Judge, 1924-08-09 · page 8 of 36
Judge — August 9, 1924 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Public Encumbrances" - Judge Magazine Satire This page satirizes civic complaints and social trends of the 1920s through mock "resolutions": **Political references:** Resolution (1) mocks the Democratic Convention, calling it a "Battle of the Century" — likely referencing a contentious party meeting. **Social satire:** - Resolution (3) ridicules "flappers" (young women) wearing knickerbockers (short pants), treating this fashion as a public nuisance - Resolution (4) jokes that the Public Library is "worse than useless" and should become a beauty salon — mocking both declining library use and the era's beauty culture boom - Resolution (5) suggests Hollywood represents moral decay, deserving the "Statue of Civic Virtue" **Other humor:** Side cartoons mock 1920s life—elderly men at burlesque shows, couples' repetitive "good nights," and rural boasting about automobile traffic as a status symbol. The overall tone satirizes both modern anxieties about changing morality and the vanity of civic institutions and social climbing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Public Encumbrances 'HE Committee for the Removal of Public Encumbrances met the other day. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed upon: (1) Resolved that Madison Square Garden be moved to Coogan’s Bluffs where it shall stand as a fitting monument to the Democratic Convention which may justly be termed the “Battle of the Century.” (2) Resolved that the Statue of Liberty be regarded from now on as the property of, (1) The United Association of Garage Owners, (2) The Poetical Societies of America. Air and verse are still free. (3) Resolved that all flappers wearing knickerbockers, found wandering at large upon streets within the city limits, be Fatuer—Well, this dang ukulele is good for something after all! taken to the Aquarium and confined in the Department of Poor Fish. (4) Resolved that the Public Library, which is now worse than useless, be transformed into a ladies’ tonsorial parlor to relieve congestion in barber shops in other parts of the city. (5) Resolved that the Statue of Civic Virtue be presented to Hollywood, that commonwealth, in the opinion of the committee, having earned it. Epwin Rutt. PAs Calf love lasts late in life. Notice the old men watching the bare legs at a burlesque show. Willie heard his mother say she wanted her palm read. Goop Nicut 11.15 p.at.—She—Well, good night, dear. He—Well, good night. 2.05 a.m.—She—Well, good night dear. He—Well, good night. 3.47 a.M.—She—Well, good night, dear. Gruff Male Voice from Top of Stairs— WELL! : He—Good night! DererMINING SoctaL Position IN THE Country “Sunday afternoon, I sat right here on this porch, an’ will you believe it, I counted 892 automobiles passing our house!” “Shucks,’tain’t nothin’. Mean’ Hiram counted 1,143 that passed our place.” comicbooks.com