Distinction. In Detroit, after the suburb of Highland Park put up boundary signs saying, "You are now entering the city of lower taxes," the city council voted to put up counter-signs: "You are now leaving Detroit, where life is worth living."

Reconnaissance. In Denver, when Hotel Clerk P. C. Taylor told a would-be holdup man, "You'd better get out of here," the gunman retreated, whining: "I'll be back with someone who has more nerve than I have . . ."

Family Circles. In Leeds, England, Robert Davies got a divorce after he charged that his wife pulled the bath mat from under his feet while he was shaving. In Los Angeles, Mrs. Calogera Cassaro, suing for divorce after 64 years of marriage, charged that although her 86-year-old husband is ablebodied, lately he has been living "in idleness, profligacy and dissipation."

R.S.V.P. In Santa Monica, Calif., police had no trouble tracking down Allen Levoff, suspected of robbing the Bay Cities Transit Co. safe: he had dropped his wallet containing his felon's identification card near the office.

Vital Statistics. In Tokyo, the Public Health Bureau announced the results of a survey of "democratic" habits: male college students choose as their kissing partners 1) coeds 60% of the time, 2) waitresses 20% of the time, 3) maids 10%, 4) other females 10%.

Extenuation. In San Diego, Lloyd Sampsel sent a notarized statement to the Bureau of Internal Revenue promising to attend to his tax forms as soon as possible and explaining why he was late in filing: he was in jail for murder.

Growing Pains. In Taylorville, Ill., Bill Grant, manager of a chain of movie theaters, received a $5 bill and an anonymous letter: "This money is in payment for the times. I lied about my age in order to get into the show for half price . . ."

Craftsman. In Columbus, Ohio, Kenneth L. Scott, after admitting that he broke into eleven safes, assured police: "I'm the third best safecracker in the country, and I'm. not sure the other two are better."

Background Material. In Manhattan, when Waiter George Tucker was fired because his boss thought that Tucker's urge to write a novel might possibly embarrass patrons, New York State Mediation Board Arbitrator Sidney A. Wolff handed down the ruling for his reinstatement: "To deny a would-be author employment . . . might well stifle literary and creative genius."

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