Life, 1928-04-19 · page 17 of 43
Life — April 19, 1928 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts "The Stock Exchange Member Buys a Loaf of Bread"—a satirical commentary on economic disparity. A wealthy, well-dressed stock exchange member is shown frantically purchasing bread amid scattered goods and money, suggesting financial chaos or collapse. The exaggerated, manic expression critiques wealthy financiers' desperation during economic turmoil. Below are three brief humorous pieces: "No Double for Clara" jokes about a woman's flesh, "The Big Business Idea in the Third Grade" satirizes bureaucratic complexity through a child's perspective, and "Revolutionary Banter" mocks political rhetoric about the Nicaragua rebels. The page's humor targets wealth inequality, financial instability, and the absurdity of bureaucratic systems—common satirical themes in early 20th-century American humor magazines.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tue Stock Excuance Memser Buys a Loar or Breap No Double for Clara JENKINS: Did you Bow in the movies? Tuomrson: Yes, sir; there she was in the flesh, see Clara Fisterman: Well, Olney, what kind of weather do you feel in your bones that we're going to have to-day? Vurace Oracte: Well, sir, I don’t rightly know just how I feel. The morning paper hasn't come in yet. Take a letter I am unable to furnish you with a composition on: What the Little Bird Did Then. In re form 17XT you will note that I have filled in the blanks in the poem: Little Snow- flakes, as per your written instructions. If you threaten me again with having to stay after school I shall be forced to place the matter in the hands of my attorney. Yours, ete.’ “Here, Burt! Take this problem of the apples and oranges up with the Auditing De- partment. I can’t be bothered with this routine work... .Miss Lowery, add_ these figures up on your machine, please.... Ready?...8 minus 3 When you get the, total have it The Big Business Idea in the Third Grade = ISS LOWERY. to the Third Grade, please. ... ‘Dear Madam, Yours of the 14th inst. received. I am very sorry that forwarded to the Arithmetic De- partment, return receipt requested. I don’t want her to complain that she's not getting our invoices. “Hello—Drafting Department?. . . Mr. Langford speaking... .Say, get me up a blueprint of South America at once. Put in all the rivers, capitals and mountains and send me a memo....Thanks....Now, Miss Lowery, we can go over to-morrow’'s nature study—what’s pending?... Well, then, on your way back from lunch you might stop in at the yards and get me some data on how the robin builds her nest. Just take it down in shorthand and we can compile a full report later.” Jack Cluett. Revolutionary Banter ENERAL GOMEZ OF THE NICARAGUA REBELS: Don't fire, boys, till you see the whites of their eyes. Tue Unknown Sorpier: Hm-m.- Plotting against the whites again— eh, General? “BEAT Al Smith, for Heaven's sake!" is a campaign slogan in the South. “for Heflin’s sake!” Probably a misprint for comicbooks.com