Judge, 1920-06-26 · page 31 of 37
Judge — June 26, 1920 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks labor union rhetoric and worker complaints of the era. The "diary" presents a factory worker who paradoxically lives a privileged lifestyle—arriving by limousine, employing a valet, attending theaters with dates—while simultaneously complaining about "high cost of living" and "measly wages" to coworkers. The joke targets union activists and labor organizers (referenced by the "talking delegate" discussing worker protections). The satire suggests that workers claiming poverty are actually living comfortably, and that union demands for fair pay and workplace conditions are hypocritical or exaggerated. The worker stops his lathe repeatedly for non-work reasons while framing minor inconveniences as hardships worthy of union action. This reflects post-WWI American anxiety about labor movements and the legitimacy of worker grievances during a period of significant labor unrest.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
G1 ne 26, 1920 A Day Froma Worker's Diary | By Ge T. Evan OKE up by valet at usual unseemly 3 i WW Stour. hic ureaktast in hurys had EGYPTIAN only a grapefruit, a little oatmeal, a juple of slabs of bacon, a quarter's worth of resh eggs, a few slices of toast with creamery tter, and a cup of Java with four lumps of gar. Got into limousine and started for shop “The Utmost in Cig arettes” Reached shop three minutes before starting Plain End or ( Cork Tip ime, and had to call down my new chauffeur; old him the union wouldn't stand for such fool- sromptness, and he promised to be more careful Punched time-clock at 7:30 sharp, then re People of culture and eved street clothes and put on working duds. i Had a good-natured scufile with the blacksmith refinement invariably nda debate on the National League, Gompers PREFER. Deities ind the Latest: shade for neckties with windy Wilmot. Started my lathe at 8:02; stopped it toany other cigarette. it 8:04, as it sounded as if it was going to wjueak. — Loo! for oil-can and found it on oor. Can was emp so I went to tank to fill life it. Met Bill Strutman on the way, and had a talk with him on the high cost of living, and the neasly wages we were getting. Filled oil-can, nd got back to lathe at 9:21. Oiled lathe Started it at o Sh x — Stopped lat 52. as T discovered toot | Hotes of the Hafert Gude Tats needed! grinding. Removed tool, and started | 27 23pt Goanirnlt Meld \ grindstone. Found stone out of order and © men waiting for it to be repaired. Grind- ss stone repaired at 10:10, and my tum to grind me at 10:34 nd reached lathe in at 10:45 1 a had lathe ining at 10:49. Stoppe At 10:33, be- use it made so much noise [ couldn't hear the Iking delegate, who had called to discuss the proposed resol mpel employers to pay every man for tim r » cating Delegate left at rrs32, and [Thad lathe gi again at 11:33. Noticed belt was slipping, so hut down lathe at 11:35 and ¢ menced short- ening belt. Left off shortening belt at tr:43 to wash and i t ready for lunch. Resumed wo n itorirt, and finished at 2:00. Felt thirsty took a stroll to the water tank for a drink. Found there was no ice in tank, and waited for piece to put in and the vater to cool, Had drink and returned to lath Started lathe at 2:20. Stopped lathe at 2:20 nd went to window 2 ci parade es Se Wy Parade was about an hour in passing, on ac count of being held up by trolley wreck. Reached lathe again at 3:38 and started it Had to stop lathe at 3:43; realized L was out ¢ of tobacco. As Ked new man who runs the t der tol ith move daner at other end of shop for a chew hew. New man told me he knew my old changed clothes, and was ready to punch time: dressed for theatre. Went to theatre with Miss hum, Jack Davis. Had a very interesting chat clock six minutes before quitting time. De La Montaine; had box. Saw “Giving His with him about Jack. Started lathe again at Punched timeclock at 5:00 and was in Blood For Wages.” Great! True to life. After 4:30 and made excess profits for the firm till limousine at s:o1. Went to Oriental Cafeteria the atre had light feed with Miss D. at the White 3:50, when I stopped lathe for the day. Washed and had dinner, Reached home and was Took Miss D. in taxi to her home apartments soon after 1:00. Un dressed. Went to bed, to get strength for an- 1Oo¢ 2. FANE KATIA meen With or Without the * a) FOR HEADACHE, NEURALGIA, INFLUENZA AND ALL PAIN You can dam water, as every one Oh, yes! you needn't doubt it, at doesn’t excuse the profanity comicbooks.com A