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“Even though Christmas day, 1914, had passed, there were still wonderful Christmas stories appearing in the December 30, 1914 issue of the Hamilton Spectator.

Both short articles give a feeling as to how the holiday season was marked in two widespread locations involving very different parts of the community.

The first involving the Italian community had taken place during the early evening of Christmas day:

“The Christmas entertainment of the Italians was unique among the many of the kind in Hamilton.

“It was not entirely given up to fun and frolic. A number of hymns were sung in Italian with all the heartiness of the first week of a revival mission, and when the pastor delivered his address, the atmosphere was that of a devotional meeting.

“The entertainment was creditable to the boys and girls who took part in it, and to the ladies who trained them.

“After the musical part of the program, Santa Claus appeared in persona and unloaded the tree of its burden of gifts to about forty boys and girls.”¹

¹ “Italian Xmas Tree”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 30, 1914.

The second celebration noted had taken place on December 29, 1914 at the small church on the Beach Strip:

“Burlington Beach church Sunday School at station 4 was crowded to the doors last night, when the annual Christmas tree entertainment was given by the children of the Sunday school.

“After the regular program, Rev. Canon Davis, who presided, presented the prizes won by the scholars during the year. Then followed the part of the entertainment which all the little tots anticipated with great delight, the appearance of Santa Claus with his large tree gaily decorated with presents for all. Oranges and candies were distributed.

“The Christmas carols by the scholars were much enjoyed.”¹

¹ “Xmas Entertainment”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 30, 1914

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It was a cheery, end-of-term meeting for Hamilton’s City Council on December 29, 1914.

After the council wound up various routine matters, special recognition of Mayor George Allan’s service. After two years as mayor, Mr. Allan was leaving politics, the meeting would be his last as an elected Hamilton municipal politician.

The following resolution was presented by Controllers Cooper and Morris:

“Resolved : That the thanks of this council are due and hereby tendered to his worship Mayor Allan, for the courtesies extended to the members of this council during the past year. The council desires to place on record their appreciation of the great interest taken by his worship the mayor in all that appertained to the advancement of the interests of the city corporation, as well as for the ability displayed by him in the conduct of the business brought before this council for consideration. His worship the mayor, on retiring from this council, carries with him the best wishes of its members for a very useful and successful career in the legislature of the province of Ontario”

The resolution was unanimously carried.

In reply, Mayor Allan said :

“When I was elected mayor of Hamilton two years ago, I said that it was the proudest moment of my life. I wish to say that I feel just as proud tonight, and the resolution which you have so kindly passed fills me with a feeling of gratitude which any words of mine would fail to express.

“During my two years of office I have striven hard to do my best for the city of Hamilton. There is no doubt that I have made mistakes, as men before me have done, and as men who will follow me will do. I believe, with Controller Cooper, that this year’s council has done excellent work, and I congratulate the members of the board of control and the members of the various civic committees on their faithful services.

“I am very sorry to tell you that we will end the present year with an overdraft of about $78,000. This, however, is not the fault of the board of control or any of the committees. It is due to our inability to collect taxes and water rates, not only for the present year, but the unpaid balances from years 1912 and 1913.

“Under normal conditions we would have been able this year to collect all unpaid tax monies from those years, but we have been able to collect only about sixty-nine per cent of these outstanding accounts, and at present we are behind in our collections about $122,000. I am pleased to state, however, that we are $33,000 to the good on our expeditures over original estimates, and if our collections had been normal we would have ended the year in spite of all the adverse and unusual conditions with a handsome surplus.

“And now, I have some real good news for you. In the face of the unusual industrial depression through which we have been passing, we have continued to secure additional manufacturing concerns for Hamilton, one of which is the Proctor-Gamble company, whose plant is now under construction, and when completed ill give employment to several hundred people.

“The good news I referred to is that within the next few weeks your industrial commissioner will be able to announce the completion of arrangements for the location of three or four large manufacturing concerns in this city of over five hundred factories.

“I think this city has great reason to be thankful for the splendid new system which has been installed for the management of the works department of the city hall. This system is of such a nature as to enable every citizen to have implicit confidence that the business of the works department is being and will be run in such a straightforward manner as to ensure the very best results.

“One of the speakers at the recent nomination of municipal candidates made the statement that this system was due to the efforts of the investigating committee. I wish to state that any such statement  is untrue. The reorganization of the works department leading to the present system was started before the appointment of the investigation committee, and this committee has no right to claim any of the credit for the introduction of the new works department system which is now proving so satisfactory.”¹

¹ “New Industries for Hamilton : Mayor Allan Promises Announcement in Near Future : Felicitations for His Worship and Retiring Members”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 30, 1914.

The 1914 session of Hamilton City Council had faced substantial difficulties caused by the drastically negative economic conditions and by the scandal in the works department, but the mayor concluded his term with some good news for the future council.

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“Hamilton manufacturers have been favored with many orders from the British and French war offices since the war broke out, but it remained for the National Steel Car company to get orders which will bring a great deal more money to the city than all the other orders put together.”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 24, 1914 .

Most Hamiltonians, during the first few months of World War One, focused on volunteering, helping the families of volunteer dependents and of course, the events of the fighting in Belgium and France.

There had been a prolonged economic depression during 1913 and 1914. Most of the large manufacturers in Hamilton had felt the effects of that situation. With orders reduced, many workers were given shortened hours or laid off completely.

No doubt many of leaders of those big industries might have anticipated orders for war materials, but throughout the fall, only a few, minor orders had arrived.

The day before Christmas, 1914, a welcome present was made to workers in one large industry, the National Steel Car company:

“The company has received contracts for portable ovens and other material used on the field that totals up to $1,500,000, and there may be more to come.

“The British war office has ordered 250 portable kitchens, which are to be finished within the next three months and which means that the company’s plant will be working full office, both day and night, for months to come.

“The French war office has also placed substantial orders with the company for various materials used on the field of battle, and if the company can fill further orders for the French office within a stated time, they will be forthcoming.”¹

¹”National Car Company Gets $1,500, 000 Order”

Hamilton Spectator. December 24, 1914.

 A spectator reporter managed to get a brief statement from an official with the National Steel Company in which he said :

“ ‘We are more than pleased with the orders and I think that we will be able to fill the orders within the stipulated time. It means that we will be working full blast, but we are in a position to fill the orders, as there is no trouble getting mechanics and laborers at the present time.’ ”¹

Even before the huge order for the National Steel Car company was announced, another Hamilton manufacturer had received a large order from the British war office. The Otis-Fensom Elevator company had received a large order for shells and it was able to assure its work that they all would be able to work full time during the coming winter months, and predicted that there could well be three full shifts of eight hours each would soon be in place.

After Christmas, but before the year 1914 was finished, another good news item appeared in the Spectator concerning Hamilton’s industrial sector:

“General depression got another bump this morning in the form of an announcement from the Steel Company of Canada to the effect that an order which will total close to a million dollars, had been received from the war office for the manufacture of a special quality of steel, and within a short time, the big plant of the company will be running full blast, night and day, shifts being put on as formerly.

“The company’s big mill on Queen street, which has been closed for several months, will be reopened shortly and the work will be rushed. The large order means that the company will employ as many, if not more, men than it ever did, and the employees will be assured of work for some months to come, as it will take that long to fill the large order.”

As 1914 wound down, the employment situation in Hamilton was rapidly getting better as many industries were getting orders, of varying sizes, to turn out war materials as well as other orders reflecting the positive turn that the economy had made, ending the prolonged slump.

One company that benefited from war orders was the Sanford Manufacturing company which was turning over approximately 1,000 uniforms per day.

 

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“Hamilton manufacturers have been favored with many orders from the British and French war offices since the war broke out, but it remained for the National Steel Car company to get orders which will bring a great deal more money to the city than all the other orders put together.”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 24, 1914 .

Most Hamiltonians, during the first few months of World War One, focused on volunteering, helping the families of volunteer dependents and of course, the events of the fighting in Belgium and France.

There had been a prolonged economic depression during 1913 and 1914. Most of the large manufacturers in Hamilton had felt the effects of that situation. With orders reduced, many workers were given shortened hours or laid off completely.

No doubt many of leaders of those big industries might have anticipated orders for war materials, but throughout the fall, only a few, minor orders had arrived.

The day before Christmas, 1914, a welcome present was made to workers in one large industry, the National Steel Car company:

“The company has received contracts for portable ovens and other material used on the field that totals up to $1,500,000, and there may be more to come.

“The British war office has ordered 250 portable kitchens, which are to be finished within the next three months and which means that the company’s plant will be working full office, both day and night, for months to come.

“The French war office has also placed substantial orders with the company for various materials used on the field of battle, and if the company can fill further orders for the French office within a stated time, they will be forthcoming.”¹

¹”National Car Company Gets $1,500, 000 Order”

Hamilton Spectator. December 24, 1914.

 A spectator reporter managed to get a brief statement from an official with the National Steel Company in which he said :

“ ‘We are more than pleased with the orders and I think that we will be able to fill the orders within the stipulated time. It means that we will be working full blast, but we are in a position to fill the orders, as there is no trouble getting mechanics and laborers at the present time.’ ”¹

Even before the huge order for the National Steel Car company was announced, another Hamilton manufacturer had received a large order from the British war office. The Otis-Fensom Elevator company had received a large order for shells and it was able to assure its work that they all would be able to work full time during the coming winter months, and predicted that there could well be three full shifts of eight hours each would soon be in place.

After Christmas, but before the year 1914 was finished, another good news item appeared in the Spectator concerning Hamilton’s industrial sector:

“General depression got another bump this morning in the form of an announcement from the Steel Company of Canada to the effect that an order which will total close to a million dollars, had been received from the war office for the manufacture of a special quality of steel, and within a short time, the big plant of the company will be running full blast, night and day, shifts being put on as formerly.

“The company’s big mill on Queen street, which has been closed for several months, will be reopened shortly and the work will be rushed. The large order means that the company will employ as many, if not more, men than it ever did, and the employees will be assured of work for some months to come, as it will take that long to fill the large order.”

As 1914 wound down, the employment situation in Hamilton was rapidly getting better as many industries were getting orders, of varying sizes, to turn out war materials as well as other orders reflecting the positive turn that the economy had made, ending the prolonged slump.

One company that benefited from war orders was the Sanford Manufacturing company which was turning over approximately 1,000 uniforms per day

 

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“When old Kris Kringle starts out on his rounds tonight, he will have his work cut out for, according to the orders he has received from his chief advisors, not one house in Hamilton is to be overlooked”

Hamilton Spectator.     December 24, 1914.

Readers of the Hamilton Spectator issue of December 24, 1914 were heartened to learn that many people all over the city were working hard to make it a happy Christmas day for every Hamiltonian.

There were people that, according to the Spectator, were making efforts to ensure that “Kris Kringle” would have no problems carrying out his duties:

“The chimney sweeps have been working overtime in order to give the old fellow a clean reception when he creeps down in the dead of night and brightens the hearts of the little kiddies of all classes and creeds by leaving sweets, toys and other things that will make the little folks realize that it is a day of joy and festivity.”¹

¹ “Kris Kringle Will Make his Tour Tonight : Not One House in Hamilton to Be Overlooked”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 24, 1914.

In previous Christmas holidays in Hamilton, a variety of societies had worked independently to provide for those in need, particularly distributing the fixings for a hearty Christmas meal and gifts for young people.

In 1914, an umbrella organization, the United Relief association was in force to avoid duplication and inefficiencies in the provision of Christmas help to those Hamiltonians in need. The other organization at work in that area of assistance in 1914 was the Police Relief association:

“The aim is to see that no child goes without a toy tomorrow nor without the usual bag of candies, an orange and good things to eat.

“The association has furnished charitably disposed people with the names of 3,500 children whom Santa would not visit under ordinary conditions, and the arrangements have worked out so well that the old chap has every one of the 3,500 names on his itinerary, and will reach all.

“The police have also taken a hand in the good fellow’s movements and are looking after families in the east end.

“At the United Relief headquarters this morning, two policemen had to be called in to help handle the crowd which visited the place to secure food for tomorrow’s dinner. The association distributed 1,900 roasts of beef today, ranging in weight  from six to twelve pounds, according to the size of the family

“The St. George’s, St. Andrew’s and other societies worked in conjunction with the relief association, securing their provisions there , but making their own distribution in the usual way. Over 14,200 pounds of good b eef were given away to the needy for tomorrow’s dinner.”¹

As for the Hamilton police, their efforts at helping those in need were characteristically well-organized :

“Ninety-two baskets, heavily laden with candies, nuts, oranges, clothes, toys and food, were whisked away from the Central police station this morning in automobiles and distributed to really needy and deserving families.

“The civic automobiles were graciously placed at the disposal of the police, and sergeants , detectives and policemen went at work with a spirit that was refreshing and wholly in keeping with the Yuletide season.

“The police know of every deserving case and they are working hand in hand with the United Relief association so that there will be no overlapping.”¹

For Christmas day itself, the Salvation army soldiers in Hamilton were prepared to work hard in service:

“It is expected that 600 single men will be fed at the Metropole.

“The dinner will be a real old-time one, consisting of beef, potatoes and vegetables, with the usual plum pudding.

“The dinner will be followed by an address by Brigadier Adby and singing of appropriate Christmas music.

“The army has also arranged to give a dinner to the inmates at bthe jail, with another program of music.

“The officers of the Army have been busy for weeks arranging for the dinners and the League of Mercy has also done splendid work in rounding up the unfortunate ones who will be made glad.”¹

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As Christmas 1914 approached Wentworth County Warden Hugh Bertram sent a seasonal greeting to a group of his constituents who were located in a place and for such a purpose unimaginable during the Christmas season one year previously.

On December 24, 1914, the Hamilton Herald reprinted Warden Bertram’s cablegram to Major Kimmons who was in charge of the volunteers from Wentworth County, training on the Salisbury Plain in England. They were training, getting ready to be soon sent into battle in France:

“Major Kimmons, First battalion, Salisbury plain –

“At this Christmas season of the year, when our hearts are filled with thoughts of home and those we love, a deep appreciative thought comes to us of our boys beyond the sea and the noble and inspiring work they are doing to uphold the honor and best traditions of our great empire.

“Wentworth county wishes you to accept and to convey to those in your command, her heartiest and most sincere Christmas greetings, with the full knowledge of the sacrifice you have made in leaving your homes and those you love most dearly when the call of duty came. She is proud of you today, but will be prouder still the day she can welcome you to her arms, knowing that right has triumphed and that our flag is still unsullied.

“God bless you everyone.

“On behalf of the county,

          HUGH BERTRAM, junior”¹

¹ “To Wentworth’s Boys : County Sent Cablegram With Xmas Greetings to Salisbury”

Hamilton Herald.          December 24, 1914

 

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“The meeting of the East Hamilton Improvement society, held at Farrar’s hall, last evening, was not very largely attended, although those who braved the cutting winds were there to hear facts about municipal government, and it was plainly evident that Ald. Chester Walters was the popular choice of the meeting.”

Hamilton Herald      December 24, 1914.

That the number of citizens attending a political meeting on a bitterly cold evening, two days before Christmas, was hardly surprising.

However, the reporter for the Hamilton Herald did make it, although the man from the Spectator chose not to attend.

Perhaps the Spectator’s strong endorsement of candidate Charles Gardner played a part in the reporter choosing to stay in the office rather than braving the cold to get to a hall where it was anticipated that Gardner’s opponent would be the popular choice of the audience.

There were many in East Hamilton who did not have jobs in December 1914:

“Both Ald. Walters and Controller Garner gave addresses, and were attentively listened to, but Mr. Gardner was put through a severe cross-examination over his endeavor to make political capital by exploiting the unemployed question.

“Ex-Ald. Bryers asked many questions of the controller, which the latter sought to evade, but finally admitted that he had no solution to the unemployed question in view, other than saying that something should be done.”¹

¹ “Controller Gardner Was Put on the Grill : Admitted He Had No Solution of Unemployed Question, When Asked By Ex-Ald. Bryers, Who Stated He Was Tired of Hearing It Used For Political Purposes”

Hamilton Herald.   December 24, 1914.

Alderman Walters was not confronted about the unemployment question as he had not used the issue to forward his campaign. Walters had much more to campaign on, his leadership in exposing corruption at City Hall, particularly in in the Works Department:

“Alderman Walters charged that some of the departments at the city hall manipulated their accounts by charging expenditures that should be out of the current year’s appropriation up to the capital account for the purpose of showing a surplus at the end of the year. He said that this was wrong, and even fraudulent, but was still being done.”¹

Walters used his business experience to argue that the city’s accounting was deplorable, saying “I think we should have a complete revaluation of the assets of the city. In many departments charges are made up to the capital account, instead of against the general accounts and thus the debt is saddled on to the city for future years. It is a bad business policy, and is robbing the people of future years, and is deceiving those who lend money to the city on the statements issued.”¹

While Alderman Walters was part of the City of Hamilton Council in 1914, as an alderman he did not have the specific budgetary oversight that members of the Board of Control did. As a controller, Gardner tried to respond to Walters’ charges by trying to explain that Ald. Walters’ figures were wrong.

Gardner’s arguments fell flat with the small audience. The meeting was relatively brief but it was definitely one in which the Walters’ candidacy for mayor appeared to be unstoppable.