Life, 1905-06-01 · page 29 of 52
Life — June 1, 1905 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains theatrical satire and poetry from an early 1900s issue. The main cartoon "Trust Methods" mocks theatrical monopolies—specifically, a producer has hired one performer (Miss Centipede) to replace an entire ballet corps, representing corporate consolidation in entertainment. The accompanying editorial text criticizes the "dramatic art corner" controlled by "ignorant perjurers and brutal plug-uglies" (theatrical thugs/corrupt operators), lamenting the 1904-05 season's artistic decline due to monopoly control. It expresses faith that American press and public will break this stranglehold. A secondary item defends Life's editorial stance, reiterating the magazine makes no religious distinctions—addressing accusations (from unnamed newspapers) that Life discriminates against Jewish contributors. The page also features "Villanelle," a romantic poem by Emma Klayter Seabury about Christmas gift-giving, and a lower cartoon ("Beyond Control") depicting cherubs losing control of a fire hose—unrelated to the theatrical critique above.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
arose a feeling of disgust and indignation which is only just beginning to make itself felt, The sight of so delicatea commodity as dramatic art cornered by ignorant perjurers and brutal plug-uglies is having its effect. The corner may seem so complete as to be unas- sailable, but the American press and the American public acting together in their might will find a way to break it, If the season of 1904-'05 has been a bad one from the artistic point of view, it may prove, after all, to have had its uses. . . . WOULD-BE contributor to LIFE winds up a recent letter with 1 was born and raised a Hebrew and do not wish to approach you under false pretenses, if your ideas on the subject, as some newspapers seem to intimate, are against allowing them toserve you asindividuals.” Which is a good illustration of the comparative speed of a lie and the truth. Once more Lire reiterates the statement that it makes no distinction* between Jew, Christian, Turk or Infidel. Metcalfe. Villanelle. HAT shall I send to my love to-night ? Spirit of Christmas give me aid ; What will be beautiful in her sight ? What will take her the most delight, And touch the heart of a bachelor maid ? What shall I send to my love to-night ? How can | woo her to leave her height ? My Queen of Clubs, Iam sore afraid; What would be beautiful in her sight ? Rings and jewels she views with spite, Money is wasted for flowers that fade, What shall I send to my love to-night ? Books and pictures may seem all right, But the shrine is holy my gifts invade. What would be beautiful in her sight ? Dearest, my yule log burns so bright ; My heart I send that it may persuade ; It is all I have for my love to-night. Will it be beautiful in her sight ? Emma Klayter Seabury, 0 CFO SS: oN TRUST METHODS. Hamlet Hum (the noted tragedian) : \ TELL YOU, FELLOWS, THIS MONOPOLY BUSINESS 18 GETTING TO BE SOMETHING FIERCE, WERE THEY'VE MIRED MISS CENTIPEDE TO TAKE THR PLACE OF THE ENTIRE BALLET. BEYOND CONTROL, comicbooks.com