Life, 1927-05-26 · page 12 of 39
Life — May 26, 1927 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks a Senate debate about improving roads in Nicaragua. The cartoon depicts senators arguing over whether the government should fund better infrastructure there. The satire targets several absurd positions: one senator argues Nicaragua should remain underdeveloped to preserve its "charm" for motion pictures; another suggests the real benefit would be improved American car sales (Ford specifically); a third argues that better roads would only increase underwear imports from the U.S. The central illustration shows a nude woman labeled "Portrait of a Nude Worrying About the Chinese Situation," satirizing how disconnected these debates were from actual geopolitical concerns. The piece ridicules senators for prioritizing trivial commercial and aesthetic interests over genuine foreign policy considerations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“NOT MOVING AWAY, “No, 'M JUST GOING DOWN FOR A 1 10PR?” TWO-WEEKS’ VISIT WITIL RELATIVES ON TI NTY-EIGHTH FLOOR.” A Storm in the Senate (It has been suggested that, instead of Senators’ representing the different States, they should represent the large industries of the country. In the opinion of many this would not entail a radical departure from the present system of representation. In view of this, the following is a possible report from Washington.) HE SENATE last night debated the all, the Government should see to it that bill for the Improvement of Condi- high-priced cars were used to move the tions in Nicaragua. The discussion be- natives from one location to another. In gan at 4p. om. (Daylight Saving Time). his opinion the present roads were quite At 1 a. M. (Standard Time, the clock good enough for Fords. having been set back), the The Senator for Spare Marines were called in to 2 c ee Parts agreed with the latter take the situation in hand. = statement and suggested The Senator for Motion s ba that the rustic roads of Pictures began the de- ie =Nicaragua would lose bate with the plea that , S half their charm if they the only way to open up WS were improved. This Nicaragua and make it ee point was contested by aceredited and re- 5 ‘ the Senator for Frank- spected by the outside furters and Hot Rolls. world was to use it as of T he Senator for a location for making J % Ladies’ Lingerie then motion pictures. sprang to his feet Peaceful scenes, such and said that in his as farming and golf- ‘ estimation nothing ing, could be taken would be more bene- and distributed over : ficial to the Nicara- the major circuits, guans than a snappy and the Nicaraguans porTRAIT OF A NUDE supply of smart themselves would at | worrvinG apouT THE underwear from least be assured of CHINESE SITUATION. the U. S. Govern- a living as extras. ment. He had seen The Senator for Ford Cars pictures of the Nicaraguans, and thought that the motion picture had almost blushed on observing idea was a good one provided the inadequacy of their attire. that the roads were improved so Underwear, he announced, could that the Nicaraguans could move — casily be transported over the from location to location ina Nicaraguan roads by Ford speedy manner. He knew of cars, and its judicious use no speedier manner than in by the natives would vastly the new model Ford which increase the box-office value was coming out in February of the proposed motion pic- for $290. This statement pro- tures. The Senator for B. V. voked a protest from the D,’s interposed that the male Senator for Packards, who inhabitants were as deserving s that if the roads of consideration from the in Nicaragua were Government as the female. to be improved at (Please turn to page 32) \ Co TaN comicbooks.com