The sun., 1918-07-07

vice in recognising these department,
and courts. He conducted the rotten
nose Inquiry after series of fires
which could not be fought because -ei
bursting hose and which cost an i'm.
mense sum.
lie saved half a million dollars In con.
nection with expenditures for Bronx
sewers and highways. He brought about
the removal or resignation oil
inefficient office holders and laid the
foundation for such Improvement in mu.
nicipal government as the city has en-.
Joyed In the last ten years.
After two years brilliant work a,
Commissioner of Accounts Mr.. Mitche
was mentioned widely as a possibilit,
Tor Mayor on the fusion ticket OF 1909
but he was too young, In the estimation
OF the leaders, being only 80. Instead
he was nominated for President Of the
Board OF Aldermen and was elected
by a plurality of 1920. His incum.
Dency OF the office was marked by the
same Industry and idealistic service thai
characterized his investigat lions Of graf
and inefTiciency. He became a champion
OF popular rule. He labored day and
night to familiarize himself with mu.
nicipal problems and to master technica
details Of administration
During the campaign Mr.. Mitchell and
Judge Gaynor. who was to be the mex,
Mayor. did not meet, as 1t happened
When tho Mayor held his reception al
the City Hall Mr.. Mitchell passed alons
the line and shook hands with his ad
illustrative chief
Tried to Dust Aldermen.
We'll. WE'LL" said the Mayor. 80 yo,
are Mitchell. Dear me. You are Just q
young man. But I always like to see 9
young man get along. and you seem tt
be getting along all right"
Soon after Mr.. Mitchell startled tn,
Aldermen by announcing that In hi
belief they were useless and archai,
| institution and ought to be abolished
He set UP new offices at 81 Chamber,
street and began to investigate the AL
dermen In cooperation with the Boart
OF Estimate. of which he was n member
Nothing came of his RECOMMEND ations
though many thoughtful citizens agreed
with him. When Mayor Gaynor wa.
| struck down by the bullet OF a would b,
assassin upon a ship about to sail from
Hoboken In August, 1910. Mr. Mitchell
by virtue Of his rank as President OF tn,
Board OF Aldermen. became actin,
| Mayor. Relations between Mayor Gay
| nor and himself had never been cordial
| and important matters. including tn
| subway contracts were pending. Mr.
Mitchell acted in the broadcast spirit an,
scarcely moved in any matter withou
consulting the Mayors secretary, Rob
ert Adamson. who was In the complet
confidence OF Judge Gaynor
1t was not until tine Mayor began I
get we'll that Mr.. Mitchell took. .up. til
police situation. He uncovered shocktn
conditions OF tolerated Woe at Coae
Island and exposed other police ineffi
cienoies such as led to a thorough shak
ing up OF the Police Department HI
Investigation at Coney Island and tn
revelation OF vice permitted there lie
eventually TO the removal OF William I
] Baker. the Police Commissioner. Nj
| Mitchell ordered Baker to institute a ger
eral house cleaning beginning with tn
| removal OF Police Inspector O'Brien. II
next satisfied himself that New Yor
was being run as a wide open town. an
when subsequently a list OF places oper
ating in violation OF the law was turne
over to Mayor Gaynor Baker was re
moved.
Mr.. Mitchell was necessarily activ,
With George McAneny and William
| Prendergast. respectively President c
Manhattan and Comptroller. he worke
In tho closest cooperation for the better
ment OF municipal government. The
revolutionized departmental hearing
having to do with the budget. The
stood for the honest spending OF publ
money and for the utmost economy.
Mitchell fought Tammany incessantl.
He strove then, as he did later durin
his own incumbency of the Office c
Mayor, to make New York a healthie
safer city to live in. He gave attentio
to the great work Of street repair an