Life — November 28, 1907 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Death of King Credit" This satirical poem and accompanying illustrations critique financial corruption during what appears to be the early 20th century. The verse uses a nursery-rhyme format to identify six figures blamed for killing "King Credit": 1. **The Grafter** - represents corrupt officials 2. **The Trust** - personifies monopolistic corporations 3. **The Street** - refers to financial district speculators/gamblers 4. **H.I.** - appears to be a specific political figure (possibly with "bond issue eye") 5. **The Crowd** - the fearful public 6. **Tom Lawson** - identified as "Hailing from Bawson" [Boston], likely a real contemporary financier or reformer The accompanying prose section discusses a verdict against "all the defendants" involving fines, suggesting this responds to actual financial scandal litigation. The satire blames various economic actors—politicians, corporations, speculators, and mob mentality—for destroying financial confidence.