Swimmer

At 57, Joseph Ruddy is a huge, bald, splotchy man, the greatest water poloist in history, an Olympic swimmer, master of 26 sports, rescuer of some 150 lives, winner of a Congressional Medal for Life Saving and 1,000 assorted athletic cups, badges, plaques. He is the father of five expert swimmers and water poloists, one of whom, Joseph Jr., captained an Annapolis team in 1931. At the New York Athletic Club, where Ruddy is coach of the nation's championship water polo team (TIME, April i), members boast that no one has yet equaled Joe Ruddy's record for submersion (3 min. 19 sec.). Last week Joe Ruddy smashed that record to smithereens by disappearing entirely.

Investigating charges of bribery in the office of the physical examiner of New York City's Civil Service Commission, a post which Joe Ruddy has held since 1903, City Commissioner of Accounts Paul Blanshard had for several months been turning up unsavory evidence. Most recent case concerned a man named Neville who had varicose veins but wanted to be- come a fireman. He went to see a man named Lundy who took him to meet Ruddy. Neville then paid Lundy $300. After Neville was rejected by the Civil Service Commission, Lundy telegraphed him: "I tried to get your money but Joe is well strapped."

Investigating Ruddy's bank account, Commissioner Blanshard discovered that while the swimmer had earned a salary of only $11.331 in 1931-34. he had banked $104.006. Examiner Ruddy had explained to Commissioner Blanshard that he had made the money at various New York race tracks and from the receipts of his "health camp." None of the people he designated as health camp patients had ever been there. The Civil Service Commission suspended Examiner Ruddy, pending determination of charges.

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