Life, 1917-02-15 · page 31 of 42
Life — February 15, 1917 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains two separate items: **Top cartoon** depicts a "physical culture family" (health-conscious people) dining together during winter. The humor is visual—the family appears cold despite their athletic lifestyle, with one guest asking "Are you cold, Mr. Smith?" and receiving the response "Oh dear me! Pouch!"—suggesting discomfort despite their fitness regimen. **Main article** criticizes American naval shell manufacturers. Secretary of the Navy Daniels attempted to buy shells domestically but found American companies (Bethlehem Steel, Crucible Steel, Midvale) produced inferior products at inflated prices—only 3-73% of samples passed testing. British firm Hadfields submitted superior shells at lower cost, though the British government later blocked delivery. The satire attacks American munitions makers for profiteering (Schwab's company declared 200% dividends) while delivering poor quality to the government. Daniels is praised for holding them accountable—a rare editorial endorsement of his judgment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A MIDWINTER VISIT TO A PHYSICAL CULTURE FAMILY Mr. Daniels Buys Shells OT in all particulars at all times has Lire been able to approve the activities of Secretary Daniels. The more welcome is an opportunity to ap- plaud him in well-doing in the matter of shells. We ought to buy our naval shells at home, and Mr. Daniels says he wants to. But, by his account, our domestic shell-makers have not only been hog- ging unconscionably in price, but mak- ing very inferior shells. He adver- tised for shells. An English company, Hadfields, Limited, put in a bid at a price $200 below the lowest American bid. Not only that, but of thirty-four sample 14-inch shells submitted by the Bethlehem Steel Company only three passed the test. Out of samples sent “ARE YOU COLD, MR. SMITH?” “on pEAH BE! poucH!” in by the Crucible Steel Company 37.7 per cent. passed the test, and of the Midvale Company's samples 73 per cent. passed. But the three sample shells and six additional test shells sent by Hadfields all met all require- ments. Mr. Daniels gave his contract to Hadfields. To be sure, the British gov- ernment quite unexpectedly forbade Hadfields to deliver the shells at pres- ent, and we may have to get them at home after all. But what is the matter with our naval munition-makers that they don’t make better goods at more reasonable prices? They seem all to be rolling in money—Mr. Schwab's Bethlehem Com- pany has just declared a 200 per cent. dividend—and yet they seem ready to screw the utmost dollar out of the gov- ernment, and fail to make a good de- livery at that. Mr. Daniels seems to be a good hand to deal with munition-makers. Slogans for the Herald HY does the Herald borrow the familiar slogans of the Sun and Times to ornament the upper corners of its front page? There they are: “ All the news that's fit to print” in one corner; “It shines for all” in the other. How very cheeky, and how very curious! The rankest piracy, of course! The Herald should get up some slogans of its own. Why not put on one side: “Beats on sea news,” and on the other: “Europe's only organ here”? comicbooks.com