1915-03-15tt

All three Hamilton daily newspapers on March 15, 1915, as requested by the city’s mayor, published the following letter:

“To the Citizens of Hamilton :

Hundreds of our gallant soldiers, Hamilton boys, have gone to the front to fight for our empire, and already a number of them have laid down their lives for the flag.

Money is needed to purchase comforts and necessities for our soldiers. Hamilton has lagged behind other cities in raising funds for comforts for her men, and now that the spring campaign is about to open, let every citizen show his or her loyalty by sending a subscription to W. R. Leckie, city hall, Hamilton.

                                                CHESTER S. WALTERS,

                                                          Mayor.”¹

¹ “Mayor Makes Public Appeal to Citizens : Urges Them to Give a Practical Demonstration of Their Loyalty.”

Hamilton Spectator.    March 15, 1915.

Mayor Walters recently had a long conference about the fund with Lieutenant-Colonel McLaren, of the 19^th battalion which was soon to leave for the front :

“ ‘If people could only appreciate how badly this fund is needed and what it means to the men, there would be no hesitation in giving and giving liberally,’ said the mayor.

“He also discussed with the newspapermen the case of a local man, with a wife and five children, who left today for Ottawa to join the engineers.

“ ‘This man paid $500 down on a house which will cost him $2500,’ explained the mayor. “The man, who holds the mortgage, is now pressing for payment. This soldier has given up a position that was bringing him in $125 a month to accept $1.10 a day. He did it with a fine patriotic spirit, and because he thought his country needed him.’

“When men will make such sacrifices, and this is by no means an isolated case, the mayor thinks that the least every citizen can do is to donate something that will contribute to the comfort of the soldiers.”¹

The fund-raising amounted to $1,200 in the first few days. As the goal was about $20,000, concerns were being raised. It was felt that some citizens were expecting a personal canvass and so were waiting for that.

At that point, organizers of the canvass did not think a personal canvass was necessary. They were counting on publicity to motivate citizens individually,  or as part of groups to make donations enthusiastically. An example of a group donation was the Hamilton Parks Board, who ten members out of their personal funds, gave $100 each for a combined donation of $1,000. City Councillors were urged to follow that example. Workplaces and churches were also suggested as groups that could combine many individual donations to have a large impact.

The placement of collection boxes in factories, public buildings, schools was also suggested as ways to garner donations.

It was also emphasized that the fund was not to purchase luxuries for soldiers, but to provide such grocery items and equipment unavailable via the usual government allowance.

On March 17, 1915, an editorial appeared in the Hamilton Times regarding the slow start to the fund raising:

“There is a feeling that Hamilton is lagging behind in sending subscriptions to the fund to provide comforts for our own boys at the front. This should not be, and probably will not be for long, when it is understood that this fund is to be raised by the free will offerings made without canvas or solicitation. All this is expected is that those who wish to subscribe will send or take their money to Mr. William Leckie, City Treasurer, and the subscriptions will later be announced. This is a new way of raising a fund. But it was thought better to just leave it to the people themselves to take the initiative. It will be all the more appreciated.

“The Hamilton lads who are serving at the front, and who are preparing to go to the front, deserve all the encouragement we who remain behind can give them If they see and know by our gifts that the sacrifice they are making for us, for their King and their country is really fully appreciated, they will do their duty with a better heart, knowing that they have the sympathy of the people nof Hamilton in all their undertakings.

“Do not let them face the enemy with a feeling that the people at home are not interested in them – that they do not care whether they are cared for or not. No man could be expected to fight or face the enemy with such a feeling rankling in his breast.
          “By heartening the men in the trenches, we who stay at home are helping to win this war. Be generous and show your appreciation of the heroism of your own kith and kin.”²

²  “The Comfort Fund”

Hamilton Times.   March 17, 1915