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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane Mayor W.J. Hindley ended the suspense. He announced that he intended to resign and head to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to resume his calling as a minister.

He accepted the job because, among other things, it would pay considerably more than the job of Spokane’s mayor. At least, that’s what some of Hindley’s “confidential friends” told the newspaper.

Hindley did not exactly make his resignation official. But he informed his fellow city commissioners that he would leave for Winnipeg within two weeks and that he would submit his resignation just prior to departure.

Candidates for the mayor’s job were already “besieging” the city commissioners. One commissioner said that, while he was out having lunch, four different people approached him to recommend their friends. Another approached him to recommend himself.

The maneuvering for the job was complex. Spokane had a commission form of city government, which meant it had five city commissioners, one of whom was the mayor and the others heading city departments such as public safety and public utilities.

If one of the current commissioners were selected as mayor to fill out Hindley’s term, it would open up one of the other city commission slots.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1944: During World War II, U.S. bombers based on Saipan attacked Tokyo in the first raid against the Japanese capital by land-based planes.