Life, 1912-03-07 · page 31 of 60
Life — March 7, 1912 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("Autocrat of Ages"):** This depicts the Steel Trust as a powerful monarch figure surrounded by courtiers, with a small child (representing Government or the people) at its center. The composition suggests the Trust's dominance over democratic institutions. **"In Restraint" Article:** This satirizes the Steel Corporation's legal defense against antitrust charges. The Trust claims that because the Government allowed it to exist for so long, it's now "too late" to challenge it as illegal. The author mocks this circular reasoning, noting the word "sacred" replaces actual legal argument—a rhetorical dodge without merit. **"Motto for a Senator's Collar":** A brief jab suggesting senators are owned by corporate trusts (here, the Wool Trust). The question "Whose senator are you?" implies senators serve business interests rather than constituents. **"A Noisy Lady":** A separate humor piece mocking a woman finishing her toilet with loud noise—unrelated social commentary on domestic manners. The page attacks corporate monopolies and their political capture during the Progressive Era trust-busting period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AUTOCRAT OF AGES THE PASSING OF HIS CELESTIAL MAJESTY In Restraint HiS, from a recent statement of the Steel Trust, is hereby offered to all those who may be doing some- thing they wish to continue: After acquiescing in the organization of the Steel Corporation for so long a time, and after rights of so sacred a character have grown up thereunder, it is now too late for the Government to insist in a court of equity that such organiza- tion was in itself and without regard to its after practices an illegal thing. The great beauty of such a statement is that it may be used in any connection and doesn’t bother with merits. The use of the word “sacred” proves that. The word “sacred” is one of the best substitutes for argument that we know. The Steel Corporation has now absolved itself from the charge of being in restraint of trade and remains merely in restraint of Government. EL 0. J. Motto for a Senator’s Collar I“ the Wool Trust’s senator. Whose senator are you? A NOISY LADY E FINISHED HER TOILET WITH A BANG"