Life, 1904-04-28 · page 14 of 20
Life — April 28, 1904 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main illustration depicts a boxing match labeled "TIME TRUSTS US," with an angelic figure (representing idealism or innocence) fighting muscular, brutish opponents representing cynicism or corruption. The caption reads "Give us time and we will knock them all out." This satirizes the optimism of Progressive Era reformers—likely alluding to President Roosevelt's trust-busting efforts and anti-corruption campaigns. The cartoon mocks the naive faith that good intentions and time alone can defeat entrenched corruption, suggesting the struggle is more physically brutal and uncertain than reformers admit. The page itself is a book review section, with the cartoon introducing commentary on detective fiction and romance novels—genres the reviewer notes appeal to readers' "unspoiled innocence" before they learn that suspicion signals guilt. The irony connects: just as detective readers eventually lose faith in narrative innocence, so too may reformers discover their optimistic crusades face harder resistance than imagined.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
US TIME AND Wr WILL KNOCK THEM ALL OUT Philip G. Hubert is a lover of out-of-doors who has had the courage of his convictions, and who expounds his theory and explains his practice in Liberty and a Living, ‘The book is instructive, because Mr. Hubert may be said to have lost his case by taking the stand in his own defence. Soon or / we all pass through what may be called the detec tive-story period. This is a condition which implies an unspoiled innocence and an elastic resiliency of faith, Unfortunately, we soon discover that for suspicion to fall upon any character in any chapter but the last is pri c of innocence, and thenceforward Wilkie nappin . too, has not been idle, His book is a two-hundred Collins hi abypnotist. The Darrow Enigma is a HE German Kaiser and President Roosevelt having established literary activity as one of the outward and visible signs of up-to-date statesmanship, George B, McClellan is not to be caught F mmary of fourteen $ of history called The Oligarch detective story with ally good plot, and is recommended to of Venice, and is as full of names and dates as black raspberry jini the faith-foll, Itis by Melvie L is full .. Severy, who, by the way, really should read up on criminal procedure In writing the vosert# for the English Men of Letters In reading Si Mortimer, Mary Johnston's romance of Queen Fliza- ies, Mr. Arthur ems to have undertaken at once a i hee Magan Vinee a, i ) beth her court and Sir Mortimer Ferne his adventures, his perilous faring ateful and P Grateful, in that it has offered him over seas in courteous company with gentlemen piraticos, his knightly analyzin : asing, in that it necessitated a review of F tti's life. The phica ati book is dull colorless and pe! deeds and dolorous mist es, nd anon reminded of what an old colored woman once said toa friend of ours: ** Law! Miss Mary,” sh “you do talk so grand!” J.B. Kerfoot and thorou John I, Whitson’s sec { Western life, The Rainbor Chasers, is a promi dvance fiction. Zhe Ry George B. McClellan, (How, patchy in construction and decided alin pl the char, Zhe y Ghateres Hynjone WsWhiuon (UittlesHrowe € men, and the scenes are described with verve and colo aap aad acters are live men, and the scenes are described with verve and color, By Philip G. Hubert. New edition. (G. P In these days, when the light of idealized nature books shines both ie Selvin M upon the just and upon the it is occasionally salutary to remind By Melt see: Sete ourselves of what the real thing would be like as a steady diet. Sir + By Mary Johnston. (Harper and Brothers, $1.50.) comicbooks.com