Life — August 5, 1909 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Force of Gravity" and "The Price of Coal" The top cartoon shows two men in hammocks with what appears to be a shared burden between them, illustrating the concept of "force of gravity"—likely a visual pun about shared weight or responsibility. Below are two satirical pieces: "The New Milkman" mocks a milkman who claims to be a "stranger" offering suspiciously cheap milk, hinting at fraud or adulteration. "The Price of Coal" references July 1st price increases imposed by coal dealers, suggesting the coal trust exploits customers by raising prices on specific dates regardless of actual market conditions. The piece criticizes George F. Baer, head of the coal trust, for manipulating prices without public justification. The bottom shows children dancing, marked "AUGUST."