Life, 1919-05-22 · page 7 of 42
Life — May 22, 1919 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents satirical content about early 20th-century American politics and social issues. **"The Metal of the Moon"** is a poem about alchemical pursuit of wealth and power, using lunar imagery as metaphor for elusive riches. **"Adequate"** is a satirical legal case narrative mocking "Government Ownership" policies. The court scene ridicules socialist or progressive government intervention by having a prisoner represent "Government Ownership" itself—personified as having "ruined business" and created "national debt." The judge offers mercy by transferring the "prisoner" to the Republican party, sarcastically suggesting Republicans will manage government better than interventionist Democrats. **"A Civil Engineer"** illustration depicts a flirtation scene at a train, with the gentleman's caption humorously asserting his marital status to avoid impropriety—typical period social satire about Victorian propriety and gender relations. The overall theme critiques progressive economic policies through humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
loam alaneatealte teal Wealleat & EI E EI iA iB Al Teateatte The Metal of the Moon TROLOGERS in years of old Would give their lives to find and hold hidden alchemy of Gold, he Metal of the Sun—the bold And sovereign lord of noon, re tempting far is Silver white, lor of the path of light Fhat lies upon the sea by night, (er which our mystic dreams take flight— The Metal of the Moon. Bliss Carman, Adequate HE next case on the docket was that of Government Ownership. “Call the prisoner,” said the Court. Government Ownership was brought in ona stretcher. He smiled feebly. The crowd tittered, “ Order!" exclaimed the Court. “How can there be any order, your honor, with Government Ownership so near?” said the counsel for the peo- ple. The clerk rapped. But the ap- ilause continued for some moments. ~The charges against this offend said the Court, “are explicit and cir- cumstantial. He has ruined business. He has heen in a constant state of po- litical intoxication, He has piled up a national debt that can never be paid. Prisoner, it remains only for me to pronounce sentence. What form of punishment do you prefe: “Your honor, I should like to be put out of my misery as soon as possible.” The Court reflected. “Very well, prisoner. We are still a humane people, and I will grant your request. You will be turned over at once to the Republican party.” A CIVIL ENGINEER “L REALLY FEEL IT MY DUTY TO INFORM YOU, YOUNG LADY, THAT 1 AM MARRIED. THEREFORE | REQUEST OF YOU TO DESIST FROM YOUR FLIRTATION ” comicbooks.com.