Life, 1918-01-03 · page 31 of 40
Life — January 3, 1918 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon**: A humorous strip showing people attempting transportation after "both horses and gasoline are gone." It satirizes wartime fuel rationing and shortages, depicting increasingly absurd substitutes—people pulling carts, riding goats, etc. **Middle Illustration**: Titled "Uncle Sam: It's wonderful how that new maid can keep the children quiet," shows a woman reading to two children labeled "Patriotism." This appears to be WWI-era propaganda satire—mocking how patriotic messaging keeps the public docile and compliant. **"Concerning Professors" Poem**: A cynical attack on academics as foolish, hypocritical pedants who teach lies and are forgotten despite their pretensions to wisdom. Quotes Richard Le Gallienne criticizing their hold over youth. **"Didn't Know His Business" Joke**: Two German spies discuss sabotage strategy. One questions why his colleague wastes time on small factories when larger plants are "open to us"—dark humor about espionage vulnerabilities during wartime. The page reflects WWI anxieties: rationing, propaganda, intellectual criticism, and spy fears.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
——— e XUM Unele Sam: 11 ParalorigM "S WONDERFUL HOW THAT NEW MAID CAN KEEP THE CHILDREN QUILT Conceming Professors ROFESSORS, with their foolish brows, Pass and depart, Learned in every lore, besides The human heart. Laughed at by ever-living youth Up discreet sleev Selling themselves to teach old lies No man believes. Poor dust called men that need not die To be forgot, That, even living, were as though They still were not. Fools, stuffed with wisdom as a goose Is stuffed with spices, Yet cautious hypocrites the while Of hidden vices. How long shall Youth and Strength be slaves To men like you— Wild, wild-haired April in the land, All stars and dew? Richard Le Gallicnne. Didn't Know His Business Fiest ce SPY: Why did ou blow up that small factory yes- Seconp German Spy: Every little helps. “But why waste time like that when the bigge plants in the country are open to us?” comicbooks.com