Life, 1913-07-31 · page 24 of 36
Life — July 31, 1913 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This illustration satirizes labor conditions and child welfare neglect. The sketch shows a sleeping worker dreaming of an idealized scene: a child peacefully in a crib near a window with countryside beyond. The accompanying text mocks British child labor advocates' concerns about industrial child labor. Life's sardonic commentary suggests employers fear welfare reforms will cut into profits ("there is no telling where next year's thousand per cent will come from"). The cartoon's title and pastoral dream image contrast sharply with the grim reality: children working in factories. By depicting the *dream* of childhood innocence and safety, the artist underscores how far removed actual child laborers were from such conditions. The satire targets both exploitative employers and those dismissing welfare concerns as impractical interference with business profits—a common Progressive-era debate about labor reform.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Coming July 31—Annual Gold Challenge Cup Race of the American Power Boat Association, Thousand Islands, N. Y.. Dodging the islands will form an important part of the amusement. Due to the large number of land hazards in the course only amphibious motor boats will be used. Gathering of Flower Deaters on the Eastern Shore, Ber- lin, Md. President Wilson and Secretary Bryan have. been invited to attend. This is the first official bouquet to be tendered the Democratic administration. August 1 —International Congress for the Fight Against the Deterioration and Adulteration of Foodstuffs, Ghent, Belgium. A far less spectacular, but possibly more bene- ficial brand of warfare than that now being employed to wipe out what is left of the Balkan states. One of the questions looked into will be the issuing of watered stock by the milk trust. The resignation of James A, Fowler, assistant to the Attorney-General and “trust-buster” of both the Taft and Wilson administration, goes into effect. It is rumored that the Standard Oil Company, the Steel combine and the Tobacco Trust will offer Mr. Fowler a fine retiring place in the country, with double padlocks on all the doors. Saratoga Racing Association Meet, Saratoga, N. Y. A popular place for dark horses, as almost any extant poli- tician will avow. August 2—Annual Casting Tournament, Asbury Fishing Club, Asbury Park, N. J. Phenomenal scores will be turned over for adjudication to the long-suffering marines. An earthquake will visit New York City, according to the prophecy of William Probasco, hermit prognosticator dwelling in the woods near Atlanta, Mr. Charles F. Murphy, the well-known Invisible Government, pooh- poohs the prophecy. He does not recall that Tammany has issued any earthquake permits lately.. Moving pic- lure concerns, however, have taken the precaution to secure all dramatic rights. August 3—Birthday of King Haakon VII, of Norway, born Aug. 3, 1872. Many birthdays are being encountered in royal circles this twelvemonth. August 4—Joint Army and Navy coast defence exercises to be held in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. Troops from the Atlantic coast stations and ships from the Atlantic fleet will participate in the maneuvers. Mexico has sent several envoys, deputations, telegrams and wire- less messages to Washington, protesting against this un- warranted demonstration. All true Mexicans feel that the exercises are a veiled threat against the Land of Kaleido- scopic Governments. In answer to these protests, Secre- tary Bryan thought it would be rather warm for August. The United States Government will give away ten thou- sand acres of land in Kansas, Persons lacking property to mortgage for this year’s automobile should purchase a ticket to Kansas. . Conference of the British National Association for the A MIDSUMMER DAY’S DREAM Prevention of Infant Mortality and for the Welfare of Infancy, London, Eng. Child labor employers are be- coming extremely agitated. If this nonsense about the children is permitted to go on, there is no telling where next year’s thousand per cent will come from. Beginning of the great Festival and Water Carnival at Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. The naval and military forces of Western Canada will hold an assault-at- arms. Proving that those expensive toys, an army and navy, have their uses after all. They keep the residents of British Columbia out in the air. National Convention of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Baltimore, Md. A bird of a time is expected to be under- gone by all. Initial Tournament of the Western Roque Association, Lincoln Park Roque Club, Chicago. Roque is a fine, pleas- ant game, causing many persons to seek the dictionary. August 5-Meeting of the Farmers’ Educational and Co- Operative Union of Texas, San Antonio. One of those rare occasions when the discussion of the weather is taken seriously. Sociability and Endurance Run from Kansas City to Colorado Springs, Kansas State Automobile Association. Beginning as a sociability and ending as an endurance run. The New York Yacht Club assembles at New London for its annual cruise. Any yachtsman sighting a sea- serpent during the voyage will be fined ten magnums of champagne. comicbooks.com