Life, 1921-05-19 · page 32 of 36
Life — May 19, 1921 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a car thief frustrated while attempting to steal a spare tire, exclaiming that "Thesebloomin' Autolocks are sure makin' it hard for a fella!" This is satirical advertising for the Powersteel Autowlock—a security device made of wire rope and spring lock designed to prevent tire theft. The joke targets actual car thieves of the era, treating the criminal's complaint as humorous endorsement. The cartoon anthropomorphizes the thief's perspective to highlight the product's effectiveness: if even a determined criminal finds it difficult, legitimate owners should feel protected. The page also features "To the Victor Belongs the Toil," a patriotic poem by Robert D. Little contrasting the luxurious German Kaiser with the hardworking American soldier who defeated him—this appears to reference post-WWI sentiments, likely published during the 1918-1919 period when *Life* was actively anti-German. The remaining content consists of humorous anecdotes and advertisements unrelated to political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Curses!”’ “IT mighta known this tire wasn’t as easy pluckin’ as it looked. Thesebloomin’ Autow- locks are sure makin’ it hard for a fella!’’ POWERSTEEL AUTOWLOCK against is sure protection car and spare tire thieves. Made of a four-foot length of weatherproofed Yellow Strand Wire Rope, with sturdy, non-pickable spring lock. Handy, compact. So reliable that it saves you 10% on theft insurance in some companies. Every car owner ought to carry a couple. Be on the safe side! Bastine AUTOWLINE—an- other dependable auto-neces- sity—is the original wire rope towline. Also made of famous Yellow Strand Wire Rope, with patented Snaffle Hooks that attach instantly and se- curely. Fits under seat cush- ion—don’t start out without one. Powerstret TRucktine, “ big brother” to Autowline, is for heavy — truck-towing. With plain or Snaffle Hooks. At Your Jobber or Dealer Broderick & Bascom Rope Co. ST. LOUIS NEW YORK Manufacturers of Celebrated Yellow Strand Wire Rope—For General Con- struction Work and Other Industria! Uses. E1e7D To the Victor Belongs the Toil Who is it hands out interviews, And has his valet shine his shoes, And stocks his celar-up with booze, And dines upon Budweiser? Who is it drives a Mercedes, And never thinks of saying “ Please” To forty servants on their knees? Why that’s the German Kaiser! Who is it walks along the street In search of jobs, so he may eat, And works like hell to make ends meet, And never smells Budweiser? Who is it has one suit of clothes, And shoes quite airy at the toes? Why, buddie, he’s just one of those Who licked the German Kaiser! —Robert D. Little, in the Stars and Stripes. His Heinous Offense—“I see a visitor to New York was arrested the other day because he had three hundred and fifty dollars in his pocket,” said Church. “ And it wasn’t his own money ?” asked Gotham. “Oh, yes; it was proved in court that it was his own money,” replied Church. “Why on earth did they arrest him, then ?” “He was trying to get out of town with it. —Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph. On a Secure Basis —“ Dad,” said the financier’s son, running into his father's office, “lend me six hundred.” “What for, my boy?” "ve got a sure tip on the market.” “How much shall we make out of it?” asked the old man cautiously. “A couple of hundred sure,” replied the boy eagerly. “ That's a hundred each.” “Here's your hundred,” said his father. “Let's consider that we have made thi deal and that it has succecded. You make a hundred dollars and I save five hun- dred."—-Boston Transcript. braggart chess- player played three games with a stranger and lost them all. Next day a friend asked him how he had come off. “Oh, said he, “I didn’t win the first game, and my opponent didn’t lose the second. As for the third, I wanted to draw it, but he wouldn't agree.” —Japan Advertiser (Tokyo). Evidence to the Contrary—“ Madam,” said a man standing in the street car, “why do you persist in punching me with your umbrella ?” “T want to make you look round so I can thank you for giving me your seat. Now, sir, don’t go off and say that women haven't any manners.” —Boston Transcript Generalities—Said one wife to another: “Oh, really, darling, husbands are such impossible creatures!” And the other equally fed-up darling returned: “No, dear; the trouble is that they're so pos- sible."—Sketch (London). 736 THE AUTOGLAS An Eye protector of graceful design that adjusts itself comfortably to the wearer's face. Gives perfect protection from wind, dust and flying particles and does not detract from the personal appearance or the pleasures o! the wearer. Ideal for Motoring, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Hunting or Trap-shooting. Procurable from Optical, Motor and Sport. ing Goods Establishments, We will gladly supply the address of your nearest dealer. F, A. HARDY @ COMPANY Dept. B. Box 204, Chicago, IIL SADDLES AND EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT ‘Te BesT RIDER, THE PERKINS-CAMPBELL co. 622 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio New York Branch Chicago Branch 89 Chambers St. 1329 So. Michigan Ave. Catalog and information upon request => 6 BELDANE Hot water Sure Relief EF LL-ANS FOR INDIGESTION MofoRS nay ALL SIZES MOTORS AND GENERATORS UP TO $ KP ects Mad Cnr Sa nr te wrth Wie bn rn ee oa LIFE’S Color Advertising All covers and inserts in four colors effective Lat ince ta Je Improved color service; no increase in cost. comicbooks.com