John B. Gage
Encyclopedia
John Bailey "Jack" Gage was mayor of Kansas City, Missouri
from 1940 to 1946 who made reforms following the collapse of the political machine of Thomas Pendergast.
Gage was born on the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) family farm at 9th and Cleveland. He graduated from the University of Kansas
in 1907 and became a lawyer following the footsteps of his father to become a lawyer.
In 1930 he started the Gage and Hill law firm in the Bryant Building at 11th and Grand. Following a series of mergers the firm would become Lathrop and Gage, which is the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River
founded in 1873 (via the Lathrop line).
After Pendergast pled guilty to income tax evasion
charges in 1939, Gage, a Democrat, campaigned for mayor for the Citizens Association party consisting of both Democrats and Republicans. A signature aspect of the campaign was an appeal to housewives with the slogan:
He was to cut the city budget by $700,000, hired city manager L.P. Cookingham
, and began to expand the city limits. He was elected three times.
He died after being hit by a truck while walking to work at 11th and Grand Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
from 1940 to 1946 who made reforms following the collapse of the political machine of Thomas Pendergast.
Gage was born on the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) family farm at 9th and Cleveland. He graduated from the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in 1907 and became a lawyer following the footsteps of his father to become a lawyer.
In 1930 he started the Gage and Hill law firm in the Bryant Building at 11th and Grand. Following a series of mergers the firm would become Lathrop and Gage, which is the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
founded in 1873 (via the Lathrop line).
After Pendergast pled guilty to income tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
charges in 1939, Gage, a Democrat, campaigned for mayor for the Citizens Association party consisting of both Democrats and Republicans. A signature aspect of the campaign was an appeal to housewives with the slogan:
- Wanted: 75,000 women with pioneer courage...let us keep faith with those who blazed the trail.
He was to cut the city budget by $700,000, hired city manager L.P. Cookingham
Laurie Perry Cookingham
Laurie Perry Cookingham, more commonly known as L.P. Cookingham or L. Perry Cookingham, was a noted public administrator in the United States having served as City Manager of Kansas City, Missouri for 19 years, a tenure longer than anyone else had served as city manager in any city in the United...
, and began to expand the city limits. He was elected three times.
He died after being hit by a truck while walking to work at 11th and Grand Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.