Life — April 16, 1903 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Burial of the Trusts" This political cartoon depicts two figures in formal dress (top hats and coats) appearing to conduct a funeral service for a pig. Birds fly overhead, and mountains appear in the background. The caption references "THE BURIAL OF THE TRUST." This is likely anti-trust satire from the Progressive Era (early 1900s), when monopolistic business "trusts" were major political targets. The pig likely represents corporate greed or corrupt business practices. The formal "burial" suggests either: 1. Celebration that trusts are finally being eliminated through government action, or 2. Satirical mockery that despite claims of reform, trusts continue thriving The specific figures are unclear from the image alone, though they appear to be political or business leaders. The cartoon critiques the era's major political debate over whether trust-busting efforts were genuine or merely performative.