Life, 1914-07-16 · page 8 of 40
Life — July 16, 1914 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page features two distinct elements: **Upper section:** A fundraising list for Life's Fresh Air Fund, an initiative providing outdoor experiences for impoverished children. The detailed donor list shows contributions ranging from small amounts to substantial gifts (W.D.G. gave $100). **Cartoon "Why Jimmie Didn't Show Up for Practice":** Shows children at play outdoors near a fence, illustrating why a child might miss scheduled activities—suggesting the appeal of unstructured outdoor play. **Essay "Bad Taste":** A satirical piece cautioning editors against discussing "bumper crops" in relation to prosperity. The author argues such language is tactless when many lack basic prosperity, raising uncomfortable questions about who benefits from agricultural abundance. The piece critiques how polite language obscures uncomfortable economic realities. Together, these elements address poverty and childhood welfare—core Progressive Era concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
92 Life’s Fresh Air Fund Inclusive of 1913, Lire’s Farsi Air Fuxp has been in operation twenty-seven years. In that time it has expended $145,183.64 and has given a fortnight in the country to 35,751 poor city children. The Fund is supported entirely by be- quests and voluntary contributions, which are acknowledged im this column, Previously acknowledged $3,342-84 D. B. Porter... ‘ 5-86 F. A. Schaefer. * wnze FJ. & AL... 6.00 H. F. H. ...... cise 5-00 H. B. HL : - 10.00 “Delaware” .. 1.00° Quasimo N.T.F. Lenox Banks One . Mrs. A. M. Crane. Lucy, Graeme and Jobn. W. D. G. “ Bessie, Molly, Ned and George Anne Dyer Taylor B. T. Gale Walter Blackman . Marion Dell Carrire. Wm. P. Clyde... Mrs. Flora A. Morr “In memory A. I Marion S. Rodie.. WHY JIMMIE DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR PRACTICE Bad Taste LL editors, both major and minor, are hereby cau- tioned against referring to the bumper crops in any but the most general and hurrahful terms. One of the safest remarks that an editor can make is to say that big crops mean prosperity, but it is extremely bad taste to ask, “Prosperity for whom?” That starts arguments, and arguments are taboo in polite society, because arguments involve the difficult labor of thinking. As long as the matter is kept general, then we can one and all cheer up at the mention of big crops and prosperity, but as soon as anyone asks, “Prosperity for whom?" then, of course, the first axiom in honesty re- quires us to reply, “ Prosperity for those who succeed in getting it.” Should anyone pursue the inquiry beyond that point and find that he is not getting any of the said pros- perity, his enthusiasm might naturally be expected to ebb at once. Ebbing enthusiasm is the beginning of discontent, and when discontent once starts it is difficult to stop short of something satisfying. E.0.J. M°s* of us would like to work about as hard as a sun dial on a rainy day. THE POET'S WIFE DISCOVERS THE MUSE IN HIS STUDY