Life — February 14, 1924 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It features "An Advertisement to Our Employees" for Statler Hotels, a major hotel chain of the era. The image shows a formal portrait of an unnamed businessman (likely a Statler executive) alongside text explaining the company's service philosophy. The message emphasizes that employees must treat guests with respect and courtesy—"the golden rule of treating the other fellow...as you would like to be treated." The advertisement's framing as a formal "public record" statement suggests this was a serious corporate ethics declaration. The "Guarantee of Statler Service" promises guests will receive satisfactory treatment or can escalate complaints to management. This reflects early 20th-century hospitality industry standards and corporate PR messaging rather than satire.