Life, 1917-08-23 · page 16 of 40
Life — August 23, 1917 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Incompetents Versus Delay"** (by Kenneth L. Roberts): This editorial argues Congress should stop blocking President Wilson's WWI appointments and military funding, fearing incompetent appointees. Roberts counters that delays in supplying troops are more dangerous than potential incompetence—soldiers need supplies *now*. The implicit critique: Congressional obstruction during wartime endangers soldiers more than bad appointments. **"Mitchel Will Run"**: Mayor John Purroy Mitchel of New York will seek reelection. The piece praises his administrative competence, suggesting post-war America should adopt Germany's model of professional city managers (rather than politicians). The irony—praising German management systems while fighting Germany—reflects WWI-era pragmatism about adopting enemy innovations. **"Who Am I?"** (by Christopher Morley): A poetic riddle where the answer is apparently "waste" or "inefficiency"—described as more damaging than weapons ("greater than a hundred howitzers"). Written during wartime, it criticizes civilian waste as undermining the war effort. All three pieces reflect 1917-18 anxieties about institutional competence and home-front commitment to the war.
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srr RRS SP SaREEneeeresr eT eR ey preresrrermersme 296 Incompetents Versus Delay HERE are a number of small men in the Senate and the House of Representatives who are unable to dis- sociate war and politics. They con- stantly block the President's appoint- ments and recommendations. We think we understand their feelings. Having viewed the President's Cabinet, they are probably afraid that he will appoint incompetents. This, however, is the wrong attitude to take. If the Presi- dent appoints incompetents, our army in France will be insufficiently sup- plied and will be slaughtered, as were some of the Canadian regiments early in the war. But if Congress prevents the President from going ahead with his program, our army in France is very apt to get no supplies at all when most urgently in need of them. In that case the army will be extermi- ated, Since everyone will agree that it would be better for this country to get back a small part of its army at the war's end, rather than no part at all, it would seem wiser for Congress to vote at once for everyone and everything the President recommends, rather than cause a moment's delay in the terrible adventure on which we are embarked. Kenneth L. Roberts. “LC UF E * THE DOG-CATCHER DECIDES TO BACK DOWN Mitchel Will Run AYOR MITCHEL says he had planned to retire, but will accept renomination, Why shouldn't he make a profes: of being mayor? He does well at and more than earns a much larger salary than he gets. In Germany, and even in England, such a man would be in demand to manage large cities. When the war is over and we are able to borrow all the ideas that have made Germany strong, without taking those SHEM, HAM AND JAPHETH HOLD WATER SPORTS ON FATHER'S HOUSE-BOAT that have wrecked her, we are likely to take over this German idea of a hired manager for cities, and then there will be competition for Mr. Mitchel. Meanwhile, since New York can re- elect him, let's do it by all means, Hold Hard, Explorers! R. D. MacMILLAN, the Arctic explorer, is expected home in Sep- tember, It seems a good year to lay off ex- plorers as they are brought in. Infor- mation as to the uncharted polar dis- tricts can wait until it transpires what is going to become of the rest of the world. Not the poles nor the head waters of the Amazon are as obscure nowadays as the future. Who Am I? AM the tub of the universe, The predicament of the moment, The jewel in the contractor’s crown, The crimp in the pay envelope. I am the friend of the wasteful cook, The nigger in the woodpile, The little thing to look for, The large thing to find. Tam greater than a hundred howitzers, And ten army corps, And Josephus Daniels. I am the difference between winning and losing. I am the reason why. Tam the garbage pail. Christopher Morley, .