Life, 1926-05-20 · page 18 of 44
Life — May 20, 1926 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the insurance claims process through a series of humorous scenarios involving a Mr. Biffem and his damaged automobile. The top cartoon depicts an elaborate circus or theatrical scene, captioned "Accomplishing the Impossible," with a director requesting someone move a mountain closer to Mahomet. The text below presents a month-by-month chronicle of Biffem's frustrating attempts to collect insurance for car repairs. Each entry documents bureaucratic delays and contradictions—insurance companies requesting information, losing documents, disputing claim amounts, and offering partial settlements. The satire targets the inefficiency and evasiveness of early 20th-century insurance companies. The cartoons and anecdotes suggest that collecting a legitimate claim is as difficult as performing impossible feats. The accompanying advertisements for Tin-Tin Hot Dog and Rialto emphasize consumer goods amidst these frustrations, reflecting period advertising practices.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ACCOMPLISHING THE IMPOSSIBLE Director: Wt, YoU BOYS, SHOVE THAT MOUNTAIN ABOUT TEN FEET CLOSER TO MAHOMET, WILL YoU? Collecting a Claim PRIL 2%—File claim with insur- Tug. 16—Forward te uurance com to do with their forwarding check \ A ance company for $226.33, cost pany” receipted for $226.33, from in amount due for damages. Gyppem Garage, for repairs to one of repairing your car after acci : Oct. 9—Acknowledge receipt of no- Fritz Six Sept, 3—Write expressing regret tl but i tice that annual premium is due for next company — twelve months. Tell com y to deduct F ire what this fiem is at the $8356 from amount of your claim present in Eur Oct. 24—Advise insurance company ; will not send check for $83.56 for driving, atten pass truck on hill pace ea sa hey exe ascending, doing crashe . simpler ior them, but not for you Var 28—Ady Vor, IW Advi mp u company 2 . want their expert to inspect car, he must Riffem J. Biffem’s apply te: Fritz Six cy for inforn County Jail, Reardhe rity, where re tion as te its whereabouts. Y he is spending: thirty ¢ r reckless it inom new model last Dee. 13—Write in ising youll he hanged if you'll setrle driving, but if they don't hurry they'll miss him rance company June 9—Extend condolences te insur for one cent less than the repairs cost ince company fer missing connections with Biffem J. Biffem, and advise vou Dee. 20—Drop note to company wish dow't knew wh ing claim agent Merry Christmas. now, unless s been drivi Jan, 23—Acknowledge receipt of in again, in which case he may be in al heck for $37.29 in surance company’s full settlement of James K w MeGuinnes most any hi all claims. July 7. The Pacifier Maxacer nto a heated ar power after ace claims: it uur employee where ument over I hibition? How was it settled Boss: By the five o'clock whistle and thr exceptionally dit in “ven! woaten comicbooks.com