Life, 1919-11-13 · page 12 of 36
Life — November 13, 1919 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine satirizes the necessity of politicians in democratic governance. The headline "There Must Be Politicians" references an article by Dr. Jacks arguing that manipulating national self-interest—rather than striking compromises—will achieve mutual loyalty among nations. The top cartoon depicts commuters on a train platform, with the caption noting that none complain about train service delays, implying apathy toward governance. The bottom-left cartoon shows children entering a door marked "DANGER KEEP OUT," captioned "LET'S GO IN AN' FIND OUT WHAT 'DANGER' IS"—satirizing how people disregard warnings and rules. The bottom-right cartoon, from "TOM," depicts someone in what appears to be a bar or tavern, promoting an idealized place with "no prohibition, no strikes, no high prices." Together, these images critique public indifference toward political participation and governance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
818 There Must Be Politicians 'HE accomplished Dr. Jacks, who edits theology for the Hibbert Journal, and keeps an eye on the Beyond for the British Psychical Research Society, had an article in the September Atlantic on “The Degrada- tion of Policy.” The western world, he said, had been ruled by “polic: and he intimated that policy was a doll leaking sawdust and on its way to the ragbag. “Not,” he said, “by the artful manipulation of low mo- tives, not by striking a common meas- ure among the infinite forms of national self-seeking, but by resolutely turning our backs on the whole lot, will the nations reach the goal of mutual loy- alty which is their heart's desire.” The peoples would do it, Dr. Jacks thinks, if they had the chance; “the P politicians never will.” AND YET THERE ISN’T ONE IN THIS BUNCH OF COMMUTERS WHO Probably not, unless they have to. WON'T BRAG ABOUT THE TRAIN SERVICE If the peoples were clear in their desires and could get to work effect- their servants. In democracy—and human group. They are growths in ively to formulate and operate them, the world at present is pretty well the body politic, like warts or hair on politicians would hurry to be before- committed to democracy—the politi- the human body. They are apt not hand in putting them into execution. cians’ job is to do the people's bidding. to be pretty, but they are normal The politicians are masters only so If one lot of politicians won't do it, enough. To stand them in a row and long as the peoples do not know what — another lot immedi levelops that throw things at them is a kind of they want. As soon as they find out — will. cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s what they want, the politicians are For politicians are not a separate face. KEEP OUT | Hh I | a tee DEAR HARRY: THIS IS A DANDY PLACE, NO PROHIBITION, NO STRIKES, NO HIGH PRICES AND NO INCOME TAXES TO PAY COME ‘LET'S GO IN AN’ FIND OUT WHAT ‘DANGER’ IS SOON. YOURS AS EVER, TOM. comicbooks.coml