Life, 1920-07-01 · page 19 of 56
Life — July 1, 1920 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon depicts a young woman about to drown herself in a river, being stopped by a man. The "Angry Girl's" caption suggests she's choosing suicide over humiliation—likely referencing post-WWI social anxieties about women's behavior and reputation. The main text, "The Ex-Soldier's Litany," is a bitter parody of Christian prayer mocking the U.S. government's failure to support returning WWI soldiers. It satirizes bureaucratic red tape (referencing specific forms), broken promises of employment, inadequate pensions, and widespread social indifference to veterans' suffering—from society elites to employers. The "Progress?" section below presents dark humor about economic stagnation: businessmen celebrate merely staying afloat financially rather than improving, suggesting post-war economic uncertainty and deflated expectations. Together, these pieces reflect early 1920s American disillusionment: failed government support for soldiers, women's desperation, and economic malaise following World War I.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Angry Girl: The Ex-Soldier’s Litany Lox. have mercy upon us. Remember, Lord, our offenses; neither forget Thou that we served, even as we were bid. Spare us, good Lord, from the half-hearted co-operation of an indifferent people. Spare us, good Lord, From all government red tape and offi- cials; from inefficiency and ill treatment ; from hard-boiled orders; from delay and carelessness; from official mail (penalty for private use three hundred dollars) and the contents thereof, Good Lord, deliver us. From the pleasures of the Reconstruc- tion Board; from its insolent and heed- less subordinates; from their gross neglect, unconcern, malice and from all uncharitableness, Good Lord, deliver us, From society matrons and débutantes; from disinterested employers; from Promises broken and promises not meant; from back pay unpaid; from lapses of YOU MIGHT AT LEAST HAVE CHOSEN A DEEPER PLACE. DROWNED THAN MADE RIDICULOUS insurance and from sudden cessation of our just indemni Good Lord, deliver us. We soldiers do beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord; that it may please Thee to keep us from neglect and disparagement and to aid us to earn our bread; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That it may please thee to afford us parts for those that we have lost and em- ployment for that which we did surrender and recognition as brother beings; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That it may please Thee to give to us now, in the hour of our need, hope of the fruits of the earth, even as was done to the workers in the shipyards and in the factories of munitions and in other essen- tial industr: We bescech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That it may please Thee to defend and provide for, without Form A and Form 127-CX and doctor’s certificate and typewritten and photograph; without delay upon delay and subsequent loss, and ill-humor and lackadaisical in- enclosure I'D RATIIER BE NEARLY sensibility and inattention, the fatherless children and widows, and mothers be- reaved, and all who are desolate and op- pressed. We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. Lord, have mercy upon us. Henry William Hanemanu, Morbund HE great question as to whether the dead still live continues to occupy the front of the national stage. But the real question ought to be, Will the dead people we see all about us ever come to life before they pass over? The world is full of people in all stages of mental dis- solution. Progress? IRST BUSIN MAN: are you making out? Stconp B. M.: Wonderful. Why, we are doing such a successful business that we are not any deeper in debt than we were three months ago. Well, how comicbooks.cor