Life, 1917-01-25 · page 15 of 40
Life — January 25, 1917 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main photograph shows "J. Cutting Mellens, President of a Corporation Now Being Investigated for the Third Time" — a public figure under scrutiny. The image captures him in what appears to be a formal public setting, surrounded by onlookers. The satirical text surrounding the photo critiques Mellens' character and business practices. It references his repeated involvement in corporate investigations, suggesting a pattern of questionable conduct. The writing emphasizes his cleverness at evading accountability despite apparent wrongdoing, portraying him as someone who manipulates circumstances through cunning rather than honest dealing. The satire implies that despite repeated investigations, he continues operating without serious consequence—a commentary on corporate accountability (or lack thereof) in this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Philadelphia, Pa. TOOK your life four years ago al- ready. You bet your life I would like to again—in one way yes, it is, but not like other time mit five dollars. But mit a rope, knife, or pistol to make schuetzenfest mit you. I criticiscism your obituaries der K. ser. I wouldn't read em never. You ain't neuter. You never vas and never will. You're for all lies and against Germany, you Wilsonuvagun you! Vere could the world without Ger- many? At peace instead of pieces. Fun- ny feller, Where would comicals be without Germany, or kultur, or Zeppel- pippins, music and musicers? You cry about French babies. Dry your eyes, you damp crocodile; German babies make you laugh. You're sorry about dogs except dachshund, yet dachs- hund is nobility of all sausageses. We get your life yet, and take you to Belgium where von Bissig sicks you on a mad dog and bite you through the thick of your thin, und waccinate you mit limburger. When you outer the lights, Ha, Ha, poison gas comes. You take the baby in the carriage out, und bingum! A Zeppelpippin blows your nose off and scrambles the baby. You drink the well up and typhoid Germans will get you. Come und see me, I live three floors up. I kick three pairs stairs all the way up you and all the way down you, Dam! New York City. ‘O Whom it May Concern: I take pleasure in recommending the bearer of this note, A. Periodical, who has served me faithfully for a number of years, Considering the personal nature of his services, it is most necessary that a com- plete résumé of his faults as well as qual ifications be given, and at his request T de this unreservedly. He is witty, clever, attractive, ambi- tious, and thorough. His expositional ability is remarkable, although frequent- ly rendered obnoxious by a totally un- necessary and all too liberal sprinkling of sarcasm, as well as by an annoying propensity to criticise individuals and practices concerning which he has failed to inform himself with a sufficient de- gree of thoroughness. His work in the cause of moral and civic betterment has always been thorough and conscientious, inasmuch as he has striven most zealously toward what he believes to be the proper ends. This work, unfortunately, has often been marred by a tendency to pull to pieces and expose to ridicule both sides of an argument, rather than constructively to GREAT AMERICANS J. CUTTING MELLENS, PRESIDENT OF A CORPORATION NOW BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE THIRD TIME aid either. His work in the interests of any act or propaganda with which he has seen fit to affiliate himself has been cor- respondingly clever and successful, but his usefulness in this also has been weak- ened by a sort of pig-headedness which has caused him to stick to his guns, right or wrong, traditionally regardless of any proof, however overwhelming, that may be offered by the opposition. A pleasant companion, if a bumptious one. Such is Lire. The others of the fifteen criticisms will appear in next week's Lire. Sign of the Times God We Trust is less conspicuous on the new half dollar, This is quite in keeping with the spirit of the times. Perhaps we don't trust in God so much as we used to. Now we lean more heavi- ly on dreadnaughts and Wall Street and serums and check books and haberdashers and such other uncelestial contrivances, MITH: house? Brown: Oh, she’s all right! How's everything at your comicbooks.com