Life, 1920-03-04 · page 14 of 78
Life — March 4, 1920 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a 1920 political interview ("Model A, 1920") mocking a political candidate's responses on Prohibition, war, and taxation. The candidate expresses jingoistic patriotism about America's superiority and the Constitution, praises returned soldiers, and defends the war as fought for "liberty for all!" The right-side cartoon depicts working-class people (likely immigrants or poor Americans) being confronted about income tax, with one figure exclaiming "Good heavens! Have you any idea what my income tax is?" The satire suggests wealthy citizens' outrage over taxation while working people struggle. Together, the content critiques both blind patriotic rhetoric and class hypocrisy regarding fiscal policy during the post-WWI era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE: “The swollen fortunes of the idle rich are the curse of this land. Every man should work for his living. In this great republic the man who toils with his hands, in the factory or on the farm, is just as honorable as the man with half a dozen limousines and a million dollars! | say that and I stand behind it! I hold this truth to |, self-evident, that all men are created equal! Lincoln was a poor boy, but he rose to be the greatest statesman this country has produced. Any man who denies that Lincol: was a great man will have me to deal with! Any man who tells me that the Star-Spangled Banner has ever been furle:| in defeat will have me to deal with! Good morning, sir! Unorganized UNION of scientists should be established at once At present the effect upon the common people is vers bad. Almost at the same moment that Einstein announced there was no time or space, Marconi declared that he be- lieved he was getting nibbles from Mars. And just at this moment, also, Sir Oliver Lodge said that life after death was assured. . These gentlemen ought to get together secretly and agree upon something. Talk about the doctors! “THERE NOW; I'VE LOOKED, AND THERE ISN'T A BEAR UNDER THE RED. NOW GO TO SLEEP.” “ MAYRE I'D BETTER LOOK, PAPA, YOU'RE NEARSIGHTED,” Model A, 1920 (Being One of Live's Patent, Non-Reversible, Warranted Not to Fade, Guaranteed for at Least Six Months, Political Campaign Interviews) i. O you believe in Prohibition?” the candidate was asked. “T believe in.the glorious institutions of this country,” was the reply. “We have the best government in the world, The Constitution is the greatest document ever penned by the hand of man!” “Do you approve of the way the Treaty has been han- dled in Washington?” was the next question. “This country went to war to save civilization,” answered the candidate forcefully. “We were fighting for liberty. That is what America stands for: liberty for all! When I think of those thousands of young men who responded to their country’s call I am proud that Iam an American!” “Do yon favor land grants for returned soldiers?” “Ah! The returned soldier!’ The returned soldier has the gratitude of a hundred million loyal Americans. When- ever I see an ex-service man I feel like grabbing his hand and saying, ‘My boy, your country is proud of you!’” “Do you believe in the immediate reduction of the in- “80, NO, MY GOOD WOMAN; DO BE REASONABLE! GooD come tax?” HEAVENS! HAVE YOU ANY IDEA WHAT MY INCOME TAX IS?” comicbooks.com