Life, 1914-01-22 · page 13 of 40
Life — January 22, 1914 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon satirizes monopolistic business practices through a theatrical scene. A tall figure (likely representing a trust or monopoly) performs before an audience while presenting what appears to be a cure-all medicine—a common metaphor for corporate claims to solve problems through consolidation. The "Law Wanted" section advocates for anti-trust legislation (referencing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act), proposing a "Pro-Trust Act" statute to regulate monopolies and protect the public from "annoying encroachments" by large corporations. The bottom cartoon shows devils or demons around a fire, captioned "What business were you in before you came down here? Cold storage." This satirizes the cold storage industry—likely referencing monopolistic practices or price-fixing in that sector—equating business practices with devilry. Both pieces criticize corporate consolidation and monopolies as harmful to public welfare.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“THIS IS A SHARP MEDICINE BUT IT WILL CURE ALI. DISEASES” Sir Walter Raleigh Law Wanted ANTED—A Pro-Trust Act. Considering the great ad- 32% & vance which the trusts have made under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, it is believed that the only way.to protect the public from the price lists and other annoying en- croachments of these sociable corporations would be to Pass a pro-trust statute. This statute should set forth our deep love and affection for any combination of capitalists or others who would make it as difficult as possible for us to get the things we need. If this is done, it is li) sly the courts will decide that any overt gouging in the face of such generosity would be unreasonable, and of course if they were unreasonable, nothing more would be necessary. .In writing give complete scenario of statute proposed. Ad- dress Uncle Sam, Capitdl Hill, Washington, D, C. “WHAT BUSINESS WERE YOU IN BEFORE YOU CAME AT the dance—He who doesn’t “hesitate” is lost. DOWN HERE?” “COLD STORAGE.”