President Roosevelt has come out squarely in favor of an eight hour day for housewives. He has nothing but contempt for the man who agitates for an eight hour day for himself while he has no objection to a sixteen hour day for his wife. To carry out the president’s view several substitutes for the house-wife must stand ready to relieve her when her eight hours are up or else the husband where the servant is kept must assume charge of the household, mind the baby, put the children to bed, mend the holes in their pants, darn their stockings and have everything in readiness for the next morning.
50 years ago, 1957
• Maine may be headed for a water shortage this summer, according to the latest report of Gordon S. Hayes, district engineer of the U.S. Geological Survey. Almost all of the reservoirs are at below average levels and the outlook for stream flow during June is “unfavorable.” One of the hardest hit lakes is Sebago which is only 22% full compared with 82% full at the end of May last year. The average level for this time of year is 84% full.
• A boiling mercury came within one notch of all-time record for the date here yesterday when it registered an official 92 degrees at 5 p.m. at the Union Water Power Co. gatehouse. many thermometers throughout the Twin Cities recorded marks above 100 degrees, with one reading reported 128 in the sun.
25 years ago, 1982
• Coin telephones in Lewiston are being modified so customers can make emergency and operator-handled long-distance calls without depositing a coin.
All pay phones in the Lewiston exchange are being equipped to provide the “Dial Tone First” service. Customers will find the dial tone on the line when they pick up the receiver and will be able to reach an operator for assistance without depositing coins.
• Contestants in the first Androscoggin Challenge Triathlon deserve applause for participating in the unusual combination of a 6-mile canoe run on the river, .25 miles by bicycle and a 6.5-mile run.
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