Our Decorated Hard-Boiled Egg

From Our Collections Print and Picture Cartoon Collection
Advanced
Our Decorated Hard-Boiled Egg

Item Info

Item No: PIXC00083
Title: Our Decorated Hard-Boiled Egg
Publication Date: 4/15/1922
Media Type: Cartoons (Commentary)
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:

 Created for Evening Public Ledger, date unknown.


Notes:

"Congress"

"Bonus Bungling"

"Tariff Tinkering"

"Navy"

"Slashing"


Notes:

Printed the day before Easter in 1922, this cartoon depicts the U.S. Congress as a decorated egg displaying some of its more questionable recent accomplishments.

Naval disarmament was an international concern in the years following World War One. The mention of "navy slashing" in the cartoon may be referencing the Washington Naval Conference of 1921-1922 that gathered nine of the world's greatest powers together to seek a reduction in naval forces. Out of this conference three treaties were eventually agreed upon to reduce the naval capacity of the nations involved. [1]

Following the war there was also a concern over the continued economic prosperity of the United States. Europe's agricultural production and economic activity rebounded and the need for American exports was greatly reduced. As imports to the U.S. increased, Congress engaged in "tariff tinkering" by passing the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922. The act raised tariffs on European imports and was intended to favor American industry.[2]

The cartoon also calls attention to the efforts of Congress to draft legislation providing additional compensation to World War One veterans. While Congress managed to pass a so-called "bonus" bill in 1922, it was deemed fiscally irresponsible by President Harding and vetoed. Additional veteran benefits would eventually be provided through the World War Adjusted Compensation Act passed in 1924.[3]


Sources:
[1] Office of the Historian: Department of the State. (2009). Milestones 1921-1936, The Washington Naval Conference 1921-1922. Retrieved from: < http://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/NavalConference >
[2] Office of the Historian: Department of the State. (2009). Milestones 1921-1936, Protectionism in the Interwar Period. Retrieved from: < http://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/Protectionism >
[3] Office of the Clerk: House of Representatives. (n.d.) Retrieved from: < http://artandhistory.house.gov/highlights.aspx?action=view&intID=347 >


Bibliography:

Sykes, Charles Henry. "Our Decorated Hard-Boiled Egg." Evening Public Ledger: Night Extra. (Philadelphia, PA). 1922, April 15: p. 8.



Country: Country:United States
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1922
Creator Name: Sykes, Charles Henry, 1882-1942 - Artist

Tools