Life, 1908-07-09 · page 9 of 20
Life — July 9, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical comics critiquing early 20th-century American economics. **"Fisherman's Luck"** (top) depicts a fisherman repeatedly casting his line with minimal success—a visual metaphor for futile effort, likely referencing failed business ventures or economic schemes. **"Trust"** (bottom) addresses corporate monopolies. The text explains that converting heathens through religious salvation was expensive ($602-$1263 per person), and when a corporation took over this "business," economies of scale created enormous cost savings. The satire criticizes how corporations prioritize profit over humanitarian or religious principles, and how consumers suffer when monopolies control markets. The attribution to "Ramsey Benson" suggests this reflects contemporary debates over trust-busting and corporate power in America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Fisherman's Luck HE moment the trust principle was ap- plied to missionary work and the entire business of converting the heathen was taken over by one corporation the econ- omy was enormous. The average cost of saving a soul fell from $692.57 to $126.13. But those who had hitherto made their living by the sale of salvation were hard hit. The small dealer, especially, could not in the least meet the new conditions and was crowded out. Much distress resulted and the Federal Government was appealed to; but further than that the President made the matter the subject of seventy or eighty special messages, nothing was done. The consumer, obviously, was better off, and when has not his interest been para- mount in the economic world ? Ramsey Benson. comicbooks.com