Judge, 1903-05-16 · page 3 of 16
Judge — May 16, 1903 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes corporate litigation strategies. The main article "LITIGATION DISCOURAGED" critiques how American Heat, Light, and Power Company uses legal tactics to intimidate private citizens and public officials from filing suits—specifically referencing a successful libel case against accountants over financial statements. The accompanying illustration "SHEER WASTE" depicts a domestic scene where Mrs. Brown shares gossip with Mrs. Jones, mocking the company's aggressive legal posture. The lower cartoon "BEYOND SOLUTION" shows children discussing Ferdinand McDougal as "a horrible example," suggesting social shame from litigation. The satire targets corporate power abuse: using lawsuits to suppress criticism rather than address legitimate grievances, silencing opponents through legal intimidation rather than merit-based defense.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LITIGATION DISCOURAGED. T THE annual meeting of the stockholders of the American heat, light, power and transportation company, held in Jersey City, yester- day, the secretary's report contained this: “ Litigation against the com- pany by private persons, as well as by public officials, has decreased. This is due possi- bly to our attitude of determined re- sistance to every suit in which we are defendants. The last action by a private person was ended in our favor by the con- viction of the plain- tiff for criminal libel against the ac- countants who cer- tified our annual financial state- ment; and the at- tempt of the state of South Ohio to cancel our charter for alleged in- fringement of the anti-trust laws was checked by the im- peachment of the governor and the attorney - general, as well as by that of the entire court- of-appeals bench, which had decided against us unan- loud cheers. imously, for conspiracy" Here the secretary was. interrupted by os] SUPPOSE that Miss Dymonds sent for her doctor when she fell on the stage and broke her arm ?* “No; she sent for her press-agent.” NO TRAIL, iE crime,” soT! T declares the great detective, “was evidently committed by a woman.” “An!” says the listener. “And do you expect to discover her trail?” “No,” asserts the wise sleuth. “And 1 will tell you why. My de- ductions impel me to the belief that the woman wore a rainy-day skirt.” HER TRICK, 6sTHAT is Mr. T Jones, who will shortly lead Mrs. Weed to the altar.” “Yes? After which she will take the lead and he will simply follow suit.” PICKED UP THE TRAIL. VERY softly the young man en- ters the hall. He hears the voice of his loved one in the parlor. “Aha!” he thinks. “I will steal in unawares and surprise her.” Cautiously he starts toward that room, when his footsteps are ar- policeman. SHEER WASTE. Mrs. Brown—" It's simply a waste of time telling Mrs. Jones a secret.” Mrs. Surmm— Yes; she never repeats anything she hears.”” rested by her father, For she is the daughter of a “Hold !" cries her father. “Iam onto you. You shall not have any further conversation with my daughter. You are a beat.” Crestfallen, the young man turns; but a thought strikes him, and he hisses as he leaves, “Tam not your beat, or you never would have gotten onto me.” Wie i i i eee Trent, BEYOND SOLUTION. Dat Ferdinand McDougall Is certainly a horrible example.” Widout 2 doubt. Every girl in de block hez tried ter do him an’ can't."* Macate. Karie— comicbooks.com