Life, 1912-05-02 · page 42 of 58
Life — May 2, 1912 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and light satire** rather than political commentary. The main cartoon (bottom left) shows two working-class figures discussing street car transfers—a joke about getting free rides. The accompanying article "Why not Endow Them?" is **satirical social commentary**: Life sarcastically proposes that wealthy philanthropists like Rockefeller and Carnegie should endow street car corporations to guarantee seats during rush hours. The satire targets both the overcrowded transit system and the era's ostentatious charitable giving by the ultra-wealthy—suggesting their "generosity" could solve mundane public problems like commuter comfort. The page otherwise contains **period advertisements**: 4711 soap (marketed to dusty automobile travelers), a card game called "Duplicate Auction Whist," the RMS Olympic luxury liner, and modular cottage kits. These ads reflect 1910s-era consumer goods and leisure activities. No specific political figures are caricatured. The satire is directed at systemic issues (transit congestion) and wealthy industrialists' philanthropic priorities rather than named individuals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Automobiling is both Pleasurable and Dusty. To remove the stains of travel after a trip, wash with “4711” White Rose Glycerine Soap. It is cleansing and highly bene6- ial to the skin, which is apt to be tender and sensitive alter its encounter with the winds. The Glycerine, which is contained in this Soap in a goodly quantity, has a soothing and pleasing effect. °4711" Soap lathers bountifully and is delicately perfumed. Once used it is never forgotten. Sold Everywhere. Handsome nickel boxes for traveler's use at small additional cost. Ask for “Forty-seven-eleven” — Avoid substitutes, Ferd. Miilhens, No. 4711 Glockengasse, Cologne o/R, Ger. U.S. Branch — Milhens & Kropf, New York. House Founded 1792. Our Street Cars—Why not Endow Them? Now that Mr, Rockefeller and Mr. Carnegie are running neck and neck in their race to rid themselves of wealth, and the habit of giving away money has a chance to become general and popular, we suggest that a real public benefit be derived from this custom by the endow- ment of strect car corporations. Practical traction men tell us that only a matter of six or eight or ten per cent. stands between us and a seat in sur- face, subway or clevated cars at rush hours. Given this slight percentage in “COME ON, MAMIE, AN’ I'LL BLOW YE TO A RIDE. A GUY JUST GIVE ME TWO TRANSFERS ” Learn the New Game The most fascinating card game ever invented. The clement of luck almost entirely eliminated—it’s « game of skill and brainwork. || Duplicate Auction Whist combines all the good points of the two best games of the Whist family—Duplicate Whist and Auction Bridge, with delightful new features. Enthusiasm runs bigh wherever it is played. Will be a prime favorite everywhere. Be the first to introduce it into your club or social circle, Com- plete book of instructions—$1.00. Duplicate Auction Whist Supply Company Dept. L, PIERRE, S. D. THE MAYOR OF BELLAIRE, ‘Then up spake the Ma; “This prosperity tatk ts Outside of “Rad-Bridg And a few other fads, ‘The whol . D “ 1 are raat the IFFE & CO. 166 Peart the dividend, bridging this s)icht tity of water in the stock, the traction companies could afford to gov us all seats at all times, Think of it; a few paltry millions, the price of half a dozen libr.-ics (how few commuters have time to r: | books) or a half score of medica! colleges (where men learn to cure dis.ises eon: tracted on crowded street cars), would endow the street car corporati ss in all of our leading cities, protict them st loss by seating passen: rs, and, in a word, make a nation cor lortable. Consider the traction magnatcs who have worried themselves into sanita- riums trying to squeeze enous! people into one end of a car so that a little dividend will run out at the other. Their minds would be sct at rest Consider the homes made brichter at the supper hour, digestions improved, breakage to hats, bundles and the third commandment prevented, and the great dissemination of knowledge by permitting cach patron to read his newspaper. These and further benefits untold would accrue, Philanthropists, we com- mend the poor struggling strect car corporations to your care. Did. IN THE WORLD SAILING | from_New York_for ye) Plymouth-Cherbourg-Southampton sae OLYMPIC FRENCH A LA CARTE RESTAUR BATH: WIMMING POO! VERANDA CAFE, PALM COUR May 4, May 25, June 15, July 6, July 27, Aug. 17 [T} AND ELECT AN RR iH FOUR ELEVATORS, GYMNASI SQUASH RACQUET Cou WHITE STAR LINE 9 Broapway, NEw: York OFFICES AND AGENTS EVERYWHERE Built any Size Complete vena 2} tries art eaalog by toll oe Fer a ys oo Ten Wyekotf Lumber @ Mfg. Co. 6 es Painted Cornell Sectional Cottage Ready to Set Up TUDIO.E ont TiS, "G25 Lehigh Street, Ithaca, New!