Life, 1917-12-06 · page 33 of 92
Life — December 6, 1917 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three wartime satirical pieces, likely from World War I: **"Will Fat People Pass?"** questions whether overweight people will face suspicion during food rationing. The satire suggests that fat people, by existing, "prove" they eat too much—making them targets for public scrutiny during scarcity. The piece advocates keeping a few fat people around for morale, presenting the absurdity of blaming individuals for systemic food conservation needs. **"Superfluous"** mocks a newly-formed British sailors' association pledging never to interact with Germans, as protest against German naval atrocities (shooting civilians from lifeboats). Life satirizes the pledge as unnecessary—who could forget such horrors?—yet acknowledges the impulse has "merit." **The final joke** is a quip about a man calling a diamond solitaire an "asset" rather than "liability" when giving it to his fiancée—implying wives are financial burdens. The sketch depicts working-class figures, consistent with wartime themes of rationing and social cohesion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Christm Linerté, EGALith, Will Fat People Pass? T is a disturbing thought, yet doubtless not without its compensations, . Fat people have not had an easy time of it. They have heen the victims of coarse jokes and subjected to more or less physical discomfort. Added to these trials, they may now be expected to be regarded with a certain amount of suspicion, No fat person, of course, will acknowledge that he eats But his bulk and the crushing force of chemistry and mathematics are against him. Fat people are scarce in countries where food is scarce. Why would it not be a good idea to set aside one fat person in ten, and just for the good cheer of the neighbors, let him remain where he is? We understand, of course, But after all, we must have the spirit to go on and conquer: and a few fat and cheer- much. the grim necessity of conserving food, people scattered among us will b.ced cour fulness. as Life FRATERNITE Superfluous AS association of seafaring men has been formed in izing the Gern sailors permanently. Never to shake hands with a German lor, never to speak to one, never to have anything to do s the world shall last—this is the main London for the purpose of ost: with one as long idea of this association. But are not the seafaring men of England doing a super- fluous thing? Is it necessary for any set of human beings to band themselves together for the purpose of not for- getting what the Germans are doing ?—shooting down help- less women clinging to lifeboats on the high seas. What human being, no matter what his caste or nation- ality or calling, is likely to forget that? However, the idea has merit “LIAS he any head for business?” “Not a bit! gave to his fiancée as an asset, instead of a liability!" He even figures the solitaire that he comicbooks.com