Life, 1927-12-08 · page 9 of 40
Life — December 8, 1927 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"The Honest Men and the Grafters"** is a satirical fable about government corruption. The narrative describes how $2,000,000,000 was stolen annually by grafters, prompting citizens to demand reform. Wise men advised voting out corrupt officials and hiring enforcement officers instead of just passing laws. **The top cartoon** depicts a chaotic scene of what appears to be politicians or officials being violently removed or overthrown, illustrating the public's forceful response to corruption. **"Playing Safe"** and **"When We Two Parted"** are brief humorous dialogue pieces about employment raises and marital separation—likely social commentary on workplace dynamics and relationships. The overall page critiques systemic corruption, suggesting that legal reforms alone fail without proper enforcement and voter action.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Crime Note A Chicago billiard player is arrested for putting English on the ball. The Honest Men and the Grafters $2 000,000,000 had been stolen “> by grafters in one year. Now the people waxed very wroth over this, and called together certain wise men whom they had elected to be representatives, and spake to them after this fashion: “How is it that we are being robbed so grievously?” And the representatives answered, saying: “Behold, it is because this country hath not sufficient laws against grafting.” ‘ Go to,” instructed the people, “and pass Jaws.” So all the representatives gathered together and passed oodles and oodles of laws. ¥2,000,000,000 — was grafters the next year. Then the people waxed again, and spake thus: “Did ye not pass laws against this grafting business? “Yea, verily,” answered the men, “But the laws have not been enforced. What this country needs is more enforcement officers.” "Go commanded the } “and hire enforcement officers. stolen by wroth wise cople, And the wise men did as they were bidden. #2,000,000,000 stolen by grafters the following year. Now when this had come to the ears of the people their anger waxed hotter and hotter, and they muttered much among themselves. And finally the - up among them a Big Business Man, who was much wiser than the representatives. Also he was a man of Great Honesty. And was 7 he went to and fro among the peo- ple, speaking in a loud voice “Behold!” he cried in thunder. “Can ye ish people, that the way to stop graft is to vote the grafters out of power? therefore to the polls and cast your votes for men of honesty and integrity, and out these and robbers, that there may be no more graft.’ So all the people went to the polls and voted, and each and every one of the grafters was thrown out of office. And their places were filled by Honest Men The next year $2,000,000,000 was 1 Voice of not see, ye fool Go ye cast thieves stolen by grafters, Asia Kagowan. Playing Safe OM: I just got a raise! Jor: That's fine How much vu making now ? mM: Lemme see How much did I tell you I was making the last time? When We Two Parted SHE: I married money? He: Oh, ves now, aren't they ? No separated suppose you know Alice n They're separated Sur just she and her hus- band are “Mummy, I think I love Santa Claus more than Daddy!” comicbooks.com