Remembering Old Washington Phone Numbers in a Modern Era
In this reminiscence Dave Elder recalls how in 1955 phone numbers were short and easy to memorize, while today seven digit numbers and directories complicate dialing. He recalls party lines, local exchanges, and personal memories of familiar numbers like 772 for home and 30 for John Shields coal yard, contrasting past simplicity with present convenience.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Shields
Burlington
Milwaukee
Dave Elder
Word Quiz Sparks Dictionary Spree
A high school paper prods readers with a word list including opuscule plethoric epitome anomalistic aberrant infatuated subjugated and sudatorium. The reader admits two unfamiliar terms sent them to Webster.
Highway provincialism in Iowa roads debate
Cedar Rapids Gazette notes the merged highway commission faces pressure for road improvements as critics from Waterloo urge action. The piece argues all regions suffer from bad roads due to Iowa’s vast network and calls for reducing more than 100000 miles from the primary and secondary systems to fund upgrades.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
West joins Proxmire with his own dither
Washington columnist Dick West imagines a $500000 grant to study congressional dithering. He notes Sen. William Proxmire’s quarrels with research spendings and argues for a scientific look at why senators and others grow dithered, suggesting regional, ideological, and chamber differences.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dick West Washington
UPI
Sen
William Proxmire
Proxmire
Senate
House
Six Diamonds on Hearts Lead Brings Full Slam in Play
Expert bridge line shows counting and endplay ideas after West leads the ten of hearts. Cash the queen jack of trumps leaving one in dummy, then clubs to dummy, hope 3-3 heart split, and ruffing spades to yield the twelfth trick. East’s play cannot stop the line.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West
East
Jures Syndicate, Inc
Wacky excerpts and gossipy bits from L M Boyd column
A miscellany of quirks including the exchequer tablecloth origin retold, That Vodka sales, Amelia Bloomer bloomers, hospital ER trends, Antarctic explorers dogs, Pisces men budgeting, Brewton Alabama street law, Willie Masconi attire, yeast growth, marriage rumors, and Abby letters with nurse rules and Clara Barton note.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Abby
U.S. Patent Office
Congress
Secretary of the Interior
Robert McClelland
Patent Office
Clara Barton
American Red Cross
Also Mentioned on This Page
Washington, Low
John
God
Jesus
Washington
Journal
Jeff Laing
Webster
Cedar Rapids
State Highway Commission
Department of Transportation
Roger Pease
Waterloo
Republican State Central Committee
Wisconsin Democrat
U.S
You
Nancy
Blondie
MR. Dithers
Lit
B. Jay Becket
North Dealer
North-South Vulnerable
North East South West
L.M. Boyd
Exchequer
Amelia Bloomer
Antarctica
Brewton
Ala
Willie Masconi
L. M. Boyd
P.O
Fort Worth
Abigail van Buren
Chicago Tribune-N.y. News Synd., Inc
Senator Randolph
Berkeley
SOPH
Jinnie
L.A
Calif
Lasky Dr
Beverly Hills
Washington Evening Journal
Dean Axbby
Duke