Evening star., 1938-12-03
J. A. Edgerton Dies;
Was Vice Presidential
Candidate in 1923
Business Man, Executive
And Philosopher, 50,
. Passes Unexpectedly

James Arthur Edgerton, 50, busi-
ness man, administrator. philoso-
pher, past president of the Inter-
national New Thought Alliance and
one-time candidate for Vice Presi-
dent of the United States on the
Prohibition party ticket, died in
his sleep at his home, 1908 Virginia
boulevard, Beverly Hills, Va, early
this morning
He had been in customary health,
and his death was entirely unex-
pected
Mr.. Edgerton had been promi-
nent in literary. educational, politi-
cal, fraternal and religious affairs
for nearly half century. A man
of many natural gifts and keen en-
thusiams, he was born at Plants
vile, Ohio, and was the son of
Richard and lamar Vernon Edger-
ton. Educated at Bartlett Academy,
Lebanon Normal School and Mari
eta College, he had Vice President
Charles G. Dawes for a classmate
during part of his academic career.
But it was to the Populist party and
the theories of William Jennings
Bryan, rather than to Republican,
ism, that he was attracted in his
youth. His first public service was
as secretary of the State Labor
Board of Nebraska, 1895 to 1899.
Journalism, however, called him
away from politics, and from 1899 to
1908 he was member of the staff
of the Denver News. carrying on
Eugene Fields famous column in
that paper.
Was State Prohibition Head.
Mr.. Edgerton's next employment
was with the American Press Asso-
citation In New York. Later he was
affiliated with Watson's Magazine
and spent half a dozen years as an
editorial writer for the New York
American. President Wilson named
him purchasing agent for the Post
Office Department in 1913, and he
remained in that position until 1921.
Subsequently, he was prohibition
director for the State of New Jersey.
organizing the law enforcement
agencies charged with the duty of
fighting illicit traffic in liquor. He
resigned to enter private business
in Washington and had maintained
offices in the National Press Build
ing during the past decade.
Mr. Edgerton, always interested
IN phlloSophic problems, won indie
pendent fame as a leader in the
field of spiritual progress. He was
president of the National New
Thought Alliance, 1909 to 1914, and
OF the International Alliance. 1914
to 1924. At convention of the
international organization a fort
night ago he was made honorary
president
Wrote Several Books.
His published books included:
"Glimpses of the Real" Songs of
the People, The Philosophy of
Jesus" New Thought and the Com
ing Religion In the Gardens of
God" Invading the Invisible" and
book of poems now in press.
Mr.. Edgerton was nominated for
the vice presidency by the Prohibi-
ton Labor party in 1923 and made
an active campaign Prohibition"
he believed, can be enforced. if
we put in charge those who wish
to enforce it,"
He married in 1895 a second cous-
in, Miss Blanche Edgerton, who
survives with six children: James
c.. wartime pilot and pioneer f1ier
OF the airmail; Joseph S., aviation
editor of The Star: John Eldon. JUS
tin, Esther MRS. George Lacy and
Elizabeth (Mrs. Frederick Koch.
There are eight grandchildren.
For many years the family home
was the old Leadbeater estate at
Fort Lyon, near Alexandria. The
house was destroyed by fire and Mr..
Edgerton built a new residence in
Beverly Hills.
He was 32d degree Mason and
member of the National Press
Club.
Funeral arrangements are to be
announced.