New-York tribune., 1918-07-07
Tributes to Former Mayor
Paid by City's Leading Men
Deeds and Loyalty of John Purroy Mitchell Extolled Not
Only by Friends, but by Those Who Were
Political Foes

deepest sorrow. In the sacrifice of
your courageous husband the nation
and city sustain great loss. Permit me
to extend my heartfelt sympathy"
Dr. Royal S. Copeland, Commissioner
of Health:
"1t is pathetic that a man Of John
Purroy MitchePs brilliancy should be
SO suddenly cut off. Yet, were he to
choose the manner of his death, firm
ly believe that the ex-Mayor would
have selected to die in the service Of
ms country. The passing of John Pur-
roy Mitchell is great loss to society"
Douglas Mathewson, former Borough
President Of The Bronx:
81 regard the death of ex-Mayor
Mitchell as great loss to the com
munlty. He had his great talents, per-
sonailty and genius to organize. 1t is
pathetic that he should be taken away
at TINS time. We can i'll afford to lose
men like him. The loss is a national
one"
Robert A. c. Smith, former Dock
Commissioners:
Major Mitchell has met death as
soldier with the same intrepid courage
showed as Mayor. He was a great citi-
zen. Few men have been privileged to
do so much for our city, and none has
served her more faithfully In the
larger sphere of national service he
would have proved invaluable. To me
he was warm friend and an inspiring
leader, whose death brings the deepest
sorrow"
The Rev. DR.. Christian F. Reisner:
He was one of the sweetest and
ccleanest and most unselfsh men I have
known. NO man ever served a COM
munity so faithfully and efficiently
and was so little appreciated. Major
Mltcheps influence will be felt as long
as the city endures. His policies and
plans are even now being carried out.
Major Mitchel's death is the supreme
exhibition of a patriots rich heart,
which counts no sacrifice too great
when service can be rendered. 1t is
but the climax of his whole life. which
was utterly devoted to the service of
humanity
New York City should at once plan
to erect monument to John Purroy
Mitchell as an inspiration to the city's
youth"
George McAneny:
His loss is typical of the sort Of
sacrifice that we must make in increas-
IL.
must give unstintingly of our best, and
of our best he certainly was He was
always public servant and, l think.
always would have been. And he brought
to the service of the government an
understanding of the war and its prob
lens that few called from civilian life
could have surpassed.
His part as Mayor of New York
none who know the city and its needs
can ever forget. His administration
laid foundation upon which, no mat
ter how slowly, much of the future
greatness and well being of the city
Will be built. He was a master of mu-
nicipal affairs--farseeing, fearless of
purpose and brilliantly able His fell
low citizens will value him in mounting
degree as time passes and the results
Of his work stand in clearer relief.
If he had come back it would have
been, inevitably, to career of even
greater public service. But he has
gone on in the way he would have
wished"
George w. Perkins:
81 know of no higher tribute that I
can pay him than to say, now that he
has left US, what | said when he SO
reluctantly consented to run again for
Mayor las fall, namely-In my judg-
ment he had made by odds the best
Mayor that New York City had had in
the twenty-five years I had lived here.
regard his death as most untimely.
1t is a distinct loss not only to our
city, but to the nation. He was intelli-
gent, honest and fearless to the last
degree
Police Commissioner Richard E. En-
right:
The army has lost a brave, highly
intelligent and most efficient officer in
the untimely death Of John Purroy
Mitchell: He was distinguished and
able public official and he left behind
record which might we'll be emulated
by the young men of America"
Lamar Hardy, former Corporation
Counsel: SIN the death of Mayor
Mitchell the army has lost a splendid
soldier and the cause of good govern
he lived, serving to the uttermost that
which he knew to be right.
when he entered the service he did
so exultantly, and the desire he con-
stantly expressed was to get to France
and see active service. 1t is particu-
larly tragic that he could not have
lived to realize that hope.
John Mitchell has given final proof
of the sincerity of his devotion to his
country. Ihe sorrow of his friends is a
proud sorrow"
General J. Franklin Bell: 81 had
great admiration for Major Mitchell
and the work he has done. I am dis
tressed to learn of his untimely death"
J. P. Morgan: 81 heard of his death
with profound regret. He was a most
useful and able citizen"
Mortimer l.. Schiff: "His death is
great blow to the City of New York
and to the entire country"
The Right Rev. Michael ]. Lavelle,
rector of st. Patrick's Cathedral: al re-
gret very much the untimely death of
former Mayor Mitchell. He lost his life
in the service of our country. The fact
that it was not on the field of battle
makes his end none the less honorable
His youth and his engaging personal
qualities endeared him to those who
knew him closely. Every one will SYM
pathize with his bereaved widow and
mother"