Life, 1911-03-30 · page 17 of 45
Life — March 30, 1911 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes stock market volatility and the absurd reasoning behind price fluctuations. The main article, "Bulls and Bears," mocks financial speculators by listing increasingly ridiculous events that supposedly drove market movements: crop reports, an *Outlook* magazine article about birds in the Hackensack Meadows, and a "Treaty of Peace between Congress and Mr. Morgan" (likely J.P. Morgan, the powerful banker). The satire peaks when Anthony Comstock's raid on a department store for selling undergarments causes stocks to plummet—suggesting the market reacts to trivial social controversies with the same gravity as real economic news. The small cartoon "Holding Up Hans" depicts children playing, likely a reference to the broader theme of economic games and speculation treated as child's play. The other brief items are unrelated jokes, typical of *Life*'s format.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bulls and Bears OME of the oldest timers on the street freely acknowledge themselves baffled at what took place last week. Every time a share of stock was sold somebody bought st. Great excitement prevailed. The immediate effect on prices was unmistakable. As fast as stocks went up they went down, and, in some cases, faster. During the early part of the week Lon- don paid no attention, but at ten seven- teen on Wedne , London joined in the fracas and from then on steadily until eleven five Saturday, London sold off and on, In the meantime, orders for early de- livery from the interior began to accumu- late. Cause unknown, but it is believed crops had a hand in the matter. Shorts began to uncover very rapidly, This was in part checked, however, with the appear- ance of the Outlook, which contained an article on “The Songbirds of the Hack- ensack Meadows.” Prices immediately showed great resiliency and brokers be- gan to sell on bulges. This, in turn, was checked on Friday by a telegram from Washington confirm- ing the Treaty of Peace between Congress and Mr. Morgan. Under the terms of this treaty, Congress agrees not to do anything during the present session or as long thereafter as possible, while Mr. Morgan agrees to nothing. Prices rebounded. Money became easy in some quarters. Call Joans ruled amiably. The ticker ticked on and gold shipments commenced. Later in the day, however, came the news that Anthony Comstock had raided one of the department stores for selling undergarments. Prices eased off about three-eighths of a point and trading came to a practical standstill. On Saturday the brokers were cautious and decided to await developments, AS HOLDING UP HANS ASTRONOMY no developments came, however, they had to be satisfied with the bank statement Ellis O. Jones. On a Gravestone at Syracuse EXPECTED it, but I didn’t expect it quite so soon. 18 AN INTERESTING STUDY Even a Funeral “LJOW can you be so cold to me? I would die for you,” sobbed his wife “I know it,” he answered cruclly. “You'd do anything to put me to ex- pense.” comicbooks.com