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{{short description|American politician (1878–1972)}}
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'''Bryce B. Smith''' (1878-May 22, 1962) was [[Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri]] from 1930 to 1939 at the height of the power of the [[Thomas Pendergast]] machine.
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Bryce B. Smith
| image = Bryce B. Smith.jpg
| caption = Smith in 1932
| office = 43rd [[List of mayors of Kansas City, Missouri|Mayor of Kansas City]]
| term_start = 1930
| term_end = January 5, 1940
| predecessor = [[Albert I. Beach]]
| successor = [[Charles S. Keith]]
| birth_name = Bryce B. Smith
| birth_date = {{birth year|1878}}
| birth_place = [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], [[United States]]
| death_date = {{death date and age |1972|05|22|1878}}
| death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
}}


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'''Bryce B. Smith''' (1878 – May 22, 1962) was the [[Mayor]] of [[Kansas City Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]] from 1930 to 1940 at the height of power of the [[Thomas Pendergast]] political machine.
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Smith was born in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]. His family moved to Kansas City in the 1880s and founded what would become General Baking Corporation.


==Biography==
He served on the city council from 1920 to 1924.
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Smith was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His family moved to Kansas City in the 1880s and founded what would become [[General Baking Corporation]].


He was the second mayor under Kansas City's new [[city manager]] form of government with [[Henry McElroy]] as City Manager. Although declaring his independence of the Pendergast machine, he was to end up being associated with it.
He served on the [[city council]] from 1920 to 1924. He served as the 16th Grand Master of The Order of DeMolay from 1948 to 1949.
He was the second mayor under Kansas City's new [[city manager]] form of government with [[Henry F. McElroy]] as City Manager. Although declaring his independence of the Pendergast machine, he was to end up being associated with it.


Many of the landmarks of Kansas City were built during his term during what was called the "Ten Year Plan":
Many of the landmarks of Kansas City were built during his term during what was called the "Ten Year Plan":
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*[[Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]]
*[[Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]]
*Jackson County Courthouse
*Jackson County Courthouse
*Kansas City Power and Light Building
*[[Kansas City Power and Light]] Building


Much of the construction was done with Pendergast Ready Mixed Concrete.
Much of the construction was done with Pendergast Ready Mixed Concrete.


Lax to non-existent enforcement of alcohol laws was to see the rise of [[Kansas City Jazz]] as well as prominent crime events including the [[Kansas City Massacre|Union Station Massacre]] and a shootout at the polls on election day in 1934 which left four dead.
Lax to non-existent enforcement of alcohol laws was to see the rise of [[Kansas City Jazz]] as well as prominent crime events. These include the [[Kansas City Massacre]] and a shootout that left four dead at the polls on [[Election Day (United States)|Election Day]] in 1934.


After Pendergast was sentenced to [[Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary]] for [[income tax evasion]] in 1939, it was discovered that the city was $20 million in debt. Smith made an effort to clean out the Pendergast machine operatives but ultimately resigned on January 5, 1940.
After Pendergast was sentenced to [[Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary]] for [[income tax evasion]] in 1939, it was discovered that the city was $20 million in debt. Smith made an effort to clean out the Pendergast machine operatives but ultimately resigned on January 5, 1940.

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.kclibrary.org/localhistory/media.cfm?mediaID=35059 Kansas City Public Library biography]
*[http://www.kclibrary.org/localhistory/list.cfm?list=sub&SubjectareaID=19283 Bryce Smith resources at Kansas City Public Library]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071010095819/http://www.kclibrary.org/localhistory/media.cfm?mediaID=35059 Kansas City Public Library biography]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071008095631/http://www.kclibrary.org/localhistory/list.cfm?list=sub&SubjectareaID=19283 Bryce Smith resources at Kansas City Public Library]
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{{start box}}

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{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box | before = [[Albert I. Beach]] | title = [[Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri]] | years = 1930—1939 | after = [[John B. Gage]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Albert I. Beach]] | title = [[Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri]] | years = 1930–1940 | after = [[Charles S. Keith]]}}
{{end box}}
{{s-end}}
{{Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Bryce B.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Bryce B.}}
[[Category:People from Indianapolis, Indiana]]
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[[Category:People from Kansas City]]
[[Category:1878 births]]
[[Category:1878 births]]
[[Category:1962 deaths]]
[[Category:1962 deaths]]
[[Category:Mayors of Kansas City, Missouri|Smith, Bryce]]
[[Category:Politicians from Indianapolis]]
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[[Category:Mayors of Kansas City, Missouri]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 19 May 2023

Bryce B. Smith
Smith in 1932
43rd Mayor of Kansas City
In office
1930 – January 5, 1940
Preceded byAlbert I. Beach
Succeeded byCharles S. Keith
Personal details
Born
Bryce B. Smith

1878 (1878)
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
DiedMay 22, 1972(1972-05-22) (aged 93–94)
Political partyDemocratic

Bryce B. Smith (1878 – May 22, 1962) was the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 1930 to 1940 at the height of power of the Thomas Pendergast political machine.

Biography

[edit]

Smith was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His family moved to Kansas City in the 1880s and founded what would become General Baking Corporation.

He served on the city council from 1920 to 1924. He served as the 16th Grand Master of The Order of DeMolay from 1948 to 1949.

He was the second mayor under Kansas City's new city manager form of government with Henry F. McElroy as City Manager. Although declaring his independence of the Pendergast machine, he was to end up being associated with it.

Many of the landmarks of Kansas City were built during his term during what was called the "Ten Year Plan":

City Buildings:

Other Landmark Buildings:

Much of the construction was done with Pendergast Ready Mixed Concrete.

Lax to non-existent enforcement of alcohol laws was to see the rise of Kansas City Jazz as well as prominent crime events. These include the Kansas City Massacre and a shootout that left four dead at the polls on Election Day in 1934.

After Pendergast was sentenced to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary for income tax evasion in 1939, it was discovered that the city was $20 million in debt. Smith made an effort to clean out the Pendergast machine operatives but ultimately resigned on January 5, 1940.

References

[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri
1930–1940 		Succeeded by
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