100 years ago
GE starts draftsmen school
The General Electric Company in Schenectady announced a program for area boys who graduated high school but could not pursue college; the company started a draftsmen's school where recent graduates would be assured a thorough education through a three-year course in drafting. The students would be paid as they learned and promotions would also be given as merited. That was the good news coming out of GE. On the same day, the moulders of the Schenectady plant, as well as others throughout the country, went out on a sympathetic strike with the moulders in Erie, Pa. Officials with the company publicly worried that the strikes would eventually force the closures of all the plants in the country, throwing thousands of employees out of work, and here in Schenectady, devastating the city's economy.
— Times Union, June 5, 1920
50 years ago
Police use 'community relations bus'
The Albany Police community relations bus drove into various areas of the city and encouraged residents to come in and talk. When the 1970 blue Dodge bus pulled in to the South End Adult Learning Center, bystanders were amused by the friendly signs posted on the bus. "Come in and suggest how we can help one another," said one. "Police community relations officers inside. Step in and get acquainted," announced another. One of the long-standing problems in community relations was that the public was reluctant to visit the police station, said Capt. Kaye Sorenson, head of the Albany police department's new community relations unit. He said the idea of the bus was to bring the police to the people. Equipment in the $9,500, 24-passenger bus included a public address system that hooked into the two-way radio, lighting that could be plugged into a regular house outlet and removable seats for setting up tables and exhibits.
— Times Union, June 5, 1970
Looking Back is compiled by C.J. Lais Jr. and Azra Haqqie.