Life, 1912-12-12 · page 9 of 48
Life — December 12, 1912 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early 20th-century American social hypocrisy and censorship. The headline illustration depicts a street scene contrasting wealth (left, with well-dressed figures) and working-class life (right, with a crowded trolley). The text sections mock: 1. **"Generosity"**: A dialogue where Smith condemns Jones's discontent, but admits borrowing troubles—satirizing how the wealthy dismiss poor workers' legitimate grievances. 2. **"The Censor"**: This section criticizes growing press censorship and government control, noting that censorship of industrial disputes is expanding to theatrical productions. It warns that unchecked censorship threatens truth itself. The overall message: American society preaches virtue while practicing exploitation and suppressing dissent about economic inequality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
iF THE Generosity stp Smith to Brown, their con- verse bent On Jones, the soul of discontent, “He mak burden of a bubble— I hate a man who borrows trouble.” Said Brown, “'Tis true, as you have said it; But set this grace to Jones's credit— What trouble Jones to-day may bor- row He'll give with spendthrift morrow.” hand to- H. G. Paine. ISSIONARY: If you are about to kill me, let me sing a hymn. Cannipat: No, sir—ee. No music with meals in this joint. The Censor T 'HE passion for censorship seems to be on the increase. It may properly be considered as a by-product of the growing paternalism on the part of our government. In the news- paper post-office bill we have the first stages of a censorship of the press. There is also a censorship of the mov- ing picture industry, which will doubt- less in time be extended to the whole theatrical field. Already this is true in England. What is really needed, however, is a censorship to suppress the truth. The truth is getting very bold in these days, and unless some measures are taken to curtail her activ- ities, lamentable results will follow. During the past six months we have actually learned the truth about the FOUNDER OF THE FAMILY COULD SEE ITS PRESENT HEAD Ameri- London tariff. We have learned that can beef can be bought in twelve cents a pound cheaper than in New York. We have learned that doctors are not making their t— and the reasons. We have learned that the coal barons are controlling the price of coal; that young girls are 1 coming more irresponsible and brain- less all the time; that clergymen are no longer in fashion; that when you cat what you please without regard to the dietitians you are doing the right thing. And much more! All this is very distressing. To learn the truth about so many things in such a short space of time will surely lead to disaster unless some ef- forts are made to prevent it. We sug- gest, therefore, that a national censor- ship of the truth be established. comicbooks.com