Seeking Victory by Other Means, 1912-14

• Author: C. Ian Kyer
• Pages: 121-130



Chapter

SE EKI NGV IC TORYBY

OTHERMEANS



circumsta ncesbroughtHoratioHockenoneoftheCitys

mostdedicatedconcernedandeectivepoliticianstothemayorsoceHis

determination and vision al most changed the story of Toronto transit dra

matically. Hocken’s appointment as mayor began with the death of Justice

Mabeethechair manoftheFederalRailwayCommission The federal gov

ern mentc hoseH enry Drayto nToront osCity solic itorto replac eMabe e That

openedupthelucrativepositionofCitysolicitorandMayorGearyresigned

inordertotakethatpositionThecitycouncilchosethelongtimecontroller

Hocken, to succeed him as mayor.

Hocken had paid aention when Jacobs Davies had suggested that

if the City did not want to broaden the Toronto Railway Company’s (TRC)

franchise, it ought to buy out the Company. Spence had suggested much the

samethingAsCitycontrollerHockenhadinformaldiscussionswithMack

enziei n Now as mayor, Hocken decided to broach the subject agai n.

Hewastired oftheendlessand largelyineectualbaleswith theTRCso

he set out to acquire it.

Mackenzieletit beknownthathewanted toselltheTRCtogether with

itselec tricals upplieranda liatetheToront oElectric LightCompany That

wasnewithHockenTopurchasetheTRCandnotbuythepowercompany

thatsupplieditwouldhaveleftt heCityatthemercyof Mackenzieandhis

partners.