Joan Newton Cuneo
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, 1977 recipient of the Key to the City of Yonkers, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, 2023 Westchester Woman of the Year, Conceiver of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, November 3rd
November 3, 1936: Alderman Harry Towner almost lost his vote! After walking into his local Third Ward district and signing the register, he chatted with election inspectors and left. After walking half a block, he realized he hadn’t voted, so rushed back. After he was told it was late, he argued to no avail. As he was about to give up, another gentleman returned, admitting he had absent-mindedly left after signing the voting register. The two men changed the mind of the election inspector. He told them to vote, and “make it snappy!” They did.
November 3, 1943: Colonel James Hayes, Chairman of the Blair Shipyard Board of Directors, told Corporation Counsel Bleakley the Federal Government would use the Second War Powers Act to take over the City Recreation Pier for use of its company. The firm wanted to bring additional ships to Yonkers to repair and convert them for military use. Bleakley’s interpretation of existing law required either special state legislation or Navy requisition for the pier to be leased.
Tuesday, November 4th
November 4, 1943: The American Dietaids Company, 176 South Broadway, was charged with disseminating false advertisements about nutritional and therapeutic values of their products. The FTC issued a complaint against: Enrich, Stamins, Souplets, Ritamine, Joyana, Sorbex, Vitalets, Tam and Nyce Special Soaps and Creams. The FTC claimed when advertising their products, the benefits were exaggerated. For example, Enrich, which had some therapeutic worth, treated “uncomplicated iron deficiency and could not increase red blood cells, build strong nerves or help the organs to function properly.”
November 4, 1947: Yonkers was designated a NYS center for high school equivalency tests! Schools Superintendent Benjamin Willis announced we would serve “citizens of Yonkers and others nearby in the county.” The tests were designed for educationally mature veterans, servicemen and nonveteran adults who lacked the opportunity to complete formal high school requirements and did not graduate.
Testing would begin later in the month under the direction of Yonkers Schools Guidance Director Dr. Robert Carey
Wednesday, November 5th
November 5, 1921: The Yonkers Statesman and News began the “full leased-wire news service of the Associated Press. The expected delivery of approximately 17,000 words every day would be delivered by the automatic telegraph Morkrum printer at the speed of 60 wpm. After typing ten words, the paper automatically moved up to begin a new line. The news was transmitted from the AP Office at Chambers Street in New York, considered by some to be the “nerve center of the world.”
November 5, 1942: Two hundred workers on ten-hour shifts at the Arthur G. Blair shipyards on Alexander Street began converting a 225-foot ship for war use, protecting it against magnetic mines.
Thursday, November 6th
November 6, 1914: The Board of Education passed a resolution selecting the Havemeyer property between North Broadway and Palisade Avenues for the new high school building.
November 6, 1943: The first Proportional Representation (PR) election result began rolling out after several days of multiple counting. Part of the delay was caused by careless Election Day workers who misfiled absentee PR ballots placed in the wrong boxes; counters had to go through almost 100 boxes to redistribute to the proper category.
Councilman Curtiss Frank received 7,672 first-choice votes, more than the 6,993 required for election. It also was likely he would become the next Mayor, as the position would go to the candidate with the most votes.
Friday, November 7th
November 7, 1905: Mrs. J. N. Cuneo, one of the foremost women drivers in the country, gave an exhibition of driving skills during a two one-mile races at Empire City Park. During both races, she broke the one-mile record for women of 1:22, a record she held! After the event, her new record for women was 1:15!
November 7, 1933: Alderman Cy Barker came very close to not being elected. A certain family with ten registered Republicans and very loyal to Barker had not shown up to vote. Dad Oscar Barker was worried and asked Cy several times why they had not arrived at the voting booth. Cy said not to worry, he would be fine without them. Finally, twenty minutes before the polls close, they younger Barker agreed and sent a couple of cars to the family who had not shown. All ten voters arrived at the poll with just five minutes to spare. As it turned out, Cy Barker did need those ten votes; he was elected Alderman by just one vote!
Saturday, November 8th
November 8, 1933: William Raymond Gill, Communist candidate for Mayor, was stabbed by a friend he was entertaining at his home at 22 Carlisle Place. Gill, who required three stitches in his hand and was not hurt seriously, was treated at St. John’s Hospital. Gill, the first African American to run for Yonkers Mayor, refused to file a complaint against assailant George Kelly of Orchard Street.
November 8, 1936: Yonkers announced it would cost $17 to register each voter for the special election on the City Manager plan of government to be held November 19th.
Sunday, November 9th
November 9, 1913: Yonkers YWCA members took part in a pageant presented in the 71st Regiment armory. The audience of 4,000 people included President Woodrow Wilson’s daughter and her fiancé, Francis B. Sayre.
November 9, 1942: Dozens of people protested to the Herald Statesman over Mayor Barnes proclamation recommending flags be flown half-mast on Armistice Day. The Flag Etiquette Code state flags should fly at the top of the mast on Armistice Day!
Questions or comments on this column? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit our website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
