Long Ago Lowell Labor Day – (PIP #78)

By Louise Peloquin

1924 Labor Day speeches ring true today.

L’Étoile – Front page September 2, 1924

Lowell celebrated Labor Day

Beautiful program of music, speeches and athletic games executed at South Common yesterday. – Mayor Donovan, Rev. P. Corrigan and Rev. Bakeman spoke.

     Labor Day was celebrated last night with a program of music, games and a large public assembly at South Common. However, given present working conditions, it seemed that, for laborers, it was a day for reflecting rather than rejoicing.

     Many Lowellians set out for the ocean and the mountains. Others went to nearby lakes and ponds. Nonetheless, there were still enough people in the city last night to make up an audience of 10,000 at South Common. At 7 PM, the Altken Band began its program and people immediately grouped together on the Common to hear the speakers who arrived slightly before 8 PM, after having dined at Marie’s Restaurant. The party included Trade Council officers, City Council members, Mayor Donovan, Rev. James Corrigan of Boston College and Rev. Robert Bakeman of Peabody.

     Mayor Donovan began his speech by expounding on the dignity of work, on justice, on workers’ rights and on their brightest future.

Here is a summary of the Mayor’s speech:

     “As mayor, I am happy to have the privilege to participate in your celebration of Labor Day. It is good that this day be reserved for recognizing the dignity of work and how it has lead to progress and an improved human condition.

     Work aspirations have built the edifice of American culture. The splendor of our lifestyle is affected when work is rare and powerless.

     As American citizens, let us forge ahead and create a new year of progress. Do it for yourselves and for the glorious right of citizenship.”

     Rev. Father Corrigan’s message:

     “Forge ahead, hold onto your rights and work for these three: a fair salary, reasonable working hours and conditions allowing you to maintain your health and satisfy your spirit.

     You no longer need the radicals to win your worker’s rights. They are in the hands of the workers themselves. If they are content and patient, American workers will reach a better position in the near future.”

     The last speech was pronounced by Rev. Robert A. Bakeman:

     “I am not a friend of work, at least not at first. I am a friend of justice first of all, and an enemy of tyrants. Tyrants believe that they, not God, are the ones who established Labor Day. What is Labor Day? It is the day which declares that work must fundamentally be dignity. This is the reason for my presence today.”

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     The Bellevues won the baseball game against the St. Peters team with a score of 3 to 2.

     Here are the names of the winners of the different afternoon contests:

     – 100-yard race: McCarthy, Barrabé and W. Clarke. Prizes – $5, $3 and $2.

     – One-mile race: J. Ryan, McCarthy and Costa. Prizes – $8, $5 and $3.

     – Quarter-mile race: J. O’Connor, J. Finnegan and Toupin. Prized – $7, $5 and $3.

     – Shot put: A. Rogers, M. Ryan and P. McGovern, 45, 38, and 36 feet. Prizes – $5, $3 and $2. (1) 

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1) Translation by Louise Peloquin.