Life, 1915-06-17 · page 29 of 52
Life — June 17, 1915 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page uses Aladdin as a vehicle to mock American economic policy, specifically government subsidies to the struggling Merchant Marine industry. **The Main Cartoon** ("Sure Case"): Aladdin represents the government. The "American Merchant Marine"—depicted as sickly and weak—seeks help. Capital (personified as wealthy and well-fed) refuses direct aid but suggests "subsidies" as a cure. When Capital is asked how it knows about subsidies, it reveals the bitter joke: subsidies previously enriched Capital itself at the public's expense. The satire criticizes how government handouts benefit wealthy interests rather than genuinely helping struggling industries. **The Etiquette Header** warns against exaggerating fish stories—a winking reference to the "tall tales" of government economic solutions. **"The Ultimatum" and "Correct"** are separate, lighter humor pieces unrelated to the main political cartoon. The page reflects early 20th-century American debates over protectionist policies and government intervention in business.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
G Hy TA HINTS ON ETIQUETTE IF YOU MUST TELL FISH STORIES, CONFINE THEM TO THE SMALLER VARIETIES Sure Case APADeIN rubbed the lamp half heartedly. : “TI. suppose,” he said, “that I really ought to do something for my country. Hey, slave, bring me the American Merchant Marine.” The slave brought it. “Where is it?” asked Aladdin. “Here, sire.” “Oh, yes. It was so small that I didn’t see it. Well, Merchant Marine, how are you feeling to-day?” “Poorly, poorly. Can't you do something for me?” The Merchant Marine, shivering with cold and anamia, held out its hands and began to beg. Aladdin laughed. “T'm no United States Govern- ment,” he said, “but I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll introduce you to Capital.” He rubbed the lamp, and Capital was brought in. “ Permit me; you ought to have met before. Say, Capital, what can you do for our friend here “ Nothing.” “ Nothing?” “No. What he needs is a good dose of subsidy—taken regularly it ought to cure him.” “Good!” Aladdin more, “Quick, slave, large, fat subsidy.” The slave soon returned. “Here!” said Aladdin to the Mer- chant Marine, “this is for you. Take it and get well. Let the bloom return to your pallid cheeks and never let it be said that I haven’t done somebody a good turn.” Then he said to Capital, who was still watching the pleasant spectacle: “By the way, how did you know about subsidy “Why shouldn't 1?” replied Capi- tal, shaking his fat sides. “It cured me!" rubbed bring once me a The Ultimatum AN ultimatum is something that never begins to work until it is thrown down. And it is only in force after it has been ignored. Before an ultimatum is presented you may be at the enemy's mercy; afterwards you are at his mercy and your own, An ultimatum is something that you can- not take back; if you did, you would he giving it up. When you hold it, it is useless; when you lay it down, you live up to it; if you don't, you're a goner. Correct ILLIAM’S thoughts were on the vacation days, not the arithmetic lesson, The teacher often called her dreamy pupils to attention by asking them a sharp, simple question, “William, what are two and four?” “ Prepositions, ma’am,” was the un- expected answer.