Life, 1912-08-15 · page 11 of 40
Life — August 15, 1912 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes corruption and criminality in an idealized American town. The top illustration shows seven women labeled with character types like "Divorce," "Bridge," and "Two Husbands" — mocking hypocritical respectability in polite society. The lower sketch depicts a dialogue between a police chief and gamblers/criminals about covering up murders. The satire's point: in this supposedly perfect "Utopia," crime flourishes openly while the town maintains a facade of respectability. The criminals frankly discuss how their murders have enhanced their reputation and demand payment for silence. The opening quote about education "corroborating the misinformation of others" reinforces the theme — this society systematically conceals its moral rot behind genteel appearances.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1591 ae aeber f) if et FIEND SpE tony WITTE 1S YOUR WIFE ONE OF TE EDUCATION is merely the ability 10 corroborate the Utopia, Loveliest Village of the Main isinformation of others. : wy ee 5 misinformatic “ ( ME scene is laid in Utopia, one of the largest villages in the world, containing from three to four million alleged human beings, known as inhabitants. In partic- ular, the scene is laid in the office of the Chief of Police.) Cuuer (to secretary): Is the list ready? Secretary: Here, sir. Cmier (glancing it over): Only fourteen murders yes- terday ! Secretary: It was a dull day (enter a group of gam- blers). Boys, you must do better than this. Heap Gamoter: Well, there'll be nothing doing unless you get our name in the paper oftener, see! What's the use of killing anybody if nobody knows it? Cuter: But murders in this burg are no longer news. Heav Gamuter: That's only because your fellows don’t know how to write ’em up. Is my check ready? Cmier: Your check! You mean is mine ready? Heap Gamnter: Nothing of the sort. I've been paying you money all these years, and now the tables is turned. Crier: What do you mean? . Heao Gamnter (chuckling) : Eh, boys? Tue Boys (chorus): That's right. Heap Gamoter: You see, it’s this way. Ever since we've been committing these murders you've been getting prominent; now it’s worth something to have a reputation, isn’t it? Well, you've got to pay for it. We are not going to do all this heavy work for nothing. And that ain't all, either. “ MOTHER, I DO BELIEVE BABY’S HOLLOW” Crier (gloomily): What else is there? comicbooks.com