Life, 1919-01-16 · page 13 of 34
Life — January 16, 1919 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features wartime satire from World War I era (based on the caption "If Neuchâtels Had Lived During the Late War"). The main cartoon depicts a dinner party where various civilians display absurd, exaggerated military commands and behaviors—a waiter shouts "Double time—March!" and a tailor declares "About face!" The signs visible reference wartime rationing and prohibition: "Save Food," "No Intoxicating Liquors," and "Food Don't Waste It." The satire mocks home-front civilians who adopt military mannerisms and language during wartime, treating ordinary civilian life as if they're conducting military operations. It's comedy about civilians overcompensating with pseudo-military authority during the war effort, conflating domestic inconveniences with actual military discipline.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
i CONSERVE IF NERUCHADNEZZAK HAD LIVED DURING Military OMMANDS for troops in and in drill need not neces: fall into disuse with the end of the war. Most of them may still Le used with telling effect in civil life. As, for instance : Trafic cop, to line of motorists: “In place—Halt!" HOW IT SEEMS TO THE SENSITIVE MR. THE LATE business man, to waiter: Busy “Double time—March Young woman, to her returning sol- dier-fiancé: “ Present arms!” opper, to saleswoman: “ Charg wimming instructor, to his pupil “Fall in!” Irate mother, to daughter who has applied rouge: “As you were!” Hotel clerk, to hellhop: “ Front!” SUBURBS. wan Modiste, to customer in hobble skirt: “ Half step—March!” Impatient father, to young men stay- ~Com- ing late with his daughters pany, dismissed!” Tailor, to customer he is “ About face!” Discerning mother, to her little son, after his bath: “Inspection arms!” Economical landlord, to his prodigal “Cease firing!” fitting : furnace-stoker : Watchful Waiting AR-WEARY waiting Woodrow Wilson's words. Will wary Woodrow's wisdom win world welfare? Well, we wonder! world — watehfully “VWJHY has landlord started to dun you for that back rent?” “ He caughteme buying a new pair of shoes to-day your again comicbooks.com