Life, 1901-03-28 · page 7 of 20
Life — March 28, 1901 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 249 This page contains three distinct pieces: 1. **"To Uncle Sam"** (poem by Joe Omé): A patriotic appeal urging the U.S. government to honor promises to develop young talent and keep commitments—likely referencing post-WWI obligations or domestic programs. 2. **Center illustration**: Two allegorical figures (one muscular, one ethereal) labeled "To Nikola Tesla," apparently celebrating the inventor's scientific achievements, particularly regarding space exploration or wireless transmission. 3. **"From Over Sea"** (article): Satirizes the American postal system's inefficiency by contrasting it favorably with foreign governments. The humor lies in praising modest government services as "treasures," mocking American complacency about its own institutional shortcomings. The bottom cartoon shows a lost child, providing lighter comedic relief.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
oe To Uncle Sam. OU'VE a youngster in your charge, Uncle Neither strong nor very large, = 5 Uncle Sam. But he wants a chance to grow, Wants to run and play, you know ; Wants a chance himself to show, You have promised him one day, Uncle Sam, You would let him have his way, Uncl You have promised, fair and square, He should grow beyond your care— Break that promise don’t you dare, Uncle Sam. Now it's time to keep your word, Unele Sam; Press and people all are stirred, Uncle Sam. Loose him from your shackles grim, Let him get into the swim— €.U. B.A. friend to him, Uncle Sam. Joe Cone. HE military progress of Lieutenant Bell of 1898 to Brigadier-General Bell of 1901 argues either unusual military genius or a singularly athletic Administrative pull. We have not heard of Mr. Bell sinking fleets, cap- turing cities, being born in Ohio, gz Aguinaldo, inventing a new knapsack, or performing any of those numerous and necessary prodigies which commend beef-embalmed heroes to the Canton conqueror. Can it be that this Bell has a new, rich, sonorous ring of its own, peculiarly sympathetic to the hallowed rulers of our beloved “Om, DEAR! 1 AM APRATD MY LITTLE ReGOTE 18 Lost! IT 18 NEARLY AN HOUR SINCE HE WENT INTO THOSE Woops.” From Over Sea. NE of the delights of living under a government which is not without prodigality in big things, but of a most amazing thrift in little ones, is the price we are privileged to pay for pres- ents sent us across the sea. The bond of sentiment, which dis- tance but serves to make more binding and more sentimental, inspires our absent friends to mail us from time to time attractive trifles of the kind that hard- hearted people are wont to desig- nate as “thoughts.” They do this in the kindest spirit imaginable, forgetting that the Republic TO NIKOLA TESLA. ‘OU tell us you alone have found The way to reach the stars; But Venus, years and years ago, Got messages from Mars! swoops down in ravenous fashion upon these modest tokens of re- gard. To be summoned to the Post Office by a communication which sounds asthough thecrown jewels of England or the Church treasures of Toledo were awaiting us there, and as though we were more than suspected of trying to smuggle them in; and to find a four-franc medal shrinking shamefacedly in a remote corner of a Roman letter, overwhelmed, no doubt, by the fuss it has aroused, is an absurdity that amuses once, but loses its fun in frequent repetitions. A three and sixpenny book, which some comicbooks.com