Life, 1918-08-01 · page 13 of 36
Life — August 1, 1918 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine presents a courtroom satire titled "Celebrated Cases." The cartoon depicts a judge presiding over a prisoner named "George Creel," who faces charges of being "a member of a socialist, a Heart endorser, a purveyor of misinformation and of having apologized to Congress." The satire targets Creel's inconsistency and perceived flip-flopping. The judge offers leniency if Creel agrees never to contradict his past statements—a condition Creel accepts, admitting he's overlooked "nothing mean" about himself. The humor lies in exposing Creel as hypocritical and willing to accept any terms to escape judgment. The accompanying text includes dialogue satirizing wartime politics and a separate "After-Dinner Speaker" section. Without knowing the specific historical moment, the content appears to critique political opportunism during or around a war period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
| a i ‘LIFE: Uf aes O) XS “WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH WABBLER?” Celebrated Cases HE next case on the list was that of a pleasing looking young gen- tleman who was, however, somewhat the worse for wear. “Name of prisoner?” “George Creel.” “And the charge against him?” “There are several counts, your honor. He is accused of being a socialist, a Hearst endorser, a purveyor of misinformation and of having apolo- gized to Congress.” “Um! This looks bad. Prisoner, what have you to say for yourself?” “Well, your honor, I have already repudiated about all of my past I can think of, but if there is any little thing T have overlooked, just let me know. There's nothing mean about me.” “ NOTHING, HE'S IN HIS ELEMENT, THAT'S ALL.” “WHAT IS HIS PARTICULAR ELEMENT?" “ ALCOHOL.” “Then you announce that you are now ready to go back on everything you have ever said or done?” “Yes, your honor.” “And will you promise that, here- after, you will always be willing to go back on everything you may say?” “T certainly will, your honor.” “Well, prisoner, I am disposed to be lenient with you. This is only your last offence, and you are young, and after the war is over the Hearst papers may not be running, and you might have to get a job somewhere else, so we must be willing to give you a chance. What is your present occupation?” “T issue a bulletin of belated news. Suppose, for example, you miss the newspapers for a week or so. Just pick up my bulletin, and you will get all the news that was published a week Then Mr. Hearst and I censor the movies.” “Well, couldn't you get a job in vaudeville or start a correspondence school in parlor tiddledewinks, and thus do something to help win the war?” “But I thought, your honor- “Don't think any more than you can help. Remember, prisoner, we are cut- ting out the non-essentials. I'll let you off this time, if you will continue to be as amusing as you can. We must have some relief from this war, and that's in your favor, anyway. Next case!" ago. TER - DINNER SPEAKER: Gentlemen, I nave come prepared to-night to speak on the war. Guest: It's all right. old man. We've come prepared to listen to you. comicbooks.com