Life, 1913-09-18 · page 9 of 44
Life — September 18, 1913 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon: "A Suggestion to Our Cities"** This depicts a group of well-dressed citizens gathered around a tablet displaying the Ten Commandments. The satire suggests that American cities should display religious moral guidance as a "gentle reminder" to their populations—implying that contemporary urban society has abandoned ethical standards. **"Constructive Alabama" Article** This piece praises Alabama for sending "constructive statesmen" rather than "howling radicals" to the Senate, referencing Senator John H. Bankhead. The text celebrates Alabama's commitment to business interests and industrial development while warning against radical political interference. **Bottom Comic: "Presently"** A Wall Street magnate dismisses a young man's labor concerns, asserting his time is worth only three cents per hour—satirizing the era's exploitation of workers and corporate indifference to human dignity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 1, Twou SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BUT ME. TL. Trou SHALT NOT MAKE TO THYSELF ANY GRAVEN IMAGE ,MOR THE LIKENESS OF ANYTHING THAT 1S IN THE HEAVEN ABOVE ,OR IN THE EARTH BENEATH, OR IN THE WATER UNOER THE EARTH. THOUSMALT |) A SUGGESTION TO OUR CITIES WHY NoT TRY THIS AS Constructive Alabama I* letter to the New York Sun, an Albany correspondent expresses the earnest hope that Alabama will not send a howling radical to the United States Senate as a successor to the late Senator Johnston. The letter con- cludes with this paragraph: “Let Alabama, then, beware of the vociferous radical who attracts attention to himself at the expense of the State's material welfare. Let us hope this most Prosperous Southern State will continue its custom of sending only constructive statesmen to the Senate.” We can assure the gentleman that his hope will be realized. Alabama is nothing if not constructive. She knows that her prosperity will not last long if she interferes with her child-workers or throws open her schools to every foolish Tom, Dick and Harry who want to waste their time on the three R’s and other educational nonsense. Alabama has reached her commercial supremacy by shrewd planning and close at- tention to business. She doesn’t propose to relinquish that supremacy now. She will continue to send her con- structive statesmen to the legislative halls and her con- structive children to the factories and mines and mills. \ GENTLE REMINDER? ASCENT (for gas company): I'm sorry you think this bill is too large, sir. Would it not be a good idea if you learned how to read your own meter? Wuittter: It might be if my doctor hadn't told me that I had something the matter with my heart and I must avoid all excitement. PRESENTLY Wall Street Magnate: 1S WORTH THREE CENTS BE BRIEF, YOUNG MAN—MY TIME AN HOUR. comicbooks.com