Wrong Numbers

During the 23 years that President Ford lived in suburban Alexandria, Va., he kept a listed telephone number in an attempt to be available to his constituents. When Ford became Vice President nine months ago, he reluctantly took an unlisted number, and last February his old number was passed on to David Taylor, a postal worker, and his wife Alicia. Two or three times each day the Taylors got calls for the Fords. They found the calls intriguing--until Richard Nixon's presidency began to topple. Throughout resignation week, the calls came with nerve-jangling frequency, mostly from well-wishers urging Ford to prepare himself to assume the presidency. All told, the Taylors received 150 calls within the week, even though they often took the phone off the hook. Finally, their patience wearing thin, they requested a new phone number. Gerald Ford, of course, can now be reached at the White House.

But only if dialed with care. In Connecticut's area code 203, one digit away from Washington's 202 area code, Roland Booker, a cement finisher, and his wife Mona have the same phone number as the White House. Misdirected calls meant for Richard Nixon have be come part of their lives (three months ago an ambassador rang inquiring what time he should show up for dinner). During resignation week, they received an avalanche of calls urging Nixon to remain in office. But the Bookers have no plans to change their number and frankly enjoy having an accidental ear on history. This week they plan to visit Washington and tour the White House. They aren't worried about calling ahead to find out the tour schedule. Says Mona Booker: "We know the number."

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