City officials contributing to Drama League on January 24, 1940, at (Old) City Hall. Left to right are members of the city council: C. Val Fawcett - Finance Commissioner, Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Mrs. Hugh J. Rosellini, Controller Tom Swayze, Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen and Public Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson. All dug deep in their pockets for funding for the proposed Tacoma Little Theater to be built on No. "I" St. Mrs. Rosellini was one of the sixteen members of the Drama league who participated in the fund raising. She indicated that the new Little Theater would have a revolving stage, only the second in the West following Seattle's Showboat. (T.Times 1-27-40, p. 3) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Municipal government--Tacoma; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Swayze, Tom; Eastwood, Holmes; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira; Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

City officials donating to Drama League on January 24, 1940, at (Old) City Hall. Left to right: Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Public Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson, Finance Commissioner C. Val Fawcett, unidentified woman representing Tacoma Drama League, Mayor J.J. Kaufman, Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen and City Controller Tom Swayze. Mayor Kaufman appears to be examining the blueprints for the proposed Tacoma Little Theater to be constructed at No. 2nd and "I" Streets. The (Tacoma) Drama League sent out eight teams comprised of two members each to solicit donations for the new endeavor. (T. Times 1-27-40, p. 3) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Municipal government--Tacoma; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Swayze, Tom; Eastwood, Holmes; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira; Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman gathers eggs in the hen house on his farm in Edgewood in northeast Pierce County. The active mayor owned a furniture store in Tacoma and served his community as a volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce, Community Chest, Boy Scouts and Elks lodge. (T.Times 2/5/1940 p.2)

Kaufman, Joseph J.; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chickens--Washington; Eggs;

Tacoma Mayor J. J. Kaufman, feeding chickens in the hen house of his farm in Edgewood, northeast Pierce County. Glimpse of farm in background. (T. Times 2/5/1940, pg. 2)

Kaufman, Joseph J.; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chickens--Washington; Eggs; Poultry houses--Edgewood; Farms--Edgewood;

Mayor J.J. Kaufman feeding grain to a flock of chickens inside the hen house at his chicken farm in Edgewood, in northeast Pierce County. A picture from this series ran in the Tacoma Times admonishing readers to eat more eggs and pork, due to a surplus of these items. (T. Times 2/5/1940, pg. 2)

Kaufman, Joseph J.; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chickens--Washington; Eggs;

On February 29, 1940, Mayor J.J. Kaufman wielded a knife to cut the first piece of apple pie in a promotional campaign for Apple Pie Week. Mrs. Agnes Phillips of the Northwest Food Exchange, Wenatchee, and three members of the Tacoma Bakers Commitee, held plates, waiting for their share of the large pie in the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. The mayor and his company got an early start on Apple Pie Week which was scheduled for March 4-9, 1940. L-R in the photograph are Mrs. Phillips, Ray Bolin of Weaver Pie Co., O.H. Oaks of Golden Rule Bakery, Wallace Macpherson of Federal Bakery and Mayor Kaufman. (T.Times 3-4-40, p. 5) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Pies; Phillips, Agnes; Bolin, Ray; Oaks, O.H.; Macpherson, Wallace A.;

Mayor J.J. Kaufman wields the knife in a promotional photo for Apple Pie Week, taken at his office in (Old) City Hall at 625 Commerce. The enormous pie is being cut with an equally enormous knife. Apple Pie Week was set for March 4-9, 1940. Preparing to dig in are members of the Tacoma Bakers Committee for the special week: Ray Bolin of Weaver Pie Co., O.H. Oaks of Golden Rule Bakery and Wallace Macpherson of Federal Bakery. Standing at the far left, next to Mr. Bolin, is Mrs. Agnes Phillips from the Northwest Food Exchange, Wenatchee. (T. Times 3-4-40, p. 5) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Pies; Phillips, Agnes; Bolin, Ray; Oaks, O.H.; Macpherson, Wallace A.;

Harry P. Cain and wife Marjorie Dils Cain in suave formal attire at a March 9, 1940, Tacoma Club dance. Dr. Bert Kerstetter, candidate for mayor who defeated Mr. Cain in the primary, had passed away during a campaign appearance the previous evening, thus putting Mr. Cain back in the race. Although former mayor Melvin G. Tennent raised a protest, Mr. Cain's name remained on the ballot and he was elected mayor later that month. ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor- Elect Harry P. Cain addresses supporters on the night of his election, March 12, 1940. Successful Public Utilities Commissioner candidate Bob O'Neil is perched on a desk behind him. Mr. Cain defeated former mayor Melvin G. Tennent in a highly contested race. Harry P. Cain's name was placed on the ballot by the courts as a replacement for Dr. Bert Kertsetter who had died just days before the general election. Mr. Cain had finished third in the primary, behind leading vote getter Kertsetter and Mr. Tennent. He assumed office in June. ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pointing fingers;

Mayor-elect Harry P. Cain (at right) and Public Utilities Commissioner-elect R.D. "Bob" O'Neil shake hands after their victory in the March, 1940, general elections. With 131 precincts reporting, Mr. Cain had an 1800+ lead over former mayor Melvin G. Tennent while Mr. O'Neil had a nearly 2-1 margin over longtime Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson. Looking on is Tacoma School Board member Lyle Lemley, who easily won re-election to a three-year term. (T.Times 3-13-40, p. 1) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; O'Neil, Robert D.; Lemley, Lyle; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

In 1940, the heated election fight between former mayor Melvin G. Tennent and Harry P. Cain ended in March with Mr. Cain elected mayor of Tacoma. Mr. Cain's name had been placed on the ballot by a superior court mandamus order days before the election. "This is the dirtiest deal ever pulled in the city of Tacoma," declared a bitter Mr. Tennent after the election. The Tacoma Times journeyed to the Cain's home on Wednesday, March 13, 1940, to photograph the newly elected mayor and his family. Harry P. Cain II (Buzzy), age two, and his small dog Ricky pose for the camera the morning after his father's victory. (T.Times, 3-13-40, p. 1) ALBUM 12.

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

Successful candidates. Mayor-Elect Harry P. Cain, wife Marjorie and son Harry II (Buzzy) at home the morning after Mr. Cain's 1800+ vote-victory over former mayor Melvin G. Tennent. Mr. Cain's name was ordered placed on the ballot replacing the recently deceased Bert Kerstetter who had defeated Mr. Cain in the primary. Defeated candidate Tennent vowed to appeal; Mr. Cain indicated he would ignore the attack on his eligibility and take an automobile tour to California and the south and planned to study municipal government along the way. (T. Times, 3-13-40, p. 1). ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979--Family; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In June of 1940, the Old Guard at City Hall posed prior to the installation of new officers. Pictured left to right: Holmes Eastwood, Public Safety Commissioner; Val Fawcett, Finance Commissioner; outgoing appointed Mayor J.J. Kaufman; Abner Bergersen, Public Works; and Ira Davisson, defeated outgoing Utilities Commissioner. Ira S. Davisson had served continuously since November of 1918 as Commissioner of Utilities. He was defeated in the last election by Bob O'Neil. Joseph J. Kaufman had been appointed Mayor a year earlier to fill out the unexpired term of the late Dr. John Siegle. Harry Cain was elected in 1940 to fill the remaining two years, defeating former Mayor Melvin G. Tennent.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Municipal government--Tacoma; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira;

Mayor and Council preview hats and costumes for the 1940 Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Celebrations. Front row: Tom Swayze, Mayor Harry P. Cain, C. Val Fawcett, Celebration chair Ted Brown. Back row: Holmes Eastwood, R.D. "Bob" O'Neil, Abner Bergersen and Hat Committeeman Walter Arnold, Jr. Both the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Flying Field would be opening within days of each other in July, 1940. City and civic officials had worked together to host exciting events for local residents, including a water carnival, massive parade and pageant. The Jubilee hats that were so fantastically popular for the 1939 Jubilee were back, with the addition of new hat bands for the grand openings. (T.Times 6-19-40, p. 11; 6/20/1940, pg. 24) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Swayze, Tom; O'Neil, Robert D.; Bergersen, Abner R.; Brown, Ted; Arnold, Walter; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Perhaps discussing the merits of certain hats, Tacoma's mayor, Harry P. Cain, and members of the city council may be pondering an executive decision in this June 19, 1940, photograph. The hats and costumes are to be used for the Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Celebrations, to be held the 1st to 4th of July. Each hat would have on an official souvenir hat band; the hat bands would be sold at all dry goods, variety and men's furnishing stores in Tacoma. 20,000 yards of material would make up the bands on which pictures of the bridge and announcement of the celebration dates would be imprinted. All Tacomans would be asked to wear hats during the one-week celebration. L-R are Tom Swayze, R.D. "Bob" O'Neil, Abner Bergersen, C. Val Fawcett, Mayor Harry P. Cain, Celebration chairman Ted Brown, Holmes Eastwood and Hat Committeeman Walter Arnold, Jr. (T.Times 6-19-40, p. 11, p. 24) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Swayze, Tom; O'Neil, Robert D.; Bergersen, Abner R.; Brown, Ted; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Arnold, Walter; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Harry P. Cain, Mayor of Tacoma and future US Senator (left in photo) shakes hands with a member of the Water Carnival Committee, possibly Ted Brown, during the 1940 Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Celebration. Each year the Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) sponsored a water carnival at Point Defiance. In 1940, the water carnival was set the day before the grand opening of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge. McChord Flying Field would also open the first week of July, 1940. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Shaking hands--Tacoma;

On July 22, 1940, W.J. Cameron, associate of Henry Ford and commentator for the Ford Sunday Evening Hour, spoke to a capacity crowd in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on the role of industry in the preservation of democracy in this country. Pictured left to right are Leon Titus, Governor Clarence D. Martin, W.J. Cameron, Tommy Mallon, Nelson Bowe (assistant manager Ford Motor Co., Seattle branch) and W.B. Patterson, Ford's Northwest manager. Tacoma was not on Mr. Cameron's original lecture circuit, but with the combined efforts of Tacoma's Ford dealers Mallon and Titus, Mr. Cameron was entreated to fit Tacoma in between Seattle and Portland. (T. Times 7/23/1940, pg. 5) (note: photograph is misnumbered but filed under D889 image 1)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus, Leon E.; Mallon, Thomas; Bowe, Nelson; Patterson, W.B.; Cameron, W.J.; Ford Motor Co.;

Mrs. Lane Paskill is set to circle Saturday, September 7, 1940, on Mayor Harry P. Cain's office calendar as a reminder of the Club of Hearts Cabaret Sports Dance to benefit the Red Cross. The dance would be held in the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Since the mayor's schedule was so often crowded, Mrs. Paskill visited him in mid-August to book the date. TPL-5177. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 8-24-40, p. 5)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Calendars; Paskill, Lane--Family; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain with the members he appointed to the Tacoma (National Defense) Housing Authority in August, 1940. Shown receiving their commissions were members: (L-R) Wallace Morrissette, Glenn A. Reeves, Fred Shoemaker, M. Stanley Erdahl, and chairman Harry W. Andrews. The men were to meet with federal housing authority officials on Tuesday, August 20, 1940, to expediate the one-million dollar project of approximately 250 homes to be built at a cost of $4000 each unit. (T.Times 8-19-40, p. 14) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Morrissette, Wallace; Reeves, Glenn A.; Shoemaker, Fred; Erdahl, M. Stanley; Andrews, Harry W.; Tacoma Housing Authority (Tacoma);

Crowd listening to Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie's address at Wheeler-Osgood Company. (T. Times)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

When Wendell Willkie, the 1940 Republican presidential nominee stopped in Tacoma, both Frank Fletcher (left), age 5, and his brother Walt, age 3, were at the Northern Pacific Shops train yard to hear him. His September 1940 visit to Tacoma was the first campaign stop by a Republican presidential candidate in Tacoma in 24 years. The Tacoma Times misidentified Walt as Robert Fletcher when they originally published this photograph in September of 1940. TPL-8374

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Fletcher, Frank; Fletcher, Walt;

Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie at microphone on the rear platform of his special train. Mrs. Willkie and Arthur Langlie, Republican candidate for Governor, are to Willkie's left. The "Willkie Special" had traveled throughout Oregon and Washington as Mr. Willkie made several brief stops to promote his candidacy. Other Republicans also hitched a ride aboard including Paul Preus, candidate for Congress and Mr. Langlie, Mayor of Seattle. TPL-184 ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1))

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Edith; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966;

Mrs. Karl B. Kellogg and Mrs. Bertha Taylor present a box of candy to Edith (Mrs. Wendell) Willkie at Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mrs. Russell Harrod waits to present flowers. The women were members of Republican organizations: Mrs. Kellogg, the president of Pro-America, Mrs. Taylor, secretary of the Republican County Central Comm., and Mrs. Harrod, the vice-president of United Women's Republican Club. Paul Johns leans over to assist Mrs. Willkie. Wendell Willkie was the Republican candidate for president in 1940. He, and his "Willkie Special" train, made several stops in Oregon and Washington in his campaign against Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In his short one hour stay in Tacoma, he managed to make several speeches at Lincoln High School, his campaign headquarters and the Wheeler-Osgood plant. Mr. Willkie ultimately lost the election to incumbent Roosevelt; however, his popular vote was only 5 million less than what President Roosevelt had received. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T. Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Johns, Paul; Taylor, Bertha; Kellogg, Karl B.--Family; Harrod, Russell--Family;

Pacific Avenue is crammed with people on September 23, 1940, all eager to catch a glimpse of Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie on his brief stopover. The candidate's open car can barely squeeze through the waiting throngs as police and others attempt to make room. Mr. Willkie has his arms extended wide in an exuberant greeting to his many supporters.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 23, 1940, Wendell Willkie shook hands with another Republican candidate for office while on the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" train. The man to the right is believed to be Paul Preus, Congressional candidate. Mr. Preus was running to represent the people in Pierce and King counties, outside of Seattle. He was from Parkland and a financial agent for Pacific Lutheran College. Mr. Willkie was joined by Mr. Preus and several other notables including Arthur B. Langlie on his brief stopover in Tacoma. (T. Times, Election Guide 8-31-40, p. 7, T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Wendell Willkie, the Republican candidate for President in 1940, stands at a microphone at the back of a Northern Pacific train car. The "Willkie Special" arrived in Tacoma on September 23, 1940, from Portland on a campaign swing through the west coast states. Although he only stayed in Tacoma for roughly an hour, Mr. Willkie made several stops including one at the Northern Pacific Shops in South Tacoma and a second at the Wheeler-Osgood plant on the tideflats. Wendell Willkie challenged Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Although he lost handily in the electoral voting, his popular vote was only slightly less than Mr. Roosevelt's. ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma;

On Monday afternoon, September 23, 1940, Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie addressed a crowd of 200 to 300 Tacomans from an open automobile in front of Lincoln High School. Mr. Willkie and his entourage on the train the "Willkie Special" had pulled into the Northern Pacific Railroad shops a short time before during a planned one-hour visit to Tacoma. Lincoln High School was one of just four planned stops Mr. Willkie made while in Tacoma; the tubas and horns of the Lincoln band greeted him as well as the Pacific Lutheran College chorus. South "G" Street is packed with supporters of Mr. Willkie and curious on-lookers. He was the first Republican candidate for President to visit Washington state in 24 years. ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1))

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

Republican nominee for President, Wendell Willkie, spent a brief hour in Tacoma during his 1940 whistle-stop tour. He is pictured acknowledging the crowds at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma on September 23, 1940.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie stands in his open car while waving to the crowds gathered at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mr. Willkie, the Republican nominee, was challenging Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Although he was swamped in the Electoral College vote, Mr. Willkie's total of 22 million popular votes was only five million less than Mr. Roosevelt's.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

A large crowd of approximately 1500, including several hundred railroad employees, blocks the track while listening to Wendell Willkie speak on September 23, 1940, from the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mr. Willkie, a lawyer and utilities executive, was the Republican candidate for president in 1940. He was the first Republican candidate for President to visit Washington state in 24 years. Mr. Willkie made four stops during his brief one hour stay in Tacoma which included short speeches at Lincoln High School, Willkie-McNary campaign headquarters, the Wheeler-Osgood plant and Union depot. He was enthusiastically greeted throughout the city before departing for Seattle's Sick's Stadium. Candidate Willkie was defeated by incumbent Franklin Delano Roosevelt but only lost the popular vote by 5 million. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political campaigns; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroads--Tacoma--1940-1950;