Life, 1925-11-12 · page 24 of 41
Life — November 12, 1925 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces from an early 20th-century American humor magazine: **"Industrial Note"** mocks corporate hiring practices. A Consulting Engineer passionately argues that a highly successful salesman named Bilch should have been hired, citing his sales records and high salary ($12,000/year). The Sales Manager's calm reply—that Bilch "wasn't able to sell me on himself"—satirizes the irony that an excellent salesman failed at self-promotion, suggesting corporate decision-making is often irrational or personality-driven rather than merit-based. **"Action"** and **"Perishable"** are brief comic quips about romantic and domestic situations, typical of the magazine's humor style. **"Cartoon Queries"** humorously examines the absurd physics and logic of comic strips—how characters survive impossible injuries, produce cartoon sound effects, and recover instantly. This meta-commentary pokes fun at cartoon conventions' internal inconsistencies. The page reflects Life's focus on satirizing American business culture, social conventions, and popular entertainment through witty observation rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Industrial Note TH company cigarettes were on the table. The confer- ence was in full swing. The Consulting Engincer blew a perfect ring over the Superintendent’s shiny pate and glared at the Sales Manager. “Why,” he asked coldly, “didn't you hire Bilch? He's sold more gaskets for Marovich and Company than all the rest of their sales force combined.” “True,” agreed the Sales Manager, shifting his tooth- pick. “Gonnick says,” continued the Consulting Engineer, “that he’s the best salesman they ever had.” “So I'm told,” said the Sales Manager. “He sold the biggest single order of gadgets that's ever been placed,” shouted the Consulting Engineer, rising to his feet. “Uh, huh,” commented the Sales Manager. “He's a $12,000-a-year man!” roared the Consulting En- gineer, trembling with passion, “I know it,” said the Sales Manager coolly, “Then why,” bellowed the scientist, “didn’t you hire him?” “For the reason,” replied the Sales Manager, stifling a yawn, “that he wasn't able to sell me on himself.” E, M. Curtis. Action ILDRED: Why do you go with Paul? Annie: He's the plot to my confession stories! “Ip I'D A-KNOWED THIS HERE WAS A WALK-UP APARTMENT, YD OF HAD ’EM CANCEL ME LEASE.” Cartoon Queries How does a snoring person manage to utter so many “z's” in succession? What combination of surface and projectile produces the sound of “Pow"? “Zam"? “Klink”? “Wham”? Where does a cartoon character land after being knocked out of the last picture? How does a blow on any part of the body invariably produce a black eye, and what magic places a cross of court-plaster immediately over any facial wound? Who pays the insurance on all the property damaged by the Katzenjammer Kids? What doctor is responsible for the miraculous recoveries of both Mutt and Jeff after their serious and almost daily injuries? What is the last name of Mr. and Mrs.? Ss. S. “Gayl. fe GADI> A GREAT many people are beginning to wish the United PERISHABLE States Navy were through with this peace and safely “I SAY, DAD, THAT GOOD ADVICE YOU GAVE ME WENT BAD at war again. BEFORE I USED IT.” comicbooks.com