Philadelphia voter registration photographs, 1939
Permanent ID:
12980Dates:
October 5 1939October 6 1939
Image Description:
Philadelphia RegistrationTenderloin Flophouse
The Tenderloin, part of Philadelphia's notorious red-light district in the 1920s-1930s, a quarter-mile square area in center-city, attracted the dregs of Philadelphia society, its homeless, drug addicts, and prostitutes. The Prospect Hotel, or the Weingrad Hotel under the ownership of Leon Weingrad, was a "flophouse," or a place of cheap lodging and minimal amenities, that in 1930 housed over 70 individuals. Albert Weingrad, the older brother of Leon, was an "inspector of voting registration," meaning he was responsible for ensuring honesty and equality during the voting process.
Philadelphia Registration
Going Up? Citizens Seeking Right to Vote
Post-Roosevelt's New Deal, more citizens were becoming registered to vote, and political party affiliations were shifting in favor of the Democrats, particularly among Black voters, but a Democrat had yet to hold office in the twentieth century. During the 1939 Mayoralty election, members of the Democratic party believed Blacks voting Republican were the cause of failure in the Democratic candidate being elected into office. The numbers of registered voters was steady increasing since the late 1920s, and Republican candidate Robert Eneas Lamberton pulled in the victory with 398,384 votes.
Inscription:
Philadelphia RegistrationTenderloin Flophouse
At left is the Tenderloin "flophouse" owned by Leon Weingrad, brother of Albert Weingrad, who is on the Registration Commission payroll as an "inspector" of voting lists. Above is a reproduction of the Registration Commission's street list for the 1st division of the 10th ward. It shows 52 men listed as "permanenet residents" and voters at the Weingrad Hotel, 827 Race st. (Verso)
Philadelphia Registration
Going Up? Citizens Seeking Right to Vote
A few of the 2000 would-be voters who swamped the Registration Commission last night wait for an elevator in the lobby of City Hall Annex. This picture was made only after special permision was obtained from Director of Public Safety James H. Malone. Policemen on duty said they had orders "from upstairs"---the commission is on the 14th floor---barring photographers from taking pictures in a public building.
(Verso)
Address:
PhiladelphiaFormat:
PhotographsDimensions:
Width: 20 cm, Height: 25 cm (image)Width: 26 cm, Height: 20 cm (image)