Will H. Kindig
Encyclopedia
William Harvey Kindig known as Will H. Kindig or W.H. Kindig, was a candidate for California state controller in 1934, Los Angeles City Council member from 1935 to 1937 and a sponsor of the Ham and Eggs movement for old-age pensions in California in 1939.
" in 1909. In 1935, he published a book titled ABC of Metaphysics
, Being a Compilation From Radio Talks on Philosophical Subjects by the Author During 1934 to 1935 ... He was a broker
but was also known an an "authority on international finance
."
Kindig was one of the organizers of the Braille Institute. His home was at 4125 South Figueroa Street in today's Vermont Square area. He died at the age of 77 in September 1946, leaving a widow, Margaret.
in the 1934 election, but he was beaten in the Democratic Party primary by the incumbent, Ray L. Riley, a registered Republican, who had 317,094 votes to Kindig's 296,758. Kindig did not cross-file
in the Republican race.
Kindig ran for the Los Angeles City Council District 7 seat in 1935 after the incumbent, Howard W. Davis
, decided to take a break from politics. The district was bounded on the east by Alameda Avenue, on the west by Crenshaw Boulevard, on the north by Exposition Boulevard and on the south by Vernon Avenue. With the support of the End Poverty in California movement, he beat Dwight Baker by a vote of 8,077 to 7,597 that year.
Davis returned in 1937, though, and recaptured his old position by a vote of 8,010 for himself and 6,705 for Kindig. It was said in advance of the 1937 election that Kindig had lost the "virile, aggressive support of the entire liberal movement."
. "I think this argument that the public benefit is to be served by using these newspapers is a lot of camouflage
," he told the council when it discussed the matter.
Bookmaking: Eying the "stream of gold," or money receipts, at nearby Santa Anita Racetrack, Kindig, along with other council members, urged the city attorney to hasten a legal opinion whether he city could tax the illegal bookmakers operating in Los Angeles. "The racing season is on, it will soon be over, and if we can legitimately get any revenue from the business of book-making, I think we should lose no time on it," he said.
to give him a license to operate a radio station in Los Angeles to reflect the "liberal and progressive" side of politics. He was supported in his request by fellow Council Members G. Vernon Bennett
, Parley Parker Christensen and James M. Hyde
and by County Supervisor John Anson Ford
. The FCC turned him down by a 2–1 vote.
. It was he, along with Roy and Lawrence Allen and Roy G. Owens, all of Los Angeles, who submitted a revised version of the plan in 1939 after voters turned down a different version in the 1938 election. The plan the voters faced in 1940 would have the governor name an administrator for the program — according to the proposed initiative legislation he would have to choose between "Roy G. Owens or Will H. Kindig," who would serve until the general election of 1944. The two men were roundly condemned by the nationally known conservative commentator Westbrook Pegler
as "adventurers in emotional politics." The proposal was defeated by the electorate.
Biography
Kindig moved to California about 1905 and may have operated the Hotel Sierra Madre "at the foot of Mount WilsonMount Wilson
Mount Wilson can refer to several things:* Mount Wilson ** Mount Wilson Observatory* Mount Wilson, New South Wales, a mountain with a small hamlet in Australia* One of a list of peaks named Mount Wilson...
" in 1909. In 1935, he published a book titled ABC of Metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
, Being a Compilation From Radio Talks on Philosophical Subjects by the Author During 1934 to 1935 ... He was a broker
Broker
A broker is a party that arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller, and gets a commission when the deal is executed. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal...
but was also known an an "authority on international finance
International finance
International finance is the branch of economics that studies the dynamics of exchange rates, foreign investment, global financial system, and how these affect international trade. It also studies international projects, international investments and capital flows, and trade deficits. It includes...
."
Kindig was one of the organizers of the Braille Institute. His home was at 4125 South Figueroa Street in today's Vermont Square area. He died at the age of 77 in September 1946, leaving a widow, Margaret.
Public affairs
Controller candidate
Kindig was the Upton Sinclair-endorsed candidate for California State ControllerCalifornia State Controller
The State Controller is the Chief Financial Officer of the State of California in the United States. The post has broader responsibilities and authority than the California State Treasurer...
in the 1934 election, but he was beaten in the Democratic Party primary by the incumbent, Ray L. Riley, a registered Republican, who had 317,094 votes to Kindig's 296,758. Kindig did not cross-file
Cross-filing
In American politics, cross-filing occurs when a candidate runs in the primary election of not only his own party, but also that of one or more other parties, generally in the hope of reducing or eliminating his competition at the general election...
in the Republican race.
Elections
See also List of Los Angeles municipal election returns, 1935–37.Kindig ran for the Los Angeles City Council District 7 seat in 1935 after the incumbent, Howard W. Davis
Howard W. Davis
Howard W. Davis was a member of the California State Assembly for two years and of the Los Angeles City Council for 16 years. He was indicted on charges of accepting bribes to influence his actions as a city official but was cleared on one count and never tried on the others, which were...
, decided to take a break from politics. The district was bounded on the east by Alameda Avenue, on the west by Crenshaw Boulevard, on the north by Exposition Boulevard and on the south by Vernon Avenue. With the support of the End Poverty in California movement, he beat Dwight Baker by a vote of 8,077 to 7,597 that year.
Davis returned in 1937, though, and recaptured his old position by a vote of 8,010 for himself and 6,705 for Kindig. It was said in advance of the 1937 election that Kindig had lost the "virile, aggressive support of the entire liberal movement."
Positions
Advertising: Kindig scoffed at the idea that the city's legal advertising should be printed in local community newspapersCommunity journalism
Community journalism is locally oriented, professional news coverage that typically focuses on city neighborhoods, individual suburbs or small towns, rather than metropolitan, state, national or world news....
. "I think this argument that the public benefit is to be served by using these newspapers is a lot of camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
," he told the council when it discussed the matter.
Bookmaking: Eying the "stream of gold," or money receipts, at nearby Santa Anita Racetrack, Kindig, along with other council members, urged the city attorney to hasten a legal opinion whether he city could tax the illegal bookmakers operating in Los Angeles. "The racing season is on, it will soon be over, and if we can legitimately get any revenue from the business of book-making, I think we should lose no time on it," he said.
Radio stations
Kindig, who besides being a councilman was also treasurer of the Democratic State Central Committee, asked the Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
to give him a license to operate a radio station in Los Angeles to reflect the "liberal and progressive" side of politics. He was supported in his request by fellow Council Members G. Vernon Bennett
G. Vernon Bennett
Guy Vernon Bennett , also known as G. Vernon Bennett, was superintendent of schools in Pomona, California; a professor of education at the University of Southern California, and a Los Angeles city councilman from the 10th District from 1935 to 1951...
, Parley Parker Christensen and James M. Hyde
James M. Hyde
James M. Hyde was a metallurgist who was noted for inventing a process that revolutionized the American mining industry. He was also a member of the Los Angeles, California, City Council from 1931 to 1939.-Biography:...
and by County Supervisor John Anson Ford
John Anson Ford
John Anson Ford was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.Ford was born September 29, 1883, in Waukegan, Illinois. He attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, taught history and economics, then moved to Chicago, where he worked on the Chicago Tribune. He was on the editorial...
. The FCC turned him down by a 2–1 vote.
Ham and Eggs
Kindig was one of the organizers of a proposed California pension plan known as the Ham and Eggs Movement or "Thirty Dollars Every Thursday" planHam and Eggs Movement
The Ham and Eggs movement was an old-age pension movement in California during the 1930s. It was originally founded by Robert Noble, a controversial radio personality, and William Allen. It grew out of a pension movement similar to the one advocated by Francis Townsend. The Ham and Eggs lobby...
. It was he, along with Roy and Lawrence Allen and Roy G. Owens, all of Los Angeles, who submitted a revised version of the plan in 1939 after voters turned down a different version in the 1938 election. The plan the voters faced in 1940 would have the governor name an administrator for the program — according to the proposed initiative legislation he would have to choose between "Roy G. Owens or Will H. Kindig," who would serve until the general election of 1944. The two men were roundly condemned by the nationally known conservative commentator Westbrook Pegler
Westbrook Pegler
Francis James Westbrook Pegler was an American journalist and writer. He was a popular columnist in the 1930s and 1940s famed for his opposition to the New Deal and labor unions. Pegler criticized every president from Herbert Hoover to FDR to Harry Truman to John F. Kennedy...
as "adventurers in emotional politics." The proposal was defeated by the electorate.