Life, 1919-10-02 · page 19 of 48
Life — October 2, 1919 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1919 *Life* magazine page satirizes post-WWI American politics through a dialogue between two dogs. A Scotch Collie and Airedale Terrier discuss Senator Myers of Montana's bill to protect dogs from vivisection (animal testing). The satire operates on multiple levels: The dogs debate whether dogs deserve legal protection after their war service, while the real target is American politicians and public indifference. The Airedale criticizes Washington as a "hot-bed of incompetence and crass idealism," reflecting post-war disillusionment with government. The cartoon sketches above show dogs' imagined futures—suggesting civilians should consider animal welfare *now* rather than waiting. The humor relies on dogs speaking about human politics, while the underlying message critiques Congress's general ineffectiveness and citizens' apathy toward reform legislation, even when seemingly just causes (animal protection) are proposed. The "Another Wedding Postponed" photo below appears unrelated social commentary on delayed plans due to wartime disruptions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Spread the News HE Scotch Collie was in an unusu- ally placid frame of mind as his od friend, the Airedale Terrier, came wp hurriedly and sat down by his side panting. *[ should think you'd seen enough acitement overseas to be satisfied to uke it easy now,” he growled amiably, “As for me, there was a time, back in ‘yy when I thought this business of trotting along back of a baby carriage was trivial; but now I'm glad to do it, gad to enjoy peace once more. What have you been up to lately?” “Peace!” sputtered the Airedale, fecking a fly off his right-hand mus- tthe. “My back-number friend, there’s no such thing as peace. I've been in Washington.” “Well, I admire your energy more than your judgment in localities— Washington—that hot-bed of incom- petence and crass idealism. Woof! Woof! and wat, wat! Hope you ripped a few congressmen. What in the world were you doing in Wash- ington?” “Do you mean to tell me you don't know what I was doing in Washing- ton? And you a regular dog! Well, maybe I ought not to blame you. You only just got back. Ever hear of Myers?” “Myers? Who's he?” “Senator Myers from Montana. He has introduced a bill for the preven- tion of vivisection on dogs. The bill ~- 422 2 Look Wher Here / Oreguior states that, ‘ Whereas the dog has made THESE PICTURES WOULD DO THREE YEARS FROM NOW—BUT WHAT'S THE a wonderful war record, and from USE WAITING? everywhere word comes of his courage, his faithfulness, his cheery comradeship, and his keen intelligence; ; Whereas he has been decorated for bravery, servin; country, following its flag, and dying for its cause: Now, as an act of right and justice to the dog and as a tribute to the soldiers who speak and plead for him:’ it shall be a misdemeanor to cut him up, eh! How's that?” The Scotch Collie jumped quivering to attention on all four paws, his keen eyes gazing at his friend with interest, while his long and beautifully symmetrical was tilted at precisely the proper angle to express his sense of contrition. “What! After all these years,” he exclaimed, “ someone has actually risen in America to defend us dogs in Con- gress? And to think I didn’t know it.” “Well, that isn’t so strange,” said the Airedale. “ There are a whole pack of people who don't know about it. T ANOTHER WEDDING POSTPONED will say this for men and women—that if all of them who comicbooks.com