Life, 1909-02-11 · page 19 of 28
Life — February 11, 1909 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces from *Life* magazine: **Top cartoon**: Shows a tailor fitting a woman's dress, with dialogue about a "perfect match" and "popular shade"—likely satirizing high society's obsession with fashion trends and superficial matching. **"Death of Little Infant Industry"**: An allegorical story mourning the decline of American domestic manufacturing. "Little Infant Industry" represents protected American businesses; "Uncle Sam" tends it like a dying child. The imagery of free-falling steel rails and cheap Australian wool references tariff debates of the era. "Joe Cannon" (likely Speaker Joseph Cannon) and "father Gary" appear as mourners. The satire critiques free trade policies undermining American industry protection—a major political debate in early 20th-century America. **"Sugaring Him Off"**: A brief satirical jab at President Charles Eliot, suggesting he's been excessively flattered during recent speeches, yet retains substance beneath the flattery. The page reflects Progressive-era anxieties about trade policy and industrial decline.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“YES, MISS, A PERFECT MATCH! VERY LATEST THING, SWELL SOCIETY Death of Little Infant Industry ITTLE Infant Industry was dying. There could be no doubt of that. The snow was falling outside in a soft white blanket, covering the earth with its fleecy mantle. Down in the great harbor the steel rails were coming in free, free, and way off somewhere in Australia little lambs were getting ready to shed wool which some day would come in without the slightest sense of duty to anyone. The lights were turned low. Little Infant Industry raised himself and looked around. Yes, dear old Joe Can- non was there, and father Gary and all the other mourners. They looked at YoU CAN’T DO BETTER LADIES ARE ANYWHERE, ALL IN Love witit 11.” each other solemnly. There didn’t seem to te much to say after all. Little In- fant Industry was indeed passing away. The clock ticked on the mantle. It could now be bought as cheap here as anywhere else, and somehow the clock knew it, as it chirked merrily away to itself. Uncle Sam came in and rubbed his hands softly. He thought of the long dreary years he had been bringing up Little Infant Industry. It seemed hard now to part with him. But some things had to be. A tear fell from his eye. But he checked it, and forced a smile. “ Never mind, little one,’’ he said, “it will all be well with you.’ “T hear music,’ said Little Infant In- POPULAR SHADE AND GUARANTEED PAST; THE dustry, faintly. nearer. He began to choke. “Send for a Custom House officer,” he murmured. Then they knew that come. Little Infant Industry had passed away. Sugaring Him Off UDGING from the reports of the ad- dresses and after-dinner remarks that President Eliot has sat under during the last three months, he must be, or ought to be, all crusted over with sugar like a wedding cake. But, hap- pily, there is a lot of solid substance in- side of him. “It is growing nearer— the end had comicbooks.com