Life, 1920-01-15 · page 22 of 36
Life — January 15, 1920 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine piece satirizes American political dysfunction through absurdist humor. The cartoon shows two men debating a debt—a domestic squabble mirroring governmental incompetence. The article mock-seriously argues that **Atlantic City**, not Washington D.C. or New York, is America's true capital because it's where actual policy gets made. The satire suggests the real power lies with pressure groups and lobbyists meeting in Atlantic City, who then return to Congress to push their agendas into law. The piece ridicules reform movements (ouija board restrictions, Amy Lowell monuments, Mexican policy) as inevitably unpopular—yet paradoxically, this unpopularity is presented as the *secret to success*: make enough enemies and Congress will eventually pass your proposal out of spite or competitive pressure. The illustration "The Horny Hand of Toil" (a working hand) reinforces the irony: while labor is glorified rhetorically, actual governance happens elsewhere, shaped by special interests rather than democratic process. **Key context**: This reflects post-WWI cynicism about American democracy and lobbying influence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LOOK HERF, JASON, WHY DON'T YOU PAY ME OWE “Ins YOUR OWN FAULT, OL MAN oWweED you, you ue?” LAST TIME stp you'b F THAT TWENTY DOLLARS YOU 1 PAID YOU some MONEY 1 DTTEN ALL ABOUT IT.” The Seat of Government HAT is the capital of the United States? Think before you answer Mayor Hylan told the Wales he had come to “the wond: Prince of city of the greatest republic of the world,” meaning, of course, New York But that does not imply that New York is the capital of the country, Governmentally speaking, New York is backward, very backward. Even with Hylan at its wonder-head it is backward. Washington likewise is out of the necessarily running. Washington continues to be the habitat of the President and a ren- dezvous for many promising Presiden- tial candidates, including senators, congressmen and the like, but govern- mentally Washington is impotent. It »ws when others lead—sometimes net even then Undoubtedly if the records were looked up it would be found that the correct answer is Atlantic City. What is it the nation needs? A law forbid- adult Americans to sit up after m., Sundays included? An amendment to the Constitution restrict- ing the use of the ouija board to per- sons engaged in literature, art, medi- cine, theology essential industries? A national monument to Amy Lowell? A. substitute for the home \ brand-new Mexican policy? \ fifty-billion-dollar fund for the bet- terment of and other conditions among residents of cities of the third social A reversion to the art and customs of nok? c and divorce laws? An food? reform? Shorter hours? M the ancient G \ unification of the marris embargo on Dress. Longer life? automobiles? Fewer motor accidents? Ships, seals, sea cabbages, kings—anything? Go to Atlantic City. Get your gang together and Behold, the h movement! The more unpopular it is, the better state your proposit of a nation-wide Return with your gang to Atlantic City and state your propos This is the surest w to make a host of enemies and get yourself thoroughly disliked. In. time Imost the entire nation will be unite tion annually ainst you. Victory will then be yours. Envious of your prestige and your growing ur popularity in the community, Congre-s will promptly and make it a law of the land. Such is the process of government of the people, for the people and by the people—from Atlantic City (Open all the year round. Send for booklet.) appropriate. your. ide THE HOKNY HAND OF TOIL comicbooks.com