Life, 1922-02-16 · page 27 of 34
Life — February 16, 1922 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem by Berton Braley satirizes the emerging political power of American farmers in the early 1920s. The "Agricultural Bloc" refers to a coalition of farm-state congressmen who united to block legislation they opposed—specifically a protective tariff they viewed as harmful to agriculture. The satire mocks the President (likely Woodrow Wilson or Warren Harding) for expecting automatic Republican party loyalty, only to be thwarted by rebellious western farmers. Braley presents this as surprising audacity—politicians organizing independently rather than obeying party leadership. The poem's tone shifts sympathetically toward the farmers' plight: burning corn for fuel, unable to sell livestock, betrayed by broken promises. The final stanza praises their "canny" resistance as a model for consumers and ordinary citizens—suggesting that organized pressure from outside traditional power structures might actually achieve justice against corrupt politicians. The cartoon above shows two figures skiing through harsh conditions, captioning the contentious winter farmers faced.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“TI allus wus a son-of-a-gun fer sport.” The Agricultural Bloc Berton Braley (adel TUT!” remarked the President, and likewise, “Goodness me!” For he was irritated by the faithless G. O. P. He looked for the majority To bow to his authority And when they failed to do so he received a fearful shock ; He asked for lower taxes ‘ But he heard the sound of axes And his plans were all beheaded on the Agricultural Bloc! We're used to combinations of financial gentlemen Who organize to “stabilize” the country, now and then, But who, in all veracity, Would look for such audacity As shown in house and senate by this stubborn western flock; Who made a combination To mold our legislation And who blocked a robber tariff with an Agricultural Bloc! The farmers fell for flattery and promises and praise Which seemed to keep them quiet in the ante-bellum days, But now, that’s not enough for them, They say the times are tough for them, They’re burning corn for fuel and they cannot sell their stock ; They don’t get satisfaction From the Grand Old Party’s action, So they’ve got the party beaten by an Agricultural Bloc! “Tut! Tut!” remarks the President, as shocked as he can be, But this here situation has a hint for you and me, And we should view with gratitude The canny farmers’ attitude Which shows the way to justice when the politicians mock; And the Ultimate Consumer, If he has a sense of humor, May emulate the methods of the Agricultural Bloc! comicbooks.com