17. This mayor was prominent in the late 1920s and early 1930s after a brief foray into the world of music as a songwriter. He was mayor of New York from 1926 through 1932. Who was he?
From Quiz 20th Century New York City Mayors
Answer:
Jimmy Walker
James John Walker, or Jimmy Walker, the son of Irish immigrants, was mayor of New York, first elected to the office in 1925, with the help of the Governor of New York Alfred E. Smith, and Tammany Hall, an organization which was influential in New York City politics at the time. He had previously tried his hand as a songwriter, with his most well-known song being "Will You Love Me In December (As You Do In May)?" Walker's first four-year term was a good one, and the city prospered. He was re-elected to the office in 1929, but his fortunes turned along with that of the rest of the country after the stock market crash of 1929. Contributing to his downfall were allegations of immorality and corruption, with Walker having numerous affairs and leaving his wife for a showgirl in the late 1920s. Also during his administration, the proliferation of speakeasies was prevalent in the city. Increasing social unrest from the public as well as criticism from the Catholic Church and the President led to his eventual resignation in September of 1932.