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;

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;

Governor Clarence Martin, in dark overcoat, is a guest at the Washington National Guard Review in June of 1935. Mrs. Martin stands beside her husband. Future Tacoma Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman is third from left and current Mayor George Smitley is to the right of Mrs. Martin.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

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;

Mayor George Smitley (R) shakes hands with El Haren, newspaper astrologer, during his visit to Tacoma. El Haren's column was carried by the Tacoma Times for a limited time; the Times ran this photo on May 12, 1937. Free daily advice was dispensed by America's "most celebrated astrologer" with replies printed in the Times. For $1.00 and a 6 cent self-addressed stamped envelope, El Haren provided a complete astrological reading and answered three questions free. If the reader chose to save money, he/she would be entitled to one free question using the Times coupon. The newspaper was apparently swamped with thousands of requests during the astrologer's short stay here. Samples of questions and El Haren's answers can be found in the Tacoma Times issues of May 11, 12, 14 and 17, 1937. (T.Times 5-10-37, p. 7, 5-11-37, p. 8, 5-12-37, p. 4, 5-14-37, p. 16, 5-17-37, p. 4) ALBUM 11.

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

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);

Mayor George Smitley shakes hands with Maj. Gen. David L. Stone during the second annual Armistice Day Army-Navy football game at Stadium Bowl. General Stone is the commander of Fort Lewis. His counterpart, Rear Adm. T.T. Craven, head of the 13th Naval District, was also in attendance. Ten thousand-plus fans watched the football game and military pageant which saw Navy triumph 14-0. Navy had also won the previous year's contest 6-2. Sepia photograph taken on November 11, 1936. (T. Times 11-12-36, p. 1, 17) ALBUM 11. TPL-10453

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Stone, David L.; Generals; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Sepia photograph of City Controller Tom Swayze, Mayor George Smitley and Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson at (Old) City Hall on May 25, 1936; the city officials are signing contracts with St. Regis Kraft Co which will enable the pulp industry, idle since 1930, to reopen and remodernize facilities. The city would supply millions of gallons of water and hundreds of electrical horsepower daily. Utilities Commissioner Davisson is holding a check from Kraft for $10,000 to begin service. Mr. Davisson, furthest right in the photograph, was a longtime Public Utilities Commissioner first appointed in November, 1918. He led Tacoma's utilities through difficult times in the 1920's and 30's and managed to improve service while keeping rates low. During his long tenure, a 25-million gallon North End Reservoir was built in 1927, and Mr. Davisson worked to extend water service to the Tideflats which helped the growth of industrial development. He was finally voted out of office in 1940 at age 80. ALBUM 11. (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org, T.Times, 5-26-36, p. 2)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Swayze, Tom; Davisson, Ira; Municipal government--Tacoma;

ca. 1948. Governor (or Republican candidate) Arthur Langlie and his wife Evelyn, Congressman Thor Tollefson, and Puget Sound National Bank chief Reno Odlin on the platform at the Tacoma Armory, likely during the 1948 Republican State Convention.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Political elections--Tacoma;

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;

The WPA (Works Progress Administration), a federal work relief program enacted in 1935, put millions of unemployed on the federal payroll with public work jobs. In Tacoma in 1936, streets such as South Tyler were extended and work conducted at Point Defiance Park. This February, 1936, picture shows a number of laborers hard at work shoveling dirt from a hillside at Point Defiance into wheelbarrows. To employ as many men as possible, much of the work was done by hand instead of machine.

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Laborers--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

In February of 1936 the section of South Tyler that stretches from Snake Lake to South 66th Street was being built by hand by WPA workers. The new section of road was designed to open a large area west of South Tacoma. When finished the road would be 30 feet wide with a gravel surface. (T. Times 3/7/1936 p.9).

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Road construction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Laborers--Tacoma;

Future Tacoma mayor, and later U.S. Senator, Harry P. Cain (far right) starred in the Tacoma Little Theatre production of the play "Engaged," by. W.S. Gilbert in April, 1934. Mr. Cain played the part of Cheviot Hill, who declared "You are the flower of my existence" to every woman he met. The Tacoma Drama League production was directed by Ann Gordon and presented at their theater in the Slovonian Hall in Old Tacoma, 2306 North 30th Street. ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Drama clubs--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Army Day at Fort Lewis, 1935. Governor Martin shaking army officer's hand, another officer standing beside the first one. On Saturday, April 6th, 1935, Ft. Lewis, under the command of Brig. Gen. Ortho B. Rosenbaum, threw open the gates of the fort to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the US's entry into WWI. Thousands attended, double the attendance of the previous year, and were treated to exhibitions, drills and demonstrations. (T. Times 4/8/1935, pg. 1)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

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;

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.;

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;

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);

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;

On January 26, 1941, Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, third from left in sunglasses, posed with Pacific Lutheran College co-ed Virginia Davis, Queen of the 1941 Tacoma Winter Carnival at Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park. L to R: Dee Whitham of Stadium High School, Dick Ross, Mayor Cain, Virginia Davis, Jerry Geehan and Anele Larson of Lincoln High School. Miss Whitham and Miss Larson were the Queen's attendants. Radio station KMO provided coverage of the 10th annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival in January, 1941. Winthrop Motors supplied the official automobiles, DeSotos, used to transport dignitaries. (T. Times, 1-29-41, p. 15; T.Times 1-14-41, p. 1--Queen & court)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Davis, Virginia; National parks & reserves; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Tacoma Winter Carnival (Tacoma); DeSoto automobile; Whitham, Dee; Larson, Anele; Ross, Dick; Geehan, Jerry;

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;

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;

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;

Birthday party for Harry P. Cain II (Buzzy), age 4, son of Tacoma's mayor. Children in sailor hats gather around table with large sailing ship model for centerpiece. Balloons hang from chandelier; ceiling is draped with miniature flags of the world.

Cain, Harry P.; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birthdays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children's parties; Hats--1940-1950; Balloons--Tacoma; Festive decorations--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several military officials wearing overcoats salute troops at Governor's Review at National Guard camp. Governor Clarence Martin, second from left, removes his silk hat. Washington's 3000 National Guardsmen went on parade in full force on June 18, 1939, to pay annual honors to their commander-in-chief, Governor Clarence D. Martin. The Review concluded a fifteen day training period at Camp Moss (Murray). Brig. Gen. Maurice Thompson, adjutant general of the Guard, and Brig. Gen. Carlos Penington, camp commander, invited the general public to attend the impressive ceremonies. 3000 accepted the invitation. Due to inclement weather, the elaborate Governor's Concert featuring regimental bands was cancelled. (T.Times, 6-17-39, p. 1, 6-19-39, p. 1, 14) ALBUM 10

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Saluting;

National Guard review for Governor Clarence D. Martin, second from left in photo. Governor Martin is holding hat; about 10 Guard and Army officers are saluting. The governor and military officials were gathered at Camp Moss (Murray) for the annual National Guard Review to honor the state's commander-in-chief. (T.Times 6-19-39, p. 1, 14)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Saluting;

Mrs. Jess Dannen of the American Legion Auxiliary, Rhodes post, pins a "Buddy Poppy" on Tacoma Mayor J.J. Kaufman at (Old) City Hall on May 23, 1939. Mayor Kaufman was the first to buy a poppy during Tacoma's Poppy Days. These paper poppies were made by disabled veterans in a Walla Walla hospital and sold to raise funds for veterans relief. ALBUM 11, ALBUM 16. (T.Times 5-25-39, p. 4)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Funeral of Mayor John C. Siegle at First Presbyterian Church. Police Honor Guard stands at attention between hearse and entrance. Over 2,000 people came to the church to pay their last respects to the Mayor.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939-- Funeral rites & ceremonies;