Life, 1904-12-15 · page 9 of 44
Life — December 15, 1904 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a satirical musical number mocking corporate and political corruption. The central cartoon depicts a demonic figure (labeled "Gas" — likely referencing utility companies) surrounded by smaller devils representing "Policy-Holders" and insurance companies. They're performing at what appears to be a "Sunday School" (marked on a banner), creating an ironic contrast between moral instruction and immoral behavior. The lyrics, attributed to characters like "Addicks" and "Lawson," mock insurance executives and gas company officials as sinners who exploit the public. The satire targets the era's corporate scandals involving utilities and insurance fraud. The "Grand Finale" suggests this exposes widespread corruption as systemic rather than isolated — "we're all in the same old boat" implies complicity extends across the entire industry.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bouquets are showered on him jrom all quarters, while he puts William and John through the drill, and Tom Lawson mounts ona pedestal in one corner where all can sce him, and begins to dictate the next installment tn a loud voice. At this moment the tramp of countless fect ts heard and a large army of policy- holders enters, cach one with his policy strapped on his back. They gather round Lawson and sing. Concerto oF Poticy-HoLpErs. What means this awful fuss you're making, As in our shoes we're loudly quaking? Oh, Thomas, Thomas Lawson, you're a human scare-head, sure Can it be true that all insurance Is simply sapping our endurance? Can it be true the Companies have not one motive pure? , Thomas, Thomas Lawson, are you a giant fake, A liar and a horse thief, as we stand here and quake? The policy-holders, subdued and shame- jaced, then shrink away by themselves *LIF Es in a corner, and prepare unanimously to pay their next premiums, when sud- denly a vast shudder goes over the entire company as “Gas” Addicks is seen 10 approach stealthily, in one hand a bag labeled “ Bay State Gas” and other a stiletto. tr the Sone or True WIckEDNEss. Abpicks. Deep and dark are my devious ways, I glory in my deceit ; I'ma perfect devil in every phase, A villain that's hard to beat. I make this disclosure With much composure, “Gas” And a certain sense of urbanity; As a Simon Pure sinner I know I’m a winner, Which somehow appeals to my vanity. Calm and cool is my sinister mind, I revel in shady tricks ; I'm an innocent party when so inclined, And smile when I'm given kicks. With no hesitation Or sense of evasion 623 I state that I'm bad with asperity ; For 'twould be scarcely civil To act like the devil, And hide it all under a verity. Cnorus. He admits he’s a winner with much urbanity, And insists he's a sinner to please his vanity. This song seems to produce the right effect upon all concerned, Without more ado, Lawson comes down jrom his perch and puts his arm affectionately around each actor, Ajter which they alé join hands, jorm in line and sing. Granp Finace. By THE Company. Enough for all is the glory, Ard the advertising, too, And no matter how rotten our story, There are plenty of fools to do. So we'll sing and prance and revel and dance, and over our victims gloat, While our coffers are crammed and the Public is damned— For we're all in the same old boat. Curtain. Tom Masson. comichooks.coyu)