Life, 1913-08-21 · page 30 of 40
Life — August 21, 1913 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces a writing contest by *Life* magazine offering $300 for the best essay *against war* in 500 words or less. The cartoon above depicts "A Session of the Examining Board"—likely satirizing the judging process itself, showing a panel of distinguished-looking men deliberating over submissions. The context: This appears to be from the pre-WWI era when *Life* was explicitly anti-war, using satire and humor as political advocacy. The magazine positioned itself as presenting "the case against war from our own standpoint," inviting readers to contribute arguments opposing warfare. The cartoon's humor likely mocks the earnest, bureaucratic nature of such judging panels—the formal gentlemen solemnly evaluating peace manifestos. For modern readers, this reveals *Life*'s role as a progressive editorial voice using popular culture and reader participation to shape political opinion on major issues.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A SESSION OF THE EXAMINING BOARD War or Peace? OR the best original arraignment of war in five hundred words or less, Lire will pay three hundred dollars. The contributions as they are received will be passed upon and such as are accepted for publication will be paid for at five cents a word. The one which the editors of Lire con- sider the best of all the contributions accepted will receive the prize of three hundred dollars. The competition begins at once. The accepted manuscript will be published in the War Number of Lire, to be issued the first week in October. This number will be the best pictorial and satirical arraign- ment of war that it is possible for Lire to publish. It will present the case against war from our own stand- point, The conditions of the contest are as follows: No manuscript shall exceed five hundred words in length. Any number of manuscripts on the subject can be sent in by one contributor. The name and address of each contestant should be placed upon the manuscript, which preferably should be typewritten. All those manuscripts which are not acceptable will be returned if accompanied by postage. The contest will close on Saturday, August Thirtieth. No manuscript received after noon on that date will be considered. If these rules are violated the judges reserve the right to debar the contribution. All contributions should be addressed to the Editor of Lire, 17 West 31st Street, New York City; and “ War Contest” should be put in the lower left-hand corner of