I am reading a book called Industrial Valley, by Ruth McKenney, about Akron in the Great Depression. It was originally published in 1939 as a compilation of true events as shared by a newspaper reporter. Behold one of my favorites so far (everything following is directly quoted from the book):
Haw! ~ October 19, 1934
All of Akron laughed today when the Times-Press published the calling cards of a bevy of flashing-eyed local prostitutes. “I am working my way through Akron University,” said the cards. “I live in a hotel protected by the city for twenty-five years.”
The Times-Press solemnly denounced the city police for allowing ladies of the evening to go around advertising they were co-eds at the city institution of learning. Akron University officials solemnly denied that any prostitutes were working their way through their college, and Akron police denied that they had been protecting any “hotels” for twenty-five years or any other period of time, indeed, and forsooth!
Mayor Honest Ike Myers added the final fillip to the town’s best joke in months when, asked if he knew about women “soliciting” on the streets, saying they were Akron University co-eds, he replied, “Girls at Akron University begging dimes to get through college?”
“No, no, Mayor” chorused the reporters, and told the old man the facts of life.
