JAMES E. POWERS

 

James E. Powers. Present postmaster of San Francisco, Mr. Power is a native son, and for ten years of his early manhood was employed by the postal service as an employe.

His name has been frequently associated with public responsibilities, and he is also a well-known figure in commercial life as a city banker. His father, James Powers, was a pioneer shipwright, an esteemed citizen who in his day was also a famous oarsman.

James E. Power was educated in the schools of San Francisco, graduating with high honors from the old Lincoln High School in 1891, and two years later graduated from the Commercial High School. Mr. Power in 1895 entered the federal service as a postoffice employe, filling various positions of trust until finally promoted to the rank of inspector of postal stations. This office he resigned in 1906 to engage in a private business. He is the proprietor of four large rubber stores.

In January, 1911, he was appointed a member of the board of education by Mayor McCarthy, this being his first official association with the municipal government of San Francisco. Though he was appointed for a four-year term, he resigned at the end of his third year to take his seat as a member of the board of supervisors. While a school director he was a constant and consistent supporter and advocate of a system of liberality in matters of salary of teachers and employes. He gave much time and study to proposals that would afford better opportunities for the boy and the girl in the local schools. It was Colonel Power who instituted the school children’s saving bank system, as a result of which in 1911 1,500 school pupils had accounts ranging from one dollar upwards, a total aggregating $200,000.

His popularity as a city official and otherwise was shown when he ran for supervisor, his vote record being 40,000. He was one of the most active members of the board of supervisors, being chairman of the telephone and rate committee, of the water service and of the committee on expositions. In the earlier years of his federal service Colonel Power was president of the San Francisco Postoffice Clerks Association, and also an officer in the United National Association of Postoffice Clerks. His knowledge of the postoffice, from the standpoint of a working employe, his broad public and commercial experience, have nobly qualified Colonel Power for his present responsibilities as postmaster.

As a youth he became connected with the League of the Cross Cadets, serving with the organization twenty years, the last ten being commander of the League, with the rank of colonel. This title has adhered to him ever since. He also served as president of the Public School Athletic League, and is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Knights of Columbus, Elks, Eagles, Foresters, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Commonwealth Club and other social organizations. Colonel Power is devoted to golf, being a member of one of the golf clubs of San Francisco.

 

Transcribed by Elaine Sturdevant