Life, 1919-02-20 · page 24 of 34
Life — February 20, 1919 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page documents LIFE magazine's fundraising campaign for French war orphans following World War I. The two sketches contrast public attitudes: the left cartoon shows a small, quiet gathering when discussing French orphans; the right shows a crowded, enthusiastic response once donors could actually *meet* a child (identified as Emile Revel, Baby 2740, pictured center-left). The satire's point: Americans respond more generously to personal, emotional appeals than abstract humanitarian causes. Seeing a specific child's face generates donations that abstract statistics cannot. The campaign had raised $310,164.83 by this point, demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategy. The cartoons satirize human nature—we're moved by the tangible and visible rather than the conceptual.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHEN Ite USED To T The French Babies IFE, has received altogether for the French war orphans $310,164.83, from whieh we have remitted to Paris 1784 ranes We gratefully acknowledge from New nany NEARER 338 edged : Vochle, Calo, RABY NUMER 3618 Already acknowl! Contributors will re- rlotte M. Thatcher, Bangor, Me. A eae ink i ceive notice of the date Uncle: Some: nevatwitatta en of expiration of the _UTHTRD-CLASS. MATTE 1 period Tortoise: t sitovL say xott on al period. SPECIAL DELIVERY! comicbooks.com