Returned Soldiers Arrival - December 1918

“The Soldiers’ Aid commission is without word as to the time of the arrival of the veterans who disembarked from the Olympic last Saturday.”

Hamilton Spectator.     December 17, 1918.

Three days after the RMS Olympic docked at Halifax with a full load of soldiers returning from Western Europe, Hamiltonians whose loved ones were supposed to be on that ship, and Hamiltonians hoping to give them a warm welcome, had little idea when that arrival would happen:

“Word comes from Toronto, however, that the local party may not arrive until Thursday. Mr. Kaye yesterday afternoon sent a telegraph to Lieut-Col. John Gunn, D.O.C., asking for assistance in making arrangements for his homecoming of the Hamilton boys. So Far, however, he has received no reply.”¹

¹ “On Their Way : But Returned Men May Not Arrive Before Thursday ”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 17, 1918.

Mr. Kaye of the Hamilton office of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission repeatedly tried to get an exact idea as to when, or even which railway line, the returning soldiers would finally arrive in Hamilton. Not receiving a definitive answer, he nevertheless put into motion the steps he could take in the meantime. A major task was to assemble enough automobiles and their drivers to meet the men after they disembarked from the train so that they could be driven to their homes.

Finally, on December 18, 1918, Mr. Kaye received a telegraph that the Hamilton soldiers had reached Toronto by rail. They would soon be transferred to a train heading for Hamilton but no expected time of arrival was given. Nor was anyone told  whether the boys would get off a Grand Trunk railway at that railway’s station on Stuart Street or, whether they would come on a C.P.R. train to be let off at that line’s station uptown on Hunter street west.

A Spectator reporter had been assigned to cover the arrival, but he was in the dark as to where and when the men would arrive. Nevertheless, that reporter like everyone else rushed from one station to the other. His report on the whole matter was a vivid, superbly-written article, an article  which follows :

“ ‘Good old Hamilton!’ they roared as the big C.P.R. train crashed into the depot  the grinding of the brakes as they bit into the wheels, and mingled with the thunderous cheers of the multitude and - the excited shrieks of girls and little children.

“Then they emerged – these boys of ours – and little drops of khaki were lost in a sea of excited humanity. Now and then would be heard – ‘Here’s Bill!’ – ‘My Joe!’ as the dense crowd surged to and fro from coach to coach and anxious eyes peered through the gloom of the dimly-lit station to catch a glimpse of some loved one.

“Finally the first warriors managed to break through the massed formation and began to straggle down the platform, with eager kiddies clustered round and willing hands bearing the bulky kit-bags to the rear of the depot, where a veritable battalion of automobiles awaited the veterans.

“Bronzed and hale were these men of Flanders and the terrible cloud that had hung over humanity and which they labored and fought and bled to remove appeared to have touched them but lightly. Some of them added a finishing touch to the realism of the scene by carrying their rusty trench-helmets with the packs on their backs.

“Old Bill was there, and Alf and Bert – all of them enjoying the excitement and the glamor. Old Bill’s missus had been jubilating and fretting alternately since the telegraph boy brought her the message last Friday that hubby had reached Halifax. She had learned first that Bill was coming on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, and finally on Thursday. She was in a state of excitement as she dressed up the kiddies yesterday afternoon yesterday and hustled them down to the G.T.R. depot to meet the train on which the boys were ‘sure’ to arrive; and when the news spread through the Stuart street station, that the boys weren’t coming she joined the weary pilgrimage of the hundreds of soldiers’ folk, tired and supperless up to the Hunter street depot, while five-year-old Jimmie ‘wished the kayser would get the flu and die,’ as he tottled alongside. But all was forgotten as she clasped Old Bill’s strong arm, and followed him as he threaded his way through the crowds. To the reporters Bill stated that he ‘didn’t want nuffin’ in the papers,’ but he accepted the hospitality of the automobile which was waiting to transport him and his to ‘the better ‘ole’ down in East Hamilton.

“Fifty-three veterans arrived – soldiers of all ranks and grade, from the grey-haired South African vet to the smooth-faced lad who was met with an army of small brothers and sisters. There was no lack of accommodation, thanks to the Kiwanis club, while the civic reception committee, the Salvation Army, and the soldiers’ aid commission did the honors for the returned boys on behalf of the city.”²

² “Crowds Greeted Returned Heroes on Their Arrival : Fifty-Three Hamilton Men Back From the Front : Many of Them Saw Four Years’ Fighting : Kiwanis Club and Others Tendered Reception ”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 18 1918.

Hamilton Editors Want End of Restrictions - December 1918

December 6, 1918, exactly one week after the Hamilton Board of Health once again imposed restrictions on public gatherings, the patience and spirit of co-operation which had been shown by citizens were starting to fray.

On that day, the city newspapers reported on two segments of the community organizing to have the restrictions cancelled or at least modified substantially. The retail community which was suffering financial hardship was one of the communities, while the other involved clergymen of various faiths hoping to be able to re-open their churches for public worship.

Hamilton Board of Health chairman Norman Clark was invited to attend a meeting convened by members of the retail community:

 “The merchants will back up the board of health to the best of their ability, believing that it has acted with the best possible judgement with regard to the restrictions placed upon the city since the recrudescence of the epidemic. This was the unanimous resolution of a meeting of the merchants at the board of trade rooms this morning, which Norman Clark, chairman of the board of health, was invited to attend and to discuss the matter of early closing of the stores and other restrictions.

                             TALKED IT OVER

“Lieut.-Col. R.A. Robertson was in the chair, and Robert McLaren acted as secretary, and the large and many of the smaller stores were represented. Prior to the arrival of Mr. Clark, a discussion took place between the merchants, and a program asking for certain modifications drawn up. This was read by Col. Robertson when Mr. Clark appeared.

                             REMOVE BAN SATURDAY

“The merchants, he said, were not criticizing the action of the board of health, and in calling this meeting and inviting Mr. Clark, they were not actuated by any spirit of animosity, but merely with the desire to show certain sides of the situation which might not have presented themselves to the board of health. Closing at 4 o’clock was the cause of great loss to the merchants; nevertheless they were willing to sacrifice themselves for the public interest. However, with regard to the idea which actuated this regulation – that the store clerks should not be forced to mingle with the crowds of factory hands going home at a later hour – it was thought that the board of health had not given the matter the consideration it deserved. Especially with regard to Saturday, it was felt there would be no mingling of the shoppers with the factory workers in the street cars since the factories closed down at 12, and the Saturday afternoon shopping did not commence until a later hour.

“As to the congestion in the stores, it was thought by the merchants that if the shopping hours were extended over a longer time, the congestion would be greatly eased, both in the stores themselves, and on the street cars.

                             NO DANGER

“ ‘We feel,’ said Col. Robertson, ‘while we are anxious for the safety of the public, we must also have a regard for their convenience. For this reason, we think that Saturday should be open all day, which would not only be a convenience to the general shoppers, but especially to clerks in offices who are practically unable to shop during the week.’

                   AN INJUSTICE

“Another point put forward was the injustice of allowing small stores to remain open after 4 o’clock. This only resulted in a greater congestion in these stores, which was more harmful than if the public were distributed all over the stores.

                             DRUG STORES TOO

“That drug stores should be under the same regulation was also thought to be a ridiculous ruling, since their trade was required more than ever during the epidemic.

“ ‘One more kick,” concluded Col. Robertson, ‘is that retail stores are the sole sufferers under the regulations, and the factories escape. Why should people be denied the rights of shopping because of factory employees?’

                             IN INTERESTS OF HEALTH

“In replying, Mr. Clark stated that he could not possibly answer all these questions.

“ ‘I have answered questions till I am black in the face,’ he said, ‘I have done absolutely no business, and while the storekeepers talk of what they’re losing, I will say that I don’t any business has suffered as much as mine has.’

“The whole situation, he said, had been considered by the board of health, and it had a reason for everything that was put into proclamation.

“ ‘If it were for me to decide,  I would say that the board of health has done exactly what was right. Gentlemen, I don’t think you are right,’ said Mr. Clark earnestly. ‘You are taking the same attitude as the churches have done. The clergymen should be very careful what they say. They have called us materialistic, but it seems to me that there is something very materialistic in their arguments. We are up against a wall – you on the on hand, the people on the other. I think that the citizens should take it in the best spirit and endeavor to work it out as they can. Deputations are no good, gentlemen. We want to have a representative from the board of trade at our meeting this afternoon with the medical men, but we feel that the merchants should endeavor to back us up. If the people of Hamilton themselves show us that they won’t have these restrictions, then we will take the ban off. We haven’t been doing this thing for ourselves.’

“With regard to the Saturday proposition, Mr. Clark said that in his opinion, this was something which might be considered by the board of health.

Colonel Robertson said he thought this might be solve the problem of overcrowding directly after the ban had been removed.

                             WITH THE BOARD

“At this juncture, T.H. Pratt said: ‘Gentlemen, I am obliged to leave this meeting now, but I want to say before I go that I think it would be a great mistake to keep the stores open until 10 o’clock at night. I would strongly protest against it. Let us back up the board of health.’ Said Mr. Pratt, as he left the room, to Mr. Clark; ‘if you can satisfy every business man in this city, you are a genius, and go to it.’

                             WILL BACK BOARD’

“F.R. Smith, of Oak Hall, having heard the argument  of Mr. Clark, he was convinced that the board of health was doing every thing in its judgment to combat the epidemic and he thought that the stores of the city should back it up. This was the feeling in general of the meeting and Mr. Clark withdrew after thanking all present very heartily for this action.

“ ‘At the first opportunity, we will take the ban off,’ were his parting words. As he withdrew a hearty clapping was accorded him.”¹

¹ “Lift the Ban on Saturdays Ask Merchants : Board of Health Will Consider Request Today : The Merchants Assured Chairman They Were With Board.”

Hamilton Herald.    December 06, 1918.

Equally desiring the lifting of restrictions of public gatherings were clergymen who took their concerns directly to the board of health:

 “Clergymen representing four Protestant denominations – Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian – have forwarded a letter to Dr. Roberts, M.O.H., in which they ask for a modification of the closing order as it applies to churches. They point out that the street railway company, merchants and manufacturers are permitted to operate under regulation and think the same privilege should be extended to them.

                             WILL CONSIDER IT TODAY

“When asked what action would be taken regarding the letter, Dr. Roberts, medical health officer, stated that it would be laid before the board of health at a meeting which will be held this afternoon. When asked if, in his opinion, the request would be granted, Dr. Roberts declared to offer an opinion, stating that the whole matter would be given careful consideration by the board.

“The letter follows :

“To the Medical Officer of Health:

Dear Sir – Arising out of a conversation with you this morning, we submit the following statement of our views as to terms upon which we feel that the ban on churches might be lifted and the rights of public worship restored .It is hardly necessary to say that no body of public servants is more fully alive to the gravity of the present epidemic than the clergy, who are in frequent attendance upon the sick, both in hospitals and private homes. It is no spirit of ignorance or indifference to the public welfare that we ask for a modification of the regulations regarding churches, but in the conscientious conviction that, through the maintenance of public worship, we render our highest service both to God and men.

“We do not base our claim for open churches upon the democratic principles of freedom of conscience and equal justice for all. The regulations, as they stand, seem to us to discriminate unfairly against churches for two reasons:

“1. The street cars are permitted to carry five passengers over their full seating capacity. If this be consonant with the safeguarding of the public health, it cannot be reasonably maintained that a congregation, however small, in a church, however large, is a menace.

“2. The board of health has extended to factories the principle of self-regulation, the right to make their own arrangements for the good both of the public and their employees.

“Our request is that the churches shall be treated on the same principle. While we believe it be the general consensus of the medical opinion that the churches might safely be omitted from the closing order, we are prepared, if this cannot be conceded, to limit our congregations to half their normal size. Of course, every clergyman must make his own arrangements to provide for this. Some of us would arrange that a certain portion of the members of the congregation should attend only in the morning, and others, only in the evening. Other clergymen will prefer to double the number of services and halve the congregations.

“We believe that such permission will go far towards allying the widespread discontent that is only too apparent; that it would be in the interests of both public health and civic peace.

“The earliest possible consideration of our proposal will be much appreciated.

                   (Signed)    S. Daw

                                      W.B. Tighe,

                                      C.L. McIrvine.

                                      W.H. Sedgewick

          “Note the clergymen, whose signatures are attached, are representatives of the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian bodies. As it has not been possible to consult all their brethren, they do not claim to speak for anyone but themselves. Yet they have reason to believe that the arrangement proposed would be acceptable to all.

                                      “W.P.Robertson

                                                (Acting as secretary.)

“18 South West Avenue.

                             Will ENFORCE LAW

“According to present indications, there is every possibility of a clash between officials of the health department and some of the clergy next. Rev. Joseph Englert, rector of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic church, informed a Herald reporter this morning that he would hold public service Sunday next.

“ ‘So far as I know at present time, service will be held in my church Sunday next,’ said Father Englebert.

“Dr. Roberts stated positively yesterday that he would take all necessary steps to see that the order prohibiting the holding of public meetings was strictly observed, and when asked if violations of health laws would be summoned to court, stated that the law gave him the right to call on police to see that his orders are carried out, and that he was not out to collect fines, but to see that the law was enforced.^{” 1}

¹ “City Clergymen Ask for Modified Order : They Think That Board of Health Should Permit Them to Hold Services, As It Allows Street Cars to Operate and Stores and Factories to Remain Open : To Deal With Matter Today : Dr. Roberts Stated That Their Request Would Be Carefully Considered, and Decision May Be Reached This Afternoon”

Hamilton Herald.    December 06, 1918.

The editor of the Hamilton Herald, on December 6, 1918, gave support to both the retail and faith communities in their efforts to ease restrictions placed by the board of health :

 “When the board of health issued its new closing order a week ago, the Herald counseled citizens generally to draw upon their stock of patience, bow to the board’s authority and observe the regulations loyally. We still hold it to be the duty of citizens to observe the regulations. But we would most respectfully urge upon the board of health, and the committee of doctors which is acting in association with the board, to consider whether the time has not come when the regulations can be relaxed in some degree and changes made which would mitigate many cases of hardship. Consideration might also be given to the possibility that in some details the regulations actually operate to defeat the purpose in view.

“The order permitting business places to be open after 4 p.m. with only the proprietor present to serve customers appears to be a case in point. One of the object aimed at in the regulations is the prevention of crowding; but the regulation  we allude to results frequently in crowding for, as it is impossible for one man to serve promptly all the customers that enter his store, many have to wait and there is congestion. With two or more salesmen, there would be comparatively few customers in the place at one time.

“And surely there would be little or no danger in permitting certain religious services in churches if the attendance were strictly limited. There are many persons to whom frequent and regular communion is a religious duty of the highest importance, and a most precious religious privilege. To cut them off unnecessarily from this means of spiritual grace is an unfair exercise of authority. The question is whether the order forbidding all religious services is necessary to the public health. We do not believe it is. The prohibition of general congregational meetings may be necessary, but surely not special communion services with only a few persons present.

“It is to be hoped that the health authorities will be able to see their way clear to reviewing the regulations and making changes to those which cause unnecessary hardship. And we hope also that the regulations as a whole will be relaxed as the epidemic wanes. They should not be kept in force a day longer than necessary.”¹

¹ “Relax the Regulations”

Hamilton Herald.    December 06, 1918.