Judge, 1919-04-26 · page 11 of 32
Judge — April 26, 1919 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Broadway (J.A. Waldron, Judge Magazine) This is a celebratory poem about Broadway, New York's famous theater district, decorated with period illustrations of well-dressed urban characters. The poem romanticizes Broadway as an irresistible attraction drawing all social classes—millionaires, "willing fair" women, rural visitors ("hicks"), and con artists ("the slick"). It depicts Broadway as uniquely magnetic compared to other cities' entertainment districts, with "a thousand lanes" converging on its sights and millions worldwide wishing they were there. The refrain, "The fool will always lose his goat / But who can rock Broadway?" suggests Broadway's power is unshakeable—while foolish individuals may lose their way or money elsewhere, no one can disrupt Broadway's dominance as America's premier entertainment destination. The decorative illustrations show fashionably dressed figures in early 20th-century attire, reinforcing the glamorous, cosmopolitan image. This is essentially promotional verse celebrating Broadway's cultural supremacy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BRO A DW A By J. A. Watpron Decorations by Lawrence Fettows IVE: fool will always lose his goat, 7 Wherever he may stray; The fool ill alzeays rock the boat— But eho can rock Broadway? Each city has a thoroughfare that magnetizes man: A road or highway, broad and fair, that austere persons ban; A causeway trod by dancing feet of those whose mood is gay— But where is there another screet that collocates Broadway? The Mecca of the millionaire, who on its crest may ride; The pathway of the willing fair, who ornament its tide; The one-day playground of the hick, who shrinks his slender roll; The Land of Promise of the slick, who gather all the toll! A thousand lanes and side-paths throng, converging on its sights; And millions who elsewhere belong are telling of its nights; While other pikes are known to fame in other cities fair, The world pronounces Broadway’s name and wishes it were there! The fool will alvays lose his goat, Wherever he may play; The fool will always rock the boat— But « ? ho can rock Broad: ae ee fp, ee