Judge, 1927-05-14 · page 7 of 36
Judge — May 14, 1927 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Page This page contains two distinct elements: **Top cartoon**: Satirizes advertising's pervasive influence on nature itself. An artist attempts to paint a landscape, but advertisements have literally invaded the scenery—billboards and commercial messages cover the terrain. The caption comments that advertisements are "the only bit of nature around here that hasn't been defaced," suggesting ironic despair about commercialism's dominance. **"Spring Idyll" story**: A narrative about Mr. Winthrop Hamilton, a company president, pondering whether to give employees a half-day holiday. He worries they'd spend time at movies or pool halls instead of productive leisure. The accompanying illustration shows a conjurer (magician), though its connection to the narrative text is unclear from this image alone. Both pieces critique early 20th-century American capitalism and leisure culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE “T'll paint this cloud effect seems to be the only bit of nature around here that hasn’t been defaced by Spring Idyll Mr. Winthrop Hamilton, presi- dent of the Hamilton Nut, Bolt and Washer Corporation, gazed out of his office window at the green hills and — shimmering stream in the distan Truly, Spring was dancing in o’er valley and hill and Mr. Hamilton's pulse beat increased to 84 per minute as the Red Gods called to him. From the outer office came the clicking of typewriters and the whirring of the adding machines. Telephone bells jangled and a babel of voices proclaimed that the faithful employees of his com- pany were assiduously perform- ing their appointed tasks. Oce: sionally a little gust of aromatic air blew in from the open window and once Mr. Hamilton’s pulse beat reached the unprecedented high for that year of 85. Shall I declare a half holi- 2 he mused, half to himself and half to his cigar. ‘‘Shall_ I leave for the links and allow these faithful boys and girls to leave their machines for one after- noon?” d The night the conjurer was ossified. —advertisements!” Should he? Well, if he let them go what would they do? They'd probably waste the after noon in pool parlors or at the movies. The girls would spend this and next weck’s salary shop ping. Many might pack indi- gestible lunches and go to. the country only to contract bad cases of poison ivy and colds in. the head. Long he pondered. ” he said, half aloud, “they are my boys and girls and it is my responsibility to keep them out of mischief. How much better for these young people to get out the monthly statements, post last week's in voices and pleasantly occupy their impressionable minds until five o'clock. Ah, if they only realized, I am more than an employer—I am a father to them.” Mr. Hamilton wiped away a sentimental tear of pardonable pride, lit a fresh cigar and seized his golf clubs. “Oh, Miss Huteh- ins.” he called out, “I won't be back today.” —Arruer T.. Lippmann comicbooks.com