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Mitchel (JOHN PURROY mayor of New York)

JOHN PURROY, mayor of New York, 1914-1918; born in Fordham, N. Y., in 1879. Educated at Fordham and Columbia Colleges. Graduated from N. Y. Law School in 1901 and admitted to bar; became member of law firm, Mitchel & Millan. Appointed special counsel to city of New York in 1906; Commissioner of Accounts, 1907; investigated borough presidents of Manhattan, of Manhattan , Brooklyn, and Bronx, mayor's license bureau and other departments, and prosecuted city's case against a number of officials. Elected President of the Board of Aldermen for 1909-1913, and was acting Mayor during 1910. In 1913 was made Collector of Port by President Wilson, and was elected Mayor on Fusion ticket, November, 1913. When World War broke out, came out strongly on side MITCHELL MITER of the Allies, and approved entry of of the most prominent of the conserva- United States into conflict. Standing tive labor leaders, looking to possible for re-election as Mayor in November, 1917, he was defeated by John Hylan.

Later entered the aviation forces of the United States, and was killed on July 6, 1918, at the aviation camps at Lake Charles, La., by a fall from an aeroplane.

During 1920 various projects have been under consideration to commemorate his name.