Life, 1911-06-15 · page 18 of 44
Life — June 15, 1911 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story depicts a customs dispute at an American port. Mr. Martigan returns from abroad with his ailing wife, declaring about $200 worth of purchases. A customs inspector suspects Mrs. Martigan is concealing an undeclared necklace worth approximately $3,000. When Martigan protests—noting his wife's poor health—the inspector orders female officers to search her anyway, invoking his authority. The satire mocks **overzealous government bureaucracy**. "Uncle Sam" (the U.S. government, represented by the customs inspector) rigidly enforces regulations without compassion or common sense, prioritizing revenue collection over a sick woman's dignity and condition. The inspector's dismissive "Because I say so" epitomizes arbitrary official power. The story satirizes how American customs enforcement prioritizes catching smugglers over treating citizens humanely.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“The Policemen Took Him Off” Martigan vs Uncle Sam Meeticas looked at the pale face of his wife as she lay in the berth. He had taken her abroad for her health six months before, but the experiment had not been a success. “We'll be at the dock in a couple of hours,” he s: “In the meantime I have made out this declaration. I be lieve it covers everything. The whole thing amounts to about two hundred dollars.” “That's really more than we bought abroad,” said Mrs Martigan “Just as well to be on the safe side. We don’t want any trouble.” His wife, her manner listless, tossed her head on the pillow. “No,” she said, “I want only to get back home.” At this moment her maid came in to st her to dress. Martigan went on deck to watch the steamer go through the swash channel. Arriving home again after their long and weary jour- ney, where at times he didn’t’ know whether she would pull through or not, was a genuine sensation. The Quarantine was passed, Mrs. Martigan submitted to the test’ with composure, and the doctor, who had the ship’s doctor in consultation, was sp cially considerate. Mrs. Martigan’s case was indeed more one of nerves than of anything else. As they came down the gangplank at the dock they were met by the Cus- tom House inspector. Martigan wished to get the ordeal over as soon as po! sible, so he entered into a hurried ex- planation with the man who was to look at their baggage. Their trunks had been lined up and were opened. The in- spector looked at the declaration. Then he looked at Mrs. Martigan, who was seated in a chair that the maid had suc- ceeded in getting from one of the stewards “This is your declaration?” said the inspector. “Yes, sir.” “Haven't you a necklace worth about three thousand dollars?” “Certainly not.” “Well, you must come with me.” “What for?” “ Because I say so.” Two tall women came up, obedient to the inspector's sign. He indicated Mrs. Martigan. “Take this lady back to her state- room and search her.” “Don't you see,” protested Martigan, “that the lady is ill? I want to get comicbooks.com