Life — June 15, 1922 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Our All-American Duties" - Life Magazine Political Commentary This page satirizes the **Tariff Bill** debate in the U.S. Senate. The main cartoon depicts **Mr. Fordney and Senator Sounder** (identifiable by the caption) celebrating the bill's passage, with "snow flies"—suggesting the debate occurs during winter legislative sessions. The text presents opposing viewpoints: Senator Sounder defends the tariff as protective ("All-American"), while critics argue it's overly broad and protectionist. A secondary cartoon mocks **Senator Smoot**, who apparently tried to hide fraudulent practices—the caption references him "cribbing from a Sears-Roebuck catalog," suggesting he plagiarized tariff language. The satire targets Republican protectionist trade policies and senatorial dishonesty during debates over economic taxation and American commerce.