Life, 1914-07-02 · page 5 of 44
Life — July 2, 1914 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** (Milo cigarettes, Neversink swimming belts) with one political cartoon titled "An Everyday Affair." The cartoon depicts a **congressman's proposal for government control of "bad air,"** satirizing what appears to be **Progressive Era debates about industrial pollution and government regulation**. Mr. Deskbanger argues the government should fund a "Bad Air Building" to study pollution's health effects, which he claims costs "a million and a half" dollars. The satire targets **two things**: excessive government spending on research and the absurdity of treating air pollution as something requiring massive bureaucratic infrastructure rather than direct regulation of factories. The cartoon ridicules both wasteful government expansion and the ineffectiveness of studying problems rather than solving them.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Cork. Tips in the Milo, Yellow Label Box An Bveonky Affair BILL for the government con- trol of bad air having come up in the House, Mr. Deskbanger, of Piffeton, rose and asked permission to speak for two or three hours or more. He was given permission, it having been demonstrated that at a previous secret caucus one or two of the party leaders had given their con- sent to let Mr. Deskbanger bore every- body to death. The only condition stipulated by the presiding officer was that no one should listen to the gen- tleman; this being usual, he took the floor and ceiling. “Bad air,” said Mr. Deskbanger, “is rapidly coming into use more and more. It is extensively employed hy the school children in all of our schools, and also in mines and fac- tories to an amount hitherto unpre- cedented. In cities it is recognized as a staple necessity in all tenements and sweatshops. No pullman car could make an all-night run without it. In view of these facts, I move that a million dollars be appropriated to conduct a preliminary investigation into the advisability of having it put under government control, and to pay for some letters that I want to send out to my intimate friends on the subject.” Mr. Biturncscate: Will the gentle- man yield? Mr. Deskaa: For a question. Will a million he enough? The gentleman from Pif- fleton will have to employ two stenog- raphers besides other incidentals. Better make it a million and a half. The substitution was agreed to. Mr. Deskbanger proceeded: “One thing more. to be known as the Bad Air Building, will be necessary. Also a department of bad air; likewise a bad air com- ion; besides this a national park, showing the results on people when they are deprived of bad air!” Mr. Bitun: I move that the gentleman from Piffleton be imme- diately impeached for recommending only a million and a half. It’s an outrage, It is our business, as a Con- gress, to appropriate all the money in the world, and let the treasury de- partment devise ways and means to spend it. Why, this appropriation vouldn’t buy bad air enough to pro- vide a single hearing before the Inter- state Commerce Commission. The motion was agreed to, and, it being the hour to adjourn, the House rose, in order to read the comic sec- tions of the afternoon papers. Is Your Life Worth $4.00? Answer this question before today’s “‘water-accidents’’ swell the number of tragedies. The main thing is that travel —or sport—on the water should not be perilous. It is impossible to sink when wearing “NEVERSINK” Garments Save People from Drowning Every man, woman and child can learn to swim EASILY— SAFELY—in a “NEVERSINK” $ 4° Swimming Belt The “Neversink” Swimming Belt —likeall Neversink” Garments— makes it impossible for you to sink, It is absolutely safe. No rubber tubes nor air chambers to burst. Nothing to get out of order. Special quilted Tining has more lasting, bueyancy than anything yet discovered. life- reserver weighs 7% Ibs. The ‘“Neversink”” weighs less than 2) bs, Sizes 22 to 48. So cheap anyone can buy it—$4.00, Other “Neversink” Garments, COATS for Hooton Motor Boating, Skating, and Aviators. ‘COATS for Motor Boating, zim ming and Canocing. AU cua renter” Used ‘reign Navies, Aviators, cic, ete, “Always ready for sudden a "etter jea— because worn 08 7 Srearerpcten, berause Norn aS anor otThan Serer” up. Mail Coupon Today AMERICAN LIFE SAVING GARMENT of? $4.00 to this coupon.) co. Prease tend me Mlustrared IF HE REALLY CAME HERE IN PERSON comicbooks.com