Judge, 1924-06-21 · page 12 of 36
Judge — June 21, 1924 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Improving the Game" - Judge Magazine Satire The main cartoon mocks an insufferable "helpful hints" columnist who won't stop dispensing domestic advice, even as an angry mob gathers at a baseball stadium. His tips—repurposing old car parts and tires into household items—are so tedious that the crowd becomes hostile. He frantically climbs a gasoline tank to keep talking until police finally remove him. The satire targets the early 20th-century craze for household economy tips and upcycling advice, which saturated magazines and newspapers. The joke is that this advice-peddler is so compulsively helpful and oblivious to his audience's contempt that even a mob of angry baseball fans can't silence him. The header suggests serving tea at baseball games (mimicking English cricket) as an alternative way to "elevate" the sport—itself a gentle jab at pretentiousness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IMPROVING THE GAME The tone could be elevated considerably by adopting the English cricket custom of serving tea to Helpful Hinting E Was quite an old fellow. In his prime he had conducted a “helpful hints” department for a household maga- zine. The sight of so many scrapped and discarded automobiles revived his inge- nuity and gave it new impetus. “Old slip-covers,” he babbled, “with a draw-string inserted through the neck, make dainty and serviceable laundry bags.” At first they regarded him tolerantly. A moment more and he burst forth afresh. “Old automobile tires make picture frames. Gilded, they thing in which to enclo: ments of family port Several hands grippe Amirable are just the crayon enlarge- it his arm, but he shook them off, saying firml ck of some soft material, sewed to the rim of an old steering wheel and set off with bows of red or blue satin ribbon, inake of it an ideal slipper-holder or catch- all for the bedroom. may be placed horizor right Or, if desired, it uly: ovel ne and used as a workl the sewing-room.” the players midway of the afternoon. Low mutterings, punctuated by hostile . gave proof that flesh and blood could { but little more. Themob wasrising. 0 while there still is time.” some be- sought him. “Strang he sensing his peril [ was everybody one effort more.” Climbing a gasoline tank he addressed the crowd. “Friends,” mumbled to” himself, last. “Tn the nineties helper. I shall make 1 he pleadingly, “noth- ing mal intier gift or more welcome addition to the piano-top than an old mud-guard handpainted with red roses. Or, when fitted with gilt hooks, it may be hing on the wall and used to hold whisk- broom, buttonhook, shoehorn and so forth.” He left abruptly, helpfully hinting from a hollow square of polic Brotherly Love Colle Plains Home Tribune Plans White York Herald cadline in New Probably what they were trying to say was “Eternal Revenue.” 10 A Rule of Etiquette In drowning, the last straw should be grasped gently in the left hand, that the right may be free with which to wave farewell. Specific Fair Angler (to guide)—Now, remem- ber, please, that I desire to catch only fish that go well with tartar sauce. se Rumors are circulating that two entire fresh jokes were cracked at the opening of a musical comedy. Luckily, the orches- tra adhered to its principle of playing no words could be heard from ttt The tired business man’s ide fa total midsummer theatrical revue over the radio. rey Nobody knows the age of the world, but we all agree that it’s old enough to know better. comicbooks.com