Life, 1922-11-16 · page 30 of 36
Life — November 16, 1922 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This brief joke satirizes insurance fraud and dishonest claims. An insurance adjuster investigates a house fire and tells the owner he's found "the cause"—but his explanation is a cynical pun: the fire resulted from "friction" between the property's actual value ($2,000) and its inflated insurance coverage ($3,000). The joke mocks both parties: the owner for over-insuring property (suggesting intentional fraud), and the adjuster for implying the discrepancy itself caused the fire. It's a veiled accusation of arson motivated by profit—a common concern during this era of insurance abuse. The satire works by presenting the "cause" as deliberately obtuse wordplay rather than actual investigation, highlighting the moral hazard created when insurance payouts exceed real property value.
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Cause and Effect The insurance adjuster who had been investigating the fire turned to go, “I came down here to find out the cause of this fire, and I have done so,” he remarked. i “That's what I want to know. What caused it?” demanded the house-owner. “It’s a plain case of friction.” ( “What-ya-mean—friction ?” “The fire was undoubtedly caused by rubbing a three-thousand-dollar in- surance policy on a two-thousand-dol- lar house.”—Everybody’s. The Feature W. L.DOUGLA $5 $6 87 &§8 SHOES.:irons W.L. Douglas shoes are actually demanded year after year by more people than any other shoe in the world. W.. L.DOUGLAS constant: endeavor for forty yearshas ———_—__——_—_ been to make the best shoes possible forthe price. Protection against unreasonable profits is guaranteed by the price stamped on every pair. f THEY ARE MADE °° the best and finest leathers, | by skilled shoemakers,all work- ) ing to make the best shoes for the price that money can buy. The quality is unsurpassed. 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As they streamed into her drawing-room, her brain reeled, and their Christian names failed her. “And which one are you, dear?” she asked a solemn boy of seven, helplessly. “Me?” said he, importantly. “I’m the one with the spectacles.” —Tit-Bits The Thirst for Knowledge “Pa, where was Babe Ruth born?” “Coudn’t tell you, son.” “Where was Jack Dempsey born?” “Don’t know that either.” “Pa, will you buy me a history of the United States?” —Denver Parrakeet. Mrs. A: I see you have a new cook. Is she experienced? Mrs. B.: I believe so. She started the first day by coming late and then asking the afternoon off. —Boston Transcript. Here's a scenic recommendation to tourists: “The route from Remota to East Malaria has the most beautiful filling station in the Middle West.” —St. Louis Globe-Democrat. | The Krementz collar button was the ins; whose cael mént already had set the standard among jewelry craftsmen for fine work- manship andiskillful designs. 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