Judge, 1922-11-18 · page 12 of 36
Judge — November 18, 1922 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Liberty" and the Pursuit of Happiness This Judge magazine page satirizes U.S. Navy leisure activities circa WWI era. "Jack" is slang for a common sailor. The piece mocks naval shore leave pastimes—horse racing, sports competitions, and recreation—as frivolous yet necessary morale-boosters for enlisted men. The satire operates on two levels: it gently ridicules sailors' simple pleasures (greased pole fights, pickle riding, potato races) while simultaneously suggesting that even "dull" sailors deserve downtime. The photographs document actual naval sports and activities. The final caption's reference to scrapping battleships appears political commentary, likely questioning military spending priorities or naval policy debates of the period. Overall, the article presents navy life as simultaneously serious work and justified leisure, using humor to humanize working-class servicemen during a militarily significant era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OFF TO THE RACES This seems an asinine way to spend a day ashore, but the gob would be the donkey if he walked. Photographs by R. E. WAYNE, Navy Yard, Charleston, S. Cc. SMITH, S. Savan- Lt. Com. WELL, New ia - MOVING DAY The gob is always capable of mak- ‘Liberty ”’ and the Pursuit of Happiness Despite his love of work, it isn’t a difficult matter to induce “Jack” to lay off for an hour or two to indulge in a bit of non- sense. Yes, yes, you said it—the longer the better. SPORTS IN THE NAVY— GREASED POLE FIGHT And if you think a gob doesn’t ing at least three knots under his own steam. cuddle up to a fight, just start something. The potato race is guaranteed to take the labor out of Labor Day. ANY SPORT IN A STORM Coaling Olympia at Spalato. A pineapple “Pickle riding” makes good sport. But! Try to ride one; and if you get into deep water, don’t forget to pipe the lifeboat just before you go down for the third time. All dressed up and no place to go is a phrase that makes “Jack” a dull boy. feast in Honolulu. We’re just wondering what would have happened to our foreign “relations” if they had scrapped the battleships.