Meade McClanahan

McClanahan ran for the Los Angeles School Board in 1939. At that time he was sponsoring a radio program, "Los Angeles Speaks," which opposed the political activities of political figure Clifford E. Clinton.^[3]

In February 1939, McClanahan was president of the Riverside Drive District Business Men's Association.^[7] In that year he was sued, along with two others, by Clifford E. Clinton on a charge of criminal libel for having sponsored a radio program that attacked Clinton and for helping to publish a booklet that referred to Clinton as "Der Los Angeles Fuehrer."^[8] He and the other defendants were acquitted in a jury trial.^[9] Clinton also filed a civil suit for defamation; it was dismissed in 1945 because Clinton did not proceed with the action.^[10]

In September 1942 McClanahan brought suit against the city, the chief of police and other officials, seeking to block the installation of parking meters in the city.^[11]

McClanahan first ran for the City Council in 1943, but finished third in the primary that year. He was elected in 1946 over Joseph W. Aldlin, who had labor backing, to represent Los Angeles City Council District 13, succeeding Ned R. Healy, who had resigned to go to the U.S. Congress. In those days the district represented Silver Lake and an area west of downtown to Vermont Avenue and south to Valley Boulevard.^[12]

Tax, 1945. As chairman of the City Council revenue and taxation committee, McClanahan proposed a 5% tax on theater tickets and a 10% tax on athletic contests as a way to avoid a planned garbage-collection charge or to help finance the Hyperion outfall sewer.^[13]

Pickets, 1945. He submitted a resolution advocating new legislation giving the mayor and police more authority to deal with picket lines being used by union workers in a Hollywood film strike. He claimed that pickets in front of theaters "had forced women and children to walk in the street to get past them" and that efforts were made to "prevent servicemen from buying tickets." He later urged a "no" vote on his own resolution to avoid embarrassing any other council member.^[14][15]

Americanism, 1945. He made a suggestion that children being cared for in public day-care centers be taught "Americanism" and be shielded from "subversive foreign ideologies." The idea was defeated largely because other council members deemed the wording to be too general.^[16]

A recall movement against McClanahan was based upon his association at public meetings with controversial political organizer Gerald L. K. Smith, founder of the America First Party. McClanahan issued a statement saying that he disagreed with Smith "on many points" but that he participated in the meetings because of "my belief in free speech and free assembly."^[17] On March 19, 1946, McClanahan was recalled from office by a vote of 12,394 to 8,913, and John R. Roden was elected in his place.^[18]

McClanahan ran anew for reelection in 1947 but finished third in a field of four. He also ran for election to the US House of Representatives in 1952.

Access to the Los Angeles Times links may require the use of a library card.

• Tom Sitton, "Direct Democracy vs. Free Speech: Gerald L.K. Smith and the Recall Election of 1946 in Los Angeles," Pacific Historical Review, August 1968, p. 285+ Library access required.
• David J. Leonard, "The 'Little Fuehrer' Invades Los Angeles," Free Library Includes reference to McClanahan at a Gerald L.K. Smith rally.

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Preceded by Ned R. Healy

Los Angeles City Council 13th District 1945–46

Succeeded by John R. Roden