Life, 1906-05-17 · page 9 of 28
Life — May 17, 1906 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon mocks the dangers and hazards of early automobile use. The illustration shows a treacherous obstacle course titled "The Opening of the Automobile Season," depicting various road hazards: rough tire batteries, rapid fires for checking tires, barbed wire, and ditches. The accompanying text criticizes "muck rakes"—reformers who expose social problems—for their denunciations of these hazards. The satire suggests that while reformers complain about automobile dangers, the vehicles themselves and poor road conditions remain the real threats. A sign declares "AUTOISITS MAY SPEED AS FAST AS THEY WISH ALONG THIS ROAD," ironically mocking inadequate safety regulations. The dialogue shows exasperation that only one automobile is available for use, highlighting the era's scarcity and high demand for these new vehicles despite their obvious dangers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OmMees STRETCM Laver Reno Fon NRnoio Fine Barreay Nron Pimemg Nay, Not So ‘The denunciations of these muck rakers have reached such a point that a reaction has set in, and eth they find t resent a just picture, but of he expense of fact and at the expense of Villiam H. Toft . The muck rake has done good work, and is still at it. THE OPENING OF THE AUTOMOBILE SEASON It is the basis of all reform, The first step toward improvement is the discovery and ventilation of shortcomings. The muck rake is one of the safe- guards of liberty, to say nothing of progress. In Russia, for instance, the muck rake is suppressed. At the Garage OY: Mr. Smith is telephoning for his machine. Can you send it to him : Don’t see how we can Why his machine is the only one around here fit to use! comicbooks.com