Life, 1920-12-02 · page 6 of 97
Life — December 2, 1920 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a cartoon but rather an editorial statement from *Life* magazine addressing post-World War I reconstruction. The text discusses the magazine's commitment to better editorial standards and expanding readership. The piece reflects on changing post-war conditions and acknowledges *Life*'s recent change in ownership as a means of reinforcing "convictions" and promoting "independence." The message emphasizes *Life*'s humanistic mission: it's described as "human" but "more often right than wrong." The editorial concludes with nostalgic Christmas references—toys, fireplaces, Santa Claus, the Christmas tree—positioning the magazine as a family publication that shares values parents approve of, contrasting with unspecified content the magazine ostensibly avoids. The decorative border features wreaths and seasonal imagery appropriate to the Christmas-themed publication.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-* CHRISTMAS LIFE LIFE for the Coming Year E are in the midst of changing conditions. The period of reconstruc- tion following the war has only just begun. It will take us several years, not only to get back what we have lost materially, but to realize what we have won spiritually. Lire has been subject to these readjustments. It has been an inspiration to feel and to know that the change in the ownership of this paper, which took place last May, has only been the means of reinforcing our convictions, of re-establish- ing our sense of independence, and of leading the way to better things. The mechanical conditions, and the methods of distribution, have often becn a source of deep anxiety. But there is now good promise that these will get better. Meanwhile Lire will lead the way, as it has always striven to do, towards the development of higher artistic standards, towards a more perfect editorial tech- nique in its weekly program of presenting the best humor in the world, in pictures and text. New contributors, full of enthusiasm, are constantly coming in, and along with the old ones, it is needless to say, are always welcome. Our glad hand is out to everybody who is interested in making this paper better and better. It goes without saying that the more readers we have, the better Lire will be. This is not only true commercially, but we feel that every additional reader means so much added moral support. Lire is human. But, in the long run, it has been more often right than wrong. It is not our mission to preach or to bore. And here’s a family secret: Our own children—and we have quite a lot of them, all told—are keeping tabs on us these days. We wouldn't dare put anything in they didn’t approve of. And we believe that Lire is a paper that takes them away from some of the things of which we do not approve. Well, boys and girls, Fido and the old rag doll and the good old fireplace that still exists—thank Heaven !—here’s to you all for a Merry Christmas. Stuff, and be sick afterwards, if you want to. We know something—but we won't mention that now. Here’s to the Christmas tree, with its bright lights shining over the one democracy that seems to be left. Here’s to mother, who is going to fix up that tree the way it should be, after father has done the best he could. And here’s to father, with his troubles packed away for the season in his old kit bag. And here’s to Santa Claus! comicbooks.com