Life — September 28, 1911 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Commentary on Early 20th Century Issues This Life magazine page contains several satirical pieces targeting contemporary problems: **"Tariffitis"** mocks protective tariffs harming consumers. The joke depicts the "Ultimate Consumer" suffering from inflated prices caused by tariff policies—a major political debate of the era. **"We Protest"** criticizes Mayor Fitzgerald of Boston for neglecting slum conditions while promoting tourism, satirizing politicians who ignore poor neighborhoods. **"Why Not a Parcels Post at Once?"** argues for establishing affordable parcel delivery service. The cartoon contrasts expensive, slow freight shipping with fast passenger trains, advocating government intervention to reduce shipping costs and corporate monopoly profits. **The overcoat cartoon** satirizes inflation: a five-dollar bill worn into an overcoat suggests currency's declining purchasing power—a concern during this inflationary period.