Miles Brown Kitts

Miles Brown Kitts (April 24, 1880 – May 27, 1947) was a Republican mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania who served as mayor during World War I and the Roaring Twenties. He is considered to have been one of the "most colorful"^[1] mayors because he brought about great changes to Erie but, was also investigated by a grand jury in 1921 and almost was indicted.^[1]

Early life

Miles Kitts was born on April 24, 1880, in

When the Prohibition went into effect in 1920, "the only dry [alcohol free] thing in Erie was the inside of a light bulb."^[3] Speakeasies, casinos, and brothels were commonplace in Erie before Kitts took office, but when Kitts was elected the situation got out of hand. Reformists in the Republican party did not approve of this. When the 1920 mayoral election came up, the reformers supported their own candidate but Kitts was re-elected. The reformers became known as the "Committee of Sixteen"^[4] and demanded Erie's numerous "vices" be cleaned up. A grand jury was formed and most of the city government came under investigation, with over a hundred witnesses called to testify, including 47 members of the Erie Police Department.^[4] Kitts would have indicted but the charges were dismissed because women had been members of the grand jury.^[3] Kitts continued to serve as mayor until 1924 and did not seek re-election again. Kitts said:

After eight long years of such sacrifices, I am without funds, and this office has greatly interfered with my law practice. I could not go on for four more years in the event of a political success without losing my identity as a lawyer. My finances, as well, are depleted, thus preventing me from participating in this campaign.

Later work

When