1898 -
1901
HISTORY
Conrad Diehl
was born in Buffalo
, New York
on July 17, 1843, the fifth of eight children. He was born in
a house built by his father, who was a stone mason, at 496
Pearl Street. His parents were both directly from Germany.
Conrad attended public schools in the city, including
No. 14, where he graduated from. Later he entered the Medical
Department of the University of Buffalo
During his term in the University, he found employment
in the press room of the Buffalo
Courier.
Diehl served two years as resident physician at the
Almshouse and graduated from the University of Buffalo
in 1866.
During the summer of 1866 he traveled to Germany
for post-graduate work, where he attended the University
of Goettingen. After which, he attended a lecture course
at the University of Berlin.
Dr. Diehl began practicing medicine May 1, 1867,
upon his return to Buffalo
In the fall of 1867 he was elected coroner of Erie
County for a three year term.
During the 1860's Diehl was involved with Diehl's
Drug Store at Main and Genesee Streets, which was run by
his brothers. This store was in business for 54 years before
finally closing its doors.
From 1870 to 1878 Diehl was surgeon and major of
the 65th Regiment, of the New York National Guard
, and for six years was attending physician of the Almshouse.
Diehl declined re-nomination for the position of
coroner, concentrating on his private practice and hospital
work.
From 1874 on, he was either attending or consulting
physician at the General Hospital
, which lasted forty years, and for 25 consecutive years
he was secretary of the board.
In 1892 Diehl was the first chairman of the Buffalo
Board of School Examiners and served that position until his
mayoral election.
Under Mayor Bishop
he served on the Civil Service
Commission.
In the summer of 1897 the selections for mayor were
sought by the respective parties. The Republicans were not
too eager to get current Mayor Edgar Jewett
back in office, even though he had served them well, and the
Democrats were searching for a prime candidate to compete.
On September 4, 1897, Jewett held what would today
be called a press conference to announce his desire for
re-election. He hired a campaign manager, James Menzies,
and secured offices. Other Republicans mentioned included
Robert K. Smither
and Edward C. Schafer.
The Republicans felt that John N. Scatcherd
was their candidate and he set up his campaign headquarters
at the Real Estate Exchange. In addition, two other parties
entered candidates: Leander A. Armstrong was the Socialist-Labor
candidate and Joseph W. Grosvenor was the Prohibition candidate.
On September 25, 1897, the Republican City Convention
was held at
Harmonia Hall
, admission by ticket only. A picture of McKinley was hung
in the middle of the stage, flanked by two old banners of
Philip Becker
Nathaniel W. Norton nominated J. N. Scatcherd; John F. McGee
nominated Edgar B. Jewett
; and Arthur W. Hickman nominated R. K. Smither.
After balloting was complete, Scatcherd received
23,196, Jewett 4,638, and Smither 4,180. John Newton Scatcherd
was unanimously nominated.
On September 29, 1897, the Democrats held their City
Convention at Schwabl's Hall
, 349 Broadway Street. A. J. Elias
was nominated by William Armstrong, hich was seconded. William
F. Mackey delivered an eloquent speech for dr. Diehl, which
was seconded. After the voting was complete, Diehl received
64 votes to Elias' 11. Diehl's nomination was made unanimous.
A. J. Elias
said, "Majority should rule. I shall do what I can to elect
Dr. Diehl."
As was stated by the Buffalo
Times, "The Democrats...are now united, harmonious and
enthusiastic in support of the ticket nominated."
Diehl's campaign headquarters were on the fifth floor
of the Mooney-Brisbane Building. Only a handful of the local
press supported Dr. Diehl during his campaign,
the Buffalo
Times, Buffalo
Demokrat, and the Volksfreund. The latter two being German newspapers.
John W. Fisher was hired as Diehl's campaign manager.
Fisher had been secretary for Mayor Bishop
during his two terms. As one newspaper described Fisher as an
"adroit, alluring, crafty, occult and ingenuous young
person...whose chief fault was that he believes Dr. Diehl
will be elected."
Diehl's platform included "cheaper light, cheaper
water, lower car fares, and better municipal government."
On October 18, 1897, there was to be a big Democratic
rally. In preparing for it, Diehl and several party leaders
visited ward meetings, and he delivered several short speeches
which outlined his position, direct and to the point.
At one meeting he addressed the crowd: "It affords
me much pleasure to meet you, the Democrats of the city
of Buffalo
, and to be greeted by this large gathering. It encourages
me to believe that we will be successful. As my opponent
has said, we want a business man in the Mayor's office,
but I do not believe that because a man is a professional
man he is not a business man. I have lived all my life in
the City of Buffalo
I promise that, if I am elected I will do my best to serve
the people. I will ask you for your support, and, gentlemen,
as I have said, I am no public speaker, and thanking you
for your patience and attention I will make way for those
who can talk." So was the way of Conrad Diehl
As the election drew closer, Diehl's public speaking
became a bit more from the heart and not as programmed.
"I am proud to speak to you tonight for I see before
me men whom I have known since childhood and whom I have
cared for in sickness. I feel that you are my friends and
that you trust me. Economy is the Watchword. Words mean
very little. What the people want is action."
A canvass taken late in October gave a majority to
J. N. Scatcherd. But on October 17, 1897 a canvass of the
first 11 wards showed a majority for Diehl. This was to
be a close race. Jacob C. Dold, head of the Dold Packing
Company announced his support for Scatcherd. Dold had thousands
of people working for him, and was influential in the German-American
circles. His support was a big boost to the Scatcherd campaign
On October 29, 1897, a group of "Independent
Republicans" came forward with their support for Dr.
Diehl.
LIFE
AS A MAYOR
Election day was November 2, 1897. The Buffalo
Times ran a special midnight edition with the election results.
Dr. Diehl became Mayor-elect Diehl by defeating his Republican
counterpart, 30,761 to 22,879.
At 11:10 p.m. that night Diehl entered the Times
office, the only major paper to support him, and appeared
on the balcony to speak to the crowd below. "My Fellow
Citizens: I thank you for the generous reception. This victory
proves that the people of Buffalo
own Buffalo
It shows that they are and desire to be the masters of their
own affairs. I thank you for this greeting; I thank you
for that which you have done for me." A large round
of applause and cheers rang out from the crowd. Buffalo
's first native-son was elected Mayor.
Diehl's campaign manager, John Fisher, was triumphant
in his approach. A Republican paper, the Courier-Record,
stated, "he has out generaled and defeated his opponents
at every turn. We didn't want him to win, but we congratulate
him on his success. He is a leader who knows how to lead."
When asked what he thought of the election, Mayor-elect
Diehl smiled and answered, "I will be mayor for all
the citizens of Buffalo
, with the welfare
of the city always at heart. I believe in good government. In
the enforcement of the laws. And any appointments that may
come in my power, will be made to the satisfaction of the
citizens of Buffalo
as a whole."
Although Diehl was successful, many of the other
city and county offices went to the Republicans.
Several days after the election the Mayor-elect went
on a short vacation as applicants swarmed his office for
political patronage jobs.
Around December 20, 1897, Diehl walked into the city
clerk's office and asked to be sworn in. After he was sworn
in he said, "I did not want any fuss or feathers when
I was taking the oath of office. I believe in simplicity,
and I did not think the event worthy of notice. I fully
realize the solemnity of the oath, and when I took it, its
impressiveness could not have been enhanced by the most
elaborate ceremonies."
He named Edward Fleming his secretary, and shortly
after, Edward Dickman, Clerk of the
Markets.
Dr. Diehl, along with his brothers John P., J. W.,
and Henry, entered Mayor Jewett
's office via a private door on January 2, 1898. Mayor Jewett
welcomed the new Mayor.
"Dr. Diehl, permit me to welcome you to the
office of the Mayor of the city of Buffalo
As chief executive of the city you will doubtless pass many
pleasant moments, but with the pleasures of office will
come the responsibilities, which I feel confident you will
meet successfully. I am sure that your administration will
be a credit to yourself and to the city.
"I again welcome you to the office of Mayor
of Buffalo
and wish you a Happy New Year."
Dr. Diehl replied:
"Mayor Jewett
, I thank you sincerely for the kindness of your remarks.
It is my earnest hope that I shall leave office with as
much good will on the part of the people of Buffalo
as you now enjoy. Allow me to wish you, in return, a Happy New
Year."
On January 3, 1898 Mayor Diehl
sent his Inaugural Address
to the Common Council
"At the threshold of office I shall not presume
to review the work of the several departments of the municipal
government for the last year. I respectfully call your attention
of your Honorable Body to certain subjects that may be appropriately
considered at the beginning of the year.
"Our citizens have welcomed the inflow of capital
for investment. They have regarded with cheerful favor the
increase of creditable business buildings, new industrial
establishments, additional public school
facilities, the opening of a free public library
, and the beneficent work of charitable, philanthropic and
educational institutions. Yet, however rosy the light in
which we may rightly picture our conditions, we must face
the truth that the well-being of the masses of our citizens
is the real test of the city's prosperity. It has been said
that, though the people should support the government, the
government should not support the people. While this is
true, government, Federal, State or municipal, should in
the exercise of its powers conserve the rights and the interests
of the masses.
"Has not the time come when all thoughtful citizens
agree in maintaining that the granting of municipal franchises
is a matter of grave public concern? In the practical operation
of these grants of special privileges the public has rights
that should be respected. Among these rights is that of
demanding the strict fulfillment of obligations by grantees;
also the right of insisting that charges exacted for services
to the public shall be reasonable, and the consequent right
to be all information bearing upon the question of reasonableness.
"Municipal ownership of lighting plants may
be desirable.
"The contracts with the Buffalo
Gas Light
Company, the Citizens' Gas Company and the Buffalo
Mutual Gas Light Company stipulate that the City shall pay the
uniform price of eighty cents a thousand feet throughout
the period of five years. There is no provision for a 'progressive
reduction in such price for each year,' nor is there any
provision requiring that 'during the term therein specified
the corporation party thereto may and shall supply gas to
the inhabitants of such city at prices lower than those
now or then charged therein by such corporation party thereto
and progressively lower for each year of such term.'
"In the social, commercial and industrial life
of a great city the importance of rapid transit
, adequate street railway
facilities, and cheap fares can hardly be overestimated, and
it is not surprising that this is a subject of recurring
discussion in every large community. It is a matter of direct,
personal and pecuniary interest to nearly every household.
The introduction of the trolley
system has revolutionized the street railway business in Buffalo
and has brought universally recognized improvements to the street
railway service.
"Has not the time come when the City and its
citizens should call upon the Buffalo
Railway Company and its immediate allies to make a reduction
of fare? Is it not reasonable to expect cheaper railway
service as one of the practical, every day benefits resulting
from electrical developments at Niagara Falls and improving
economic conditions, the offspring of amazingly fertile
genius and invention in the electrical world?
"It appears to me that past experience and present
conditions should convince our municipal authorities that
long-term, feebly-restricted grants of public franchises
are against sound public policy.
"In communications to Your Honorable Body, my
immediate predecessors, Mayor Bishop
and Jewett, repeatedly called attention to the importance of
obtaining legislation authorizing the City to utilize what
is known as the Sea Wall Strip for increased dock facilities.
I hope that Your Honorable Body will at an early day request
the State Senators and the Assemblymen from this city to
reintroduce the Sea Wall Strip Bill and obtain, if possible,
the favorable action of the Legislature and the Governor.
The demands of the increasing commerce of the port should
not be neglected.
"Since the Water Works plant was acquired by
the city the policy of supplying water for household purposes
without much restriction as to quantity has in the main
prevailed. Meter service has been largely confined to factories,
railroads, hotels and business buildings.
"There is...a general demand for cheaper water,
and there are those who even favor free water. I am in favor
of supplying water at the actual cost of pumping it. The
reduction in rates recently made was estimated to be about
30 per cent of the former rates. I recommend that a further
reduction be made, so that the amount collected shall approximate
the cost of pumping, and that the greatest reduction be
made in the rates for dwelling houses, closets and baths.
"The need of an enlargement of the City and
County Hall
is notorious. It has been discussed for years, but beyond the
preparation of plans nothing has been done. Meanwhile the
principal city and county offices have become more and more
crowded and cramped.
"Though the conditions were in a considerable
improved by the construction of the trunk sewer, the Main
and Hamburg Street Canal has persistently maintained its
reputation of being an 'elongated cesspool.' The only effectual
abatement of the nuisance is extermination. the best method
of bringing this about is the passage of an act ceding the
canal to the City, and authorizing the City to utilize the
property or dispose of it in the manner most beneficial
to the public interests. Accordingly, I recommend that your
Honorable Body petition the Legislature to pass such an
act.
"Under the enabling act of the State Legislature
a contract was made (February 27, 1897), between the Buffalo
Library and the City of Buffalo
for the establishment of a Free Public Library, the City receiving
the books and pamphlets and the use of the library building,
in trust for a term of ninety-nine years and agreeing to
make an annual appropriation (based) on the assessed valuation
of the City. March 1, 1897, the library contained upwards
of 85,000 volumes; 15,000 volumes have since been purchased,
so that more than 100,000 volumes are now available for
the free use of citizens.
"The library was opened to the public September
1, 1897 and has been notably successful from the start.
Today the Buffalo
Public Library reports nearly 32,000 registered borrowers.
"Projected by enterprising citizens of Buffalo
, aided by some of the leading financiers of the country,
and endorsed by the State and Federal authorities, the Pan-American
Exposition
to be held next year, on Cayuga Island
will be an event of much importance to this city. The purposes
of the project are well known, and they deserve strong public
approbation. That the enterprise will be successful is not
a matter of doubt, and our citizens should not fail to recognize
the significance of the occasion.
"A plan involving the cooperation of the municipal
authorities and the business organizations of Buffalo
should be devised with the view of promoting the interests of
the City. Assuredly, the event will afford an uncommon opportunity
for acquainting a great number of visitors with the attractions
and advantages of Buffalo
, not only as a place of residence but as the seat of innumerable
industries, soon to be multiplied by the fostering effect
of cheap power and expanding commercial facilities."
Sometime during 1898, an amendment to extend the
Mayor's term to four years was adopted.
Mayor Diehl
issued his second Annual Message to the Common Council
on January 2, 1899.
"It would be unwise and indefensible to ignore
the popular conviction that the general welfare
of Buffalo
demands, for the next fiscal year, a lower tax rate than that
fixed and enforced for the current year. Undoubtedly this
demand for reduction of taxation stands at the head of the
list of distinctively municipal questions and is uppermost
in the minds of all who have at heart the prosperity of
the city and the well-being of its citizens.
"The tax rate per $1,000...for the current fiscal
year is $18.04.
"How...can Your Honorable Body bring about a
reduction of the tax rate? You must necessarily look chiefly
to the reductions of appropriations for the department service
and avoid the undertaking of public works that can be postponed
without detriment to the public interests. In a special
message on...the 5th of last July, I...submitted the following
suggestions:
"'The continued depression of business and an
extraordinary tax rate not only warn the city authorities
against the unwisdom of every unnecessary expenditure of
the public funds, but also point to the unmistakable duty
of the legislative and executive branches of the city government
to take steps that will lead to the reduction of the tax
rate.'
"I strongly hope that throughout the fiscal
year just begun your honorable body will have extreme care
in the consideration of the propositions looking to an increase
of the bonded debt of the city and will so direct legislative
action as to bring about a reduction of local taxation.
There may be those who advocate certain projects in response
to the plea that the expenditure of public money will give
work and wages to the unemployed. True, but who contributes
the public money? The great bulk of our taxes
is paid by the masses - and by the many and not by the few,
and the masses obtain from private enterprise their livelihood.
"Has not the time come for a careful scrutiny
of the appropriations for the several departments and for
a readjustment of the payrolls? I am aware that there are
in the employ of the city skilled men who are not adequately
compensated for their services, but I am convinced that
they are not so numerous as the superfluous employees and
those whose salaries, fixed by ordinance, are in excess
of the value of the work done by them.
"A month ago I submitted to your honorable body
a statement of facts and certain recommendations relative
to the Pan-American Exposition
to be held on the Niagara Frontier in 1901.
"It is with pleasure and gratification that
I make known to Your Honorable Body that the zeal and enthusiasm
of the influential and public-spirited men of the city in
support of this magnificent undertaking are probably without
precedent in the annals of Buffalo
There are manifested a sincere and unrestrained disposition
and resolution to come together on a common platform in
the furtherance of a common cause.
"It appears that the death rate for the calendar
year was only 12.14 per thousand, the lowest known to the
records of a city.
"My official experience during the year just
ended has convinced me that though there are not a few defects
in the ordinances and the charter, and though the business
methods in vogue in some of the departments are unsatisfactory,
yet there has been a general tendency in the public service
toward an improvement of the administration of public affairs."
The Mayor delivered the first Annual Message of the
new century on January 1, 1900. It was received and ordered
printed, while none of it was formally read before the council.
"In my annual message to Your Honorable Body
one year ago...I called attention to the fact that the mayor
has no authority officially to approve or disapprove a single
item of the annual budget. I recommended a close scrutiny
of the appropriations and a reduction wherever it could
be made without detriment to the public service. I am pleased
with the spirit in which Your Honorable Body received and
acted upon this recommendation, and I am gratified that
so considerable reduction was made without hampering the
departments.
"Building operations have been carried on to
a greater extent than for some time previous; many public
improvements have been made, such as the extension of street
car lines, the opening of new streets, paving, sewering,
extensions of water and gas mains, all having a tendency
to increase valuations.
"In a special message, December 5, 1898, I made
the following statement: 'Although the State Convention
provides that no county, city, town or village shall hereafter
give any money or property, or loan its money or credit
to or in aid of any individual, association or corporation,
or become directly or indirectly the owner of stock in or
bonds of any association or corporation, yet there are ways
in which the municipality of Buffalo
can effectively and properly aid the proposed Exposition.
"One of the ways in which this aid could be
extended was pointed out and Your Honorable Body adopted
resolutions...to prepare a special act providing for a more
comprehensive Pan-American organization than was possible
under the general corporation laws.
"The progress made in the development of the
great enterprise is highly gratifying...[and] is a splendid
illustration of the public spirit and generosity of the
12,000 citizens who have given financial support to the
undertaking.
"The Board of Park
Commissioners on the first of last August adopted a resolution
authorizing the Exposition Company to use 'the section of
Delaware Park
west of Delaware Avenue...for seven months from April 1, 1901.'
"Last April the Board of Directors of the Pan-American
Exposition
appointed a committee to confer with the officers of the Merchants'
Exchange with reference to the work of bringing conventions
to Buffalo
during 1900 and 1901.
"As a result of the conference, the Merchants'
Exchange has established a 'Bureau of Conventions and Industries.'
The work of this bureau in obtaining conventions...has been
very successful. The holding of these conventions here will
be a benefit to both Buffalo
and the Pan-American Exposition
, and by making proper provision for the coming gatherings
the city can give the Exposition valuable and material aid.
"It is estimated that more than fifteen million
strangers will visit Buffalo
during the Exposition year.
"In view of the new conditions growing out of
the coming Exposition and the new demands incident to these
conditions, the imperative necessity of a careful scrutiny
of the annual appropriations for the municipal service must
be apparent. The situation calls for the sacrifice of the
non-essentials in the interest of those things essential
to the proper attitude of the City towards the millions
of people invited to come within our gates.
"I have held and still hold that the city should
be master on the main waterfront
of the new harbor.
"Last January, pursuant to a request of the
Common Council
, I appointed Messrs. Ansley Wilcox, John Cunneen, Philip
A. Laing, Tracy C. Becker, and John Coleman as a committee
of citizens to cooperate with a special committee...in the
work of perfecting amendments to the City Charter
"The Overseer of the Poor says that there are
777 less families receiving aid from the city this year
than last year. This is due to more prosperous times, and
more work for the large number of unemployed which the city
has had to care for heretofore."
In 1900, by amendment to the City Charter
, the Commissioner of Public Works was substituted for the
President of the Common Council
in the membership of the Board of Health.
Mayor Diehl
presented his last Annual Address to the Common Council
on January 7, 1901.
"Since the last regular meeting of Your Honorable
Body the nineteenth century completed its course and the
twentieth century has been born. This passing of the old
and coming of the new was an impressive event, and for the
city of Buffalo
it has a special significance.
"It is the good fortune of this city to be chosen
site for the holding of an Exposition for the purpose of
commemorating the achievements of the nineteenth century,
illustrating the progress and the civilization of the nations
of the Western Hemisphere.
"With surprise and admiration the city has looked
upon the growth of the buildings and the grounds of the
Exposition.
"Viewing the situation as a whole, the citizens
of Buffalo
have robust reasons for congratulating themselves
upon the bright and promising outlook for the city
during the first year of the new century.
"Gentlemen of the Common Council
, new conditions have brought with them new duties. We have
in our keeping a new Buffalo
, with its new opportunities and its new ambitions - a new
Buffalo
facing a new century and especially charged with celebrating
worthily and with high aim the marvelous prowess of the
New World.
"In the annual message which I had the honor
of presenting to Your Honorable Body a year ago I said:
'The situation calls for the sacrifice of the nonessentials
I beg to repeat the suggestion and renew the recommendation.
"Ample provision should be made for street cleaning
purposes in order that Buffalo
may appear at its best to the eyes of the world. For a like
reason, the Park Board should have resources necessary to
maintain the park system in creditable condition.
"Since 1880 the growth of the city has been
phenomenal. Outside capital found profitable investment
in manufactories. A new era had begun for Buffalo
In ten years her population increased 100,000. The Federal
census of 1900 showed that Buffalo
had the largest percentage of increase in manufactories of any
city in the country. The development in the past ten years
has been the most remarkable of any period of her history
and has attracted the attention of the whole world.
"In 1886 but 95,425,790 bushels [of grain] were
received; in 1896 the receipts had increased to 215,352,734.
The increase since 1896 has been steady.
"The immense grain trade of the city has led
to the establishment here of forty of the largest elevators
in the world...with a storage capacity of 22,000,000 bushels.
There are also six transfer towers with a capacity of 40,000
bushels, and eight floating elevators.
"The flour mills of the city have a capacity
of 3,700 barrels a day and an annual output of 500,000 barrels.
"The lake tonnage of vessels arriving and departing
at the port of Buffalo
has increased from 7,556,413 gross tons in 1890 to 12,020,721
in 1898.
"The growth in shipbuilding in Buffalo
in the last few years has been enormous. The number built on
the lakes in 1895 was but ten with a gross tonnage of 23,195...and
to 303 with a tonnage of 183,317 in 1899.
"The growth of the iron and steel business of
Buffalo
has been wonderful in the last five years. The receipts of iron
ore at Buffalo
increased from 719,742 tons in 1895 to 1,530,016 gross tons
in 1899. The building of an extensive steel plant at Stony
Point, on the southern limits of Buffalo
, is the chief event of recent years in this industry. The
plant is to be one of the largest in the world, and will
cost over $20,000,000, and will give employment to over
8,000 men.
"Over 8,000,000 tons of coal are received in
this city every year. The shipping docks and coal pockets
at this port have an average daily shipping capacity of
22,000 tons, while the stocking coal trestles of the railroads
in the city have a storage capacity of 500,000 tons. These
great structures which are the largest in the world, have
been built within a few years.
"The lumber trade of Buffalo
and Tonawanda is exceeded by but one city in the world, Chicago.
The yearly receipts average more than 1,000,000,000 feet.
"The live stock business of the city is extraordinary.
The receipts of cattle and horses number over 70,000 cars
annually. It is the largest sheep and horse market in the
world. The pork packing business is one of the chief industries
of the city and gives employment to thousands.
"The brewing and malting business is one of
the chief industries of the city. Twenty breweries, with
an annual capacity of 2,000,000 barrels operate here, and
there are twenty malting houses, with a capacity of 3,000,000
bushels.
"The railroad yards are the largest in the world.
The companies own nearly 4,000 acres of land, and have over
500 miles of trackage within the city limits, while the
plans call for over 200 more. More than 250 passenger trains
arrive and depart from the city every day. Many suburban
electric lines have been built within a few years and have
added much to the growth of the city's business.
"Fifteen years ago the White Building was the
only office building in the city of any pretension. Now
many magnificent types of modern office buildings grace
our streets. The Ellicott Square, which has the distinction
of being the largest office building in the world, has been
erected within a few years. The Erie County Savings Bank
building, the Buffalo
Savings Bank
, the Mutual Life, the Mooney-Brisbane, the Prudential,
the D. S. Morgan and Masonic
Temple are among the principal structures erected in recent
years. The Buffalo
Library and the Grosvenor Library
buildings, Music Hall, the new Post office, the 74th Regiment
Armory, the Buffalo
Medical College
and a score of magnificent temples of worship have been built
in the past few years. In nine years over $50,000,000 has
been expended for buildings.
"Within ten years the city has laid 3,156,458
square yards of asphalt pavement.
"It has laid 233 miles of water mains and spent
$4,000,000 in improving its water plant in ten years.
"The city has abolished its principal railroad
crossings at grade during the past year. The present plan
of the Grade Crossing Commission
provides for
the abolishment of the crossings at seventeen streets.
"All the overhead telephone and telegraph wires
in the business section have been placed in subways and
the fire alarm and police
wires of the city are carried therein without expense to the
city.
"Over 250 miles of natural gas mains have been
laid in the city within fifteen years and this cheap and
clean fuel has almost entirely superseded coal in our residences.
"The city has established free public baths
in various locations in the city and has acquired and maintains
the great free public library
which bears
its name.
"The transition from horse to electric power
in the propulsion of street cars has taken place within
ten years. The extension of the system has brought every
section of the city within twenty minutes' ride of the business
section. ...There are over 315 miles of trackage owned by
the International Traction Company
, of which 200 are within the city limits. The company has
660 cars and expects to operate 800 during the Pan-American
Exposition
"The greatest achievement in the past five years
of Buffalo
's history has been the successful generation of electricity
by the power of Niagara Falls and its transmission to Buffalo
"The educational department is the pride of
the city. There are...a large number of kindergartens, and
a training school for teachers has been established.
"In my last annual message, I had the pleasure
of announcing that the city had been equipped by legislation
to carry out the effective plan for the abatement of the
Hamburg Canal nuisance, which for fifty years has been a
menace to the health and comfort of our citizens. The work
of abating this nuisance is now being carried out.
"The city has been built and equipped for a
population of more than half a million. There are more miles
of asphalt pavement in Buffalo
than in any other city in the world. The expense for local improvements
for the next few years will be comparatively small.
"The growth and prosperity of our city depends
in a great measure upon the prudent management of her municipal
affairs. Extravagance increases the burden of taxation and
closes the door to new industries so vital to further development.
I trust that it will be the aim of Your Honorable Body to
bring to our city that measure of prosperity which the energy
and enterprise of her extraordinary facilities for the increase
of her commerce and domestic industries demand."
Mayor Diehl
began a new century for the city. As outlined in his last annual
address
, many developments of the city have occurred making Buffalo
one of the most important cities in the world. Much of Diehl's
time was spent preparing the city for the Pan-American Expo
, which was his way of paying tribute to the soldiers who
served in the Spanish-American War.
The Expo appeared to be a great success until tragedy
struck. The Mayor had formally invited President McKinley
to the Expo,
and was with him when he was struck down by Leon Czolgosz
He died early on September 14, 1901, and Vice-President
Roosevelt arrived here later that afternoon to be sworn
in as President.
The Expo boosted Buffalo
