Judge, 1919-07-05 · page 7 of 36
Judge — July 5, 1919 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Concerning Cellars" - Satire on Prohibition-Era Storage This article satirizes how American homeowners have suddenly begun treating cellars as valuable spaces during Prohibition (implied by references to "liquid refreshment" and storing goods). **The joke:** In the pre-Prohibition past, cellars were dumping grounds for unwanted heirlooms and junk. Now they're meticulously organized and proudly displayed to guests—because they're secretly storing alcohol. The author mockingly suggests installing "electric lights, a victrola, and an ice box" to make cellars social centers, predicting they'll replace parlors entirely. **The satire's target:** The hypocrisy and desperation of Americans evading Prohibition laws by converting basements into speakeasies and storage facilities. The piece pokes fun at homeowners' elaborate pretense that they're simply being tidy, when they're obviously stockpiling contraband. The accompanying illustration shows socialites and gentlemen in formal dress observing the cellar activities—reinforcing that illegal alcohol consumption had become fashionable among the upper classes.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by Rav Roun Concerning Cellars By Curroro Hortaxper SN’T it peculiar how important the cellar has become In the olden days the immense gilt-edged picture which showed grandfather wear- all of a sudden? ing his medals and Civil War uniform, the old baby carriage, and _ mother-in- law’s teapot (which she in- herited from her maiden aunt) were all consigned to the cellar. Once a year you would go down and rum- mage around, emerging with black hands and an irrita- ble disposition. Now cellars are being cleaned out, white-washed, and treated as if they were really an important part of the house. Almost daily boxes and barrels are being gently carried down the steps and carefully deposited in a corner. The boxes are then arranged in order like a tie-rack. Everything is separated as neatly as the collars, shirts, and hand- kerchiefs in your dresser. Now, instead of taking his guests in the parlor and Riva. Atrractions Drawn by Cuaupe Marni. Sace Brusu Steve SHoots THE VILLAIN IN tHE Nick or Time 7 ointing with pride to an original Rembrandt or a rare Louis XIV chair that is propped up ina corner to pre- vent it from collapsing, the man-of-the-house escorts his callers into the cellar and proudly indicates the lay of the land and rattles off figures as to how many years he can last without putting in a fresh supply. It won’t be long before the smoking-room will be- come a thing of the past, like lace cuffs and hansoms. Now when the boys drop in for a pinochle game and some liquid refreshment, it will be the proper thing to lead the thirsty gang into the cellar where the smoke and clinking of glasses is not apt to wake up baby. And why not go a little further? Install electric lights, a victrola, and an ice box. Then when the folks want to dance the cellar will be the logical place to go to. In time the parlor and smoking- room will become about as useful as snowshoes in Egypt. This year will mark a new epoch in history— the cellar will come. into its own! comicbooks.com