The Inquiring Photographer Asks New Yorkers In 1920 – Is Mars Inhabited?

Asking people what they don’t know is a sure way to get wrong answers.

The New York Daily News once had a feature called The Inquiring Photographer. It’s a journalistic gimmick to take the pulse of citizens on what they think about issues.

When asking a question like “should dog owners be compelled to purchase pet licenses” or “what should the city do to curtail garbage” – would seem reasonable, because everyone has an opinion. When you start asking about facts or about subjects people are not qualified to express an opinion about is when this type of article goes awry.

Asking the average person in 1920 if Mars is inhabited falls into the ludicrous category. People were not stupid in 1920, but just like today, most people were scientifically ignorant.

Not surprisingly, no one who’s response was printed simply replies, “I don’t know.” But one man, F. Raymond McMillen gives an answer close to that.

THE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER
Every Day He Asks A Question And Pictures Those Questioned:

THE QUESTION,
Is Mars Inhabited?

THE PLACE.
Herald Square.

THE ANSWERS.

Howard R. Browne, fifty-nine  200 Fifth avenue,  appraiser:
“It is. Not only is Mars inhabited, but also other bodies in the solar system. The Almighty wouldn’t  have created so much waste space. There is life everywhere.”

Miss Jane Wedden, thirty-two, Imperial Hotel, milliner:
“Yes. All planets are inhabited, for they are similar to the earth, and it is unlikely that the earth should be the only one to evolve life. There is life in some form everywhere.”

F. Raymond McMillen, twenty- five, 788 Sumner avenue, Newark, architect:
“It is impossible to say.  Nobody has been there yet, nor has any evidence been obtained that there is life on the the planet. One guess is as good as another.

Miss Betty Taber, thirty-two, Pennsylvania Hotel, dress designer:
“Yes. I believe in the survival of the spirit, and in reincarnation. If spirits are reincarnated, they couldn’t all be on this earth, and they must be somewhere else.’’

Ben Levine, twenty-seven, 10 East 107th street, salesman:
“No.  If it was we would have heard from them before  this. There are many ways for communication with the outside world, yet none has brought word from Mars.”

source: New York Daily News September 13, 1920 page 15