Life, 1918-01-10 · page 8 of 40
Life — January 10, 1918 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **labor strikes during wartime**. The dialogue on the left shows a confrontation between a government official and a strike leader who claims authority from "the majority of the people." The official argues that prolonging strikes during a devastating war prioritizes strikers' immediate welfare over national necessity. The illustration depicts **children walking past a church**, with the caption referencing a "vivid sermon on the Crucifixion" and asking if "small boys" will "ever have to be crucified?"—suggesting the moral weight of wartime sacrifice. The bottom section mocks **General Nathan Bedford Forrest's military maxim** ("Get thar fustest with the mostest men"), proposing a political parallel about success requiring "the mostest women." The satire critiques both strike justifications and questions wartime priorities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Are We Coming to This ? “IS XCUSE me, sir, but you are the head man of this blooming coun- try, are you not?” “Yes, sir.” “I don’t know what your title is, whether you call yourself prime min- ister or president or leader; but that doesn’t matter. You are in charge?” “That is correct.” “And you got your authority from the people, did you not?” “Yes, sir, from the majority of the people. They voted me in.” “Very well, And I understand that you have a war on your hands.” “A very bad war. Millions of lives have already been sacrificed, whole regions of the most beautiful country on the earth’s surface have been devas- tated, and, in fact, it is the most ter- rible war that ever was.” “Yes; so I am informed. And now I suppose you would like to know who lam.” “Yes.” “Well, I am the head of a body of strikers who have been engaged in ing war materials for you.” ndeed. I am pleased to meet you.” “T believe that you have made the statement that owing to my men going out on strike the war has been in- definitely prolonged.” “Ah, yes; but I hope you haven't taken any offense at it.” “We have! And I demand an im- mediate apology.” “Dear me! Iam terribly sorry; but of course you know that the statement is true.” “That has nothing to do with it; of course it is truce, But what you seem to forget, my dear sir, is that the im- mediate welfare of my men is much more important than that this war shall be decided immediately.” “Well, I hope you will pardon me.” “And you promise never to do it again?” “Never!” “And I trust this will be a lesson to you. We strikers don't propose to tol- erate any more nonsense from people like you. Good day!” Small Boy (after hearing a vivid sermon on the Crucifixion): MoTHER, WILL LEVER HAVE TO BE CRUCIFIED? NERAL Nathan Bedford For- rest's formula for military suc- cess, “Git thar fustest with the most- est men,” suggests a new formula for political success, “ Git thar fustest with the mostest women.” “NAMMA, Billy Smith is keeping chickens now, and T have de- clared war upon him.” “What for?” “Well, I want to make our back gar- den safe for the world.”