Life — January 16, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Who's What: In and Out of America" This page satirizes American political and social figures through heraldic-style coats of arms and biographical sketches. **Potter, H.C.** is mocked as a bishop who publicly champions poverty while privately enjoying wealth—a hypocrite preaching what he doesn't practice. **Ryan, Thomas** is caricatured as a subway expert and coin collector; the three fairies at his bedside represent competing claims (pure nerve, controlling power, keeping people docile). The satire suggests his real occupation is exploiting these traits for personal gain. **Cortelyou, George B.** is lampooned for his Republican National Committee campaign work and insurance company involvement, hiding behind the Treasury Secretary position before retreating to the Dead Letter Office. The page uses genealogical mockery to expose hypocrisy among prominent Americans.