Life, 1926-06-17 · page 7 of 44
Life — June 17, 1926 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **Prohibition** (the nationwide ban on alcohol). The top poem "Except" mocks how Prohibition fails everywhere except a few states—people continue drinking despite the law. It references specific states like Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Maryland where enforcement supposedly works. "The Main Stem" describes Broadway's continued nightlife and illegal activity despite Prohibition's intent. The central cartoon shows someone reading "Sadie's Irish Rose" (a popular 1920s play) while holding a lottery ticket, satirizing how Americans seek entertainment and quick money during Prohibition's economic disruption. "Armament" jokes darkly about domestic gun violence, suggesting Americans arm themselves against family members. The overall theme: Prohibition is universally ignored and has created unintended social chaos.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“WELL, S'LONG, MAE, T GOTTA BE TRAVELIN UP AT A HUNDRED NTY-FIRST STREE “SWELL! WHEN YA GET THERE, DEARI IT AN’ CLAIM. IT The Main Stem Prize the author ¢ < ¢ he $1,000 cf th d the Pulitzer orses on Broad- SPHERE may be no hitch N; ¥.5; b it can more street-c wa: an any village or ham t haunts the dreams of Mencken the Pure. There ar pore butter- 1 in Times than attend the annual Limited” time be cowboys nm a spree ever shoot up the oh, what the taxi chauffeurs d haven't lived if you have never dd you probably w Robert Hage. Armament “HERE, wifes” said the modern gun- man, returning home, “give this revolver to the baby to play with. I've got a machine gun now.’ comicbooks.com