The New York herald., 1922-06-14
GEO. ". ALDRIDCE
dies PLAYING GOLF
ON LINKS NEAR RYE
Collector of Port Was With
c. d. Hilles, r. A. Day
and George Sweeney.
HAD JOKED OVER GAME
Died From EmbOlism of
Heart After Drive at
Ninth Hole.
FUNERAL AT ROCHESTER,
Was Republican Leader Of
Monroe County and Spent
Life in Politics.
FUNERAL AT ROCHESTER,

George w. Aldridge, Collector of the
Port OF New York, died yesterday af-
ternoon on the golf course Of the
Westchester- Biltmore Country Club at
Rye. He had just driven from the
ninth tee. Death was due to embolism
OF an artery Of the heart
Mr.. Aldridge went to the club with
Charles d. Hilles. Republican National
Committeeman from New York; Ralph
A. Day. State prohibition director, and
George Sweeney. president of the Hotel
Commodore. They remained at the
club short time and then went on
the golf links. Mr.. Aldridge and Mr..
Sweeney were paired. AS their game
started Mr.. Aldridge joked with his
opponents, telling them they were 60
ing to be badly beaten.
He drove from the ninth tee and
followed his caddy. Mr.. Sweeney was
about to play when he saw the caddy
running back waving his hands. When
Mr.. Sweeney and the rest of the party
reached Mr.. Aldridge he was uncon-
scious and breathing with difficulty.
DIR. Ira Hall, who was on the course,
was called, but Mr.. Aldridge was dead
when he arrived.
kilograms were sent to Mrs. Aldridge.
who is at Rochester. and word came
back that James L. Hotchkiss. n close
friend of Mr.. Aidridge. would start at
once to take the body back to Roch-
ester. George w. Aldridge. Jr.. accom-
palned by his wife, left last night for
Rochester. wnere the funeral will be
held.
Father n Mayor Before Him.
Mr.. Aldridge was born in Michigan
county. Ind. December rs. 1856. He
was a son of George Washington Aid
ridge and Virginia Aldridge. who had
gone to Indiana from Chazy. Clinton
county, N. Y. His father was con-
tractor and railroad builder.
Early in Mr.. Aldridge's childhood the
family moved to Rochester, and 1t was
there that he was educated and COM
menced his political career. He attended
Cary Collegiate Institute and De Gran
Military Institute.
When he left school he became busi-
ness partner of his father, who was now
a prominent factor in the Republican
marty of Rochester. The elder Aldridge
was President of the Common Council
and later Mayor. The son acquired a
taste for politics from his father. and at
the age of 23 was elected member Of
the Executive Board. which had charge
of all public works in the city. He
served in this capacity for several terms.
In 1884 he was elected Mayor OF Roch
ester on the Republican ticket and
his appointment by Gov. Morton to the
office Of state Superintendent of Public
Works followed his term as Mayor.
Exonerated by Roosevelt.
In 1896 he was much talked OF as a
nominee for the Governorship, In the
year Gov. Black was named. Two years
later he appeared. In the public eye In
another light. Accusations were made
that he had permitted public funds In
trusted to his department to be squan-
dered The charges were brought In
connection with the expenditure OF
s9,000.000 appropriated for the improve
ment Of State canals. The controversy
ended with his suspension from office at
the direction of Gov. Black. The follow
ing year, however, Theodore Roosevelt.
then Governor, declared Mr.. Aldridge
was not guilty of any misconduct.
He then retired to his private busl-
ness in Rochester for several years. al
though he retained his interest In politics
and was an active party worker. In
1906 he became active in the Roosevelt
Higgins movement for reform OF the
New York organization. When Frank
Wayland Higgins was elected Governor
he appointed Mr.. Aldridge State Rail-
road Commissioner.
In 1910 he made another effort to
secure an elective office. that of Rep
resentative in Congress from the Thirty
second district. counting much upon his
strength as political leader OF Monroe
county. Recollection of the 100000
Continued on Page Seven.