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“Judge Snider’s findings in the civic investigation appear in other columns of today’s Times. The public has been somewhat prepared for any criticism the Judge may make, and the people may not be startled by the charges he makes, but they are certainly strong enough to make us all wonder how such a state of affairs could have existed in the Board of Works for so many years. Gross neglect of duty is charged .”

Hamilton Times.  July 11, 1914.

It was a formal investigation that had begun many months before, but the subject of the investigation, corruption in the Hamilton Board of Works had been suspected informally for many years.

It took one municipal politician to confront the situation directly and publicly make sensational charges against  Hamilton Works department employees; managers and front line workers alike.

Alderman Chester Walters was relatively new to Hamilton City Council but his persistence and fearlessness lead a formal inquiry into the state of affairs in the Board of Works.

For months, there had been open sessions of the inquiry, where, after being put under oath, Hamilton Works department employees had to answer specific questions about perceived fraud, corruption and mismanagement in the municipality’s largest department with the largest budget.

The inquiry had been front page news in all three Hamilton daily newspapers and public sentiment was decidedly aghast at what was been revealed.

Finally ion November 28, 1914, Judge Snider, who conducted the celebrated and closely followed civic inquiry, handed his final report to Hamilton City Council.

The report was voluminous, covering 55 typewritten pages. Although far too lengthy for the newspapers to reprint in full on short notice, nonetheless the main findings were presented to Hamilton citizens using bold headlines in the Herald, the Spectator and the Times.

The Hamilton Times put a summation of 11 major conclusions reached by Judge Snider in a box near the top of its front page under the headline, “Points Brought Out in the Judge’s Report’ :

“Petty theft by some of city’s officials of city materials and city money prevailed.

“This theft and dishonesty was due to a large extent to the gross neglect of duty by the heads of the department by heads of the department in which it occurred.

“No doubt these same criminal practices would prevail still were it not that the suspicions of some members of your body were aroused, and that Alderman Chester Walters, or someone else as capable and energetic as he has been, took the matter in hand.

“From the head of the Works Department down, no one even made the least effort or enquiry to see that the system, such as it was, was being carried out; neglect and confusion prevailed.

“No audit of any use ever made during 1910 to 1914.

“Further than these matters I have mentioned, there is no wrongdoing established against W. C. Brennan, excepting the neglect of supervision and attention to the affairs of the city in the Works Department, which neglect contributed largely to the downfall of those who have stolen the city’s money and property.

“C. S. Faulknor – Charges established beyond a doubt.

“John Anderson – Charge supported; dishonesty of them apparent.

“H. R. Hanna – Committed fraud by which he obtained city money fraudulently.

“John Jess – Is proved to have obtained large sums of money by false and false pretenses – in fact it was theft of city money.

Crescent Oil Company - asphalt transactions ,suggest dishonesty. Oil transactions, dealings of J. B. H. Smith is characterized by deceit and underhanded work, and an attempt to hide dishonest transactions.”¹

¹ Theft and Dishonesty Were Found Among the Employees : Judge Snider Points Out Transactions Which He Considers Criminal – Lack of Supervision Made Employees Careless and Led to Irregularities”

Hamilton Times.   November 28, 1914.

In an editorial headlined “Gross Carelessness in City Business” the editor of the Hamilton Times summarized Judge Snider’s report and lambasted the operations of the Hamilton Works Department pointedly:

“ ‘No effort, the judge,’ the Judge says, ‘ was made by anyone, from head of the department down, to see that the proper vouchers or books of the immense quantities of material purchased was ever had or kept. No one knew or tried to ascertain where these valuable materials went, nor that there was delivered the full quantity.’

“So gross was the neglect or carelessness that the Judge declares the ‘the most simple-minded could help himself, without fear of discovery, by the head of the department, or the secretary, or any one under them for it was well known that no one over them ever took the trouble to see that this city was protected from dishonest persons.”²

² “Gross Carelessness in City Business”

Hamilton Times.  November 28, 1914.

The Times editorial agree that there was a system, of sorts at Hamilton City Hall, with book-keeping vouchers, etc. However,  Judge Snider pointed out that ‘no one ever made the least effort  to see that the system, such as it was, was being carried out; neglect and confusion reigned. The city’s business could not have been more carelessly done than it was.’  Could a stronger indictment be brought against any body of men?”²

City employees and politicians not directly connected with the Works department were not absolved of any blame in Judge Snider’s report. The lack of a proper, well-supervised, annual audit of Hamilton’s finances was a major problem:

“ ‘It is quite clear that no audit which was of any practical use to the city has been had during the years covered by this investigation. The Works Department, the greatest spending department of the city, was not inspected or audited by the auditors at all.’ ” ²

Judge Snider noted that the auditors hired by the City of Hamilton were mistaken as to what they were supposed to do, and that the petty theft and dishonesty would have been caught much earlier if the auditors had carried of their responsibilities as was required.

In conclusion the Times editorial brought his final finger point of blame directly at the aldermen, the members of the Board of Control and the mayor for overlooking “the muddle and mess” in the Hamilton Works Department.

There was one exception in the group of Hamilton’s municipal politicians would chose not to ignore the situation in the Works Department, and who, despite ongoing criticism and impediments, managed to get the problems publicized and a formal investigation put in place.

That alderman was one of the youngest members of Hamilton City Council. Chester Walters would take advantage of the positive notoriety he had received because of the Works Department by choosing to run for the mayor in the upcoming civic election.

Chester Walters would be handily elected as Hamilton’s mayor for 1915.  

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“Local baseball interest now centers in the appearance of thePhiladelphia Athletics here tomorrow.”

Hamilton Spectator.  August 11, 1914.

Despite forebodings of what the future held as war had broken out in Europe, Hamiltonians looked forward to a couple of hours of diversion.

On August 12, 1914, the reigning champion of Major League Baseball was scheduled to play an exhibition game in Hamilton.

As the sports writer with the Hamilton Spectator pointed out :

“The visit of any of the major league teams to Canadian cities is always an important event in the athletic calendar. Hamilton has established some grand records for receptions tendered to the visitors, and the Detriot Tigers and others have played to monster crowds.

“The indications are that a grand crowd will turn out at Britannia park to witness the game and take a look at the players who have made baseball history.”¹

¹ “Warm Reception Awaits Famous Baseball Squad”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 11, 1914.

The Philadephia Athletics were barnstorming as the team made its way to Washington after playing games in the west. Besides the Hamilton game, the Athletics were to play in Brantford. Following the Brantford game, the major league baseball players would take a train to Hamilton.

The afternoon edition of the Spectator informed those interested that the Athletics were scheduled to arrive in Hamilton at 8 p.m.:

“They will be met by the mayor, the controllers and the baseball club directors. They will be put up at Stroud’s hotel and will be treated to an auto ride around the city tomorrow morning.”¹

There were 6291 tickets to be put on sale for the game at Britannia Park; 1491 reserved seats, 1800 bleachers seats and 3000 for the standing room area. The reserved seats could be purchased at the Bowles’ Lunch room on King street east. All other tickets could be purchased at the gate, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

For fans attending the games, a unique printing had been made for purchase:

“A special souvenir score will be issued, giving the exact line-up of the teams and containing photos of Connie Mack and his $100,000 indeed, together with a brief account of each player. Cards will be on sale at a nominal price of five cents.”¹

To help drum up interest in the game and attract ticket buyers, the players would be driven from the downtown area to Britannia park:

“The game tomorrow afternoon will start sharp at 3 o’clock, and will be preceded by a parade which will leave Gore park at 2 o’clock.

“The parade will be headed by the 91^st Highlanders’ band, and will be participated in by the visiting players, eighteen in number, the civic officials, the local club officials and others.

“The route of the parade will be : South side of King to John street, north side of King street to James street. James to Cannon street. Cannon to John street to Barton street, and east on Barton street to the ball yard.”¹

The game was well-played and the final result was a surprising win by the local squad, 5-4.

Ultimately the game did not set any local attendance records, but nonetheless, a sizable crowd did pay to see the major league players:

“Naturally the event created a great deal of interest locally with the result that a splendid crowd of some thirty-five hundred people were in attendance. This was not a record crowd by any means, but it certainly was a splendid turnout for a weekday match with conditions in this city and the country as they are at present.”²

² “World’s Champions Lost Close Game to Hamilton Nine”

Hamilton Spectator. August 12, 1914.

The appearance of the Philadelphia Athletics was a welcome diversion for Hamiltonians who could forget about events in Europe for a little while before reality set in again.

The Athletics would leave the city on a 6 p.m. train for Washington, D.C.  

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It seems that there was always something of interest noticed by city staff and the general citizen passing through Hamilton City Hall in 1914.

Sometimes the incidents were sad or troubling but on July 20, 1914 a noticeable occurrence was observed and commented upon by all who witnessed it, including a reporter with the Hamilton Times.

His article appeared under the headline, “She Stopped” ;

“There was a calamity this morning in the City Hall when an elderly lady, accompanied by a fair young damsel of about twenty-three summers, making her way towards the tax collector office, dropped her Chatelaine, and her younger companion stooped to pick it up.

“The young lady was dressed in a tight-fitting taffeta, and there was a sound of ripping when she attempted to recover the lost property, and evidently she considerably embarrassed, as they both made a hurried exit, the young lady wrapping around her the torn garment, even more tightly than was the intention of the fashionable dressmaker who had fitted her.

“Before leaving the hall, the older lady ‘phoned for a taxi, and the two were whirled away to their home where the disaster might be remedied”¹

¹ “She Stooped : And Had to Be Hustled Home in a Taxi”

Hamilton Times.  July 21, 1914

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“The Socialists’ meetings that have been conducted every Saturday evening on the market were stopped Saturday evening by Deputy-Chief Whatley”.

Hamilton Times.  July 20, 1914.

On Saturdays in July 1914, beginning long before sunrise, the Market Square behind the James street Hamilton City Hall, was a hive of activity.

Farmers and vendors of all sorts were present to sell fruits, vegetables, and meat and much more to city residents.

After the Saturday supper hour, the big open space was mostly empty. In July, 1914, political activists, notably Socialists, began to carry on public meetings at which speakers’ would attract a crowd to which they could forcibly proclaim their views.

Deputy Police Chief Whatley was no shrinking violet when it came to enforcing his views of the law. On Saturday, July 18, 1914, he ordered the Socialists to vacate the Market Square:

“Although there were no untoward disturbances, the deputy chief thought that it would be better to have them stopped, as on some other evenings the arguments have waxed so strong that pedestrians have been interfered with by the large crowd that gathers there.”¹

¹ “Had to Stop It : Socialists’ Meeting Was Interfering With Traffic.”

Hamilton Times. July 20, 1914.

The breaking up of the meeting provoked what the Hamilton Spectator called “an adverse storm of criticism being wafted towards Deputy Chief Whatley.”

The Spectator assigned a reporter to interview the deputy chief, to give him an opportunity to explain his actions:

“ ‘ I can easily explain,’ replied the deputy chief when questioned. ‘The language of the speaker was such that boded no good. The Stars and Stripes, of the United States, and the Union Jack of Great Britain were defamed.

“ ‘The judges and magistrates of the country were belittled and the language was such as to incite riots. In fact, there were several street brawls.

“ ‘Today, a deputation of socialists called on  me in my office and we had an understanding. I willingly agreed to allow the meetings to go on, providing the speaker who was present on Saturday night, was not allowed to speak again, and providing that the meeting was of a quiet nature, and not calculated to create ill-feeling or disorderly conduct.’ ”²

²  “Police Tell Why They Interfered : Thought Speakers’ Remarks Might Incite Riot : Understanding Reached at Conference Today.”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 20, 1914.

There had been much anger and the deputy chief’s actions when he broke up the meeting, and by Monday morning, the Spectator had received a number of letters protesting against the police preventing free speech and the right of free assembly.

Later in the day, the subject of the Socialists’ meetings came up in Hamilton Police Court, arising out of an incident which had taken place before the deputy-chief had broken up the meeting.

One of the Socialists, Walter Wilson, was charged with assaulting a fourteen year old boy:

“The boy admitted throwing an onion at the accused and stated that Wilson ran at him, and struck him on the nose. Wilson stated that the boy had been with several others and that he had constantly interrupted his meetings.”³

³ “Magistrate Talks to Socialists”

Hamilton Times. July 21, 1914.

Before giving his ruling on the case, Police Magistrate fully outlined his views on the Socialist meeting being held on the Market Square:

“ ‘ These public socialistic meetings inevitably lead to disorder,’ said the magistrate. ‘The speakers take occasion to ridicule the authorities, and the people will not stand for it. If the socialists believe they have something new to tell the people, they have recourse to printed literature, but instead of that they hold public meetings, harangue the crowd and lead them astray by running down the King and the magistrates of the country.

“ ‘I sympathize with you when boys throw onions and other vegetables and hang around your skirts, but if you take my advice you’ll hire a hall for your meetings. You have the right of free speech, but if you hold these meetings on the street, people will hiss you, and boys will throw things. If you’ve got something worth hearing, people will pay to hear it.

“ ‘I’ll dismiss this charge, but take a little advice from me – hire a hall,’ concluded the magistrate.”⁴

⁴ “ Magistrate Talks to the Socialists : Advises Them Not to Talk on Market”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 21, 1914.

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“People living near Hamilton’s main police station at King William and Mary streets had had enough, and they decided to let their concerns be known in no uncertain terms:

“Tired, sleepy-eyed residents in the vicinity of the central police station swarmed through the swinging glass doors of the King William street justice hall this morning .

Hamilton Spectator.  July 29, 1914.

Hoping to take their complaints directly to the police chief or the deputy chief, the residents were frustrated:

“They marched to the door of Chief Smith’s office and found that a spider had spun its web over the door-knob, and learned that the head of the force was hooking trout at Lake Ha-Ha.

“The tried, sleepy-eyed residents padded down the stairs and banged on the office door of Deputy Chief Whatley. At that time the deputy chief was giving the habitual bench flowers in Gore park the ‘once-over.’ ” ¹

¹ “Residents Have Lively Grouch”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 29, 1914

Really frustrated, the residents searched for someone, anyone, to vent their annoyance with the police department.

At that point, the caretaker of the station entered the hall with a pail of suds and a mop ready to go to work:

“ ‘An official at last; at him, comrades, at him,’ gurgled one tired, sleepy-eyed resident and in one single, solitary second the caretaker was surrounded.

“ ‘Wat’s all the bloomin’ ‘owling for, blime me?’ stammered the caretaker.

“ ‘We have a complaint to make,’ fifteen voices, ranging from soprano to blacksmith basso, blended harmoniously.”¹

The residents’ issue had started with the arrest of James Richards on a charge of theft the previous afternoon.

At first, Richards rested quietly in his cell at the station, but just before the super hour  the situation changed:

“Then he shrieked and moaned and cried and the echoes reverberated one block away. To the desk man, Richards confided that he was a ‘dope eater’ that he had to have a ‘shot of hop’ or he would go mad.

“The ‘shot’ was not forthcoming and Richards continued his one-man chorus.”

Finally at 10 p.m., Richards was taken to the city hospital. On the way back to the station, the police wagon encountered Mary  Randolf, “a colored girl” being arrested by Constable Dick Elliot on a vagrancy charge.

The constable and his prisoner were driven back to central station.

Mary was anything but a model prisoner:

“She was led to the women’s quarters and told to go to sleep. But sleep was not for Mary – nor for anyone within the radius of her shrill voice.

“Mary just opened her facial subway and almost lifted the roof from the station. She ran the scale from both ends and started again at the middle.

“Richards’ cries were the sweetest of music compared to Mary’s efforts.

“At 7 o’clock this morning she sobbed to the tune of the National anthem, closed her performance and went to sleep.”¹

The residents near the station had endured hours upon hours of loud, unsettling noise, beginning with the “dope eater” and followed by the “colored girl” and they wanted to vent their rage.

Unfortunately the caretaker was the only one available :

“The caretaker waited patiently until the complaint had been aired. Then he tucked the mop under his arm, grabbed the pail of suds, and chuckled loud and long.

“ ‘Don’t complain tuh me, brothers. I was tryin’ to sleep in the next room. Sympathize with me,’ ejaculated the tired, patient  janitor, and he beat it.¹