Life, 1919-12-18 · page 21 of 56
Life — December 18, 1919 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
## The Cartoon The illustration labeled "A United States Congressman" depicts a bloated, intoxicated politician being carried by workers/laborers. He clutches a hammer and appears drunk or incapacitated, while those beneath him struggle under his weight. This satirizes congressional excess and corruption during a period of national sacrifice (likely WWI era, given Liberty Loan references on the page). ## The Poem "Profligate" Floyd Meredith's accompanying verse reinforces the message: a man who greedily consumed life's pleasures ("drained it, dregs and all") now stands empty-handed, regretting his lack of restraint. This moralizing poem directly parallels the congressman's image—critiquing wasteful indulgence when the nation requires sacrifice. ## Context The juxtaposition with "Fresh Air Endowments" (charitable giving for poor children) emphasizes the contrast between selfish politicians and civic responsibility. The final line mocking "Burleson on the road to oblivion" likely references Postmaster General Albert Burleson, a controversial Wilson administration figure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN Profligate IFE held a brimming cup to me, And I drank deep, fo quench the fire within me burning. Again and yet again I sipped the wine, But ever hoped to keep The chalice filled and ready for re- turning. I drained it, dregs and all, And now I stand With empty vessel, all its liquor spent. Ah, could I once again Within my hand Life's flagon hold—I would be ab- stinent. Floyd Meredith. LIFE’S Fresh Air Endowments CKNOWLEDGMENTS of the es- tablishment of Fresh Air Endow- ments by Lire’s been delayed owing to the reduction in our type space due to the printers’ strike. It is surprising that the en- dowments should be so numerous at a time when from every quarter there are so many demands on the purses of charitable and generous persons and at a season when the fresh air work is not in active operation. There is an explanation in the fact that these benefactions are for all time and that the endowments are generous readers have 1015 working during the winter to provide against the suffering of children in the It is not easy at Christmas time to picture the children of the tenements tormented by the torrid nights of summer, but some of Lire’s We summer readers seem to have that power. have received From an anonymous donor to establish FRESH AIR ENDOWMENT NO. 139 “A Childless Friend of Children.” From an anonymous donor to establish YRESIE AIR ENDOWME For one who Eliza Van-der From F. B. establish FRESH ALK ENDOWMENT NO. 141 In the names of Mr. and Mrs, F. B, Scott From an anonymous donor to establish Scott, Syracuse, FRESH AIR ENDOWMENT NO, 142 In memory of Charles H. McKnight of Alexandria, Virginia. From Mrs. Archer, York City, to establish George A New FRESH AIR ENDOWMENT NO. 143 In memory of Marjorie Frost Young From Mr. and Mrs. D. M Brooklyn, N. Y., to establish FRESH ADK ENDOW MENT In memory of C, B. Diggs, NO. 144 Fleet. From an anonymous donor to establish FRESH ALR ENDOWMENT NO. 145 R. G. S., Philadelphia, Pa From Lily E. Burgess, Baltimore, Md., to establish YRESIC AIR ENDOWMENT NO, 146 From Mrs. Bryant, Kohala, Hawaii, to establish PRES ALK ENDOWMENTS NOS. 147 AND 148 Catherine Stuart Wight Endowment. From Miss Frances L. Bell, Pleasant Valley, Wheeling, W. Va., to establish FRESH AIR ENDOWMENT NO. 149 J, B. E., Wheeling, W. Va. To establish a Fresh Air Endowment two hundred dollars in Victory notes or Liberty Loan 45%-per-cent. bonds should be sent by registered mail to Live's Fresh Air Fund, Inc., 17 West Thirty- first Street, New York City. A check will do as well. The income from this amount provides that every summer, in perpetuity, 2 poor child will be sent from the slums of New York for a fortnight’s stay in the fresh air of the country. This work has now been carried on for thirty-two years, in which time more than forty thousand children have gained health and happi- ness from it. A Fresh Air Endowment may bear any designation its donor chooses. Famous Non-Stops HE American Army in action, Burleson on the road to oblivion. comicbooks.com