The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1918-01-12

Another city election is coming
early in April, with a mayor and
two city commissioners to be
chosen for four-year terms.
Altho the primary is only
little more than two months away,
political gossip has been sup
planted by war affairs, the high
cost Of living and Tacoma's
growth.
An unusual situation seems to
be developing.
There's going to be the GUS
tomary over-abundance of can
didates but nobody appears to
want the job of mayor!
Usually every candidate in the
field has his eye cooked on the
little fourth floor office at the
city hall were Mayor A. V. Faw-
cett has held forth during the
past four years.
What VIII Fawcett DO?
Mayor Fawcett himself Is the
big question mark of the coming
election.
If he announces himself as
candidate, several men who have
been studying the city political
situation will probably abandon
all aspirations; If Fawcett de-
cides to retire, it is probable a
number of candidates will bob up.
Thirteen names of men who
may become candidate for office
at the primaries April 2 are al
ready being passed about thru
the wireless of politics. Two of
them have definitely announced
they would run.
w. II. Reed, who served as
county commissioner for two
terms, being elected first when
the Bull Moose ticket swept the
slate clean, has announced him
self as a candidate for commits
sioner. Recent rumor intimates
that Reed may change his plans
and file for mayor.
Beedle a Candidate.
E. w. Beedle, a printer, who
operates a job shop, has also said
that he would be a candidate for
mayor.
1t is intimated that Tacoma's
present business boom may have
something to do with the mayors
plans. If business increases to
such point where his private
holdings and business interests
will net him a good income and
keep him busy, he may retire from
the city hall. But this is oniy
rumor. Fawcett is mum as the
preverbial oyster.
Fred Shoemaker, city control
Ter, is another enigma of the COM
ing campaign. Shoemaker still
has two more years to serve as
controller. But he has been ap-
preached by many persons with
the suggestion that he run for the
council. The controller might pos
sibly take a chance at the mayors
chair, but his intimate friends say
that he will not oppose Fawcett IL
the latter is candidate.
He would not need to resign
his present office to be a candi-
date.
Bradley May Run.
1t is a foregone conclusion that
c. d. Atkins, commissioner of pub
lie works, and James c. Drake,
commissioner of finance, whose
terms expire in May, will be can
didates for reelection. Neither is
ready yet to make announcement
of his plans.
Another official at the city hall
is being groomed for the coming
race, according to underground
reports. He is John l.. Bradley,
chief clerk under Atkins. Bradley
was appointed chief clerk in the
public works office by Commits
sioner Gronen two years ago.
Bradley could also become a can
didate without jeopardizing his
present position.
Ed Meath, who served two terms
as county treasurer and was later
state treasurer, is also one of
those who might run for the may
or's office but will not oppose
Fawcett. II Fawcett runs again
Meath is said to have prepared
to be candidate for commission
er. Meath is now in the real es-
tate business.
Calvin J. Carr, who also served
twice as county treasurer and
was defeated later as candidate
for state treasurer, has his eye
on city hall berth.
Registration Books Open.
William q. Clayton, a candidate
for councilman at the last two
elections. has practically an
nounced himself as a candidate
this year for the pnhlic works