1915-05-11ww

“After spending over one hundred thousand dollars to care for the needy of Hamilton during the winter months, the controllers are gravely concerned over the care of the worthy poor during the warm weather, although viewing the situation strictly from a financial point.”

Hamilton Times.     May 11, 1915.

Hamilton, as with most of the world, suffered from a severe economic depression in 1914 – it had started a little earlier than that, and lasted well in 1915.

So many were employed and so great was the distress many faced that a private charitable organization, the United Relief Association had been formed to augment the effort of the Hamilton City Hall’s relief department.

For some time, the City of Hamilton had forwarded some tax dollars to augment the funds which the organization had raised through voluntary contributions from Hamiltonians.

By May, 1915, the economic situation had improved, although hardly was it a prosperous economy in Hamilton or elsewhere yet.

In the mind of the municipal tax relief officer McMenemy, the United Relief Association was not operated to his standards and was not worthy not continued taxpayer support.

After a prolonged campaign, McMenemy convinced the Board of Control and City Council generally that provision of relief to the city’s needy should be a municipal operation only. In face of such opposition, the board of the United Relief Association determined that the organization would cease operations. The organization’s depot on Macnab street where food, fuel, clothing as well as cash were distributed, distributed was closed.

Relief officer McMenemy Relief Officer convinced the politicians that an unused fire hall could be used for his department’s purposes:

“Now that the depot on Macnab street has been closed Relief Officer McMenemy and his staff are at the old Hughson street fire hall, but while they have comfortable quarters prepared for them, their appropriation is such that little work can be done.

“To look after the men, women and children in need during the past winter cost, on average $4,000 per week. As soon as the United Relief association disbanded, Mr. McMenemy sent in a request for $4,040 to do him until the first of October. After consideration, the Board of Control cut this to $3,000. Out of this amount has come a large proportion for salaries, running expenses, etc., so that little will be left for actual cases of relief.”¹

¹ “Unemployed Not to Depend on City Now”

Hamilton Times.  May 11, 1915.

In effect by May of 1915, the Relief Department had new quarters in a decorated former fire hall, staff to handle relief cases and money for general running expenses, such as telephones, but little money to actually provide assistance to those in need :

“It was emphasized today by members of the board of control that, while most anxious over the welfare of all bona fide citizens, the city did not see its way financially clear to give assistance during the summer except except in a few extreme cases.”¹

Staff, quarters and running expenses for municipal relief operations were in place, but no money to actually provide relief as was the case when the private United Relief Association was addressing needs in the community.