Life, 1913-03-06 · page 44 of 72
Life — March 6, 1913 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is satirical commentary on President Wilson's administration (which began in 1913), mocking its self-proclaimed "simple régime" as a contrast to previous luxury and formality. The cartoon depicts an impatient group waiting while a horse-drawn wagon moves slowly—the driver's excuse that the horse needs rest is a metaphor for the administration's sluggish pace despite promises of efficiency. The "Washington Society Notes" mock the White House's new austerity: Wilson personally uses a lawn mower, there's only one dress suit in the entire government (displayed like a museum artifact), and cabinet wives play casino games instead of attending formal balls. The classified ads advertise basic necessities as if the White House were struggling—a job posting for housework, boarders wanted at the Vice President's residence, even a lost worsted hat band. The satire suggests Wilson's "simple living" policies, while perhaps morally sound, have made Washington dull, impoverished, and comically inefficient—turning the seat of power into a shabby boarding house.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“NOW IT AIN’T A BIT 0’ USE YOU FOLKS GITTIN’ IMPATIENT. DOBBIN’S TROTTED SIX MILES THROUGH THE MUD AN’ WON’T BUDGE A STEP TILL HE’S HAD HIS. NAP our.” © Washington Society Notes (Under the new simple régime.) PRESIDENT WILSON spent yes- terday afternoon with his lawn mower (gift of W. J. B.), cutting the grass around the front of the White House. There will be a candy pulling in the Treasury Building to-night. Wear your jumpers. The Green Room has a new wash basin. Wanted: General housework girl, who can also do family washing and is willing to clean about three miles of piazza every week and answer bell. Address Bandanna, Rear End Penn- sylvania Avenue. On exhibition Thursdays and Satur- days, from two to five, at the National Museum, the only dress suit in Wash- ington, a souvenir of the last adminis- tration, Visitors must not handle. Wives of the cabinet officers met last evening for a few hours of wild hilarity and dissipation. Casino was the game. There were also selections from a special phonograph hired for the occasion. The party broke up at nine-fifteen, all reporting a good time. Yesterday the President took his family out in their buggy, which has just been fitted to new springs. LOST: Somewhere between the market and post-office, a worsted hat band, with initials W. W. No reward, but a kind smile, for return to White House’ Office Building. Mrs. Marshall is making the Vice- President.a new spring suit. Boarders wanted in fine large family mansion, formerly New Willard Ho- tel. Good board and lodging, with use of bathroom on Saturday nights, for five dollars :per week. Dancing Master: Lessons given in Virginia reel, schottische and lanciers, by a special master from Annapolis. Every Thursday evening from six- thirty to eight. The Secretary of State entertained the British Minister last evening. Biscuits and ginger ale were served. The Capitol is having a new coat of Connecticut gilt. comicbooks.com