Life, 1921-11-24 · page 14 of 34
Life — November 24, 1921 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks a labor strike by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' horses. The cartoon depicts horses literally kicking over the country in protest—a visual pun on the phrase "raising hell." The top illustration shows horses at a meeting with signs about "votes for horses" and labor demands, parodying human labor organizing. The text references actual strikers like "Diamond" Jim Hannigan and "Calico" Brady, though these appear to be caricatured as horses for comedic effect. The satire ridicules labor activism by literally depicting horses as the striking workers, suggesting the strikers' demands are absurd or animalistic. The joke relies on the contrast between dignified labor organizing and these chaotic, kicking animals causing destruction across America—implying strikers are unreasonable and uncivilized.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Tale of Whoa! Horses Kicking All Over the Country MOAN ia i VOTES Caomomwes wae j COR HORSES = } P axol 10 Bocrug OG wwaaes OA PALS CORNER of the grill in the new- ly established head- quarters strike camp. Reading from left to right: Pompey W. McCready, “Dia- mond” Jim Flanni- gan, “Calico” Brady, the famous educated horse, and Lucius P. Spavin, M.D., the celebrated horse doc- tor. “Calico” Brady is favoring. the little group with that ten- der ballad, “The Old Gray Mate.” 4 ISMOUNTED traffic officers Quinn and McCarthy receiving a striking demonstration of the slogan, “Oats for Horses,” are a bit at a loss. “Never look a gift horse in the mouth,” says Quinn. “Mouth, is ut?” responds McCarthy; “heels, ye mean. If thim is gift horses, I’m not takin’ any prisints, thank ye.” “Shoo, ye blinkin’ bhastes!” says Quinn. “Shoe is right,” says McCarthy. “Too many of ’em for my likin’.” We'll admit that the situation calls for a large portion of horse-sense. TRIKING horses enjoying their daily laugh. Much of the time among the liberated horses is spent in recrea- tion. Frequent vaudeville shows presented by ex-circus horses are received with flattering attention and complete at- tendance. “I have never been in a less human place,” writes one enthusiast. “We are having the times of our lives.” ESPONDING to the labor unrest prevalent XX over the ‘whole of the United States, the Amalgamated Brotherhood of Work Horses has declared a walkout. The horses have burst through the shafts, kicked over the traces, upset the cart, and throughout the country are reveling in unbridled freedom. Even many of the Walking Delegates, who in ordinary circum- stances would have remained quiet as long as they could draw their weekly oats, have burst into a tun. As the result of a straw vote, the horses will remain out of harness until drastic reforms are unconditionally accepted. Drawn by T. S, Sullivant comicbooks.com