Life, 1922-04-06 · page 29 of 38
Life — April 6, 1922 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of satire: **"The Young Hopeful"** is a poem mocking spring's arrival and the pressure on youth to seize the moment—a gentle social satire about mortality and ambition. **"In 1999"** is the sharper political satire. It depicts a dystopian future where a single bureaucrat has become an absolute dictator. The scenario illustrates anxiety about government overreach during Prohibition era America. The joke: endless bureaucratic expansion to enforce increasingly numerous laws eventually creates a tyrant—the "sole remaining taxpayer" whose authority becomes absolute because there are more government employees than citizens. The final jab at the end references Czechoslovakia's political instability (newly independent post-WWI), implying America risks similar autocracy. The satire critiques both Prohibition enforcement and the bloated bureaucratic apparatus it spawned—reflecting widespread 1920s skepticism about government power. The remainder of the page is a **"Mum" deodorant advertisement** targeting women, offering products to prevent body odor and unwanted hair—period marketing emphasizing social embarrassment and feminine propriety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Young Hopeful OLTED fast is Winter's door, Spring, sweet Spring is here once more, Charming, fickle, wilful Spring, What enchantments do you bring? Crocuses and daffodils, Snifiling colds and camphor pills; Stirring sap and bursting bud, Balmy airs and oozing mud; Radishes and violets, Hungry bards with triolets; Brilliant sun and sudden showers, Lazy days and crowded hours. must work with speed, Spring, Hurry up and have your fling; Life is short for you, Newcomer, You'll grow up to be a Summer. G. K. D. You young In 1999 H was a small man, almost insig- nificant in appearance. Yet he seemed to exercise a mysterious power over everyone with whom he came into contact. A frown from him, and mobs trembled. A sigh, and whole cities hushed their tongues in anguish. A shiver, and a nation watched in breath- less apprehension. ° “Who is he, United States, this country? “In a way, yes,” answered the native. “To understand the great power he wields, you must recall some of our history,” he continued in explanation. “At the beginning of our Inhibition Era, our honored forefathers created a force of so-called Prohibition Enforce- ment agents to attend to the first of our moral laws. “As time went on and more prohibi- tory amendments were added to our constitution, executive departments be- came larger and more numerous. It was found, too, that additional govern- ment employees were needed to force the enforcement of each law by those originally employed for that purpose. “Thus the elimination process in gov- ernment began, State servants becom- ing so numerous that they outnumbered private citizens. Carried on to the pres- ent day, this process has resulted finally in despotism in {ts worst form. “That man is an absolute tyrant in this one-democratic land. He has power of life and death. The govern- ment must bow to his slightest whim. “Ie is,” the native explained in tones of fearful awe, “the sole remaining tax- payer in the United States, and his word is the only law we know now.” J. K. McG. ed the visitor to the he despotic ruler of Fius: What do you think of Czecho- Slovakia ? Dus: Well, it’s hard to say. “What a relief—to be free from embarrassment in close contact or crowded placesf* Che Dainty Woman says “Mum is the word!” HEN after active exercise on a warm day—tennis, golf, or even walking—you would like to sit around for a while and talk, and feel entirely free from the odor of perspiration— “Mum” is the word. Or when, at the dance or other crowded social gathering, you want to enjoy the comfortable assurance that you are entirely free from body odors— “Mum” is the word. Think what it means to be alwa: free from this embarrassment—no mat- ter how warm the weather, how crowded the gathering, or how active you are— “Mum” is the word. “Mum” is a dainty snow-white cream, which prevents all body odors without checking perspiration or inter- fering with any function of the body. SPECIAL OFFER Send us $1 and your dealer's name and address, and we'll send you “Mum,” Amoray and Depilatory Outfit postpaid. Or send 50c fi r “Mum” and Amoray. Use this coupon. You can use “Mum” as often as you like. It does not irritate the skin nor injure the finest wa Get “Mum” today: from us by mail. The Dainty Woman also needs a safe method of removing hair from the un- derarms, Evans’s Depilatory Outfit is easy to use, acts quickly and leaves the skin smooth and comfortable. Comes complete, ready for your dressing table —75c. Also try Amoray, the delicate talc with a delightful, clinging fragrance that lasts all day—really a Powder Per- fume—rich yet delicate, and only to be compared with imported tales. 35c at stores, or from us by mail postpaid. But “Mum” is the word. Every dainty woman needs “Mum.” c at stores or .< Mum Mfg. Co, 1108 Chestnut I_ enclose... was send me the articies ‘checked’ below. O“Mum” 25¢ O“Amoray” 35¢ O Special Offer “Mum” and “Amoray” 50¢ OEvans’s Depilatory Outft—75e O Special Offer (all three)—$1 May, 1922 St., Philadelphia Please Address. City Dealer’s Name Dealer’s Address Mum Mrgrc. Co., 1108 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA “Mum” Amoray Tale Evans's Depilatory Outfit Evans's Cucumber Jelly Elder Flower Eye Lotion comicbooks.com