Life, 1915-05-06 · page 41 of 56
Life — May 6, 1915 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** with one integrated satirical story. The main narrative is an Aladdin-themed parable where a genie lectures merchants about employment reform. The genie argues that merchants must establish their own employment agencies—honest, transparent systems run by those invested in actual worker productivity—rather than relying on external labor sources. The moral: proper worker vetting and fair compensation solve unemployment better than government intervention. The advertisements themselves reinforce this era's optimism about **electrical appliances solving domestic labor**. Western Electric promotes vacuum cleaners and washing machines as liberating housewives from drudgery. A Mum deodorant ad and Lea & Perrins sauce round out the page. **Historical context**: This reflects 1920s American attitudes—skepticism of government programs, faith in technology and private enterprise, and the emerging consumer culture around electrical home goods. The Aladdin frame suggests magical solutions exist if employers simply behave responsibly.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
as easy to use as to say) neutralizes all odors of the body, whether from perspiration or) > other causes, and preserves the soap and water freshness of the bath. Good to use before dances, etc. 25¢ at all drug- and department-stores “MUM” MFG CO 1106 Chestnut St Philadelphia Great Cleansers Air and water are natural cleansers. Modern engineering has brought them to the assist- ance of the housewife to lighten her service andenable her to do her work better. We present guaranteed electrical devices for washing with air—the vacuum cleaner—and for washing with water— the electric washing machine—both made with the skill and high quality which characterize the many household devices bearing the name Western Electric Vacuum Cleaner Washer and Wringer pay, and put a premium on incompe- tence. Do you get me, O merchants?” The merchants all began to speak at once ep still!” said Aladdin, “ This is no woman’s club. I can even now feel my reform mood oozing away from me. Here, slave, take em away. But, This is a new model, small and light, yet so designed that the full power of air is used. The experience of 30 years of motor and suction-fan making, by manufacturers of international reputa- tion, is embodied in every part. The rigid frame, different from the usual “broom-handle” design, makes handling easy and provides for hanging away ina closet when notin use. The price, $32.50, includes an extension nozzle for cleaning under furniture. This newest, safest and most thorough laundry outfit is sold and guaranteed by the world’s largest distributors of elec- trical supplies. The motor is specially designed and of ample power, yet consumes little current. The driving mechanism is entirely enclosed. The wringer is reversible and has a patented safety release. The revolving cylinder sends the hot, cleansing suds through every bit of fabric without injury to delicate laces. bb Both of these labor-saving cleansers can be used in any home where there is electric light. Write for descriptive booklets, "The Home Sani- tary” and “Sunny Monday,” mentioning the name of your dealer. Ask for Booklets No.421-AK WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY Manefactarers of the 8,500,000 “Bell” Telephones 463 West Street, New York City Houses in All Principal Cities of the U.S. and Canada. merchants, before you go, here’s what you must do: Start a national em- it yourself. Make it a clearing-house labor. Only then will it be possible to solve the problem of employment. The system will be honest, because it will then be in charge of those who are most concerned for its power to produce results. The status, record and earning capacity of each applicant will be almost exactly determined, thus EQUIPMENT FOR EVERY ELECTRICAL ployment agency of your own. Run ; NEED TRY THIS DELICIOUS RECIPE FOR HAMBURG STEAK WITH CREAM GRAVY Put 11b, round steak through food chopper with 4 tablespoons suet. Add cupchopped onion, #2 tablespoon LiAg! ‘A0C., salt and pepper to taste. Mold into cakes, roll in bread crumbs and broil in greased broiler. Serve on hot platter with creamy gravy, Kitchen Recipe Hanger sent free upon request by post card. LEA & PERRINS, 245 West St., N. Y. giving the real worker a fair show, and preventing the sham worker from imposing upon employers, even tempo- rarily. You'll be surpri my friend, at the result, That'll be all for to- day.” The genie disappeared with the astonished merchants. Aladdin sank back and lighted a cigarette, “Such a thing certainly ought to be done,” he soliloquized. “But, after all, if it were done, wouldn't some fool legislation spoil it? Probably.” comicbooks.com