Numbers, Please

I had to laugh at Patt Morrison’s column regarding the need to remember too many numbers. (“Dial M for Madness,” On the Town, Nov. 13). I, too, can remember my childhood telephone number, HUdson 2-9052, later HOllywood 2-9052. I also recall film detective Sam Spade’s license plate, 137596, and Central 102 for Maier Beer. Of course such information is useless when standing in front of an ATM wondering which PIN I need.

Carolyn Howard

Highland

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I have for quite a while enjoyed Morrison’s work on the “Life & Times” TV program, but her piece on the telephone exchanges truly delighted me. I thought I (at 76) was the only person who still remembered a phone number from the 1920s, and, yes, I still forget once in a while and give my home phone as GRanite 6 - - - -.

For your information, OX in Beverly Hills, where I used to live, was OXford, not OXnard. And don’t forget, we had CRestview as well.

Edward P. Goldsmith

Santa Monica

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Morrison replies: A Pacific Bell representative mistakenly informed me that OXnard was a Beverly Hills prefix. The prefix in question was indeed OXford, and it was one of several in the Beverly Hills exchange. Thanks for setting the record straight.