Life, 1916-02-10 · page 10 of 44
Life — February 10, 1916 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon**: Shows three early automobiles with passengers observing two pedestrians, one saying "I wish we had one of those!" The joke satirizes the rapid shift from walking/carriages to automobiles as status symbols of modern life. **"For Our Inconsistencies"**: A serious editorial letter criticizing the U.S. government for railroad safety failures. It references a recent train wreck killing twelve Americans and argues the government demands safe conditions from citizens but fails to ensure safety on public transportation—highlighting hypocrisy in governmental responsibility. **"The Cheerful Outlook"**: A cartoon showing Satan surveying Earth, declaring himself "first of optimists" because conditions everywhere are terrible. This darkly satirizes pessimism about world conditions, likely referencing post-WWI concerns. **Bottom illustration**: Labeled "Advocates of Preparedness," showing various militaristic figures, appears to satirize military expansion advocacy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“I WISH WE HAD ONE OF THOSE!” For Our Inconsistencies! NOTE that might be written by our government to railroad presi- dents: Sir: The United States government keenly regrets having occasion to call your attention to a recent wreck on your road, at B——, wherein twelve American lives were lost. The friend- ship that ‘has existed between your ad- ministration and ours makes all the more serious the unfortunate incident which put the lives of dependents of this government in jeopardy. Investigation proves that passengers on your train were using a public transportation system while on legiti- mate business, and that in so doing, by all laws of humanity, each had the right to expect a safe journey to his destina- tion, The government of the United States is aware that the extraordinary demands imposed by this age of speed have altered circumstances. But the right of citizens to life itself, during the pursuits of peaceful occupations, is based on immutable principle, which must not be disregarded. The United States government can- not, by the omission of any word or, act, fail in holding these rights of its citizens inviolable, and you and your fellow officials will be held to strict personal accountability for further use- less loss of life. Grecory. “ 4 The Cheerful Outlook SATAN surveyed the world, where everything was at sixes and sevens, He smiled sardonically. “If it were not that I hate pose so,” he remarked, “I should be the first of optimists!” ADVOCATES OF PREPAREDNESS comicbooks.com