Life, 1920-10-07 · page 10 of 56
Life — October 7, 1920 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and light satire**, not political commentary. The main advertisement promotes "A.B.A" (American Bankers Association) traveler's cheques for overseas trips, targeting affluent travelers with promises of convenient currency exchange abroad. The right side contains "Bedtime Stories"—a satirical piece mocking Socrates' verbose philosophical speeches about the League of Nations and international peace mechanisms. The joke is that Socrates talks endlessly without saying anything meaningful, concluding with the term "Platonic Love—the kind that does not mean anything." This ridicules both overly abstract philosophy and perhaps contemporary diplomatic rhetoric. Supporting advertisements for Hays gloves and Bellans indigestion remedy round out the page. The content reflects 1920s-era concerns: international peace initiatives, travel, and consumer products.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bon Voyage! To insure a good voyage and a pleasant trip abroad as far as money matters are concerned, most fore- sighted travelers carry their funds in the form of 6 » Ameri A:B:A’ 22s Cheques Through the Bankers Trust Company’s foreign service arrange- ments have been made so that travelers holding ‘“A-B-A” Cheques may exchange them, on arrival in Europe, for other “A-B-A” Cheques stamped with their equivalent in sterling, francs or lire, etc., based upon the current exchange rate. “A-B-A” Cheques are issued in denominations of $10, $20, $50 and $100, and are put up in convenient leather wallets—at almost any bank in ‘the United States and Canada. For full information write to Bankers Trust ComMPpANY New York City Bedtime Stories OCRATES was looking at the clock while his good wife discussed with herself on the front porch his latest speech on the Achwan League. , “What Athens needs,” Xanthippe was saying, “is an association of nations which will enforce peace without calling on us for troops; an international court with teeth in it, which cannot interfere in matters affecting Athens; which will prevent war, but not prevent us from levying the usual tribute; which will be binding on Sparta—” “And yet leave Athens free!” interrupted the philosopher eagerly. Hastily clapping on his bowler he rushed to the Grove to communicate the solution to the thetoricians. Hence the term, “ Platonic Love "—the kind that does not mean anything. (Se poeoe OREO Oe YourGloves Ravel? Avoid Ravels-Wear ays Superseany (Gjlove§ The Law of Adjustment AID the Man with the Hoe to the Man with the Pick: “T may be a most unintelligent hick, But, frankly, I envy the money you've made, For the less that you labor, the more you are paid. I'd like to know how you accomplish the trick,” Said the Man with the Hoe to the Man with the Pick. Said the Man with the Pick to the Man with the Hoe: “The way of the toiler is tedious and slow. Just close up your farm till the middle. man begs— Said the Man with the Pick to the Man with the Hoe. So the Man with the Hoe said, “I'm through with fatigue,” And proceeded to join the Non-Partisaa League; And the obdurate middleman yielded at length— For it seems that in union times is strength. And the Man with the Pick, on the fol- lowing day, Saw his grocery bill—and then struck for more pay. R. E. Sherwood.