Life, 1915-09-23 · page 45 of 48
Life — September 23, 1915 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This short story satirizes universities' desperation for public attention and prestige. A job applicant proposes hiring himself as a sociology professor on the condition that he will make such "wild" statements that the university will be forced to eject him—generating sensational newspaper coverage, including editorials in prestigious outlets like the *New York Evening Post*. The joke targets two things: universities' willingness to tolerate controversy for publicity, and the implicit assumption that even negative attention ("we had to fire this radical") enhances institutional reputation. The satire mocks academic institutions that have become "practically unknown" and suggests their hunger for notoriety overrides sound educational judgment. The reference to Eugene Debs, Mother Jones, and Upton Sinclair—known labor radicals and socialists—indicates the applicant plans inflammatory rhetoric about class struggle.
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crowd of sympathizers will flock to my Cities 6 RAL Dekloee Hac da ken es ‘ ° EeSahcou sulin bicak mire sn airs wertd-peeewned eontl standard, and your college will be ‘The Largest Wholesale Dealers in Brushes in the United States buy Exclusively advertised from Maine to California. Gentl , this is a busines - WHITING-ADAMS BRUSHES sition, "What do you say?" ‘THE UNITED STATES: NAVY bes, sade te cone cod most extensive purchases In reply the chairman of the meeting somewhat wearily motioned to the WHITING-ADAMS BRUSHES secretary, Then he said to the visitor: SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE. “You might leave your name and JOHN L. WHITING - J. J. ADAMS co. address, as one among many other posToNilea applicants who have applied for a Brush Manufacturers for Gver One Hundred Years similar job, and we'll be glad to put ‘Whiting Adame Brustes Awarded Gold Medal, the Highest Award ot Panams-Paciée Exposition, 1918 you on the waiting list. Good day.” He Was Not Alone O you need a new professor?” The trustees of the Ganymede University were having their monthly meeting as the individual who uttered the above words stood before them. “We think not,” said the chairman, “unless yc a have something unusual to offer wu! “Thave. At present, gentlemen, your college is practically unknown. Now, if you will hire me—say, as professor of sociology—I will start a course of lectures during which I will make statements so wild as to bring the blush of envy to’ Eugene Debs, Mother Jones and Upton Sinclair. This will give you the opportunity to eject me from the University. In the meantime the press will take up the matter. I think I can guarantee you at least one lead- ing editorial in the New York Eve- ning Post, an issue will be raised, a Dec. 23,1820 T received a fine present today from my nephew— || & case of fine, mellow Old Overholt Rye “Same for 100 yean™ Has gladdened the hearts of its recipients for over a century and is still the prime favorite among those who rel- ish a pure, strengthening rye. Always uniform in purity and quality. Aged in the bottled in bond, A. Overholt & Co.,Pittsbursh,Pa, The Paris ns NUMBER OF is now on sale throughout the United States A profusely illustrated number presenting the complete story of the Paris Openings, the successful creations of each couturier which taken collectively establish the Autumn and Winter mode. Vogue suggests that before you spend a penny on your new clothes, be- Sore you even plan your wardrobe, you consult its great Autumn and Winter Fashion Numbers. During the very months when these numbers are appearing you will be spending hundreds of dollars for suits, gowns, hats, etc. 82 Invested in Vogue will save you'200 ‘The gown you buy and never wear is the really expensive gown! Gloves, boots, hats, that miss being execly what you want, are the ones that cost more than you can afford! Why take chances again this year when by y simply sending in the coupon, and at convenience paying $2—a tiny fraction of the loss on a single ach chosen hat i gown—you can insure the correct- ness of your whole wardrobe’ Vogue is a beautifully ‘erated magazine; the acknowledged au- thority on what is wom by well American women, Here are your twelve numbers (and one extra): Autumn Millinery Number Sept. 15 ‘The best one hundred model hats Paris has produced for the Autumn of 1915 The Paris Openings Oct. ChristmasNumber Dee. 15, story of the More gifts and practical ideas ‘the success- for holiday entertaining Open tions ofeach couturier Lingerie Number Jan. which taken collectively es- tablish the mode Flac linen for personaluseand Autumn Patterns Oct.15 Motorand Southern Jan. 15 ‘Working plans for your entire The new fashions in motor winter wardrobe—the newest cars and the new wardrobe models adapted to pattern for the southern season ea Forecast of ‘Winter Fashions Nov. 1 e Feb1 ‘Showing the mode in its Win- authentic news of ter culmination — charming models smart couturiers evolvefortheirpri¢ateclientele Spring Millinery |] a eee ees — Nov.15 the famous milliners of Those graceful little touches that make the smart woman Spring Patterns Mar. 1 smart, where to get them and Working models for your how to use them Spring and Summer wardrobe Christmas Gifts Dec. 1 Vogue's solution of the Christ- mas gift problem. A new idea **Nine out of ten women copy berate Ly ie doesz the tenth is a reader of VOGI * SPECIAL OFFER Send in the Coupon below with $2.00 and we will send you with our compliments a copy of the Autumn Mill- inery Number showing the best one hundred model hats that Paris has produced for the Autumn of 1915—mak- ing thirteen numbers instead of twelve. Or, if ops casteiesk seed cou- |! ithout money os wien may and oe with the Paris Openings Number and continue throughout the next eleven numbers, ie twelve num- ,f comicbooks.com