Smoking Restricted on Streetcars

Nov. 23, 1909: A law regulating smoking on streetcars goes into effect. From now on, smokers must take the rear seats of the cars.

Matt Weinstock, Nov. 9, 1959

Those Quizzes     Clearly it's no more possible to control the gags about the quiz show scandal than it is to control the mushrooming scandal itself, and the other day a group of coffee break philosophers of my acquaintance got around to the subject.     A man named Marvin contributed the subversive thought that in addition to handling out its annual Emmy awards next year the television business should offer a special Ananians award, on the occasion of which the band should strike up with "Pony Boy."     A cynic named Jerry suggested a Stoolie award, but he was quickly smothered on the grounds that this was strictly a police matter.     A MAN NAMED PETE compared Charles Van Doren's ordeal with that of thicker-skinned politicians caught with soiled money in their hands.  What this country needs, he argued, ineffectively, is a measuring stick for corruption.      Away from the coffee percolator, Seymour Mandel keeps remembering the pompous business with the armed guards, the trust company executives and the sealed envelopes.  He is intrigued with the thought that while the show was on nobody at the bank watched the vault.     Bob Cole thinks it would be appropriate for the networks to re-run the quiz shows this summer with the title, "Watch My Lyin'".     And so on. ::    THE HEARINGS also reminded Victor Borge of the time in 1948 that he flunked his big quiz -- his citizenship examination.     He was doing fine until the L.A. immigration officer asked if he could ever become president.  Borge, born in Denmark, knew the answer but overwhelmed by a frivolous impulse replied, "I don't plan to run for president because I have too much to do.  Besides I doubt if anyone would vote for me."     The interrogator not in the mood for humor, said coldly, "The right answer is that you cannot be president because you were not born here.  Come back in three weeks and try again."     Chastened, Borge, now performing in Las Vegas, returned three weeks later and passed the exam. ::     WHILE TUNED IN to radio station XERB, waiting for the race results, an Olive St. horseplayer became entranced by a woman astrologer who warned certain listeners to be careful between now and next March because of adverse influences in their birth signs.     The horseplayer was so impressed that he repeated the information to a friend, only he put it this way:     "So this dame says you got to play it cool until everything is downhill and shady with Saturn again and Mars gets Jupiter off its back." ::     A MAN WHO applied for a job with a big firm was briefed on procedure and assured he would be called in a few days.  When nothing happened he phoned.  He was told, "We have you on our available list."       "I am glad to hear that," he said, "but I don't know if I'm going to be that available."     These are the conditions which prevail. ::     JAMES A. MACLEOD, information officer of the British Consulate, who is being transferred to Munich, asked Tom Cassidy of KFAC which recorded version of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" he considered best.     Tom recommended the one on the Library Of Congress special project titled "The Union,"  but was curious about the inquiry.     MacLeod said he wanted a copy to take along.  He added, "I think it best describes the American spirit and personality.  In fact, if I may be permitted to venture an opinion, I think it should be your national anthem.  After all, you know you don't have bombs bursting in air, old fellow." ::    AROUND TOWN -- Troy Garrison is worried about a new sign for the Golden Age Convalescent Home, showing a nurse standing behind a man in a wheelchair, at the foot of 13th St. in San Pedro.  An arrow on it points into the harbor's main channel . . . Add property tax outrages:  A man who owns seven acres of undeveloped land in Calabasas, representing his lifetime investment, received a tax bill of $835.  Last year it was $175.

Policewomen Experiment a Success

Clare Briggs takes another look at golf in “Conceding Yourself a Putt.”

Nov. 7, 1919: London retains 100 of the women police officers who were put into service during World War I. Part of the force was disbanded after the war, but 100 policewomen were retained to keep order out of fears of "an orgy of dissipation" among ex-soldiers in the "night life sections." The policewomen  are particularly on the lookout for young women who might be attracted to such places and get in trouble.

Lili St. Cyr Remarries

Charles Van Doren reportedly confesses to getting answers for the TV game show "Twenty-One.'

Oct. 29, 1959: Americans are ashamed that the U.S. is behind the Soviets in the space race … And Lili St. Cyr is getting married to her sixth husband , Joseph Albert “Strong Boy” Zomar.

Doctor Dumped Severed Body Into Creek, Chauffeur Says

Labor activists in Indianapolis set off four precisely timed bombs targeting a contractor using non-union workers. One bomb destroyed a barn at his home, two bombs wrecked buildings under construction and the fourth damaged a building at his plant.

A chauffeur testifies in the trial of Dr. George A. Fritch, accused of killing Maybelle Millman of Ann Arbor, saying that  Fritch threw three heavy sacks into Ecorse Creek.   "Have you been killing someone?" the chauffeur asked. "You are not supposed to know anything," the doctor replied. "Millman's body was found in three sections in sacks in Ecorse Creek and lower Detroit River early last September. The police decided the body showed evidence of a criminal operation," The Times says.

Paul V. Coates -- Confidential File, Sept. 30, 1959

Sept. 30, 1959: Paul Coates on a young con man, and on the tragic tale of Barbara Burns, the daughter of Bob "Bazooka" Burns.

Bathhouse Planned for Wilshire District

Sept. 14, 1919: An elaborate bathhouse is planned for 4th Street between Vermont and New Hampshire.   View Larger Map

Dr. Elmer E. Stone plans a spa and athletic club. It's unclear from The Times' clips whether this was actually built.  March 30, 1919: Two new homes in Schmidt Heights.

Santa Monica Dedicates Pier

Sept. 10, 1909: Edward Henry Harriman, "the master builder of railways," dies after a long illness, but the news is withheld from reporters until the stock market closes. Cmdr. Robert Peary files Part 2 of his description of discovering the North Pole. Evan Williams sings "Auld Lang Syne." RCA Victor records cost $23.67 to $35.51 USD 2008. A map shows the extent of Harriman's railroad holdings. "Los Angeles people were accustomed to think of E.H. Harriman as a distant magnate who owned some railroads away off somewhere. When the commercial associations of this city appointed committees to ask him for new depots, they always spoke of 'you' and of 'our city.' But in reality, it was more Harriman's city than theirs.... He controlled two, and probably all three, of the transcontinental railroads which connect Los Angeles with the East. He owned an even half-interest in the great Pacific Electric system, the greatest interurban trolley road in the world." Harriman was "bold, astute and energetic." Smashed sledges and frostbite on Peary's trip north.

"Admission Day's principal celebration in Los Angeles County yesterday centered at Santa Monica, where representative citizens gathered in thousands to join with the old city by the sea in the dedication of its municipal pier, which is declared to be the best of its kind ever committed to public use, and unique in many respects." The Los Angeles Motorcycle Club holds its annual meet at Ascot Park. The winner of the five-mile race rode an Indian motorcycle. "While sleeping?"     "...gathered as it has been from every part of the world, there cannot fail to come out from California in the years and centuries to come, men that shall do honor to their progenitors, and do honor to the nation, of which this state shall be one of the most proud." [Applause.]"

When 'Bull' Durham Became 'Steer' Durham

 

Sept. 8, 1919: "Bull" Durham with calf-maker intact and a white spot in the shape of the United States. That's one patriotic head of livestock! March 23, 1924: Bull Durham -- redesigned. The U.S. map is gone and the calf-maker has been turned into mountain oysters.

And then there was the dark day when "Bull" Durham became "Steer" Durham because some ad director was worried about offending delicate sensibilities. I suppose this says something about America gradually losing touch with its rural roots as the 20th century unfolded, but frankly I just find this damn funny.

Seeking Remedies for Anti-Drug Law

Sept. 6, 1919: Looking for a way to save money on clothes in Bud Fisher's "Mutt and Jeff."

Doctors, druggists and a revenue agent seek ways for patients who legitimately need narcotics to  get them after passage of the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act. "The Harrison Anti-Narcotic law now does not provide for the treatment of those who have contracted the habit through illness. If opium was taken away from everyone tonight, it would mean that before morning scores of pharmacies would be broken into and thousands of dollars' worth of drugs stolen, for a drug addict will take hazardous chances to obtain the opiate he desires," Dr. John V. Barlow says. It's been a while since The Times brought out a farm and tractor issue.