During Kline's administration the city was plunged into the national Great Depression. Despite these newfound hardships, Pittsburgh's corporate community continued to expand, adding several new skyscrapers to the region's horizon. Among these were the Gulf Oil Tower, Grant Building, and Koppers Tower. Kline is, to date, the last Republican to be elected Mayor of Pittsburgh.
Mayor Kline expanded the city's borders annexing the neighborhood of Carrick to the city's tax rolls. His administration ended on a bad note however, Kline was forced to fight charges of malfeasance and political wrongdoing regarding the purchase of an oriental rug.[4][5][6][7][8][9]
He was indicted on 48 counts of malfeasance, and on conviction in 1932 ordered to resign and sentenced to six months imprisonment.[10] He died at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh on July 22, 1933.[11] He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.