Washington (State). Governor (1941-1945 : Langlie)

Arthur B. Langlie was born in Lanesboro, Minn., in 1900. When he was nine his family moved to Bremerton, Wash., where he attended public school. He went on to attend the University of Washington and graduated from its law school in 1926. After a period of practising law, in 1935 Langlie entered politics and was elected to the Seattle City Council. In 1938 he was elected mayor of Seattle and was reelected in 1940, serving until his election as governor. In the election of 1940 Langlie was the only Republican to be elected to a state-wide office, beating former Senator C.C. Dill by a very narrow margin. The legislature was heavily Democratic, but a remarkable degree of harmony prevailed between the executive and legislative branches, primarily due to the unifying effect of World War II. The economy of Washington was profoundly affected by the war. By the middle of 1941 the migration of defense workers into the state was already in full swing. By the end of 1942, Seattle and the surrounding area had become one of the greatest war production centers of the U.S.

The cost of running the state government reached new heights during the war period, but tax revenues were also up, so that by 1944 the state treasury boasted a surplus of $88 million. While the war overshadowed political issues for most of Langlie's first term, he pushed for legislation to put the state's prosperity on a more permanent basis. He seriously questioned existing policies regarding the management of state lands and forests. In his 1943 message to the legislature he strongly recommended that a new forestry board be established to take over the responsibilities of the five different agencies charged with various aspects of the management of state timber lands. He cited the decline of Washington's lumber industry since yielding first place to Oregon in lumber production in 1938, and the lack of adequate programs for conservation, reforestation, and fire protection. The legislature, however, failed to pass the required legislation. Langlie also urged the establishment of a civil service system for state employees which also was not enacted, but in general his legislative program met with considerable success. Governor Langlie was defeated in his bid for a second consecutive term. Upon leaving office he joined the U.S. Navy.