1915-02-25aa

“Uninterrupted fighting formed the feature of this morning’s communique from the board of control.”

Hamilton Spectator.    February 25, 1915.

Heated words and open hostility between politicians and city staff are a tradition at Hamilton City Hall. With the war raging in western Europe, the Spectator reporter assigned to cover the February 15, 1915 meeting of the Hamilton Board of Control used military terminology to describe the action.

One of the main participants in several of the issues was the notably combative Controller Robson, labelled “Controller-General Robson” by the Spectator man. City Engineer Macallum, never known to back down from a fight, was given the title “Major-General Macallum” in charge of “the sappers” (Works Department staff.)

The war column follows:

“For a time the outlook along the whole front was regarded as grave. General Robson, however, finding himself unable to break through the Macallum defenses, fell back repulsed after losing a considerable amount of territory.

“Summary of the racket:

“Major-General Macallum advanced with specifications for concrete pipes for raising main east end sewer. General Robson brought his heaviest batteries to bear on the purchase of aforesaid concrete pipe.

“ ‘Why can’t you make the pipe yourself ? You’re up-to-date’ was the opening shot in the engagement.

“ ‘I can’t do that because I haven’t the patents,’ was the return volley from the Macallum side.

“Robson salvo No. 2 : ‘Poppycock.’

“ ‘You don’t know what you are talking about.’

“Third salvo from the Robson lines : ‘You are not up-to-date. Why didn’t you make the pipe yourself?’

“Major-General Macallum in charge of sappers : ‘For the second time – because I can’t do it without the patents.’

“This shot penetrating the Robson lines, the Robson forces fell back with great losses. Controller-General Robson, still spluttering like a wet firecracker, Major-General Macallum secures desired permission to have at least part of the sewer built with concrete pipe.”¹

^{1 “}Robson Fired Salvo at the City Engineer : And Received Lively Broadside in Return”

Hamilton Spectator.   February 25, 1915.