Life, 1927-07-14 · page 26 of 40
Life — July 14, 1927 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces reflecting early 20th-century American concerns: **"Torment"** (top left): A dialogue between an Imp and a damned soul touring Hell, satirizing Prohibition. The joke hinges on the newcomer's predictable response—he's about to ask "When does Prohibition start?" The punchline mocks both Prohibition's unpopularity and the Devil's sardonic awareness of human desires. **"Economics"** (center): An employment agency manager interviews a worker seeking a "Free Mason." The satire targets either labor exploitation or unclear job qualifications—the manager's aggressive "prodding" suggests workplace abuse. **"Life's Camps for Needy Children"** (right): A lengthy editorial-style piece advocating for summer camps for poor children in New York slums. It appeals to wealthy readers' compassion, contrasting affluent children's safety with urban poverty. The illustration "Her Head Gardener" (bottom) shows a woman tending children like plants—a metaphor for nurturing disadvantaged youth. The page blends humor with social advocacy typical of *Life* magazine's reformist stance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“GOSH, THIS IS WONDERFUL; MAKES YoU FEEL LIKE NEVER GOING BACK TO WoRK.” Torment “MM HIS is our Grand Canyon,” said the Imp to the Condemned Soul he was showing round Hades. “Yes,” he hurriedly added, taking the words out of the newcomer’s mouth, “it’s a dandy place for throw- ing used razor blades. “Golly,” the Imp, “it's dry down here, What do you think of Pro- hibition “Wh “"When does it start?’ you were going to say,” chortled the Imp, ding the newcomer with his pitchfork, “Ha, ha! That's And, by the way, that gent I with in the went on prod- a hot one! who was you room “That—" began the new- comer, “That,” cut in the Imp, prodding him again, “that was no » that was the Devil. ” But the Condemned Soul, who in life had been a at one for springing jokes, ut- tered a despairing ery, and plunged head-first into the burning lake. reception OW the cchoes in the 4 Black Hills can take a nice long rest. Economics {MPLOYM r 4+ MANAGE employ a mason. want? Hi: Free about. AGENCY So you'd like to What kind do you I'd like to have one of them Masons I've heard so much HER HEAD GARDENER Lire’s Camps for Needy Children Hearts Are Trumps In the Great Game of “Help-Your- Small-Neighbor” This Suit Always Wins. HIS, as you have doubtless guessed, is all about those mar- velous Camps in New Jersey and Connecticut which Lir tains for the neediest of need. little thin, lone and the scrawny, unguided boys of the slums of New York. nd we beg of gine what your 1 if it had to be wisps of Summer is here, you to try to im summer would m endured in the living- quarters, the teeming, suffocating streets, amid the musty smells a the malevolent noises of the te: ment districts of this great city! Given these few outward of the general squalor and wretched- ness, what happiness, what peace, what health, what progress would be possible there for you? The poor, brave men and women of these places struggle through it somehow. But what of the little children? Think of the boys a girls of these outra listricts — and then think of your own safe babies! Remember that there, but for the grace of God, goes your little Peter or your precious Joan! What equation is there in a world that deals out the luck so uneveniy What balance exists for such unjust chances at life? The answer is—compas- sion, and human under- standing, and pity, and generosity. ‘These are the only things that can rescue the children from the sweltering midsummer months in the pernicious Lower st Side, and start them on the road to honesty and happiness, self-respect and health. And these divine things abound in your hearts, as (Continued on page 30) miserable forms comicbooks.com