Life, 1917-10-04 · page 41 of 44
Life — October 4, 1917 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Left Column - "The Privilege of Disliking Certain People":** This satirical essay mocks sentimentality about universal brotherhood. The author confesses he actually *enjoys* disliking specific people (Robinson, Smith, Jones) and uses them as entertainment—finding pleasure in cordially hating them or fantasizing about violence. The humor lies in the frank admission that disliking certain individuals brings him joy and moral benefit. It's social satire on hypocrisy: we claim to love everyone but actually harbor petty hatreds we indulge privately. **Right Column - Beeman's Chewing Gum Advertisement:** A full-page ad featuring "Doctor E. E. Beeman" claiming his gum cures headaches and indigestion. The ad states 40% of all illnesses trace to indigestion, positioning the gum as medicinal. This reflects early 20th-century advertising's exaggerated health claims before FDA regulations, when products routinely made dubious medical promises. **Bottom Right - "War Gardening as a Reducer":** A humorous poem about wartime rationing/gardening efforts failing to produce weight loss, concluding "But Hoover did it!"—likely referencing Herbert Hoover's WWI food conservation policies.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MUSICALLY INCLINED The Privilege of Disliking Certain Mos? °F ie exalted mo- | ORIGINAL | ePSn ments, like to talk about the spirit of the brotherhood of man, which en- ables us to look with charity and sweet- ness upon all; not to discern the mote in our brother's eye, but to look upon him as being one to help and sympa- thize with. I confess freely that I am not of this kind. I enjoy disliking certain people, and believe that my moral nature is benefited by it For example, there is Robinson. In my calmer moments, if I should yield to prejudice, 1 have no doubt that I might find good in him; but how ab- surd this would be! It would reduce him to the cheap level of those for MY GUM IS GOOD FOR A HEADACHE Indigestion is prevalent. Indigestion causes suffering. Indigestion induces headaches and | dizziness. 40% of all ills can be traced to | indigestion. whom I have no particular interest 14 Thousands of physicians knew this years ago. . Now I can pass awa: much delightful y But I was the first to produce a chewing gum i. time in cordially hating him. When I | : i at have nothing else to do, I can always 4] expressly to bring relief from ills of the stomach. take a whack out of Robinson. | al aT I devised a scientific formula for gum, as a food chemist. The same thing is true of Smith. Smith is not an ordinary villain. If mith were not so absolutely con- I f a mptible, smashing his face in and i Multitudes now use my gum to ward off head- . kicking him downstairs would be a || |) aches and troubles of the stomach. - worthy occupation. I think of Smith, |] F , however, only in extreme moments B when I want some excitement. As for Jones, he always puts me in | acalmer mood. Not that I hate him gE less, but in a different manner. It ree | quires a certain amount of finesse to | dislike Jones. By hating him bluntly | and frankly I should feel that he was getting the advantage of me. He is the a ESN if ¥ a5 mY 3 & __ kind that would always get the advan- | wy oe ’ |) AMERICAN CHICLE COMPANY War Wear nar Wat Mar waar wnat A Young #Youne \YoueAMAN oF AYOUS 4 Younc boa He peareent Gime woman font Overt 0 Overt Ovowr fernow "9K = Km tage of one who hated him in any com War Gardening as a Reducer Sina Ma monplace manner. EXERGISED!3t stated These three are my main resources. Ich aiteainne When I seek a few hours’ recreation, I T walked and banted; READ BY MILLIONS BECAUSE EY TELLOF | always dislike them, and the enjoy- But although I perspired in showers, ment I receive is of such an uplifting And panted, SEX SUBJECTS WITHOUT MEDICALTERMS | cciin ee neers “And fasted, ill Tost no weight— Ko it. And I was vexed; I never hid it— pace bruce 1 should now be afraid to discover Not any one of all of these UM . Price GRICE $i00Net $100! PRICE price in them any virtues, as it might rob me Could make me any less obese. Paice g RICE, $100Ket sioomet BIE, price aan $100 et 500K OO Net go wet of one of my most permanent and en- —But Hoover did it! 13 @ RACE, PHILA, PA. 4 joyable occupations. Mary Carolyn Davies. comicbooks.com