Life, 1919-07-03 · page 29 of 52
Life — July 3, 1919 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **Prohibition** (the 1920-1933 ban on alcohol) from soldiers' and citizens' perspectives. **Top cartoon**: Shows a man frantically explaining Bolshevism to a skeptical listener—mocking Prohibition advocates who conflate alcohol restrictions with protecting America from communist "red menace." **"Soldiers' Point of View"**: A soldier's complaint that while fighting in Europe for "democracy and liberty," America imposed Prohibition at home—an ironic constraint he didn't face in war-torn countries. He argues soldiers sacrificed without alcohol; civilians shouldn't restrict it during peacetime. **"Sayings of Famous Joy-Killers"**: Mock quotes from fictitious politicians with absurd names ("Wetblanket," "Graften Grouch," "Hypocrites Hiccuprs") who support strict Prohibition. The satire ridicules anti-alcohol crusaders as joyless killjoys imposing unnecessary moral tyranny. **Overall message**: Life mocks Prohibition as un-American government overreach and hypocrisy, particularly unjust to soldiers who endured real hardships.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE MAN WHO mischievous madness Prohibition The Soldiers’ Point of View OU may talk of saving Europe and of world democracy That will send all Bolshevism to perdition ; But you can’t explain to me how the land of liberty Can be what a guy calls free with Prohibi- tion, We've been fighting in a country where there's no autocracy, Where a man may drink, if that is his am- bition ; And while we've fought and died, over on the other side. stay-at-homes tion. The slipped over Prohibi We have faced the influenza and the Germans at one time, Without whisky, rum or any false ignition It was cold 2s hell, and wet: fellows died that could not get Something warming, on account of Prohi- bition. In the war we took our orders—that was quite as it should be. But it's over now: mission. we've all fulfilled our “EXPLAINS “The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolis "—E BOLSHEVISM ess, and the end of his talk is lsiastes ¥, 13 We <ctood for it over there, and we murmured, “C'est la guerre,” But at home it’s not quite fair, this Prohibition Let them start the chance, Let the ell us That we Get ac thing all over, let them give the boys a how en who went away, and are coming he to live, on one condition © each ce to have our say on Prohibition Elsie Janis Sayings of Famous Joy-Killers ON, JOSIAH WETBLANKET but one thousand and one narrow-minded notions to inflict on my country ! I regret that I have Hox man to stifle his natural impulses! Hon. A, Grarter Groven son Horation Howtowrate: Congress expects every Though this ainst rea to put the lid on all amusement—tet’s, make the most of it! Hos. Jupas McBrive bill passed, if it takes till next summer! Hos. Siptict Storer of the people all I'm going to get my anti-smile ines You can depress some the time, and all of the people some of the time; my ambition is to depress all of the people all of the time! Hox. Hypocrites Hiccuprs: Surrender all your toys and implements of sport, in the name of Prohibition and of the Don’'t-Care-a-Continental Congress! comicbooks.com