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Life, 1927-11-24 · page 35 of 44

Life — November 24, 1927 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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Life — November 24, 1927 — page 35: Life, 1927-11-24

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes Prohibition-era enforcement and government overreach. The main article promotes the fictional "Benedict Arnold Institute of America," which trains citizens as paid informants ("snoopers") to report neighbors' violations—particularly illegal alcohol possession. The satire targets the popular practice of blackmail and extortion that flourished under Prohibition. The testimonials describe citizens informing on friends and acquaintances for personal profit, with one explicitly describing extortion ("shakedown"). The reference to Benedict Arnold—America's most famous traitor—underscores the betrayal inherent in this informant culture. The piece mocks both the government's dependence on citizen surveillance and Americans' willingness to profit from each other's misdeeds. It's dark humor about how Prohibition incentivized dishonesty and corruption among ordinary people. The page also contains typical period travel advertisements, unrelated to the satire.

📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Be a Snooper! EN, women, children, here is a delightful avocation for you, and all the more so because, in ad- dition to pleasant hours and Bia Moxey, you will have the satisfac- | tion of knowing that you are work- ing for Amenica. Have you ever snooped? It is simple and enjoyable and Tur Bexepictr Arnotp Institute oF America has been brought into be- ing by a group of big-hearted men who want to devote all their time to teaching You this profitable art. Think of it! Before the first week is out you may be employed by the Government with a generous Salary ann Penguisites! And, speaking of perquisites, how! But read what a few of our pupils have to say. P.M. G., Indiana: “I had only taken my second lesson in snooping when I discovered a quart of Scotch in a friend's house. My rake-off from this job alone was $ 1 have hardly sta ‘ Gull, Mississippi: “My week-end host was thought to be thoroughly respectable and a pillar of the church, so when I told him I would expose his secret habit of card-play- ing for money, he cheerfully stood | ] for a shakedown of an even hun- | dred.” Stella, Kansas: “After just one | lesson—think of it!—I went to Madge, my dearest friend, and told her that unless she came across I would inform on her to her husband as to her charging that new dress | that he thought she had paid cash for. I'll say she came across!" And now as to the future of this fascinating profession. Bills will be presented at the of Congress desi HOLIDAY cruise, visit <ingston,Colon, s and New Havana and Nassau, spending ( WEST Years at sea. A 15-day cruise during ary. An early spring cruise following the same route, with Easter in ENDEES pecreque Havana. Two longer voyases including also San Juan, Se. Thomas, Fort de France. Se Barb on the ideal thing ship , La Guayra’ and Curacao. From New York RELIANCE Dec.17 Jan.7 Jan.25 Feb.25 Mar. 28 16 days 1S days 27 days 27 16 days a luxurious steamer, $200up $200up $300up $300 $200 up designed especially ‘ for tropical service. Descriptive lite Hamburg: American Line UNITED AMERICAN LINES, Inc., General Agents 28 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. Branches in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Fran- cisco or local steamship and tourist agents. Trin LUXURY CRUISES WEST INDIES PANAMA CANAL Three Glorious Wint tion Cruises of Re mance by the lux | ““VEENDAM JANUARY 28th and MARCH 17th, 1928 16 days each, visiting Bermuda, Ja- |maica, Havana and Nassau—$230 up. FEBRUARY 15th, 1928—28 Days | Havana, Jamaica, Panama, Curacao, La Guayra, and Caracas (Venezuela), Trinidad, Barbados, Martinique, St. Thomas, Porto Rico, Bermuda $385 up. Cruise fares include comprehensive shore excursions, carefully arranged and carried out by the Frank Tourist Company Mlustrated Booklet “17” sent on request HOLLAND-AMERICA LINE 22-24 State Street, New York es and Agents in all | Cities and FRANK TOURIST co., h Ave., N.Y. Good times are not hard to find if you forthcoming session ned to make almost everything illegal. Can you imagine! When these become laws you will have your neighbors, friends—yes, even your own family in the hollow of your hand. You Can’r Lose at Svoopina! And even if the cul- prit should reform you can reap a tidy little fortune by forever holding over him the threat of disclosure. Sign and mail to us the attached coupon and we will immediately send to you our Free booklet. know where to look for them. Now an easy 18-HOLE 15% hour trip from ONIOVU ~ ONLLOOHS ~ AYAHOUV ~ SINNAL ~ ONIGIN N. Y. City brings you to Pinehurst, N.C., the Golfer’s Paradise, the Center of Outdoor Sports. Leave N.Y. at 6:40 P.M., arrive Pine- hurst next morning. There you'll find good- fellowship, health, cli- mate and regal comfort at the Carolina Hotel. for illustrated ROSS (Signed) Tie Benxepict Arnon Institute or America, per Tip Bliss. booklet of reservations to eneral Office, Pine- hurst, N. C. Aérial to Miranda Youno Zooroaist (who has been asked to lecture over the wireless): And all the time, darling, though millions may he in, 1 shall be thinking of inehurst NORTM CAROLINA |\@ SPORT CENTER OUR FAMOUS DONALD J. And what's your lecture pid thing? Youxo Zoovoaist: Freaks of Nature. Punch, Fi comicbooks.com