Life, 1904-05-19 · page 10 of 28
Life — May 19, 1904 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early 20th-century labor organizing and women's roles. A society woman confesses her maid has joined the "Housemaids' Union," demanding better wages and conditions. The "All-Around Unionist" section mocks a carpenter accused of being an unfair workman because his wife does domestic labor. He defends himself through various union memberships—asserting unions represent ALL workers, even those doing traditional "women's work." The bottom cartoon depicts someone reluctant to adopt the "idea of throwing rice at wedding couples," suggesting resistance to emerging labor protections or new social practices. The satire targets unions as absurdly expanding into every aspect of life, while also mocking bourgeois anxiety about workers' organizing and women's economic independence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
482 Confessions of a Society Bud. HIS morning I rose at eleven, an hour earlier than usual. Lord Shambler came at eleven-thir and asked me to marry him, I could not give him my answer as I Fad not he Duke. The Duke is more ex- pensive, but I think worth the differ- ence, I read the morning papers and was greatly disappointed to s four times. © my name mentioned But then, there are only four real newspapers. Percy came in at noon and we opened asmall bottle. I must cut myself down to two quarts a day. Percy wi He had a new brand of cigarettes. I discharged my maid at noon, 1 caught her reading Tolstoi in the dre: ing-room. No socialistic ideas for me! She would have been reading the Bible next. Took a drive at four and caught a as it is, worth while to- -LIFE- glimpse of the Duke. He bowed very sweetly. He certainly is cheap at a million. The moment he steps into papa’s office they are to telephone me. Poor papa! He is worried for fear the Duke will hold out for a million and a half. Ir y believe Percy is in love with me. He told me to-day that after I had captured the Duke, he hoped I would be good to him. I feel very tired to-night. I had to dress myself for dinner. I do not know what I shall do if Iam not able to get a new maid to- morrow, I am ‘aid the care and responsibility of dressing myself will be too much for me. But courage ! Life, after all, is full of trials. Poor mama! She will be horrified when she hears what I have done. Addison Fox, Jr. An All-Around Unionist. “ HAT? I an unfair work- man?" exclain penter, bewildered by accusation, The committee nodded a sol- emn assent. “T never heard of suct It's not so, Why, gentlemen always been the staunchest union hing! man. I’ve never even patronized a non-union beggar, penter, path protested the car- “But you ‘ged with letting a patch on your pants," ,condemn: ar wife put insisted the committ “Well, why not? penter, with the assu the right. ‘She's a member of the jloresses’ Union."’ rily. retorted the car- ance of a manin That is different,’ acknowl- edged the committce, weakening a litle. ‘But permitting her to cook “T can show you her membership card in the Cooks’ Union," offered the carpent onfidently. “That's all right, then,'’ the com- mittee owned up, sadly.‘ But we are reliably informed that you allow her to sweep, and dust, and make the beds, and do all the housework in your home."” “Well, who says she doesn’t keep her dues in the Housemaids’ Union paid up demanded the carpenter, beginning to feel pretty safe. “Then she has a right to, undoubt- edly,”” admitted the committee, regret- fully. ‘But we hear that you don't object when she spanks the children.” “Is there a Kid Spankers' Union?"" asked the carpenter, anxiously, “And that she won't let you spend your evenings and wages in the union saloons,"’ continued the committee, re- lentlessly pressing their advantage. “Sure thing,”” agreed the carpenter, “Well, what union does she belong to that makes her your and the chil- dren's boss?’ demanded the committee, triumphantly. “‘The most ancient and honorable of them all,” asserted the carpenter, man- fully. Wait a second, gentlemen, and I'll show you her marriage certif cate.” Alex, Ricketts. Furnishings of an Intellectual House. BUREAU of information. A table of contents. Chairs of research, ence, etc, Cabinet of diploma: Range of ideas Stand of dignity. Pantry full of food for thought. nguage, sci- The Groom: \"D LAKE TO CATCH THE MAN WHO GOT UP THE IDEA OF THROWING RICE AT WEDDING covrtes, comicbooks.com