Life, 1917-10-11 · page 26 of 40
Life — October 11, 1917 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page documents Life magazine's charitable fundraising campaign for French war orphans during World War I. The editorial text, alongside photographs of sponsored children, appeals to readers' generosity. The key point is **criticism masked as gratitude**: while Life praises the $128,557.48 raised, it scolds readers for insufficient participation. Only about 1 in 400 Life readers contributed—approximately one-quarter of one percent. The magazine argues that despite multiple competing war-relief appeals, readers are "missing an opportunity to do practical good" and should add their names to the "honorable list of friends of France." The accompanying photographs—including "Josephine Couton, Baby 1322, her sisters and brother" and other identified French children—personalize the appeal by showing specific beneficiaries of donations. This represents early-20th-century philanthropic messaging: combining moral pressure with emotional appeal through child photographs to encourage charitable giving.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
504 “LIFE 1737 Orphaned French Babies | Pas s no complaint to make with respect of the generosity of its readers. Those who have given to the Babies’ Fund have made the total an impressive amount, and the relief they have brought to the widows and the orphans is scattered over the whole of Nise Maritiicr, suffering France. But in looking over BABY 1153 the very creditable figures—the amount of money given and the number of children helped—there comes to mind another consideration not quite so flattering. The total number of contributors is approximately eight- cen hundred. This is about one-quarter of one per cent. of Live's readers, That is to say, only about one in four hundred of those who read Lire has contributed to the fund. We know the many and continual demands made on American generosity for all sorts of projects connected with war relief. In spite of that and this creditable showing, we think that too many of our readers are miss- ing an opportunity to do practical good. If you read this and your name is not already on our honorable list of friends of France, this is the time to repair the omission. Lire has received $128,557.48, from which we have re- mitted to Paris 710,237.45 francs. We gratefully acknowledge from Mrs. G. y. Y. Lansing, Albany, for Babies Nos. 1711 and wie From’ Baby Noelie to’ ai Justice and Mrs. Finch, 1710. easee Mrs. 1. Al Caswell, St Paul, Minn, for Baby Dr. and Mrs. Frank C _ Wilso Savannah, G. 1714. ther baby, through her parents, ew York City, for Baby No. Joserit COUTON, BABY 1322, HER SISTERS AND BROTHER DENIS MATHONNAT, BABY 1405, SIMONE LUX, | AND MIS SISTER maby S04 Anna Marcella Robbins rederic Robbi 19. William Larra Julia Larrabee Rol Charles Larral Helen Augusta Larrabee, x Tloilo, Philip Orlea Mr. and Mrs. 73 The Thimbte Chub, Welisviile, NV. for Baby 9. 33 Riggs, Rossman & Hunter, Ine., Baltimore, Md., for Baby No 1730 +. 73 Blue Ridge Farm, Greenwood, for Babies Nos. 1731 and In memory’ of Jay’ Page ‘Mood esville, Ohio, for Baby 1733 +. W. T. Sloper, New York Stephen Fairbanks, Milton, Ma: Nellie M. Fowler, Maynard, M. 4M. Allen, Chicago, Il. Providence, R. Winifred Mor FOR Already acknowledged Marcus Gunn, Cheye: Gunston Farm. George W. King. Thursday Morning Club, FOR Already acknowledged Thursday Morning Club, Proceeds of a lawn Club, ‘the Girls" Comment Cl FOR ng Club, Thursday Mor Mrs. \ L ‘ort Dodge, Iowa, for Baby No. Frede rie Oshorn Larrabee, do., for Baby No. 1718. J, Cle bins, Cedar’ Rapids, Towa, for Ba YX Fort Dodge, Tow. w. J. Pleider, Hoilo, Philip 0. M! Henne, Titusville, Pa. for Ba Swarthmore, Pa., for Baby No. 1738. chool, Centreville, Md. le, Wash. riy given by the Forest Gien ‘Ten tional Honor Guard and the Current Forest Glen, Md.. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for Baby No. Towa, for Babys ‘edar Rapids, Iowa, for Baby rmont, Lowa, for Baby No. 1 for Haby No. Clermont, lowa, for Baby No. 1 ypine Islands, for Babies N 2., for Baby ‘No. ne Islands, for Baby ns, City, for Baty "No. 1735 for Baby No. for Baby No. for Baby No. 1631. "hs for Baby No. 10. BABY NUMBER 1657 Madi BABY NUMBER 1697 Madiso: BABY N Madis comicbooks Bail