Life, 1923-09-06 · page 11 of 40
Life — September 6, 1923 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a caricature of **O. Underwood**, identified as "A Very Democratic Senator from Alabama." The exaggerated cartoon depicts him with an elongated, elongated physique—a common satirical technique to mock political figures. The accompanying poem criticizes Underwood as the embodiment of the Democratic Party, suggesting he represents the party's establishment while claiming to be guided by him. The satire questions whether Democratic leadership is genuinely principled or merely self-serving. The lower section, "Crumbs of Comfort," includes brief commentary on various public figures (Hylan, Dempsey, Bryan, Hays, Coolidge, Rockefeller), offering short, pointed observations about their conduct—typical of Life magazine's satirical format mocking politicians and celebrities of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Inspiration ‘ENE: Interior of the Royal Theatre. ‘ime: Monday afternoon, Characters: Spence Lerrar, noted playwright; members of the Ladies’ Drama Circle, composing the audience for his lecture. Lerrar: In concluding my talk te you, which started to be a little thing and has grown despite me to such length, I want to pay tribute to one who has ever been the source of my inspiration. Through devoted attention to my aims; through steadfast and continued optimism when I, myself, had almost lost hope; through help day by day in the little things and the great ones, she has carried me to whatever success I have achieved. If you feel that I have accomplished anything in the theatre I want to make acknowledgment that it all is due to her who has never left my side even for an instant, and without whose constant companionship I am lost. 1 owe all I have done to her—to my wife. (The audience applauds violently.) Act 2. Scene: Spence Lerrar’s studio. Time: Tuesday morning. Characters: Spence Lerrar; Joseph Essence, his secre- ENCE: Beg pardon, sir, but you are due at pier fifty- at two o'clock this afternoon. Am I? What's the occasion? e: Your wife, sir. She Europe to-day. Lerrar: Does she, indeed? RAR? arrives home from How long has she been J.K.M. my 7 - “AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUTH OF To-pAY, THAT THEY TOO MAY ATTAIN YOUR GREAT AGE?” “pon’T DIE YOUNG!” O. Underwood Very Democratic Senator from Alabama) O UNDERWOOD, my Underwood, Your smooth and shining dome Beneath that of the Capitol Has long time made its home. No evanescent bubble, ‘you, That bursts or floats away. Ah, no, our Oscar W. Is there, it seems, to stay. The Democratic Mule is not My party quadruped, And yet it helps a lot to know That he is firmly led By Mr. Oscar Underwood, Without whose guiding hand I wonder where in thunder would The crazy critter land! G. S.C. Crumbs of Comfort OHN F. HYLAN, in Subway Sun—I think Marion Davies is wonderful. Jack Dempsey, in Youth's Companion—Money is of secondary consideration. Make the love of the game your ruling passion. Play hard and c'>n. William Jennings Bryan, in an interview—I have ab- solutely nothing to say. Will Hays, in an unguarded moment—We have but scratched the surface of the motion picture industry. President Coolidge— ... John D. Rockefeller, Jr., to his father, at breakfast— I have flung roses, roses riotously with the throng. comicbooks.com