Life, 1927-03-24 · page 5 of 38
Life — March 24, 1927 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical pieces reflecting 1920s concerns: **"Can Spring Be Far Behind?"** critiques delayed spring weather in 1925-1926, arguing the government's Printing Bureau error caused a "spring shortage." The humor mocks both unpredictable weather and bureaucratic incompetence. **"That Chinese Situation"** shows a cartoon where someone labeled "China" appears coerced by Western powers (depicted as a figure pulling/controlling). This references Western imperial interference in Chinese politics during the period of warlord fragmentation and foreign intervention. **"To a Lady Who Complains She Cannot Sleep"** is a humorous poem addressing insomnia, likely aimed at upper-class readers experiencing anxiety about modern life. The cartoons reflect American anxiety about both domestic inefficiency and international power dynamics of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“we WOULD LIKE SOME CAMPING TOGS, PLEASE—YOU KNOW, THE SORT OF THING ONE WEARS WHEN ONE DOESN’T CARE WHAT ONE WEARS.” Can Spring Be Far Behind? IS that beautiful poem of Shelley's which we all know and love so well, “Ode to the West Wind,” the poet interrupts himself in the midst of a glowing apostrophe to the West Wind to ask us: “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” The answer to this is, Yes. Spring is always pretty far be- hind, it seems to us. It was thirty- eight days behind in 1922, and al- most two months in 1925, though it made up six or seven days between Pittsburgh and Chicago that year. In 1926, owing to a mistake in the Gov- emment Printing Bureau, there was no spring at all. And nobody no- ticed the difference. That gives you a pretty good idea of what the weather is like in March and April. Spring is supposed to — start officially on March 21, but we all know what a cockeyed lie that is. It's not until May that the tempera- ture rises high enough to allow peo- ple of ordinary stamina and resis- tance to venture out-of-doors without a heavy ulster—and by the time you're really warmed up, in June, they call it summer. It seems to this critic that the oficial opening of spring should be postponed a few months—say, until Decoration Day. Then, if it rained, you could walk out on it. The exist- ing system is a shame and disgrace to the Republican Party in this coun- try, and it is high time the public- spirited voters realized it! Norman R. Jaffray. That Chinese Situation ERRY: What in the world is it that those Chinese want? Derry: China. ToaLady WhoComplains She Cannot Sleep L*2*. when despairing sighs Vainly scold your stubborn eyes; When you squirm upon your cot, Mortified and vexed; And when pulses, newly found In the strangest places, bound, While your cheeks, one moment hot, Turn to ice the next; When your watch’s distant ticks Penetrate like trigger-clicks; Leaving scabrous and askew Your repose of mind— Lady, I believe you ought Give a period of thought To the flame which burns for you In the undersigned. Ponder why he hovers near Places where you may appear; Think what little interest Other maids inspire; Recollect how many times He has sent y ‘dent rhymes; Meditate sudden zest For a spruce attire. Will such musing ease your throes Will it cause your eyes to close? And your couch’s stony pile Render soft and deep? h «but, Lady, were I sure I were occupying your Thoughts for but the briefest while, Maybe J could sleep. Arthur Kramer. Don’t Ask Me Another! Inquisitive Clara, the Questionnaire Fiend: wuo wrote “THE WARRENS OP VIRGINIA”? (Answer on page 34) comicbooks.com