Life, 1913-02-20 · page 37 of 48
Life — February 20, 1913 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines editorial commentary with period advertising. The main article, "A New Hall for Washington?," discusses practical politics: President-elect Wilson (inaugurated 1913) cancelled his Inauguration Ball due to lacking suitable venues. The author sarcastically suggests building a Lincoln memorial hall for conventions and dances, then critiques the exhausting custom of Presidents shaking hands with crowds—noting Wilson's Presbyterian conservatism made cancellation convenient, though future presidents will likely revive the tradition. The page's other content is mostly **advertisements** (Knox Hats, Dixon's Graphite Greases, Import Art Co.) interspersed with brief humorous anecdotes under "Wise Foolishness"—including a Persian king's court fool and a politician's awkward condolence letter. The satire targets both Wilson's political caution and the absurd physical demands placed on elected officials by democratic tradition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AOA ANTE awa Li ALAC A New Hall for Washington ? The question of what kind of a mon- ument shall be erected to Lincoln is under anxious consideration again in Washington. It must have occurred to many persons that a nice hall in which conventions, big shows and inaugura- tion dances might be held would be a very useful memorial of Father Abraham. There is no place now in Washington which is suitable for a big dance like an Inauguration Ball, and that no doubt was one reason why President-elect. Wilson snuffed out the ball at his coming inaugura- tion. Well, the Governor has Presby- terian legs, and we suppose he docs not turkey-trot, but his successor may be more limber in the joints and the In- auguration Ball is pretty sure to come back and make trouble, as in the past, because there is no suitable place to hold it. In place of a ball there is suggested a Presidential reception at the Ca And if that happens, will the new President attempt to shake hands with the people of the United States? us hope not. That is an awful ¢: cise, which candidates may essay if they want to, but which no elected President should waste his strength in. To shake hands with forty or fifty people a day is plenty. When they come in mile-long lines, why shake them? Laboratory Nature has given us water—her one great solvent—and she has given us FLAKE GRAPHITE—her one great aid to better lubrication. The tiny, oily FLAKES cling tightly to the bear- ings, making a veneerlike coating of marvelous smoothness and endurance, DIXON’S Graphite Greases have received most remarkable endorse- ments from the ‘Speed Kings of |) Motordom.”” 1] DIXON'S GRAPHITE GREASE No. Il | Makes better lubrication leas noise and less wear. Bend name and model of car for ‘ five booklet, Labrie ij iter: Ne 300g eo JOSEPH DIXON CRUCIBLE. Established in 1827 be Jermey City, Kew Jereey BILL ENDICOTT, mM eT potasewce c 0%! jor Three Quarters of One Hundred Years vs \ FICIG S The Spring Styles are on Sale at Agencies in Every Important City of the World. Catalogue on Application THE KNOX HAT MANUFACTURING COMPANY Wholesale Salesrooms, 452 Fifth Ave., New York Factory, Brooklyn, N. Y. Wise Foolishness There are instances where the remark of the wit, or the professional jester, has enlightened while it amused a mon- atch. We have such an instance in the case of one of the Kings of Persia who wished his people to enjoy the benefits of instruction. Schools were established, and, amongst others, the court fool com- menced to learn spelling. But we are told that at the very commencement of his progress, at the first junction of syl- sage in which Mahomet forbids the pay ment of impost to the kings of the earth. The fool’s vigilance kept the people in ignorance and under taxation —From Doran's “ Court Fools.” A New York politician, in writing a letter of condolence to the widow of a late member of the Legislature, says “I cannot tell you how pained I was to hear that your husband had gone to heaven. We were bosom friends, but 83 Be if 1] Reproductions of famous pais ings in the “Museu: of Faris tif ul ney ia thc Pte of IMPORT ART CO., 119 East 23rd St., New York City lables and vowels, he opened the Koran, and pointed out to his sovereign the pas- 389 now we shall never meet again.” comicbooks.com