1914 Jan 6 Incident

The following brief column from the Hamilton Spectator is reprinted as it appeared on January 16, 1914.

“Andrew Marshall and Edward Porter, police officers of Own Sound, arrived in Hamilton yesterday afternoon accompanied by a negro, whom they were taking to the Hamilton asylum. The officers said the man was a hopeless lunatic, and a very dangerous one. He was heavily shackled and the officers in charge kept a close watch on him at the asylum. While waiting for a cab at the T. H. & B. depot, the officers had considerable trouble with him. Every person who came near him he regarded as an enemy, who wanted to take his life, and the officers were forced to contain the man at the back of the deport to keep him from seeing people.”¹

¹ “Dangerous Lunatic : One From Owen Sound Was Brought to the Local Asylum”

Hamilton Spectator. January 16, 1914.

1914 Jan. 06 Social Survey

 “Decidedly valuable work has been done by the Community council of this city, assisted by the temperance and social reform departments of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, in the preparation of a Social Survey of Hamilton. The results of those engaged upon the work are published in a pamphlet of about 50 pages.”

Hamilton Herald. January 6, 1914²

Admittedly it was a snapshot when it was published and distributed early in 1914, but the Social Survey of Hamilton contained some interested direct observations amid the wealth of facts and statistics compiled from census returns.

The carefully compiled report pointed out that Hamilton was indeed a cosmopolitan city. It noted that 31 different nationalities were among the population of Hamilton in 1913 :

“Of these, the people of English stock predominated, and, in fact, almost made half the population of the city, as their number was calculated at 33,959 or 41.4 per cent. The percentage of the remaining nationalities was : Scotch 17; Irish, 16.6; German, 5; Jewish, 2; Italian, 1.7, and French, 1.3, with the others below a figuring base.”¹

¹ “Social Survey of Hamilton in 1913 : Interesting Facts From Report of Community Council on Bars, Poolrooms, and General Sanitary Conditions : Housing Conditions In Foreigh Sections Are Shocking and the City Is Blamed For Inadequate Inspection”

Hamilton Herald. January 6, 1914.

In 1913, the city of Hamilton contained 400 manufacturing industries, with a total number of male and female employees being approximately 25,000.

Besides the bare numbers, the report also contained several observations based on direct visitations by investigators in April, 1913.

The investigators visited all of the 29 poolrooms in Hamilton:

“There were seen 160 tables, at which 325 players were engaged, and there 254 onlookers. Ten persons were intoxicated, and twenty-seven appeared to be minors. At six of the establishments profane language was heard, while at three places, where pool tables were attached to bars, no indecent language was reported.”¹

As regards locations where beer and/or alcohol was served, the investigators visited the bars of every hotel in the city between 6 and 7 p.m.:

“At one place 50 customers were allowed to enter after hours. At another tavern, five Indians were served with intoxicants; another kept doing business quite openly until 7:10 p.m.. At 15 hotels, the lavoratories were found to be most objectionable. In 16 barrooms, the language heard was lewd and profane. A total of 1775 men were seen in the bars during the above-mentioned hours, and 217 were helplessly intoxicated, and 37, to the minds of the investigators, were minors.”¹

The 16 liquor stores operating in Hamilton in April, 1913 were all visited for a period of a half hour between 6 and 7 p.m. In that time 570 people entered the stores to purchase liquor, 451 men, 87 women and 32 children. 25 of that total were intoxicated, 5 of whom were women who were obviously drunk.

The most shocking portion of the 1913 Social Survey of Hamilton was the part dealing with housing conditions in some parts of the city.

The report condemned the City of Hamilton having an inadequate number of inspectors and for not condemning many houses, particularly among what was called “the foreign element” :

“A stable was found in the northwest section of the city which has been converted into a lodging house. It was divided into nine sections, and the rent charged for each section averaged from $12 to $14 per month. The rooms were poorly ventilated, and some had no windows whatsoever. One hundred foreigners in all tenanted the building, and the male occupants employed in night shifts slept in the same beds as those on day shifts. Much vermin was seen, and altogether the place was not habitable or sanitary.”¹

In the east end of the city, the same situation was found in many places:

“At one house on North Sherman avenue, 20 Russians and one woman occupied the house. There were only 11 beds. The same deplorable conditions were found in many other houses in the northeast section of the city.”¹

Finally, reference was made to the Central Police Station as that location was often used for shelter by those in desperate need:

“A total of 1069 persons were sheltered at Central police station during twelve months. None of these were offenders in any sense of the word, but indigents who were destitute, and 49 of them were women.”¹

The Herald concluded that the survey contained much useful information:

“It should serve as a handbook for social reformers and indeed for all public-spirited citizens who desire the moral and esthetic as well as the material advancement of this town. As a guide to social service in several directions, it cannot fail to prove very useful.”²

² “Social Survey of Hamilton”

Hamilton Herald. Editorial. January 6, 1914

1914 Jan 14 Unemployment Relief

   “When Controller Morris championed the rights of the unemployed of Hamilton, he faced almost solid opposition It was urged against his stand that the city could not be expected to care for the citizens who are in need of money and are willing to work for it.”

Hamilton Herald. January 14, 1914¹

Just hours after the mass meeting of Hamilton’s unemployed broke up, the resolution which had been passed was, as promised, brought before the Hamilton Board of Control by Mayor Allan.

The mayor had been of the opinion that the municipal government could not be expected to solve the unemployment crisis which was affecting so many Hamiltonians in January, 1914.

The concept of collecting money from those citizens who had jobs to distribute to those in desperate need was Mayor Allan’s preference. However, he had heard from those at the mass meeting that what was wanted was work, not charity.

As the editor of the Hamilton Herald noted :

“It is satisfactory to note that the mayor has dropped his impractical scheme of collecting money from employed wage-earners to help the unemployed, and that the board of control has adopted Controller Morris’ practical plan of finding, or making, work for the unemployed.”²

² “Practical Assistance” Hamilton Herald. January 14, 1914.

The Hamilton Board of Control decided that the city quarry on the escarpment could be immediately opened and a large gang of men could be set to work breaking stone into useable sizes for roadwork.

Also the notorious coal oil inlet, running deeply into the city from the bay could be filled in, at least as much as was possible given the how much fill was available. The coal oil inlet had been severely polluted and was extremely aromatic.

The following process to handle the distribution of the work was also adopted :

“The brilliant idea was advanced that Controller Thomas H. Morris should be appointed to investigate each and every case and report on the qualifications of each applicant for work. The scheme was put through, and H. M. Marsh, publicity commissioner, was appointed to assist the controller.”¹

¹ “Providing Work for the City’s Unemployed : Controller Morris Started Early This Morning and Placed Many Men At Various Jobs About the City : Though It Was Said 3000 were Out of Work, Not More Than 400 Had registered Up Till Noon.”

 Hamilton Herald. January 14, 1914.

Controller Morris and his crusade to help the unemployed with work on city projects was less than popular with many of his colleagues on the Board of Control, especially the mayor.

It was suggested by the Herald that the scheme of supervising the applicants, and who would lead the effort, had been devised with an ulterior motive:

“It was the idea of those who suggested it that Controller Morris would thus be side-tracked and that ‘one was being put over’ on him that would keep him busily engaged for a time.” ¹

Controller Morris took the position that his appointment was a responsibility to his fellow Hamiltonians, one which he would not take lightly:

“This morning he was at the city hall before daylight had fully arrived. A large crowd had gathered at the portals of the municipal stone pile, and Controller Morris invited the men inside where it was warm.

“In less than an hour, he had a number of city officials out of their warm beds, and at work registering the names, ages, length of citizenship of each applicant and whether or not he was married.”¹

There was some unrest among the applicants for work, as the process of applying seemed too slow to many of the 300 men in line:

“There was a delay, only two being allowed into the office at one time, and the men chafed. One of them became impatient, and suggested that some of the office windows be broken to expedite matters. Secretary Brennan, having a deep regard for his windows, notified the police department, and an officer was dispatched to the city hall to keep order. His services were purely pacific, there being no signs of any difficulty.”³

³ “City Hall Bureau Commences Its Work : 250 Unemployed Seek Registration Before Noon Today : Controller Morris, His Tie Askew, Revels in Details”

Hamilton Spectator. January 14, 1914.

Controller Morris was then able to enlist the assistance of some health department officials to take lists of applicants, broken down by districts, and go to each home to investigate the worthiness of each applicant.

The Hamilton Spectator, which was less than fully supportive of the Morris idea of the process to ascertain the worthiness of applicants saying that the men “registered, giving names and addresses, stating if they were married or single, and if possible, giving the names of people who might be referred to for reference, such as the butcher, the baker, or even the candlestick maker.

“A few frauds were detected, such as single men saying they were married, when they were not, or cases where it was found that men registered as married with families, were married sure enough, only that their wives and families were in England.”³

After each case was investigated and approved, the result was telephoned to city hall so that the applicant could be put on the city payroll.

By noon hour, 45 men had been put to work at the city quarry, a task that Controller Morris only reluctantly agreed would be part of the work to be provided by the city :

“ “ I am not strongly in favour of having the quarry opened,’ Controller Morris said when he got time to talk to newspapermen who stood back and watched the workings of his employment agency, ‘but it will do a lot of good until we can get some other work underway. Cracking stone is hard on the men, blisters their hands, and does not do a great deal of good. We can crush stone with machinery cheaper than we can get it cracked by hand. I would much prefer to have the men at some more profitable work.’ ”¹

During the morning, Controller Cooper had completed arrangements with the Dominion Power and Transmission Company regarding an estimated 3000 cubic yards of earth which the company desired to have removed from its Birch Avenue yard :

“ ‘ They say we could have the earth, but they would not pay anything to have it removed,’ said Controller Cooper. ‘They say they feel the hard times also and have other work that is as much as they can at present handle.’ ”¹

Controller Morris then announced that from 100 up to 150 men would be sent out the following day to start removing the earth and dumping it into the coal oil inlet.

There was another project which was possible as part of the January 1914 effort to find work for the unemployed. The Beckett Drive at the head of Queen Street leading to the top of the escarpment was still in private ownership, although the city was in negotiations to purchase it and make it a public road.

Controller Morris thought that many men could be sent to Beckett Drive to improve the roadway. Although still in private hands, the toll gates had been removed from Beckett Drive and it was being used. The owner, however, was not making any efforts to maintain the road in a properly passable condition.

The Herald approved of the Beckett Drive sheme but with a proviso :

“ In the Herald’s opinion, the civic government should lose no time in acquiring the Beckett drive, if it can be acquired on reasonable terms, and a gang of men put to work on the improvement of it. But, of course, the civic authorities should not allow the city to be ‘held up’ by the present owners of that property who may be tempted to act on the principle that the city’s need is their opportunity.”²

By noon hour as the reporters left the city hall to file their stories at the various newspaper offices, the registration of married men was still in process. It was felt that all married men who wished to be registered for work would be put on the roll by the end of the afternoon.

The next day would see the registration process opened to include single men looking for work. 

(To Be Continued)

1914 - Jan 13 Unemployment Mtg.

   “Fiery speeches and scenes of wildest excitement marked a mass meeting of the unemployed held in Association hall yesterday afternoon In many ways the meeting was a remarkable one and unique in the annals of the city, calling attention, as it did, to a condition which few had believed to be so serious.”

Hamilton Spectator. January 13, 1914¹

For many Hamiltonians the first few months of the year were times of unemployment. Outdoor work was less available in the deepest times of winter, while many factories laid many of its workers off.

However, the early weeks of 1914 were a time when the number of unemployed men was exceptionally high.

A mass meeting was called for 3 p.m. on Monday January 13, 1914 to discuss the situation. Long before the stated time to begin the meeting, fully 1,000 jobless men and women jammed their way into Association, to the point that not a vacant seat was left on the floor or in the balcony. Many had to stand throughout the meeting, while others were unable to get into the hall.

Invited to sit on the platform were pastors of a number of Hamilton churches, Allan Studholme, member of the Ontario legislature, Mayor John Allan and City Controller T. S. Morris.

Rev. W.E. Gilroy, of the First Congregational church, was selected as chair of the meeting

Pastor Gilroy declared the meeting open and began by saying :

“The deepest and most crucial problem of today is that of the unemployed, and it appears to me that the only cure is that of prevention. However, we are not here to discuss theories, but to urge upon the city authorities that they do something to relieve the situation.

“I do not know what is possible for the civic authorities to do, but it is my sincere hope that some action will be taken. It is not a problem that affects only the unemployed, but affects us all. I sympathize with the newspapers and the civic authorities in trying to minimize the cry of ‘blue ruin,’ but at the same time there is danger in closing our eyes and refusing to face facts.”¹

“Pathetic Plea From Army of Unemployed : Mass Meeting Asked Council to Take Action : Mayor and Minsters Addressed the Gathering.” 

Hamilton Spectator January 13, 1914.

Reverend Gilroy then introduced Controller Morris, who at that time, was the only member of City Council present. Controller requested that he be permitted to postpone his remarks until some of his council colleagues arrived. Morris was urged to speak anyway, and at that moment, Mayor Allan was spotted standing at the back of the hall.

The mayor was requested to come to the platform and after he was seated, the controller proceeded :

“ ‘Now I am happy,’ Controller Morris said. To prove it, he then read a newspaper clipping which put Mayor Allan in the worst possible light before the meeting. This was a newspaper interview, in which the mayor had criticized Controller Morris for several suggestions the latter had made.

“Controller Morris declared that he thought it was the duty of the city to spread municipal work over the greater part of the year, instead of only a part thereof. ‘I am informed,’ he said ‘that in ordinary course of events, city work will not be started again until about April 1. Now, there is some work which can be done just as well in December as in June.

“ ‘You have heard the mayor’s plan. If you were satisfied with that, I will give way to the mayor.’ (Cries of ‘No! No!) ‘ As I understand it, men, what you want is a chance to work. Now, if I understand the mayor’s remarks, as reported in the newspapers – I don’t want to be unfair – there is no work to do that would not be unprofitable to the city.

“ ‘ In other words, the mayor’s plans would pauperize a great many self-respecting citizens of Hamilton. I am opposed to dolling out charity to self-respecting citizens. I said some weeks ago that I was in favour of going ahead with a great municipal work at once. I refer now to the system of local flood sewers.

“ ‘Controller Cooper, who is a practical man, has said that this work could be done during the winter months. I used all the energy I was possessed of to get that matter before the people without result. Had I done so, there would have been work for all the unemployed. The question is now, how shall we provide work? That is the clear-cut issue, and I have taken the trouble to see the city engineer in regard to just this matter.

“ ‘In the first place, there is Charlton avenue. The other day I drove along there with a city foreman – a practical man – who pointed out to me what a narrow roadway it was and how it could be made better. That work could be done now better than in the summertime. Charlton avenue east is also growing in importance, and is destined to be a feeder to the incline in the east end.

“ ‘Then there is the coal oil inlet that sweet-smelling spot. That can be filled in now better than in the summertime. As to the Beckett drive, I was told that there was no use of the city buying the property because it would always be a park, that having been provided years ago in an agreement.

“ ‘But recently, when an influential deputation of ladies swept down on Mayor Allan and asked him to secure this property, he turned and said, ‘Why, certainly, ladies, I can fix that up for you.’ There was no more surprised man in the city of Hamilton when he said that than myself. At the same time, I was glad to hear him say, and I am delighted that, even at the eleventh hour, he favors the undertaking, and I will do all that I can to co-operate with him.’ ” ¹

On concluding his remarks, Controller took his seat on the platform. Pastor Gilroy, in his role as chairman of the meeting, then made his opinion known regarding the manner in which Controller Morris had addressed the question facing those assembled, particularly the critical comments directed towards the mayor :

“ ‘ I have allowed Controller Morris a good deal of latitude,’ he said, ‘ because he was known to be favorable to the aims of this meeting. It would be rather unfortunate, however, if our meeting developed into an old-fashioned electioneering meeting between Controller Morris and Mayor Allan.’ ”¹

The next speaker was then introduced, Dean Abbott, of Christ’s Church cathedral.

The Anglican minister, who was instrumental in setting up the mass meeting, said that he felt it was his duty to do something to help those suffering because of the unemployment:

“ ‘It is the function of the church to puncture social abscesses,’ he said. “I’m under the impression that I am largely responsible for this meeting, and it seems to me that first of all what the general public to realize that, while optimism is all right in its way, there are at least 2,000 unemployed men in this city.

“ ‘There is a crying need for employment. In my own parish, I have 1,000 families, among whom there are some out of work, and I am literally besieged with applications daily. A great many of these men have refused to take one cent from me, and desire nothing so much as work. In the north end of the city the other day, I found a family, consisting of father, mother and five children living in an atmosphere below freezing point. Four of the poor little kiddies had their feet in the oven to keep warm.

“ ‘It is upon women and children that these things come hardest, and I feel sure that this meeting will accomplish a great deal of good. You may be sure of one thing, men, and that is when the heart of the community is touched, you will find it a very tender-hearted community indeed.

“ ‘ I firmly believe that the time has come in this city for an associated charity. That is to say, where all our churches and citizens shall be able to pool in order that money may reach those who most deserve it. At the present time, there is too much overlapping in this direction.’”¹

Following Dean Abbott’s remarks, the president of the East Hamilton Progressive association stood to introduce a resolution to be presented to Hamilton City Council.

The resolution read as follows :

“That this meeting of the unemployed and of the citizens and ratepayers of Hamilton desire to impress upon the council, the aldermen and the board of control, the imperative need of immediately putting hand such work of public utility as shall relieve the distressing condition now prevailing through lack of employment.”

Samuel Landers, editor of the Labor News, seconded the resolution. After it was passed enthusiastically, Landers suggested that Mayor Allan forward the resolution to City Council at the earliest possible opportunity, a suggestion that the mayor readily agreed to follow.

During the meeting to this point, Mayor Allan had been silent, if noticeably uncomfortable, as various negative comments were made about him.

As the Spectator reporter in attendance noted:

“All during the meeting, the mayor was prayed at and talked at and singled out for attack. Through it all, however, he remained silent until it came his turn to speak, although it was obvious at times that he strongly desired to return answers to some of the statements made.”¹

MLA Allan Studholme in his speech to the meeting warmly praised a recent announcement made the automobile manufacturer, Henry Ford, that he would pay a minimum wage of $5 even to the man who swept the floors of his factory:

“ ‘It is true,’ he said, ‘that it costs just as much to keep a floor-sweeper’s family as it costs to keep a mechanic’s family. When the mayor says he cannot find you work, he doesn’t understand t

hese things at all, and I will tell him so to his face. These men, most of them, were brought here by misrepresentation, and work has to be found for them somehow. It is not as if the mayor had to put his hand down in his own pocket.

“If the city council does not comply with our resolution, we will simply ask them to step down.”¹

Finally, Mayor Allan was called upon to speak:

“ ‘I don’t think any man in the house knows better what your condition is,’ he said, ‘and I didn’t need this resolution to remind me of it. When I first came into the hall today, it was my intention to remain in the back and listen to the remarks of the different speakers. Perhaps I would have appreciated them better from the back of the hall. I have a great deal of patience, but I found it hard not to run up here once or twice while I was standing back there and replying to some of the speeches.

“ ‘I am used to hard knocks, however, and am able to stand them. Now, I do not intend to mislead you, and I will tell you some things you probably will not like. First of all, I cannot say to you that the city of Hamilton will give employment to all, because it can’t do it. On the other hand, if we can find employment for only a few, there is bound to be dissension.

“ ‘Controller Morris has referred to Charlton avenue. Well, a man could work there all day, with a pick, and he would get three shovels full at this time of year. Regarding the coal oil inlet, when we wanted the earth to fill along the base, like this year, we could not get it, and we had to buy slag to dump there. If the city employs a large number of men, it wants to see that the men get the money and that it is not spent for materials..

“ ‘ It is all very well to talk about city work and passing resolutions of sympathy and all that, but I tell you that it is impossible for the city of Hamilton to furnish work for all the unemployed. All these fine speeches and resolutions will not help one bit. We’ve got be practical. We have not been idle, I promise you. The Lord knows we want to relieve the situation. It is no pleasure to stand here and look at this audience, all or nearly all of whom are unemployed.’ ”¹

The mayor’s remarks were not well received generally but the last statement really drove a hostile reaction.

One of the ministers present, Dr. Nelson, suggested that those who were out of employment stand up. Only a half dozen of the nearly 1,000 present remained seated.

In its lead editorial regarding the meeting, the editor of the Hamilton flatly declared that “it is natural that those in need of employment should look to the civic government to provide it. And it should be provided.”²

² “Work – Not Charity” Hamilton Herald. January 13, 1914.

The Herald took particular exception to the mayor’s reluctance to move of some of the public works immediately : “Mayor Allan appears to assume that he has the power and the right to say what shall and what shall not be done in this matter.”²

The Herald suggested that, as Mayor Allan had been a resident of New York City for twenty-five years, perhaps he felt that in Hamilton the same conditions applied as in American cities where the mayor was “a civic ruler, with power of veto over the actions of the municipal council.”²

The Herald concluded its editorial by pointing out that Mayor allan did not have “semi-autocratic” power :

“He is little more than chairman of the council and board of control, and has no right to obstruct the actions, or override the will of his colleagues in the civic government. Whatever measure the city council may see fit to relieve present distress, Mayor Allan must acquiesce in. He may lead : he cannot decide.”²

The mass meeting’s resolution, duly passed, was then, as promised by Mayor Allan, to take presented to the meeting of city council scheduled for later in the day.

(To be continued – when written!)