Life, 1916-02-17 · page 44 of 52
Life — February 17, 1916 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page's main feature is a humorous mock-trial dialogue where Cupid (personified as "Dan Cupid") is questioned before a U.S. Commission on Amicable Relations about his work facilitating love and marriage. The satire targets early-20th-century concerns about **eugenics** and **modernization**. The interrogator sarcastically suggests Cupid should use modern warfare technology (shrapnel, artillery) instead of traditional arrows—mocking the era's obsession with applying scientific/military "progress" to all aspects of life, including romance and reproduction. Cupid's responses humorously defend tradition and human nature against bureaucratic efficiency. When accused of allowing money to influence matchmaking, he admits to "mitigating circumstances"—a knowing wink at reality. The final exchange suggests that divorce's increase stems from social conditions, not Cupid's methods—a subtle critique of blaming personal relationships for systemic problems. The page is primarily **advertisements** for peanut butter, cigarettes, canoes, and military schools, typical of the era's Life magazine format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE Investigating Cupid UPID was under investigation yester- day before the United States Com- mission on Amicable Relations. Part of his testimony is as follows: Q. Name? A. Dan Cupid Q. Where do you reside? My favorite dwelling is a large cor- ner in some warm heart, but I move about a great deal Q. Have you heard of eugenics, Cupid? ‘A. Seems to me L have, but I pay very little attention to newfangled. things of that sort, Q. Do you still use the bow and arrow in your work, Mr. Cupid? A. 1 do. Q. Don't you think you-could be more efficient if you used shrapnel and 4o- centiroeter guns and torpedoes and dum- dum bullets and other modern contriv- ances of the gun-maker's art? A. Don't need them at all. Only ocea- sionally do I find the heart of a spinster or of a crusty old bachelor which is too hard for my arrows. [ find it best to let such persons alone. Or it might be a xood idea to turn them over to the So- ciety of Eugenics for experimentation. Q. You are accused of allowing other considerations besides love—such as money, for instance—to enter into your operations. A. That is partly correct, Mr. Chair- man, but there are mitigating circum. stances, Q. It has also been charged, Mr. Cupid, that in cementing hearts together you Mr. FRADE MARK Herbert Tareyton London Smoking Mixture Pound 50c F, TOD. Author of “The Little Mother Who SitsatHome” N.Y. THE_HONEYPOT By Countess Barcynska An intimate story of the musical com- ed; from behind the sces net. — At any bookstore, ; P “DUTTON & CO., 681 Fifth Avenu BEECH-NUT \PEANUT BUTTER | | FATHERS AND MOTHERS: Sandwich of Beech-Nut Peanut Butter Glass of Full Cream Milk | Each Will Feed Your Child the Same | Amount of Strength, Heat and Energy | j BEECH- NUT PACKING COMPANY CANAJOHARIE, NEW YORK Makers of | Famous Beech-Nut Bacon; Beech-Nut Tomato Catsup; | Beech Nut Chili Sauce ; Beech-Nut Oscar's Sauce ; Beech-Nut Mustard. Also the Beech-Nut Jams, Jellies and Marmalades; Beech-Nut Confections—Chewing Gum and Mints. ASK YOUR DEALER have been using an inferior grade of cement. Hence the abnormal increase in divorce. Is that correct? A. The increase in divorce is not duc to the cement, Mr. Chairman. It is due rather to certain social and industrial con- ditions which are too intricate to be ex- plained in a hearing of this kind. Q. Your contention, then, is that your work is still being carricd on in a per- fectly satisfactory manner, that you are keeping up with the times, and that you are doing nothing that will in any way SOMETIMES THE “SKELETON IN THE CLOSET” ISN'T A SKELETON AT ALL | ‘Old Town Canoes an “Old Town Canoe” at small cost and shai You ” Send for Catalog Get Ready for Summer the fun of canoeing. Every summer Eaten on Bread, Crackers or Toast— Fine on Saltines Your boy may not care to become a soldier, but training in a good Military School is a mighty good foundation for the conduct of life in general. For some boys it's a fine training in team-work. The announcements of the best schools can be found in Scribner's Magazine every month. If detailed information is desired, address School and ce Service Scribner Building, Fifth mea Room 714 New Mork interfere with the progress of the race or its ultimate future. Is that correct? A. Yes, Mr. Chairman, Q. That will do, Mr. Cupid. you very much. Thank Morir: Johnny, using such dreadful language! Joux Well, stop mother, Shakespeare Scribners Magazine gel thousands take up this popular sport and become enthu: d for our Catalog and learn more about canoeing and “Ol =‘hey are sound and safe: light, switt and easily paddled. Priced $30 4000 canoes ready, Easy to buy from dealer or factory. OLD TOWN CANOE CO., 1532 Middle St., Old Towa, Maine, U.S. A. uses it. Moritse: Then don't play with him; he’s no fit companion for you. —London Tit-Bits. comicbooks.com