Life — June 11, 1908 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Page 640: Life Magazine Satire This page contains two satirical pieces from Life's "In Their Earlier Years" section, featuring historical photographs paired with humorous anecdotes. **"The Only Way"** mocks a Martian visitor's confusion about Earth's economic system. The wretch cannot understand why coal exists underground but poor people cannot access it—especially when "a few men" own it and lack money to buy it anyway. The satire targets private property rights and wealth inequality: the absurdity of resources existing but being inaccessible to those in need. **"Important"** and **"The Long and Short of It"** are brief humorous exchanges about teaching and clothing. The identifiable figures include Joaquin Miller, Lotta Crabtree, Clara Morris, Whitelaw Reid, and Charles A. Dana—all prominent 19th-century figures shown in their younger years.