The New York herald., 1922-10-09
Francis j. Lantry,
Long in Politics,
Is Dead at So
Former Commissioner of Cor
rection and Fire Departments
and Friend Of Roosevelt.

Francis Joseph Lantry. aged 63, for
mer Commissioner % Correction and
Fire Commissioner OF New York, died
late Saturday in his home, at 5e5 West
18Th street. lie had been in poor
health for two years, but his condition
as not regarded as serious until two
weeks ago.
Mr. Lantry, despite the difference in
political views, was a close friend of the
late Col Theodore Roosevelt. He was
active in Tammany most of his life,
and for the last five years he held po-
stion in the office of the Borough
President During the second admins
tration of Mayor Mcclellan he quarreled
with Charles F.. Murphy. leader OF
Tammany, but they became friends
again in 1913 and remained so ever
since.
Born in the old Twenty first Ward,
Lantry attended st. Gabriers parochial
school. When 10 he went TO work in
an umbrella factory, and four years
later entered the employ of Aaron
Frank e Co, wholesale butchers. He
next entered the employ of John ]. Har
rington & Son. and while there first be-
came connected with Tammany.
AS member of the old Scottish
american Athletic Club he became
widely known in this city as a long dis
tance runner, winning many walking
ard running events.
He entered Tammany Hall in the Six
teenth Assembly district, Of which John
F. Carroll was leader. He was elected
Alderman in 1892, but two years later
when Mayor Strong and the reform
ticket were swept into Office, his large
majority was cut to a small one. 1t
was as Alderman that his friendship
with Theodore Roosevelt began The
latter was Police Commissioner. When
Tammany Aldermen heckled Roosevelt,
Lantry. perceiving the sincerity and
strength of Roosevelt. took his part. and
the two formed a friendship that lasted
until the Death of the Colonel.
When Robert Van Wyck was Mayor.
Mr.. Lantry was made Commissioner Of
Correction, and in Investigations con-
Quoted by the Republican Legislature
Lantry's department was one of the few
not condemned. When Mcclellan be-
| came Mayor Lantry continued for two
years as Commissioner of Correction.
and then was made Fire Commissioner.
| When the investigation OF the so-called
resigned. not because he felt himself TO
blame for conditions or because Nc
| Clellan wanted him TO. but as he said
| to escape being made the goat
That Mayor Mcclellan retained his
| faith in Lantry was shown when he ap-
| pointed him Condemnation Commits
sioner in the proceedings which resulted
in the building OF Ashokan Dam. And
John Purroy Mitchell. at that time Com
missioner Of Accounts. also declared
after Investigations that Lantry was not
to blame for any of the questionable
conditions which had resulted in his
resignation as Fire Commissioner.
| Mr." Lantry's break with Charles +.
Murphy came in 1906. when on the
Tammany General Committee he fought
Murphy and William Randolph Hears,
in the latter's race for Governor. He
also stood with Mayor Mcclellan in his
feud with Murphy.
Mr.. Lantry remained In the meal
business until five years ago. when he
moved to Harlem and went into rea
estate. He was not active in polite:
since 1914, when he announced that he
was of progressive tendencies and
favored the nomination of Charles S
an for Governor
When 25 he married Miss Catherine
Reilly. She died in 1902. In 1917 he
married Miss Ida Grey Kubele He
leaves four children by his first mar
riage. Francis j. LantrS, Jr.. Mrs. John
Deane. Mrs. William Mahoney and Miss
May Lantry. He leaves three brothers
John j. Lantry, captain of the Bronx
! Park police station: James II. Iantry
an officer in the Department OF Cor
rection, and Daniel J. Lantry. letter car
rier at the Grand Central Terminal.
A requiem mass will be said at
o'clock tomorrow morning in ST
Agnes's Roman Catholic Church, Third
| aNknue and FortX-third street.