Life, 1910-02-17 · page 15 of 44
Life — February 17, 1910 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American hypocrisy regarding "ethics" and reform movements circa 1909-1911. **"Ethics" essay**: The opening column defines ethics cynically—as rules the sophisticated use to manipulate the unsophisticated. It argues that without ethical justifications, slavery would've been impossible. The accompanying small cartoon shows a child chained to a post, likely illustrating how "ethics" rationalize exploitation. **"Danger Ahead"**: The main article mocks reformers' crusade against tipping, claiming publicizing that NYC hotel waiters earn $70-100/week in tips will spark "anti-tipping leagues." The satire suggests this well-intentioned reform will backfire: irritable waiters will serve poorly, harming the few generous tippers. It's a jab at reform movements that ignore practical consequences. **Ballinger reference**: A brief mention questioning Secretary of Interior Ballinger's integrity—likely referencing the 1909-1910 Ballinger-Pinchot controversy over conservation policy. The page's broader message: America's "reform" impulses are self-righteous, impractical, and often hypocritical.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ethics THICS is a set of rules fo mulated by the sophis cated for the unsophisticated, and called moral because nobody knows what “ moral" means, Ethics, therefore, like justice, may mean almost anything. One of the common rules of ethics, for instance, is that it is wrong to tell a lie, Many old- fashioned people still observe this rule, but the people are sel- dom cither rich or respected, and are easy prey for good business men with stock to sell. The de- gree of sophistication of any per- son may be measured by that person’s skill in justifying—that is, in making ethical—any lic he may see fit to tell. Without ethics, slavery would never have been possible, for there would have been no way to make the slaves enjoy their subjection, “TLL BET LITTLE GEORGE WASHINGTON DIDN'T LIVE IN THIS TOW: HAUFFEUR: A racing car makes a bullier noise Motor-Boatist: But with a motor boat you can take your noise into such awful still places! MOW IT SEEMED IN THEIR NEW ROAT Danger Ahead OW that publicity has come to its own and people everywhere are recognizing its extreme reform value, is there not danger of carrying it too far? The American people have long had the reputation for overstepping the mark, once they are aroused. It is all very well to publish the facts about the forestry preserves, or about the trusts, or to combine and refuse to eat meat, but is there not a line somewhere where we must stop? For example, the other day it trans- pired that the waiters in some of the most fashionable hotels in New York were receiving from seventy to one hundred dollars a week in tips. This —we can sce ahead—is going to re- sult in a combination against the waiters. Anti-tipping leagues will no doubt be the order of the day. Thus the horrid spirit of Injustice will stalk among us, just as we are about to accom- plish something really worth while. It is obvious that we have the chance to wreak a vengeance upon the waiters if we want to. Here are the facts, and here is the publicity, All we must do is to stand together. But is it fair to do this? Should we refuse hereafter to tip a waiter just be- cause he may be and probably is earning one hundred a week? No, a thousand times no! In the first place, and in the last place, this is going to make waiters irritable. And when they are irritable, how can they wait properly? And if they can't wait properly, how are those few people, who don’t care for money and who still insist upon tip- ping, going to be comfortably served? OTHING has been proved, of scems likely to be proved, that is contrary to the integrity of Mr. Secretary Ballinger. Nor has any- thing been disclosed to make folks think him a lucky choice for Secre- tary of the Interior. He does not appear to be the peg to fit that hole. “WE WERE THE PIRST THAT EVER BURST INTO THAT SILENT SEA, comicbooks.com