1914-07-21bd

"Everything at the armories today is in a state of chaos, for while the officials of the exposition just ended are busy settling up their side of the business, the exhibitors are dismantling their booths and moving goods into auto wagons, and during the morning, thousands of dollars’ worth, from the richest of jeweled ornaments to a modest bar of soap, passed along James street to the various spots from wherever they came.”

Hamilton Spectator.  July 20, 1914.

It was all over, but the shouting. The Hamilton Industrial Exposition of July 1914, running two weeks’ long, had been a success beyond expectations.

As the site of the exposition was being returned to normality, the shouting began.

A reporter with the Hamilton Spectator, watching the dismantling of the exposition, had a chance encounter with W.D. Valette, the manager of the event.

Valette believed that congratulations were in order as, during the two weeks that the Hamilton Industrial Exposition had been in progress, despite the vast crowds  who attended, there had not been the smallest mishap or accident:

“ ‘I have had much experience with expositions,; he said, ‘but this is the first time I have known to pass off so smoothly in this respect.’ ”¹

¹ “Made Money : Exposition Cleared Expenses and Showed a Profit.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July 20, 1914.

Former Hamilton Mayor George Lees, president of the Hamilton Y.M. C. A., said that well so more work was needed to confirm the figures, it appeared that the event had not only covered all costs but had made a profit.

Later that day, a luncheon was held during the early evening at which the exhibitors who had participated in the event were entertained by the executive committee.

 It was an occasion for much speechmaking as all savored the success of the Hamilton Industrial Exposition:

“George H. Lees opened the speechmaking by declaring, amid applause, that the Y.M.C.A. was going to make a little money, although not so much as they would like.

“T. F. Best described the exposition as the best he had ever had anything to with. It had, he said, been a pleasure to work with the exhibitors, who had done everything they possibly could do to make the exposition a success. There were many people who thought it was going to be a failure, and it was a real pleasure to hear from the exhibitors how successful they had been in their individual businesses.

“D. B. Wood, president of the board of trade, said the exposition was the best that ever had been in held in the best city of Canada – Hamilton. They had had quality at that exposition, and they had got people in this part of the country talking about it. People were still talking of Creatore’s band, and the only thing he wished about it was that it was not a Canadian band. Then they had that wonderful 1,000 voice choir, and much as he liked Creatore’s band, he liked the chorus better, not alone because of its quality, but because it was a Hamilton production. He was proud also of the little Hamilton tots who had sung to them twice that week.

“Speaking of the future, Mr. Wood said it was perfectly clear that the exposition had come to stay, although they could not say what shape it would take yet, but they could always be assured of the support of the business men and women of the city.”¹

The manager of the event, W. D. Vallette, was given a chance to address the gathering. He stated his belief that Hamilton was destined to become one of the greatest cities on the continent. He suggested that, in future, such expositions should not be two week affairs, but ten day in duration. Vallette suggested that, if the 13 and 91^st Highlander bands could unite, on occasion, such a hybrid band would rank among the best anywhere. The speaker had high praise for the 1,000 voice choruses and suggested that many cities in the United States would do well to imitate Hamilton’s example in that regard.

Vallette ended his speech wit compliments for  all the people of Hamilton with whom he had come into contact and, to cheers, he said  that he would always regard his stay in Hamilton as one of the pleasantest experiences of his life.

W. Bowerman was next on the speakers’ list. Before beginning his formal address, he presented a purse of gold to Mr. Vallette and a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Vallette;

“Bowerman said that some six months ago, he was introduced to Mr. Vallette at the Y.M.C.A., and he found that he came here highly recommended as an exposition specialist. In conversation, Mr. Vallette proved to be an optimist of the first water, and further that he was a hard worker and a person with a reserve force so absolutely necessary in his undertaking.

“Personally he watched, with intense interest, to see how a Yankee, accustomed to Yankee enthusiasm, would handle some of the Hamilton anti-boosters in the face of the money stringency. But as time went on, he became very popular with the exhibitors, the attendants, the chorus and the people, and the exhibitors desired to present him with the following address:

“ ‘We, the booth holders of the Hamilton Industrial Exposition, desire to place on record our hearty approval of the very capable manner in which you have managed and arranged for our convenience in displaying our various exhibits. Your untiring efforts and splendid business ability in this direction merit our approval, and we feel that this is a very fitting opportunity of expressing ourselves on this matter. As a slight token of our appreciation, we ask you to accept this purse of gold, and trust it will remind you of the esteem in which you are held by us.

“ ‘In bidding Mrs. Vallette and yourself farewell, we sincerely hope you will carry with you from Hamilton many fond reflections of the friendships you have formed while here, and that you will remember with pleasure the warm regard we have for you in your splendid efforts in our behalf at this exposition.

“’ May success crown your efforts in the same capacity in other cities is the earnest wish of the exhibitors of the Hamilton Industrial Exposition.’ ”¹