Life, 1910-10-27 · page 19 of 44
Life — October 27, 1910 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early 20th-century Congressional opposition to forest conservation measures. The upper section mocks senators and congressmen who prioritize corporate dividends and local pork-barrel projects over environmental protection. "Senator Pillicock" and others argue against railroad safety regulations and forestry spending, citing concern for "Widows and Orphans"—a sarcastic reference to dividend-dependent shareholders. Congressman Tillicum dismisses "conservation" as newfangled while promoting wasteful courthouse construction. The poem "Dust and Ashes" contrasts the pristine "Forest Primeval" with catastrophic destruction from uncontrolled logging and fire, ending with desolation and death. The satire suggests politicians prioritize short-term profits over environmental catastrophe. The cartoon featuring "Mr. Stimson" (likely Henry Stimson, New York gubernatorial candidate) jokes that his wind-shield garners more attention than his campaign—implying voter indifference to serious issues.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE: . 703 Such was the procreant sced. Come, let us thresh out the harvest : Senator Pillicock thinks that our forests are better for burning. Senators Sniffkins and Poutt object to oppressiny the railroads: “ Shall we compel them to spend thousands for foolish precautions? What of their Dividend: Oh !—what of the Widows and Orphans Congressman Tillicum scorns this new-fangled quirk, “ Conservation.”" “What! shall we squander and waste millions for for- estry servic Let us consider, instead, these bills of a worthier purpose— ng out Tanglefoot Creek, building Jawhegan courthouse."" “IT must dissent from my Colleague,”’ interpolates Con- gressman G All my Constituents urge that our forests need ampler Protection.— Let us add fifty per cent. to the tax on Can Lumber! clrthur Guitermas Take It Easy, Mr. Stimson R, STIMSON ought to advertise. He is running M for Governor of New York, and nobody takes the trouble even io disparage him. His wind-shield cts all the attention. No iatter what happens on November 8, Mr. Stimson must not take st to. heart It won't be his fault, When Judge Folger was snowed under it broke Ins heart, yet everybody knew that he was as good a candidate as ever ran and that circwn es beat him F YOU HAVE A NEW WATCHDOG DON’T STAY OUT YOO LATE Dust and Ashes is the Forest’ Primeval?—that redolent, hallowed athedral . Lifted by Nature to God, the solace and joy of His creatures Health-giving, tranquil and strong, the source of benehcent waters, Wooing the quickening rains, suarding the bountiful wheat- lands? This was the Forest Primeval;—this roaring, devouring furnace lowed and sheeted with flame, a pitiless, raging inferno ¢! how the sentinct pines go down, while the red-hearted cyclone Greedily sweeps on the settlements, whirling.:n panic before 1 Caribou, timber-wolves, deer, snorting and plunging and hounding Mingled with cattle and men, poured through the stre where the houses Melt im the fury !—And now, nothing remains but the timbers Desotate, blackened and charred, heaped over sm hod There let the fire-weed grow, dropping memorial blossoms Only a camp-fire brand,—only a spark from an engine, One of the myriads blown daily and nightly at rand HAS ONE ADVANTAGE, ANYWAY comicbooks.com