Life, 1912-10-24 · page 28 of 48
Life — October 24, 1912 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes wealthy industrialists and progressive politics circa 1912. "George Perkins" (a real JP Morgan associate) visits Life's editor, claiming to reorganize government "on the right basis"—ensuring millionaires get "a fair show" while eliminating Socialists, Democrats, Labor Unions, and critics of the Harvester Trust. The satire mocks his self-righteousness about honesty while transparently serving the wealthy. The "Bull Moose" reference alludes to Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party (1912), which some saw as controlled by big business figures like Perkins. "A Manless Navy" criticizes forced typhoid vaccination in the military, arguing it's unjustly imposed only on sailors and soldiers, not Cabinet members or Senators—highlighting class-based double standards. "His Argument" jokes about a lawyer claiming laws are unconstitutional simply because New York's legislature passed them—mocking anti-government rhetoric.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE Sanctum Talks “My Bull Moose is waiting for me outside——” “LJELLO, Lire!” “Why, hello, George Perkins! Sit down!" “Can't stop but a moment, Lire; my Bull Moose is waiting for me outside and he's pretty restive. Say, what do you think of me, anyway?” “T think millions of you, George; everybody does.” “But it pains me to have you insinuate that I’m not on the level. The fact that I’ve been indicted several times ought not to weigh with a judicial person like your- self.” “My dear George, you're entirely mistaken. Of course, you're on the level. Everybody who is worth over a mil- lion is on the level in this country.” “But don’t you see what I’m trying to do? I’m trying to reorganize this Government and put it on the right ‘0 that every millionaire will get a fair show?” “Yes; and so that a lot of these trouble makers will be put out of business.” “Such as our friends the Socialists, and the Democrats, and the Labor Unions, and the critics of the Harvester Trust, and a lot of other misguided cranks.” Well—why not? All I need is a little time, Lire; you don't know how honest Iam. I tremble when I think of my own honesty.” “So do I, George—so do I.” . “There goes that Bull Moose. Well, ta-ta, Lire. See you later.” “Not if I see you first, George!” A Manless Navy HY these strenuous efforts to make service in our navy a thing to be avoided? This time a sailor is sent to prison for a year because he refused to submit to typhoid vaccination. All vaccination, typhoid and otherwise, is pronounced by many phy- sicians a “ dangerous and filthy rite.” Why select defense- less members of the army and navy for this thing, against which thousands of educated Americans are vigorously Protesting ? Is it forced upon members of the Cabinet? Are United States Senators imprisoned a year for declining it? Is the application of these medical fads more im- portant to Uncle Sam than the popularity of his naval service? Than the pure blood, clean health and good will of his boys? If this injection of disease is part of the service, it would be only fair to give notice before enlistment. And if such notice were given there would be few enlistments. His Argument # F course,” said the lawyer, “your Honor is right in deciding to take time to look into the matter, but in the meantime, we are entitled to the assumption that the law is unconstitutional.” “How so?” asked the judge. “Why, because it was passed by the New York Legis- lature.” “AND WHO IS THIS MAN?” “HE WAS EDITOR OF A HUMOROUS MAGAZINE, AND IS NOW SENTENCED TO REJECT MANUSCRIPTS AND COMIC DRAWINGS FOR FOUR THOUSAND YEARS.” comicbooks.com