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;

Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie and wife Edith on the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" train. The Republican party had nominated attorney and utilities executive Wendell Willkie of Indiana to run against incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Mr. Willkie paid a short visit to Tacoma on September 23, 1940, via train before traveling onward to Seattle. He managed to squeeze in stops at Wheeler-Osgood Co., Lincoln High School and his own campaign headquarters. Traveling with him during his Washington journey were Arthur Langlie, current Mayor of Seattle and gubernatorial candidate, and Paul Preus, congressional candidate. 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;

His vehicle engulfed by employees of the Wheeler-Osgood Company, Republican candidate for President Wendell Willkie addresses the teeming crowd on September 23, 1940. These working men have climbed on car tops, roofs, and stacks of lumber to view Mr. Willkie. He stands beside the open automobile with a microphone; Mrs. Willkie is in the back seat. Because his time was extremely limited in Tacoma, Mr. Willkie's only stop in the industrial area was the Wheeler-Osgood plant where he inspected the plant for ten minutes and spoke to 200 employees. Selected to run against incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940, Wendell Willkie was a lawyer and utilities executive as well as a former Democrat. He campaigned against Roosevelt's New Deal and the country's lack of military readiness. Although he was buried by Roosevelt in total electoral votes, he only lost the popular vote by 5 million. He went on to become a close ally of President Roosevelt and was appointed his personal representative in 1941 and 1942 to Britain, the Middle East, USSR and China. ALBUM 2. (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; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Edith;

Wendell Willkie at microphone on rear platform of Special train. Mrs. Willkie and Arthur Langlie, Republican candidate for Governor, are to Willkie's left. Although Mr. Willkie's presidential run was unsuccessful, Arthur Langlie did win the gubernatorial race succeeding Democrat Clarence Martin. (T. Times)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Wendell Willkie waves hat to crowd from back of open automobile at Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mrs. Willkie, beside him, is hidden by flowers. It was the first time in 24 years that a Republican presidential candidate had visited Washington state. (T. Times)

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

Arthur B. Langlie, mayor of Seattle and Republican candidate for Governor, speaking at the Wheeler-Osgood Company on the Tacoma tideflats. Langlie had made several speeches in Tacoma on this day in his campaign against Democrat Clarence C. Dill. Dill had defeated incumbent Governor Clarence Martin in the primaries, indicating that Washington was ready for a change. Langlie narrowly defeated Dill in the final election, becoming Governor by a margin of fewer than 6,000 votes.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Political campaigns;

Seattle Mayor and Republican candidate for governor Arthur B. Langlie, in dark overcoat, campaigned at the Wheeler-Osgood Company on the Tacoma tideflats in October of 1940. He was being greeted by Harry Smith, president of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Local at the plant. Mr. Langlie also visited the Tacoma Smelter, Hooker Chemical and the Pacific Match Co. in order to capture the labor vote. He was running against former Senator Clarence C. Dill, who had defeated incumbent Democratic governor Clarence D. Martin in the primaries. Clarence Martin had served as Washington's governor since 1933. C.C. Dill would prove a formidable opponent and Arthur Langlie carried the hotly contested election by fewer than 6,000 votes. (T. Times 10/10/1940, pg. 10) TPL-10260

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Political campaigns; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Smith, Harry; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

In October of 1940, Arthur B. Langlie, the mayor of Seattle and Republican candidate for Governor, campaigned for votes at the Wheeler-Osgood Company sash and door mill on the Tacoma tideflats. Langlie was running for the state's highest office against Democrat, and former Senator, Clarence C. Dill. Langlie won by a margin of fewer than 6,000 votes, becoming at 40 the youngest Governor of Washington until then. Governor Langlie was defeated in 1944 by Democrat Mon Wallgren, but he came back strong in 1948 and reclaimed the Governor's office. He served two more terms and become the first Washington Governor to serve a total of three terms.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Political campaigns;

Informal shoveling contest during October, 1940, ground breaking at C.P.S.for new Student Union Building. Mayor Harry Cain, in hat and cigarette in mouth, squats at right center. Norton Clapp is to Cain's left in photo. Norton Clapp served as a trustee of the college (later University) for 62 years, 19 of those as chairman of the board of trustees. Students and invited guests chortle at the sight of the unannounced shoveling contest pitting Bishop Bruce Baxter of Willamette University, C.P.S. president Edward H. Todd, Board of Trustees president E.L. Blaine and trustee Albert H. Hooker, Jr., on October 16, 1940. The contest was diplomatically declared a draw. Trustee Hooker was disqualified because his first shovelful of dirt fell on Dr. Todd's neck. Norton Clapp would go on to win the actual 4-man shoveling contest, besting Mayor Cain, the student body president and Chamber of Commerce president. (T.Times, 10-16-40, p. 1, 10-17-40, p. 10 and 1941 C.P.S.annual Tamanawas) ALBUM 12

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979 ; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Digging--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

Shoveling contest during October 16, 1940, ground breaking at C.P.S.for new Student Union Building. Leaning on shovels L-R: Chamber of Commerce president Everett T. Smith, Mayor Harry P. Cain, Student Body Pres. Lyle Jamieson, trustee Norton Clapp. Bursar Charles A. Robbins is in second row behind the contestants. Bursar Robbins would declare Mr. Clapp the eventual winner. (T. Times, 10-17-40, p. 10)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979 ; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Smith, Everett T.; Jamieson, Lyle; Robbins, Charles A.; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

Mayor Harry P. Cain was photographed at 7 a.m. on October 16, 1940 moments after he registered for the draft, fulfilling his pledge to be first in line. He studies what appears to be his draft card. Richard A. York, a smelter employee, is partly in photo at top left. Mrs. Sydney MacLean and Berghild Larson assist Cain and York respectively. All Pierce County men between the ages of 21 and 35 inclusive were called to register at their precincts on October 16, 1940 for the reinstatement of the draft. Mayor Cain, at 34, was eligible to serve in the military and vowed to be first in line. He arrived at 6 a.m. to keep his promise. Mayor Cain was sworn into U.S. Army service on May 5, 1943; he entered the Army as a major. He took a leave of absence from his mayoral duties to serve in the European theater. (T. Times 10/16/1940, pg. 1)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Draft; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma;

Republican candidates on stage at Jason Lee Jr. High School. Arthur Langlie, seated directly behind the speaker, awaits his turn at the podium during a large Republican rally held in the Jason Lee Auditorium. Several supporters cradle "Langlie for Governor" signs and there is one (Paul) "Preus for Congress" sign as well. "Uncle Sam", dressed in typical patriotic garb, has joined the group. A small band is seated below the stage, instruments at rest. The windy and rainy evening failed to keep away the party faithful as both Democrats and Republicans staged rallies at separate locations. This was the final drive for both parties before the November 5th election. ALBUM 2. (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times, 11-2-40, p.12)

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Signs (Notices);

On November 1, 1940, Tacoma's Republicans held a rally at Jason Lee Junior High School auditorium in support of their state and national candidates, while Tacoma's Democrats met at Lincoln High School. As a band played, signs promoting Wendell Willkie for President, Arthur Langlie for Governor and (Paul) Preus for Congress were held aloft by their supporters. The main Republican speakers would be Langlie, Stephen Chadwick, candidate for US Senate, and Preus. Trucks with mounted loudspeakers and loaded with candidate information, had driven through Tacoma's residential streets and commercial districts. Both political parties were working hard to get out the vote for the upcoming November 5th election. Although it was a wet and windy night, both rallies were well attended with approximately 1,500 people. (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times, 11-2-40, p. 12)

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On November 12th, 1940, Auditor S. Clifford Davis, right, and Deputy Auditor Arthur W. Schlegel examined the railroad car seal and padlock on the last of three ballot boxes filled with absentee ballots. These ballots were particularly important because the election of Washington's Governor was hanging in the balance. Guarded from the public by a rail fence but visible to all interested parties, Pierce County Election Board members counted the absentee votes. On November 14th, the last remaining gubernatorial contest in the nation was finally decided when the absentee ballots assured Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie's election as Governor. He defeated Democrat and former U.S. Senator C.C. Dill of Spokane. Langlie was the only Republican to win a major office in the state that year. The two candidates were separated by roughly 3,000 votes. It was several days before Dill conceded the election. (T. Times 11/12/1940, pg. 1; 11/14/1940, pg. 1-article)

Ballots; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis, S. Clifford; Schlegel, Arthur W.;

In November of 1940, Pierce County Prosecutor Thor Tollefson, at far left, supervised the opening and counting of the absentee voters' ballots from the general election. A record number of absentee ballots, somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000, arrived from nearly every state in the union and Washington D.C. The ballots had to be sorted by precincts and districts and each ballot's signature on the outside had to be compared with applications on file. The 1940 election was especially tense because of the close gubernatorial race between Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie and Democrat C.C. Dill of Spokane. Absentee ballots cemented Langlie's lead, although Dill refused to concede for several days. From L to R are: Thor Tollefson, County Republican Chairman John F. Buchanan, Frank Perry, personal representative of Arthur Langlie, Auditor S. Clifford Davis, L. G. Higgins, official counter for the Democrats and Vic Johnson, watching for C.C. Dill. (T. Times, 11-12-40, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Ballots; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Buchanan, John F.; Berry, Frank; Davis, S. Clifford; Higgins, L.G.; Johnson, Vic;

Annual Judges Banquet at University-Union Club. Seated are Govenor-elect Arthur B. Langlie (center), Mayor Harry P. Cain (perched on arm of chair) and U.S. District Court Judge Lloyd T. Black. Others in the November 21, 1940, photograph include State Supreme Court justices William J. Steinert, C.G. Jeffers, Samuel R. Driver, George B. Simpson, John T. Robinson and retired justice William D. Askew. The 33rd annual dinner for state supreme court judges was held on Thanksgiving Eve, November 20, 1940, with 271 men in attendance. Mayor Cain acted as Toastmaster. Mr. Langlie had been involved in a very close gubernatorial race with Spokane Democrat and former U.S. Senator C.C. Dill who refused to concede weeks after the election. Mr. Langlie would be the only GOP candidate to win a major office in Washington State in 1940. TPL-4586. (T.Times, 11-21-40, p. 9, 11-22-40, p. 18) ALBUM 10, ALBUM 12.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Judges; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, seated in rear at the head table, was one of the principal speakers at the annual induction meeting of the Tacoma Active Club, held at the (New) Tacoma Hotel on December 12, 1940. 46 initiates were accepted into the group's membership. In addition, Active International president Ted Little of Olympia and the mayor-elect of Olympia, Truman Trullinger, were guest speakers. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 12-13-40, p. 12)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Active Club (Tacoma);

J.J. Kaufman, ex-Mayor and newly elected president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, with Larry Windsor of Republic, Washington, and his dog Trixie, at the Chamber of Commerce annual achievement dinner. (T. Times)

Mayors - Tacoma - 1939-40 - Joseph J. Kaufman (circa 1884-1965) Animals - Domestic Animals - Dogs

ca. 1940. These five unidentified members of the Willkie and McNary Club of Pierce County were decked out in special semi-circular bonnets to welcome their favorite Presidential candidate to Tacoma in September of 1940. Each is also wearing a small campaign button on her dress. Presidential candidate Willkie made a whistle-stop tour of Tacoma on September 23, 1940, which included a stop at campaign headquarters. He took his campaign directly to the average voter during his one hour and 45 minute visit, greeting thousands of people along his route which stretched from South Tacoma to the business and industrial sections of the city. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Willkie and McNary Club of Pierce County. Five girls in head-dresses in front of Willkie - McNary campaign headquarters near South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue. Each girl is positioned carefully so that her semi-circular bonnet spells out the candidates' names and club in order. Wendell Willkie and his running mate, Arthur McNary, were the Republican candidates for President in 1940; they were ultimately defeated by incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie, First Lady Evelyn Langlie and others in the receiving line during the Governor's Inaugural Ball in Olympia. Governor Langlie is in the center of the January 15, 1941, photograph; he is third from the right. Mrs. Langlie, eyes toward the right of the picture, is dressed in a long white chiffon gown and elbow length gloves. She is standing next to Lt. Gov. Victor Meyers and his wife; Mrs. Meyers is wearing a hyacinth chiffon gown. Also present in the picture are believed to be Mayor and Mrs. Truman Trullinger of Olympia; they are the couple to the far right. Governor and Mrs. Langlie apparently remained in the receiving line until all 2000 guests had passed through. ALBUM 10. (T. Times, 1-16-41, p. 10)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Meyers, Victor A.; Receiving lines--Olympia;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie greets Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain during the Governor's Inaugural Ball in Olympia. First Lady Evelyn Langlie and Marjorie Cain look on. Arthur B. Langlie served as governor from 1941-1945 and again 1949-1957. He had been elected mayor of Seattle twice. In 1940, Mr. Langlie was the only Republican candidate to win major statewide office as the Democrats swept into power. ALBUM 10. (T.Times, 1-16-41, p. 10)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Receiving lines--Olympia; Shaking hands--Olympia; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie smiles and shakes hands with an unidentified man while in the official receiving line at his Inaugural Ball in Olympia. First Lady Evelyn Langlie looks on from left in the photo. Mrs. Langlie is wearing a white chiffon gown with a deep purple orchid corsage. The 14th Inaugural Ball, given by the citizens of Olympia, honored Governor Langlie's first day in office. ALBUM 10. (T.Times, 1-16-41, p. 10)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Receiving lines--Olympia; Shaking hands--Olympia;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain (far right,) and his wife Marjorie, greet an unidentified couple at Republican Governor Arthur B. Langlie's January 15, 1941, Inaugural Ball in Olympia. Mayor Cain had been elected to office in March, 1940. ALBUM 12.

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