Judge, 1918-04-13 · page 11 of 36
Judge — April 13, 1918 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes tailors' economic struggles. The top illustration shows a customs inspection scene—likely referencing travel between America and France, a common Judge magazine topic. The main article by Kenneth L. Roberts humorously details tailors' predicaments: customers demand quick turnaround times while refusing prompt payment, argue about fit ("between the shoulders and around the collar"), and expect cheap work. Roberts notes tailors deserve commendation for remaining "light-hearted" despite perpetually unpaid bills—the irony being their situation would depress anyone. The Winfred Jones illustration of a camel adds whimsy: the camel doesn't worry about milk prices because he has his "drom-e-dary" (dromedary—pun on the animal itself). The brief "Off Ox" anecdote mocks pessimist J. Fuller Gloom, who won't even confirm basic facts like sunrise/sunset—absurdist humor highlighting unreasonable customer attitudes tailors endure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Passinc THE FRENCH “What have you to declare, Monsieur?” Customs The Tailor'and His Problems HE tailor is a person who makes garments for the human race ata price which is several dollars more than the human race likes to pay, and several dollars less than the tailor thinks he ought to get in order to be quite comfortable. The chief problem which confronts the tailor is that of making adequate replies to customers who are con- vinced that their coats do not fit properly between the shoulders and around the collar. One of the greatest handicaps of the tailoring business is the insist- ence of patrons on having their suits made in the shortest possible time, and their reluctance to pay for the suits while the tailor By Kennet L. Roperts FP Drawen by Wixirren Jones O sce the cheerful camel kid, With his manner light and airy; What cares he for the price of milk ? He’s got his drom-e-dary. is still alive. Since it is a well known fact that hope de- ferred maketh the heart sick, the average tailor is to be highly commended for keeping so comparatively light-hearted in spite of his frequently-de- ferred hopes in the matter of prompt payments. The Off Ox “But you will at least agree that the sun invariably rises in the cast and sets in the west, and——” “Not at all!’ interrupted J. Fuller Gloom. “I admit that such has been the case lately, but I do not know what it will be tomorrow.”