Life, 1911-10-05 · page 9 of 50
Life — October 5, 1911 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes disputes over Alaska coal development and resource management. The headline "Was the Coal Exaggerated?" refers to debates about whether Alaska's coal reserves were being overstated. The text mentions Secretary Fisher and Ex-Forester Pinchot visiting Alaska to inspect coal fields and the Bering River area, suggesting a government investigation into whether claims about Alaska's resources matched reality. The illustration below shows a rural road scene with horses and an early automobile—"THE STATE ROAD FOR THE FARMER. HE PAYS THE TAX"—implying satire about infrastructure spending priorities and taxation burdens on farmers. The broader context concerns Progressive Era debates about resource conservation, government oversight, and fair development of public lands versus private interests.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Was the Coal Exaggerated ? TARY FISHER has been to Alaska and in- spected the Behring River coal and some other coals, and says he is disappointed in them and thinks their value has been very much exaggerated. Ex-Forester G. Pinchot has gone to Alaska, and he also will inspect Controller Bay and the Behring River fields, and we shall sce whether his impression matches Mr. Fisher's. Still another source of information remains. Collier's says in reply to “howls” for its views on Controller Bay: “We shall take a hand in the matter next winter, earlier if we fect like it, but not otherwise Sit still, our heart, sit still. You shall know as soon THE STATE ROAD FoR THE as it is good for you. But if you have beat with so many thumps and palpitations about a pile of exaggerated coal you'll feel aggravated, won't you! One thing Mr. Fisher is bent on doing, and that with the least possible delay. that is to get some of the Alaski coal out and into use. We all wish him good speed in that purpose. Referred to a Higher Power Y good friend,” softly says the minister, leaning over the bedside, “I trust that all is well with your sou May I ask what are your beliefs as to the next life?” “1 don't know,” feebly answers the dying man You'll have to ask my wife. She had charge of my igious views.” FARMER, HE PAYS THLE TAN comicbooks.com