Life, 1905-10-05 · page 37 of 44
Life — October 5, 1905 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a story satirizing **monopolistic control by utility companies**, specifically gas companies, in early 20th-century America. The protagonist, Bilter, disputes a gas bill and is punished with systematic corporate retaliation: his milk, water, newspapers, and transportation are cut off—revealing how a single monopoly (or cartel of companies with shared stockholders) can control essential services. The butcher won't serve him because he's running for mayor and fears the Gas Company's influence. The satire's point: ordinary citizens are helpless against corporate power. Only when Bilter pays the disputed bill does the Gas Company president—portrayed as deceptively genteel and paternalistic—restore his access to basic necessities via a single telephone call. The joke is bitter: Bilter gains nothing except the "privilege" of being exploited again, celebrated as if granted a favor by "free and enlightened civilization." This reflects real Progressive Era concerns about utility monopolies and their stranglehold on American life.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
I DEAEF: The manager leaned over the counter, “Sorry,” he said; “ you know we are only a branch.” “What? Are you controlled by that cursed Gas Com- pany?” Well, in part. Same stockholders, I believe. fault, I assure you.”” Bilter strode home boiling. That night he and his wife went to bed by the light of a tallow dip. The next morning the butcher's wagon didn’t stop at the house. Bilter went down to market himself. ‘What's the matter, Mr. Bonebur? Your man didn't call this morning.” “No, Sorry.” “Well, give me a nice porterhouse."” Sorry, sir. 'Gainst orders. ‘Good heavens! Are you one of the stockholders of that blankety blank Gas Company ? “Ob, no, Sir. But I'm running for mayor, you know, and they notified me—" “Oh, I see.” Bilter hurried back to the house. No milk had come. The water had been turned off. The butter and egg man drove by without stopping. There was no newspaper on the front step. “Put on your clothes,” he go to town for dinner and stay lawyer.’ Mrs. Bilter hurried on her clothes and they the railroad station. first of the month, Bilter stepped up to buy a The agent shook his head. sorry. Can't sell you transportation.” ? Gas Company and Railroad Company in same combine? “Looks that way.” “All right He turned away savagely. The train puffed in. Bilter started to help his wife on. Their way was barred by a polite conductor and two brakemen. “Sorry, sir; against orders.”’ Bilter turned sorrowfully away as the train went off. “It's no use, my dear,” he said; ‘we're up against it. You go back to the house, and I'll report later, Then he called on the Gas Company. *«Ts the president in ? “Yes, sir. You'll find him in his private office. Bilter entered. — A_ polished-looking, _white-bearded, fatherly man greeted him with a bright smil “Good morning, sir. Happy New Year. “Happy devits! My name is Bilter. Last month your company tried to rob me of about ten dollars, which I re- fused to pay. Yesterday my meter was taken out, and to- day I’m being starved out of my own home. “You shock me, sir. What is the amount of your bill? 2 “Eighteen dollars and thirty-one cents. Here it is The president rang a bell, se Take this out and get a receipt. Be seated, sir.”” Bilter stood in silence, In a few moments the clerk re- turned with the receipt. The president examined it and handed it over to his guest. “How do I know,” said Bilter, ‘*that this will fix mat- ters ?”” * Wait and see.”” The president took down the telephone receiver on his desk. It was a private affair, and evidently only one man was behind it. Then the president said to the unknown: ‘Release Bilter."” Turning to that individual, who was making his way out, he said, smilingly : “Good morning, ‘sir. Glad you called. Your graceful visit will have its reward, for you are once more entitled to all the blessings that a free and enlightened civilization can bestow upon you." 7. M. Not my aid to his wife, ‘‘ and we'll it a hotel until I can see my started for EXTRAVAGANZA! : Entanctep! (Early Era Entertainments.) (Epitomized Edition.) Everybody Enumerated : Entertainer. Envoy. Extras : elephants, emus, eagles, elks, ete. Envtronment: Eden's Everglades. E ch enraptured ! Ss emanatil elongated, enjoys Entertaine s Xpatiations. Sxamining emus, clephants, cagles, elks, etc., Eden's encircling estuaries, Earth's engendered everglades, every existing clement—each enthuses, cach effuses. (Epochs elapse.) jon —extraordinarily espie envious. Envenomed, excogi enemy evolves enterprises. Entanglement: ferberries embower Evi antly exhibiting catables. Enter Eve xquisite empress, even. E encounters enemy elucidates E: clusively, * Eden's emerald eye, enthralled il, euphoniously. Evil expounds eruditely—entic- ing edibilities ! Eve, enamoured, eats. ¢ long Entertainer enters. med Entertainer, i ve, anted, aims Entertainer, evidently exorcised. Sminence,” echoes Evil, effusively. cruciating effulgence! Enter (ex-machina) Evan- al Envoy: Explain!" enounces embarrassed, equivocates. i al Envoy Entertainer employs exp! * Enough enjoins Exalted Emissary.‘ Evacuate." xpostulating, Entertainer crating. Evil, exultant. Eden evanes! Epitocu Elysium, erstwhile eternal, evaporated ; den’s entity entirely eradicated Envoy’s edict extremely exacting Eve's Entertainer Earth's earning: Evil e’er eloquent ' Enchanting, ethereal—ergo—errati {Enp.] extracting ; Maurice Pratt Dunlap. comicbooks.com