Life, 1915-06-03 · page 43 of 52
Life — June 3, 1915 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical dialogue personifies two recent American innovations—the "pop concert" and the "jitney" (an inexpensive shared taxi)—as self-satisfied newcomers boasting of their social impact. The joke targets the cultural anxiety of the era: both phenomena were genuinely disrupting established society. Jitneys undercut streetcar monopolies, while popular concerts democratized entertainment previously confined to elite venues. The cartoon captures reformers' and establishment figures' alarm at these "cheap" mass-market forces. The figures aren't specific people but rather represent types—the smug upstarts congratulating themselves on their power to displace "old-stagers" (established institutions and values). Their self-awareness about being "low-brow" and cheap, yet influential, mocks their popularity while reflecting genuine contemporary concern that mass culture and affordable transportation were reshaping American society in unpredictable ways. The satire is directed at both the innovations themselves and at anxieties about modernity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
YOU CAN’T DROWN Just a little money buys safety and peace of mind for yourself or your child, Swim- Wings will support a heavy man in water for any length of time. “NEVERSINK” SWIM -WINGS can’t leak or collapse. “Sounds too good to be true?" Let us prove it and show you how men, women and children can enjoy the water without fear or worr Get them from your dealer—or send $2 to us Send for catalog of Life Saving Garments, giv- ing dealer's name. American Life Saving Garment Co. 465 Commercial St., Boston, Mass. Two Modern Giants 'HE pop concert and the jitney were talking it over. “How do you like it as far as you've gone?” asked the jitney. “It's almost too early for me to say,” replied the pop concert. “ You see, I was born so recently in this country and thus far have seen com- paratively so few of the great mass of the people that my impressions are limited. But they are pleasant so far. Everybody seems to like me. How is it with you?” “I'm young also—younger than you are,” said the jitney, “but up to date I've had the time of my life. Do you know, my friend, that you and I are destined to do more for this be- nighted land than almost anything else—than the pompous reformers and the hysterical faddists?” “T suppose there is a lot in that,” TRADE MARK Tarey yton London zy FON Experience Meetings Where men gather, choice of cars and the cost of tires are the common subjects of conversation. Men often indulge their whims in cars, but measure value of tires in terms of mies. In such discussions the truth about tires comes uppermost. From these experience meetings the ever-widening circle of Ajax users has come, and the constantly growing Ajax appreciation. Today there is an irrepressible enthusiasm for Ajax Tires, a friendly co-operative championship of Ajax Tire higher quality, which constitutes Ajax good will. Of this good will we are very zealous. We have the confidence of Ajax users because we give our own con- fidence freely in return, We not only aflirm the higher quality of Ajax Tires, but we guarantee them in writing for 5000 miles. We earl determined and have since held that Ajax Tires could be built to justify 5000 miles expectancy, and every Ajax Tire ever made has been so guaranteed. Guard Your Investment Declare Your Choice Scnmd you m | ERO Surround your i Ad Decide now to equip vestment in tires with ie vi Ajax the protection offered | — “QYedeses — | Your car with Ajax in the Ajax written . E c guarantee: of "2006 Guaranteed example set by thou- miles, The implied in writing sands of owners. Get life of other standard (eye) the 43 per cent extra make tires is 3500 (@] service; make the im- miles, Why continue to experiment? Why MILES portant saving, See take less than the the Ajax dealer who mileage Ajax Tires Sd palpmpbedocmn is close at hand to (Qealiy weave geareeienng os” give? serve you! AJAX-GRIEB RUBBER COMPANY, Inc. 1796-1798 Broadway, New York BRANCHES: Atlanta, Beston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Indian. apolis, Kansas City, Mo., Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Les Angeles, San Francisco Factories Trenton, N. J said the pop concert. “I'm something of a low-brow and so are you. We help each other. You take people to where I am, and I make them forget themselves. And we're both cheap. But why is it that we are powerful, that we knocked out so many old- stagers, and both of us seem already to have so much influence with the people?” are both good fellows. We supply a real demand. We're both diplomatic, with no frills. We give a lot for the money, and can afford to, But the real reason, my friend, is elsewhere.” “And it is?” said the pop concert. “We don't pretend to teach any- thing. All we do is to give every- body an opportunity to enjoy them- selves. That is enough to make us Herbert Tareyton L London Smoking Mixture % PoundSO Send 4c. for sample. Falk Tobacco Co, 56West45"St. NewYork. —————— The jitney smiled. powerful in any age and in any “Several reasons,” he replied. “We country.” comicbooks.c