Life, 1908-08-20 · page 9 of 22
Life — August 20, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on **urban slums** in late 19th/early 20th century America. The main illustration shows wealthy gentlemen observing poor conditions, with one boasting he'll "pay five hundred dollars for dose birds" rather than help the impoverished. The "Slums" text section critiques how privileged society views slums as useful—providing material for writers, amusement for the wealthy, and justification for philanthropy—rather than addressing actual suffering. It sarcastically notes that despite repeated failed efforts to eliminate slums, the wealthy have no "sense of duty or civic pride." The dialogue between Bobbie and Mrs. Vox Blumes satirizes superficial society gossip, contrasting trivial social commentary with the serious social conditions depicted above.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Einstcin (showing friend his new country estate): vai, 1 SMUST PAID CUDT FIFE HUNDERT TOLLARS FOR DOSE BIRDS, Rosenblum (the wag): DOT'S A BRETTY GOOT BRICE TO MAY FOR DOWN ON DE SWANY RIVER, Slums pt your trust orly in cinches LUMS, regarded as a necessity, are raised in all large cities and cultivated by the whole people. As a rule, they require but little care, being ex- tremely hardy, and having once taken root, spread rapidly. Slums are useful in many ways. They furnish material for writers on political economy, enabling ortably, Slums also on, and furnish a never ending source of amusement for philanthropists. They are indispensable for settlement workers. They are also invaluable for physic ing these specialists with diseases. Lappiness for the well-to-do, as the distant contemplation of them affords the necessary contrast to the most complete en- joyment. Without them there would scarcely be any real melodrama Several times foolish people have tried to get rid of the: not realizing that, although very expensive, they are ir persable. Without them we would have no sense of duty or civic pride. _ OBBIE: That Mrs. Castleton sail something nice about you Mrs.. Von Buumer (purring): What was it, Bobbie? “ She said you didn't show your age.” “COME QUICK, HENRY, DraR, BABY’s cur a root!’* comicbooks.com