Life, 1918-12-12 · page 27 of 34
Life — December 12, 1918 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **satirical open letters** mocking prominent figures who avoided or were exempted from WWI service. **The Edsel Ford letter** attacks Henry Ford's son for claiming exemption from military service as "badly needed in the home," then sarcastically congratulates him while implying his pacifism is cowardly. The joke: while others died, Ford remained safe. **The "All-Lowest" letter** appears to ridicule German military leaders (Ludendorff, Mackensen, Tirpitz) by mockingly offering them menial jobs, suggesting they deserve demotion. **The Taft letter** praises William Howard Taft for his wartime conduct—likely sincere flattery. **The Trotsky/Lenin letter** sarcastically "declines" their offer to spread Bolshevism in America, arguing they're more useful destabilizing Russia and Germany. It complains America already has enough radicals ("Bolsheviki," "prohibitionists," "bomb-throwers"). The **cartoon** shows children finding money/silver without finding a thrift stamp—suggesting waste or moral failure. Overall, the page reflects **post-WWI American anxiety**: resentment toward draft-dodgers, anti-communist sentiment, and social upheaval.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Some Open Letters To Edsel Ford. FAR SIR: As the son of Henry D Ford, and one who claimed exemp- sn from military service because you w so badly needed in’ the home fivver trenches, we congratulate you successful termination of the will, no doubt, be a great com- pon war fo you to realize that, while so many thers have been forced by fool- tment to fight and die for their you still remain as a bulwark al reconstruction, With your cnowledge of pacifism in all its com phases, as evidenced by many battles with stern draft < to preserve your life for your it is evident that those of us ¢ left are not living in vain, for a hopeful and pacifist pos- Lie All-Lowest, care of Messrs. udendorff, Mackensen, Tirpits d Gott. AR ALL-LOWEST November 13th, announcing your change of address, has been duly re- ceived and contents noted. We regret to inform you that our Street Cleaning Department reports that it has no vacancies at present, but it is possible that we may be able to place you as printer's devil for one of the Hearst In case you do not receive this er, you will understand that it has forwarded through our Post ¢ Department. Insincerely yours, Lirr Yours of papers, THE scitooL OF APPLIED ART “a's ALL RIGHT, WILLIE, HE ONLY TOOK A LOT 0’ OLD SILVER AND MONEY— HE DIDN'T FIND THAT THRIFT STAMP OF OURS” To W. H. Taft DE&* MR. TAFT: The other day we amused ourselves making a list of the men who had gone throug’ the war with the most credit, so their behavior was concerned. nethod at arriving this conclusion was based on an estimate of certain qualities which make up the behavior of any citizen in war time. These in- cluded patriotism, acura dignity, firmness in telling the truth reserve, when necessary, and good nature. When we had finished we saw your name at the top. We thought you might like to know this. Cordially and sincerely yours, I To Messrs. Trotzky and Lenine ENTLEMEN favor of November 3oth, in which you ask if your services will be needed Replying to your in this country, in order to make the world safe for Bolshevism, we beg to we do not think so. We be- lieve that you can probably do. more harm where you are, and it would he a pity to take you away from such a and work as you are déing in Rus and Germany unless we really ne you, At present we have a number of able’ Bolsheviki—l. Wo W infernalists, prohibitionist yellow Sinn F ers and bomb-throwers—in our midst Ii we see any disposition on the part the administration to be intolerant of them and not to treat them with all courtesy and respect due their votes, we will let you know. Secretly and diaholically yours, “ DEACE without victory.” “Too proud to fight.” “He ont of comicbooks.com