Life, 1919-12-25 · page 6 of 37
Life — December 25, 1919 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not editorial content or satire. It's a full-page ad for Weed Tire Chains by the American Chain Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The image shows a narrow, wet urban street crowded with early automobiles (likely 1920s era), demonstrating the safety hazard of slippery conditions. The advertisement argues that taxicabs use Weed Chains because they prevent accidents and extend tire life—framing chain use as both economical and a life-saving precaution. The ad emphasizes putting chains on "at the first drop of rain" and notes these chains work for various vehicle types. There is no political satire here—it's straightforward commercial messaging about automotive safety products to a contemporary audience concerned with winter driving conditions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Taxicabs use ~ WEED TIRE CHAINS Because they can’t afford to take chances and because, with Wecd Chains, they get greater mileage out of their tires. It’s a business proposition, pure and simple, with taxicab com- panies. They use Weed Chains for economy and accident insurance. Tho main incentive for the use of Weed Chains is the accident- preventing feature—a most important factor as it means the saving of lives and property. But further than that it is known from bitter and costly experience that the continual, constant and yet hardly perceptible slipping of the rubber tire- surface on wet roads and pavements—only the foot or so of lost traction at a time—is an alarming expense item —wearing out tires just the same as if you pressed them against a rapidly revolving grindstone. Taxicab companies have learned from experience that only by the we of Weed Chains can this continuous wear on tires be prevented. Their drivers are ordered to put on their Weed Chains “at the first drop of rain” because of the thousands upon thousands of dollars that are thus actually saved every yeat in tireservice andthe elimination of skidding accidents. Wouldn't it be well for you to learn wisdom from the fellow who really knows? Be as wise as the taxi driver and always put on bier) 5 SS your Weed Chains “‘at the first drop of rain. Weed Chains are also made to meet the demand for an cfficienttraction and anti-skid device for trucks equipped with single and dual solid tires or with the very large pneumatic tires. They are so constructed that they satisfactorily meet the requirements of heavy truck service in mud, sand or snow. AMERICAN CHAIN COMPANY, Inc. BRIDGEPORT \¢/ CONNECTICUT In Canada: Dominion Chain Company, Limited, ‘Niagara Falls, Ontario Largest Chain Manufacturers in the World The Complete Chain Line—All Types, All Sizes, All Finishes —From Plumbers’ Safety Chain to Ships’ Anchor Chsio General Sales Office: Grand Central Terminal, New York City District Sales Offices: Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Portland, Ore., © San Francisco