Life, 1920-02-05 · page 49 of 52
Life — February 5, 1920 — page 49: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece uses a working girl's humble wish—sandwiches without crusts—as a metaphor for human discontent. The article argues that widespread labor unrest isn't caused by actual poverty or lack of necessities, but by wanting *nicer* versions of what others have. The girl doesn't need more food; she wants the *refined* version her wealthier neighbors enjoy. The satire critiques both workers and the wealthy: workers are portrayed as envious of luxuries rather than fighting genuine deprivation, while implicitly, the rich enjoy these "better" sandwiches as their due. By February 1914 (likely the publication date), labor strikes and social unrest were escalating in America—this piece dismisses such movements as mere envy of comfort rather than legitimate grievance over wages or conditions. The piece reflects early 20th-century paternalistic attitudes toward labor organizing, treating workers' desires for dignity and comfort as petty vanity rather than justified demands.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1» towrite, What to write, He and where to sell, criticism. advice. p, Real teaching. ved ever $5,000 for stories and Og pat ee Tost ta spre tine —"pay werk” be “LIFE: Sandwiches Without the Crusts GIRL who makes enough clerking in a store to furnish the bare ne- cessities of life, was recently heard enumerating the things she would like to have. She ended her list’ with this: “And I would always like to have my sandwiches without the crusts.” Now, after all, isn’t this what the whole world is striving for? It is not the lack of necessary things that makes. for discontent, but the fact that we want our sandwiches not only minus the crust, but with the filling as thick and rich as it is in our neighbors’ sand- wiches. All the labor problems of to- are based on this same principle of “ sand- wiches without crust,” and all that that implies. A great part of the world is starving, not for bread and a place to sleep, but for the beautiful, the savory, the dainty and the filmy things of life. Every means that can he thought of, from the strike to the ouija board, is being used to get these things. Boy Scouts’ Week, February 8th-14th UNDAY, February 8th— Anniver- sary Day. Fall in for church! Monday, February oth — Corral new members! February 1th — Dad's iry 13th—Mother'’s Day! ruary 14th—Play ball! The Secret of Creole Hair HE aristocratic Creoles of Louisiana have inherited from their pure French-Spanish ancestry, wonderful masses of beautiful dark hair. For generations La Creole Hair Dressing has been favorite among them. La Creole will bring back faded, Bray streaked or wholly gray hair to its youthful color and lustre. La Creole causes no sudden c ange because it contains no dye. It promotes that Vigorous condition of hair and scalp which nature intended, and when the healthy color has been recovered, an occasional application preserves it permanently. Nement approves its use. It cannot stain the scalp, and there is nothing to wash or tub off. La Creole makes the hair soft, wavy and lustrous. Eliminates dandruff. Absolutely guaranteed to bring back the hair's color—or money refunded. Send coupon for booklet “La Creole Hair Beautiful.”” La Creole Laboratories Shows style of hair dressing hest suited to each type of face. 230 Tenth St., Memphis, Tenn. At Drug Stores and Toilet Counters. Price $1.00. Please send booklet “La Creole Hair Beautiful,” teach- 1 your dealer can't supply you, send his name ing the hair dress most becoming to each individual. and address. We will see that you are supplied. La Creole Laboratories 230 Tenth St., Memphis, Tenn. POSES TAKES HOME AN EXTRA CUT OF SIRLOIN comicbooks.com