Life, 1920-03-04 · page 43 of 78
Life — March 4, 1920 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical poem mocking **Albert Burleson**, Postmaster General under President Wilson. The poem's ironic "praise" actually criticizes his administration of the postal service by describing how mail miscarriage benefited the narrator—a wealthy man whose love letters failed to reach his intended, allowing him to marry a rich heiress instead and enjoy her money. The joke is dark: Burleson's incompetence at running the Post Office is presented as accidentally helpful to this fortune-seeker. The bitter humor reflects public frustration with postal service failures during this period. The bottom cartoon shows a little girl making noise in what appears to be a formal social setting (possibly a concert or Cabinet meeting, given the context). The caption suggests she'd be punished for such behavior—a mild social commentary on children's constrained roles. The page also contains period advertisements (Tiffany & Co., Tycos thermometer) typical of *Life* magazine's commercial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Hip, Hip for Burleson! (A few kind words, hitherto un- spoken, and suitable for recitation at all Cabinet meetings.) 'O sing the praise of Burleson May seem a bit unruly; And some will claim it can’t be done. But I can do it, truly. I like to give a man his due, Regardless of his faults. Don’t you? Then hear my story: Jennie Tell, An heiress of this city, Just rolled in gold, and was, as well, Exceptionally pretty. Some business called her beau away, But he agreed to write, each day. And write he did! But in the mail His letters all miscarried, As letters do; and Jane would wail And wonder why he tarried. Alas, a tearful maid was she, Till, in despair, she wedded—me! Yes, wedded me; and best of all, She never does regret it. Whene’er my funds are low, I call For Jennie’s purse, and get it! You ought to see my racing yacht, And all the other things I’ve bought! And unto Burleson's queer ways I owe this culmination; I owe these happy, blissful days Of rest and recreation. So, just to prove it can be done, I yell, “ Three cheers for Burleson!” Oliver B. Capelle. 'HE problem these days isn’t so much how to make both ends meet as it is to fill the middle. Tycos~ Window Thermometer —tells you the temper- ature outdoors before you venture forth, so you may dress forcom- fort. At your dealers also, 2708 wall, fever, and home cooking ther> mometers, rument Companies TIFFANY & Co. PEARLS JEWELRY SILVERWARE EFricienT SERVICE BY MAIL FreTH AVENUE & 37" STREET NEw YORK Little Girl: 1F 1 WAS TO MAKE A NOISE LIKE HER I'D GET SPANKED comicbooks.com