Life, 1920-06-10 · page 41 of 44
Life — June 10, 1920 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical sketch titled "At the Beginning of a Perfect Day" mocking the U.S. Attorney-General's office (likely referring to A. Mitchell Palmer, who served 1919-1921). The cartoon depicts an official issuing cynical orders to his subordinate: prepare predictions about price controls, send notices warning of imminent "Red" (communist) uprisings, and manage public perception—all while he takes leisurely golf breaks. **The satire targets:** - Government manipulation of public concern about communism and inflation - The disconnect between officials' manufactured warnings and actual policy action - Performative governance designed to control public opinion rather than solve problems - The self-serving nature of bureaucratic theater during the post-WWI "Red Scare" period The joke rests on the obvious falseness of these "predictions" and "notices"—they're cynical propaganda tools rather than genuine policy responses. Modern readers should recognize this as early 20th-century critique of government PR manipulation and fearmongering.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LABLACHE BESPEAKS causal, rehned odor, which Garden Truck ing consists principally wer the same ground again cason veterans of trench induced to dig up the will be well hosed. espread patriotic preju- nst seeds that germinate. recent strike experiences, re will he fewer attempts to produce atriot of colo \ man tries to raise vege- int where they can be he respects the farmer. will labor all the day in tch without admitting he’s But let his wife suggest, some , tha elp her with the dishes— Sdence Has Discovered How to End Gray Hair ic Hair Color Restorer Make This Test upon. Mark on it the exa: rhair, It will bring you a ft ig remarkable hair color ré cial comb. te the hioned Fountain Pen NON supplies one of the greatest needs of the vacation season, a reliable writing implement with a self-con- tained ink supply that releases you from the slavery of a desk and ink well and turns all outdoors into a convenient place at any time to do all the letter writ- ing that family ties or business and social activities demand. Three types: Regular, Safety and Self Filling $2.50 and up at Best Dealers L. E. Waterman Company 191 Broadway, New York sg , Chicago Boston San Francisco At the Beginning of a Perfect Day “Have you prepared my semi-weekly (The scene is laid in the office of the announcement that we expect to get after Attorney-General.) the profiteers in due course of time and HE great man se ° annoy them greatly?” “ Has my usual prediction that prices are about to come down been prepared?” “T have.” “Then hand me my bag and I'll take a turn around the golf links in order to it has,’"replied the hired drudge. keep myself in condition for the frightful “Have you sent out a notice to the newspapers that an uprising of Reds is likely to occur some time before high AILROADS are changing hands so noon to-morrow often these days that it's a wise stock “It is done.” that knows its own par. strain I am under.” comicbooks.com