Life, 1909-07-29 · page 11 of 28
Life — July 29, 1909 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American greed and unsportsmanlike conduct, specifically regarding the Yale-Harvard boat race. The main illustration shows a well-dressed man in a top hat standing over what appears to be an ostrich or similar bird—representing "Swinus Americanus" (the American pig). The text criticizes an unnamed wealthy individual (likely a wealthy patron or official) who used his money to avoid punishment for unsportsmanlike conduct during a boat race. A Secretary violated race rules by ordering a revenue officer to stop a competing boat mid-race. The incident was allegedly hushed up through influence. The satire mocks American greed and the wealthy's ability to escape consequences, suggesting that such behavior—prioritizing money and advantage over sporting integrity—is quintessentially American.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
139 COMING. The Poet (composing): “ov CELESTIAL PROMISE FULL.’ ONLY STRIKE ME. YES, “PROMISE FULL.”’ NOW, IF A RUYME FOR “ PULL ’’ WOULD Swinus Americanus HIS unpleasant animal seems to be increasing in numbers in- stead of diminishing with our vaunted growth of education and refinement. His principal characteristic is that he wants more than any one else has got or something that, with decent regard for the rights of others, no one else is selfish enough to grab for. The s ius is to be found in al espe cially when there are things to ¢ to drink or to s In his selfish desire to get more than any one clse, or to secure a coign of va tage, he jostles, pushes, what he wants. Where most every American crowd, shoves and grabs until he gets ical is not a question of phy force he uses a “pull” to get the advantage of fellows. The annual Yale-Harvard boat race has come to be an event of such importance in the world of clean sport that Congress has passed a law to keep the course clear and give every one a chance to witness the spectacle. Two years ago Mr. E. H. Harriman, regardless of the law and relying on the power of his money to avoid pun- ishment for his lack of sportsmanlike qualities, attempted to follow the boats over the course. ,He was arrested. Apparently that was all At this year’s race the exhibition of greediness and lack of consideration was more official. This account is taken irom a daily newspaper f the Navy George von L. Meyer viol: ed revenue officers who attempted to enforce ade in a report to the Govei officers. Only the Sei y c position and the fact that his flag was flying at the bow of launch from the Dolphin prevented his arrest The race course, by a law of C ress, is closed to all sorts of vessels during the time of the race. The Department of Commerce and Labor has charge and the policing is done by revenue cutters. When the race started a launch from the Dolphin with the Secretary's flag flying followed down the lane. At the half-mile mark a revenue officer ordered the launch to stop, but instead it continued in the lane for a short distance and then swung out still under speed. ‘This is much a violation of the law is if it had been in the lane The report was made to Captain Uberhoff, in command of the revenue fleet, and by him to his superiors at Washington. With such illustrious examples before the American pub- lic, no wonder the swinus flourishes, comicbooks.com