[GreenKeys] re: What's this sign...??

[O. Warren]

Hi...

I'd say that this is either a "Telco" or a Western Union sign..

However, IF you want a more definitive reply, check with the Retired Western
Union Employee's Association site at www.rweuea.org ..  All the W.U.
historians are there, and I expect that they'd love to see it..

I've never been to either of the New York City (Manhattan) Western Union's
"Wire Chief's offices", nor their "Wire Rooms", (AKA a "Q Office"), either
at 60 Hudson Street or the one, but I've heard a lot about them, and I've
served as a Western Union "Wire Chief"...  For non W.U. people these are the
rooms where all the circuits come in and out of a city, to and from the
customer, or to and from branch offices....

I've served in both the Los Angeles and San Francisco buildings and it could
have applied to either of these as well as the Eastern Offices..

Again, IF you want a more definitive reply, check with the Retired Western
Union Employee's Association site at www.rweuea.org ..  All the W.U.
historians are there.

I'm guessing this sign is WW2  vintage.. and suspect that this sign came
from a Western Union  building and was used during wartime conditions when
the office building was busy with non W.U. people running around.  This
"open building with non W.U. people running around" is something that was
stopped and no longer allowed beginning in the late 60's, nationwide.

Interesting sign..  brings back memories..!!

Dick Warren
ocwarren@burgoyne.com