ST. LOUIS – The 3,500 union employees in the St. Louis breweries were notified this afternoon to strike as a result of a factional quarrel in Beer Drivers’ Local No. 43. The call for the strike was issued by officials of the International United Brewery Workers of America after a fruitless conference with the representatives of the breweries.

• To Let: Near Bates College, a lower tenement in excellent repair, with bath, hardwood floors, and part of stable. 247 College St.

• To Let: A downstairs tenement in first-class condition, with stable, 219 Summer St., Auburn.

50 years ago, 1958

• More than 60 Christian clergymen attended the first Institute on Judaism held yesterday at Beth Jacob Synagog. It was the first of its kind in New England, and all present favored continuing the institute on an annual basis.

• Industrial production slumped in February to the lowest level since December 1954, the Federal Reserve Board reported Monday. Its index dropped three points to 130 percent of the 1947-9 average.

• Maine public libraries received financial support at the rate of 94 cents for each resident of the state in 1956. That amounted to $860,275, but it still leaves Maine far below the level of support ($1.50) for adequate service.

25 years ago, 1983

• Lewiston and Auburn officials signed a 15-year agreement for cable service in the area only three years ago. But what is a “favorable” system to cable officials here is less than ideal to some city officials, who admit they had little bargaining power during contract negotiations. According to 1980 and 1981 figures in the 1982 edition of Cablefile, Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor residents paid higher rates than most, if not all, subscribers to other cable systems in Maine.

• Information compiled by the Maine Municipal Association shows that cable television is reaching about 75 percent of Maine’s population, with 20 companies servicing residents in about 150 communities.