Life, 1908-09-17 · page 17 of 24
Life — September 17, 1908 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces: **"By the Way" column** (top right): Brief social commentary criticizing a Boston man's desire to eliminate "Yours truly" from correspondence. The writer argues some superfluities are harmless and worth keeping. **Main commentary**: Discusses Thomas W. Lawson's public criticism of the New York Stock Exchange's business practices. Lawson, apparently a financial figure, has attracted controversy. The writer sarcastically suggests that Lawson's attacks on the Exchange—intended to reform it—might be so damaging they'll force its closure entirely. **Bottom cartoon**: A small illustration of a beetle or insect holding an engagement ring, captioned about proposing to "Arabella." This appears to be a humorous non-sequitur or advertisement. The page's core satire concerns financial reform: whether Lawson's crusade against Stock Exchange corruption serves legitimate purposes or merely discredits the institution itself.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
299 By the Way MAN in Bos- ton wishes to eliminate “Yours truly " from all cor- respondence, as being untrue and superfluous. Why not let a few superfluous things still remain? It is the si fluow after all. NCE it took over the Thomas W son's operations have cast discredit upon its methods of doing business Perhaps Lawson has a good purpose, however. Maybe he is doing so much to discredit the Stock change that it will eventually have to be closed. 1 yFouND MENT RING; I'LL PROPOSE TO ARABELLA To: Nicnr. comicbooks.com