Life, 1919-10-16 · page 22 of 36
Life — October 16, 1919 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes Herbert Hoover ahead of potential presidential candidacy. The main article acknowledges Hoover's reputation for kindness and intelligence but argues Americans know little about him substantively—only hearsay and distant impressions. The top illustration shows a demonic figure ("When Jones Came Home from the Fancy Dress Party"), likely commenting on Hoover's public mystique versus reality. Below, a section titled "Cause for Rejoicing" uses biting irony to mock government railroad administration, criticizing how political appointees' family members receive free passes and preferential treatment while service deteriorates for ordinary citizens—contradicting promises that government control would improve efficiency. The bottom cartoon labeled "Uncle Sam, Too, Has His 'Visions'" depicts Uncle Sam with various ideological symbols, suggesting competing visions of America's future direction. Overall, the page expresses skepticism about Hoover's suitability for high office and criticizes contemporary government patronage practices.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
I once heard Mr. Hoover emerge from a silence of some hours (it was about two in the morni a soliloquy on what the organ tion of scientific thought mig for the future life of the have heard one personal revelation of a mind and character as fascir ing, and only one, That was a 1 ing remembrance by Holman | of his impressions of Dante Gabr Rosetti. That illustrates how little we about Hoover, and how much must be worth knowing. Cause for Rejoicing LL is not wrong with the world. There are some who warm them- selves in occasional rays of sunshine. For example, the wife of a member of the railway administration has a pass which entitles her to travel anywhere on any railroad in the United States and to occupy an entire stateroom in a sleeping-car. The daughter of a member of the railroad administration has a pass which entitles her to free fares and a sleeping-car section where- ever she may wish to jaunt. It is good to know that government control of railways has resulted in providing free rides for near and distant relatives of political appointees, even though it has also resulted” in increased expenses, worse service and unlimited disgust for the rest of us. WHEN JONES CAME HOME FROM THE FANCY DRESS PARTY Hoover ES F course people talk about running Hoover for Presi- : /4 : Z : dent. That is inevitable. Whether he would be good © gi Or ir in the presidential capacity, Heaven only knows, but proba- petmineS Zip BY } bly he would not be happy. But he has acquired a repu- My ; Lip 4 tation so extraordinary that he has virtually lost the “ Mr. xc, >: ARTICLE Z from before his name. It does not come natural to call him = “Mr. Hoover.” The mind accepts him best as “ Hoover.” A nice man; sure! There is agreement about that, Mr. Reed of Missouri, and possibly the Sun of New York, dis- senting. But just how much and what kind of nice man, is not so well understood. Few of the present inhabitants of this country know him except by hearsay and distant views. We think of him as an incarnation of American benevolence. We think more about his heart than about his brains. But of course the man has remarkable brains. Without them his insurgent heart wouldn't have got anywhere. They say he can’t make a speech, which is a great recom- mendation after a war. Grant couldn’t make a speech. But Hoover can talk. “A Wayfarer,” who signs pieces in the London Nation, says: UNCLE SAM, TOO, HAS HIS “VISIONS”