Life, 1912-06-27 · page 40 of 45
Life — June 27, 1912 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page's main satirical piece is "A Vital Issue," a story about newspaper writer Jim Evans. Judge Brentano recounts Evans's employment history: Evans repeatedly quit jobs after disagreeing with employers over political questions of "national importance." The joke targets rigid ideological partisanship. Evans's inability to compromise on politics—even minor policy disagreements—caused him to abandon positions repeatedly. When the lawyer tries to shake Evans's testimony by questioning his job-hopping, Evans admits the real reason: irreconcilable political differences. Judge Brentano later compliments Evans as "a hard man to get along with" due to his "set political ideas"—ostensibly praise, but clearly satirizing stubborn dogmatism that sabotages practical employment. The piece mocks both inflexible employees and the era's intense partisan divisions that made everyday professional relationships difficult. It suggests that strict political ideology, while admirable in principle, becomes counterproductive when applied absolutely.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CERES REFINEMENT Rather than show characterizes these Krementz Bodkin-Clutch Studs and Vest Buttons with Cuff Links to match. Suitable for all full dress occasions. ‘The finest mother-of-pearl with platinum mount- ed pearl centers. They go in like a Needle And Hold like an Anchor without marring the shirt front. Leading jewelers can show you many | designs. Booklet on request. KREMENTZ & CO. 60 Chestnut Street - - Newark, N.J. Makers of the Famous Krementz Collar Button A Vital Issue At the meeting of the Ilinois Bar As. sociation at the Hotel La Salle Judge Theodore Brentano of the Superior Court told of a case tried before hin eral years at which the late Jim Evans, a widely known and_yniversally liked newspaper writer, was a witness Evans had n important evidence and the opposing attorney was doing his best to shake his testimony He had made Evans go back over his and was questioning him re- ifferent positions he had held, Jim WA¥ telling of a period of his carly newspaper days when he had hebl s and none for long. where did you go?” thundered ¢ lawyer after Evans had told of work few days in the Southwest. re . Texas, Worked two weeks,” replied Evans. “Why did you change?” asked the lawyer. “My boss and I could not agree upon estion of national policy,” was the RTSHO ROLLERS Origteal sad ung wer. Wood “Then where did you go?” “To New Orleans. week. Left there in a 1 what was the reason this from the attorney. thing,” answered Evans with a smile. “The proprietor and I found that we did not agree upon a political question of national importance.” rl nswer was given as Evans told of numerous other places he had taken and given up. | The attorney finally gave up his atttempt to break dows Zvans with the remark: “You must | a hard man to get along with if you has such set political id A few days after the case had bee decided Judge Brentano met Evans ¢ the street he asked, “ ational impor The Way to Solve the Problem of Comfortable Wholesome Living The New Suburb @ A series of articles by high authorities on the planning and build- ing of the ideal town. Beautifully illustrat- ed with photographs of model towns and homes in England and America. In the July Number of SCRIBNER’S MAGAZINE $3.00 a year; 25¢. a number CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS New York The Garden Cities of England BY FREDERIC C. HOWE President of the People’s Institute, New York “This is England's latest, possibly her great- est, contribution to the city problem, to the housing of the workingmen, the clerks, and the moderately well-to-do classes of the great cities.” Model Towns in America BY GROSVENOR ATTERBURY Architect of the Sage Foundation at Forest Hills, L. |. An account of “the first serious attempt in America to formulate the subject of city and town planning under our native conditions and to meet our distinctive problems.” The New Suburb of the Pacific Coast BY ELMER GREY One of the Best Known Architects of the Coast A survey of the many beautiful suburbs from California to Oregon. The Heart of the Hills BY JOHN FOX, JR. Mountain Climbing in Alaska by a Woman—Dora Keen Beautifully illustrated with photographs by the author. Ite comicbooks.com