Joseph
Mruk
1950
- 1953
HISTORY
Joseph Mruk was born on November 6, 1903, in Buffalo's East
Side.
He attended School 44, St. John Kanty School, and graduated
from South Park High School around 1920. He spent several
years learning the jewelry business and opened his own jewelry
store at 1326 Broadway Avenue in 1926.
In 1933 Mruk made his first attempt at a political office,
running as the Republican candidate for supervisor in the
10th Ward. He lost that election but did not give up. In
1935 he ran for councilman in the Walden District, but was
again defeated.
In 1937 Mruk made another attempt at the common council
seat and won. He won re-election for two terms, and from
1941 - 1942 he was councilman-at-large. He stayed in that
seat until 1942 at which time he ran for Congressman of
the 41st District.
Mruk won the Congressional election and was appointed to
the House Rivers and Harbors Committee. This was considered
unusual for a newcomer. Here he opposed plans for the proposed
St. Lawrence Seaway and it was believed that was the main
reason for his selection to that committee.
Because of his opposition of the St. Lawrence Seaway, going
against the Republican party, that may have cost him re-election.
In 1944 he was not the nominated candidate and ran as an
independent Republican. At the general election he was defeated.
Mruk was approached in 1945 to run for mayor, but refused
to run unless he was nominated by the party.
He ran for Walden District councilman in 1947. The election
heated up when he refused to answer a questionnaire from
the Progressive Citizens of America organization, claiming
that "quite a few of the individuals (in the organization)
have been identified in the press...as connected with, or
actively supporting, Communist activities." The president
of that organization, George Provost, lashed back that Mruk
was hiding his past political record and was "worried
about Leo Pacanowski, who's mighty popular in the district."
In 1949 Mruk became the Republican nominee for mayor and
agreed to run.
His campaign speeches included telling the people that "the
greater interest people take in government the more government
will do for them.
"If the city government is not handled properly, you
can and will suffer the consequences.
"We have a fine slate of candidates and each one is
experienced not only in government but in business. If you
were hiring a cook or a carpenter you would not do so if
they were not qualified. In business, as in government,
it's experience that counts."
The primary was held on September 6, 1949. The Democrats
chose Chief Judge John D. Hillery as their candidate over
City Clerk Stephen Pankow. The Republicans chose Mruk by
a 2 to 1 margin. The other candidates included George W.
Wanamaker, former Sheriff William M. Eberhardt, and Charles
T. Villa.
That hectic
campaign became almost a crusade for Mruk in East
Buffalo, normally dominated by Democrats.
He carried the Polish-American 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th Wards
--
where registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by a
four-to-one ratio -- by a ratio of almost five to one. He polled 34,500
votes, nearly 28 percent of his 123,500 citywide total,
in those four wards alone, compared with only 7,300 for
Hillery.
After the victory
Mruk thanked all those associated with his campaign.
"I am sincerely grateful to everyone who contributed
to this fine victory. The committeemen and committeewomen,
party workers and the hundreds of friends who gave so freely
of their time and efforts are the people who made success
possible. Also, I want to thank the thousands of voters
who gave a concrete demonstration on their confidence in
me and the other candidates on our splendid Republican ticket,
a ticket that I believe will march to victory in November.
"I am thankful that we were able to emerge from this
primary campaign without recriminations or underhanded tactics
which have no part in a truly American election such as
Tuesday's primary. I am satisfied that the election was
settled on the issues involved and issues alone.
"With everyone working as hard in the general election
as they did in the primary, I am certain that we will be
victorious in November."
LIFE AS A MAYOR
Election day was on November 8, 1949. The citizens of Buffalo
came out in droves to elect a new mayor. A record turnout
for the mayoral election brought Joseph Mruk to the forefront
to become Buffalo's first Polish mayor. He easily defeated
his Democratic challenger, Chief Judge John D. Hillery,
123,560 to 100,631. This was the largest number of votes
ever cast for one candidate and the total number combined
was also the largest. James Annaccone, on the American Labor
Party ticket, and Robert Hoffman, on the Liberal ticket,
garnered a few votes, but were no where near the race for
the top, with 1,411 and 1,254 votes, respectively. Hoffman
was making his second attempt at the mayoral seat.
The Common Council did not follow the Mayor-elect's lead,
though, as the GOP lost a seat, leaving it 9-6 in the Democrats
favor.
Mruk took office on January 1, 1950. He was a mayor with
several firsts to his credit. The entire inauguration
ceremony was viewed on television for the first time. Thousands
sat at home and watched WBEN-TV, the television station
owned by the Buffalo Evening News.
Mayor Dowd was presented to introduce the new mayor. Dowd
said, in part:
"I want to congratulate you most heartily on the confidence
which the people of Buffalo have shown in you. I know that
you assume your new responsibilities and obligations seriously
with high resolve to maintain good government."
Mruk delivered his Inaugural Address to the Common Council
after the inaugural ceremony.
"I welcome this opportunity to appear before your Honorable
Body. I feel that mutual, frank discussion of problems facing
us is necessary.
"We are now duly elected officials charged with conduct
of the city government. It is a huge responsibility. Over
600,000 people look to us to provide, in fullest possible
measure, those services for which they pay taxes - services
which are in many instances vitally important to everyday
living.
"I believe that we now secure, through various sources,
sufficient revenue to assure efficient service to the people.
It is obvious that no effective savings can be accomplished
immediately. We shall, however, be able to present a reduced
tax rate in the fiscal year of 1950 - 51. It is extremely
important that increasing taxes be stopped immediately.
In this connection I ask the cooperation of your Honorable
Body, first, to screen carefully every request that would
place additional burden on the taxpayers, and, second, in
a program to eliminate jobs proven to be unnecessary.
"I have only one suggestion to make. Many of our bridges
are in a deplorable condition. They are vital factors in
proper movement of traffic and involve safety of the traveling
public. I ask your Honorable Body to consider the feasibility
of devoting a larger share of the annual allotment for capital
expenditures to immediate reconstruction of bridges.
"It is not necessary for me to recount in this message
the many ills of our waterfront. They are common knowledge.
Its rehabilitation is a matter requiring complete nonpartisan
cooperation. I believe that a port authority is the only
proper solution.
"(Public Transportation) is a problem that has been
thrust upon us by years of coddling and compromising with
the International Railway Company. The Public Service Commission
has repeatedly and consistently ignored its responsibility
to the citizens of Buffalo in this connection.
"Public transportation is the lifeline of industry
and business. Without it they will suffer. Our citizens
cannot reach their places of employment and shopping centers
without good transportation.
"From a standpoint of human need, (housing) is the
city's most pressing problem. Estimates place requirements
for housing at 14,585 units. While the Dante Place and Ferry
Street projects will provide an additional 820 units, these
will give but small relief.
"A survey has shown that one-ninth of the city's land
area is blighted; that in these blighted areas is the highest
birth rate and the highest infant death rate; that 30% of
the fires originate here; that 47% of T.B. cases are in
this area and that juvenile delinquency and youth arrests
are highest in these blighted portions.
"(Education) is a problem where rising costs of government
and need for service meet head-on.
"Our streets are in bad condition. They are dangerous
and retard traffic.
"Other cities have adopted a more modern program of
street reconstruction. This program costs only 30% or less
of the costs imposed by our present system. It is far speedier
and causes less inconvenience.
"In this connection, to assist in meeting the cost
of such a program, I believe we should receive from the
state a direct share of the huge amounts paid by residents
of Buffalo into the state treasury each year through motor
fuel taxes and license fees.
"In the light of 21 years' experience, since the adoption
of our present charter, we should be able to make a completely
comprehensive study with a view to streamlining and modernizing
our city procedures.
"(Traffic) is Buffalo's No. 1 physical problem, as
in most American cities. narrow streets, ample for traffic
needs a half-century ago, do not meet today's needs.
"I believe that thousands of people now drive automobiles
into downtown and other business areas who would not do
so if good public transportation was available. The need
for relief is urgent.
"Adequate protection for children at all school crossings
and the need for more police protection go hand in hand.
I will place in the mayor's budget, in the Police Department
appropriation, a sum sufficient to provide for civilian
guards at all school crossings.
"The 'lighted schoolhouse' is vitally important to
an adequate recreational program. We have huge sums invested
in gymnasiums and facilities in the public school buildings.
They should be made available to the public, without charge,
in periods when playgrounds are closed.
"The program for removal of unsightly overhead wires
and cables has been in progress for over 40 years.
"The program is now 16 miles behind schedule. If the
rate were increased to 8 miles per year for the next four
years the deficit would be picked up and the work could
continue at its normal rate."
Following his inaugural speech, Mruk went to the Mayor's
office, where he greeted an endless line of well-wishers
for over two hours.
The Common Council voted to provide Mruk with a limousine
on June 1, 1950. He created a stir when he refused to use
the limousine and instead drove his own 1949 Ford.
On June 27, 1950, President Truman orders U.S. troops, backed
by the U.N., into Korea, to mark the beginning of the Korean
War.
During the primary campaign of 1950, Daniel K. Boone, an
independent candidate for the Republican nomination in the
43rd Congressional District, attacked Mruk for using political
patronage to "build up a personal political machine"
of 180 appointments - 75 Republican, 39 Democrat, 1 American
Labor Party and the rest miscellaneous.
On January 9, 1951 Mayor Mruk delivered his second Annual
Address to the Council.
"As we stand at the threshold of 1951, we are mindful
of the fact that during the year which just drew to a close,
our horizons were darkened by the clouds of the Korean War
with its undertone of Communistic activities which are attempting
to overthrow our democratic way of life.
"It would be folly, indeed, to minimize the threat
of these evil forces. Every municipality, including our
own, felt the impact of this new national crisis, and our
course during the coming year will of necessity be affected
by the turn of National events.
"One of the year's most outstanding achievements was
the united civic demand to have the State Legislature create
a Buffalo Port Authority to operate airport, parking and
port improvement projects.
"Busy streets were made safe and useful for moving
traffic by the restriction of many more miles of parking
on crowded thoroughfares. A new, modern signal system was
installed on Delaware Avenue, Franklin Street and Linwood
Avenue.
"Many improvements were made at the Civic Stadium and
Memorial Auditorium. Among them will be a Bulova electric
clock and scoreboard, which is to be installed in the Memorial
Auditorium within the next month or two. ...The revenues
of the Stadium were affected by the loss of the Buffalo
Bills' professional football team.
"Approximately 10,000 boys and girls between the ages
of 15 and 21 are now participating in the Lighted School-house
program. The program has proved eminently successful and
each school involved reports increasing attendance each
week.
"During the year 1950 trees were trimmed on 191 streets.
On the great majority of the streets this was the first
trimming in a generation.
"The character of municipally-supplied water has been
deteriorating for several years due to the unsatisfactory
condition of the filter beds. This is the first time since
the Filter Plant was erected in 1921 that the filter beds
have been completely reconditioned.
"A new refuse dump was opened in the Tifft Farm area,
which is far removed from a residential area and away from
main thoroughfares and will provide dumping capacity for
many years.
"One of the items of equipment acquired during the
year, which is new to the City of Buffalo, is the new packer-type
garbage collection truck.
"During 1950 the (Police) Department was called upon
to investigate 17 cases of murder and manslaughter, all
of which were solved or cleared.
"During the year the following (activity was) inaugurated:
"CIVIL DEFENSE UNIT - To set up a system of emergency
police protection in the event of a bombing, or other catastrophe;
to investigate and follow Communistic or subversive activities;
to coordinate with federal, state and County Civil Defense
units.
"The year of 1950 did not, of course, see the complete
fruition of all of the hopes and plans I outlined at the
beginning of the year. Even in normal times we don't always
realize our objectives as speedily as we hope and dream,
and this past year many of our plans were halted and others
retarded by the suddenness and unexpectedness of the outburst
of war in Korea, bringing with it a new threat of a world
war.
"At the present time 101 policemen and 30 firemen are
assigned to school crossing duty. I urge upon Your Honorable
Body the desirability of use of civilian school crossing
guards without further delay.
"In the development of our city to its highest potentialities
the rehabilitation of our waterfront easily plays the most
important role. Tonnage figures may be quoted in explaining
why our port has slipped to fourteenth place in national
standing but nothing can explain away the fact that we closed
our eyes to the deterioration of the waterfront which discouraged
new business from seeking our ports and diverted the same
to other cities with its resultant loss of employment for
many Buffalonians.
"Let us hope that total war will be averted, but in
the event that it should occur, our first thought must be
the security of our citizens.
"In short, all the facilities and personnel of all
the major city departments will be ready and trained to
meet any demands made upon them by any emergency.
"To all of you and to all of our fellow citizens, I
extend a sincere wish that the New Year may be a happy and
prosperous one, bringing with it a lifting of the clouds
of war and tension that now overshadow our people."
In 1951 John P. Rollek, the city licensing director and
a close aide to Mruk, and a Democratic state committeeman,
were convicted of extorting money from pinball machine operators
and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The extortion conviction
was overturned, but the conspiracy conviction remained and
he was jailed for five months. Mruk was never charged.
Mayor Mruk delivered his third Annual Address to the Common
Council on January 7, 1952.
"I am certain that the prime concern of all our citizens
is the national defense effort, the security of our nation.
"However, hand-in-glove with national security goes
the need for the attainment of the greatest amount of at-home
normality and stability that can be achieved.
"While we strive mightily, as a nation, for world peace,
to prevent world destruction and loss of life, killers in
our midst took, in 1951, their one-millionth recorded victim.
Buffalo has contributed what I consider a deplorable percentage
of that total. I consider it difficult to term many of these
traffic deaths as merely 'accidents.' Too many are caused
by the heartless speeder, the discourteous and reckless
driver, the breaker and flouter of laws, to fall into the
category of 'accident.' A killing under these conditions
is just as vicious, just as evil, as killing under any other
conditions with any other weapon.
"NO NEW COMMITMENTS OF ANY NATURE CAN BE MADE.
"The budget for 1952-53 must be realistic. We cannot
afford a repetition of the 1951-52 budget.
"Many of our most costly and most urgently needed projects
arise from lack of farsighted planning in the past. Narrow
streets, incapable of carrying today's traffic load, deteriorated
areas, encroachment of business and industry upon residential
sections, the need of sufficient area for our expanding
industry, shifts in population causing need for new
schools, all are directly or indirectly caused by lack of
proper planning.
"There remains for us, therefore, the requirement to
see that future generations are not saddled with the same
type of problems that concern us deeply today.
"To accomplish all this, secure faith in the decisions
of the City Planning Commission must be implanted in the
hearts of our citizens.
"The problem of reconstructing our bridges and viaducts
is one that continues to grow in size and seriousness.
"The condition of some of our bridges and viaducts
has deteriorated to such an extent that the very safety
of our traveling public is threatened.
"The need for revamping our airport is unquestioned.
Provision must be made for the coming of jet operations.
Adequate space must be provided for handling passengers
and planes.
"Years of neglect have caused our waterfront facilities
to fall into decay. Let us learn from that lesson and take
all measures necessary to preserve and protect our airport
facilities.
"One of the features eliminated by reduction of the
1951-52 budget was the lighted school-house program. This
was most unfortunate. An attendance of approximately 33,000
in its first year testified to the effectiveness of the
program.
"This program did not contain all the answers to overcoming
juvenile delinquency, but it was a distinct contribution
toward a solution of this pressing problem.
"Because of its proven value to Buffalo youth, this
program will again be included in the 1952-53 Mayor's budget
and I request the cooperation of Your Honorable Body in
providing this valuable service to our teenagers."
On February 13, 1953 a rumor spread that Mruk had died.
No one knew how it started, but he found out when calls
started coming to City Hall from his family. "I'm very
much alive," he reported.
The Korean War armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.
On December 30, 1953 Mayor Mruk released a final progress
report on his administration. It was received by the Common
Council on January 5, 1954.
"A summary report of all the major capital improvements
made in the City of Buffalo during my Administration would
require volumes of detailed statistics.
"Hazardous craters, badly deteriorated areas, and miles
of rutted conditions at unused streetcar rails characterized
the pavements on the main streets of Buffalo in 1950. These
conditions have now been almost completely eliminated by
the extensive program of street resurfacing inaugurated
by this Administration in 1950.
"This Administration saw the bringing into being of
the small boat harbor in Fuhrmann Boulevard south of Ohio
Street.
"Docking facilities for 200 small boats have been provided.
The harbor was placed in use during 1953 and was dedicated
October 3, 1953. Thus has been provided the nucleus for
what should become with proper development one of the really
fine recreational facilities on the Great Lakes.
"A major undertaking of this Administration has been
the extensive improvement program at the Municipal Airport.
"One of the occurrences during this Administration
that came close to being a major catastrophe and that serves
to point up the hazards inherent in many of our old and
deteriorated bridges occurred March 1, 1951, when the center
pier of the Ohio Street lift bridge tilted 14 inches out
of position due to loss of fill in the foundation.
"A few more inches and the entire bridge would have
been in the river.
"The year 1951 marked the start of actual construction
work on the Squaw Island Incinerator Plant.
"Major improvements have been made in the Parks, Recreation
and Streets Division areas of this department.
"47 Tennis Courts hard-surfaced.
"7 New Shelter Houses.
"13 Handball Courts.
"In the Streets Division, 55 new Packer trucks have
been provided for ash and garbage collection.
"Since the State of New York in 1946 presented to the
city a program for the improvement and construction of arterial
highways in the city, a difference of opinion has existed
on whether to construct a cross-town connection between
Delaware Avenue and the Niagara Section of the State Thruway
over the route of Hinman Avenue or over the route of Scajaquada
Creek.
"This Administration, recognizing the importance to
this community of the early construction of a northern cross-town
connection...has entered into an engineering contract...for
topographical surveys, right-of-way maps, engineering studies,
and preliminary plans and estimates of cost for an arterial
highway commencing at the westerly terminus of the Humboldt
Parkway Extension.
"By having this engineering work done, it is this Administration's
hope that the State will accept this project for inclusion
in its program.
"I feel that during the past four years we have made
definite forward strides in improving the city's physical
structure, and through the Port Division, Parking Division
and Re-Development Division, have established the mediums
for greatly improved future prospects for Buffalo.
"It is a source of pride to me also that we have been
able to absorb up to this point many millions of dollars
in increased costs in our annual budgets without increased
taxes."
Mayor Mruk made his last speech as Mayor on December 30,
1953 before a gathering of his administration heads, commission
appointees, and close friends and family.
"We are leaving a much better city than we found.
"But, four years are not long enough to do all the
things I would have liked to do for the city.
"As I look back...those mistakes that were made could
have been corrected if there still were time.
"I believe I have appointed more members of boards
and commissions than any two or three mayors in Buffalo's
history put together. You know I have always left department
heads and committees a free hand. I had never intended to
interfere with them unless, of course, I found anything
wrong, but so far I have found nothing wrong in any department."
PERSONAL LIFE
Joseph Mruk never married. He lived his entire life at 1322
Broadway Avenue. He continued operating his jewelry business
at 1326 Broadway after his term ended.
Former Mayor Mruk contemplated returning to Congress after
his term ended. On July 1, 1954, Mruk announced his intention
to run for the 41st Congressional District seat.
On September 1, 1954 Mruk formally launched his campaign
for the Republican nomination for the 41st Congressional
District seat. He based his campaign on the program President
Eisenhower had recently unveiled.
The primary election took place on September 14, 1954. Mruk
came up short, losing to the endorsed candidate, Edmund
P. Radwan, 16,737 to 5,799.
He planned on running as an independent, but sometime after
the primary, before the general election, he dropped out
of the race.
He held several party and appointive offices, serving on
the state Commission on Pensions. In 1958, he took a temporary
job under City Comptroller Chester Kowal to survey properties.
Mruk wanted to try to win the mayor's seat back in 1957.
In March he expressed his intentions: "I'll make my
position perfectly clear so that there can be no misunderstanding
about it. If the county chairman and the Executive Committee
see fit when making up the organization ticket to endorse
me for mayor, I'll accept gladly.
"But if they select somebody else, I shall not go into
the primary as an independent to fight for the nomination.
"My reasons are really simple. In the first place,
to be perfectly candid, running as an independent not only
is an uphill battle but a most expensive one I found that
out the hard way 12 years ago as an independent, and a loser
in the mayoral primary.
"I don't want to seem egotistical, but I'm confident
I could be elected. I feel certain my record as mayor will
stand close scrutiny by the voters. Sure, some mistakes
were made during my administration - but you make mistakes
only when you're trying to accomplish something, not when
you're sitting back and letting things run haphazardly.
"And throughout my administration I was trying to accomplish
constructive and progressive things for the city as a whole.
I am sure that the accomplishments in my administration
far outweigh any failure.
"So, if the Republican organization concludes that
an East Side candidate should head this year's local ticket,
I feel I should be the choice."
Mruk was not chosen by the committee, and therefore did
not run.
He was hired as a field clerk supervisor, by then City Comptroller,
Chester Kowal, for the City of Buffalo, on July 15, 1958.
This position was created to take an inventory of all the
City's general and moveable equipment. It was the first
general inventory in 25 years.
Mruk was Chairman of the Republican Committee for the Improvement
of Buffalo & Erie County in 1959.
He made another attempt at the mayor's chair in 1961. He
was the only formally announced Republican candidate on
May 31, 1961. It was during this campaign that he made some
radical suggestions for changes in the Police Department.
"I pledge myself, as a candidate for the Republican
nomination for mayor, to institute the most drastic revision
in Police Department operation ever undertaken in the history
of our city," Mruk stated.
The former Mayor suggested that a non-partisan Citizens
Board be created. The board would make recommendations for
Police Commissioner, and act in an advisory capacity, and
the Mayor would have the final choice for commissioner.
But the board would then be the only one able to remove
the commissioner.
"I realize fully that my bold program will run into
stiff opposition in some quarters.
"Some may sneer and say: 'Look who is talking. What
about the pinball machine scandal in his administration?'
"To them I merely say: 'I met that situation squarely,
head-on, just as soon as I became aware of it. I went before
the grand jury voluntarily and cooperated to the fullest
extent.'
"Let me point out - that throughout my administration,
I was under pressure from various groups to fire my police
commissioner.
"To restore sadly-lacking morale, to regain public
confidence and to assure the men in the Police Department
that politics no longer is their concern in connection with
their jobs would be my foremost goal as mayor.
"And its accomplishment would be guaranteed by the
program I have outlined."
On August 4, 1961 Mruk decided not to run in the primary
and supported the endorsed Republican candidate, Chester
Kowal.
"I have been and intend to remain a loyal member of
the Republican Party. I shall not be an independent candidate
for mayor and will support the entire Republican ticket,"
was Mruk's statement.
Mruk closed his jewelry store sometime in the mid to late
1970's, probably due to the declining state of the East
Side where it was located, and the fact that he was now
into his 70's, and had no heir to pass it on to.
He was a past president of the St. John Kanty Business Circle
and held memberships in the Greater Buffalo Advertising
Club, the 10th Ward Taxpayers Association, Uncle Sam's Club,
the Bavarian Male Choir, Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles
and the Loyal Order of Moose. He was a member of St. John
Kanty Catholic Church.
Around 1980 Mruk moved to Florida where he had been spending
a considerable amount of time for several years.
Mr. Mruk returned to Buffalo around 1988 and was still alive
and living with his sister and her husband, in Cheektowaga,
by late 1992. Mruk died in the Furgala Nursing Home in Lancaster,
N.Y., January 31,
1995. A Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:30 in St. John
Kanty Church, Broadway and Swinburne Streets. Burial was
in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.
