1914-02-11a

“Late in the year 1904, the Elgar choir was organized with Bruce A. Carey as its conductor, and early in the following year, it gave its first concert. It presented a program of part songs, motets and choral ballads, and in such a manner as to captivate all who appreciated good choral work, because never before had the people of this city heard a local chorus sing like that.”

          Hamilton Herald.      February 11, 1914.

          For its 10^th anniversary, Hamilton’s Elgar Choir, under the direction of Bruce Carey, performed Handel’s Messiah at the Grand Opera, on February 10, 1914.

          Although the Elgar started at a very high level of excellence, it had done nothing but improve over the first ten years of its existence :

          “The Elgar choir became Hamilton’s premier choral organization and what enabled it to go to Toronto and impress people who know what it is to hear the best in the art of choral expression. Since their first concert, Mr. Carey and Elgar choir have marched from victory to victory”¹

               ¹ Handel’s Messiah Magnificently Sung : Elgar Choir Under Bruce A. Care’s Direction Sang This Great Work in Superb Manner at Grand Last Night”

          Hamilton Herald. February 11, 1914

          The early programs sung by the Elgar choir usually consisted singing miscellaneous numbers but gradually the choir broadened its scope, until by 1914, it was prepared to take on what many regarded as the greatest of all choral compositions, Handel’s Messiah.

          The music critic with the Hamilton Herald vividly presented to the newspaper readers what he saw and heard at the much-anticipated Elgar choir concert:

          “Messiah was presented last night at the Grand Opera house before an audience comprised of the social and musical elite of Hamilton, and it is safe to say that that audience was surprised and delighted.

          “To the majority it was a revelation. The Messiah as a work is fairly well known to most persons who are found of music, but as far as Hamilton is concerned, it was a new Messiah that most of them heard last night, and a more impressive, more glorious Messiah.

“To this grand musical picture of the Christ, through prophecy and revelation, Mr. Carey bent his mind. It was a finished study of a sublime subject, and it was fully appreciated, as was indicated by the spontaneous applause that greeted the rendition of the magnificent and expressive choruses.”¹

The choir, numbering 128 singers, was accompanied by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Two Toronto newspapers sent music critics to the Grand Opera House, and both reviews were very complimentary.

The Toronto World review read, in part:

“Tonight’s performance served to emphasize the high standard set by Bruce A. Carey, the conductor, and to enhance the reputation of the choir as an upholder of their conductor’s ideals in delicacy of execution and sterling qualities of tone, precision and taste.

“With a choir of 128 voices, the same volume of tone cannot, of course, be produced as by double the number, but similar merits of purity of tone, unforced and artistic crescendos, and exquisite pianissimos, distinguish the Elgar choir performances. This was fully borne out by tonight’s singing.”¹

The Toronto Globe review, read, in part :

“Musical Hamilton was generally interested tonight in the musical event of the season, the production of Handel’s Messiah, by the Elgar choir, assisted by the Toronto Symphony orchestra.

“From a strictly musical point of view, the performance was eminently satisfying. The chorus of one hundred and twenty-eight voices sang with a beautiful quality of tone, whether in sections of the mass, their attacks and intonation were certain, and their shading delicate and well-graduated.

“But they were severely handicapped by having to sing at the back of the stage, a locale that smothered sonority, obliterated oratorical emphasis, destroyed vigor of attack, and reduced everything to a level of placidity.

“There were many visitors from Toronto present and their opinions, openly expressed, was that the sooner Hamilton gets a proper music hall the better it will be in the interests of her choral societies”¹

 For those who witnessed the performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Elgar choir on a cold February evening in 1914, the chill was eased by the warmth of their experience in the auditorium of the Grand Opera House.

 

1914-09-14aa

The proceedings of the Hamilton Police Court were always reported in Hamilton’s three daily newspapers.

          For the reporters assigned to gather the names of those charged with relatively small criminal breakings of the law, the work could get repetitive.

          Charges of public drunkeness, petty theft, and trespassing were frequently, if not daily, brought before the Police Magistrate.

          In the fall of 1914, there was, of course, considerable public consciousness about the war in Europe. So a Spectator reporter at the police court on Monday September 14, 1914 decided to write up his summary of that day’s proceedings creatively, using war metaphors.

          His report follows :

          “The siege of Liege was as tame as a revival meeting in comparison to the siege of booze in a vacant lot at the foot of Wellington street Saturday evening.

          “Word was flashed to central police station that oceans of perfectly good ‘licker’ were being destroyed by a thirsty throng of eleven.

          “Sergeant Lowery and a squad of braves stormed the lot, and by a clever flank movement rounded up the sippers of the horrid stuff.

          “The carnage was awful. Dead soldiers strewed the field, and two kegs that were in a dying condition were rescued by the minions of the aw.

          “The booze punishers paraded before throne, licked parched lips, pleaded guilty, and expressed penitence.

          “The magistrate, too, expressed himself. He jotted down eleven fines of five dollars per.

          “Those who contributed were Jacob Smyth, Peter Nelson, Peter Thompson, Barney Fagan, James Kelly, A. Dean, David Dodd, William Humphrey, Clarence Culp, James Phillips and Peter Clark.” ¹

               ¹ “Police Broke Up Hilarious Party : North End Gang Was Celebrating on Vacant Lot : Police Found Ground Strewn With Dead Soldiers.”

          Hamilton Spectator. September 14, 1914

 

1914-09-29asg

“ Joseph Tinsley, who has been on a visit to England for the past few weeks, returned to this city Sunday evening.”

Hamilton Herald.   September 29, 1914

 Upon his return to Hamilton from his overseas trip, Joseph Tinsley, aka Jaques, had a story to tell his colleagues at the Hamilton Herald and to his faithful readers

Between the time he left Hamilton and the time he returned, the Great War, as it was called at the time, had been declared. That fact had a profound impact on Jaques time in England and on his travel plans generally :

“Speaking of his voyage out on the Scotian, he had, it may be surmised, and experience tinged with excitement and military incident.

“Arrangements had been made to leave for Canada at an early date. Just before the day of sailing, an order from the government upset all plans made by shipping agents.

“In a few days, another berth was obtained.”¹

¹ “Jaques Tells of Trip Home : Passengers on Scotian Had Rather Exciting Time on Atlantic : A Description of Life on an Ocean Liner in War Time.”

Hamilton Herald.     September 29, 1914

Jaques did not question being bumped from the vessel which  he had bought passage on for his trip home:

“No one can complain about too much ‘red-tapeism by the authorities being used in taking boats from the shipping companies. Without notice, the vessel is taken.”¹

Finally getting another ticket for passage for Jaques and his wife on the Scotian, sailing from Liverpool, was obtained:

“At the docks the strictest examination was the rule. No friends were privileged to go on board with the passengers. Officers of the army, in addition to the other usual ship’s officers, were stationed on the landing stage, and all tickets and papers were closely examined as the men were passed.”

Jaques felt that there was hardly room in one Herald article on his trip across the ocean to enumerate what he called “the usual and unusual hitches and pitches incidental” to such a voyage:

“There were lots of those little upheavals to be witnessed everywhere.

“On September 22, one passenger was greatly surprised – an old lady passenger was alarmed – when the steward abruptly entered the room and at once proceeded to hang up curtains over the cabin window, at the same issuing a warning that the room must be kept as dark as possible.

“Naturally the question was asked why the change was made.

“The steward’s answer was: ‘I know nothing. That is the order issued.’

“The returning passage was well-acquainted with the fact that the government exercised great secrecy in war matters, but, up to September 22, 1914, had no idea that so much mystery surrounded the interior of a ship’s cabin.

“Well, here is an explanation. Jaques is writing this article, and what is herein  contained is written from personal experience..

“I though a visit to the deck would help out. When reaching the spot all was in total darkness. Waiting for a short time, a sound was heard. Soon a whispered was made to my question, and a decision was reached to repair to our rooms while all was safe – especially as one of the ship’s officers had ordered us to our cabins.

“All through the evening, dreaded sounds were heard. Once, it was supposed, a rocket was seen in the air. Then, one person averred the boat was being turned around. For what reason ? No one could reply. Wait till morning. And the passengers had to wait.”¹

Jaques accepted that he had to wait until morning to find out what was going, but it was indeed very early in the morning the next day that he was after an answer to his questions:

“On the decks, two at each end, were four six-pounder guns, some twenty-eight feet in length, and capable of throwing a shot five miles.

“ ‘Why, Mr. Jaques,’ said the purser, ‘you have, during the past two days, been asking questons and putting yourself in places that should have given all the news wanted.’

“ ‘How long have the guns been here? I never noticed them,’ I inquired.    

“ ‘Of course not. They were enveloped when leaving Liverpool with canvas, so hiding up the knowledge of their presence from spies.’

“In a few hours, arrangements had been made to hold gun exercises, under the superintendence of qualified men. The notice that gun practice was to be held on board had not filtered out to all passengers. Just try to think of the consternation experienced by those passengers who were in cabins or elsewhere on the ship when the first gun shot was heard! Women and men rushed to the drilling quarters, fully expecting to see a body of Germans in possession.

“After practice had been followed up, it was decided that the men behind the gun had done well.

“The next night the curtains were again drawn, and people sat listening.

“Upon inquiry it was learned that the Scotian was protected by a British vessel some twenty miles away. It was also authentically stated that a German cruiser had been on the trail of the Scotian, running as near as possible.

“For many hours, the captain was at his post, and his words were anxiously awaited for the next morning. On the evening of Friday, it was given out that the danger zone had passed, as we were nearing the St. Lawrence.”¹

While progressing up the river, passengers saw several troops ships heading in the opposite direction, carrying Canadian volunteers. Each ship was given a mighty cheer by the Scotian’s passengers, while from the troop ships, a chorus of many soldiers’ voices could be heard singing “Britannia Rules the Waves” in reply.

Unusually, for the arrival of a passenger ship completing an oceanic crossing, the ship was pulling into a dock at Montreal after the sun had gone down. It was 10:45 p.m, and it was raining heavily.:

“There was much indignation at the Scotian landing passengers in a strange place after nine in the evening.

“Pshaw ! What’s indignation of people returning home, of mothers with helpless children, of box hunters and box losers, what, I say, is indignation under such circumstance?

“The word had gone forth from some person that no person, except the crew, was allowed on board again that night. Moreover, the fiat had come from the war office that the Scotian must leave for Quebec that night to carry troops over the sea.”

Jaques ended his recounting of his adventure in typical Jaues style:

“Early Sunday, a C.P.R. train is taken for Hamilton. An interesting visit to England, when the capital was in war fever is shared by one who kept his eyes open. He is known as

                    JAQUES” ¹

1914-09-19aa

“Two interesting letters have been received by the Herald from Joseph Tinsley, who is well-known to Herald readers as Jaques. Mr. Tinsley is in London and writes of incidents arising out of the war that he has witnessed. Both letters arrived in the same mail.”

          Hamilton Herald.   September 19, 1914.

          While the Hamilton Spectator had Richard Butler, aka the Old Muser, whose popular column “Saturday Musings” was an ongoing look at aspects of Hamilton’s local history, the Hamilton Herald had Jaques.

          Jaques’ approach was slightly different that the Old Musers’ style, but both were both informative and passionate about the history of the city they loved.

          Joseph Tinsley’s vacation plan to visit England had an unexpected twist as he just happened to be there in the earliest days of World War One.

          Being a talented writer, Tinsley did what he did best, put down in words what he was experiencing.

          His two letters to the Herald from England in August 1914 were combined, and, referring to himself in the third person, follow:

          “The other day I was at Whitehall for the purpose of attending a session of parliament, Ere the commons was entered, crowds were noticed going through the portals of the Horse Guards – in spite of the stately guards on duty, augmented by soldiers in various uniforms – into St. James park. Upon reaching the grounds, three large tents were erected for the purpose of receiving the names of men who were willing to enter and thus help grant Kitchener’s request for 100,100 men.

          “The tents were quite a distance from each other. In a short time, Jaques was at the front of one of the recruiting places, which were roped off and carefully guarded. Having taken up a good position, my whole attention was concentrated on the remarks of the various men who were eager to fight for King and country.

          “Said one man : ‘If Canada can send men, so can England. Let us fellows show that we appreciate the zeal of the Dominion by giving our services.’

          “At the sound of ‘Canada’ there was a cheer, and about twenty young fellows passed under the ropes civilians and returned soldiers. This was kept up all afternoon.

          “After returning from Buckingham palace, a short distance from the scene, it was noted that about 300 men were in the ranks ready to pass on to further quarters and complete the ‘red tape’ procedure.

          “When in the Allan company offices – where all clerks were busy – the manager informed me that the government commandeered three of the company’s vessels that morning. Indeed, all tickets sold were bought with the understanding that the Allans do not guarantee the sailing of any boat on the date listed.

          “The G.T.R. company are making a display of wheat fields in the northwest, and the windows command much attention. The colonial office, where emigration particulars are given out, is not overcrowded nowadays. On the other hand, in passing to and fro, the ‘Dominion of Canada’ is frequently heard.

“When I ‘bumped’ into a banker, close to the Cecil Hotel, he shook me warmly by the hand and spoke in glowing language regarding the handsome assistance the British colony was giving to England. ‘Not alone,’ said he, ‘in the products of their country, but in the flesh and blood of the their men.’

“Could I resist imparting news to him of the country of which he knew so little? Would I not have been a traitor to Hamilton had the opportunity passed by to speak of the achievements of Hamiltonians with the rifle in taking the much-coveted Queen’s cup? Nay, what of your Marathon winner at Greece? And so on and on.

“Just as the banker and the scribbler were shaking hands, it was observed that a crowd was gathered around a store window. ‘Bumping our way in, it was found that a photograph of Hon. Sam Hughes, Canada’s minister of war, was side by side with Kitchener, French and other war notables.

“It was the first day the pictures had been offered for sale, consequently the enthusiasm of the spectators was roused.

“All the newspaper offices are crowded with people anxious for the latest news. Here I stand in the Strand watching the crowds of people gathered around the respective publishing houses – men, women and children.

“Here comes a policeman. And one more policeman. What went they off their beats to see ? To see the bulletins and learn results. Not one official attempted to ‘move on’ the crowd. Upon several occasions, this fact was noted. Storekeepers displaying war pictures in windows sufficiently attractive to hold a crowd in the vicinity were allowed to do so unmolested!

“When Napoleon lost the battle of Waterloo, he remarked, ‘What will they say in England?’

“As day by day, and night by night, the newspaper offices were surrounded by citizens, the words came up : ‘What would Chief Smith say in Hamilton?’

“For the nonce, Kipling’s words about ‘cricketeers and flannels’ has escaped memory. I heard Lord Roberts yesterday address nearly 1200 men – in Temple gardens. The band of the Grenadier Guards was present.

“At the conclusion of his remarks, he said: ‘I respect and honor you more than I can say. My Feeling towards you is one of intense admiration. How very different is your action to that of the men who can still go on with their cricket and football, as if the very existence of the country were not at stake! This is not the time to play games, wholesome as they are in the days of piping peace. We are engaged in a life and death struggle, and you are showing your determination to do your duty as soldiers, and, by all means in your power, bring this war – a war forced upon us by an ambitious and unscrupulous nation – to a successful result. God bless and watch over you all.’

“This is being written under difficult circumstances. My desk is a stone of a bridge and a man on duty is looking suspiciously at me.

“ ‘I wish, sir, you would consent to speak from our platform and inform the ignoramuses of this country concerning Canada,’ said Mr. High-Up yesterday.

“ Reply – ‘You have Moses and the prophets in the shape of emigration offices, you have the Colonial office, you have the Canadian department all at your doors; why not consult them?’

“ Another Mr. High-Up – ‘All true. The trouble is that our inquiry for information at these places is answered by bundles of pamphlets thrust over the counter by pert clerks. If you were to consent and speak to the people in the straight forward and undoubtedly true way you are speaking to us, then we should learn facts now held back by agents of various companies.’

“And so it is. The people of London and the provinces – insofar as my personal observations go – are in ignorance of Canada and its resources.

“But all classes are in possession of one fact – and never hesitate to applaud the same – and that is the Canadians have done, are doing and will so continue to do their share for the support – both by sending men and produce – to bring about a successful termination of the present struggle with the enemy.

“A queer place to find Jaques. But there he was, with a few shillings in his pocket and a one pound bill sewn up in his inside pocket. For notices are to be seen on all sides warning people against pickpockets and confidence men. Just think of it – ‘confidence men’ in the precincts of stock broking offices !

“ ‘You’re from Hamilton, I think,’ remarked a bystander.

“ ‘Yes, and proud of the fact.’

“ ‘I’ve been to Toronto. That’s a busy center. A fine hotel is about to be constructed there.’

“ ‘That is correct. In Hamilton, a large hotel is being erected also, that will, when finished be one of the best equipped in the Dominion. It will be known as the Connaught. And, by the way, his royal highness, our governor-general turned the first sod.’

“At this juncture, regrets were experienced, that I had not in my possession, a bundle of literature devoted to Hamilton and its environments.’

“ ‘Well, I’ll remember your city when next my men are across the seas in search of orders. With the resources at your command, Hamilton should be better known. Go into lace making. Half the lace sold in the States, said to be Nottingham, is made in Germany. So with other lines of goods. This war is bad for us now, but when business is again restored to normal condition, England and her colonies will reap a bountiful harvest in the way of securing many branches now held by Germany. Never again will our empire stand to be depleted of her trade by that nation.’

“But time is precious. There is so much more to see so much to write about that only the merest glance at the aftermath can be touched upon at this writing.

“My readers have doubtless seen in the Herald columns that a Belgian mission is now on its way to the United States to lay before the government particulars of the atrocities perpetrated by the Germans on the innocent inhabitants of Belgium.

“A meeting was held in the Cecil hotel, addressed by members of the mission. I endeavored to gain admission, but either through want of influence or lack of confidence on my part – it is hardly thought the latter was the cause – the effort was useless.

“Well, let us fall back upon memory. As a lad, I remember the barbarous way the British were treated during the Indian mutiny. Children were torn from mothers’ breasts. Then the infants, in the presence of parents, were thrown in the air and caught on bayonets in the hands of the enemy.

“Mothers and daughters were brutally assaulted before fathers and horrible deeds committed in the presence of all. I am not writing history today, but when the spring of memory is tapped, there flows incident upon incident of similar horrors.

“And so it is written that today – after more than half a century of civilization – that to a degree history is repeating itself.

“Renewed energy is being put forth. Members of parliament are at work in certain districts to increase the number of men for the front.

“Today I witnessed a number of men being enrolled under the very shaow of Nelson’s monument. A dreamer could not help but recall the truism of the hero – ‘England expects that every man this day will do his duty!’

Calling around towards the close of the afternoon, I learned from the officer in command that four thousand men had come up to the necessary requirements and were now soldiers of the king. The best of spirits prevailed. Enthusiasm pervaded the surroundings. When they marched away to various quarters, a volume of cheers went up.

“Church doors, stores and theaters have bills posted up calling for recruits. The bill posting places are all covered with notices explaining where the work of recruiting is going on.

“Yet in spite of all the appeals from pulpit and platform, from parliament and stage, there is general complaint that so many neglect to respond to the call.

“Judging from the Herald reports from Hamilton, no such conditions exist in Hamilton. When so many men are willing to fight for the safety of empire, the ladies must have acted their part nobly.

“In the last paper received, it is noted that ‘two examples of fine spirit animates young men as shown by Capt. Grafton, of Dundas and Lieut. Norman Leslie.’

“Well done, the captain. Well done, the young lieutenant. May the sound of hurrahs reach you over the seas. And not only the two mentioned, but all who are willing to leave their own homes of peace in Canada to fight for the maintenance of others in a foreign country.

“This letter is being written within the sound of martial music and the tread-tread of men off to Aldershot.

“By the way, I am endeavoring to find out if Hamilton men will go to Aldershot. If so, then a visit will be paid to the Canadian ranks by

                              JAQUES.”¹

¹ “Jaques Writes From Old London”

Hamilton Herald. September 19, 1914.

While Joseph Tinsley just happened to be on vacation and in the city of London in the early days of the Great War, he could not help but don his pseudonym of Jaques and share with his readers his experiences and his advice.

         

 

1914-01-27all

One of the Hamilton area’s most individuals in the early 20th century was a resident of Rockton, in the northwest portion of Wentworth Country.

          His real name was Robert Kirkland Kernighan, but across Canada and even internationally, he was better known by his penname, The Khan.

          Back in the 1870’s Kernighan was a reporter with the Hamilton Spectator, and was well-known, not only for his journalism but also for his “Bohemian” flair as regards his appearance. Longish hair and a taste for dramatic capes were part of his persona.

          By 1914, The Khan had published a widely sold collection of his poetry and homespun tales of country living. He no longer had to support himself as a journalist, but made his living by writing poems and short stories in the Wigwam, the old log house, located behind the newer Kernighan residence in Rockton.

          Once he finished his poem or story of the day, he would simply mail it to Hamilton Herald office, for inclusion in his “Chronicles by the Khan” feature. After appearing in the Herald, the Khan’s latest chronicle would appear in newspapers all across Canada.

          A typical Khan chronicle appeared in the Hamilton Herald of January 27, 1914 – a humorous view of a January thaw:

 

HAW, HAW, HAW

          Oh, the squirrels they are laughing and the jay birds they are chaffing,

                    And Daddy Crow is hollering ‘Caw, caw, caw!’

          For look and see old winter’s all busted into splinters

                    By the January thaw – haw, haw, haw.

 

          In a week from now old Bruin he’ll get up to see what’s doin’

                    And the hens they are a-laying in the straw – aw, aw;

          The rooster shakes his noodle too – Cock-a-doodle-doole, do!

                    There’s nothing like a January thaw – haw, haw!

 

          Another splendid omen : the kids are making snow-men,

                    The awf’lest looking objects e’er you saw, aw, aw;

          And the girls with many graces snare the boys and wash their faces –

                    For isn’t it the January thaw – haw, haw?

 

          The groundhog he rolls over in his burrow lined with clover –

                    He’s been living on his paw (see the joke?) – haw, haw, haw!

          So he’s out to stretch his limbs, the nicest of his whims;

                    He’s tickled by the January thaw – haw, haw!

 

          And the old folks chill and wizened in the winter kitchen prisoned,

                    They were up against old Winter and his jaw, aw, aw;

          Now they can have some fun themselves,

and go and sit and sun themselves,

          Delighted with the January thaw – haw, haw!

 

          The Lord He gives us autumntide, He also gives us spring beside,

                    And the winter and the summer are His law, aw, aw;

          Then to overflow the measure He gives us to us a treasure,

                    And we call the gift the January thaw – haw, haw!

                   

1914-12-26aass

“Controller Gardner, who has taken up the cause of the east end people who have been complaining about the car service in that section, produced statistics this morning to show that he had dealt promptly with the matter”

          Hamilton Spectator. December 27, 1914.

          In 1914, complaints piled up constantly regarding the service provided by the Hamilton Street Railway, particularly between the downtown core and the far east of the complaint.

          Early in December, 1914, the Hamilton Board of Control addressed the rising number of complaints by giving Controller Gardner the task of investigating the matter.

Controller Gardner, a mayoral candidate in the municipal election to be held at the end of the month, appeared to be spending more attention on his campaign than on his current duties.

 

 

Several weeks passed before Gardner made any report to the Board of Control about what he had learned about the street car service, and he was receiving heavy criticism for his inattention to the matter.

Finally, after Christmas, Gardner contacted the Hamilton Spectator to present some statistics on the street car service, statistics the controller had amassed:

“On Wednesday, Dec. 16, he stood at the corner of King and John streets and, for one hour personally checked every car that passed between the hour of five o’clock and 6:10 p.m. This is supposed to be one of the busiest periods of the day.”¹

¹ “What One Hour Check of East Cars Showed : Controller Gardner Kept Tab Himself : Finds Service Averages About Four Minutes : Presents Figures in Reply to His Critics”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 27, 1914

 

Hamilton Mayor Allan had been asked by Controller Morris, at a recent Board of Control meeting, whether anything had been reported about Controller Gardner’s assignment regarding Hamilton Street Railway service. As Gardner was not in attendance, the mayor said that he had not but would follow up on the question.

When Gardner heard about the criticism he was receiving, he did not immediately reply to the mayor or the Board of Control, but went to the Hamilton Spectator, the newspaper which incidentally was supporting his candidacy in the upcoming election:

“The controller explained today that he had no desire to carry on a controversy through the newspapers in regard to the matter. What he is interested in is seeing that the citizens get the best possible service.

“His only object in making public the figures is to reply to a member of the board of control, who, in his absence the other day, tried to make it appear that he had done practically nothing, although it was left to him to try and get the service improved.”¹

The Hamilton Herald, which perhaps not coincidentally was supporting Controller Gardner’s main opponent in the mayoralty race, was quick to criticize the release of the figures to the Spectator, and not to the other two Hamilton daily newspapers, or to the Board of Control itself.

The Herald also challenged Gardner’s assertion that the Hamilton Street Railway was actually better than was required on an agreement between the company and the city :

“Those people who have been complaining about the poor street railway service will be surprised to know that they are getting far better service than they should receive, according to the published statement of Controller Gardner.

“He was appointed several weeks ago to look into the matter, and while he has not reported to the board of control, he reported a schedule of figures which shows that instead of the railway giving poor service, it really excelled itself and almost gave twice as good a service as is required.”²

² “Street Railway Has Champion : Controller Gardner Says Service is Better Than City Demands : He Made Discovery on Dec. 16 But Has Not Reported to Board”

Hamilton Herald. December 28, 1914.

Controller Morris, contacted by the Herald, said the following in response to Gardner’s self-gathered statistics and conclusion as to the quality of the street car service provided :

“ ‘If Controller Gardner says that he got his figures from personally watching the cars, I have no real reason to doubt his word. If he got them on December 16, he should have presented them to the Board of Control. There have been three meetings since that time, but we have not heard of the report. Perhaps he will report it tomorrow, and then we can discuss it.’ ”²

The Herald stated that there was not a little unbelief regarding Gardner’s contention that Hamilton Street Railway Company service was not only excellent, but exceeded the requirements of its agreement with the city:

“ ‘He seems to favor the spectacular methods rather than doing business in a business-like way,’ said one well-known businessman who hardly thinks the street railway service the best in the world.”²

The Herald reporter, also reacting to Gardner’s support of the Hamilton Street Railway, had the following to say:

“To date Controller Gardner is about the man in the hundred thousand odd persons in this city who has discovered that the company is giving such an excellence service.

“Everybody else in the city is complaining that the service is bad, very bad. The principal complaint is that the schedule is not maintained. An official of the company admitted last week that the company found it impossible to run the cars according to schedule.

“But Controller Gardner says the cars are running ahead of schedule. He produced his little tabular record to prove how well the company is serving the public.

“Everybody in Hamilton who uses the street cars has complained that they are overcrowded at rush hours. This is the result of the schedule being shattered.

“But Controller Gardner says the cars are away ahead of schedule and his tabular report is produced as evidence.

“But in spite of this evidence, the complaints continue to be made by nearly every person else in Hamilton’s population who uses the cars.”²

With the mayoral election just days away, Controller and Candidate Gardner’s support of the Hamilton Street Railway was ill-timed to say the least. As he based his support from the results of his own recording of street cars passing him as he stood at King and John streets, his credibility was damaged.

When Gardner finally presented his statistics to a Board of Control meeting, he tried to dodge the torrent of criticism he had been receiving. He admitted that he had only been counting cars, and not noting how crowded they were.

The controller agreed that the overcrowding was not acceptable:

“ ‘ We are not getting the service, we should get. I think the incoming council should appeal to the railway board for better service.”³

³ “Gardner Would Appeal to the Railway Board : Not Satisfied With Street Railway Service”

          Hamilton Spectator. December 30, 1914.

Gardner then moved a resolution that the matter of poor street railway service be deferred to the new council about to the elected. His motion passed.

A local lawyer, present at the meeting, loudly objected to the deferral. After loudly reading his own resolution asking for better street car service, the mayor told him that the lawyer could not move any such thing as he was not even an elected official.

The lawyer hotly replied that he had no intention to wait for the new council and would lodge a group complaint about the inferior service directly to the Hamilton Street Railway company himself immediately.

“ “All right, do as you please,’ the mayor said.”³

Mayoral candidate Gardner’s backtracking on his claim the street car service in Hamilton was excellent did not help his campaign. He was soundly defeated by Chester Walters who would formally became Hamilton’s mayor early in January 1915.