Life, 1913-09-25 · page 40 of 43
Life — September 25, 1913 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **advertising and book reviews**, not political cartoons. The left side advertises *Everybody's Magazine*, promoting an eight-month debate series on socialism between **Dr. John A. Ryan** (economist attacking socialism) and **Morris Hillquit** (prominent Socialist defending it). The ad frames socialism as a contentious topic—"Promise or Menace?"—that Americans need to understand. The right side reviews Jack London's *John Barleycorn*, a memoir about London's struggle with alcohol addiction. Reviewer Arthur Guiterman satirizes London's boastfulness about his athletic exploits and vocabulary while praising his anti-alcohol message. The review concludes with ironic support for Prohibition, suggesting the reviewer will champion the cause only when lacking other pursuits. Both pieces reflect early 20th-century American anxieties: political ideology (socialism's growing influence) and social reform (temperance/Prohibition movements).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“SOCIALISM” Promise or Menace ? The most important series on the subject ever published in a magazine. Dr. John A. Ryan, the eminent authority on eco- nomics, vigorously attacks—and Mr. Morris Hillquit, the nationally prominent Socialist, stirringly defends Socialism in a unique two-handed discussion in Crybodys agazine It fairly crackles from start to finish. Wherever you go everybody is talking Socialism. To millions the very word is like a red rag toa bull. To millions of others it’s the panacea for all evils. Most of us don’t know enough about it to be for or against it. Whichever class you are in, you can’t afford to be ignorant of this vital topic of the day. Here’s a unique opportunity to get both sides of the question. Mr. Hillquit and Dr. Ryan will conduct their com- bat for eight months, beginning with the October Everysopy’s. This series will be discussed from one end of the country to the other. Don’t you want to secure the entire series? Then send a dollar and a half, with your name and address, and we’ll mail you EveryBopy’s MaGazine for twelve months beginning with the October issue. The Ridgway Company New York Everybody’s for October at All Newsdealers Now Rhymed Reviews John Barleycorn (By Jack London. The Century Co.) I've signed the pledge The oath I’ve sworn! Through having read of brave Jack London, And how he fought John Barleycorn And by that fiend was nearly un- done. He (Jack, not John) thought whiskey rank He never liked the taste of liquor, But since male persons always drank When met to parley, sport or dicker, He used to quaff, nor ever lag, Before the bar where heroes min; And get what lowbrows term “a jaj Or what he loves to call “a jingle”. So, when he sailed the frothy seas Or over cold Alaska hiked it, Or slaved, or tramped, or wrote at ease, He drank with men, but never liked tt, Till Barleycorn, the tyrant grim (No tract is this nor Eddie Bok- tale), Secured a hammer-lock on him When first he sipped the subtle cock- tail, What strife he knew! what days of fear! (Oh, no, he never had D. Tremens), But Jack, you'll all be pleased to hear, Has conquered Rum, that Worst of Demons. I wish he didn’t talk so much About how big he is and “ chesty”, His great athletic feats and such !— Besides, it makes me rather testy To hear him blow about his boat— How he can sail and steer and jib it. And how he works the word “ con- note"! And how he sweats the word “in- hibit"! Yet Jack is right, I must declare: Young men don't care for liquor, Dless them! They drink because the stuff is there; Saloons and Custom coax and press them, Then, down with Rum!—and Whiskey. too, And when I find I need a mission And haven't other things to do I'm going in for Prohibition. Arthur Guiterman, comicbooks.com