Seattle's Choice

In 1932 Seattle, city of red hot politics, was in an unhappy financial state. Its credit was at low ebb and its tax anticipation warrants were hardly salable. In that condition it chose for mayor Lawyer John Fairfax Dore who, campaigning on a program of drastic economy, broke all records for vote-getting (TIME, March 21, 1932). Last week Seattle's mayoralty choice rolled around again and Mayor Dore stood for reelection.

Against him stood Charles Lou Smith, a political youngster of 41 of good family and background, who once was a star quarterback at the University of Washington. His only notable public job had been as Seattle's assistant city attorney. A chubby little man writh a winning smile and a red-headed wife, he took his political platform from the church people of the city who complained of Seattle's vice and gambling, perennial issue in most seaport cities.

A brilliant campaigner. Mayor Dore's best stunt was to print handbills closely resembling dollar bills. They bore a picture of Franklin Roosevelt, were marked in each corner "One Vote," carried the legend "Tax Levy 1931, $10.010.408.01, Tax Levy 1933, $5,289,983.87. Dollars

Thus did Mayor Dore dramatize his tax cuts while restoring the city's credit. But last week morals were more important in Seattle than money. Besides, Mayor Dore had antagonized many a voter with his salary cuts and his loud talk. Therefore the good people of Seattle uprose and replaced him, 4-to-3, with Charles Lou Smith.

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