Life, 1925-03-19 · page 18 of 36
Life — March 19, 1925 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces critiquing American society: **"Pluck"** is a humorous poem celebrating the American virtue of determination, using historical figures (Washington, Columbus, the Pilgrims, John Alden) to show how "pluck" (perseverance) built the nation—though the final stanza jokes that pluck also keeps ordinary people from taking fishing days off. **"So Have Most of Us"** is a joke about religious hypocrisy: a woman wants a book about a new religion while admitting she never practices the religion she already has. **"Why Our Railroads Need a Director-General"** is the main cartoon critique. It depicts a railroad clerk callously refusing to correct a customer's thirty-dollar change shortage, hiding behind company rules and bureaucratic indifference. The accompanying cartoon shows various figures repeatedly making the same mistake with "XXX" (likely representing drunkenness). The satire argues that railroads need centralized leadership to fix such incompetence and poor customer service—a topical reference to debates about railroad regulation and monopoly practices.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Pluck T was Pluck that kept George Wash- ington from uttering a lic, That time he cut the cherry-tree to pieces ; When Columbus got the notion that he'd navigate the ocean, It was Pluck that kept him going— (and the breezes) ! It was Pluck that kept the Pilgrims from expiring with affright, When the Indians whooped outside their little villa; When John Alden hoarsely stammered that of Pris he was enamored, It was Pluck that made him do it— (and Priscilla)! It was Pluck that made you clamber from the bottom to the top. (Ah, what a happy consummation this is!) When you couldn't keep from wishing you could steal a day for fishing, It was Pluck that kept you from it— (and the Mrs.) ! Maria Conde. So Have Most of Us ANN (stopping at book-shop win- dow): There’s a book I want to get. N: What's it about? “Oh, it's awfully interesting—all about a new religion.” “What do you want of a new re- ligion? You've got a perfectly good one now that you never use.” POLISH scientist expresses doubt that machines will ever liberate the masses from toil. But he should worry. Prize contests will accomplish this in America, at least. LIFE * Why Our Railroads Need a Director-General HE meck little man counted his change and moved away from the railroad ticket window. He looked worried, counted again, edged diffi- dently back. “IT think,” he said apologetically, “that you made a mistake in the change.” The sleck-haired clerk became chill with sudden hauteur. orry, but you should have rectified that when I gave it to you. Can't do anything now.” “But,” said the littke man, peering piteously over his glasses, “I didn’t notice it at the—” “Rules of the comp'ny,” recited the clerk, pompously. “We can't risk get- tin’ gypped by people who don’t count their change waiting.” Move along, please, others “Are you sure you can't do anything about a serious error like this?” The agonized anxiety in the small voice would have melted a human heart. “Yes. mov Ab-so-lutely! Now will you out or must I—”" No, there's no need of that,” sighed the lamb, melting into. the passin throng. “You're just out thirty doll, that’s all.” Stanley Jones HE bass horn player in Roge Wolfe Kahn's orchestra has been taken to jail, which looks like the start of a much needed crusade. Dicaruisie A NATIVE-BORN, PROTESTANT, comicbooks.com