Life, 1912-02-01 · page 21 of 48
Life — February 1, 1912 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains sharp social satire responding to the Triangle Waist Factory fire (1911), in which 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women, died—and the owners were acquitted. **"Just Right"** is the primary satire. It sarcastically argues that the acquittal is logically consistent with American capitalism: if profits come first, then sweatshop conditions (which maximize profits) are inevitable, and occasional fatal fires are simply the cost of doing business. The piece mocks the hypocrisy of expressing sympathy while defending a profit system that necessitates these tragedies. The biting conclusion—"Those profits are calling us irresistibly"—exposes how financial interests override human life. The bottom cartoon uses a pun about courtroom shyness to comment on the acquittal's absurdity. The "Rag Dolly's Valentine" is sentimental verse celebrating a child's worn doll—contrasting sharply with the page's harsh critique of how working children were treated in factories. The longer political text criticizes Jewish financiers and advocates excluding Russian Jews from America—reflecting the page's conflicted editorial perspective.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ NOW, WILLIE, PROMISE ME YOU WON’T FIGHT ANY MORE.” “CAN'T YOU WAIT TILL TO-MORROW, MOTHER? I'VE ONLY GOT ONE MORE BOY TO LICK AN’ THEN I'LL BE THROUGH.” of financial oligarchy. The preponderant influence in this clan belongs actually to Israelite financiers, and the free American people submit themselves to the voice of Schiff and Company with an obedience which it is difficult for us in Europe to comprehend. There is a very considerable measure of truth in the contention of this representative journal. We all know the cowardice of our politicians when there are race ques- tions at issue. A race which has money, votes and news- Papers at its back is bound to be protected by politicians seeking election or re-election. To that extent the Russian Paper is certainly right. Our action in adopting the Sulzer resolution was an affront to a friendly nation. A better method would have been to retaliate in kind. If Russia insists on excluding American Jews from Russia, it has been suggested that we get even by excluding Russian Jews from America. The Rag Dolly’s Valentine HOUGH others think I stare with eyes unsecing, I've loved you, Mistress mine, so dear to me, With all my fervent rag-and-sawdust being Since first you took me from the Christmas Tree. I love you though my only frock you tear off; I love you though you smear my face at meals; I love you though you've washed my painted hair off; I love you when you drag me by the heels; I love you though you've sewed three buttons on me, But most I love you when you sit upon me. No jealous pang shall mar my pure affection; For, while ‘tis true your heart I’m forced to share With that Wax Doll of pink-and-white complexion, The Pussy Cat, the Lamb and Teddy Bear, ‘Tis mine alone, whate’er the time or place is, To know your every grief and each delight; I feel your childish wrath and warm embraces, I cheer your little pillow every night. And so, without another why or whether, I'll love you while my stitches hold together! Arthur Guiterman. Just Right The proprietors of the Triangle Waist Company, in which 146 children lost their lives, have been ac- quitted of guilt.—Newspaper item, HAT else could be done if we wish to be consistent? This is a country where profits come first, while sentiment and charity come tagging along behind. It seems to be thoroughly proved that profits cannot be ex- tracted from the making of shirt waists without condi- tions closely approaching those of the sweat-shop. We cannot have sweat-shops unless we have fire traps. We cannot have fire traps without having occasional fires sach as this in which appalling loss of life occurs. Let us not get excited and upset the whole profit sys- tem just because the expected happens. We may hesitate a few minutes to feel sorry for all concerned, but we must not stop. Those profits are calling us irresistibly. “WEREN'T YOU SHY W: YOU YOUR AGE IN CoURT? “YES, I WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS SHY, MY DEAR.” N THE JUDGE ASKED