Life, 1920-04-15 · page 12 of 44
Life — April 15, 1920 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical cartoons commenting on post-WWI American society: **"A Dirge"** (left): A poem mocking various American institutions—Chesterfields, Tareytons, and elite social venues—suggesting they will disappear. It references the Anti-Cigarette League's activism and implies sweeping social reform ("old weeds will be shortly stamped out"). **"Spring Fever"** (top right): A sketch depicting leisure activities, likely satirizing idle recreation during a period of social change. **"W.C.T.U.: No, My Boy, You Shouldn't Use It"** (bottom right): References the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which championed Prohibition. The dramatic lighting and cautionary caption suggest satire of anti-alcohol activism that was gaining legislative force in the 1920s. The overall page reflects Life's satirical stance on American reform movements, particularly Prohibition and cigarette restrictions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
696 A Dirge The Anti-Cigarette League of America has organized its” forces and is to-day dispatching field secre taries to all parts of the country —News item 'AREWELL to Helmars and Caporals swe! Chesterfields, Tareytons, Straights. Rameses, Pall Malls « Hi the élite Flourishing now in the States! Putts from the Persian and butts from the Turk, Smokes of an Anglican bras 2 will be from th havocking work Legally, lawfully banned London Liie, Camels, et al! Trophies, Fatimas and Meccas—adieu! So long Phil Morris, old ! you are doomed, the old foxies all shout Down you fall, Mogul the grand Every old weed will be shortly stamped out— Cubebs will even be canned. Cigarette Antis have formed them 8 Just like the alcohol crew. Puffing a stogie, they say, is intrigue Worse than to quait of a brew. Now they have rallied a number of states, Now they have plans nation-wide. Vices, it seems, will be left to. their fates— Vices so true and so tried. SPRING FEVER Give me a transport to some other clime Let me escape from the storm! Let me get out of the country in time! Rid me of all your Reform! y call this “the land of the t me tell you. old soul: Nothing is freedom whatever to me. Lacking the pipe and the bow! Howard Diet: TRANSPLANTING W.C. T. U.: No, MY Boy, You SHOULDN'T USE IT comicbooks.com