Life, 1914-01-22 · page 16 of 40
Life — January 22, 1914 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This piece satirizes both the Panama Canal project and contemporary immigration anxieties through a fictionalized letter from a Japanese anarchist named "Hon. J. B. Sago" debating an unnamed American correspondent. **The Setup:** Sago initially threatens to bomb Congress but is dissuaded, leading to a heated exchange about whether the Canal will benefit California. **The Satire's Targets:** 1. **Canal Boosters:** The American writer defends the Canal as bringing prosperity and population to California through immigration. 2. **Anti-Immigration Sentiment:** The joke's punchline targets prejudiced assumptions—Sago questions what "nationalities" will immigrate, and the American reveals they'll be "Mostly Jewish gentlemen" suited only for "fruit-pick work" and (in the final joke) "mortgages." The mention of Italians and Russians extends the ethnic mockery. 3. **Development Concerns:** A caption notes "Yosemite Valley will be chopped up into suburb lots," critiquing unchecked development. **The Intent:** The satire likely mocks both Canal enthusiasm as unrealistic and contemporary anti-immigrant prejudice as absurd and contradictory—immigrants are simultaneously desperately needed yet stereotyped as unsuitable workers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
144 oe Letters of a Japanese School-boy How Much Will Hon. Panama Canal Improve California 2 To Editor “ Life Newspaper”, humor- ous steam shovel which dig consid- “erable, EAREST SIR:— Hon. J. B. Sago, Japanese Anarchist, approach up to me yesterday with 23 Ibs bomb contained in his angry thumbs. I enjoy considerable alarm from this suffragette behavior until he report off, “Togo, I shall not waste such ex- pensive fireworks on your cheap per- sonality. With this talented dynamight I intend to blow up Congress.” “O not to do!” I gosp up. “ That Congress are like an umbrella: nothing very fine but comfortable when needed. Besides, it will soonly be necessary to have a Congress so it can bless Hon. Panama Canal when he are finished up.” “How soonly will Hon. Canal com- mence beginning?” he gub like pois- oned frogs. “Quite immediately,” I pronounce. “Central America are now completely “T intend to blow up Congress ” a= sawed through so it can permit Atlan- tic Sea to collapse against Pacific Sea, thusly creating considerable splash while California has a World's Fair all over itself. That Canal will then open up for accommodation of all ferryboats and other foreign navies wishing to capture America.” “T cannot see why that will be such a considerable ceremony of happiness,” he rasp out like dull swords. “Why should not?” I holla, “ Have not Hon. Count Goethals created a nice vacuum between N, America and S. America? Yes! And are not Panama Canal the greatest waterworks since Hon. Noah dishcovered steam- boats? Yes also!” “You are talking garbage,” ollicute this Goldman individuality. “ Nature never intended her continents to be amputated with shovels. There is too much surgery already without operat- ing on the face of maps. With plenty of rivers running everywhere, why should Congress appropriate 670,000,- o00$ manufacturing artificial Mississip- pis through Central American republics which can get along pretty good with- out water or any other form of soap?” “J. B. Sago,” I rake off, “ because your brain are full of bones you could not understand geography.” “What good could Panama Canal do for geography?” he heckle. “Plenty!” I demolish. “Look at California, please!” Hon. Sago attempt to do so. “Would that State be benefatted by Hon. Canal?” he enquiry. “Yes exactly.” This from me. “Every intelligence knows that Hon. California need more populous popula- tion to stand on her real estate. How she get these? Panama Canal! Al- ready numerous immigrations is await- ing to come over to California with immediate quickness. This will solve labor problem so California shall not need to work any more. Limburg- American Steamship Co have made ar- rangements for bring over 1,000,000 laborers for employment on farms.” “Yosemite Valley will be chopped up into suburb lots” “What nationality are these indus- trious jayseeds?” Sago require. “ Mostly Jewish gentlemen,” I say so. “California need them for fruit-pick work.” “Can Jewish erupt. “Not sure,” I denote, “But they can pick rags. From this practice they could soon learn. Also they would make splendid farmers.” “What branch of farming would they succeed from?” Mr. Sago otter. “ Mortgages,” I tell. “ What else will Hon. Panama Canal fetch to America?” he requesh. “Considerable Italians, Russians, pick fruit?” Sago micbooks.com