Life, 1925-09-24 · page 12 of 41
Life — September 24, 1925 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early automobile culture and pedestrian safety. The top cartoon, titled "Triumphant Pedestrian: Not a Chance!" shows people being struck by various cars (Ford, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Rolls-Royce), mocking the era's automobile dangers. The verse "Pro Bono Publico" sarcastically celebrates motorists while lamenting pedestrians' vulnerability—a "commodious motorized hearse" joke about cars as death traps. "The Pioneer" section mocks Jedge Henderson, an early adopter of Japanese lanterns and linen suits, representing pretentious fashion followers. The bottom illustration shows sailors aboard ship, with dialogue about sea knowledge, likely satirizing exaggerated boasting or false expertise among mariners. Overall, the page critiques 1920s automotive dangers and social pretension through humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
fe C7 ese - a Triumphant Pedestrian; nov a citance! The Pioneer EDGE HENDERSON was the first man in our town to wear a Palm Beach suit, only they called ‘em linen suits suits then. He put on a fresh one every Monday, and day by day the trousers took on a few more cross creases, till they looked like a pair of Japanese lanterns. You could always tell what day it was by count- ing the wrinkles in the Jedge’s pants. as HAT church is that?” “That's the First Page Baptist.” He: Yes, 1 SUPPOSE I DO KNOW A GOOD DEAL ABOUT THE SEA, THIS SHIP IS A MILE. Pro Bono Publico Before O! the Ford makes way for the Chevrolet, And the Chevrolet dodges the Olds, The Olds turns back for the Cadillac, And the Cadillac bows to the Rolls. But J must kneel to the siren’s squeal And cross the road with a prayer, And I'd like to assist ev'ry ———* motorist To the well-known clectrified chair, After Well, I've made my pile, and [ travel in style In the niftiest car in the town, But it makes me weep when I try to keep From running pedestrians down. Dunno how come they can be so dumb; They're a menacing national curse, And I'll cheerfully buy ev'ry od sluggish guy A commodious motorized hearse. Tip Bliss. ‘Appropriate adjective on application. FOR INSTANCE, ELEVEN TIMES AROUND comicbooks.com