Life, 1916-12-07 · page 86 of 94
Life — December 7, 1916 — page 86: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page critiques a patriotic campaign by Mrs. Thompson (daughter of Congressman Champ Clark), national chair of the "Woman's National Made-in-U.S.A. League," who urged Christmas shoppers to buy American goods as an act of industrial patriotism. The unnamed satirist (likely a Life editor) argues this position is wrongheaded, especially during World War I. While acknowledging American manufacturing strength, the author points out that Allied Europe—America's trading partners—desperately needs American exports to pay war debts and survive. Buying only American goods, the piece argues, contradicts the Christmas spirit of international solidarity and human welfare. The satire's bite: patriotic "made in America" messaging, however well-intentioned, is actually *selfish isolationism* disguised as virtue. The author suggests the League suspend operations until after the war. The rest of the page contains period advertisements for vacuum bottles and liqueurs.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-CHRISTMAS LIFE- ThisTrade Mark is Found On a Complete Line of Vacuum Vessels The first Hotakold bottle was viewed with wonder. People found it difficult to understand how it would keep liquids hot 24 to 36 hours or cold 48 to 72 hours. They looked—then bought, because of its unusual convenience. The principle is simple enough. And it is the same today as then. But the Hotakold line today is unusual because unusual thought has been given to design and construction which has produced not only Hotakold bottles in several designs, but also Hotakold carafes (the first of their kind), juge, ice jars, food jars, lunch sets, etc. This is why Hotakold vessels offer all that could be desired in style, utility, sturdiness and attractiveness, Those who appreciate color harmony will be delighted with Hotakold carafes, which are attractively finished in enamels of various colors to match room furnish- ings. Combinations of Hotakold jugs and carafes with neatly designed glasses make very attractive additions to equipment for household comfort, and they are quite in fashion for the serving of light refreshments of for guest-room use. For gifts they are decidedly distinctive. Hotakold vessels are sold by hardware, bousefur- nishing and jewelry et ‘Write to us for booklet No. 26-M. VACUUM SPECIALTY CO., Meriden, Conn. |ANNING, OWMAN & CO. Distributors Not a Christmas Message RS. THOMPSON, the young daughter of Champ Clark, is na- tional chairman of the Woman's Na- tional Made-in-U. S. A. League, and in that capacity has issued an exhorta- tion to Christmas shoppers, as follows: A “made in America Christmas” would be a splendid lesson for the youth of the country. It would teach them that the first idea of industrial preparedness is to patronize and de- velop home industries. In this re- gard women can play a great part as the spenders of the national income. They should show a patriotic prefer- ence for American-made goods. Let us free ourselves from the tyranny of the word “imported,” and write a Christmas message this year that will be a declaration of in- dustrial independence for this nation. Home industries in this ,country were never so well able to take care of themselves as this year. Foreign industries never so much deserved American support. We have been draining all Allied Europe of money. Our exports are enormous; our great affair in trade is to help to make it possible for the nations in Europe, with whom alone we trade, to pay their debts to us. Self-interest and concern for general human welfare combine this year to prompt us to buy from harried Europe anything she can pro- duce that we have need of. In that way we can help her out a little in her great distress. We are under no tyranny of the word “imported” this year. The boot is quite on the other foot. We are sending abroad more of our substance than we can spare, and are not able to get from abroad enough of what we need. A “declaration of industrial in- dependence” is never a Christmas message, for it flouts the whole idea of the solidarity of nations, which is the Christmas idea. It is a declaration that we are sufficient unto ourselves, and live to ourselves alone. Such a declaration is always foolish, but this year it is grotesque. Would it not be a good plan for the Woman's National Made-in-U. S. A. League to suspend its activities until after the war? Tl! Christmas Spirit was perched on the foot of Scrooge’s bed. “Scrooge,” he said, in cheery tones, “one of the worst sins of omission I have charged up against you is that on wo occasions you failed to order your copy of Lire in advance from your newsdealer and then found that your disposition was soured because he had sold out. ( Pronounced Ever ) “ Bs ‘ or Sinart Desserts Men like them, too—one reason why Créme Yvette ices have gained favor with smart hostesses. No other ices are like them. No others so pleasingly different. You can serve these violet desserts in your home just asthey are servedin smart restaurants and hotels from New York to ‘Frisco. Add to the joy of the Christmas feast! Whetherit bea sherbet, parfait,char- lotte or jelly, Créme Yvette will add the magic touch that makes an un- usually good refreshment. Créme Yvette is sold at 80c and $1.50 per bottle by fancy grocers and wine dealers. Book of signed recipes by well-known, chefs sent free. Write for it now. SHEFFIELD COMPANY 7th Ave. at 14th St, New York City. Brimful of Christmas Cheer a 9 f For city or country friends, “Though out of sight to memen, dear,” a barrel containing 10 doz. bottles would insure sobd comfort and kindly remembrances for many days and nights Any dealer or write to C,H. EVANS & SONS Estad, 1766 HUDSON, N. ¥- comicbooks.com