Life, 1907-01-03 · page 17 of 44
Life — January 3, 1907 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page mocks the incoming year 1907 through a fictional interview. The "young man" representing 1907 arrives at America's dock with nothing, yet confidently claims he'll accomplish what his predecessors couldn't—including getting Vice President Depew to resign and restraining President Theodore Roosevelt ("keeping Teddy quiet"). The humor lies in his absurd promises: suppressing millionaires, implementing income tax, and silencing novelists. On women's suffrage, he supports it cynically—only to stop women from leisure activities like bridge and limousine rides. The cartoon ends abruptly when Anthony Comstock—the real historical anti-vice crusader famous for aggressive censorship—appears outside the cab, forcing the interview to terminate. This is the punchline: even fictional 1907 fears Comstock's moral policing. The lower cartoons are unrelated anecdotes about Chinese children and golfers—typical magazine filler.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Interview SPECIAL representative from Lire was on’ hand at the dock to meet young 1907 as he came down the gang- plank. “Come quick ?” he wasasked. “Young man, what are your impressions of America?” “Very favorable so far. Having no baggage and no clothes, the custom- house officers have done nothing but look at me insultingly.”” He was shown promptly into a cab and driven to the nearest hotel. “You had a pleasant voyage?” “Very. Rough in places. But good runs generally.” “Have you any plans for the future?” “Dearme, yes. [have hopes of getting Depew to resign and keeping Teddy quiet. You see,” with a smile, “I am very young.” “What do you think of the financial question?” “T observe that my predecessor shirked it. I presume I shall do the same. There can be no doubt but what there ought to be an income tax. There can be no doubt that many of these millionaires ought to be suppressed. I shall, of course, put as many of them in jail as my term will permit. And I think I can promise you some lively sport.” ~ “Good. How about the woman-suf- frage question?” “I’m for it. Iam in favor of having them do most anything that will stop them from playing bridge and sitting ©, WELL! IT ALWAYS BEGINS THIS Way. down to lunch in the Worlduf, and lolling back in Limosine cars.” “I suppose you'll give a look to the book trade?” “Dear me, yes. But Tam afraid it’s hopeless. I see my predecessors couldn't do much. However, I shall keep the novelists down as much as possible. By the way, I” DIOGENES LOOKING FOR AN HONEST MAN. At this moment the cab stopped abruptly. The driver’s voice was heard as he leaned over. “Hey there, Inside. Haul down the shades quick or you'll be pulled. Here comes Anthony Comstock.” And thus the interview terminated. HE Presbyterian minister in O— after much persuasion succeeded in getting two little Chinese boys to attend his Sunday-school.. The teacher told all the children as they left each Sunday not to forget their pennies for the next Sab- bath. For several Sundays the little Chinese boys brought their pennies. Then one day when Miss S-. passed the collection box Wing Loo looked up at her with, ‘What a mallah? God bloke alla time?” At the Concert for the Golf Club HE LATE COMER (looking at the programme): How far along have they got? “Seven up and two to play.” “I HOPE you don’t feel nervous, Jim?” “Tam a little uneasy, William, but I’m not so horribly scared yet that I’ve got to claim I ain’t afraid.” comicbooks.com