Life, 1911-07-06 · page 11 of 44
Life — July 6, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on Congress's ineffectiveness. The top illustration, credited to Charles Dana Gibson, depicts wealthy citizens enjoying leisure activities while labeled "WHAT OUR FRESH AIR FUND IS DOING"—sarcastically contrasting privileged recreation with public welfare. The article "Survival of the Unfittest" criticizes Congress's inability to accomplish meaningful legislation, using Darwinian language to mock lawmakers. Author Ella O. Jones argues Congress moves slowly on important matters (tariffs, traditional questions) while America needs urgent action. The photograph below shows "ONE END OF THE DINING ROOM, LIFE'S FRESH AIR FARM"—likely documenting an actual charitable initiative that Life magazine supported, contrasting with the satirical critique of governmental inaction on social welfare above.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
by Charles Dana . dr . was first printed in Live's issue of st 8, 1889.) Survival of the Unfittest T' doctrine of the evolutionists, the survival of the fittest,” seems to fall to the ground w we come to con- sider our Congress. This is a get-things- done-quick age. It is a ready-to-put-on- and-wear-home age, a just-add-hot-wa- ter-and-serve , a new-spe ev day age, a take-it-or-leave: very-busy How different Congress is from both the letter and the spirit of all this. If Congress should happen by some mis- chance to get anything important done, it would create a bigger furore than the Mexican near-war. If it should happen to settle one of the traditional ques- tions, such as the tariff, it would be a seven days’ wonder. One must actually marvel at the time Congress requires 1o go through the motions of leaving things in statu quo. Perhaps this new Congress shows a little more animation, enough more pos- sibly to start us hoping. We are thank- ful even for a little hop But let Con- gress heed the warning if it ever ex- pects to catch up and fit in with us. Ellis O. Jones. WHAT OUR FRESH AIR FUND 1S DOING ONE END OF THE DINING ROOM, LIFE’S FRESH AIR FARM comicbooks.com