Walter W. Austin
Encyclopedia
Walter Wolcott Austin was an American
Republican politician
from California
.
, and moved to Chicago, Illinois with his family, where he was a newsboy at age 7, and to Aberdeen, South Dakota
. In 1912, he moved to San Diego, California
.
In San Diego Austin started out as employee of the H. D. Field Safe Co., which he later purchased half-interest then full interest and renamed it Austin Safe and Desk Company. Austin sold the business, and the company later specialised in office furniture then interior design. Austin entered the real estate and insurance business around 1931, and vice president of Fraser Mortgage Co.
and extending the water system.
While mayor, the city sold unemployment bonds to increase jobs locally. Funds were spent on projects such as building pedestrian tunnels near schools. Austin also backed establishing a school traffic patrol system.
Austin was the first mayor under a new city charter, approved in the same election that elected him mayor. The charter specified a "weak mayor" or council-manager government
. A City Manager
appointed by the City Council
managed day-to-day business and the mayor presided over the Council meetings, with no veto power. The motivation was to help stem police corruption, under the idea that an appointed city manager is less subject to bribes and campaign contribution favors than an elected strong Mayor. Council-manager overnment originated with the Progressive movement
in Staunton, Virginia
. This form survived until 2006 when it was replaced by a strong mayor city government.
Austin was a long time Republican and was chairman of the Willkie
Committee for San Diego in 1940. Austin was founder and president of the Executives Association of San Diego and the San Diego Business Men's Art Club. Austin also was a director of various charities.
where he spent much time during retirement. He also built a 3-story home in Bankers Hill, a San Diego community just north of downtown, in the 1920s. The home includes unique stained glass that was handmade by Austin that still remains today.
Austin died 1951 in San Diego, from complications of appendicitis
at his Idyllwild, California home. His children are Genevieve Irene, Virginia Lucille, Warren Wolcott, Gladys Viola, and Edgar Owen.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Early life
Austin was born 1880 in Kendall, WisconsinKendall, Wisconsin
Kendall is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Wisconsin:*Kendall, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, a town*Kendall, Monroe County, Wisconsin, a village...
, and moved to Chicago, Illinois with his family, where he was a newsboy at age 7, and to Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota, United States, about 125 mi northeast of Pierre. Settled in 1880, it was incorporated in 1882. The city population was 26,091 at the 2010 census. The American News is the local newspaper...
. In 1912, he moved to San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
In San Diego Austin started out as employee of the H. D. Field Safe Co., which he later purchased half-interest then full interest and renamed it Austin Safe and Desk Company. Austin sold the business, and the company later specialised in office furniture then interior design. Austin entered the real estate and insurance business around 1931, and vice president of Fraser Mortgage Co.
Politics
Austin was elected mayor of San Diego in 1931 as a young reformer. The main issue was the $8.5 million spent for water projects, such as the Lake Hodges Dam, with little to show for it. Austin served as mayor until 1932. In 1940, he supported construction of San Vicente DamSan Vicente Dam
The San Vicente Dam is a concrete gravity dam on San Vicente Creek near Lakeside and 25 km northeast of San Diego, California. The dam was built between 1941 and 1943 and created San Vicente Reservoir for the purpose of municipal water storage, flood control and recreation. Although the...
and extending the water system.
While mayor, the city sold unemployment bonds to increase jobs locally. Funds were spent on projects such as building pedestrian tunnels near schools. Austin also backed establishing a school traffic patrol system.
Austin was the first mayor under a new city charter, approved in the same election that elected him mayor. The charter specified a "weak mayor" or council-manager government
Council-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
. A City Manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
appointed by the City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
managed day-to-day business and the mayor presided over the Council meetings, with no veto power. The motivation was to help stem police corruption, under the idea that an appointed city manager is less subject to bribes and campaign contribution favors than an elected strong Mayor. Council-manager overnment originated with the Progressive movement
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
in Staunton, Virginia
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
. This form survived until 2006 when it was replaced by a strong mayor city government.
Austin was a long time Republican and was chairman of the Willkie
Wendell Willkie
Wendell Lewis Willkie was a corporate lawyer in the United States and a dark horse who became the Republican Party nominee for the president in 1940. A member of the liberal wing of the GOP, he crusaded against those domestic policies of the New Deal that he thought were inefficient and...
Committee for San Diego in 1940. Austin was founder and president of the Executives Association of San Diego and the San Diego Business Men's Art Club. Austin also was a director of various charities.
Eplilogue
Austin was one of the first to build a home at Borrego SpringsBorrego Springs, California
Borrego Springs is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. The population was 3,429 at the 2010 census, up from 2,535 at the 2000 census. Many residents are seasonal while others remain year round...
where he spent much time during retirement. He also built a 3-story home in Bankers Hill, a San Diego community just north of downtown, in the 1920s. The home includes unique stained glass that was handmade by Austin that still remains today.
Austin died 1951 in San Diego, from complications of appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
at his Idyllwild, California home. His children are Genevieve Irene, Virginia Lucille, Warren Wolcott, Gladys Viola, and Edgar Owen.
Further reading
- Obituary, San Diego Union, July 13, 1951, p. 3:3. Includes portrait
- Biographical sketch, San Diego Union, March 24, 1934. Includes portrait as a child