Life, 1921-09-01 · page 15 of 35
Life — September 1, 1921 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main article argues that granting aristocratic titles is cheaper than raising tariffs—both are ways politicians reward supporters without direct taxpayer cost. The illustration shows someone ordering luxury goods (ice cream, chocolate, cream puffs, honey), satirizing how the wealthy make frivolous demands. The "Ethics" poem by Robert Hillyer offers moral advice about balance and temperance. "The Truth of It" tells a brief romantic anecdote where a man promises to reveal a secret but forgets it the next day—mocking the hollowness of romantic promises. Below is a comic strip titled "Achievement" showing a man and child at what appears to be a public fountain or water source, depicting working-class daily life through sequential panels.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
September 1 -Titles or Tariffs N one of George Birmingham’s ingeni- ous stories an American’ magnate, kind, clever and corrupt, gives it as his opinion that a titled aristocracy is a great ard to a country. Party leaders, its out, must make some return for the money which has been spent on them; is better and cheaper to grant titles ) alter tariffs. iere is a good deal to be said for this undemocratic point of view. A few new American baronets with every change of administration, or even an added earl or two, with ancestral acres in Oklahoma, would cost the taxpayer nothing; where- as a new tariff, if it is to be really profit- able to its promoters, may so increase the cost of living as to make it a trifle dif- ficult for some of us to live. ‘To be supported by the tax list is the laudable ambition of every free-born American. The soldier clamors for a bonus, the engine-driver for nationalized railroads, the seaman for a subsidized vant marine, the farmer for especial tion, the manufacturer for a pro- ve tariff. » great principle of running a busi- it a loss, and letting the taxpayer up the deficit, is the dream of the carner who regards the public rev- sas a sort of manna upon which he has a sacred right to feed. The great principle of denying to Americans any other goods than those he has to offer is the orthodox creed of the manufacturer who asks the connivance of the law. And between two predatory armies moves apprehensively the lean citizen who pays for all. A constitutional monarchy gets off cheaply with titles and ribbons “How to deal with the mer and stars. “Please send me a gallon of ice cream an’ five pounds of choc’lit and two dozen cream puffs an’ a box of honey an’ I want them delivered in time for breakfast.” rapaciously immodest,” says Mr. William Roscoe Thayer, “is the special task of democracy.” Agnes Repplier. Ethics Eacu has an angel and a devil In his heart; the stupid kriave Kills one, becomes the other’s slave, And wastes his life in prayer or revel. The wise man will amuse himself According to the wind and weather; Disport at times with either elf, But yield to neither altogether. Robert Hillyer. Achievement The Truth of It Ir was rather late in the evening and the music was playing a wonderful waltz. Fairy lights danced and golden wine flowed. He promised he would tell her the secret of his life on the morrow. So she was fascinated and permitted him to kiss her. * * * The following day they met and she asked for the secret. But he could tell her nothing for he had completely forgotten what it was. comicbooks.com