Life, 1914-11-26 · page 24 of 44
Life — November 26, 1914 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This *Life* magazine page contains two main satirical pieces: **"Kind Aladdin"** mocks the Progressive Party as ineffectual and invisible. Aladdin summons the Progressive Party via magic lamp, only to find it so weak and insubstantial that he needs a magnifying glass to see it—and ultimately orders it destroyed as a mercy. The satire suggests the Progressive Party had become politically irrelevant or impotent, lacking real substance or accomplishment. **"Modern Myths"** debunks contemporary falsehoods, including claims about gold's necessity in warfare and bank presidents' moral superiority. The piece appears to reference World War I-era debates and includes criticism of German academics' nationalist rhetoric. The bottom cartoon shows two children—one lost—with gentle, sentimental humor rather than political content. The "Query" section sarcastically questions whether a baseball refund truly proves the sport's honesty, suggesting the logic is flawed.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HOW HE REALLY Modern Myths Me’syY people rashly assume that myths no longer exist and that their manufacture is a thing of the past. Here, however, are a few of recent make: That gold is necessary to maintain war. That gold, in extremes, is neces- sary to maintain anything. In the desperate struggle to maintain su- premacy, nothing counts but muscle and food. “An army,” said Napoleon, “travels on its bell: That a scholar is an idealist and not a practical man of business. Dis- proved in this country by the career of Woodrow Wilson. That bank presidents wear halos. This myth still believed in some quarters. That KILLED IT scientists and philosophers, great litterateurs are any less childish and silly than the average run of human beings. (Vide German profes- sors’ war utterances.) EE * Kind Aladdin LADDIN was in one of his most humanitarian moods. He rubbed the lamp impulsively. The genie al- most stumbled over himself in his haste to answer. the Progressive party.” The genie disappeared and in a few moments returned, bringing with him the Progressive party. “Well,” said Aladdin, impatiently. “Tam the Progressive party,” said the Progressive party, politely. “You don’t say so! What have you got to say for yourself?” “T haven't anything to say for my- self. . Well, you ate a fine Progressive party, aren't you? I don't believe you have life enough in you to jump over a river of doubt. What have you been doing with yourself during the past two years?” “Progressing, your honor. What else is there for any Progressive party to do?” Aladdin laughed. Then he suddenly turned to the genie, who was. still standing near. “Hey, there, slave!" he exclaimed, “are you sure this is a Progressi' party, and if it is, what are you wait- ing for?” The genie bowed. “Sire,” he replied, “I am quite sure that this is the Progressive party, but it is possible that your eyesight is not so good as mine, so I have waited, sire, to hand you this magnifying glass.” Aladdin smiled as he took the glass. “Well, this is more like it,” he ex- claimed, “I heard a voice, but it’s grown so small I couldn't see it. Take it away, slave, and let it die a natural death, I had some thought of putting it out of its misery—but what's the use?” Query The proof that big league baseball is honest has come in the fact that ninety-two thousand dollars has had to be refunded to world’s series ticketholders because the series did not run beyond four games. As an advertisement alone this demon- stration was worth the money. Springfield Republican, F it was worth the money, then how does it prove that baseball is honest? “YPR LITTLE BROTHER’S LOST, 1S THE? WHAT DOES HE LOOK LIKE?” “MIS FACE IS W-WASHED AN’ HE HAS A P-PENNY IN HIS POCKET”