Life, 1924-07-10 · page 25 of 36
Life — July 10, 1924 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page mocks early 1920s American social pretension and confusion over hierarchical rank in civilian organizations. **"The Prominent Citizen Problem"** (by Stoddard King) jokes that democratic America has created ridiculous title inflation—Rotary governors, Exalted Cyclops (fraternal lodge titles), bishops, and various executives—creating etiquette chaos about who sits where at dinners and photos. The satire argues the military's clear rank system would solve this absurd problem, though King presents this "argument for militarism" tongue-in-cheek. **"Scots Wha Hae"** is a humorous anecdote where a Scottish man proposes to a wealthy woman during a taxicab ride, using the meter's ticking (costing sixty cents) as motivation—economic pressure replacing romance. **The bottom cartoon**, captioned "Old General Prosperity Is Back in the Saddle," depicts a mounted general figure holding a sphere labeled with political promises (Liberty, reduced cost of living, peace, prosperity). This likely references post-WWI optimism about economic recovery, though presented with satirical skepticism about such grandiose claims.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SAPNA P * LUPE, * The Prominent Citizen Problem HAVE just thought of another wonderful argument for militarism, The military system automatically settles all questions of relative rank; and on this vital subject there is absolutely no civilian authority. = In this great democracy nearly every citizen has by now me sort of title, and on all sides we see the wildest confusion, Does a District Governor of Rotary go in to dinner ahead of an Exalted Cyclops? Which should be in the center of the photograph, a Terri- torial Sales-Manager or a Bishop Coadjutor? Docs one present a Doctor of Philosophy to a National Committeeman, or vice versa? Many a public meeting has been a complete failure be- cause the chairman did not know where an Imperial Poten- ought to sit on the platform with relation to a Third Vice-President. The etiquette books have dodged the subject. The Per- fect Behavior columns in the newspapers are afraid to tackle it. Nothing is likely to be done until we turn the whole social organization over to the Army and Navy. They know how to handle things like that. Stoddard King. Scots Wha Hae—and How They Do It “LJOW did you screw up your courage to propose to the rich Mrs, MacTavish, Sandy “Losh, mon, ‘twas jist awfu'! I'd sworn I'd do it come Monday nicht, so I took her for a bit ride in a taxicab, and wi’ one eye on the wee meter tickin’ awa’, I had her won at the end o’ saxty cents.” EVELOPMENT of the “perfect oyster” is freely pre- dicted by biologists. They fail to state, however, whether the new product can be counted upon to vote the straight Republican or Democratic ticket. H : Aren't you going to bob your hair? re: Well, you know, I can’t decide whether to bob it or bandit. Photographer (excitedly): = Now—notp IT! H's bootlegger seemed to be falling behind in his usually good service. Picking up his phone, he called up to find out the trouble. “Hello, is Mr. Drinx ii “Yes, he’s in,” answered the bootlegger's valet. “How soon can I talk to hin “Not for five years.” came the answer, niGn waces ©, (@coucen cost oF tivina™ 3 Peace AnD PROSPERITY re sav merino Or\}i oF HAPPINESS, my, 2 OLD GENERAL PROSPERITY JS BACK IN THE SADDLE, comicbooks.com