Life, 1921-02-03 · page 25 of 46
Life — February 3, 1921 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon depicts Uncle Sam (representing the U.S. government) sequestered behind closed doors with congressional figures, while a young man waits outside. The satire concerns **President-elect Warren G. Harding's incoming administration** (circa 1921). The joke critiques Harding's challenge: managing powerful former wartime officials who've developed strong egos and conflicting views on post-war policy. The accompanying article references two different "Mr. Hardings" in headlines—the President-elect and Federal Reserve Governor Harding—creating confusion over who sets policy. The broader satire mocks how Harding's government appears inaccessible and consumed with internal debate, while ordinary citizens (the waiting figure) cannot reach leadership. The text suggests Harding needs psychological analysis to manage these powerful, contentious subordinates and move forward with crucial post-war economic recovery, particularly enabling European markets to buy American goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ SORRY, BUT YOUR UNCLE SAM IS IN CONFERENCE.” what they were after and make them aware that what gocs in war doesn’t do at all in peace. If the psycho-analysists will help us to let powerful men down casy after they have done their jobs, that would be a real boon. To sce their ma- chinery worn out by conflict with one another or by the thrashing of the very powers developed in the service of the people and the state is far from cheerful. Charles Fifth, when he got tired of bossing his world, retired to a monastery. Monasteries are no longer as much in fashion as they were in his day, but there are times when they come in very handy for purposes of and Bro. Ralph Adams Cram thinks they are com- retirement, ing into vogue again, and possibly Mr. Wash- ington and Cincinnatus, when they had done their jobs, retired successfully to We still have plenty of farms in this country, and “Back to the Farm” may become a very popular slo- gan as to political leaders Colonel Roosevelt, when he retired from the White House and felt the need of timely absence, went hunting in South Africa, and that was a good expedient while it lasted. Mr, Wilson, not so Chesterton would agree with him. their farms. addressed lucky, has seen his power decay and favor leave him while he still held office. Mr. McAdoo, more foztunate, was able to es- cape into private and profitable life the moment his war job was done and may live, in consequence, to fight another day. R. HARDING'S greatest embarrass- ment is an oversupply of gentlemen whose powers of self-assertion have been over-developed in tumultuous times, but who differ about the location of the path If psycho- s will help him he ought to have of duty on the political map. analys the benefit of all it can do, and we must all hope he will, for all of us and the rest of the world are deeply concerned for his success as a pacifier of contentions and a bringer of peace. Just at this writing there are two Mr. Hardings who figure in the headlines When a headline reads, * Europe's Need Is Long Term Credit—Harding,” that i not the sentiment of the President-elect but of Governor Harding of the Federal Reserve Board. Possibly, however, both Hardings hold that opinion; and let us hope they do, for it is an opinion that is not only sound but of the most vital im- portance both to Europe, that needs every- thing, and to this country, that markets, That we are suffering painfully needs. from repletion and must have customers, seems as obvious as that parts of Europe are starving and that all Europe is suffer- ing from a dearth of things that we could supply. Europe to buy of us is the most urgent How to make it possible for problem of the moment, and it is one our bankers can solve if they have a fair chance and the countenance of Congress. The proposed Foreign Trade Financing Corporation, with a capital of a hundred millions, seems a likely instrument to fa- cilitate the stores towards Europe. movement of our surplus Cabinet rumors, so far as they go, are reassuring. Just at this writing, when the correspondents are not talking about Mr. Hughes as likely to be Secretary of State If the choice has narrowed down to that, the best minds have not been to for nothing. Either of these gentlemen would receive a joyful welcome. E. S. Martin. they are talking about Mr. Root. Marion comicbooks.com