Life, 1917-05-31 · page 37 of 38
Life — May 31, 1917 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page (page 965) contains several distinct items: **"Economy" Essay (top right):** A satirical argument *against* belt-tightening during wartime. The author sarcastically claims America must maintain lavish spending to preserve its international social status, suggesting that frugality would embarrass neighbors and damage national prestige. The satire targets jingoistic nationalism and conspicuous consumption as patriotic duty—a critique of wartime excess disguised as serious argument. **Cartoons:** Minor humorous sketches include one about a junior officer uncomfortable wearing a sword for the first time, and another about "heathen" anger (likely a dig at those who don't subscribe to Life magazine). **Advertisements:** Collins-System car curtains, Jackson Top Company, and Nujol (a laxative marketed as patriotic health maintenance during "world crisis"). The page satirizes both nationalist fervor and commercial exploitation of wartime anxiety, with advertisers repurposing patriotic duty messaging to sell products.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
r ' 5 j 1 I i 5 ‘ I I i] J I 1 I J 1 1 I 1 J ' ! i ' ' 1 1 ’ 1 “LIFE: aaa ame mey Be Independent of The Weather Man That means having Collins-System Curtains on your car. Most of the quality cars in every price-class have them as regular equipment. You can get them on any car you buy, if you insist on them. OLLINS- SYS curtains 2, Each section of Collins-System Curtains is right at hand when you wantit. You can beat the fit rain-drope in a summer shower; and have the curtains out of the way again in time to catch the frst glimpse of the returning sua Tellthe dealer you want Colfins-Syitem Curtains. And look for the license tag—your protection against imatations, JACKSON TOP COMPANY Jackson, Michigan Collins <7 Curtains “License No. K18956 JACKSON TOP CO. JACKSON, 10CH. DIVISION—NOVELTY LEATHER WORKS someeene ee ee neal Personally Interested Tony, the office janitor, had been working faithfully at his job for several years, when he surprised his employer one day by asking for a vacation. “We can't get along very well with- out you,” said the boss. “You don't need a vacation. You'll only blow in your money and come back broke.” “I ike to have vacation.” persisted Tony. “1 get married, and I kinda like to be there."—Argonant HY do the heathen rage? Simply because, being heathen, they haven't had sense cnough to go to their newsdealers and order their weekly copics of Lire in advance. Naturally they rage when they find that the newsdealer has sold out his entire supply. HOW THE JUNIOR OFFICER FELT THE FIRST TIME HE WORE A SWORD Economy 2 is too much talk of economy these bellicose days. Not only are we a proud nation, but we are a rich, resourceful, powerful and splendid nation, and we can trace our lineage in every imaginable direction with the most gratifying results. We should spend our money accordingly. What will people think of us if we suddenly hegin to scrimp and save and go without luxuries that we absolutely need, if we let our rivers and harbors get shabby and our tinsel fray at the edges? Who of us, as indi- viduals, has not been in that condition once or twice, and how badly we felt on account of it? Not that we ourselves minded the matter. On the contrary, we were secretly glad to be forced to live a simpler life. But it troubled our neighbors and friends illimit- ably. Their lives were greatly disturbed by the necessity of sympathizing with us and patronizing us. So America has a social position to uphold in the eyes of the world. Let us uphold it in a becoming manner. Let us be peerless leaders in the international social set. Let us prove that we can still wield the mightiest check book in all this mighty age of check hooks. Keep Fit—for Your Country In this world crisis it is your duty, above everything else, to keep yourself in good condition, You can’t serve your country in any capacity if you allow your health to run down. ‘The Nujol treatment will make you a national asset—not a liability. Take a little Nujol upon rising and retiring and it will remove waste matters and ns (intestinal toxins) from your system, and keep your habits regular as clock work. Nujol is not habit forming. (The longer you take it, the less you need it.) No griping, straining, upset stomach or weakening. Nujol is absolutely pure and harmless, and is pleasant to take. Even the infant will enjoy it, and it will do as much for him as it Joes for his mother, Nujol is sold in pint bottles only, bearing Nujol trademark, never in bulk. Nujol is absolutely distinctive and individual. There is no other product on the market like it, STANDARD OIL COMPANY (New Jersey) Bayonne New Jersey Plaase,send me booklet on Nujol and its uses. Write your name and address plainly below. Dept 15 comicbooks.com