Life, 1921-01-13 · page 28 of 36
Life — January 13, 1921 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Content: "A Case of Duplication"** This is a letters-to-editor dispute about plagiarism. Frederick Moxon accuses *Life* of reprinting his 1914 poem "What Ails Them?" from the *New York Sun* without permission, presenting it as rejected material six years later. The editor acknowledges the duplication but claims the poem arrived via Walter Pulitzer, who was credited as author—suggesting Pulitzer either plagiarized or misappropriated Moxon's work. **The Poem's Satire** The verses mock contemporary political ailments: John Bull (Britain) suffers "Ulsteria" (nervousness about Ulster/Ireland); Uncle Sam (America) has "Mexicosis" (anxiety over Mexican affairs)—referencing real 1914 geopolitical tensions. **Other Content** An appeal for donations to preserve Edgar Allan Poe's cottage in Fordham, New York, and "The Modern Sir Walter" cartoon strip (partially visible) depicting courtesy in romantic situations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
dlunt Janet Save the Poe Cottage HAVE published several appeals for contributions to the fund which W is being raised for the purpose of saving Edgar Allan Poe's home in Fordham, New York. Many of our readers have responded, but a great deal more moncy is needed to guarantee that the cottage be properly repaired and restored. We also hope to provide a sufficient income for its permanent maintenance as a memorial to Poe and as a literary shrine for all. Unless these funds are forthcoming, the Poe Cottage Committee, which has had custody of the building, will be forced to give it up, and it will be lost to the public, 1 HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE WINTER SPORTS, DEAR, MODERATELY. I'M ENGAGED TO THREE OF THEM. Surely the readers of Lire will not permit this to occur. We beg to acknowledge the contributions : following Frances Stearns... J. A. Klein. ..... ose Anonymous (Flushing. N. Y.) W. C. Swanson.. * C. G. Hartlerode.. Total oe +++ $10.00 Previously acknowledged. . 149.60 HE Yale Bowl—one that cheers but not inebriates, A Case of Duplication vember 24, 1920. Epitor “rejections pa 17 West Thirty-first Street, New York City. Dear Sir: In the November 18th issue of Lire, jection Page,” you print a “rejection” un- der the caption “International Ailments.” As the author of these lines, I am inter ested to discover how they came to you They appeared originally in the New York Sun of May 8, 1914, and I received pay ment for the contribution. That it should turn up in Lire six years and six months later, under the circumstances noted, and especially in view of the fact that you state “It goes without saying that all this re jected material is paid for,” looks peculiar to say the least. Is it possible that some one has “ put one over” on you? Plagiarism of so exact a copy is remarkable! Very truly yours, Freperick Moxon. r is true, as Mr. Moxon says, that the @* lines published in Lire of November 18, 1920, are the same as were published in the Sun on May 8, 1914, under title of “What Ails Them?” and signed Fred- erick Moxon. The lines in question came to Lire from Walter Pulitzer, and pay- ment was made to him as the author of them.—Eobrtor, These are the verses as published in the Sun; WHAT AILS THEM John Bull's in such a nervous state The smallest noise upsets him; And Uncle Sam is just as bad, The least disturbance frets him. Each one is victim of a plague, Bad as tuberculosis Poor John has got Ulsteria, And Sam has Mexicosis Freperick Moxon. Mein begs THE MODERN SIR WALTER comicbooks.com