Life, 1916-10-05 · page 35 of 42
Life — October 5, 1916 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines advertisements with a serious political letter to the editor about American preparedness and labor injustice. The letter describes a man the writer knew—a "Villa bandit" (likely referring to Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa's forces)—who was born in Ohio to a family with deep American military heritage. However, after witnessing 47 men yearly die without legal recourse in Anaconda Copper mines (Standard Oil interests), and after being blacklisted for political reasons during a 1914 labor dispute in Butte, Montana, he joined Villa's army in Mexico. The writer uses this case to critique American hypocrisy: the government sent militia against striking workers, judges were forcibly removed, and workingmen received no due process. The letter argues that while Germany provides economic security to its workers, America's exploitation drove this patriotic man into exile. It concludes by noting that despite a 45-day recruitment drive, only one man enlisted locally—suggesting preparedness fails when workers have no stake in defending their country. The satire is bitter, not humorous: American injustice creates its own enemies.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ican and nder that he North tes, with ). Henry ere, for only do stories— e volume, t he ever some of the ones » of any nd poems cople and Send. the “LIFE The Supreme Odor de Luxe The world abloom in the plentiful sum- mertime— field after field carpeted with flowers outpouring their sweetness in a vast see tans « suggestion Iques 's— i\ of countless bewildering fragrances perfectly _»/) blended into one supreme harmony of odors. er Other Charming Houbigant Perfumes IDEAL COEUR DE JEANNETTE QUELQUES VIOLETTES — EVETTE Sold east ctor Reader, Paice bong end Sosnct bet PARK & TILFORD \ New foun = A course in Domestic Science has come to be quite the thing for the young lady, who may some day be the mistress of many servants and a big house. There is peace of mind in the assurance that your guests will have no cause to find fault with your ménage or your dinners. The announcements of the best schools can be found in Scribner's Magazine every month. If detailed information is desired, address SCRIBNER'’S MACAZINE SCHOOL AND COLLECE SERVICE DEPARTMENT Scribner Building, Fifth Avenue - + New York DUNLOP | GOLF BALLS are made right! gravity stays at the bels center aad the fal'boldt ite shepes Unequalled for length, accuracy and long life. Try "20" of “31% ‘Year gett protesstonal ean sepoly DUNLOFS $9.00 per dozen 75e each THE DUNLOP RUBBER COMPANY, LTD. BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND, Somewhere in America Dear Lire: I admire your attitude on prepared- ness. You neglect advocating the chief factor of it, Perhaps it was Pericles who sais ‘ot in walls nor in ships but in the courage and devotion of her men lies the greatness of Athe: Yesterday a “ Villa bandi called on me. I have known him intimately for twenty-one years. He was in the Co- lumbus raid. His name denotes English descent as well as would the name of Wilson. or Evans or Hughes. He was born in Ohio, on a farm—homesteaded by his grandfather. His ancestors fought with Washington, his father with Grant, himself for this nation in the Philip- pines—a fairly good potential unit for preparedness. For fifteen years he saw an average of forty-seven men a year meet violent (accidental) death in the mines of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. (the Standard Oil interests here), but never a single recovery at law by a dependent widow or child. In a town depending on a single in. dustry, and this in control of a small group, the blacklist means starvation or change of residence. He has scen thou- sands of men, single and married, black- listed for political reasons by this com- pany. Two years ago my old acquaintance saw the Governor (Democratic) send a regiment of militia to Butte. Then against the constitutional provision about the “military always being subordinate to the civil authorities,” the judges were literally evicted from the court house. Hundreds of workingmen were kept seventy days in j denied bail and de- nied counsel. A military court was “erected.” Three men were scent to the penitentiary without a semblance of trial by jury. My acquaintance was black listed He joined Villa, He tells me that most of Villa's cruits are blacklisted American working men. You dislike German methods. do I. But in Germany a workingn has a Fatherland from an economic standpoint. We may theorize about this Ohioan being wrong. He was wrong; but his country was wrong also. In this county of nincty thousand peo ple we have had a recruiting office open for forty-five days. One man only has enlisted, All men will fight for a home; some men will defend a boarding-house. No sane man will defend a jail of harmless workingmen from delivery. Wars are won by patriots, Make ye first a spirit of justice for laborers, there will come a love of country, and also guns and ships. There are three million able-bodied men in this nation who really believe. except in times of abnormal industrial that their lot would be better in ny or France or Japan, Even Japan is learning the precept of Bismarck. How about all this, Lire? Yours truly, Lownprs Maury. Butte, Montana, August 10, 1916. is the most exquisite of all toilet soaps Use Pears after motoring or out- door sports—after shaving or train travel. No matter how sensitive your skin, Pears’ Soap gives a clean, soft, healthy feeling that is most refreshing. Pears is the purest soap known to the art of soap making; it is perfect for delicate skin. Why use ordinary soap when you may have Pears at so low a price Bea Cake for the Unscented SEND 4c FOR jut + trial-size cake of Pears’ Un address and 4c i wer mailing ¢ Walter Janvier, States Agent, Si Canal Steet, New York City A. & F. PEARS, Ltd. The largest manufacturersof high-grade ++ + comicbooks.com