DEMOCRATS: Fortune's Child

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But what was to be done with O'Dwyer? It developed that both the mayor and his handsome young wife would be pleased if he were named Ambassador to Mexico. Flynn headed for the White House, and with Party Boss Bill Boyle, Senator Lehman and White House Handyman Dave Niles, put the proposition to the President. It was a big pill for Harry Truman to swallow, but with his eyes on the shining chance of Democratic victory in New York, he gallantly gulped it down.

Last week the White House announced O'Dwyer's appointment to Mexico City; the mayor said a sentimental and tearful farewell to the Board of Estimate, exchanged compliments with his old friend and mentor, John Cashmore (whom he had just pushed out as Democratic leader of Brooklyn) and prepared to leave Manhattan. As a parting gesture to O'Dwyer, the teary-eyed board gave handsome raises to most all of the O'Dwyer men who would be left behind on the city payroll. They also cleared the way to give O'Dwyer himself a $12,000-a-year lifetime pension to help eke out a living on his $25,000-a-year salary as ambassador. The Democrats were happy and the Mexicans seemed flattered by the appointment; O'Dwyer and helpmeet Sloan seemed to be walking off, hand in hand, into the sunset, just like in the old silent pictures.