Life, 1916-03-02 · page 29 of 44
Life — March 2, 1916 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page satirizes Henry Ford's peace initiatives during World War I. The "Ford Peace Notes" section mocks Ford's announced plan to end the war—which he refused to detail publicly. The satire suggests his schemes lack substance and that associates like Madame Schwimmer and Jane Addams of Chicago possessed the actual plans Ford wouldn't disclose. The small cartoon above depicts a couple discussing fashion: a man protests that his wife has abandoned her gown for lingerie, calling her "behind the times." She retorts that gowns are "no longer worn" and "lingerie is the fashion." The cartoon likely satirizes changing social norms post-WWI—women's liberation and shifting gender roles—using fashion as a metaphor. The pairing with Ford's peace efforts suggests broader cultural disruption during wartime. The final paragraph's quip about Eve's apple employing tailors through dress-making reflects period attitudes about women's roles in society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“GREAT HEAVEN, cown.” “OH, GEORGE, YOU NO LONGER WORN. “ BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE——” Lucy! YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN YOUR ARE SO BEHIND THE TIMES. LINGERIE IS THE FASHION.” GOWNS ARE Ford Peace Notes Henry Ford announced in Chicago that he had worked out a new plan for ending the war, but refused to dis- close details—Wall Street Journal, Feb. 7. ENRY is getting on. His last plan had no details that he could disclose. Madame Schwimmer had them all and wouldn’t show them to him. When they finally trans- pired they didn’t wash. Jane Addams of Chicago is expected to figure prom- inently in the scheme. Two classes of experts assist Henry: those who figure in his peace schemes and those who figure on them, As a rule they do not speak as they pass by. Miss Addams is an expert of the first class. Mr. Ford said that he would keep on trying to estab- lish peace until the war ceases, Same as the Germans, the English, the French, the Rus- sians, the Austrians and the Pope—everybody, indeed, ex- cept Colonel House. They all expect to pursue Peace till they get her cornered, OOD often comes from evil. The apple that Eve ate has given employment to thousands of tailors and dressmakers. comicbooks.com