Life, 1920-03-18 · page 16 of 54
Life — March 18, 1920 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains text about California and a cartoon illustration captioned "Like everything else, chasing cats needs practice." The cartoon depicts a dog chasing several cats in a chaotic scene. Below the cartoon are reader letters to the editor, primarily about California. One letter from "Hashimura Togo" promotes California's attractions and appeals for positive press coverage. The cartoon itself is a straightforward humorous illustration—not political satire. It's a visual joke about a dog pursuing multiple cats, suggesting that even common activities require skill and experience to execute well. The humor is domestic and light, typical of Life magazine's general-interest comedy content from this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
496 people never heard of it. Other cities are: San Diego where Hon. Thermomma- ter sleeps 364 days per yr at 68 digrees fairenhot, Sacremento where legislation, raisin grapes & other groceries are dried in sun San Jose where prunes grow un- cooked on trees. Population—This cannot be counted because moves too fast. It is thickest in the cities and thinnest in I do not understand this phenomenal. California people are always pleasant, and if not they are hard to please. History — California was dishcovered by Hon. Juniper, a Spanish, in 1491, year before Hon. Columbus found America—this account for rapidity of growth there. In 1849 gold was dishcovered by Luther P. Burbank and Hon. Spain sold the State to the Southern Pacific RR. In 1918 Hon. R. R. Administration obtained it and trains are run there on same skeddle as in other parts of U. S. Winter Climate—It has not got any. the country. Summer “ we we ww Princupal Products— Oranges, grape juice, authors, abelone cuff buttons, sunsets, good roads, beans, tomatoes, asparagus, lemons, tuna fish and Hiram L. Johnson for President. Mr. Editor, in compiling up these ts I have not made some mention of Emotion Picture Industry, because that is so swollen that it require a separate compartment. In Los Angeles, capital of Southern Cal., everybody lives in a scenario and Goldwin is taught in public schools. Of recently me & Cousin Nogi was making slight jitney traffick through streets of Los Ang by a very crowdy corner when Hon. Policeman hold up following sign befront of us: Caption “Camera!” he negotiate. We could not assimilate them words he said it. “Register humiliation!” We attemp do so. “Do you know you came round the corner nearly three feet out of the picture?" This from him. “LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, CHASING CATS NEEDS PRACTICE” We are so sorry. “You are a pair of poor films,” he reknock. “Therefore you will report to police station and rehearse your part.” “Where are this police station?” require Cousin Nogi in silent drama voice. “About two reels down the street,” decrop Hon, Police. Therefore we go to where he said & find Hon. Station. But too bad! We could not obey law by going to jail, for befront of that prison for wicked ottomobiles we see following enlarged sign: House Futt to Capacity Next Perrormance 5 O'Ctock Bic Feature Hon. Wat. S. Hart IN “Tue Price He Pai” Mr. Editor, will you please print these fax about Cal so that people will learn about that little known State? Put in some slight boost talk for Hon. Jap Immigration while Hon. Jas. D. Phelan are not looking at you. Japan adore California because it are the most beautiful piece of map in all U.S. This are not unnatural. Hoping you are the same Yours truly Hasutmura Toco. P. S.— Please print some poppies with this letter and cover them with local color to resemble oranges rolling around in sunset. If required I can send you photos of several old mis- sions now being built. Santa Barbara near California, Feb. 45th, 1920, ETWEEN mother’s tireless search for sugar and father’s hectic hunt for booze, the coming generation is go- ing to be just one Sherlock Holmes after another.