Life, 1918-10-03 · page 31 of 34
Life — October 3, 1918 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks Washington society at a theater premiere. Gossiping theatergoers identify prominent government figures by appearance and rumor, their comments revealing both social snobbery and ignorance. The references appear to be to actual Wilson-era officials: "McAdoo" (likely Treasury Secretary William McAdoo), "Baker" (Secretary of War Newton Baker), "Daniels" (Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels), and "Lane" (Interior Secretary Franklin Lane). The dialogue ridicules these men's physical appearance while also mocking the women speakers—their superficiality, fashion obsession, and casual cruelty. A suffragette joke appears near the end. The humor targets both pretentious Washington society and the speakers' own vapid commentary, suggesting that those who claim to move in powerful circles are themselves rather foolish and petty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Overheard at a First Night in Washington ; Belasco Theatre. yy: Juliet Maginnis. in “Hot Air.’ GIRL: There are the Lansings. He is the stern-looking man with the gray mustache. A Asotuicr Girt: Oh, my dear, that's sever him. Why, that man hasn't even ME acd a white tic. * ®@ AG: Well, that’s Mrs. Lansing, I anyway. She's in black for her father. JEWELRY SILVERWARE STATIONERY He's dead. He was something in : Where’s McAdoo. Gee, sme job There's his wife. Isn't she she has her hair different, and FOO canine | NOTED FOR QUALITY iron gray hair the Secretary of War? A Gi With the McAdoos? Axoriier Gi! Yes, y,no! That's Barney ‘an: He's that little man back ¢ woman leaning over the box EFrictent SERVICE BY MAIL The one with glasses. Axovier GIRL: ! And that should be Baker! Why, he just looks likea little Boston boy. Is ihat his wife? AGwi: Hush! She might hear you and then she would burst forth into saging “ Uncle Sam.” FIFTH AVENUE & 37@ STREET Anotiier Giri Pretty dress, but 1 y, awful restless, I love those black chif- New YorK fon points and that bare look, don't you? Is that her sister? AGiku: I don't know. I guess that’s suffragette the cat brought in. Tue Man: That man next to him is John Barrett. A Girt: Oh, no, it isn’t dear, that’s Lane. Isn't he the baldest thing? There's Daniels next. Wouldn't he look droll in a sailor suit? guarantee of quality, since 1777. Fownes oar i sets the standard in AsotHer Girt: Don't you love le, fit and service: Juliet Maginnis in this? fax Miltary and Che A Girt: She has the biggest mouth ilian ents. | in the world, but once you forget it Y pra a ee she’s not half bad. he BILTMORE Shope Tue Ma Her mouth is attractive, 3 43rd and 44th Sts. and Madison Ave. anyway, even if it isn’t so small, and The Centre of Social she sure can act. . Life of the Metropolis Tue Girt: Don't you adore that Close to theatres and sho; Harvard crimson and that fascinating “The Cescades, Mahan sunken pointed hat? She looks just like a gardens. Special features. paper doll I used to have when I was 2 3 Afternoon tea - Orchestra a kid. Denes Tue Man: Hush, there's the cur- ancing tain. comicbooks.com