Life, 1917-04-05 · page 49 of 70
Life — April 5, 1917 — page 49: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines satirical classified ads with humorous commentary on early 20th-century society and politics. The ads mock contemporary figures and situations: - "Von B., Unter den Linden" (Berlin address) appears to reference German diplomacy with "doubtful methods" - "W.J.B." likely alludes to William Jennings Bryan, a famous orator known for promoting patent medicines - The Mexican bandit reference suggests Uncle Sam (the U.S. government) recruiting soldiers for military intervention - The submarine nursing ad satirizes Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels's military expansion The cartoon "One Thousand" depicts a man writing at a fireplace, likely representing a writer or journalist. The marriage/divorce comparison is straightforward satire: identical reasons explain both union and dissolution, mocking how superficial and changeable marriage motivations are among the wealthy elite. The final joke mocks college education's ineffectiveness against crude speech patterns—a critique of educational pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
593 Classified Advertisements Male Situations Wanted <PERIENCED ambassador desires position which requires doubtful methods and no accounting. Very capable in right place. Ready refer- ences furnished. Address Von B., Unter den Linden. I am a licensed orator. Can speak fluently and convincingly on any mi- nority topic. Recently held position of great responsibility. Left for various reasons, Can advertise patent medi- cines or soft drinks, the latter pre: ferred. Phone or write W. J. B. Male Help Wanted Three hundred and twenty-cight thousand six hundred and forty-two able-bodied young men wanted to help 2 fake Ss $ catch one bandit in Mexico. Indica- pitas ' tions are that positions will be perma- nent. Address Uncle Sam Female Help Wanted Reliable and steady nurse-boats wanted to take submarines out for exercise. Apply to Josephus | Seven Reasons Why They Were Married HERE was no opposition They had a great deal of money Both liked society Their temperaments were exactly op- posite. They prided themselves on doing as they pleased She was a blonde It was quite the thing to do Seven Reasons Why They Were Divorced There was no opposition They had a great deal of money. Both liked society. Their temperaments were exactly op- posite. They prided themselves on doing as they pleased She was a blonde. It was quite the thing to do, “DID he learn any Latin in college?” “Not enough to interfere with ONE THOUSAND his slang.” (comichooks.com