Life, 1916-04-13 · page 14 of 46
Life — April 13, 1916 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon depicts a tightrope walker (representing Congress) attempting to cross a chasm labeled "PREPAREDNESS." The figure appears precarious and uncertain—the caption "Will He Try It?" questions whether Congress will actually act on national defense preparation. The accompanying "Congress" article criticizes legislative inefficiency, arguing Congress fails its fundamental purpose: "getting done all the things which ought not to be done and not doing any of the things that ought to be done." The "American History" section provides historical context for Congressional indecision, citing statements from Washington, Jefferson, and Civil War-era leaders expressing frustration with Congress's reluctance to authorize military spending and action. The satire targets Congressional paralysis on military preparedness issues.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WILL HE TRY IT? Amercan History As the Present Administration Would Have Made It 1777: EORGE WASHINGTON writes Lafayette from Valley Forge as follows: “Congress being reluctant to give us cither regulars or supplies, it is obvi- ously improper for me to impose my views upon the legislature, and I sin- cerely, albeit regretfully, suggest, my dear Marquis, that we should all break camp and go home.” 1803 “The United States government warns its citizens to stay away from the Mediterranean, as the selfishness of individual Americans cannot justify any impairment of the friendly rela- tions so happily subsisting between this government and the Barbary Pirates.” Commodore Decatur is removed from the service for insubordination in claiming two and two make four. 1812: Admiral Perry says: “Let us give up the ship.” 1848: “The government of the United States views with concern, with very frank and serious concern, the unfor- tunate disaster at the Alamo. How- ever, the government of the United States feels it to be its duty, in gen- uine friendship, to declare to Mexico that it has no reason to doubt the en- tire good faith of General Santa Anna in the matter.” 1864: General Grant: “T expect to lie down on this line all winter.” 1898: Admiral Dewey: “Tt having been brought to the at- tention of the American admiral that the Imperial German government is sincerely anxious that the Amer- ican flect stay away from Manila, the American admiral hastens to com- ply. “He wonders if it would be proper for the American fleet to stop at Hawaii on the way home, for a little coal?” Congress ENATOR NEWLANDS of Nevada recently had something to say with regard to the difficulty of getting any national defense bills through Con- gress. “Five separate committees, two in the Senate and three in the House, are investigating the subject,” said the Sen- ator, “and the witnesses are rushing from one to the other, repeating their stories in the greatest confusion.” But is that not what Congress is for ; namely, to add to the general con- fusion? And if we frankly admit this and bear it up with facts—of which there are plenty—can we not then prove beyond a doubt that Congress is fulfill- ing its chief function admirably? Congress exists for the purpose of getting done all the things which ought not to be done and of not doing any of the things that ought to be done. RAWFORD: I hear he’s econo- mizing. Crassaw: Yes; he doesn’t buy anything now unless he can get it on credit. A REGULAR GIRL comicbooks.com