1934 -1937
HISTORY
"Buffalo
's House of Zimmermann is primarily a business institution,
but it has carried public service as a sideline for many
years." George J. Zimmermann
was born on June 19, 1882, the eldest son, and fourth of fourteen
children. His father, George M., once served as city comptroller
and was active in Democratic politics for many years.
Zimmermann attended local schools and spent two years
at Canisius College
before joining his father's lumber business, eventually becoming
a partner.
George served on the Board of Education
for a period of seven years, spending much time directing the
school construction program, as Buffalo
tried to catch up to its growing population.
When his term ended he returned to his lumber business.
He was a regular contributor to Democratic fund raisers,
and an occasional participant in party meetings.
In 1931, Erie County Democratic party
leader Oliver Cabana, Jr. suddenly stepped out as party leader
in the midst of a campaign. Democrats turned to Zimmermann,
who reluctantly took the role. Aided by the national swing
to the Democratic party
, he succeeded in bringing a Democratic sweep.
When first asked in the summer of 1932 to run for
mayor he refused to listen.
On June 18, 1933 the Zimmermann-for-Mayor boom began
in the First Ward.
On July 7, the Democratic committeemen of the sixth
ward endorsed Zimmermann for mayor.
It was on July 10, 1932 that a quickly-convened meeting
of the board of Democratic ward chairmen met and voted Chairman
Zimmermann the party's candidate for mayor. The following
night the Democratic board of governors met and gave Zimmermann
its endorsement. Henry Jerge, who was fighting Zimmermann
for the Democratic nomination and leadership of the party,
went before the committee and asked for the endorsement,
but was rejected.
"Zimmermann sensed early in the fight that the
principal issue was to be public works - whether the strict
economy administration of Mayor Roesch
was to be continued or a policy of public building in cooperation
with the federal government to relieve unemployment
was to be adopted."
On July 12, 1932 the primary fight got under way
when Mr. Jerge sent a formal letter to Zimmermann charging
trickery.
On August 4, the Republican organization endorsed
Philip C. Schaefer
as their candidate for mayor.
In the late afternoon of August 4, Mr. Jerge suffered
a heart attack while at his summer home, but the news was
withheld for several days by his campaign organizers.
Upon the news of Jerge's condition, Zimmermann immediately
sent a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Jerge.
Zimmermann named a campaign committee of 500 prominent
Democrats on August 5, 1933.
On August 8 Daniel Sweeny
succeeded Jerge as the independent Democratic candidate. He
immediately began his primary campaign against Zimmermann.
On September 19, 1933, the local primaries were held.
Zimmermann won the hard fought Democratic primary, defeating
Daniel Sweeny
23,501 to 14,981. In the Republican primary, Philip Schaefer
defeated former Mayor Frank Schwab, 39,162 to 27,877, with
three other candidates rounding out the ballot.
The Democratic majority of the Common Council
had drafted a comprehensive public works program and had applied
for the allocation of the necessary funds from the Federal
Public Works Administration.
The program became bogged down in red tape, there
was a difference in opinion about the procedure for sewer
building, and Mayor Roesch
's attitude was not known, leaving the project on hold.
Zimmermann suddenly disappeared from Buffalo
, not telling of his whereabouts. He spent several days
in New York City with the Public Works Administration's
New York engineer. It was when he reached Washington, D.C.
that news leaked out where he was, and that he was trying
to persuade federal authorities to hurry the Buffalo
program along. After a week he was able to make two breakthrough
announcements. The Fillmore-Lovejoy sewer project and Kensington
High School were approved, along with county road repairs and
bridge building plans. He returned to Buffalo
carrying authorization of almost $6,000,000 worth of construction
to be financed with federal funds. That in itself was quite
a vote getter.
Former Mayor Frank Schwab threw his support behind
Zimmermann, further pushing the Democrat towards a victory.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
Election day was held on November 8, 1933. Zimmermann
defeated his Republican counterpart,
Philip Schaefer,
although it turned out to be quite a race, 99,292 to 83,678.
Upon his election, Zimmermann gave up his rein as Democratic
County Chairman.
On January 1, 1934, Mayor Zimmermann
received the oath of office and delivered his Inaugural Address
to the Common Council
"In preparing this message, the thought constantly
ran through my mind that at this moment the citizens of
Buffalo
do not want words. They want action. Public officials who indulge
in meaningless generalities never have impressed me, and
now that I find myself about to take up the duties of mayor
of one of the largest cities in the United States, I fully
intend to demonstrate in every way that anyone vested with
governmental authority and responsibility can always afford
to be on the square with the people.
"First of all, we propose to dedicate our administration
to the tremendous task of materially reducing unemployment
and distress within the confines of our city. In seeking this
office I unqualifiedly pledged myself to a constructive
program whereby Buffalo
would be put to work, and I am prepared immediately to go ahead
with it.
"The national recovery program already has put
millions of discouraged men and women to work at decent
wages. It has brought happy smiles to the faces of impoverished
mothers and children.
"Our administration at all times will stand
by President Roosevelt. That not only reflects my own personal
viewpoint, but also the will of a large majority of the
citizens of Buffalo
who last month went to the polls and clearly indicated that
they are in hearty accord with the President's program.
"Essential public improvements, such as the
reclamation of our waterfront
, the construction of a modern, adequate sewage system,
the erection of a spacious municipal auditorium, must be
undertaken.
"In the past four years many millions of dollars
has been expended through city welfare
channels. The
taxpayers have been obliged to feed, clothe and house thousands
of families and individuals who were the unfortunate victims
of the depression.
"Boiled right down to a few words, a dole system
was established in our midst, and from such a system the
taxpayers have derived absolutely nothing in the way of
material benefits.
"It is my firm conviction that we must at once
rid ourselves of this extravagant and wasteful evil by using
the millions which still must be spent on public welfare
in creating
work for thousands of our idle men and women through initiating
necessary public improvements.
"It is far better for the city to create work
for the unemployed and restore them to the former basis
of self-respect and independence than to continue to squander
huge sums of the taxpayers' money on an indefensible dole
system that actually helps no one.
"Much of the social welfare
machinery which has been set up in this city during the past
four years to make war on the depression must be dismantled
as rapidly as possible for the very good reason that the
battle appears to have been won.
"If I am any judge of public sentiment, the
time has come to call a halt on commercialized charity.
"Now for a word or two regarding the public
utility corporations. My position can be stated simply and
clearly. The local patrons or customers of these corporations
have every right to look to the city for relief from unfair
or exorbitant rates.
"The new administration must concern itself
with the appropriation bill passed at the last session of
the state Legislature in which the amount of state aid for
local boards of education was reduced by about 10 percent.
"Politics should be kept out of our public schools.
It does irreparable harm to the efficiency and morale of
the system. Under my administration, petty strife and snooping
will have to cease.
"As every one knows, the incoming administration
is confronted with a serious debt problem. It is an accumulation
from several previous administrations, and it is all being
dumped unceremoniously upon my doorstep.
"It can truthfully be said that all the disastrous
results of many years of like budgets and financial juggling
in our city government are hereby bequeathed to the first
Democratic administration in two decades.
"The true test of economy is, of course, the
amount the city expends and not the amount of the tax rate,
since a tax rate may be reduced or increased entirely without
relation to actual yearly expenditures.
"It would be a grave injustice to my own administration
during the next four years if I did not emphatically say
at this time that it is very plain to me that every act
of the outgoing administration has been influenced by a
desire to postpone payment of the city's lawful obligations
until after the year of 1933.
"Many well-intentioned citizens, particularly
the taxpayers, have been misled into the belief that they
are enjoying a lower tax rate brought about by a policy
of economy which in truth never existed.
"May I end this message by extending a very
warm New Year's greeting not only to those within this magnificent
Council chamber, but also to the vast unseen audience of
Buffalo
men, women, and children who are with us through the medium
of radio. To all of you I say in perfect humility that to
me the year 1934 comes as the dawn of a bright, progressive
era in the history of Buffalo
, and my heart is filled with gratitude as I look into the
eyes of my beloved father and realize that his son has been
called to such a responsible position of trust at such a
critical period. During his 80 years he has loyally served
the city of his birth, and I only hope that I shall prove
as worthy in the duties upon which I am about to enter."
Mayor Zimmermann
held his father, who was 80 years old in 1934, in high esteem.
Every day, even before he became Mayor, he had breakfast
and lunch with his father. During these visits while Mayor,
he discussed the problems he faced with his father, a popular
Democrat for many years.
"The budget is going to be a tough problem,"
the Mayor would say to his father.
"Well, it shouldn't be hard. You have been honest
with the people. You have said what you would do. Just do
it!" would be the elder Zimmermann's response.
When asked by a reporter what his opinion of his
job was after only 10 days on it, the Mayor said, "I
might compare it to motoring. When you look down a highway
and see a steep grade it looks like a bad one. But it really
isn't so bad when you get to it.
"I have found so far that to get started on
the duties of a mayor properly is like teaching a baby to
walk.
"You trust your advisors and take each step
slowly. Your footing gradually gets more secure and then
it doesn't seem like such a severe task. But I do not mean
to minimize the importance of the problems that face me
this year. I'm still new at the job, and the budget for
next fiscal year is my first big task. That will be a corker."
The Board of Education
was disappointed that Mayor Zimmermann
called it's body politically-minded. Chairman John J. Egan pointed
out that the Mayor was a member of the board for eight years,
when many illegal appointments were supposedly made.
"Last week he was reported in favor of legislation
to validate the illegal appointments. Now he is advocating
a program which abandons the teachers who have been the
innocent victims of illegal procedure," the Chairman
also said.
On June 29, 1935 Mayor Zimmermann
directed the city comptroller to lower his salary from $12,000
a year to $10,350 a year, with the difference applied to
the city's general fund. Zimmermann took the same pay cut
for the fiscal year which ended on June 30.
He explained that since other city employees had
been given a 15 percent cut, he applied the same rule to
himself, even though his salary was protected by law.
Mayor Zimmermann
was named honorary chairman of the citizens' committee which
aided in the preparation of the encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) that was held from July 4
to July 6, 1935.
On December 4, and then on December 11, 1935, charges
were presented to Governor Herbert H. Lehman by the United
Taxpayers' League and the presidents of three local banks,
asking that Mayor Zimmermann
be investigated for his dealings with the Sewer Authority, asking
for his removal from office.
On December 17, the Governor turned down the demands
stating that he was without power to act unless formal charges
were presented to him by reputable persons.
Also in December, 1935, Mayor Zimmermann
, trying to get some support for his sewer project, offered
former Mayor Roesch
, and Buffalo
Evening News publisher, E. H. Butler, positions on the new sewer
board. They both declined.
Early in 1936, Mayor Zimmermann
was criticized for his part in a federal low-cost housing
project. "There have been some false and malicious statements
alleging that I had a part in the selection of Lang Field.
The record clearly shows the reasons for the purchase of
this property. ...The Lang Field site was optioned August
10, 1935, and was purchased October 4th."
In mid-February a heavy snowstorm crippled the city's
transportation system for days and led to charges that the
Mayor's appointments in the streets department were inefficient.
On St. Patrick's day in March another snowstorm hit
and further complaints were brought against the administration.
On March 21, 1936 Daniel J. Sweeny lashed out against
the Mayor, U. S. Attorney George C. Grobe and his choice
for Democratic county chairman, Edward C. Dethloff
The statement, in part, read: "Resolved - That we call
on Mayor Zimmermann
to publicly withdraw the employees of the city from political
activity and to deny the implied charge that there is evidence
available to impair or destroy his usefulness in public
office. Failing in that - that he resign at once the office
of mayor."
Formal charges were filed with Governor Lehman
on April 18,
1936, charging 20 alleged counts of official misconduct
against Zimmermann. Included were Zimmermann's part in the
sewage disposal project and the reported "deal"
with former Mayor Schwab
They were asking for the Mayor's removal from office.
On April 22, 1936 Mayor Zimmermann
faced a grand jury on charges that he violated the law by making
pre-election promises of appointments. These charges stated
that there was a meeting in Mayor Frank Schwab's office
on October 10, 1933, at which time he agreed to support
Zimmermann if certain people would get appointments in Zimmermann's
administration if he won.
Zimmermann's response: "There is also told the
alleged promise of offices and money supposed to have been
made by me to the associates of Mr. Schwab in the 1933 campaign.
Every one of these men knew at the time when they talked
with me that if I promised to any one of them money or a
job, I would be committing a crime, and would make void
my own election, if I were elected. Therefore, it is inconceivable
that I should have made such a promise. Even the fake transcription
of the interview with me does not go quite so far as to
assert an explicit promise. Mr. Schwab, who was present,
says that I made no such promise."
He was prepared to sign a waiver of immunity which
declared his innocence. If convicted he would lose his office,
could face up to five years in prison, and would be ineligible
to hold office for five years.
After the grand jury had heard the testimony from
witnesses that were all granted immunity, they decided they
wanted to hear from the Mayor himself.
Unfortunately for the Mayor, the grand jury returned
an indictment against him. On May 1, 1936 he was arraigned,
and returned to work the following day.
Zimmermann issued a statement in which he said: "For
months my personal foes and political enemies have attacked
me personally and officially with whispered slander and
public detraction. They have gone beyond all reason and
beyond all excuse.
"Now they have accomplished my indictment upon
a charge in which there is no truth. It is claimed that
I promised jobs to Mr. Schwab and certain others in return
for support in the 1933 campaign. There is no truth in the
accusation.
"The case is now out in the open. It will be
held before a judge and jury. I am confident of vindication
at their hands. I am sure that the result will comfort my
friends and confound my enemies. From this time on it is
in the hands of my attorney."
The charges against the Mayor were eventually dismissed
in Supreme Court by Justice John V. Maloney on the ground
that "no legal and competent evidence had been presented
to the grand jury which warrants the finding of the formal
complaints."
Several weeks later Governor Lehman
dismissed charges against the Mayor, which asked for his removal
from office.
On June 8, 1936, a long-standing feud between the
Mayor and the Democratic controlled Council grew worse over
the sewage disposal system, and low-income housing
projects. The
Mayor had just secured a federal grant that would provide
45 percent of the financing for the sewer project.
A federal grand jury convened in Jamestown on July
24, 1936 on charges that Zimmermann was involved in illegal
dealings regarding the Buffalo
sewer project. After only one day the grand jury determined
there had been no irregularities.
On August 7, 1936 Governor Lehman
issued the following statement: "Nothing has been disclosed
to me which would justify further executive action. Accordingly,
I hereby dismiss the petition."
Zimmermann was acquitted once again.
In addition, during 1936 the lumber business started
by his grandfather, of which he was president and treasurer,
went into bankruptcy. It was subsequently taken over by
Buffalo
Housewrecking Co.
Zimmermann tried to dominate the primary campaign
in 1937 by dictating the Democratic choice for mayor. His
reasons were said to be to guarantee tenure in municipal
offices held by close friends and relatives, and to keep
himself involved with the incoming regime. He also wanted
to collapse the rule of County Chairman Dethloff
On August 2, 1937 he appeared before the Democratic
ward chairmen and expressed his preference for mayor in
Judge Robert J. Summers. The executive members of the organization
had already chose Thomas J. Reese on July 31. On August
3, a meeting of the city members of the county committee
was called. Judge Summers was chosen as their candidate
and the Mayor "issued the orders" that Judge Summers
was his choice and was to be endorsed.
Additionally, Thomas L. Holling
, Joseph S. Kaszubowski
, and Councilman Richard A. Cantlin all were independent
candidates.
Zimmermann's endorsed group of candidates battled
mainly against the party candidates. At the primary on September
16, both groups lost. Thomas Holling
was victorious, with Kaszubowski
in second, Summers third, Reese fourth, and Cantlin last.
When the general election campaign began, the Republican
candidate, County Chairman Edwin F. Jaeckle
, sent many jibes Zimmermann's way. With his candidates
being eliminated in the primary, he stayed out of the general
election campaign.
On October 23, 1937, after a period of silence, Zimmermann,
the receiver of many attacks from the Republican candidate,
released a lengthy statement to strike back at his critics.
He demanded just credit for his achievements and
served a warning that he would not "sit idly by"
and see his character and reputation ruined. Despite the
warning, the "smearing" continued.
On November 17, 1937,
Zimmermann was the star witness at the Common Council
committee's investigation into municipal payroll padding. It
was only the third time he had been in the Council chamber
during his term.
Upon leaving office, Zimmermann returned to private
life.
PERSONAL LIFE
George Zimmermann
married Gertrude Cochrane in 1923, and they had three children.
The family lived at 414 Porter Avenue.
On March 14, 1938, the former Mayor was once again
indicted by a grand jury, on nine counts charging that he
"wrongfully used the power and influence of his office
as mayor of Buffalo
to take unlawful fees contrary to provisions of Section 1826
of the Penal Law of the State of New York."
These charges stemmed from his alleged activity regarding
Buffalo
's $15,000,000 sewer project.
Zimmermann plead not guilty, was arrested, and released
on $20,000 bail. The actual nine counts charged against
him: in the first count he "did willfully and feloniously
ask one Fred Cunningham for $200,000 for doing and omitting
to do certain official acts."
In the second count he asked for and consented to
receive from Mr. Cunningham $100,000 "in respect to
negotiations, execution and delivery by the Buffalo
Sewer Authority
of a contract with Mr. Cunningham."
The third count charges him with promising his former
secretary, Robert Boasberg, the post of city director of
the budget, in exchange for Mr. Boasberg's accepting membership
on the sewer board and voting for Clyde Potts of Morristown,
N.J. as sewer engineer.
The fourth count relates to the collection of money
from Frank E. Seymour
of the F. E. Seymour bonding firm in return for the Mayor's
promise "to wrongfully use his power and influence"
to cause, coerce and persuade all persons, firms and corporations
entering into contracts with the Buffalo
Sewer Authority
to write insurance and surety bonds through said firm.
The fifth count stated that on or around November
21, 1936, Zimmermann "did willfully and feloniously
receive" $1,500.
The sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth counts claim
dollar amounts and dates received by Zimmermann from Mr.
Seymour.
The charges were felonies with a maximum imprisonment
of ninety years, and a fine of $36,000 or both.
A statement issued by Zimmermann's lawyer, Mr. Mahoney:
"Mayor Zimmermann
is innocent of any of the charges as alleged in the indictment.
He asks all the thousands of people who had confidence in
him and elected him in 1933 to forego all conclusions, because
he is confident that he will be able to vindicate himself
of all these charges."
While en route to Buffalo
from New York City Zimmermann was stricken with a heart attack
on March 27, 1938.
On March 29, 1938 investigators located a safe deposit
box in New York City in the former Mayor's name that contained
valuable information in regard to the investigation.
On May 25, 1938 a Supreme court jury returned guilty
verdicts on six of the nine counts charged against him.
He was acquitted of the first two counts against him, but
found guilty on the remaining counts. The third count had
been removed by the prosecution.
After meeting with his lawyer after the verdict,
Zimmermann issued the following statement: "I am more
than gratified that I have finally been vindicated of all
the rumors and vilification's that have been heaped upon
me during the past two years in connection with the sewage
disposal project that is now nearing successful completion.
"My name has been publicly cleared of any wrong-doing
or intent to interfere with the sewer work. For this I am
profoundly grateful.
"The jury's verdict in connection with the so-called
Seymour counts was, of course, disappointing. However, I
am confident that an appeal will vindicate me in this matter
just as the jury vindicated me today on the question of
the sewer authority and the award of the engineering contract."
He subsequently appealed the verdict to the appellate
division in Rochester.
While awaiting the decision from his appeal, which
was due September 28, 1938, Zimmermann died in his home
of coronary thrombosis on September 14, 1938. He was buried
in Mt. Calvary
Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Messages of sympathy were sent to Mrs. Zimmermann
by many people, including Mayor Holling
, who ordered flags on public buildings to be flown at half
mast until after Zimmermann's funeral.
The estate of George Zimmermann
contained only $500 in cash, which was his last pay check from
the city, which he had not yet cashed. Before 1929 his estate
was valued at $200,000. A few years before his death he
was unable to continue paying premiums on a $300,000 life
insurance policy. He did have a $50,000 policy which was
left to his family.
