1922 - 1925,
1926-1929
HISTORY
Francis Xavier Schwab
was born in a house on Smith Street on the city's East Side
on August 14, 1874, the eldest of seven children. He was
a student in St. Ann's Parochial School until he was thirteen
years old. At that time he had to leave school to go to
work and help the family. A clergyman offered to pay his
tuition to Canisius High School
His father agreed, but Frank overhead his father say that
"when they get big enough to help us, they want to
leave us," so he decided not to attend the school.
His first job was at the Shepard Tin Shop on Clinton
Street as an errand boy. He then began working in the John
T. Noye Millwright shop on Lake View Avenue. After three
years he went to work at the E. and B. Holmes Company on
Michigan Avenue. While there, he invented a hand guard for
a rotary saw so the workmen would not get injured.
Schwab then went to work at E. Hager and Sons, and
then the Pullman Palace Car Company, then known as the Wagner
Palace Car Company
By the time he was nineteen years old he was foreman of
a 30 man crew. He was regarded as one of the company's best
leaders and organizers and took a job as a traveling salesman
for the company. While with the company he patented two
inventions.
One of Schwab's favorite pastimes was singing, and
he was in great demand. While singing in a German Saengerfest
in Milwaukee, he was noticed by a fellow Buffalonian of German
descent.
When he returned to Buffalo
, Conrad Hammer, proprietor of Hammer's Brewery
, introduced himself and offered Schwab a job as a solicitor
for his brewery. His job was to persuade the saloonkeepers
to serve Hammer beer.
He became the highest paid brewery solicitor in town.
"I rose because my employers valued my services. I
was thrifty, careful, and I did business for them. I believe
in temperance. I was never intoxicated in my life and I
never allowed anyone to work for me who was habitually intoxicated."
Schwab opened a wholesale and retail liquor store
at Broadway and Jefferson Avenue in 1912. It was around
this time that his generosity became widely known. He always
gave handouts to the needy.
Schwab later closed the liquor store to take a position
as a solicitor with the International Brewing Company. After
several years he joined the Iroquois Brewing
Company. When the Buffalo
Brewing
Company was on the verge of bankruptcy, he became a shareholder,
vice-president, and manger of the concern, on the condition
that the company would not be allowed to become bankrupt.
His leadership skills saved the failing company.
When prohibition
was announced in 1919 he merged the Buffalo
Brewing
Company and the Cooperative Brew
ing Company into the Mohawk Products
Company to make near-beer. Schwab was elected president and
general manager of the new firm. In January 1920, the Government
accused Schwab of making real beer. He fought off the charges
and delayed for several years. Talk arose about Schwab for
Congress.
Schwab ate many lunches at Seames & Zeitler's
, a famous downtown
eatery that was the meeting place for brewery executives, collectors,
and salesmen. Schwab explains how his mayoral aspirations
began in mid 1921:
"I was eating there one day when some fellows
said: 'Why don't you run for mayor?' I laughed it off, but
in The Hammer column of the Times the next day, there was
a little squib about it. Jack Kelly wrote it. He was then
sporting editor of the Times."
All of the Mayor's friends began to "agitate."
Maybe there was something to it.
The following day another squib was in the Times,
and "then the Schwab boom for Mayor burst into full
flower."
Held as a joke by the politicians of the city, Schwab
announced his candidacy.
"I told the boys, 'If you want me, I'm ready.'"
Lee F. Heacock a prominent newspaperman for the Express
was hired as a spin doctor to write Schwab's first campaign
platform. His platform was based on two things: his being
accessible to everyone, and he promised to return the light
wines and beer to his constituents.
With a $1,500 war chest, Schwab began his campaign.
He held meetings on street corners, or anywhere he could
muster up an audience.
He was a Republican, but got no support from the
party, since Mayor George S. Buck
was given their backing in the non-partisan primary.
Schwab took swipes at Buck at any opportunity he
could, telling the people that Buck was a "high-hat
and stuck-up" and not accessible to the "plain
people." He also made a point to mention the police
shake-up during Buck's administration, and said he was against
vice, and "it took a man of his caliber to put vice
down, and keep it down."
The primaries were in mid October, 1921. A total
of ten men were entered in the mayoral primary, but other
than Schwab and Buck the rest were merely there for the
ride. Buck easily won the primary, carrying Schwab's ward
with 24,749 votes to Schwab's 19,306, with Charles Bennett
Smith
in third place with 12,056 votes.
The stage was set for three weeks of wild campaigning
as both candidates swung their political blows long and
hard.
The people were greatly divided throughout the city.
The church people said a vote for Schwab was a vote for
the return of the saloon, of vice, and of gambling. It turned
out to be one of the bitterest campaign battles ever witnessed
in Buffalo
LIFE AS A MAYOR
Election day was November 8, 1921, the first election
that women were allowed to vote. There was an increase in
the voter turnout, but not as much as should have been expected.
The betting was against Schwab, with few people seeing
any chance of him winning. The bitter campaign over, it
was now up to the voters. The East Side came out to vote
for their man, while many of Buck's supporters stayed in
because of the inclement weather. The final result was Schwab:
62,531 and Buck: 59,974. Most of Schwab's votes had come
from the wards east of Main Street.
Schwab received the returns at his headquarters in
his home, with his family and friends. "It was a hard-fought
fight and I wish to thank for their noble efforts my volunteer
workers who worked morning, afternoon and night. I also
wish to thank those who voted for me, and I can promise
that when I take office I will do nothing that will cause
them to regret the confidence they place in me."
He made big plans on how he was going to run the
mayor's office. No longer would the mayor be hidden in an
office, he was going to put his desk out where he was accessible
to the people. He was determined to have a "kitchen
cabinet" of men from various sections of the city to
consult with.
Schwab was sworn into office on January 1, 1922.
One of the floral arrangements that had been delivered for
the inauguration was a 20 foot high horseshoe of carnations
and roses. Schwab auctioned off the individual roses and
donated the proceeds to an orphanage. That night he sent
all the inaugural flowers to local hospitals for the
patients. His hospitality never ended.
Schwab announced that John L. Kelly, the writer for
the Times that started his campaign, would be his secretary.
He then appointed John F. Burfiend
, Captain of the Sycamore Street station, Chief of Police.
Within Mayor Schwab
's first week the direction of his term would start to become
known. He immediately wanted to ban the police
reserves, a body of civilian police
empowered to aid the regular police
in times of undue stress. Used mainly during the war, there
was much criticism about the group misusing authority and
flashing their badges and revolvers at every opportunity.
They were no longer needed, the Mayor ordered them disbanded,
and the Council agreed. The group put up a fight, but in
the end Schwab won.
Schwab now had his sights set on dismissing the vice
and dry squads of the police
department and ordered Chief Burfiend
to do so. "They ought to be out catching crooks, not snooping
around," stated Schwab.
This did not bide well with the Federation of Churches
and the Anti-Saloon
League. They hinted that Schwab was gilded with vice. He now
started shifting the police
captains to different precincts, breaking up the vice details.
The Reverend George A. Fowler
, head of the Anti-Saloon
League in Buffalo
, was hysteric. He charged that the Mayor was "out
to make the streets run red with booze and predicted a dire
fate for the city with Schwab at the helm."
The Mayor then took on the school board, demanding
the resignation of the board president. They started gathering
legal advice and prepared to fight the Mayor.
Another day or two later and the Federation of Churches
held a meeting at which they decided to appoint a watchdog
committee to keep an eye on the Mayor.
Schwab made peace with the school board, ending that
battle for the time being.
He delivered his Inaugural Address
to the Council on January 3, 1922.
"At this moment, the official beginning of our
relations as the governing body of the city of Buffalo
I desire to express to you and to the citizens of Buffalo
some of the aims and projects which to my mind should concern
us during the next four years, and which when brought to
a successful realization will be the best interests of the
citizens and taxpayers of Buffalo
"Buffalo
, at this time, like all great American cities, is successfully
completing the task of returning to normal business conditions,
and with proper economy in the city government the administration
beginning today can play an important part in helping the
entire city to reach normal prosperity. I urge upon the
council wise economy so that the tax rate will not be a
burden upon the citizens, but will represent for every penny
value received.
"And to give the taxpayers full value, it will
be my policy to urge upon you for your attention all matters
that have to do with the early completion of Buffalo
's school building programme, the development of our harbor,
the erection of a market in the Black Rock
district, the development of Bird Island pier, steps necessary
to secure for the citizens adequate street car service,
and the early completion of all projects relating to the
city's sewers and streets.
"While it is our duty to exercise economy, it
is my opinion that at the present time we are confronted
with an equally important duty in the unemployment
condition now existing in our city. The city government must
do its share to improve this condition, and I will support
any means that this council takes toward that end. I believe
this can be partly by taking up immediately all projects
that have to do with public work, so that the city can do
its share in furnishing employment.
"Regarding our harbor and future as a great
lake port it is my duty to call your attention at this time
the great menace to our city of the St. Lawrence Canal plan.
The international joint commission has under consideration
at this time the construction of a ship canal connecting
the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean by way of the St.
Lawrence River. The construction of this waterway will entail
the expenditure of hundreds of millions of American dollars
in a foreign country. Buffalo
must do its share to insure a chance for the New York State
barge canal which our state recently built at a cost of
$200,000,000. I believe that every improvement we make in
our harbor, such as a municipal pier and an efficient turning
basin will aid to defeat the St. Lawrence project.
"In closing I believe that we as members of
this council should bear in mind that we are a new council,
and as such should at least start with a clean slate. As
Mayor I shall ask for no special privileges, but I shall
exercise all the powers designated to the Mayor in the commission
charter. We have heard much in the past year about harmony
in the City Council, and I believe in that regard it is
but proper to state now that it is not just to ask the new
members to inherit any of the conditions which existed in
the council prior to our organization."
All this occurred within the first week of office.
On January 11, 1922 the Mayor sent a communication
to the Council asking for $100,000 to aid in the relief
of the unemployed, at which he estimated to be 30,000.
On January 18 he sent another communication to the
Council, asking them to go on record in favor of beer and
wines. They were not ready to openly proclaim this.
On January 27, William H. Anderson, the grand mogul
of the state Anti-Saloon
League, came to town to assess the situation. He stated his
investigation showed that vice was rampant and the city
was wet. Schwab was furious, stating, "the city is
the cleanest it has been in two years. I defy these people
to produce proof of what they saw." No proof could
be produced and all was quiet once again.
The Federal Government caught up with Schwab for
his case involving the Mohawk Products
Company. On April 7 he went to Washington where he settled alleged
back taxes
amounting to
$10,000.
On May 5, 1922, the Mayor called in trusty police
to aid him in personally visiting 11 clubs to check for alcohol.
He found no laws being broken and reported his findings
to the press.
On May 10, 1922, U.S. District Attorney William J.
Donovan announced his plan to indict Schwab for his dry
law violation before June 15.
The Mayor then charged the New York Central Railroad
with vile sanitary
conditions at its Exchange Street station, threatening to
close it under the health laws. Three days later the president
of the New York Central announced plans to build a new terminal
on the Clinton Street site.
On May 29 Schwab plead nolo contendere to the charges
against him and paid a $500 fine.
On June 7, 1922 Schwab resigned as manager of the
Mohawk Products
Company.
One of Schwab's pet projects was the tuberculosis
sanitarium in Perrysburg. He frequently took time to visit the
patients there. It was at this time that the Mayor asked
for a new car. "I can't get out to Perrysburg with
it," he said, adding that his old one had 132,000 miles
on it. The only problem with this was that Schwab wanted
a Pierce Arrow
, and Councilman Frank C. Perkins
took exception, stating: "You're fooling the plain people."
Schwab replied that his heart was with the plain people;
but he got the Pierce Arrow.
In the summer of 1922 the last and most bitter street
railway
strike occurred. The strike was marked by "dynamitings,
mob violence and the utmost bitterness, both on the side
of the strikers and the I. R. C."
The Mayor tried arbitration, but the company wanted
to break the unions, and refused every effort to submit
to arbitration.
Every newspaper in town was against the Mayor, so
he declared a transportation emergency and authorized the
running of buses to carry people up and down town.
The I. R. C. went to court to halt the Mayor's actions.
It went back and forth, both sides trying to win, until
the company asked the governor to send in state troopers,
declaring that their property and lives were in danger.
The strike ran on through the summer. Finally, the
company went open shop and the Carmen's union was broken.
The churches continued their crusade against the
Mayor, claiming vice was running wild and the Mayor was
to be blamed. Gambling continued to run rampant through
October as the Mayor expressed, "I'm being double-crossed
by my police
captains."
On December 12, 1922 the Methodist ministers of the
city sent a communication to the governor asking that Schwab
be removed from office.
Mayor Schwab
charged that the Ku Klux Klan
was backing the agitation in the churches and announced that
he would fire any city employee who joined the organization.
"I won't permit the Ku Klux Klan to be organized
in this city."
Christmas approached and the Mayor organized his
annual giving for the needy.
Early in January 1923 undercover federal agents began
to find evidence of dope and drugs on a large scale in Buffalo
On April 8 the annual budget hearing was held. Schwab
said it was not accurate since the tax rate was too low,
allowing for the issuance of more bonds to keep the city
running. He started a battle with Finance Commissioner Ross
Graves
and the threat of physical combat was mentioned, but no one
did.
Cosmopolitan magazine came out with a story on Buffalo
, saying the city was "ruled by dope" and was
the dope and drug clearinghouse of the country.
"This story is damaging to my reputation,"
Schwab wrote back to the editors.
On March 24, the New York American issued a story
reiterating the charges made in Cosmopolitan, but absolving
the Mayor, laying blame on his predecessors.
On July 6, 1923, a detective was charged with taking
bribes from Negro dope dealers. Schwab issued an order to
Chief Burfiend
demanding an immediate vice cleanup.
Charges of graft through the police
department were pouring in from all sides. Schwab ordered a
shakeup in which detectives and lieutenants were transferred.
In one day 258 policemen were transferred. Charges against
Chief Burfiend
began mounting.
Buffalo
was worse than New York City in dope traffic, stated a federal
agent, and the cost was high because of the high cost of
police
protection.
Forty-nine soft drink places were closed, which the
Mayor said were moral cesspools, and he stood by while the
Council tried to fire Chief Burfiend
In November, after hearings pointed blame towards the chief,
he resigned, citing ill health. He was replaced by Charles
F. Zimmerman.
On September 5, 1923 Schwab issued a ten-month report
to the Council.
"As this meeting of The Council inaugurates
a period of activities for ten months, I deem it advisable
to lay before Your Honorable Body some of the major projects
concerning the City's welfare
that demand immediate and constant attention.
"The most pressing of these is the necessity
of the City, in the near future, devising some means for
the disposal of garbage.
"In my message to Your Honorable Body a year
ago, I urged action toward the [securing] of a new, New
York Central station. Unfortunately this is an age-old project
with age-old obstacles, and progress seems to be necessarily
slow.
"Residents of the South Buffalo
and Kensington
districts cannot longer be denied adequate fire and police
protection and I urge upon The Council speedy action in regard
to the erection of combination fire and police
houses in those sections.
"Further means of affording the City adequate
transportation is to be found in establishing bus lines.
Only a few months ago we found a bus line of great service
in the Bailey Avenue section, and I believe the City should
not hesitate in establishing a bus line wherever necessary
when the present method of street car transportation is
found inadequate.
"Among other things to which I wish to call
attention at this time are the improvement of Buffalo
River...the abatement of the Hamburg Canal nuisance; the removal
of all dangerous viaducts, especially that located at Bailey
Avenue and William Street; the location of a flying field
in Buffalo
, so that the City will be in a position to take its place
in the aerial mail service; a proper advertising of the
City so that the hundreds of tourists who visit this City
annually may be acquainted with some of the beauty spots,
facilities and points of interest."
On December 12, 1923 Schwab recommended purchasing
a tract of land on Genesee Street for an airfield. The site
was purchased.
The Mayor delivered his Annual Message to the Council
in the afternoon of January 2, 1924.
"One of the most serious problems confronting
the council for the past few years has been that of adequate
street car transportation, and while the year 1923 saw the
establishment of the lines in Bailey Avenue, it is my judgment
that the council must at a early date take some action that
will assure the taxpayers far better street car facilities
than is now being afforded.
"During several conferences which I have had
with the executives of the New York Central Railroad
I have formed the opinion that the railroad company is very
favorably inclined toward an immediate start of a new depot
here.
"During the past year the council has acquired
for the city property in the Kensington
district and has made alterations to property in the South Buffalo
district which will provide two additional police
stations and one additional fire house to be opened during the
coming year in these two sections of the city."
A combination of three of the commissioners commonly
teamed up against the Mayor and protested every project
he sponsored. This caused the Mayor to charge that the departments
of public works and parks were being conducted in a un-businesslike
way and asked the state comptroller to give him control
of them. The feuding continued.
Ku Klux Klan
organizers were in Buffalo
for several months trying to organize local forces. After scaring
a woman at a small restaurant, the Mayor demanded that they
meet him "face to face."
While at a speaking engagement on Niagara Street,
25 members of the hooded clan stalked in and quizzed him.
They demanded a vice cleanup and closing of the theaters
on Sunday. Schwab was surprised at the meeting, but stood
his ground.
"I asked them to meet me face to face and they
came out to see me with pillow slips over their heads. That
isn't face to face, is it?" asked the Mayor.
The Klan began gaining momentum, and Reverend L.
E. H. Smith, a Black Rock
pastor, preached that the Mayor was a "crook" and
said that Buffalo
was the most corrupt city in the country. Schwab charged Smith
with being a Klansman, which was never denied.
Amid all this, the circus came to town and the Mayor
sent 350 orphans to the show, with "free pop, all-day
suckers, and ice cream."
At a Klan parade on the Fourth of July in Binghamton,
New York, an effigy of Mayor Schwab
was an unusual exhibit.
In August someone broke into the Klan headquarters
in the Calumet building on Chippewa Street, and stole
all their records and membership cards. Suddenly,
businessmen lost hundreds of customers, and the Klan did
everything to recover the records, including making threats
if the lists were made public.
The lists were printed and sold around town for 25
cents a copy, dealing the final blow to the organization.
The year 1925 started with more squabbles between
the Mayor and the Council, or the Mayor and the I. R. C.,
or the Mayor and the churches. After another lambasting,
this time by Reverend Robert J. McAlpine of the Central
Presbyterian Church, he ordered all cabarets and clubs closed.
The Mayor issued his Annual Message to the Council
on January 8, 1925.
"I am at the outset urging a spirit of cooperation
among the members of the council during the present year
in order that important matters which demand our attention
in the coming twelve months may be dealt with efficiently
and successfully.
"The city has expanded in its industries, its
business houses and buildings, and in the outlying sections
thousands of homes have been erected. The city government
has kept pace. Despite adverse criticism of the council,
much of it unsupported by facts, the city administration
has achieved more for the welfare
and prosperity of the city during the past year than in any
other year in the history of the city.
"Transportation has been and always will be
a vital necessity for the prosperity of the city. The past
year has seen the operation of buses on Bailey Avenue, the
inauguration of a bus line on Delaware Avenue, and within
a few days a bus line will be started on Delevan Avenue.
Bus lines are needed now, and within a very few years will
be a pressing necessity on the main highways leading to
the East Side, the Black Rock
section and South Buffalo
"There are also bright prospects that two of
Buffalo
's oldest dreams of progress, namely, a new New York Central
station and a bridge to Fort Erie, will soon be realized.
"Other projects which space will not allow me
to dwell upon at length are:
"The acquisition of a municipal landing field.
"Enlargement of the general sewer system of
the city.
"Completion of the school building program.
"The establishment of wading pools in various
parts of the city during the summer months.
"The improvement of the Schiller Park section.
"In conclusion, as Mayor of the City of Buffalo
, I request of all city employees a spirit of service to
their fellow citizens. Much of the success of an administration
depends upon the human element as the employees of a municipality
are the mediums through which the city serves its citizens.
"Small-town criticism has no place in the City
of Buffalo
, and a resolution that could be made by all of us might
be - 'Here's where I live - I will boost for Buffalo
in 1925.'"
When the airport
project was found to need more land and it appeared the council
would not vote for it, the Mayor pulled $1,000 out his pocket
and contributed it.
Ross Graves
announced his candidacy for mayor in 1925, and the battle began.
A total of five men were in contention this year, including
Frank Perkins, Maurice M. Wall, and William V. McNamara.
It was around this time that the art of politicking increased.
Full page ads for the candidates started appearing in the
local press.
The non-partisan primary was held on October 13,
1925. There were few surprises as Mayor Schwab
pulled in a strong 43,878 votes to Graves' 26,296 votes, with
Perkins receiving 13,737. The Mayor appeared unstoppable.
The mud slinging continued between Graves and Schwab
as the election drew near.
November 4, 1925 was election day, and there were
few surprises as Mayor Schwab
polled his greatest victory with 77,697 to 55,413 for Graves.
Schwab claimed campaign expenses of merely $9,000.
Schwab summed it up: "The plain people have
spoken again."
The Mayor's next order of business was to fight the
three man bloc that had hampered much of his first term.
In addition, he began a move to have all schools open their
day with a prayer. "I want every child in the city
to say 'Good morning, God.'"
On December 23, 1925 the Mayor's newest pet project
opened for all to see. The Hotel de Gink
opened at 41 - 43 Main Street as a hotel for the homeless and
broken men of lower Main Street. The Mayor thought it was
a great humanitarian effort, but critics called it "an
invitation to every bum in America to come and winter here."
The Mayor was sworn in for his second term on January
1, 1926 amid an array of flowers and music.
He delivered his Annual Address to the Council on
January 2, 1926.
"Four years ago today, in this chamber, the
high honor of Mayor of the city of Buffalo
was officially conferred upon me. The words of my first oath
of office were ringing in my mind, and needless to say,
I was deeply impressed with the responsibility which that
high office obligated me. Yet, today, four years later,
truly realizing the significance of the added responsibilities
which are mine, because of the emphatic manifestation of
confidence recently shown by the citizens in my administration,
I can but repeat in outlying my policy for the next four
years, the words of my first message: 'To do my duty always
so that the citizens of Buffalo
will be protected and benefited, that the city may prosper and
take its proper place as a community of success, health
and happiness.'
"Although much has been accomplished in municipal
projects in the past four years, there are remaining many
important issues which demand our earnest, unselfish and
vigorous attention.
"The ever present transportation problem is
still with us, and it is my opinion, based upon my experience
of the past four years, that a city-wide bus system is the
solution.
"There are many other municipal projects, such
as the South Buffalo
market, additional schools, the establishment of police
patrol outposts, the extension of traffic control signals, the
establishment of the Clinton Street bathhouse, and the erection
of the Colvin-Hertel police
and fire station, which should be the subject of our official
actions within the near future so that they can be realized.
"Within the near future I shall formally call
to your attention the matter of making permanent the salary
bonus of city employees.
"I shall cooperate fully and support loyally
any project which my conscience indicates is for the best
interests of the city as a whole, but at no time will I
enter into any councilmanic combination to assist in the
achievement of personal ambitions or the furtherance of
any proposition in which the welfare
of the entire citizenry is not the first and embracing qualification.
And in the future, as in the past, I will oppose with all
my ability and influence any combination or so-called 'bloc'
in the council."
Schwab declared himself "for an 8-hour"
work day.
On April 8, 1926, the Mayor, and a "noble retinue,"
left for Europe. On April 20, from Paris, he announced he
would once again be a candidate for mayor. He said he would
be a candidate for Governor if Al Smith decided not to run.
"But a man would be crazy to run against Smith."
He traveled to Germany, Belgium, England, France, and elsewhere.
His main reason for the trip to Europe was to push
his Hotel de Gink
idea. "There ought to be Hotels de Gink all over Europe."
He returned to the United States on June 8. Accompanying
him were two Swiss goats, a pair of Newfoundland pups, and
a set of musical furniture, which played tunes when you
sat down on it.
He gave a speech a short time after returning. "If
the country returns to beer and light wines, I'll go back
in the brewery business. I was only fooling about this business
of running for governor." When he arrived in Buffalo
on June 11, 10,000 people gathered along Main Street to greet
him as fifteen bands played.
In the summer of 1926, the Mayor presented a resolution
to the Council providing for a referendum vote by the citizens
to decide whether the Mayor should appoint a new charter
commission.
His next plan was for a special school for crippled
children. It went through and was opened on September 10,
1926.
On September 27, Mayor Schwab
laid the cornerstone of the administration building for the
Buffalo
Airport.
At the November election the citizens voted for a
new charter commission to be appointed signifying the beginning
of the end of the commission form of government.
A series of public meetings were held to determine
what type of government the people of Buffalo
wanted. Daniel J. Kenefick
was appointed chairman of the charter commission; other members
including A. Conger Goodyear, Frank M. Beck and Frank S.
Burzynski
, among others.
The city had lived through eleven years of the commission
form of government by the time the charter commission returned
with its report On June 29, 1927. The "Kenefick
" charter, as it came to be known, abandoned the current
council and created a legislative branch of councilmen,
and an executive branch with the mayor. It provided for
the election of fourteen councilmen, five to represent the
city-at-large, and one for each of the nine districts, the
Common Council
, a president of the council, and a city comptroller. In
addition, the mayor, still elected to a four-year term,
could not succeed himself. Mayor Schwab
was able to complete his current term.
Radio was becoming more popular about this time,
and the Mayor looked to adopt a police
radio system.
He continued his crusades against almost everyone.
Illegal lotteries were now springing up on a regular basis.
Schwab ordered the police
to act.
For Christmas 1927, the Mayor held a lavish dinner
for the poor at the Broadway Auditorium.
January 1, 1928 ushered in yet another new form of
government as the power of the mayor was elevated to more
than just a councilman.
On January 2, the Mayor appointed Charles Roesch
chairman of the Board of Health, creating a problem he had not
planned for.
On January 3, 1928, the Mayor delivered his first
Annual Message to the newly inaugurated Common Council
, his longest to date. "By all appearances, with the
sun shining brightly through the windows on the first day
of the new charter, the Good Lord is with us, " he
stated.
"Today marks the inauguration of a new system
of municipal government for the City of Buffalo
"At the birth of this new government, we, the
officials, chosen by the people to administer it, are imbued
with the highest ambition and purpose to bring to fullest
realization that hope of the people for wise economical,
efficient and progressive government.
"It is with this sentiment that I welcome you,
the Comptroller of the City of Buffalo
, the President of the Council, and the members of the Common
Council
to the municipal family of the City of Buffalo
, and as Mayor I pledge to you my fullest and heartiest
cooperation and assistance in all matters pertaining to
the municipal government.
"The city government eight years ago dedicated
itself to what was then known as the eight-million dollar
school building program. This program was a decision arrived
at after a study into inadequate school facilities. Not
only were new grammar schools erected in sections of the
city where they had long been needed...but also new vocational
schools were started; a new high school built for the East
Side; and a site purchased...for a new high school for the
Black Rock
-Riverside section of the city.
"Aviation, which in recent months has shown
itself to be a vital force in modern life, was welcomed
by the City of Buffalo
more than three years ago. With energy and foresight, and acting
under the guidance and advice of the United States Army,
the Council has expended upward of $750,000 for the purchase
of a site for an airport
, the erection of a modern airport
, and its equipment and maintenance. As a result, Buffalo
has been in the forefront of American municipalities.
"This same progressive spirit manifested itself
in meeting the problems of increasing traffic.
"Police protection and fire protection have
been extended to every section of the city.
"Millions have been spent in the five years
in the improvement of Buffalo
's waterfront
"At the J. N. Adam Memorial
Hospital at Perrysburg, the Council showed itself generous in
providing for the care of the people of the city, enlarging
the hospital by the addition of several wings, and by the
installation of many features providing for the safety,
health and comfort of the patients.
"In the past five years the city has been fortunate
in witnessing probably the two greatest single marks of
progress in the recent history of Buffalo
, namely the New York Central station at Lovejoy and Curtiss
Streets and the Peace Bridge
connecting Buffalo
with Canada. While both of these improvements are evidences
of private capital, it is not amiss to say that their realization
would have been delayed for many years had it not been for
the cooperation and support given to both of these projects
by the City Council.
"Having in mind an economical and wise administration
of the affairs of the City Government, I commend first of
all to your immediate consideration the necessity of a comprehensive,
complete survey of the salaries being paid to city employees.
"The advance of time and progress of events
have brought with them new problems in transportation. Buffalo
, like other great American cities, has at the present time
functioning upon many of its main traffic arteries, transportation
based upon the bus system. The day of a unified bus and
street-car service is fast approaching.
"Buffalo
, by nature, was intended as one of the greatest inland
ports of the world and the city's waterfront
and harbor facilities are inseparably linked with the growth
and prosperity of the entire city.
"Another very important municipal project demanding
your earnest and immediate consideration is the construction
of a new city hall. Although a site was acquired by the
City more than a year ago and has been available for building
purposes, difficulties, some of which could not have been
avoided and others which were allowed to become involved
in the issue, have delayed the actual start of construction.
"The project of the new city hall is such a
simple and primary one that it is not easy to understand
the necessity for so much confusion and discussion. All
that is required is a city hall commensurate with the size
and dignity of the city constructed at the least cost, primarily
for purposes of greatest usefulness and utility and at the
same time giving some thought to its style and the beauty
of its architecture.
"For more than a year past the Governor of the
State of New York, the State Legislature, various state
departments and officials, the State Normal College trustees
and officials, and the City Council have been working in
harmony towards the establishment of an educational center
on a portion of the area known as the Buffalo
State Hospital site in this city.
"For many years the need of an adequate railroad
passenger terminal agitated the City of Buffalo
, and after considerable negotiation a plan was adopted
which met with the approval of the railroads and the city.
This plan provided for a terminal on the land known as the
Curtiss-Lovejoy site and the erection by the railroads of
a station to be known as the downtown
station, located at Main and Exchange Streets. ...This plan
has been materially altered by the abandonment of the downtown
station feature, substituting therefore the use of terminals
already in existence in that vicinity.
Records of the council of the past will indicate
to you that the question of the establishment of a modern
convention hall, a suitable music auditorium and city-owned
and operated stadium have from time to time engaged the
citizens and have been considered by past councils.
"Let real economy be the watchword in every
bureau and department of the City, but let that economy
go hand in hand with true progress, for that economy which
is attained at the sacrifice of growth and progress results
eventually in the greatest of all waste and extravagance.
Also, let the great humanitarian activities now under way
through the support and guidance of City government be continued,
and in this field of municipal endeavor let economy be practiced
with the utmost care and prudence.
"Again availing myself of the opportunity on
this very happy occasion to welcome you to the membership
in the Government of the City of Buffalo
, and upon this birth of the year 1928 and the New Charter
Government, to wish each and every one of you of our new
Government a Happy, Harmonious, Progressive and Prosperous
New Year."
With complaints about late-night noise mounting,
on February 27, 1928 the Mayor visited several cabarets
after midnight to see for himself. He was startled at what
he saw and ordered a cleanup of 54 night clubs, with police
to be stationed at their doors.
In March 1928, the Council began an investigation
into all the city departments under the former government.
Schwab's friends formed a "Schwab for Governor"
club, but he withheld any announcements.
The government investigation turned toward the Mayor's
departments and he stated: "I defy them to find anything
wrong with my department." He then decided to get even
and vetoed everything the Council sent. The Council, in
turn, overrode most of his vetoes and it was considered
a standoff.
On May 2, 1928 Schwab fired his chairman of the Board
of Health, Charles Roesch
There are two sides to the story. Roesch, with ties to the
meat industry, took exception to Schwab asking that the
sale of bob veal be stopped. Bob veal was immature veal
and it was a state law that it could not be sold. Roesch
refused to enforce the Mayor''s order and was belligerent
and derogatory towards him. Schwab gave Roesch 30 days to
change his attitude and Roesch challenged the Mayor to fire
him in the press, which the Mayor finally did.
The other side of the story says that Roesch was
fired because he refused to appoint "Pinky" Goldstein
, "the mayor of William Street," as the William
Street bathhouse keeper, the Mayor's choice.
To further complicate things, Roesch, had many friends
in the city, including on the Council. The Council refused
to appoint anyone the Mayor nominated to takes Roesch's
position.
In June 1928 talk began of Roesch for mayor. He insisted
he was not a candidate, but if the organization drafted
him, well that was another story.
On December 9, 1928, the Mayor announced his candidacy
for a third term.
Schwab celebrated New Year's day 1929 with a feast
at the Hotel de Gink
More than 1,400 people were fed for free and 100 sweaters
were given away.
The Mayor transmitted his Annual Message to the Common
Council
in the afternoon of January 1, 1929.
"A year ago I transmitted to you my annual message,
in which attention was directed in detail to practically
every phase of municipal activity. Every major project demanding
attention and the solution of which rightly concerned the
city government was properly emphasized in that communication.
"It is unfortunate that the spirit of my message
found its echo in certain influences in the city government
being apparently more concerned with what transpired under
the old form of government than to the problems arising
during the first months of your administration.
"The new form of government consists of two
branches, the legislative and the administrative. However,
considerable confusion has developed relating to the duties
and powers of these two branches. The records are replete
with instances of interference and encroachment by the legislative
body on the administrative functions of the government.
Section eleven and section twelve of the charter clearly
define the legislative and executive powers and section
65 specifies in detail the duties and powers of the mayor.
"I deem it important to again direct notice
to the question of a contract between the City and the New
York Central Railroad
for the establishment
of a downtown
station. It is important that the city's interests be closely
guarded as this project contemplates very serious consequences
with regard to our waterfront
"Practically all of the important projects to
which attention was called a year ago are today awaiting
action and solution to a greater or lesser degree.
"My faith in the recommendations made in this
message is grounded in the belief that they serve the best
interests of all the people of our city."
The Council appointed a traffic commission to study
the traffic problem. The Mayor said it was a useless expense.
"Cut out the downtown
parking, remove street car tracks from busy streets and synchronize
the traffic signals," was his response.
On June 6, 1929 Schwab formally announced his candidacy
for a third term.
Mayor Schwab
outlined his success as Mayor: "Happiness and contentment
are the keystone of every city's success, and Buffalo
is enjoying both. I have eliminated gambling. I destroyed $140,000
worth of slot machines with my own hands. I got my friends,
without the cost of a single dollar to the taxpayers, to
establish the Hotel De Gink. My hotel system for the down-and-outer
has just been adopted by the city of Los Angeles. We do
not baby these down-and-outers. We give them a bed and food
and four days to get a job. By providing relief for this
type of individual, we have reduced crime. We get a man
back on his feet and he leaves the De Gink with a smile
- he's back on the highway of life. There is no reason for
a man to come to the householder's back door and ask for
money or food. That kind of man should be run out of the
city. Our quarters at the De Gink provide for that type.
We have reduced vagrancy. It is almost a lost art in Buffalo
"
The country experienced one of the greatest financial
disasters in history as the American stock market crumbled
on October 29, 1929, losing $26 billion in one day. An aftermath
of World War I
brought on tremendous unemployment
as the great depression
began.
Campaigning for the 1929 election was now under way.
The Democrats had their candidate in Charles Diebold
, Jr. The Republicans chose Charles Roesch
Frank C. Perkins
made another bid this year. Mayor Schwab
was left as an independent candidate
, and sought the nomination of both the Democratic and Republican
tickets.
The primaries were held on September 17, 1929. Schwab
lost the Republican primary, with Roesch the easy winner,
46,219 to 18,885. To the surprise of all, Schwab won the
Democratic primary, beating Diebold 20,428 to 12,292.
Schwab's third campaign was marred by a dissension
in the ranks, as his eldest daughter turned against him
and supported Roesch because of a family squabble. It definitely
didn't help matters.
Schwab lost his bid for re-election on November 5,
1929, with Charles Roesch
the expected winner, 77,257 to 69,792, with 8,785 for Frank
Perkins.
The night of the election, Mayor Schwab
listened to the results from his home in East Aurora. When the
outcome was final, he wired a note to Mayor-elect Roesch.
"Congratulations. My sincere wish goes out to you for
a most successful administration."
Schwab spoke of starting a new political party, one
'composed of strong men of any and all parties, if needs
be. We want no crooked spines, no traitors and no fellows
who can be called off by a boss. One of our first goals,
as I have pointed out, would be to replace Congressman Edmund
F. Cooke and Senator Nelson W. Cheny. Why should we be represented
by a man who lives in Alden and another who lives in Eden?
One thing is certain - we will run a candidate against Mr.
Cooke. I may even run myself." Schwab never did run.
On Frank Schwab's last day in office, December 31,
1929, he played a few games while the press listened. He
grabbed a newspaperman and said: "Go right over to
the Lafayette Hotel, they're giving away cigar lighters
and clothes hangers!"
"What's the catch?" the newspaperman asked.
The Mayor opened his hand and disclosed a box of
matches and a long nail. A few minutes later his gaze fell
upon a small lantern on the window sill of his office.
"I'm going to put a candle in it and start looking
for the fellows that I put in good jobs and who then ran
out on me when I needed them," he said.
"Oh well. I've had some fun on the job, but
I've had to make a good many sacrifices too. I've done my
best for the plain people and I can go out of office without
anybody saying I was dishonest or linked up with the vice
gangs. That's a whole lot."
PERSONAL LIFE
Schwab was married to Theresa M. Lauser on September
24, 1901. They had seven children. His last residence was
at 215 Beard Avenue.
Once Frank Schwab left office he returned to active
management of Mohawk Products
Company.
Before becoming mayor he had joined 27 fraternal
organizations, and organized the Fraternal Christmas Toy
Fund, where the fraternal organizations of the city joined
together to supply toys to underprivileged children. This
provided joy to many families for many years. Schwab claimed
to have joined over 100 organizations while mayor.
Prohibition was repealed in 1933, allowing Schwab
to get back into the brewery business. He started early
by organizing an East Side company and selling stock. He
subsequently merged this company with the Tonawanda Brewing
Corp., another
of his enterprises. Delays caused him to start production
after several other breweries were in full operation.
In 1934 Schwab attempted to win a Congressional seat
in the 41st District, but lost in the primaries.
He was called before a grand jury in 1936, investigating
allegations that current Mayor Zimmermann
was supported by Schwab in return for political patronage.
In 1937 Schwab made another attempt at the mayor's
chair, as an independent candidate
on the People's Party ticket. He lost to Democrat Thomas Holling
who received 94,037 votes and Republican E. J. Jaeckle
, 92,610, Schwab receiving a minor 6,974 votes.
The following year he took over the Gayety Theater
and began operating it as Old Vienna featuring bingo games.
In 1941 Schwab tried to receive either the Republican
or Democratic nomination for mayor, but lost both.
In 1943, while still affiliated with the Republican
party
, Schwab was made the Democratic organization candidate
for Council president, but lost to Republican nominee Kneeland
B. Wilkes.
Schwab was once again a candidate for mayor in the
1945 election. He ran an impressive campaign on the People's
Party, receiving 35,246 votes to Republican Bernard Dowd
's 80,383, and former Mayor Thomas Holling
's 60,461.
This race put quite a strain on Schwab. He became
ill the day after Thanksgiving, 1945 and was ordered to
bed due to fatigue. He underwent an operation on April 4,
1946 and came out of it in good condition. Even though all
looked well for the former mayor, he died on April 23, 1946.
The funeral procession contained nearly 200 automobiles,
and halted briefly at City Hall
, which was conceived during Schwab's administration. Burial
was in Mt. Calvary
Cemetery, of which Schwab was chairman of the board of directors.
