Life, 1911-09-14 · page 16 of 46
Life — September 14, 1911 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"The Cause of Panics"** mocks economists and intellectuals for overcomplicating financial crises. The satirist argues ordinary people understand the real problem simply: banks cause panics by failing to safeguard deposited money. The piece critiques abstract theorizing versus common sense during what appears to be an economic panic period. **"A Good Name Thrown Away"** expresses disappointment that a new hotel in New Haven won't be called the "New Haven House." Instead, it will apparently bear the Taft family name (likely connected to President William Howard Taft). The author laments this vanity, noting the Tafts—despite their prominence and Yale connections—never actually managed a successful hotel, even in Ohio. **"The Course of Empire"** playfully satirizes westward expansion ideology, joking that America's westward "course" has gone so far it may circle back to Asia. The piece humorously suggests this imperial ambition has become lost and needs "returning" like a lost object. All three pieces employ satirical humor to critique banks, political nepotism, and expansionist thinking.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wt i} AAMAS Tur The Cause of Panics A! ZR all of the economists and the politicians and the professors and the editorial writers have finished their erudite, if conflicting, explanations of the cause of panics, the plain man is the only one who gets it right. The others know too much, The plain man sees clearly that banks are the cause of panics. If there were no hanks, or if the banks kept the money that was entrusted to them, the people could always get what moncy belonged to them, and consequently they would never become panicky about not being able to get it She WHICH FELL ONE OF TH LOWE ANIMALS ny Ne it flap Meh ayn) \ Hii UPON ROCKY GROUND A Good Name Thrown Away T is a pity that the ambition of the Taft family, and the exultation of Yale at having a graduate in the White House at last, contrived it that the new hotel now building in New Haven will not be the New Haven House. The Scriptures speak impressively of the value of a good name, but here was one thrown away, and all to exalt a family already exalted, and that never kept a good hotel, even in Ohio. The Course of Empire Loe A Course of Empire. When last seen it was taking its way westward amid the plaudits of an ad- miring people who were strong advocates of a westerly direction and whose motto was “ Westward Ho!” Just what the Course of Empire intended to do after its little journey is not known. Some believe that it would shake off its wanderlust and settle down when it had gone to the most extreme western outpost. Others assert that it had a return ticket good any time until used. Still others believe that it went so far West as to reach the East again and is now probably knocking about Japan, Manchuria or the Philippines. Finder will please return at once. We need a Course of Empire very much, Without it we are as bad off as a mariner without his compass. HIE Socialists seem to be trying to change Labor Day from the first Mon in September to the first Tue: after the first Monday November. comicbooks.com