Life, 1911-08-10 · page 19 of 40
Life — August 10, 1911 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the competing claims over the discovery of the South Pole (likely referencing Peary's 1909 expedition). The text mocks how major newspapers (the Herald and Hampton's Magazine) refused to publish the South Pole discovery story because it would undermine their readers' trust—only Life claims to have printed "a true story of marvelous discovery." The satire escalates absurdly: President Taft allegedly instructs Collector Loeb to prevent the Pole from being brought into the country, and there's a mock-serious concern that Patagonia might declare war over the discovery. The lower section, titled "Free to Editors," is a joke offering a fill-in-the-blank editorial template for newspapers lacking original content—a jab at lazy journalism and formulaic editorial writing. It's a sophisticated satire on both media competition and journalistic integrity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ing several of them; we also dug up a lot of advertising material left there by former explorer: And why did you come back?” We were afraid Commander Peary might be displeased if we stayed there any longer.” Im ma their return our ediately upon represemtatives were scen by the New York Herald and Hanipton's Maga- sine; but when these two enterprising publishers found out that the § Pole had actually been discovered they refused to print’the story, on the ground that its them their readers. terprise, was the only periodical in the two uth: genuineness would lose Lire, with its usual en- country daring to print a true story of marvelous discovery An investigation by Congress will fol- Taft said this low. President after- noon: “Tt is extremely grat that we have at last South Pole. I trust, however, that no attempt will be made to bring it into the country ; ying to think discovered the in case this is done, I have instructed Collector Locb to do his worst. What will be the effect upon our re- being man in- lations with P; is now considered on every side. Fr side source it is learned that the is feared. Patagonia, we already un- derstand, has entered into a secret al- liance with Japan and war may ensue, Brazilian diamonds will agon worst in which advance. case TIE LAST DAY'S WORK Free to Editors HE following will be found a very handy editorial form for newspaper editors. There is no charge for its use and we suggest that it be kept standing in case of em: shortage of copy At the hour of country was anxiously little rgency or to press the awaiting our WE DUG UP A LOT OF ADVERTISING MATER opinion on the ___qu While it is still too early to forecast accurately the far-reaching effects of the develop: m tion. ns of the past few days, we have hesitation in assuring our readers that they will on the whole be beneficial There are, to be sure, certain untoward aspects of the case, but these ninor importance and do not affect the main issue. As we have often said country is in the are of before, this hands of tried true business men, who stand ready to preserve its best traditions, even to die if necessary, to pro and ct the country’s name from the slightest stain. Bi r at we hope that they will not have to go so far as that. In the meantime, we have no with detractors who patience © not as honest as ourselves, or, at least, who are not honest in the same way ‘€ developments in the question under discussion progress satisfactorily the next fortnight, or even the next decade, for that matter, all doubt of the advisability of the course pursued wil! be removed and a new epoch in Am can history will have been entered upon during In this, of course, we shall take a par donable pride all events, there is no cause for alarm, in spite of any thing that allege Ges: But, the alarmists may say, do or Ellis 0. Jon T he fare to Reno. comicbooks.com