Life, 1918-09-05 · page 2 of 34
Life — September 5, 1918 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily a United States Tires advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The large illustration shows a tire prominently displayed alongside an industrial/commercial scene with trucks, a factory building, and workers—emphasizing the tire's role in commerce and transportation. The ad's argument is straightforward: during what it calls "a critical period for American industry," good tires are essential infrastructure. It claims hundreds of industries have been slowed by inadequate transportation, and that motor transport is solving this problem. Therefore, quality tires matter for national commerce. The "safeguards of commerce" headline positions reliable tires as vital to economic function—a practical business appeal rather than satire. This reflects post-WWI industrial concerns about efficiency and American economic competitiveness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Good Tires - Safeguards of Commerce This is a critical period for American industry. Hundreds of important industries have been slowed up by lack of adequate transportation facilities. Virtually all fai i men are adopting motor transportation to re! Next to the vehicles themselv feguards of commerce, come the tires. For the car’ ctivene: wholly depend> ent upon the tires upon which it travel: That is why good tires are of such vital importance. United States Tires The lasting dependability that made them such favorites in times of peace is bringing them more and more into promi- nence as a war-time necessity. There isa United States Tire to meet every possible driving condition—light or heavy duty. Five treads for passenger cars and both pneumatic and solid for trucks. The nearest United States Tire Sales and Service Depot dealer will gladly advise you as to the ones you should use. United States Tires are Good Tires