Life, 1912-12-26 · page 18 of 41
Life — December 26, 1912 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page from *Life* magazine critiques Alabama's distinction as having the highest percentage of child laborers among U.S. states—45% of its children under sixteen work in "gainful occupations." The text mockingly "praises" Alabama for this dubious record, sarcastically suggesting readers check back in years to see how this exploited generation turns out. This is scathing social commentary on child labor practices. The top cartoon depicts what appears to be a street scene with poor children and adults, likely illustrating the urban poverty driving child labor. The caption references "Billy" and "state's evidence," suggesting a crime or scandal context. A separate hospital joke mocks unethical medical experimentation on vulnerable patients, using a woman as a test subject. The final cartoon—"Advice to Fathers: Do Your Christmas Shopping Early"—appears to be an advertisement tip, contrasting sharply with the page's serious critiques of poverty and exploitation. The satire exposes systemic abuse of children and the poor in early 20th-century America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Hail Alabama LABAMA’S only claim to fame does not consist in its being first in the alphabetical list of States. Ala- bama is also the first among States in the number of her children who are engaged in daily toil. She manages to keep over 120,000 of her children under sixteen employed at gainful occupations. - This is forty-five per cent. of all the children that Alabama possesses. The next State in line of percentages is North Caro- (ina—but why rob Alabama of its supremacy by even hint- ng that it has emulators? Go to it, Alabama. We shall look in on you a few years from now and sce how this rising generation has turned out. IRST HOSPITAL SURGEON: I have just persuaded my old friend Bobbins to send his wife here for treatment. Seconp Hospita. Surceon: What's the trouble with her? “Nothing special; but she is a dandy subject to ex- periment upon.” ADVICE TO FATHERS DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY comicbooks co