Life, 1912-10-03 · page 40 of 56
Life — October 3, 1912 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two main satirical pieces mocking corruption and social hypocrisy: **"A Natural Inquiry"** references the 1912 murder of gambler Herman Rosenthal in New York, where police allegedly allowed assassins access to their victim at the Hotel Metropole. The joke: a tired man accosted by a policeman sarcastically asks, "Who you fellers fixin' to shoot now?"—mocking widespread public suspicion that police were complicit in or enabled the killing. **"How Could She Tell?"** satirizes racial prejudice in hiring. A Black woman applies for domestic work, having seen an ad requesting "German or Scandinavian sisters." When the mistress clarifies they wanted white applicants, the woman notes the ad didn't specify race—exposing the hypocrisy of discriminatory hiring practices. Both pieces critique institutional corruption and racism through ironic understatement, typical of *Life*'s satirical approach to contemporary scandals and social injustice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Natural Inquiry Immediately following the murder of the gambler Rosenthal, in New York, the papers were full of stories to the effect. that members of the uniformed police force cleared the street in front of the Hotel Metropole in order that the assassins might pot their vietim without interruption. A night or two after the killing a very tired man was clinging to an awning post opposite the Metropole, in. Forty- third Street, when a patrolman came by and ordered him to move on. well!" said the weary one thick “Very well, ossifer; but I'd ke to ask you a civil ques’n first?” “Well, what is it? demanded the policeman. “Who you fellers fixin’ to shoot now?"—Suturday Evening Post \ teaspoonful of Abbott's Bitters with vour Grape Fruit makes an ideal ng tonic, Sample of bitters by mail, 25 cts, in stamps, Abbott’ & Co., Baltimore, Md. Not Even “ Fonetic™ “Tim,” inquired Mr. Riley, glancing up over the door of the post-office, “what is the meanin’ of thim letters, eighteen hundred ‘an’ m, don’t it sthrike you thot they're rryin’ this spellin’ reform entoirely too —Youth's Companion Inch, use ALLENS FOOT-E, $50. 00 Prize IN CASH for the best title for a certain new picture in Fie Coplev:Prints Open free to everyone ; illustrated circular on request *' Teannot tell yout how de ith the quite ity of yourcelebrated itiful for gifts.” This from one of o1 ands of patrons. At 1. Complete Piet ong (practically. 't for 25 cents (st: accepted). This cost deducted from the Prints themselves, Albert Steruer’t To Cos CURTIS & CAMERON 22Pie Btine Caroni Bitters. te Send 25 cents for tr hottle with patent « pointed. Oe. € ‘ Franklin Simon & Co. Fifth Ave. 37th & 38th Sts., New York a Italian Silk Underwear FOR WOMEN AND MISSES. No. 9. Italian Silk Vest, superior quality, in pink or white. Val. lace or hemstitched top, handsomely embroidered, reinforced under arms. Sizes 32 to 44 bust No. 9a. Italian Silk Knickerbockers, superior quality in black, white, pink, blue, green, purple, tan, rose or beauty, trimmed with ribbon bows, : In all si vinforeed 2. wee, 3.75 FALL AND WINTER STYLE BOOK “CORRECT DRESS” Illustrating Everything in Wearing Apparel Mailed out of town upon application to Dept. N. How Could She Tell? He fag for The Face A prominent society woman recently advertised for a cook and a waitress, ian sisters pre- ferred.” Shortly after the time for the arrival of the applicants, a well-dressed young colored girl appeared. “T came in answer to the advertise- ment, ma'am,” she said. “I'd like to do nberwork or waiting.” : Beauty by Exercising Facial Muscles advertised for Germans or Scan- Every Woman Kaows {ht rie! Cattery rovores youthfal eat dinavians,” replied the mistress. “Yes, [ know, ma'am,” said the col- ored girl, “but you d t say whether white or black, ma’am. —Harper’s Bazar. Blache & Co. é -Gen'l Distrs. Broker: Our bookkeeper has stolen $50,000 from us and lost it all at Skin- nem & Shark’s. ie SECUR Partxex: Well, we'll get him a job at ATENT PEE RETURNED Skinnem & Shark’s and let him do his Obaina Patent ans What io loves ading with us—Weill' Street New and prizes offered for inrensio trading with us.—IWall Street News. Be ecrst tor laren 1920