Life, 1913-04-17 · page 42 of 52
Life — April 17, 1913 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Editorial/Satirical Section ("Surely"):** This opening piece uses ironic logic to critique government overreach. It argues that if society can mandate vaccination (controlling bodies), why not mandate religious conversion (controlling souls)? The rhetorical question invokes the Inquisition as a historical cautionary tale about forced religious compliance. The satire advocates for personal liberty—suggesting people should control both their bodies AND spiritual decisions—implicitly criticizing Prohibition-era paternalism and religious coercion. **Advertisements:** The page also contains period advertising: a Vogue fashion spread promoting spring dress patterns, and a James E. Pepper Whisky advertisement (ironic given Prohibition was ongoing). The whisky ad claims physician endorsement, typical of pre-FDA regulation marketing. **Humor Section ("His Business"):** A brief joke from Lippincott's magazine about a man arrested while "attending to his own business"—revealed to be burglary. The humor lies in the absurd literal interpretation of "minding one's business."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE: Surely HY not pass a law compelling people to go to church and be converted? The present method of trying to persuade them to do this by working upon their feelings is expensive and ‘inadequate. There is too much personal liberty about it. They knew better than this during the Inquisition. If compulsory vaccination, why not compulsory conversion? In the one case your body only is concerned; in the other, your entire future. How much more important is this! Or—to put it the other way—if we let people decide the matter of their future salva- tion for themselves, why not let them do it with regard to their own bodies? “Born with Kentucky made whisky hasalwayslead the world; see that you get the recognized best. You, or your Dressmaker— ie > which knows most? || 5. es E. Pepper Whisky Botted in Bond —endorsed and used in practice by 37,814 physicians; continually produced for 133 years; leader by priority of establishment and maintenance of quality. mot obtein WRITE US, ship 4 full quarts pre- paid East of Mes. thru. o distribut. Distilling Co. Distillery No. S Lexington, Kentucky The most skilful dressmaker, with the best intentions in the world, may choose the wrong model, or the wrong material, or the wrong trimming. Take no chances on your dressmaker's judgment or your own—read the Spring Fashions Number of fogue. You can positively avoid mistakes of any kind by getting Vogue's Spring Fashions Num- Don't order another dress of any sort—evening gown, tailleur or morning gown—till you have na “Favorites Picked irom te ings” on page 23 of the Spring Fashions Number, Then make your selection —and the gown you choose will be in fashion now, and will hold its style for many months to come. ber, now on the newsstands. Here is o,model (by Cherwit) taken ot random Irom the Spring Fashions Number. Every great designer is represented in this number by his best offerings. Let these designers help you make ud your mind—get Vogue's Spring Fashions to-day. Conn Nast, Publisher 443 Fourth Avenue $4 Year New York Twenty-four numbers His Business “You insist that the officer arrested you while you were quietly attending to your own business?" “Yes, your honor. He caught me sud- denly by the collar, and threatened to strike me with his club unless I accom- panied him to the station house.” “You say you were quietly attending to your own business, making no noise or commotion of any kind?” “Yes, your honor.” “ What is your business?” “I'm a burglar.” —Lippincott’s. The Part of Wisdom Refuse a wife with one fault and take one with two.—Welsh Maxim. comicbooks.com