[5] In 1917 Adams with the help of City Solicitor, and future Chief Justice of the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Alberta Clinton J. Ford worked together successfully to bring single transferable vote to Calgary's municipal elections.

Adams won the election held on December 15, 1920, with approximately 60% of the vote and assumed the role of Calgary's 21st Mayor on January 3, 1920.

[8] As Mayor, Adams' biggest challenge was handling Calgary's extensive unemployment after the First World War, including the rise of labour unions and civil unrest.

This culminated in the morning of March 28, 1922, with a prank orchestrated by Calgary Herald writer Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance, where he threw a fake bomb into an active meeting attended by Adams, other Aldermen and city employees.

[10] Adams was instrumental in the approval and construction of Imperial Oil's Lynnview Ridge refinery in Calgary, a CA$2.5 million project.

The program began with the Harry Lauder recording of "Roamin' in the Gloamin'", and after some more music and sports, Adams gave a speech to Calgarians.

He practised law in Calgary with the firm Adams, Fitch and Arnold until his retirement in 1955, when he moved to Saltspring Island in British Columbia.