Life, 1916-07-27 · page 22 of 32
Life — July 27, 1916 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon:** A satirical train carries societal problems to Mexico: a locomotive labeled "Pharisee," followed cars with "Aeroplanes That Fall," "Machine Guns That Jam," "Embalmed Beef," "Political Doctors," and "Serums." The caption "They're on their way to Mexico" suggests America is exporting its failures and defective products to Mexico—a jab at both American quality and imperialist attitudes toward the neighboring nation. **Poem:** "To the Self-Appointed" by Lloyd Ross Blynn critiques self-righteous "Pharisees"—people who publicly congratulate themselves for virtue while privately harboring flaws. The poem uses biblical language (Pharisee as hypocrite) to mock sanctimonious moralists who judge others harshly while excusing themselves. **Lower Cartoon:** Depicts well-dressed men at a fancy grocery store watching street urchins cool themselves in a water puddle during hot weather, asking "Have you ever been tempted to do this on a hot day?" The satire mocks wealthy people's class blindness—they're amused by children's simple pleasures rather than concerned about poverty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ie. “THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO MEXICO” To the Self-Appointed HAT would we do in this old world Without the Pharisee Who daily kneels unto his God and sends: “Thanks to Thee, Lord, that Thou hast not Vouchsaféd unto me That I should be as wicked as my friends. 1 know that I , Now d then, stoop Just a little mi Instead of standing straight before Thee, Lord; But when my many virtues are arrayed Within Thy sight My peceadillos should be quite ignored"? Unfortunately there are some who scoff At such a creed, And hold that Pharisees are much to blame; Of course, they're not the upright kind Who ever feel in need Of sclf-pats on the back to still their shame. . The scheme of the Creator when He made The Pharisce Was but a minor part in His great plan; He knew that those who plume themselves that They are right must be, By contrast, of great benefit to man Lloyd Ross Blynn “AMAVE YOU EVER REEN TEMPTED TO DO THIS ON A HOT DAY?”