Life, 1917-05-24 · page 5 of 7
Life — May 24, 1917 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines **charitable fundraising** with **political commentary**. The left side features an advertisement for the "Commission For Relief In Belgium," soliciting donations ($1/month) to feed starving Belgian children during World War I. The appeal emphasizes Belgium's desperate humanitarian crisis—over a million children facing malnutrition and disease. The right side contains a humorous piece titled "Not All Picked Men Are Winners," referencing Colonel George Harvey's failed attempts to promote political candidates (Woodrow Wilson succeeded; Champ Clark failed). The accompanying cartoon depicts children playing, illustrating the column's theme about choosing winners versus losers. Together, the page juxtaposes serious wartime humanitarian need against domestic American political gossip, reflecting how Life magazine balanced advocacy with satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BELGIUM’S GREATEST NEED IS NOW WILL AMERICA HEAR? ITH America in the war— with the necessities of the destitute Belgian people becom. ing every day more urgent—with the price of food enormously i creased, the Commission of Relief in Belgium is today confronted with a new crisis. There are more than a million children in Belgium who in the words of Maurice Maeterlinck “for two years have not eaten according to their hunger.” The meager adult ration—one dish of bread and broth a day —has proved woe- fully insuffici- ent for grow- Facts Every American Should Know Apart from government subsidies Canada has cents per capita for Belgian relief, $1.34 per capita, New Zealand, $2.29. The United States has given 10 cents per capita—less than one-twentieth of the total expenditure, Yet the average Belgian thinks America is doing it all! ing children. Physicians report an alarming increase of tubercu- losis, rickets and other diseases of under-nutrition. If Belgium's coming generation is to be saved, it is an immediate, vital necessity that these children be provided with an extra meal. 31% cents a day—a dollar a month per child —will buy this extra meal, which means for these piti- ful youngsters all the difference between disease and health— be- tween slow starvation and a fight- ing chance to w up and build a new Belgium after the war. Commission For Relief In Belgium New York State Committee 120 Broadway A Dollar A Month Will Save A Child. How many will onerous donated 90 that every dollar firen may go to fay food New York you provide for? How many will your friends provide for? LIP AND MAIL TODAY To Alexander J. Hemphill, Treasurer Room 2932, 120 Broadway, New York Thereby pledge myself to give $ children with a noonday meal, and enclose $ amonth for... months to supply. ...Belgian months’ payment. x under private: robbers, and look at us —me without a coat of paint to me back for six years! And as for gov- ernment—I could tell ye tales about them Washington congressmen that would make yer hair stand on end. And so if you ask me, I say there ain't much choice! Yet as between the two of ‘em, let’s have the government con- trol. And why? Because then there will be only one thing between us and the people, whereas before there was two—the government and the robbers. And between you and me, boys, it’s the people we want to get next to. Good night.” Not All Picked Men Are Winners T will be recalled that when Colonel George Harvey picked Woodrow Wilson and undertook to put him over, he succeeded, and that later, when he picked Champ Clark, he failed. Even though you are skilled in the business, when you undertake to put a candidate over, it makes a difference who your candidate is. POSE yourself, my dear Hig- inbotham,” said Mrs. Higgin- botham, “ it won't occur again. I know you have a perfect right to be very angry, but next week | will make sure you have your weekly copy of Lire, be- cause | will leave a standing order with the newsdealer.” THE PROMISED LAND comicbooks.com