Life, 1915-03-25 · page 39 of 44
Life — March 25, 1915 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
## Main Cartoon: "Self-Inflicted Interviews" This satirical piece mocks **William Jennings Bryan**, the three-time presidential candidate and then Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson. The joke is that Bryan interviews *himself*—literally one Bryan asking the other Bryan questions. The satire targets Bryan's narcissism and tendency to avoid genuine self-reflection. When asked what he thinks of himself, he lists virtues ("religious," "sober," "honest") rather than truly examining himself. When his interviewer asks what *he* thinks of himself, Bryan responds identically—suggesting both men are equally self-absorbed and evasive. The final exchange is cutting: Bryan admits he's "never had time" to think about himself because he's been "talking and running for the Presidency...outraging all the proprieties." The implication is that Bryan's constant political activism and self-promotion prevent actual introspection—and that this self-centeredness is the point. ## Context This reflects 1920s progressive-era skepticism toward ambitious politicians, particularly Bryan, who was viewed by many intellectual circles as self-aggrandizing and out of touch. The page's remaining content is advertisements (Hartford shock absorbers, Carstairs whiskey, Kennebec products).
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ay 1c; ets gs ds a Self-inflicted Interviews I" was evening in the State Depart- ment. The blinds were closely drawn. Not even Josephus Daniels could be heard in the distance and Chautauqua Circles were not making a ripple. William J. Bryan looked at William J. Bryan. “Well, old man,” said W. J. Bryan to W. J. Bryan, “ what do you think of yourself?” W. J. Bryan at this laughed a hearty laugh which he was always accustomed to do when a question was asked him of which he did not perceive the true significance. “T don’t have to think about my- self,” he replied. “I am a religious man; I am a sober man; I am an honest man; I am a crude man, and hence I do not have to think about myself. It is now my turn to ask you a question. Shall I do so?” “Yes. I should like you to ask me a question.” “Very well, then. think about yourself?” This made W. J. Bryan laugh more heartily than ever, “I, too, am in “the same boat— strange as it may seem—as you are. I have never learned to think about What do you “The last drop! I wonder if a Car- stairs non - refill- able bottle is really non-refillable? It looks easy and I think it is, ‘That doesn’t seem o ‘turn the trick,’ Let’s see—I’ve a better way. Be sure you get Carstairs Rye in the 00-refillable bottle—''a good tokeep good whiskey good." Old- bottle purest; finest whiskey in America. Sulfally blended and aged in wood, Stewart Distittina Co, ladelpbia New York Baltimore ; How a Spring Works The trouble with a spring is that it springs back. There’s nothing neutral about a spring under an were used as a bow, to shoot compression. Its tendency is to go back to its normal position altogether too quickly for comfort. There's enough power in a good spring, if it you over a tree like arrow, When four such springs rebound on a country road you suffer the sensation in a modified degree of being catapulted into the air. The New Automatic Hartford Shock Absorber soothes the angry spring. When the spring is subjected to more than normal compres- ¢ Hartford takes hold and ¢: es it firmly but gently back to al! No jar—no recoil—no stifiness—just an equalizing of spring action into long, undulating waves of motion. ‘Tfaritord SHOCK ABSORBER Soothes the Angry Spring The Hartford works progres- sively—automatically. When spring action is slight its touch is gen- tle but its control is firmer and firmer as spring action increases. This is accomplished by a series of internal discs, engaging pro- gressively. Hartford Shock Absorbers add immensely to the comfort of rid- ing; they keep the wheels on the ground and thus prevent accidents ; and they add to the life of ma- chinery and tires. Let us send you a book which will tell you why the Hartford Shock Absorber is standard equipment on so many prominent cars and why 03% of the racing drivers use it. The book is free. Hartford Suspension Co. E. V. HARTFORD, President 192 Morgan St., Jersey City, N. J. BRANCHES: myself, because I have never had time.” “But why have you never had time?” “Because I have been talking to others—talking and running for the Presidency and working for my friends and, they say, outraging all the proprieties—enough, isn’t it, to keep any one from thinking about him- self?” “Yes, that’s enough.” There was a brief, uncongressional Automobile Manu- facturers are now using the finest springs that can be made, If you want more comfort, you must use Hartford Shock Absorbers. Makes Every Road a Boulevard By Checked Head I Is Meant &@ pattern on the head of a horse nail formed by lines ing each other diagonally. Every al“ Capewell” nail has this Trade Mark. Insist upon its use by your est regardless of qual- ata fair price. Saves need- Seniecae een rte FREE... a0 uvenic cack Conan ; Baiciooretcom