Life, 1924-01-31 · page 27 of 36
Life — January 31, 1924 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains political satire from the early 20th century featuring two pieces: **"Bos Infidelis: A Lacteal Duel"** depicts a humorous competition between **Magnus Johnson** (a farmer) and **Henry Cantwell Wallace** (Secretary of Agriculture), who engage in a milk-production contest with government dairy cattle. The satire mocks both men as politicians pretending to be farmers ("statesmen" playing "bucolic"). When Johnson loses, he complains of being "double-crossed," a jab at political dishonesty. The moral critiques how even cattle respond to "noblesse oblige." **"The Visionary"** sketches a dreamer who does nothing but fantasize—spouting poetry in absurd places—until a committee confronts his uselessness. He responds that he's "the white-haired boy" and tells them to ask "any good playright." This mocks impractical idealists disconnected from reality. The cartoons reflect 1920s skepticism toward both agricultural politics and artistic/visionary pretensions, using exaggeration and irony to critique social pretense.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bos Infidelis A Lacteal Duel (MAGNUS JOHNSON es. HENRY CANTWELL WALLACE) AYS Wallace to Johnson while viewing the herd Of Government Holsteins, “A thous In my sapient dome.—let us frame up ab And show Uncle Sam what we know about cattle; Now, off with our coats for this dairyman’s frolic To prove that, though statesmen, we're truly bucolic.” Says Magnus to Henry, “I Cantwell refuse, Twill make such an excellent item of news,— Though, Henry, you're licked at the start; I insist 1 shake an unbeatably wicked milk-fist So doughty dirt farmer and dignified Sec Set to with a will, and they worked neck and neck Till ral Bliss, who was judging the test, Called “Time” and replaced his gold watch in his vest; And carefully measuring, made his report Friend Wallace, you've won by a fourth of a quart.” When Magnus discovered the fact that he'd lost He bitterly shouted, “I've been double-crossed ; These treacherous cow-heasts have framed-up a The Friend-of-the-Farmer, by rights I should win.” see Cheer up, most ingenuous farmer of dirt Don't let this experience rankle or hi For feminine justice is rare on this planet— q ; CRY THING h trickery dates back to Eve who began it. Moral » rank and position this world ever bows; The Visionary ay ALON ‘Tis noblesse oblige with both humans and cows. Douglas Chandler, nose and always | earth. He Atla City m he of the ocean ness and fast someth Finally he was such a bother that a to take him to task. Which it did “What earthly use are you reason have for liv dreaming and are you “What good am I ionary.” Well, what good is t Ho,” said the Vis am. You go ask any g YER: There seems to be Ryer but I don’t th alarmed at until it reaches the “pon’T, JIM! KEEP COOL TILL THEY GET THE LADDER UP— HE Turk who tried t assacre Mustapha Kemal pr HAVE A SMOKE!” ably became tired of hearing that ciga 1 comicbooks.com