Life, 1919-08-14 · page 28 of 44
Life — August 14, 1919 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon satirizes socialist or communist ideals of wealth redistribution. A man in an oversized suit that's shrinking depicts the contradiction in egalitarian rhetoric: people demand equality and freedom from class hierarchy, yet no one volunteers for menial labor. The poem asks repeatedly, "who will dig the ditches when we all get free?"—mocking the impracticality of utopian schemes. The "Simplified Bible Stories" section parodies Henry Ford's famous advertising and public pronouncements. It absurdly rewrites scripture through a Ford-centric lens, crediting Ford (not Adam, Eve, or David) with humanity's achievements. This satirizes Ford's self-aggrandizing business philosophy and his tendency to insert himself into everything. The final cartoon jokes about wealthy hosts serving champagne in cheap glasses due to supply shortages—likely WWI-related rationing—and emphasizing "roughing it." This mocks the affectations of the rich during hardship.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE SHRINKING SUIT “AND THIS SUIT USED TO FIT so WELL!” Horrors! (It Might Be You or Me!) D like to have the great estate That should be mine,” said he; “But who will sweep the gutters when We all get free?” “T'd like to have a limousine And ride about,” said she; “But who will clean the skillets when We all get free?” Oh, skip along and sing a song, And kick to Timbuctoo Whatever screed or bally creed Was not designed by you! Oh, the plan is mighty nifty, But it’s shifty as can be For who will dig the ditches when We all get free? Mabel Haughton Collyer. NE of the reasons that time is so hard a thing to define and con- ceive, is that there is nothing with which to compare it. Simplified Bible Stories (As Mr. Ford’s Advertising Manager Mivkt Have Written Them) The Truth About Adam and Ex HE Eden myth is one of the oldest legends in the bunk history of the world. It dates back five or six thos. sand years before the present or Ford-car era Many persons still believe that Adam was the first may and Eve the first woman, and that they made their bh in the Garden of Eden. This place, however, is not in any existing Blue Book, and is therefore not vou for by Mr. Ford or any of his secretaries. One thing is certain. Authorities agree that Adam and Eve were in favor of over-preparedness prior to 1916. In point ¢f time, Adam and Eve had the jump on everybody, but the neglected their opportunities. Thus it was not Adam ani Eve who were the first to send farm tractors into Mexic The first to do that was Mr. Ford. Selah. David and the Militarist AVID was a shepherd boy. Nearby lived the gist Goliath, foremost exponent of militarism of his & Without any preliminary preparation, David left his floa and went forth and knocked Goliath for a goal in kes time than it took the United States and the Allies, with their preparation, to overthrow German militarism. the militarists deny this at their peril. Come, Edsel, Mrs. L A Warning M®: LOT was the wife of Mr. Lot. They left tow one day on foot. This in itself was hazardous. 4 short distance down the road Mrs. Lot looked back, a! Mr. Lot became a widower. Looking back is just as dis gerous nowadays as it was then. Ford cars are equippe! with reflecting glasses which enable the driver to see te road behind as well as ahead. Never go on a motor trp without one. NOW, EVERYBODY, YOU'LL HAVE TO DRINK YOUR CHAMPAGNE OUT OF BURGUNDY GLASSES, AND THE CAVIAR HASN'T COME, BUT I KNOW YOU DON’T MIND ROUGHING IT comicbooks.coml a = A een en