Life, 1911-11-30 · page 7 of 40
Life — November 30, 1911 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two separate comedic sketches satirizing American government and social pretension. **"Winner in Her Own Class"** shows a woman on horseback labeled "Foreign Potentate" (a visiting dignitary), competing in what appears to be a show-jumping event. The satire mocks how the U.S. government scrambles to accommodate foreign visitors—an attendant mentions calling Mr. Morgan's office and catching trains to impress the visiting official. The joke suggests America treats foreign dignitaries with excessive deference while ignoring domestic concerns. **"At the White House"** depicts bureaucratic confusion, with an attendant unable to locate the President, Vice President, or any cabinet members to meet a visiting foreign official. The satire critiques governmental disorganization and unavailability during important diplomatic occasions. Both pieces mock American political priorities and administrative inefficiency.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WINNER IN HER OWN CLASS At the White House OREIGN POTENTATE (anx- iously) : 1 should like to see the President! ENDANT (consulting chart): sir, but he’s out in Montana to-day. Foreicn Potentate: Well, the Vice- President, then. ATTENDANT (smiling): keep track of him, sir. Foreicn Porentate: The Secretary of State might do— We don’t ATTENDANT (always — consulting chart): He’s at the Horse Show in Philadelphia. Foreicy Porentate: The Sceretary of War— ATTENDANT: Is presiding at Peace Conference in Denver. Foreicn Potentate: Any member of the cabinet, then! I must see some- one! Attexpant: None of them happens to be in town to-day, sir. Fore: Potentate (ironical): Is National Capital? the Potentate (irate): Well, ye-here—who’s running this Gov- ernment? I am Baron Blank, and [ have business of the utmost urgency, involving the interests both of this country and my own! ATTENDANT (obsequiously): Why, bless your heart, your Excellency, wh didn’t you say so in the first place? The man you want to see is Mr. Mor- w York, You have just time to catch the 2.05 train from the Union Depot. Meanwhile, to assure your Excellency a prompt audience, I shall call up Mr. Morgan’s offices on our pri- vate telephone and apprise him of your coming. Have I your word that the matter is of such importance that a subordinate could not— (But the Foreign Potentate is al- ready hastening down the steps toward his taxicab, shouting to the driver, “Union Station, quickly!"] 4. Sadts HE dangerous age—beiwcen and ninety-one. one THE TRYST comicbooks.com