Life, 1914-10-22 · page 37 of 44
Life — October 22, 1914 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Left side ("A Bad Error at Centre"):** A satirical complaint about a Southern railroad superintendent's new noise-reduction policy for sleeping cars. The author argues this is misguided—the whole point of sleeping cars is their *discomfort*, which makes home seem better by comparison. The joke mocks both railroad management and travelers' resigned acceptance of poor conditions. **Right side:** An advertisement for *The Ladies' Home Journal* featuring Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle, famous ballroom dancers of the era, promoting their new modern dance being taught at their New York studio and featured in the magazine. **Bottom ("Guide to War Terms"):** Darkly satirical definitions mocking World War I military terminology—"minor engagements" kill thousands, "reservists" lose livelihoods then lives, "the enemy" is your neighbor, and "infantry" are citizens taxed to be shot by strangers. This reflects contemporary American skepticism about the war (pre-U.S. entry or early involvement). The page blends humor, advertisement, and anti-war commentary typical of Life's satirical approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A BAD ERROR AT CENTRE Calls for Stringent Measures ACCORDING to the newspapers, the superintendent of a South- ern railroad has issued orders to eliminate all noise and other disturb- ances from the vicinity of sleeping- cars at night, in order that the inhabi- tants of these ornate affairs may really sleep. Is this not a mistake? For many years now, when reposing in our sleeping-car at night, we have accustomed to having the am- hitious engineer try to yank the train out from under us by playfully press- ing a button somewhere in his forceful engine. The object of all sleeping- cars is to act as a buffer for home— to make you feel, after you have trav- cled in one for a couple of nights, that home is, after all, good enough for an ordinary mortal. To make it possible to sleep in a sleeping-car ought to be a case for the Interstate Commerce Commission. Celebrated Hats Fall Styles Noticeably superior in quality and refinement Chicago ~NEW YORK Philadelphia Agencies tn All Principal Cities “The Most Beautiful Dance We Know Of” Say Mr. and Mrs. Castle Of the Newest Modern Dance That All Will Dance This Winter Now for the first time adapted for the home. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle explain it, in pic- tures, step by step, the same as they will teach it at Castle House, New York, this winter to the most fashionable society. It is IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF The Ladies Home Journal Fifteen Cents a Copy, of All News Agents Or, $1.50 a Year (12 issues) by Mail, Ordered Through Our Subscription Agents or Direct THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY Independence Square» Philadelphia Pennsylvania Guide to War Terms INOR ENTS—Any encounter in which only about ten thousand are killed. Reservist—Any man whose livelihood is first ruined by the military machine at the head of his country, and who is then commanded to give up his life also. Tue Exemy—Your neighbor across the border. —A premature grave. 2 ntry—Citizens who have previously paid in taxes for the privilege of being shot by total strangers. Cavatry—Same, plus horses. Rerrisat—The nth power of getting even. comicbooks.com