MacVicar, John, 1859-1928.

Des Moines politician. McVicar served Des Moines as a councilman, Superintendent of the Dept. of Public Works and Improvement, Superintendent of Public Safety, and four terms as mayor (1896-1900, 1916-1918,1928). He promoted the commission form of municipal government laid out in the Des Moines Plan of City Government. During his tenure as a public official prominent issues included public vs. private ownership of utilities and the Des Moines Railway Company, relations with labor unions, graft in city government, tax hikes to pay for civic improvements, and police department and vice concerns. During World War I MacVicar served as a quartermaster in the Reserves. He was involved in the election campaigns of Progressive candidates such as Albert B. Cummins and Theodore Roosevelt.

From the description of Papers, 1907-1928. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 52080431

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