Life, 1913-01-23 · page 37 of 40
Life — January 23, 1913 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Main Content: "A Parable for Reformers"** This poem satirizes reactive versus preventive social reform. It contrasts two approaches to a dangerous cliff: building a fence (prevention) versus stationing an ambulance below (treating victims after the fact). The parable argues that while rescue work is noble, preventing harm at the source is superior—a critique of reformers who focus on sympathy and aid rather than eliminating root causes. **The Political Context:** This reflects early 20th-century debates between progressive reformers. The poem, credited to the *New York Call* (a socialist publication), advocates structural change over charity-based solutions. It challenges the notion that compassion alone suffices; systemic problems require systemic fixes. **The Advertisements:** The page includes period product ads (tobacco, foot powder, cigars) typical of Life's commercial model—unrelated to the editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Parable for Reformers “Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant; But over its terrible edge there had slipped A duke, and full many a peasant; So the people said something would have to be done But their projects did not at all tally Some said, “ Put a fence around the edge of the cliff ¢ down in the Rut the ery for the ambulance carried the day; For it spread through the neighbor- ing city; A fence may be useful or not, it is true, But each heart became brimful of pity For those who slipped over that danger- ous cliff; And the dwellers in highways and valley Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence, But an ambulance down in the valley. “For the cliff is all right if you're care- ful,” they said, “And if folks even slip and are drop- ping, It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much As the shock down below—when they're stopping ” So day after day, curred, Quick forth would these sally, To pick up the victims who fell off the lift RTSHOp ROLLERS as these mishaps oc- rescuers ers. lanproved’* requires no tacks, Inventor's sigeaccre on genuine: abhor, ALLEN’S FOOT-EASE The Antiseptic powder shaken into the shoes —The Standard Remedy for the feet ™ for a quarter century. 30.100 testimonials. rade-Mark. Sold everywhere. Sample FREE Address, Allen 8. Olinsted, Le Roy. N.Y. The Man who put the EEs in FEET. comer, ACCESSORIES, “terrated catalog. 144 Peart St.. New York: Toda '9 varatiey phar toy RADCLIFFE & C1 OF Says “Hunch:” Put this up to your jimmy pipe! You jam in a load of Prince Albert, then make fire with a match. You nor any other man ever got such a smoke, bar none. Prince Albert just can't bite, because the bite’s cut out by a patented process. And it's fresh, and sweet, and fragrant. P. A.’s got everything any man ever yearned for in tobacco. PRINGE ALBERT the national joy smoke is just as bully good as a cigarette as ina pipe. Yourollone! You see, P. A.'s crimp cut and therefore rolls easily. You don’t lose half the tobacco, be- cause it stays put! And such smoking! P. A, won't burn or parch your throat. It's cool and long burning. Just sort of puts you on the map, all right, all right! With their ambulance down in the valley. Better guide well the young than re- claim them when old, For the voice of true wisdom is call- ing: “To rescue the fallen is good, but it's best To prevent other people from falling.” Better close up the source of temptation Bay Prince Albert back in the . on the plains—any- uw happento be at any nthe to ly he mdeome f ind and half. pound hemiderss J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO. Winston-Salem, N. C. Than deliver from dungeon or galley; Better put a strong fence around the top of the cliff Than an ambulance down in the valley. —New York Call. Correction Owing to a typographical error, the name of George Trumbull Ladd, in a paragraph in last week’s issue, appeared comicbooks.com