Judge, 1918-06-22 · page 33 of 36
Judge — June 22, 1918 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a government propaganda advertisement, not satire, published during World War I. It announces June 28th as "National War Savings Day"—a coordinated national campaign to pressure Americans into purchasing War Savings Stamps (bonds). The appeal uses patriotic rhetoric and emotional manipulation: it frames buying stamps as supporting soldiers who are "giving their lives," positioning financial contributions as a moral obligation. The advertisement emphasizes the investment is "safe" (4% interest, redeemable at post offices), attempting to overcome public hesitation. The phrase "What are you lending?" is the key rhetorical move—reframing compulsory financial pressure as voluntary patriotic duty. Local "War Savings Committees" would organize the "rally" to ensure widespread participation, suggesting social coercion was built into the campaign structure. Published in *Judge* (a humor magazine), this appears as serious wartime messaging rather than satirical content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
epair nany ir of spec- said XUM June 22, 1918 RANA National War Savings Day June 28" That’s the day we sign up. That’s the day we tell Uncle Sam just how hard we want to win this war. War Savings Stamps. That’s the day our government has officially set for us to purchase On June 28th every man, woman and child in the United States will be called upon to pledge his or her full quota of War Savings Stamp purchases for 1918. You will be expected to pledge the full amount that you can afford—no more—but by the same token, no less. In every state, county, city, town and village the War Savings Committees are preparing for this big patriotic rally of June 28th. Unless you have already bought War Savings Stamps to the $1,000 limit, get busy with paper and pencil and figure out the utmost you can do. Remember this. You take no chances when you go the limit on War Savings Stamps. They are the best and safest investment in the world. They pay you 4% interest compounded quar- terly. They can’t go below par. You can get back every dollar you put into War Savings Stamps any time you need it. You can turn them in at the Post Office any time for their full value plus interest. Uncle Sam is asking hundreds of thousands of men to give their lives to their country. He is asking you only to lend your money. What are you lending? This space contributed for the Winning of the War by The Publisher of Judge UNE comicbooks.com