Jim Kershner’s This Day in History

From our archives, 50 years ago

The Spokesman-Review’s editorial page was applauding what it called tangible evidence of a “new day for Spokane.”

The city held its first primary election under its new mayor-council-manager form of government. Neal Fosseen was the top vote-getter for mayor, along with his “Good Government” slate of council members. (Fosseen would go on to win the general election.)

“Spokane demonstrated its belief in the uncommon man – the kind of man who is now grasping the problem of civic deterioration and doing something about it,” said the editorial.

The editors said that Spokane’s city government had too often been dominated by “bickering, financial crisis, poor employee morale, uncertainty, inadequacy and, in general, demoralization.”

“Decay has been more rapid than restoration in the last few years,” said the editorial. “… Now, the first and most difficult giant strides have been made in the right direction.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1932: The body of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the kidnapped son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh, was found in a wooded area near Hopewell, N.J. … 1978: The Commerce Department said hurricanes would no longer be given only female names.