Judge, 1919-06-14 · page 12 of 36
Judge — June 14, 1919 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page contains two satirical pieces from Judge magazine: **Top section ("Genius or D.F?")**: Mocks the idea of reverting to pre-industrial generalist work. It sarcastically lists a real 1805 English man (William Hill) who held numerous simultaneous occupations (whitesmith, schoolmaster, tollkeeper, etc.). The satire argues this is inefficient compared to modern specialization—the opposite of what the opening rhetorical questions suggest. **Middle cartoon**: Shows a chaotic post office. The joke appears to reference how a government job (a "political plum"—a patronage appointment) turns out to be disappointing ("a lemon"), likely commenting on inefficiency or corruption in government-appointed positions. **Bottom sections**: Two brief satirical dialogue jokes—one about a statesman who's "losing prestige" because he hasn't proposed League of Nations amendments (topical to the post-WWI era), and another mocking a college professor's credentials based on wartime factory work rather than academic achievement. The overall theme criticizes both nostalgia for the past and contemporary institutional dysfunction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Genius or D. F.? | HEY say that successful work | depends upon energy and | ini and that nothing is | impossible to. strength and_per- severance. Why, _ then, h exclusive specialization in modern industry? Why not re- so vert to the good old times when | one man gathered into his own | hands as many occupations as possible? Would not Labor then be following the success of shire Potter, Fire-Lighter to the Dancing Master, Ringer of the Market Bell, Sherifi’s Officer's Deputy, Keeper and Deliverer of the Fair Standing Street, Sprinkler and Flour-seller, Cryer to the Coroner of the County, Inspector of Raw Hides and Skins, Ale Taster, Ticket De- liverer at the Fives’ Court, Fish- monger, Mace Bearer to the Stew- ard of the Manor, Clerk of the Vestry, Porter to the Grand Jury, Regulator of the Town Dial, ; Capital? Our antiquarian con- Beadle and Keeper of the Hog ' Iributor sends us, by way of ex- { _ | Pens.” 1) ample, the case of a man (as re- Drown by J. K. Wayans 7 7 yy ported in the New York Specta- Dose xx clinging gowne?” Rare Distinction oy tor of Jan. 16, 1805), named Wil- “ one cling to me till its “He's very prominent in the liam Hill, of the town of War- councils of State, isn’t he?” minster, England, who had the “He was, but he’s losing his following extraordinary notice on the front of his house: prestige. He is the only living statesman who hasn't pro- 4 “Whitesmith, G Schoolmaster, Watchman, Tooth- posed some amendments to the League of Nations.” ah: drawer, occasionally Shoemaker, Chapel Clerk, Cryer of the 4 Town, Running Footman, Groom, Organ Blower, Keeper of the Hire Education i! Town Hall, Letter Carrier, Winder of the Town Clock, Toller “He seems to be extremely well educated for a college pro- ! of the Curfeu Bell, Waiter and Billpaster, Bucket-mender, Toll- fessor.” t taker at the Baliff of the Hundred, Assistant to the Stafford- “Yes, during the war he worked in an ammunition factory.” Wy Drawn by C. J. Tarvon In tue Centrat Accountinc Vittace Post Orrice “Pop, I thought you said this was a political plum.” thought $0, son.” “Tt looks to me like a lemon!" 12 ROLES comicbooks.com