Life, 1920-02-26 · page 7 of 40
Life — February 26, 1920 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of social commentary: **Top section**: A poem by Berton Braley critiquing profiteers and labor unrest. It mocks those who exploit crises ("The laborer who goes on strike / For things unjustifiable"), suggesting strikers should accept conditions rather than demand change. The verse advocates accepting the status quo despite injustice. **Bottom cartoon**: A courtroom scene where a chauffeur is questioned about backing his wagon into someone. When asked if he had words to use, he replies he "didn't have a chance to use 'em"—implying he was struck before he could speak. The satire suggests the working class (represented by the chauffeur) lacks voice or opportunity to defend themselves, complementing the poem's theme about labor's powerlessness against those in authority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THe profiteer puts up the price To heights that are regrettable, With this his motto, brief, concise, “Tl get all that is gettable!” He'll take the money from our purse As long as we can pay with it, Nor cares a bit how much we curse If he can get away with it. Che Soirit of the Gime The laborer who goes on strike For things unjustifiable Will let us holler all we like, But still remain unpliable. He will continue with that stuff, And stubbornly he'll stay with it, So long as people stand his bluff And let him get away with it. It's you and I that are the “ goats” Of all this gouging terrible. Perhaps we'll change it with our votes When it becomes unbearable Meantime we grab what coin we can. And make our small display with it. (I wrote this lyric on that plan, And hope to get away with it!) Berton Braley. Magistrate: WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HE BACKED HIS WAGON INTO YOU? DID YOU HAVE WORDS? Chauffeur: 1 ptp, BUT 1 DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO USE "EM, comicbooks.com