Elmer Mustard

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Elmer Mustard (died March 1, 1940) was appointed the 13th Fire Commissioner of the City of New York by Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia on February 23, 1940 due to the sudden retirement of Fire Commissioner John J. McElligott under questionable circumstances. [1] [2]

New York City Fire Department fire department in New York City

The New York City Fire Department, officially the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), is a department of the government of New York City that provides fire protection, technical rescue, primary response to biological, chemical, and radioactive hazards, and emergency medical services to the five boroughs of New York City.

Fiorello H. La Guardia politician

Fiorello Henry La Guardia was an American politician. He is best known for being the 99th Mayor of New York City for three terms from 1934 to 1945 as a Republican. Previously he had been elected to Congress in 1916 and 1918, and again from 1922 through 1930. Irascible, energetic, and charismatic, he craved publicity and is acclaimed as one of the greatest mayors in American history. Only five feet, two inches tall, he was called "the Little Flower".

John James McElligott was appointed the 12th New York City Fire Commissioner by Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia on January 1, 1934.

Biography

He was appointed to the Fire Department on January 1, 1901 and assigned to Engine 26. He was made Captain on December 24, 1910, on May 11, 1918 he was made Acting Chief of Battalion (at the time he was Captain of Hook & Ladder 17) then on August 1, 1919 he became Chief of the 44th Battalion. In December 1937, as Deputy Chief, he was put in charge of the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. Chief Mustard went on to become Chief of Department and was sworn in as Deputy Commissioner on January 1, 1939, from which post he was elevated to Commissioner as noted above.

On February 24, 1940, Mayor LaGuardia voided McElligott's retirement, and ordered him to return to his position as Fire Commissioner. [3] Three days later, on February 27, McElligott resumed his position as Fire Commissioner. [4]

Elmer Mustard only served four days as Fire Commissioner and died of a heart attack on March 1, 1940, three days after leaving his position as the shortest serving Fire Commissioner in New York City history. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "McElligott, 8 aides quit for pensions". The New York Times. February 24, 1940. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  2. ↑ "Mustard cancels retirement order". The New York Times. February 27, 1940. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  3. ↑ "'Retired ' firemen ordered to duty". The New York Times. February 25, 1940. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  4. ↑ "M'Elligott agrees to voiding pension". The New York Times. February 26, 1940. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  5. ↑ "Elmer Mustard is stricken here". The New York Times. March 2, 1940. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
Fire appointments
Preceded by
John J. McElligott 		FDNY Commissioner
February 23–27, 1940		Succeeded by
John J. McElligott


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