Vol. XVII, No. 5

Time
The Weekly Newsmagazine

February 2, 1931

            The concept of time is such an immense thing. The concept of Time is also an immense thing. Any issue is available since March 3, 1923. March 3 was yesterday. Eighty-eight years and Time is still going strong. I chose the issue from February 2, 1931. Here’s the time frame: 21,916 days before I was born, that is 60 years and one day. That is three times longer that I have even been alive. I have changed a lot in the last twenty years, so I cannot even begin to fathom how much the world has changed in the last eighty years. I will start with this one issue, one page at a time.

            The cover is of George Woodward Wickersham. He was the 47^th United States Attorney General. He held the office from March 4, 1909 until March 4, 1913. Today is March 4. It has been 102 years since he took office and 98 years since he left. He went on to serve as the president of the Association of the Bar of the city of New York, and served on the War Trade Board to Cuba and the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, later known as the Wickersham Commission and the reason for him being on the cover. He has a fabulous moustache, which alone should have qualified him to be on the cover. Good thing it is moustache March.

            As for the contents of the publication, some sections are still there today, such as National Affairs (U.S.), Foreign News (World), Medicine (Health), Science (Science), Art (Arts), and Business & Finance (Business). Some of the others surprised me though—Animals, Letters, and Milestones. Aeronautics was interesting to see as its own section. Music, People, Religion, Education, Sports, Cinema, and Theatre also had their own, along with a few others. Over fifty pages of what is now considered historical, interesting, or ultimately irrelevant information.

            Skimming a few article, it became apparent from “The Presidency: The Heart of the Nation” that Hoover was using his supposed social responsibility to better his image, “Great Britain: Well-Informed People” that maybe they do know what is going on across the pond, “Canada: Morale Upped” that the Canadians may help us out, “Religion: Faith Healing” that the people want to be healed, “Education: Flu” that TCU was not the only one concerned about influenza, “Sport: Polo Ranking” that people once did care about the sport and not just the clothing line, “Aeronautics: Fastest?” that a route would be created between Fort Worth and Washington, D.C., and “Animals: Goldfish Shoes” that there was still time before shoes with goldfish in them and for now they just used the skin to make slippers, as well as receiving several suggestions on books to read and not read, plays and movies to see and not see, and music to listen to and not listen to.

            Being a business major, I looked more intensely at the Business & Finance section. I read about the counter-fight to wage reductions in the steel industry, Chadbourne’s worldwide sugar production reduction plan, secondary distribution on Wall Street, shrinking amounts in the Belvidere savings account, the “new, lively” oil boom in east Texas, a cigarette price war, and suspensions from the New York Stock Exchange. Some articles were much more interesting than others. Some I could picture being in Time next week, others I knew would not even be considered today. I contribute that to a change in priorities, or perspective.

            There was one ad that caught my eye. It was titled “The Market Basket That Has Trebled in Ten Years. It discusses investing in chain stores. In 1921, the average family spent $90.27 at chain stores. By 1923, that had increased to $243.42. I do not even want to know what amount it is today. The wide variety and economical prices brought people in back then, and that is the same today. Chain Store Shareowners, Inc. sold maximum-security stocks to both small and large investors. The facts are accompanied by a couple of cartoon depictions of chain stores and a list of the 35 leading chain store companies. Walmart, McDonalds, and Starbucks were not on the list, at least then. I did recognize a few though, including Lane Bryant, J.C. Penny, Walgreen, Kroger Grocery, and Sears.

            The 1930s were a time of great change. By 1931, the Great Depression had hit but was not yet in full swing. The glamour of the roaring twenties was diminishing. Gandhi was protesting in India. Scotch tape was invented at the end of the previous year. Turkish women recently received the right to vote. It was a time of much change and a smaller world. Inventions allowed people to be know more about the world at much faster rates. People had begun to think in terms of the much bigger picture, not only with the here and now but also with the future. Times and people were changing quickly, just as they are today. Even as Time has changed, it has stood the test of time.

it was the part of Time, it stood the test of time

 

Sometimes We Miss the Big Picture

Part of the piece

On Wednesday, I got into the modern to $1. One dollar to see those beautiful works of art. What a deal. I like modern art, a lot. I believe that is because when I make art, it looks more modern than anything else. I'll definitely have modern art in my house, that is when I have one. Not all types of modern art though. Some aren't quite what you would want in a house. So Taylor and I made our way to the museum.

Fun fact: no backpacks or pens. Pencils are allowed though.

First stop- the permanent collection and works on loan. Book with Wings, a metal sculpture. Paintings. Photographs. All types of sculptures, on the wall, on the floor, in the air. Across the way, I see a painting I like with little creatures. Upon further inspection, they're gay. Hmmph, onto the next one. Some works from Jackson Pollock, one of my favorites. One room after the next. Always another room. Don't miss one. I missed a couple but made my way back to them.

Exhibition one: Robert Lazzarini's Focus. That will mess with your head. It was like trying to see, right after waking up, without glasses. The irony of the name, so hard to focus.

Exhibition two: Ed Ruscha's Road Tested. What a wonderful idea. Such a wide variety of art. Paintings, photos, books, drawings, a movie. A very large collection, taking up almost an entire floor.

More of the permanent- sculptures, and Sean Scully's "Catherine," well many Catherines. I hope Sean's wife's name was Catherine or else I would predict some problems in the home.

The reflection pond, how tranquil. What a wide range of emotions throughout the outing. Sad. Happy. Awe. Wonder. Confused. Neutral. A painting that made me think of The Little Mermaid. A sculpture that reminded me of a high school art project involving melted crayons. Unique medias- candy, gun powder, Pepto-bismol. Interesting.

I often found myself seeing a work of art, and then I'd quickly rush to the little placard. Who is the artist? What is it made of? Is there info about its back story? What's the name? Then I'd step back to try and take the whole thing. Then I'd see something else. Rush off  to something else. Wait, what was that last one again? Go back. Move on. Too much to see. Don't worry though, I'll be back.


I finally upload my pictures from the outing so I thought I'd add it to my post. Go a little multimedia on this thing. I keep wanting to add to it. Twisted bumpers- I made a metal man once. My mother didn't know what to do with it, so it's in the backyard. Maybe that artist didnt' know what to do with it, so he put it in a museum. I find modern art relatable.