Life, 1915-03-18 · page 38 of 40
Life — March 18, 1915 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This short story is a satirical critique of U.S. government fiscal policy, likely from the World War I era or shortly after. The "poor and needy" figure Aladdin encounters represents America itself, which has been financially ruined by the "G.O.P." (Republican Party). The genie finds the nation impoverished despite once being prosperous. The satire targets the Republican administration's "pension graft system" and a corrupt Congress that spent extravagantly "devising new ways to spend money." The war accelerated this decline—friends (presumably allies or economic partners) abandoned the country. For modern readers: this reflects contemporary progressive criticism of Republican fiscal management and wartime spending as wasteful and corrupt. The magical-lamp framework satirizes how citizens expected government to solve problems it had created through mismanagement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Easter Suggestions Xx EXER ER ERE REE Oe Oe E nece her. unde for ASTER provides an especially appropriate occasion on which to bestow upon your friends a dainty “MAILLARD” gift. Just a few suggestions are offered: ours who am mor A VISION OP WHAT SHE'LL RE AT FORTY- lowi THREE deta even red and Hand Painted | Handsome new designs in Fancy Paper Eggs. Baskets trimmed with Seasonable Fancy Porcelain Egg Cups. Flowers. Mignonettes. embroidered. EASTER CAKES, CHOCOLATES, BON-BONS ICE CREAMS AND FRENCH PASTRIES Afternoon Tea in the Luncheon Restaurant, three to stx. Aladdin Obeys That Impulse LADDIN rubbed the lamp impul- sively. The genie appeared, as usual, “I'm feeling in a generous mood this morning, O slave,” said Aladdin, “I want to help some poor and needy person. Bring me the poorest and neediest one you know.” Aye, aye, sir,” said the genie, and, after a conscientious search, came back YS TO ADVERTIS £ . . ° . 5 ° ° 5 ° . New assortment of Favors and | Silk and Satin Boxes painted and id ° ° | . | . . . | yi : FIFTH AVENUE at 3Sth STREET. NEW YORK with the Government of the United States. “Have you always been like this?” said Aladdin, gazing sympathetically at the emaciated figure. “No, your honor. Once I was rich and prosperous and fit to hold up my head with the proudest in the land, I was courted by all and thought noth- ing of buying everything I wanted. Friends flocked around me.” “Poor old chap, what brought you to this?” “I blame nobody but myself. My own recklessness and folly did it. There was on old party named G. O. P. that quartered itself on me for years and made me think I was a great fel- low. I had what was considered the finest’ pension graft system in the world. There wasn’t anything too good for me. I employed a whole Congress, whose main business was to spend all of its time in devising new ways to spend money. Then the war came on, my friends began to leave me, and—here I am.” He wiped a tear from a bleary eye. “You couldn't lend me a couple of million, could you,” he whispered, “to buy a loaf of bread?” Aladdin threw him a purse. “Here,” he exclaimed, “take this and get a night's lodging in the Hotel de Gink, and (to the genie) look here, you dusky slave. “Aye, aye, s ven if I ask it, don't let me sce any more creatures like that. The sight of so much wretchedness gives me the macadoos.” action, h VANITY FAIR for March—On Sale Now Half an hour with Vanity Fair is equal to a whole evening with the cheerfullest, best informed, most interesting person you know, Between the covers of each Vanity Fair are the latest things in Society, the Stage, Fashions, Sports, and The Fine Arts. Get the March issue and see for yourself. VANITY FAIR 449 Fourth Ave., New York Condé Nast - Publisher Springtime Beverage inty in its freshness, delicious in its flavor, | distinctive in its character, rejuvenating in its althfuland relaxing in its tonic effect Try eat b Deeters or C. HE!