Judge, 1918-03-09 · page 35 of 36
Judge — March 9, 1918 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **wartime public service advertisement**, not satire. During World War I, the U.S. military established "Smileage Books"—coupon booklets for entertainment at Liberty Theaters and camps to boost soldier morale. Judge magazine donates this advertising space to encourage civilians to purchase and send these books to soldiers in training. The product cost $1 (20 coupons) or $5 (100 coupons), with individual entertainments ranging from five to twenty-five cents. The "joke" in the title—playing on "mileage"—suggests soldiers would get "smiles per mile" from the entertainment. The detailed facts acknowledge this was a government-supervised program addressing soldier welfare during wartime mobilization. No political satire or caricature appears here; it's straightforward patriotic messaging encouraging home-front support.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
u do - two went two t the e got Jon’t u did You you z the ugar. . the Ited! rule March 9, 1918 Send to a Soldier HERES a royal gift for soldiers in training camps. A “Smileage Book” of tickets to “Liberty Theatre” entertainments. Splendid attractions—top-notch vaude- ville acts, concerts, lectures, motion pictures, etc, etc. Under government supervision. Clean, wholesome entertainment—laughter and fun galore. Your soldier will be de- lighted to receive a “Smileage Book.” Don’t fail to send him one. d This space is given free by JUDGE so that you may have an opportunity to send at least one:Smileage Book to one of our Soldier Boys. 1. Facts About Smileage Books Smileage Books are books containing coupons entitling a soldier to admis- sion to any entertainment held in Liberty Theaters, Liberty Tents, etc., National Army Cantonments and National Guard Camps in U. S. A. Smileage books are issued by Mili- tary Entertainment Committee, un- der supervision of War Department. Smileage Books containing 20 cou- pons cost $1 each. Smileage books containing 100 coupons cost $5.00 each. The price of entertainments range from five to twenty-five cents. Smileage books are for use in Liberty Entertainments in National Army Cantonments and National Guard Camps only. They do not apply to naval training stations or other camps. Smileage Books are on sale by local Smileage Committees everywhere throughout the country. There is space on each book for name of soldier and name of person sending book. Smileage books are trans- ferrable to soldiers in Uniform. They can be used by Civilians only when accompanied by a soldier. Sixteen theatres have been built. Chautauqua tents erected. A com- plete schedule of entertainments ar- ranged. Smileage Books are needed for our million of soldiers. Buy yours today send it at once to your soldier. comicbooks.com