Life, 1928-01-12 · page 24 of 39
Life — January 12, 1928 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes 1920s American culture through multiple cartoons and humor pieces. **"The Man in the Street"** mocks public ignorance of current events, specifically the Fall-Sinclair oil-lease scandal (a major political corruption case of the era). Two working-class men discuss the trial, but neither understands or cares about oil leases—one confuses it with apartment leases, another with Prohibition. The joke: average citizens are indifferent to serious government graft despite editorials urging civic engagement. **"Said Model T to Model A"** personifies automobiles as generational rivals. The older Model T toasts the newer Model A, grudgingly acknowledging its superiority while joking it will eventually need towing—suggesting the Model T's obsolescence despite its historical dominance. **"It's Just the Type"** praises a new sport car's technical innovations, ending with a wry twist: despite all modern advances, drivers still struggle with basic mechanics (the "exclamation mark" likely refers to gear-shifting difficulties). The opening cartoon jokes about car payments—the "guy who collects installments" is more threatening than a traffic officer, reflecting Depression-era anxieties about consumer debt.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
22 We af ‘ieresun “Jack, there’s a motorcycle chasing us. “No, worse. It’s the guy who Life WKY Dy WAN . i] Is it a traffic officer?” collects the installments on this car.” The Man in the Street “LTEAR about this Fall-Sinclair trial?” “No. Which killed who?” “Nobody killed who. It’s some- thin’ about oil leases.” “’At's what I tol’ my wife. We was thinkin’ of movin’ into a apotty- ment up in the Bronx ‘at somebody had paid two months on an’ then moved out, an’ they wanted us to take over their ol’ lease, but I says, ‘No, sir, May, don’ take over no- body’s ol’ lease,’ I says, ‘or —’” “Not old lease. Oil lease.” “Oh, can you lease oil? I thought you'd got to buy it right at filling stations an’ all that.” “Tt ain’t that. It’s a Gov'ment graft.” . Oh, Prohibition! Well, I was goin’ to vote against Prohibition las’ time, only we had a date to go to my cousin’s folks near Philadelphia, a place called Villa Nova, so—” “No, it ain't got anything to do with Prohibition.” “Then where's the graft come in?” Vell, I don’ know exactly, but it’s got something to do with oil.” “Aw, who cares about oil?” “Well, it’s all over the front pages. It says in the editorials we all ought to take an intelligent interest in it.” “In oil?” “Well, maybe not in oil, but in this here trial.” “Well, if you ain’t got any inter- est in oil why should you got to have any interest in a trial about oil? What happened to this here trial?” “Well, they stopped it.” “Well, if they stopped it, what's the use of worryin’ about it? I a ANGELI : Joe’s new speedster is wiully cute. Betty: Yes, you ought to see it play dead on a lonely road. guess it’s all banana oil, anywa; “Yeah, I guess ‘at’s so. So long.” Tip Bliss. OOTLEG Scotch should be opened with prayer. Said Model T to Model A “WVELL, Model A,” said Model “Let's drink a health to you and me! “Here’s luck to you, and may the wit They aim at you progress a bit “Beyond the antiquated jests That clung to me like insect pests. “Here's wishing your fertility Will equal mine for progeny, “And that your health will be as good As mine was underneath the hood! “Well, bottoms up, good Model A! Your health!—But, golly, how I pray “That some day soon I will be called To haul you home when you are stalled !” Wilfred J. Funk. It’s Just the Type HE new sport model is an- nounced with Duco finish in red, green, blue, maroon or lavender. It is low, vibrationless, swift, sure, flexible, distinctive, noiseless, effi- cient and simple. Moreover, it has charm, beauty and smartness. It is easy to park, to shift and to start. In fact, this machine transcends all predecessors; that is, except for one thing. One still has to stop and think and back up and shift to make an ex- clamation mark. aad The Contractor’s Son Borrows the Car for the Evening. comicbooks.com ies fo) yo to ¥o mi