Life, 1919-10-09 · page 46 of 48
Life — October 9, 1919 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines advertisements with a satirical "Moods" feature typical of Life's social commentary. The top advertises Arrow Collar shirts and Shawknit hosiery—standard early 20th-century menswear ads. The main content is a series of vignettes illustrating human emotions through contemporary situations. The rural couple discussing roof repairs while prioritizing the cow barn exemplifies Depression-era hardship. Other entries target specific frustrations: war profiteers, slow mail delivery (possibly referencing Postmaster General Burleson), soft drinks as alcohol substitutes (Prohibition era), and government waste on aviation programs. The satire cuts across classes—mocking both wealthy profiteers and a nouveau-riche laborer in a limousine. The final "Hope" section shows typical American optimism about government action on living costs, suggesting the page dates to a period of public concern over inflation and economic inequality, likely during or shortly after World War I.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ARROW COLLAR. CLUETT,. PEABODY G’ Co, Inc,~ TROY MY. HQSIERY forMEN [NTO Shawknit hosiery go many little niceties of work- manship and material. Separately they are of rela- tively small importance, but collectively they make up the difference between mediocrity and quality. SHAW STOCKING CO. Lowell. Mass “1 WISHT WE COULD AFFORD TO HAVE THE ROOF SHINGLED, MIKAM, 17 LEAKS TERRIBLE.” “1 RECKON WE'LL HEV TO WAIT, MANDY E COW BARN Has GOT TO BE MADE WEATHER-PRO ust.” Moods Anger JUST Creator looking down upon the profiteers. \ woman, ten minutes before a dinner party, waiting ior the delivery of the gown she is to wear An American business man thinking of Burleson Disgust \ hard drinker trying to satisfy himself with soft drinks. \ popular evangelist, upon hearing that his request for more money has been refused " A payer of war taxes listening to a report of the govern ment’s aeroplane accomplishments Pity \ common laborer, in his imported limousine, passing his boss, who is walking. \ dog, contentedly gnawing a hone, watching a dyspeptic millionaire reading a bill of fare. A fashionable grocer sympathizing with an ordinary highwayman Hope The chronic sufferer from rheumatism when he reads of a new cure. The American people when they hear that the govern- ment is investigating the high cost of living The understudy when the manager telephones her that the leading lady is sick. PETER J. CAREY, PRINTER comicbooks.cogiy