Life, 1911-10-05 · page 31 of 50
Life — October 5, 1911 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This *Life* magazine page contains political and social satire from the Progressive Era (approximately 1910s). **"Wilson's Mistake"** criticizes both Governor Woodrow Wilson and President William Howard Taft for admitting ignorance about banking policy—Wilson confessed insufficient study of Aldrich's proposed banking bill. The satire argues that public officials shouldn't admit uncertainty, since newspapers (themselves unmodest) will exploit such admissions. It's ironic social commentary on political theater. **The cartoon** (top) depicts Europe as a menacing giant threatening a small figure labeled "Europe," likely referencing American isolationism concerns or imperial overreach. **"Your Girl"** humorously catalogs potential scandals involving daughters—affairs, theatrical ambitions, religious fanaticism, makeup, intellectualism—reflecting anxieties about changing women's independence. **"Seattle Overdoes the Recall"** reports that Seattle's aggressive recall mechanism (removing Mayor Dilling after six months) is harming business confidence, suggesting even progressive reforms can be taken too far.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ree ) “THESE PILLS MAY MAKE Wilson’s Mistake I S taking a position opposed to Ald- rich’s Big Bank, Governor Wilson nade a serious mistake by adding: “I have not given sufficient study to the question” to go into details, Pres- ident Taft made the same mistake in taking exactly the opposite position before the bankers’ association at hattan Beach, The New York Times was very gen- crous in overlooking President Taft's confessed inability to speak upon the subject, but, of course, it could not be expected to go on forever in its gener- osity, and accordingly Governor Wil- son comes in for a good round lecture upon his presumptuousness. And the Times is perfectly right. Both Wilson and Taft were wrong. No person who expects to have his re- marks reviewed by the newspapers should ever admit anything. They should follow the example of the newspapers, those mysterious reposi- tories of knowledge and advice. We ME GROW, MOTHER, BUT THE MORE 1 TAKE icel quite sure that the Times would never admit that it had not given suf- ficient study to a question. Modesty in a public official may be becoming, but it is not safe unless the newspapers are equally modest. Your Girl ERE are some of the things that may happen to your favor: daughte: She may run off with your chauf- feur. She may develop a passion for the stage. You will notice the beginning of this by the matinee idol’s photo- graphs that accumulate on her walls. You never can tell the end. She may become a religious mono- maniac. She may—and probably will—enter into an absorbing and perplexing in- timacy with an undesirable girl friend. She may become addicted to red paint, peroxide and powders, which —in spite of all you can do—she con- TUE WOKSE I FEEL” ceals in secret recesses in her bureau. She may get into the habit of stand- ing at the head of her class and wind up by being an intellectual recluse. She may be a devotee of the Ladies” Home Journal. She may have “a mission in life” and feel the need of “ expressing her- self.” Seattle Overdoes the Recall IRAM C. GILL was elected Mayor of Scattle, served a few months, didn’t suit, and was recalled. George W. Dilling took his place last February. After six months of Mayor Dilling the recall machinery was again put in motion and signatures were easily obtained, though the objections to Dilling are vague. But the business men of the city have protested with a formal and unanimous howl. Business can’t be done, they say, and the city won't grow if there is to be this con- stant agitation in politics. So probably Mayor Dilling will stick. comicbooks.com