Life, 1920-12-23 · page 30 of 44
Life — December 23, 1920 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several distinct pieces of satire: **"Bon Voyage, Brothers!"** mocks Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity's decision to hold their convention in Havana, Cuba. The piece sarcastically catalogs their justifications—including that Cuban President Menocal is a Cornell alumnus and the golf courses are excellent—while the real implication is transparent: wealthy college men seeking tropical leisure under a thin veneer of fraternal legitimacy. The casual reference to the trip being "undoubtedly constitutional" suggests some contemporary controversy about the trip's propriety. **The four-panel comic strip** (artist unclear) depicts someone repeatedly slipping on ice while others apparently avoid the problem by not clearing sidewalks—a commentary on negligent winter maintenance and public safety hazards. **"Sacred"** is a brief joke: a newly elected official's first duty is uncovering his predecessor's graft/corruption, reflecting widespread Progressive Era concerns about municipal and political corruption. The page also includes poetry and advertisement for Life's title contest ($1,000 prize).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
~-LIFE. December Now Earth lifts up to the unheeding sky Her bare, brown arms, The Sun, so late her lover, Upon her barren breast cannot discover Promise of life's resurgent ecstasy In the hoarse tongues of wild birds flying high Her requiem is sung—her day is over bove her, The snow comes softly, with a wistful sigh Spreading its ghostly winding-sheet I seek the meaning of this destined hour, Probing the pulseless silence, to discern The truth that waits ih that white mystery The age-old secret of renascent power In some forgotten lesson to relearn— The truth that waits in immortality Ethel M. Pomeroy. Bon Voyage, Brothers! EMBERS of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity—other- wise known as Dekes—have elected to hold their annual convention in- Havana this year, thus going on record as the first American college fraternity to select a spot outside the United States for its mid-winter rendezvous and exchange of grips. What is there about Havana that commends itself to the attention of the dear old college alumnus? Official Deke litera- ture cites a number of reasons, among them the following : President Menocal of Cuba is a Cornell Deke. President Menocal has extended a cordial invitation to the brethren to come and spend the holidays with him, ex officio. The sea voyage to Cuba is restful and health-giving and in every way delightful. The climate of Cuba in December is balmy, and the scenery is tip-top. Havana and environs teem with historic associations and traditions dear to the heart of every good American. The golf courses there are a joy forever. Hotel accommodations are ne plus ultra, Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Never mind the rest. We believe the Dekes have made out a good case, The trip is undoubtedly constitutional. Sacred What is the first duty of the newly elected Yapitton: To uncover the graft of his predecessor. Patter: I can’t understand why some folks “OH, MOTHER, 1 WISH WE COULD HAVE A REAL DOG LIKE THAT ONE!” LIFE'S Title Contest OOD NEWS! The judges of Lire’s $1,000.00 title contest, which closed November 3oth, report that they expect to be ready to make an important announcement in next week's issue. They hope to announce the date on which the awards will be made. It has been a great contest. The returns in the closing days were unexpectedly large. Altogether more than one hundred thousand answers were received. A little patience, and the winners will be announced. Cen TLL i don’t clean the ice from their sidewalks. XUM comicbooks.com