In looking back at the Lowell SUN headlines and stories of November 2, 1942 - I must admit that on that day I was but a few hours old. The November of 1942 was wartime and election time. The front page of the County Edition told that the Pacific fleet had damaged seven enemy ships and destroyed over one hundred planes. Meanwhile on another front, the British Army had thrust through a part of Rommel’s battle line in North Africa.

There was election news and it was the local issue of the Plan E government proposal for Lowell that dominated. The voters were to cast their ballots on the next day and while the campaign had started slowly it had risen to a fever pitch as Attorney Woodbury F. Howard, chair of the Plan E charter group, vowed that “watchers” would be in place at all forty-four polling places. The vote “NO” faction led by Attorney Hubert McLaughlin charged that the present cost of government - a Mayor and 15 councilors cost tax payers $11,000 while Plan E would cost $20,000 for a Manager, $5,000 for a Mayor and $4,000 each for 9 councilors for $36,000. Plus, he charged that in the current form of government - every vote is counted.

As it has today with the intiative petition on “choice voting” on this coming Tuesday’s ballot, the SUN took a stand and urged a “YES” vote on Plan E - stating editorially:

Yes, it is true - the politicians, the petty chiselers, the ward heelers, and all those who have been feeding on the city treasury for years are out working against Plan E. And that’s the best case for supporting Plan E.”

The members of the Executive Committee of the “Yes on Plan E” group included: the Chair - Woodbury F. Howard along with - Charles Antonopoulos, Leo Beaulieu, Mrs. Ella Burke, Henry Harris, Robert Healy, Dr. George Leahey, Thomas McFadden, William Levine, Leo Roy, Thomas B. O’Hearn and Mrs. Arthur Parker. The Lowell Central Labor Union urged a “NO” vote on Plan E - as part of its candidate ads.

Many candidates were advertising their radio talks on the SUN front page - scheduled for that night as a final push for election or re-election - most were on WLLH: Congresswoman Edith N. Rogers at 7:30pm, Thomas Markham for State Senate at 8:45pm, and Paul Fawcett at 7pm to “defeat Plan E”. Congressman John McCormack planned to speak on WLAW.

Throughout the paper there were the standard political ads.  George T. Walsh for reelection as representative noting that “one good term deserves another.” Joseph J. Sweeney of 27 Court Street sought reelection to the 14th Middlesex District (Joe was also a Lowell City Councilor and served as  acting Mayor when the incumbent had legal difficulties.) Francis P. McMahon (father of nine) wanted another term in the House as did Cornelius Desmond, Jr. and Daniel F. Sullivan of Bridge Street.

On another front, the federal “Rent Control” regulation took effect that November day keeping 500,000 rent payers in Eastern Massachusetts paying no more than the March  1942 rent paid on the domicile. This level was set by the Price Administration for the “defense rental area on all houses, apartments, tenements and flats.”

Keith Academy principal Brother Aurelius, CFX - an original member of the KA teaching staff  - was stricken with a heart attack but was in fair condition at St. John’s Hospital.

From the obituary and funeral section - businessman Moses Marks, Issac Harris - one of the first Jewish residents of the city and 50-year resident Mrs. Mary A. Burns were among those who died. While Funeral Home ads included: McKenna, Saunders, Morse, Meehan& Kirwin and O’Donnell.

Bits and Pieces from the SUN:

  • National columnists in the SUN - Louella Oarsons, Bob Considine, Dorothy Kilgallan, Damon Runyon and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s “My Day.
  • Postmaster Charles H. Slowey and Superintendent of  Mails Joseph P. Meehan supervised mailing the last batch of  Christmas bundles  -1,000 of 10,000 - for the local boys in the armed services world-wide.
  • Grid casualities - two Keith Academy boys - fullback John Jankowski with a head injury and tackle Jimmy Kulp with a stomach ailment were treated at St. John’s Hospital by Dr. Joseph Sweeney - while John was discharged - Jimmy was held for observation.
  • Archbishop Richard J. Cushing of Boston presided at the Confirmation at St. Michael’s Church on Sunday - All Saints Day.
  • Dr. Xenophon A. Vurgaropoulos entered the Army Medical Corps as a Captain.
  • The Marist Brothers celebrated 50 years of educational service to Lowell with a  Mass at Ste. Jean Baptiste Church.
  • Catherine T. Garrity of the Regis College Alumni Association was chair of the program committee.
  • Miss Gabrielle Allard and Sgt. Francis Hubbell were married at Ste. Jeanne d’Arc Church.
  • Miss Alice Lennon, Mary Cofffey, Theresa Slattery and Catherine Boyle were among committee members planning a bridge party for the Lowell-Tyngsboro Notre Dame Academy alums.
  • The Bob Marche advertised that “It’s Christmas Just the Same” and offered scarves for 79cents, a hand-painted cheese & cracker gift set for $1.25 and Cannon fine muslin sheets and cases for $1.29 a set.
  • Brockelman’s Tuesday specials: Lamb Chops - rib at 17cents lb., loin at 31 cents lb., minced ham for 18 cents lb. and oatmeal bread for 7 cents a loaf.
  • And finally, Dan O’Dea of 52 Belmont Avenue signed an ad requesting that on  - “Birth Control - Vote NO.”