Life, 1911-08-17 · page 11 of 40
Life — August 17, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes President William Howard Taft's attempt to become a "student of finance" rather than admit banker background. The text defends Taft against criticism that he's too close to banking interests, arguing he's merely *studying* finance, not practicing it—a distinction the satire presents as absurdly thin. The top cartoon depicts a boat or vessel in distress, likely representing the troubled financial system or Taft's sinking political position regarding banking policy. Below, the "Topics of Interest" section humorously contrasts servant-class gossip with upper-class concerns, satirizing class divisions and what different social strata discussed. The humor relies on readers recognizing Taft's defensive posturing about his financial expertise and connections during this Progressive Era period of banking reform debates.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Gosu! MARTHY, I DID WANT TO GET MY WHISKERS TRIMMED, RUT 1 GUESS ILL HAVE TO WAIT ‘TIL IT'S LOW TIDE.” they had “no authority” to give any other receipt. The sim- plest rules of business courtesy, to say nothing of absolute necessity, were ignored. I could take the receipt for three millions or nothing. Fortunately my bark, which had had dealings with the Government before, was willing to accept this simple receipt, knowing that I had paid out the cash and that it was for Panama bonds. The receipt was for cash paid only and did not call for the bonds. After borrowing the money on the receipt I could have taken the bonds from the sub-treasury and borrowed upon them also. Would it be possible to originate any more absurd and antiquated system of doing business than Washington in- flicts upon the business world? 259 “Not a Banker” T is to be hoped that President Taft, in indors- ing Aldrich's Big Bank, reserved the right to change his mind. He may find it convenient to do So some time between now and the fall of 1912 If we are to credit one of his statements sincere, then he the victim of a coms error which we expect from laymen, but not fron: presidents, and especially those presidents who have been judges. He said: “Tam not a banker, and I do not claim to be a student of finance, or of systems of banking and currency, but it seems to me that the general features of the plan ought to commend them selves to the whole business community,” by which, he ex- plained, he meant practically everybody, including “ the whole body of wage’ workers. If he is not a student of finance, then he was paying un- due deference to the body of experts, the New York State Bankers’ Association, whom he was addressing. He took their word that it was the proper thing, unmindful that their in- terest was so direct as to make them the last from whom an unprejudiced opinion could be expected. y be put down now as settled that the bankers want w currency privilege. There's no question about that The only question is, Shall we give it to them? It is very good that Mr. Taft is not a banker; but, of course, there is no objection to his becoming a student of finance. was s Topics of Interest . RICH-TO-DO: Tell me, Maggie, what you servants find to talk about down in the kitchen. jaccie: Oh, we mostly talks about the visitors up in the drawin’ room. And, beggin’ your pardon, Ma'am, what do you mostly talk about upstairs? “Oh, we talk mosily about the servants.” Aware “WILL YOU GO FLOATING WITH Mr, MISS STOUT?” comicbooks.com