Frank L. Shaw

Frank L. Shaw (February 1, 1887 — January 24, 1958) was an American politician (born in Canada). He was elected to the Los Angeles, California city council in 1925 and to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1928. In 1933, he successfully ran for mayor of Los Angeles. He was re-elected in 1937 but was recalled from office on September 16, 1938. The intrigue and scandals surrounding his administration were dramatized in the fiction of Raymond Chandler, and (albeit in a 1950s setting) in the James Ellroy novel and film "L.A. Confidential". Today, his administration is generally considered to be the most corrupt in the history of Los Angeles.

In addition to the recall, Shaw is perhaps best remembered for addressing the nation by radio during the catastrophic Los Angeles Flood of 1938 and declaring that "the sun is shining in Southern California and all is well," even as thousands lost their homes, and dozens their lives, to the raging waters of the Los Angeles River. His callous response is often credited with providing the initial spark to the recall effort that ultimately unseated him.

Shaw unsuccessfully ran for Mayor again in 1941, and failed in his 1944 bid for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. Retiring from public life, Shaw then became president of a chemical firm and was successful in real estate. He died of cancer at 80. [http://lacounty.info/flshaw.pdf]

References

*"Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials: 1850—1938", Compiled under Direction of Municipal Reference Library City Hall, Los Angeles March 1938 (Reprinted 1966)