During his tenure as governor , James created the state Department of Commerce and the Anthracite Emergency Commission , extended the Pennsylvania Turnpike , signed a bill banning sit-down strikes , strengthened the civil service , and reinforced liquor control laws . He also turned the state 's $ 58 million deficit into a $ 75 million surplus . During the early part of World War II , he established the State Council of Defense and the Selective Service Board and later created the Pennsylvania Reserve Defense Corps and the Citizens ' Defense Corps for homeland defense . At the 1940 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia , he was nominated for President of the United States by Joseph N. Pew , Jr. . He lasted for all six ballots , and endorsed the eventual winner , Wendell Willkie
1940 Republican National Convention
1940 Republican National Convention
Arthur James (politician)