Life, 1919-07-31 · page 29 of 40
Life — July 31, 1919 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several satirical pieces mocking early 20th-century American social issues: **"Husband Is as Husband Does"** presents a telephone comedy sketch where a subscriber's profanity over the phone prompts a operator to disconnect service—then he desperately tries reporting emergencies (fire, police, ambulance) to restore it. The satire targets both telephone operators' authority and men's impulsive behavior. **"Go Slow, Gentlemen!"** mocks the suggestion of a "chair of humor" at New Jersey Normal College, arguing that if institutions develop humor, they'd expose their own incompetence and professors would lose jobs—satirizing academic pretension and job security anxieties. **Minor pieces** include romantic comedy snippets about promises and freedom, and a cartoon of a man cleaning his car for the first time, captioned with ironic commentary about "freedom" comparable to a "New York gunman's"—likely mocking either automotive culture or urban lawlessness. The page exemplifies *Life*'s blend of humor, social criticism, and illustration typical of early 20th-century American satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HUSBAND IS AS HUSBAND DOES Tue Surscriper: Cortland 148 seh, UIINPP2R@CCOHIEPP¢@CO1], (He slams the ron the hook and collapses. The curtain falls and rises, denoting the passing of ten minutes.) Tue Terepnone: Ding-a-ling (or noise to that effect). Tue Sunscrmer: Hello? An Autuoritative Mate Voice: Riverside 6343? Tue Surscriper: Yes, t is Riverside 6543. Tue Mare Voice: Were you calling Cortland 1448? You have been reported using language unfit over the telephone. Sorry, but we shall be forced to discontinue the excellent no, 1884; no, 8841; no service for your number. Good-by. Tue Supscrimer: 277??? Hello! Hello! Hello! Tne Voce with tHE Sate: Number, ple-ase? Tue Sunscriper (consult- ing the front cover of the di- rectory): I want to report a fire! I want a policeman! I want an ambulance! (Curtain.) Henry William Hanemann. Go Slow, Gentlemen! CHAIR of humor for the New Jersey Normal College has been suggested by the Commissioner of Education But is this not a dangerous precedent? If our institu- tions of learning are going to develop a sense of humor, it will be only a question of time when their own deficiencies will become too apparent. With a chair of humor in every college, half of the present professors would soon be out of a job, Not What She Meant ISS HIGHMORE I should just like to see the man that I'd promise to love, honor and obey! Miss Pretty: I am sure you would, dear. In the Land of Liberty * ILLA seems to live a charmed life.” “Yes. He couldn't ask for HOW IT SEEMED TO JINKS WHEN HE CLEANED HIS CAR more freedom if he were a FOR THE FIRST TIME New York gunman.” comicbooks.com