Life — March 5, 1908 — page 3: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ye aia A Look Into the Millennium EROME K. JEROME, who has come J to New York, confirms the cabled re- port that he has given up writing books because the Carnegie libraries have put him out of business. As an earnest student of the drama and its rewards, he has fallen back on his humbler but more profitable trade of playwright—illustrating anew the wisdom of the old caution that literature is a poor staff to lean on. At last reports our American novelists were still demonstrating that excess of vitality deplored by the London Saturday Review, by working overtime. It is ap- parent that the Iron-master’s specialized philanthropy has not yet wrought them that injury which Mr. Jerome has suffered in the country towns of England; but is it not only a question of time when that necessary of mental life, the American novel, will be borrowed from the public libraries, rather than bought? The question presents a curious and complicated economic problem akin to the overproduction of gold as related to the increase in the cost of living. Until some light is thrown upon it by one of our rersatile President's illuminating essays or addresses, we shall leave it to be threshed over by the literary clubs of Brooklyn and Jersey City during the long winter evenings. As a subject of inquiry and debate it will be found alluring alike to practical and to speculative minds. Will the reduction in the number of our novelists be a blessing or a calamity? May not the vicious vitality of those among them thrown out of work express itself in some less useful form of act in poetry, for example? May not ‘the whole tribe of them form a trust, and make the price of the novel prohibitive to the poor? Or will Mr. Camegie himself come to the rescue, now that the Peace Congress has taken a permanent recess? An author himself, he must see his re- ibility to authors. Will he abandon his biblio-benefactions, and leave the tax- Payers to their own devices? We trow not. then, he has but one recourse—to sow our cities and our rural free delivery Toutes with slot machines, thus hastening the millennium for novelists and novel- aders, and forwarding his progress to that poverty which is ever his dream and his goal. Aureas Mediocritas ETTY talent prints its small conceit, signs it with a flourish, and goes forth shoutin g, “Extra!” Nor does the general FRANKLIN 1. Light Weight—No power wasted carrying useless bulk. 2. Air Cooling—N o freezing, no overheating. 3. Easy Riding—Wood frame and full elliptic springs absorb shocks. 4. Economy — Tire expense cut down; less fuel used. 5. Durability—Laboratory -tested ma- terials save repair expense. Experience tells the story i An Unprejudiced Verdict aly on end i. 'D) will ov oot theecrecavered HES HONIN. | Aiytaait Pe er cooled car have ea 217 W. LEHIGH AVENUE, "| aa” excellent rooled ear too. — auncoiadoR DELPMiaY Fa DoccLas, ov tow a city, 8 Tough Miles The engine will not get bot. Aboot tw age tran the cat elebt calles throagh atx f the greatest 1 view FORK CITY. you of The Best of 9 8T. LOUIS, Mo. Crosbie 10,500 Miles, No Repairs Seoude CUSHMAN SID. we DUDLEY ST, BOSTON MASS. Cooling can dTe Eranbline remained shroaghout the three hours of the proceaston | Bits aD ABS: their water away I lee city. Reliability 38 h:p. Tou F. hip. Touriog-car or Hovebout Fourrcylinder Landes! Bix-cylinger Limousi Prices Lo.b. 8yrac Cylinder Touring-car, 42 b.., $4000 Send for catalogue No. 22 H. H. FRANKLIN MANUFACTURING CO., Syracuse, N. Y. Member Association Licensed Automobile Manufacturers THE TRUNK “¥¢7et* GUARANTEE For Spring and Summer Travel select a trunk that will be a comfort, backed by a guarantee. P&S “HoLps- ALL” WARDROBE TRUN! spl types, satisty every mm 4 LIFE’S BRIDGE PAD requirement for tran! comfort and) serviceabil- Hamorously illustrated by Life's Artists and partments ae In home — lithographed in ten colors on “Rad-Bridge” three- Closet and bureau without 7 rubber form. Copyright Life Pub, Co. and “Rad- wrinkling or mussing; are (= Bridge” registration. 35 cents; 3 for $1.00. exceptionally some and durable. $2 and up. Seed petal for Illestrated booklet Write for art catalogue. Of alt dealers, or sent direct, postpaid, om receipt of price. THE J. F. PARKHURST & SON COMPANY Factories: 283 Main Street, Bangor, Maine RADCLIFFE & CO. New York, 144 Pearl Street, and London, E. C, THE TRUNK YH"2* GUARANTEE 233 THE TRUNK **+7e* GUARANTEE comicbooks.com