Judge, 1916-03-11 · page 9 of 28
Judge — March 11, 1916 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This story satirizes the obsessive "preparedness" movement sweeping America (likely pre-WWI, circa 1915-1916). Mr. Many A. Mann's entire day is consumed by preparedness-related obligations: Business Men's Preparedness League lunch, Better Defenses meetings, National Guard training. The satire works through ironic contrast: Mann claims not to have heard a sermon *about* preparedness, yet that message dominates his schedule anyway. A caller solicits donations "for the nation's preparedness." Even his wife's bridge party is rebranded a "Preparedness Bridge Party." The joke is that "preparedness" has become a catch-all justification for every social and civic activity—it's simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, a fashionable cause that obscures rather than clarifies actual concerns. The cartoon critiques how Americans invoke national defense rhetoric to organize their social lives, suggesting the movement had become more about social conformity than genuine strategy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Hostess BREAKING HEN Mr. Many A. Mann en- tered his business oflice, that morning, the newspaper he held in his hand displayed conspicuously the one topic—the one which nowa akes precedence over sting murder or eve C. of Preparednes a the circus poster headlines. “Congress Must Promptly Act,” chimed in the subheads, And that “the Na- tion demands defenses” was the conviction of every line of full display black-face type which dotted the text of the story. asked Mr. Many A. Mann. “Oh, about as usual,” replied his managing clerk. “Business Men’s Preparedness League luncheon at 12:30. At 2:30 you are booked for the directors’ meeting of that Better Defenses bunch. Guess that’s all—oh, no, I nearly forgot the Adequate Navy meet- ing at Of course you mustn’t forget your Guard training-school news “Well, what's on today said Mr. Many A, Mann. By ALBERT EB. Don't you feel better since we've been roughing it out here? “Good morning, Many,” said his partner, cheerily. ‘Great sermon, that, of Dr. Seventhly’s, yesterday.” “Didn't hear it,” said Mr. Many A. Mann. “Neither did I,” replied his partner. “Wife told me, though. The Doctor is up to date—live wire, all right. He hit them right where they live, on the folly of not being prepared both for this life and the life that is to come : “Indee ed Mr. Many A. Mann. ntering his private office his stenographer told him: “Gentleman called to sce you after you left yesterday.” “What did he want?” asked Mr. Many A, Mann. “He didn’t say how much,” was the reply. ‘(He spoke of the necessity of educating the nation up to preparedness and hoped you'd be liberal.” “Did, did he?” said Mr. Many A. Mann. The telephone rang. ‘‘It’s for you,” the stenographer said. Oh, good morning, Mr. Mann,” said the voice, ‘guess who thi: No? Well, now, that’s not very complimentary—you used to tell me I had the sweetest voice!—oh, no, I'll not tell your wife! Yes—that’s right—it’s me! I’m awfully sorry to bother you—and I apologize a million times, and all that—but I can’t get your house. Central is perfectly horrid sometimes and just tries to prevent your ting people, don’t you think? All I wanted was, Will you tell Mrs. Mann to be sure not to forget our Preparedness Bridge Party to-morrow? There's a dear!” IT TO HIM noyT comicbooks.com