George W. C. Baker
George W. C. Baker | |
---|---|
9th District | |
In office July 1, 1937 – August 7, 1937 | |
Preceded by | Parley P. Christensen |
Succeeded by | Winfred J. Sanborn |
Personal details | |
Born | San Francisco, California | September 28, 1872
Died | April 13, 1953 San Gabriel, California | (aged 80)
Political party | Republican |
Spouses | Carrie L. Moulton
(m. 1872; div. 1918)Lura Cassingham (m. 1921) |
Children | 3 |
George Washington Conrad Baker (September 28, 1872 – April 13, 1953)[1] was a member of the Los Angeles, California, City Council from 1931 to 1935.
Biography
Baker was born on September 28, 1872, in
Baker was married in 1872 in Philadelphia to Carrie L. Moulton; they divorced in 1918. Baker next married Lura Cassingham in 1921 in San Jose, California. Baker had three sons, Conrad, Addison, and Edwin L., and a daughter, Mrs. William N. Luther.[1]
He moved to Los Angeles in 1923 and, with others, did civic work in developing
Baker died at the age of 83 on April 13, 1953, in his home, 428 Rosemont Boulevard, San Gabriel. He was buried in Rosehill Cemetery.[4]
City Council
Elections
Baker was elected to the
Controversies
1931 Baker was at the forefront of an attempt to rid the City Hall of what was called "snoopers" — employees of both the city prosecutor's and the mayor's offices, who were authorized to make investigations on those officials' behalf. The functions of the employees overlapped those of the police department, it was said. His particular targets were the Rev. Martin Luther Thomas, chief investigator for the prosecutor, and W.J. Mosher, the mayor's confidential secretary, whom he called "pussy-footers" valueless to the city. Thomas replied: "Mr. Baker is either wilfully ignorant of the activities and duties of the investigating department of the City Prosecutor's office, or else has deliberately allowed himself to be made the mouthpiece of designing politicians and underworld groups."[5][6] As part of the squabble, Baker also "hurled defiance" at the Rev. Robert P. Shuler, whom he called "that loud-mouthed radio preacher down on Flower Street.[7]
1931 He was one of the eight council members who in July 1931 voted against appealing a judge's decision ordering an end to racial restrictions in city-operated swimming pools, thus ending the practice. Six council members wanted to continue the legal fight. The pools had previously been restricted by race to certain days or hours.[8]
1932 Baker introduced a resolution asking for an ordinance to require inspection and certification of raw-milk dairies, a move opposed by Council Member Evan Lewis, who asserted it was a scheme to raise the price of milk.[9]
1934 He urged that the
References
Access to the newspaper links requires the use of a library card.
- ^ a b c d Los Angeles Public Library reference file
- ^ "Deaths," San Francisco Chronicle, December 9, 1917, page C-9
- ^ a b "Councilman Baker Aids East Side Development," Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1935, page A-3
- ^ "Death Takes Ex-Councilman George Baker," Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1953, page A-1
- ^ "'Snooper' Quiz Aim Fixed," Los Angeles Times, July 24, 1931, page A-1
- ^ "Super-Snooper Storm Breaks," Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1931, page A-1
- ^ "Prosecutor's Records Asked," Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1931, page A-1
- ^ "Vote Drops City's Pool Racial Case," Los Angeles Times, July 4, 1931, page A-1
- ^ "Rigid City Law on Milk Urged," Los Angeles Times, March 4, 1932, page A-1
- ^ "City-County Plan Revived," Los Angeles Times, January 25, 1934, page A-2