Life, 1920-01-08 · page 8 of 44
Life — January 8, 1920 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon, credited to Otto Cushing, depicts classical and mythological figures. The caption references "Pluto's miners" refusing to supply coal to Mount Olympus, so "society forsakes it (tantene animis celestibus iras) for Mt. Aetna." This is a satirical commentary on a **coal miners' strike**. The gods of classical mythology represent wealthy society, while Pluto (god of the underworld/mining) symbolizes miners. The joke: when miners refuse to supply coal (fuel/power), the wealthy abandon their usual luxuries and turn to alternative sources. The page also contains an obituary ("R.I.P.") and humorous advice columns below. The satire criticizes both labor unrest and the dependent relationship between society's elite and working-class miners.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PLUTO'S MINERS REFUSE TO SUPPLY COAL TO MT. OLYMPUS, SO SOCIETY FORSAKES IT (TANTENE ANIMIS CCELESTIBUS IR#) FOR MT. ZTNA R. I. P. [" is with much sadness that we are compelled to chronicle the death of our good friend Nineteen Nineteen, of the well-known Anno Domini family, who passed away recently, hav- ing attained the ripe old age of three hundred and sixty-five days. Nineteen Nineteen was born January 1 and died December 31, after an event- ful life that had rather more than its share of disagreeable experiences. He managed to keep decently clothed and fed, despite rapidly increas- ing prices, and also was able to add considerably to the billions he inherited upon his birth, which was coincident with the death of his nearest relative, Nine- teen Eighteen. Nineteen Nineteen started his life placidly enough, but during his early middle age was attacked by a complica- tion of nervous social unrest and malignant labor disor- ders, which afflictions he carried with him to the grave, although it is not apparent that they hastened his end. His death was predicted by some to take place on December 17, but, to the joy of all, he passed through the crisis period successfully. There is, likewise, nothing to indicate that the coal strike served to hasten his end, although he was subjected by it to keen physical suffering. His financial interests and the various ailments to which he was subject apparently absorbed all of Nineteen Nine teen's time and energy. At any rate, it is a matter of record that he accomplished less in the realms of art and letters than some of his immediate predecessors, and noth- ing at all in the way of diplomacy. As Far Apart as Possible UEST (registering at hotel): Have you any rooms suitable for an old married couple? Horet Crerx: Sure. I can put you on the ground floor front and give your wife the top floor back. IF your mother was one of the kind that let you play with everything in the house, you had a good time, but you have no heirlooms. comicbooks.com