Life, 1912-05-30 · page 39 of 44
Life — May 30, 1912 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main article "Why Talk?" critiques Woodrow Wilson's presidency through his relentless public speaking. The satire argues that despite Wilson's superior oratorical abilities—described as "logical, convincing, sincere"—his constant campaigning across the country has paradoxically weakened his political standing rather than strengthened it. The piece ironically concludes that ambitious politicians should follow the rule "Let your communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay"—essentially advising politicians to *speak less* to retain power. This reflects early 1910s frustration with Wilson's verbose leadership style, suggesting that even skilled rhetoric cannot substitute for actual political effectiveness. The satire implies that excessive public persuasion attempts can backfire, making silence a more strategic political tool than eloquence. The remainder of the page consists of period advertisements for Texaco motor oil, Carstairs Rye whiskey, and other services—typical commercial content of *Life* magazine from this era.
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Why Talk? Being a commercial people, we natural- ly like to reduce everything to its com- mercial value, and the question, “ How much is he worth?” has long since come to apply to abstract things. Of what value, for example, is a sense of honor or even a sense of humor? Of what value is talk? Is it possible to set a price upon talk and indicate its market power? A good basis to start upon is the cam- paign of Woodrow Wilson. No more finished speaker or dulcet persuader ever lured an audience. Governor Wilson possesses apparently all of the attributes of the orator. Mr, Bryan's talk is ob- viously tricky; that is to say, it is filled with that kind of stage machinery which we come easily to recognize. Governor Wilson, on the other hand, is logical, convincing, sincere (so far as the effect of his talk is concerned) and high-mind- ed; and yet he has been talking continu- ously for months all over the country; and in spite of the fact that he is one of the best talkers we have ever had, he has, apparently, talked himself out of the Presidency. Of course we cannot say just what his standing would be to-day if he had kept still, But no one imagines that he would be any weaker. After all, a good rule for ambitious statesmen should be, “Let your com- The Road to Motor Pleasure ITH a good car under you, good fellows beside you, and a hard, clean stretch ahead, you’re on the road to motor pleasure if your engine is fed with Texaco. There is no real pleasure unless your motor drives, and drives, with only a sweet, soft purr. There must be no misses, no hitches, no stops. So use Texaco Motor Oil. It gives life and strength to your motor. It is free from carbon impurities. Will . not carbonize. Yet has the body to give perfect lubri- Do You Realize the cation. Shows a zero cold test. Exsteblished 1788 Importance of Uniformity? In whiskey it is a difficult quality to insure. It requires scientific exactness and positive accuracy in every detail of distilling. But it is worth all the trouble, Carstairs Rye is absolutely uniform. Its purity today is the same as its purity yesterday and to- morrow—and the quality never changes, That's the io p history of 123 years. Ig Skillfully blended of the choicest ryes. Aged in wood. In numbered label bottles. If your dealer should not happen to have it we'll send it to you through him at usual prices. Write Stewart Distiling Co. Phila. New York Balto. Sie Sold in one and five gallon cans at garages and supply shops. Look for the can with the inner-seal—your protection and ours. A book ‘‘About Motor Lubrication’’ sent free to owners of motor cars, motor boats and aeroplanes. Write Dept. C, 2 West Street, N. Y, City. THE TEXAS COMPANY HOUSTON a y YORK Branch Offices: Boston St.rous "New Oreans Pueblo Philadelphia Norfolk Dallas Tulsa Chicago Auante EI Paso munication be yea, yea, and nay, nay. Anything more than this may lose you your office. Oxp Lavy: There is one thing I notice particularly about that young man who calls to see you. He seems to have an inborn, instinctive respect for woman. He treats every woman as though she were a being from a higher sphere, to be approached only with the utmost deli- cacy and deference. Granppavontter(sweet eighteen): Yes, he's horribly bashful—Four Leaf Clover. 1135, Tue UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Correspondence-Study Dept. STUDY (SS roth Year UY. of C. (Div. Y) Chicago. Ill- porkmatack inn 10th SEASON Service and accommodations such as one enjoys among gentlefolk. Opens June 15th. REX B. SHAW, Mgr. Cnester, Nove Scotia comicbooks.com