl Rehbock at his office in (Old) City Hall. A Washington Association of Cities publication is on his desk blotter, City of Atlanta Traffic Study in his "IN" box. Mrs. Rehbock appears to be taking the mayor's dictation in this ca. 1940 photograph. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Rehbock, Pearl; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950;