Life, 1919-03-13 · page 10 of 42
Life — March 13, 1919 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces: 1. **"The Biograph"** — A satirical poem by Arthur Guiterman mocking William Randolph Hearst as a sensationalist newspaper magnate who runs "Picture-Papers" and pursues "bigger things" while being inconsistent and self-serving. 2. **"Which?"** — A commentary on a Food Administration advertisement claiming America produces "twenty million tons of food," questioning whether food stocks are genuinely abundant or whether restrictions remain necessary despite the claims. 3. **"Retribution"** — A brief piece (appears incomplete on this page) apparently about someone connected to Prohibition movement, referencing Methodist deacons. The cartoon illustration shows a woman in period dress wading through water with children and a dog, with men in background—its exact satirical target is unclear without full context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Biograph WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST OW sadly, wickedly aspersed Is Mr. William Randolph Hearst, Who runs so many Picture-Papers, A Nation's Torches, Lamps and Ta- pers! He'll stand, they say, who say amiss, Down East for That—Out West for This. He stood, they charge, for that Un- wiser And Sadder William H., the Kaiser. Not so. Consistent, at the worst, He stands for William Randolph Hearst. He owns, this Mighty News-Purveyor, With Heaps of Bigger Things, a Mayor ; And All he owns is ably nursed For Mr, William Randolph Hearst. He shouts from Pulpit, Stump or Steeple, Hali-Truths and less to Trustiul Peo- ple; For who are they that better know What m: a Circulation grow? A Sentimental Cane he swishes To rescue Toads from Jellyfishes. But William Randolph Hearst is first And last for William Randolph Hearst. Arthur Guiterman, Which ? E JERY morning on my way to my office I read a street-car advertise- ment issued by the United States Food Administration. “ America’s Pledge— Twenty million tons of food,” is what it says, According to the advertise- ment, this is two-thirds as much again as last year, and yet our stocks to draw on are no larger. In the restaurants where T lunch and dine there are sugar and bread in plenty. No longer am I reminded of the task before us by wheatless and meat- less days. Men and women friends of mine who thinned out last year are growing stout again. Nowhere do I yes, then one of two things, both dis- Retribution see anybody saving food. All restric- agreeable, must be true: either the re- “E CUSE me, I am the man who tions appear to be off. strictions of last year were unwar- started the Prohibition movement When I get home at night I ranted in their s y, and therefore in the United States.” think about this advertisement by led to unholy financial profit for some- His Impertan Mayesty: So? (To the United States Food Administra- body, or else we are dangerously near attendant) Just hand this chap over to tion. Does it tell the truth or not? If breaking our pledge. Which is it? that band of Methodist deacons. “SAY, OLD MAN, DO YOU MIND MY FLIRTING A LITTLE WITH YOUR WIFE? “NOT AT ALL, BUT DON'T LET HER KNOW. IF SHE GETS THE IDEA THAT 1 APPROVE OF IT, SHE'LL THROW YOU OVER.” comicbooks.com