Life, 1919-07-31 · page 25 of 40
Life — July 31, 1919 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical letters to public figures, likely from Life's editors: **Top cartoon** ("Nature's Spotlight"): A couple on a country road illustrates the first letter's complaint about unflattering photographs published in Life magazine. **Main letter to Josephus Daniels**: A scathing critique of the Secretary of the Navy's contradictory positions. Daniels had previously opposed naval expansion before WWI, then advocated for more ships during wartime, and now celebrates the peace treaty as humanity's greatest moment since the Nativity. Life sardonically suggests he's inconsistent and opportunistic—particularly suspicious that he'll profit from a newspaper career after military service. The letter implies Daniels cynically inflates the peace's significance while preparing for future conflicts. **Bottom illustration** ("Another Source of Income"): Shows an airplane, likely referencing aviation as a new postwar economic sector. The satire targets political hypocrisy and opportunism during the uncertain post-WWI period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Perera eee NATURE'S SPOTLIGHT And it would be a mean thing to say of you that now you were just nursing a private grudge. And we don't believe that. But what we do hold against you is the awful pictures you publish in your weekly, If you keep on doing this sort of thing we suggest that you change the name to “Harvey's Weekly Chamber of Horrors.” Resentfully yours, Lire. To Josephus Daniels. AR SIR: We note what you have said about the recent signing of the Treaty of Peace, that it is the best day in the history of the world since the angels sang in Bethlehem “Glory to God in the highest.”. We have also noted what you said about the Navy League, and that you wanted more ships for the navy. We remember before the war you were deprecating the fact that we had so many ships, and when a request was made of you to increase the personnel, you denied it. Didn't we also see that you intend, upon your retirement, to go back once more and run a newspaper? Well, well! How time does run on! But don’t you think that this “best day” stuff has been run into the ground? War has now become a habit with so many nations and races that it is going to be mighty hard to settle down. And, after all, Mr. Daniels, who signed the Peace Treaty? Surely not the American people. Surely not anybody who had any more authority than one constituted by pure nerve. Meanwhile, get all the Daniels. We may need ‘em, even after you have flown the co men you can for that navy, Mr Suspiciously yours, Lire comicbooks.com