Life, 1914-04-16 · page 13 of 44
Life — April 16, 1914 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon, titled "FIT THE CRIME? TWO RAILROADS AND A BANK," depicts a formal dinner scene where a well-dressed man sits at an elaborate table while another figure stands observing. The satire likely critiques wealthy industrialists or financiers—possibly referencing railroad barons and banking scandals of the era—suggesting that luxurious lifestyles and criminal behavior coexist among the elite. Below is a separate cartoon titled "WATCH YOUR STEP!" showing a man balancing precariously on what appears to be stacked luggage or containers, illustrating cautionary advice about maintaining one's footing—likely a metaphor for navigating treacherous business dealings or social circumstances. The page is primarily satirical commentary on wealth, power, and moral compromise among America's business class.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FIT THE CRIME? TWO RAILROADS AND A BANK HILARIOUS happenings humorously heralded, E ultimatums unblushingly unfolded, SSOME maxims modestly mentioned, OPPORTUNE occurrences ocularly outlined, RACY raillery romantically recorded, ORIGINAL observations occasionally offered, UNSOPHISTICATED urchins’ unconscious utterances, SCINTILLATING satire spicily seasoned. NONDESCRIPT nonsense notably new, USEFUL upbraidings unshrinkingly uttered, MATCHLESS mimicry mirthfully mixed, BURLF '.QUE ballads by bantering bards, EDIF*% (NG editorials eloquently expounded, REJUVENATED repartee refreshingly reiterated. H. T. Moore. “watTcH your sTEP!” comicbooks.cfetin)