Life, 1914-10-01 · page 7 of 48
Life — October 1, 1914 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two political cartoons satirizing Congressional conduct around 1910-1920. **Top cartoon ("Acrostic"):** Lists complaints about Congressional behavior using acrostic format—including "Willing Worker Wasting Waiting," "Laborious Loafer Launching Legislation," and similar criticisms. The stage scene shows legislators in disarray, mocking their ineffectiveness. **Bottom cartoon ("A Forward Step"):** References a House resolution proposing members shouldn't be paid while absent from Washington sessions. The accompanying text sarcastically suggests this won't work unless "customs receipts continue to fall off." The cartoon depicts an elegantly dressed couple amid crowds, apparently representing the self-interested political class indifferent to fiscal concerns. Both pieces mock Congressional laziness, corruption, and fiscal irresponsibility during the Progressive Era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Acrostic : A Forward Step Willing Worker Watchfully Waiting. E resolution of the House of Representatives that Independent Individual Initiating Improvements. members should not be paid while absent from Wash- Laborious Learner Launching Legislation. ington during sessions is a hopeful step. We may yet Sagacious Solon Scattering Standpatism. decide not to pay them even while in Washington unless Optimistic Official Opening Opportunities. they do something. That would be drastic, but if customs National Negotiator Nullifying Nuisances. receipts continue to fall off we must come to it, MEMORIES HIS AND HERS