William M. Hughes
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Isaac F. Hughes
, council member 1925 to 1927.
William M. Hughes was a member of the Los Angeles, California, City Council between 1927 and 1929. He moved to that city in 1905 and became a "large property owner," living at 1827 South Harvard Boulevard, just north of Washington Boulevard in today's Harvard Heights.
Hughes was elected to represent the 4th District
in 1927. At that time the district lay between Western Avenue
on the west, Hoover Avenue on the east, Melrose Avenue
on the north and Washington Street
on the south. His bid for reelection failed in 1929.
As a councilman, he urged the council to encourage conventions
to come to Los Angeles, saying in August 1927:
Along with Council Members E. Snapper Ingram
and Ernest L. Webster
, he opposed an ordinance to prohibit bonfires on city-owned beaches. They said the law would be "just another 'don't' and that the bonfires and 'weenie roasts' do no harm to anyone and furnish harmless recreation for people who go to the beaches."
Hughes lost his temper on two occasions during council meetings:
The second occasion prompted a Los Angeles Times reporter to label Hughes "Battling Bill" when Hughes threatened to knock the "snoot" off a spectator at a council meeting.
Isaac F. Hughes
Not to be confused with William M. Hughes, council member in 1927 to 1929.Isaac F. Hughes, known as I.F. Hughes, was a miller, a grocer and a businessman who was the first representative of Los Angeles City Council District 3 after a new city charter went into effect in 1925...
, council member 1925 to 1927.
William M. Hughes was a member of the Los Angeles, California, City Council between 1927 and 1929. He moved to that city in 1905 and became a "large property owner," living at 1827 South Harvard Boulevard, just north of Washington Boulevard in today's Harvard Heights.
Hughes was elected to represent the 4th District
Los Angeles City Council District 4
Los Angeles City Council District 4 is one of the 15 districts of the Los Angeles City Council, situated in the center of the city. It is represented by Tom Labonge....
in 1927. At that time the district lay between Western Avenue
Western Avenue (Los Angeles)
Western Avenue is a major four lane street slightly west of Downtown Los Angeles and the center portion of Los Angeles County. Besides Sepulveda Boulevard, it is one of the longest north/south streets in Los Angeles...
on the west, Hoover Avenue on the east, Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue is an internationally renowned shopping, dining and entertainment destination in Los Angeles that starts from Santa Monica Boulevard at the border between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood and ends at Lucille Avenue in Silver Lake...
on the north and Washington Street
Washington Boulevard (Los Angeles)
Washington Boulevard is the longest continuous east-west arterial road in Los Angeles, California. It starts by the Pacific Ocean just west of Pacific Avenue in Marina del Rey, and ends far to the east in the city of Whittier, on Whittier Boulevard. It is south of Venice Boulevard for most of its...
on the south. His bid for reelection failed in 1929.
As a councilman, he urged the council to encourage conventions
Convention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
to come to Los Angeles, saying in August 1927:
Decorate the streets, entertain the convention visitors. We need conventions. If the delegates enjoy themselves and are made to feel welcome, they will return to their houses praising Los Angeles. While they are here, they patronize our stores and hotels, and it makes business for our city.
Along with Council Members E. Snapper Ingram
E. Snapper Ingram
Ebenezer Snapper Ingram was a Los Angeles City Councilmember representing the 10th District from 1927 until 1935. He went by E. Snapper Ingram.-Biography:...
and Ernest L. Webster
Ernest L. Webster
Ernest L. Webster was a pioneer automobile dealer in Los Angeles, California, and representative of the 3rd District on the Los Angeles City Council between 1927 and 1931.-Biography:...
, he opposed an ordinance to prohibit bonfires on city-owned beaches. They said the law would be "just another 'don't' and that the bonfires and 'weenie roasts' do no harm to anyone and furnish harmless recreation for people who go to the beaches."
Hughes lost his temper on two occasions during council meetings:
Like children with their new Christmas toys, members of the City Council yesterday were excited and delighted over selecting locations for their private offices in the new City HallLos Angeles City HallLos Angeles City Hall, completed 1928, is the center of the government of the city of Los Angeles, California, and houses the mayor's office and the meeting chambers and offices of the Los Angeles City Council...
— all but Councilman Hughes, who became so angered over the method used that he called Councilman [Virgil A.] MartinVirgil A. MartinVirgil A. Martin was a business executive and member of the Los Angeles City Council between 1927 and 1931.-Biography:Martin was born October 15, 1874, in Tecumseh, Nebraska, the son of Judson W. Martin and Ennis C. Smith...
a "meddler" for the latter's effort to parcel out the rooms. In turn, Councilman Martin called Councilman Hughes a "liar." . . . "Don't you call me a liar or I'll knock your head off," said Councilman Hughes to Councilman Martin."
The second occasion prompted a Los Angeles Times reporter to label Hughes "Battling Bill" when Hughes threatened to knock the "snoot" off a spectator at a council meeting.
See also
- List of Los Angeles municipal election returns, 1925, 1927 and 1929