Life, 1925-05-21 · page 8 of 40
Life — May 21, 1925 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features "The Key to Success," a speech by Class J. Pauh, President of Pauh, Nuh & Uh (a business), delivered at the company's tenth anniversary. **The Satire:** The cartoons mock corporate platitudes about success. The top sketch shows vagrants camping in squalor while one claims he can't eat without "Ritz dinner music"—mocking how the wealthy attach pretentious cultural rituals to basic needs. **The Speech's Point:** Pauh emphasizes that true success requires *courtesy*—a quality his late father George T. Pauh valued. The message is earnest rather than ironic, advocating for kindness as the foundation of business ethics. **The Humor:** The contrast between the earnest corporate speech and the absurdist cartoons (including one about a spider stealing laundry) suggests Life's satirical skepticism toward business motivational rhetoric, even when well-intentioned.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“"S FUNNY, BUT IT GETS SO I CAN'T eM The Key to Success (From the Inspirational Speech of Claus J. Punh, President of Pauh, Nuh & Uh, to his employees on the tenth—"Grand Jubile ADIES and gentlemen: The other day Vice-President Nuh (applause) came to me and asked me what subject I intended to take for my address on this, the tenth anni- versary of the founding of dear old Pauh, Nuh & Uh. “Should Auld Ac- I thank you, one and all. This. of spirit moves me to comment upon the (Song, sung with great enthusiasm quaintance Be Forgot?") charming displa fact that, after all, we are not so much a business concern— that is, the general run of busi- sary of the founding of the business.) to put it in a word: Courtesy! When my father, the late George T. Pnuh (awed silence), lay on his deathbed (an- other hush) two years ago, he summoned me to him and said: “Claus, I am leaving my business to you because you have always been a dutiful son to me; because you have always been courteous tome. When Iam gone, I leave it to you to carry on the grand old traditions of Pnuh, Nuh & Uh.” And with that word, ladies and gentlemen, I leave you Courtesy! That is the message ness concerns—as one great, big happy family. But let me continuc. When ice-President Nuh — (hand- clapping) asked me this, I re- plied at once: “Why, Vice- President Nuh, [ had not the slightest idea of being called upon for a speech, but if 1 should be called upon I had about made up my mind to make a few remarks upon The Key to Success.” “You could not have chosen a more suit- able nor inspiring topic,” he re- plied. Well, comrades—for the name of Pnuh, Nuh & Uh is synonymous with comradeship —(Male chorus: “For he's a jolly good fellow.) Again I thank you. And, as a cele- brated comedian once — said: “My sister in vaudeville thanks you.” (Laughter.) But to get to my subject, my friends. The Key to Success is, “WwHew ! WHAT'S THE TROUBLE WITH OL’ MR. BUG?” Why “WHY—HE'S JUST RIGGED UP HIS NEW AERIAL AND NOW THAT PESKY BETSY SPIDER HAS GRABBED IT OFF FOR A “She CLOTHESLINE.” that my father gave to me and that is the message that I shall give to my son, and that is the message that I want all of you to gi to your sons. There is no telling to what heights they may rise. I thank you. (Momentary confusion at speakers’ table, President Pnuh rises again.) Our efficient superintendent, Mr. Peabody, has requested me to inform you that we are re- luctantly compelled to cancel the customary Saturday half- holiday for the next three months. Tip Bliss. Just Discovered as HO was that good-looking girl you just spoke to?” My sister.” T didn’t know you had a sister. s asn’t my sister until last night. comicbooks.com