Life, 1926-12-09 · page 37 of 45
Life — December 9, 1926 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks police corruption and headline-driven justice. Lieutenant Moriarty fabricates a "big crime ring" by feeding false tips to reporters, creating sensational newspaper headlines to boost his career prospects toward a captaincy. The public remains deliberately deceived through manufactured psychological excitement. The bitter irony: to stage his final dramatic arrest, Moriarty targets "Hophead Harry," a harmless, friendless drug addict—only to discover the man actually *is* a genuine crime boss. Moriarty's demotion from Lieutenant to Patrolman follows. The satire critiques early 20th-century urban policing: the collusion between police and press, the use of fake crime waves for promotional purposes, and the cynical exploitation of vulnerable citizens. The joke's twist—that his scheme backfires when reality matches his fabrication—underscores the chaos underlying systems built on deception.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SQSveess alka? gis Life One Step Too Far VER his morning coffee, Lieu- tenant of Police Mori beamed at the two-inch hes in the Daily Blaze: “BIG CRIME RING SHATTERED “Mornety Again Gets His Man. Buxcs iN Leaver or Notorious Baxp or Criminars.” Of course, the fellow that had been pinched would probably be dis- charged in a few days for lack of evidence, but then the dear public had to be assured, occasionally, that something was being done about this crime-wave business. Moriarty had pulled this trick several times. In fact, that was how he'd got to be a And just at present. he on a coup that would him a Captain. So for the next three weeks he whispered daily tips in the ears of the reporters for the Bl another “Big Crime Ring” tha operating in the city. Just a here and there that he was on thei trail and that they would eventually bite the dust, which in due course leaked out to the public and created the proper psychological atmosphere of suppressed excitement. Thus the stage was all set for the big shindig. Casting about in the underworld for a subject, Moriarty had decided on jugging one “Hophead Harry,” whom he knew in a casual sort of way as a harmless drug addict who lived a friendless and secluded life, wherefore there was no reason at all why he shouldn't be pinched. So one night Moriarty threw a cordon of police around “Hophead’s” place and loaded him into the wagon. And, sure enough, the following day two-inch headlines again sereaued from the Daily Blaze: “BIG CRIME RING SHATTERED “Moriarty Ac Gets His Man. Brixcs ix. Leaver or Notorious Banp or Criminats.” But Patrolman Moriarty, no long- er Lieutenant, did not beam at the headlines over his morning coffee. Instead, he glared at them, cursing the curious twist of fate that had brought about his sudden demotion. “Hophead Harry” actually was the leader of a notorious band of criminals, . oe Asia Kagowan. No Alternative “\V HAT makes you think she doubts your sincerity ?” How can she help it? I told her A I believed her when she said she loved me!” THe annual question is in every- body’s mind. The annual gift list is in everybody's pocket. Here is just the right present for son or daughter, for best friend, for close business associate—in fact The Remington Portable Type- writer may be selected with the assurance that it is the recognized Jeader—in sales and popularity. It meets every requirement of per- sonal writing. It is the world’s lightest. writing machine with standard keyboard—tips the scales at only 814 pounds net. And it is the most compact of all typewrit- ers—fits in a carrying case only four inches high. It is faster than the speed de- mands of even the most expert user; and its dependability is Rens ington dependability. From every standpoint it is the gift for everybody. Terms as low as $$ monthly. Sold by Remington branches and dealers every where. Send for our booklet ** For You— For Everybody."* Address Dept. 149. ReminoTon TypewriTER CoMPANY 374 Broadway New York Branches Everywhere Typewriter Company of Canada, Led, Reming ge King Sucet, Went, Toroato REMINGTON PORTABLE 4 Gift for Gverybody Remington Typewriters A MACHINE FOR EVERY PURPOSE he Remington -made Para- gon Ribbons and Red Seal Carl Papers always make good impressions comicbooks.com