1914-09-08 aas

“Tonight’s mass meeting in the armories on behalf of the National Patriotic Fund promises to be the most enthusiastic demonstration that has occurred here since Britain called her sons to war.”

          Hamilton Spectator. September 8, 1914.

          It was certainly a national campaign to raise funds for the dependents of Canadian soldiers who had left their homes to fight overseas. Hamiltonians, in their long-established characteristic, concluded to not only participate but to do so in a major way:

          “The national relief movement is a noble work of mercy that has inspired every city in the land to open wide the purse strings for the dependents of those who have enlisted, and Hamilton must do its share. The campaign to raise $150,000 in three days will be inaugurated tonight.”¹

               ¹ “Everyone is Hustling for Relief Fund : Armories Scene Tonight of Patriotic Gathering : Street Railway Company’s Gift to the Movement”

          Hamilton Spectator September 8, 1914

          When the day for the kickoff of the campaign arrived, there was still lots of work to be done:

          “The splendid spirit that is shown everywhere in helping along the good work is emphasized at headquarters in the old Hendrie building on King street east, where everything is bustle and activity.

          “Prominent men are cheerfully sacrificing time from their business to help in planning the details for the whirlwind collecting campaign.

          “A call was sent out for volunteer stenographers, and the committee was surprised with the flood of responses. All day long typewriters rattled as the lists and letters were hammered out.”¹

               During the day it was announced that the Hamilton Street Railway had made an extremely generous offer to help the campaign reach its target:

          “On Thursday of this week, it will devote the entire cash receipts to the fund. Money paid to conductors for tickets will not go to the fund, but every cent deposited in the fare boxes will. For this reason, the company urges people to use only cash.

“Of course, people will have the privilege of using a ticket and slighting the fund if they want to, but the company is satisfied that might few will do it. People are urged to give within their means. Posters will be displayed in the cars urging passengers to give a quarter or more. It is expected that a large amount will be derived for the fund from this source.”¹

Other fund-raising initiatives were announced.

A special meeting of the congregation of Bas Jacob was held at the Hunter street synagogue. Extended prayer for the welfare of those enlisted in the army or navy took place, while a sum of $60 was raised for the Patriotic Fund.

Fong Young, owner of Young’s Café on King William street, was delegated to solicit funds from the Chinese residents of Hamilton in behalf of the Patriotic Fund association.

The eye-catching, lavishly illustrated advertising for the campaign of the Hamilton Patriotic Fund received huge space in each of the city’s daily newspapers.

The headline is in large bold type read “Give ! Give ! Give ! : A Call to Hamilton in the name of Women and Children.”

The body of the ad reads as follows :

“The tramp of bread-winners is in the streets. They are going to the front. They are leaving families behind.

“Every man with women of his own – every man with little children – knows what a tragedy to the home is the going of the bread – winner.

“We call on the people to rally to the protection of these mothers, sisters, wives and children so suddenly deprived of their natural protectors.

“A great campaign is under way to raise $150,000 in three days for a War Relief Fund. The money is for the women and children of the soldiers who go to the front from Hamilton – money for fuel, for rent, for clothing, for food.

“Now is the time to raise this money – not weeks hence when hardship and suffering have already begun. Now is the time to wipe away every care of the soldier going to the front. Now is the time to wipe away every barrier to enlistment. Now is the time for Hamilton to follow the lead of the larger Canadian cities in doing its duty to dependent womanhood and childhood.

“Surely no contribution permitted by your means can be considered too great for such a cause as this; and no contribution can be too small to be welcomed.”

The ad included the following assurance to any who might feel that the effort was not worthwhile :

“The standing of the men associated with the work is a guarantee of the able administration of the fund. It will be expended under the most careful supervision. The need and worthiness of every case will be clearly established.”

The names of the prominent men working as executive officers of the Hamilton Patriotic Fund was listed. It included well-known and well-respected men from Hamilton’s business, political and religious elite.

The ad included a coupon for those who were anxious to contribute even before the actual three day campaign began. People could cut out the coupon, which read simply: “Coupon – WAR RELIEF FUND – Which enclosed please find $.......... you may add to the fund for helping our soldiers’ women and children.”

Donors then could complete the name and address portion of the coupon and mail or directly bring it to the Patriotic Fund Headquarters.

Another add appeared a few days later, on Monday September 7, 1914, the day before the campaign was to be launched with was called a “Monster Mass Meeting”

The ad copy read, in part :

 “All interested in the worthy cause of helping the families of our brave soldiers are urged to attend. A mighty effort will be put forth to raise $150,000 in three days.

“Every bad in the city will take part and a splendid musical program has been arranged by Mr. W. H. Hewlett and Bandmaster Stares. Addresses will be given by leading speakers of the city.

“Everybody welcome. Come early.

“The greatest event in Hamilton for years.”