The sun., 1918-07-07
mitchell FEARLESS
IN PUBLIC OFFICES
Former Mayors Efforts Saved
Many Dollars for
City.
INTEGRITY WON ENEMIES
Entrance Into Army Fulfilled
Desire He Had Often
Expressed.

John Purroy Mitchell. Mayor of New
York city from 1914 to 1918 and dis
,nguished previously for clean, intel
ilsent and vigorous public service as
Commissioner OF Accounts, as acting
Mayor and as Federal Collector of the
Port. was the grandson OF celebrated
Irish patriot, John Mitchell. and the
nephew of Henry d. Purroy. who was
prominent in the councils of Tammany
Hall and subsequently as an opponent
OF that persistent institution.
Mayor of New York at the age of as,
an age at which most young men in
politics are still struggling for recoyni-
ton. and praised by dispa ssionate
opinion as the best Mayor the city ever
had, Mr.. Mitchell seemed upon the
threshold OF national career just be-
fore the municipal election Of 1917 re-
tired him to private life and abled
him 10 carry out his intense ambition
to serve his country In uniform. The out
come OF that election, with its aston
ishingly complete Tammany triumph,
amazed the nation, inasmuch as Mr..
Mitchell stood so conspicuously for 100
per cent. Americanism and for war UNI
falteringly against Germany
Beaten by His Enemies.
But a calmer survey Of the result led
TO the conclusion that the youthful
Mayor was beaten In his second contest
because Of the irreconcilable enemies
and influences he had arraysd against
himself in matters purely Of local poll
tics and local administration. He was
a victim OF his own fearless (and some
tnN IAa o..
which he considered made. in the ag-
gregate. for bad. old fashioned city gov
eminent
In the dozen years OF his brilliant
public service. years in which he
launched and ledr reform after reform
he antasonized so many elements OF the
city's population that no amount OF
creditable service could save him from
defeat at the hands of resourceful, per-
fectly organized Tammany.
He had against him not only Tam.
many, which was hungry for office after
many starved years, but all Of the un.
organized partisanship which looked
obviously at "newfangled" methods OF
administration. A Catholic himself. hs
had nevertheless incurred the powerful
enmity OF Roman Catholics because OF
his insistence that Catholic institutions
o. charity should be subjected to the
same scrutiny given to non-sectariar
institutions enjoying portions Of the
cty's bounty. And there was lone
list Of men still powerful in politics who
had been Inundated or. at the least
offended by his downright methods.
Perhaps a not too well understood pro-
gramme for improving the West Side Of
Manhattan by a fair arrangement with
the New York Central Railroad played
its part in rolling up against him tn,
great Tammany majority in the cit,
election Of 1917. And still another fac.
tor was the bitter antagonism shown b,
William r. Hearst and the Hears
papers. Possibly Mr.. Mitchell played
into the hands of these elements by hi!
loyalty to friends under fire.
Promptly Joins Air Service.
His defeat in the Mayoralty contest o.
1917 revealed the mans sterling charac
ter as it had never before displayed
itself Although he suffered keenly, a.
his friends knew because of the mis-
understanding. the apprehension. tn,
malice and the vindictive personal pur
suit which had combined to retire hin
from public life. II man who haC
served his city and no less his countr!
with unusual intelligence. industry ant
word of complaint and with the fines
courage.
Once the returns OF the election wer
Confirmed his ambition centred itself in
SANITY upon what opportunities migt
le for personal service to the nation
ana in that ambition, as the whole coun
try, former enemies and former friend
must know now. there was not tn
slightest suggestion OF aggrandizemen
no desire to find an easy billet, no de
sire for desk chair uniform.
Within few days after he had bee
rejected by a public vote in which tn
Tsmmany candidate, Mr.. Hylan, receive
approximately two votes for every on
cast for himself, Mr.. Mitchell renewe
his appeal to the War Department 70
permission TO serve his country as
fighting man on the first line of battle
For months before he consented, an
only after earnest persuasion. 1t
known, TO become a second time a cand
date for Mayor. he had been anxious
Join the army. He had trained at Platts
burg coming out Of the severe test i'm
posed upon civilian candidates at ths
camp with great distinction.
His training had been br infantr
command. He was one Of the first c
young American men OF affairs to volur
training at the first Plattsburg CAM
There he distinguished himself for as
sduous study, both mental and physica
He renewed his training at the secon
camp, and at the end OF is training h
was well qualified. in the opinion {
regular army officers that had observe
his progress and keenness, to lead mel
Naturally, therefore. when the time can
for him TO apply for service he sougf
from tie Government an assignment
Infantry service. That was his fir.
thought Months passed without result
Eventually Gen. Squier, chief of III
Signal Corps, procured for him a con
mission in that corps ir the AViatio
Section Apparently 1t was tie only oper
ing available for Mr.. mitchell Gel
Squier was his personal friend. Thf
offer was accepted in January. 1913, an
Mr.. Mitchell. now a Major. was assigne
TO aviation training at San Diego, Cal.
Promptly enough, some Of his opp
nents, not too big. indeed. to refrain fro
feline criticism. heralded the untrut
that he was to be ground aviator:
man In an aviator's uniform who woul
not risk the perils of the air. But the:
critics were slenced shortly when II Wa
known that the former Mayor had qua
He'd for real air service and had show
marked ability in the handling Of an al
plane.
Becomes Fall Pledged Aviator.
lie passed his final tests and becan
full fiedged army aviator on June
lie accomplished few weeks
ground training under Sergeant tx
mund Krauss who was attached to u
a..