Life, 1915-05-27 · page 37 of 44
Life — May 27, 1915 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical examination titled "Civil Service Examination for an Editorial Writer"—mocking the formulaic writing of newspaper editorialists. The questions mock clichéd editorial phrases: "Be that as it may," overuse of the word "vital," and reliance on memorized quotations from familiar books rather than original thought. The satire targets editorial writers of 1914 as intellectually lazy, suggesting they succeed through formula and memorization rather than genuine knowledge or analysis. Questions like "Can you repeat by heart the Constitution?" imply editors don't truly understand political subjects they write about. The page also contains period advertisements (Republic Tires, Basline Autoline, Allen's Foot-Ease) and a left-hand cartoon showing a figure holding up a laurel wreath with "Vive la France!"—likely reflecting American sentiment during World War I. The overall message: newspaper editorial writing had become a mechanical exercise in clichés rather than genuine journalism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Civil Service Examination for an Editorial Writer S there any place where it would not be proper to use the phrase, “Be that as it may”? When is anything “ vital”? How many times during one week N YOU CAN SLEEP mn your sleeping porch, or camping, BKB te L t fits comfor not fall off, and induces ep. Sent postpaid for 25 ct NICHT MFG. CO., 6 Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass. bly over well as Copyright 1914 by The Republic Rubber Co. Youngstown, O. “Design alone Republic 5 4 will not make an efficient non-skid tread” “Republic inventors, years ago, realized this, They knew there was only one basis for real non-skid efficiency—QUALITY. “So they first established a supreme stand ard of tire quality—the highest in the world. “Then they perfected a scientific arrange- ment of six rows of long, tough studs— tread that grips the road with vice-like tena- city, yet retains perfect traction because each stud overlaps the other on the road almost as smoothly as a plain tread. —Says Old Man Mileage “ And thus by combining design with quality they achieved a great non-skid tread—the Republic Stagyard ad, respected every where by motorists who know.” Try a “find out tire today. Jt will cost more than many to buy, but less than any to use, Write for ‘Old Man Mileage—His Book’ which contains facts of vital interest to every tire buyer. The Republic Rubber Co., Youngstown, O. Branches and Agencies in the Principal Cities REPUBLIC TIRES S7AgGaRp PLAIN, TRADE MARK REGISTERED PATENT OFFICE AND “W M* TREADS write, “All would thought "? sons"? Write a two-column editorial on New York State politics and convey the impression that you really know something about the subject Can you repeat by heart the Consti- tution of the United States? The complete schedule of your advertising rates? What is your favorite book of familiar quotations? you “Sober second right-minded per- ALLEN’S FOOT-EASE The Antiseptic Powder to Shake Into Your Shoes Over 100,000 packages are being used by the German and Allied troops at the front It rests the fect, prevents friction, blis- ters, Corns and Bunions an ing or standing casy, Dor ply of Allen's F . gives instant relief to tired, aching feet and pr swollen, hot feet. Sold everywhere, 25c. Don’t accept any substitute. FREE maurcsace sent by mail. Address, ALLEN 8. OLMSTED, Le Roy, N. ¥. “oh! What Rest and Comtort™ comicbooks.com