John J. Dorman

John J. Dorman (ca. 1871-1953[1]) was appointed the 11th Fire Commissioner of the City of New York by Mayor James J. Walker on May 5, 1926, and resigned his position on December 31, 1933. He was also the chairman of the Kings County Democratic Committee.[2]

Biography

He was the Clerk of the Court of Special Sessions in Kings County starting in 1920 and he was Chairman of the Democratic County Committee of Brooklyn. He was appointed the 11th New York City Fire Commissioner by Mayor James J. Walker on May 5, 1926.[3]

During his first month in office, he faced calls for removal from the Jewish Veterans of the Wars of the Republic over an ethnic joke he made during a Fire Department Holy Name Society communion breakfast at the Hotel Astor that was broadcast on WNYC.[4] In 1928, "Dorman Square" in Midwood, Brooklyn was named after him, causing controversy as this honor was usually not accorded to living people.[5]

He resigned his position on December 31, 1933,[6] and subsequently worked in banking.[7] He died on June 21, 1953.[8]

References

1. Congress, United States (1953). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office.
2. "Mrs. John J. Dorman. Wife of Chairman of the Kings County Democratic Committee". New York Times. August 17, 1940. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
3. "J. J. Dorman Named Fire Commissioner. Brooklyn Man's Selection Is a Surprise in Political Circles. A Victory For Mccooey. Choice Is Seen As A Harmony Move Inspired By Coming Elections. Salary For Job Is $10,000. T. J. Drennan's Successor Is Head of Kings County Democratic Committee". New York Times. May 6, 1926. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
4. "Jewish War Veterans Demand Resignation of N. Y. Fire Commissioner". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1926-05-25. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
5. "Clipped From The Brooklyn Daily Eagle". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1928-12-12. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
6. "75 Tammany Men Seek Pensions. Delaney and Dorman to Retire. Ryan Also Moves to Quit Board of Transportation. Bronx and Brooklyn Park Heads Join Rush to Give O'Brien Chance to Balk LaGuardia on Patronage". New York Times. November 23, 1933. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
7. "Clipped From Times Union". Times Union. 1934-02-15. p. 9. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
8. "John Dorman Dies, Headed Fire Force. Commissioner Under Walker Was Chairman of the Kings Democratic Committee". New York Times. June 22, 1953. Retrieved 2016-02-05.

Fire appointments
Preceded by Thomas J. Drennan	FDNY Commissioner 1926–1933	Succeeded by John J. McElligott