Word: railroads
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...such leading markets as New York City, Houston and San Diego. The company's brashly imitative advertising campaign tells customers to "reach out and touch someone. But do it for half of what Bell charges." Meanwhile, ITT, Western Union and even the parent corporation of the Southern Pacific railroad have started up similar operations...
...their long hours, Wilkie and Bradley fared much better than less celebrated colleagues. While the little-shots settled for free beer and sandwiches at a press lounge funded by the railroad industry lobby, the Globe contingent was enjoying a final $300 expense account lunch at Luchow's (chosen because it was a favorite hangout of Convention Chronicler H.L. Mencken...
...caste system was most evident in access to news sources. While reporters from small news organizations were watching the action on television sets in the railroad lounge, White House "regulars" were able to get private telephone numbers and appointments. One day at the Carter press center, aides quietly told the regulars that Jody Powell was about to have a briefing in the back room. About 50 people drifted in-but at least that many sat in the front room completely oblivious. Said Wilkie: "It's not the individual, it's the institution that counts-the newspaper...
There are other facets of the conventions the TV cameras ignore--the railroad press lounge in the Garden basement, for example, where employees of the railway lobby distribute free beer, sandwiches, and advice about the need for more government subsidies to the rail industry. But the biggest distortion of the TV broadcasts is their ability to add excitement where it doesn't exist, and paradoxically, to miss the spirit during the few moments of true emotion...
Sellers loved gadgets, too. He once owned a garage laid with 500 feet of model railroad track. He bought more than 50 cars in his day, and loved his Rolls-Royce as much as the next guy. His prized toy was a life-sized mechanical elephant...