Life, 1919-03-20 · page 36 of 44
Life — March 20, 1919 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes advertisements with political satire from the World War I era. **The "Ballade for the Benefit of the Bolsheviki"** is a poem mocking the Russian Revolution. It satirizes the Bolsheviks' violent attempts to reshape society ("trampling it cast, trampling it west") using brutality—"Machine-guns," "barbed wire," "Fixed bayonets." The poem's recurring refrain, "Some men are left who clean their nails," suggests that despite revolutionary terror, personal dignity and hygiene persist—implying the revolution's failure to eliminate basic human standards or free will. The crude joke below depicts two soldiers: one gold-striped (higher rank) and one silver-striped (lower rank) with bandages. When asked his injury, the lower-ranked soldier claims he fell off a donkey, while the higher-ranked soldier was wounded by explosives—a class-based jab at military hierarchy and incompetence. **"The New Magna Charta"** sarcastically attacks President Woodrow Wilson's expanding executive power by claiming all government functions—executive, legislative, and judicial—rest with him alone, with citizens having only the right to "appeal" back to Wilson. It criticizes perceived autocracy disguised as progressive governance. The page is primarily **advertisements** for Listerine, Derby hats, and books on sexual education.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Pele E Readily obtainable the world over in the original package. Readily available as an emer- gency dressing for wounds. To allay inflammation To prevent infection To promote healing To use as an antiseptic wash in the care of the throat, mouth and teeth, and as a douche or lotion in matters of personal hygiene. Manufactured only by Lambert Pharmacal Company Se. Louis, Mo., U.S A a IsteRit A coumstmrep private was talking with a silver-striped brother on the local boulevard. The silver-striper had his head all bandaged. The gold-striper was carrying his left arm in a sling “Whadyou get?” asked the gold pri- vate. “Fell offen a dammule,” was the dis admission you did get it bad. Mine was only an explosive shell.” —Trench and Camp. Ballade for the Benefit of the Bolsheviki HIE Bolsheviks had done their best To shape it to the heart's desire, Trampling it cast, trampling it west, Like hogs to “ mould” it into mire— Ignorance, fury, filth, and fire: “Yet still the revolution fails,” Said one, with aspirations hij “Some men are left who clean their nails!” The councils sat in much unrest, In talk that no one seemed to ti They sai This be the final test! Machine-guns have we and barbed wire, And other soft persuasions dire; Fixed bayonets, rifle-butts and flails Shall mould them, though we all per- spire— Some men are left who clean their nails!” Yet one withstood that fierce behest; No love of Freedom made him liar. He said: “Whatever do the rest, Ta cold bath at least require. Write this upon my funeral pyre, ‘Willing was he to scour the pails." Yet with these words did he expire— “Some men are left who clean their nails! vb Prince! —T mean “ Comrade” — slip confessed! Spare my poor head. Yet what avails hough you should be the dirtiest, “Some men are left who clean their nails!” Kichard Le Gallienne, y? ! cannot awaken a railroad sleep- er. Rip Van Winkle slept for twenty years, and the epers of Ephesus even longer. It is needless to say that none of the sleepers was ever a regular, annual subscriber to Lire. “Give US 1T! YOU'VE HAD IT ON ALL Day!" The Derby Hat is King again andOthe DUNLAP embodies alt the essentials of perfection- color, style and utility. The best at any price 180 Fifth Avenue 181 Broadway New York 22 So. Michigan Ave Chicago Agencies in alt Principal Cities The New Magna Charta T! 2 New Freedom shall be divided into three parts—the executive, legislative and judicial, The executive .function shall kk vested in Woodrow Wilson The legislative function shall te vested in Woodrow Wilson The judicial function shall be vested in Woodrow Wilson But the people shall have the right at any time to alter this at their will by appealing to Woodrow Wilson imparts in a clear, wholesome in one volume: Koewledge a Yoong Max S Kaowiedce a Yeung Hashisd S Keowledge a Father Seeald fi Kaowledce a Father Shoold ngs BisSa Medical Keowiedze a Hashard Spell Ban Koowledgr a Yeung Weman Shoold Have Koowledse a Yoon: Wile Shook! ave. Keowiedce a Mother Sbocld Have Koowledge a Mether Sbecld Ingart to Ber Dug $2.00 estsid.Wedal Knewke » Wie Stel ve ete for “Othe | PURITAN PUB. CO. 37 PERRY BL ‘Bubs: PHILA, BEL LL-AN! FOR INDIGESTIO