Life, 1914-04-30 · page 31 of 44
Life — April 30, 1914 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **political satire and automotive advertising**. ## The Cartoon The top-left illustration—"Portrait of a Gentleman Trying to Decide Whether to Lose a Cigar or Two Trouser Buttons"—is a visual joke about economic hardship. A well-dressed man must choose between two luxuries (a cigar) and basic necessities (trouser buttons), suggesting financial strain where even small choices carry weight. ## The Political Commentary Below, Lincoln Steffens argues New England is politically corrupt due to *old residents*, not immigrants. He sarcastically suggests exiling New England like the Exodus from Egypt, proposing the region suffers moral decay from staying too long in one place—a critique of entrenched political machines and vote-buying among established citizens. ## The Advertisement The right two-thirds is a **Gargoyle Mobiloils advertisement** promoting proper motor oil selection to reduce fuel and repair costs—a practical consumer concern in the early automotive era when engine maintenance directly impacted owners' wallets. The juxtaposition creates unintentional irony: political corruption discussion alongside advice for prudent consumer spending.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN TRYING DECIDE WHETHER TO LOSE A CIGAR OR TWO TROUSER BUTTONS To Moving Out New England INCOLN STEFFENS says in the Metropolitan Alaga: that New England is politically the worst spot in the country. Nowhere else is there so much Alas! ing! much bribery, so He suggests that good place for New life over again in. There can be no doubt that the orig- inal settlers of New England started this country going. After they had put of their cha’ r into the stern and rock-bound coast, they spread west, where they are still doing char- building. But the main point of all is that people left long enough one spot lose their moral snap and tend to degenerate. The main trouble in New England therefore, is not due to foreigners who are. remoralized and reconsecrated from going there, and who produce good ma- terial, like Mary Antin. The real trouble is from the New Englanders who are still permitted to remain and grow down with the country. New England might be moved to Alaska, as the Jews got out of Egypt; but is there enough wilderness between to give them the proper moral start? Treking through Illinois, Ohio, Mich- igan, Wisconsin and Arizona is sufficient. There are too many Englanders all the way along. New England, along with all of the department stores, ought to be put out at sea on an island, Bargains both in votes and dry goods might then be kept under better control than at present. vote-buying would be a and to begin some not New Fuel and Repairs | You can lower these expenses ir. less lubri expense, three years’ time supplies and repairs ove; ally cost as much as the original price of ac ion is responsible for most of this A canvass among New York repair shops showed that about one-half of the automobile engine troubles are caused by incorrect lubrication. here are two things that must always be con- sidered in an oil, One is its quality. The other is its fitness for your motor. Low-quality oil in time may bring practically every trouble a motor can face. Oil of a body which is incorrect for your motor brings many penalties—heating and seizing of be ings, worn wrist pins, poor compression, breaking of parts, excess carbon deposit, smoking or ove heating of engine and many other troubles Aside from repair troubles you must fe cts ea plain The more power you waste the more fuel you must consume, You cannot get perfect lubrication unless the quality is right, and the body of your oil suits— (a) (2) (3) () G3) (6) (7) Gargoyle Mobiloils are sold by a Chart which spec the correct grade for cach car. Your type of lubrication system, Your piston clearance, Your hearing design Your bore and stroke. Your engine speed. The size and location of valves. Your cooling system. nd adjustment, They are hacked by almost 50 years’ won for us the world-lea i If you do not at present use the grade of Gargoyle Mobiloils specified for your car, you may feel 3 tain that your bills for fuel and repairs are higher t they should be. Consult the partial Chart printed at the right. M note of the grade specified for your car, Then make ce tain that you get it. If your car is not mentioned send for our complete Chart of Recommendations. It is safest to buy in original barrels, half-harrels land one-gallon cans. See that the red Gargoyle, | facture, is on the container. d five On request we will m: het on the Lubri mobile Engines. It describes in detail the common and gives their causes and remedies. The various grades of Gargoyle Mobiloils, purified to remove free carbon, are: Gargoyle Moblloll '*A"*, Gargoyle Mobiloll “"I"", Gargoyle Mobiloll ""E'’, Gargoyle Mobiloll “’Arctic’’. They can be secured from reliable garages, automobile supply houses, hardware stores, and others who supply lubricants. For information, kindly address any inquiry to our nearest office. Spertalists be the manntertare of high-grade lebricasts for Pranchers uw YORK, 29 Broadway Pusher Whig. VINLADELPUL Eberobrymo>r>> Fide bobobebsean>> Sr fies 3 4 m>> >bh>es>s CiitinUceaoe $F New: waa >> 2 33 7 wi wke>ss: 5) wiwwe>: Ww ® >>> FFs, >. >; >a. > >a ben>ao>ssea: pha>e> FREE gob bbe Hig LMESS>>: >: Dem! meeee > Foi peek; z = H wr as wine Shee Sr EEE: >>b>oh>>: >bhe>>be>ab>e: Dib>>>: Fi >>> Suro! webselo aF |FEE Es>>5>n p32 Gs, ‘Ws al Mobiloils A grade for cach ¥y VACUUM OIL CO., Rochester, U. S. A. y claws of moeblorrs, DETROIT, Odtaluabie gers mbere Lat BOSTON orld. comicbooks.com : FEES it Fl whe>beb 5 bs >> Le Ei = 3 F55: oppavd>: >bhber>ta>tass>>aan>>. bi Dobe >> E55 b>b>>d> ESisesaaesateaeeasey> motor 49 Federal St ei eler>: $3>) >: >> pe >bere bE > eS oe > Sh e>>bo>d