The style of many periodicals was more formal half a century ago. Where the language lived was on the sports pages. I also enjoyed the Police Gazette. However, all that said, I think that if you go back and look at the old papers/Reader's Digest etc., you'd see the simplicity of the writing.
The writing was NOT as "simplified" as you claim. But let's take on books,shall we? And I'm talking now about "pop culture";not any "highbrow" stuff. "CANDY",which isn't exactly great lit,used better language than what is sloughed off on today's populace as "great" modern works of literature.
And if you go back a bit farther,just look at the brilliant use of English in "THE WOMEN";even the movie.