Judge, 1918-06-22 · page 3 of 36
Judge — June 22, 1918 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem by Howard Dietz addresses General Crowder, the U.S. Provost-Marshal during World War I, who oversaw military draft administration. The satire targets Crowder's draft policies by cataloging occupations the author claims shouldn't be conscripted—gamblers, baseball players, clerks, waiters, peddlers, and others deemed "unessential" but who "look as though they shirk." The final plea is sarcastic: don't draft these "prolific 'potes' who write / What they call the free verse lay." Instead, make them do labor or write in traditional "rhyme and metre"—a jab at modernist free verse poetry as frivolous compared to wartime sacrifice. The author positions himself as this "old-fashioned bard" pleading for exemption. The decoration features figures in classical dress, referencing artistic/literary tradition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Decoration by H. Parmer “Wuat Tuey Catt tHe Free-Verse Lay” A Plea to the Provost-Marshal By Howarp Dietz ENERAL CROWDER, Provost- Marshal, I have read your most impartial Edict, and though it seems drastic I am quite enthusiastic. Laborers inconsequential Must be laborers essential. Gamblers, bucket-shop attendants, Those with millionaire dependents, Baseball-players, clerks, and waiters, Ushers, single-tax debaters, Palmists, clairvoyants, and peddlers, Heirs apparent, bums, and meddlers— All who look as though they shirk Must be made to fight or work. Provost-Marshal General Crowder, None could sing your praises louder— None thinks more of your decree Than do I—or is it me? Those who question your position Talk in terms of rank sedition; And the last to be unruly In this matter is Yours Truly. I am with you, General Crowder— Make the man who serves me chowder And the cabman and the callboy And the porter and the hallboy And the lawyer and librarian All of them utilitarian... . And to help you solve the question, Let me offer this suggestion: Doubtlessly you have intentioned Drafting callings I have mentioned. Rich will go as well as poor, But, dear General, please be sure That in drafting you don’t slight Those prolific “ potes” who write What they call the free verse lay— Make them toil some other way. Unrhymed verse cannot be irksome; General Crowder, make them work some. Make them labor, I entreat or Make them write in rhyme and metre. This the plea—though it seem hard— Of a good old-fashioned bard.