Life, 1914-09-24 · page 12 of 45
Life — September 24, 1914 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine satirizes post-war tensions between depositors and banks. The top section, "Results," lists war's devastating social costs: dead heroes, national debt, orphanships, and ruined farmers. The main piece, "If Things Were Reversed," mocks bankers' resistance to depositor demands by imagining a hypothetical citizens' meeting where banks must serve notice before withdrawing deposits—reversing normal banking practice. Bankers react hysterically, claiming this violates "divine wisdom." The accompanying cartoon shows St. Peter denying entry to Heaven to a notorious burglar, who protests that the burglar "never pretended to be anything else"—implying bankers are hypocritical, fraudulently claiming respectability while behaving unethically. The satire suggests post-war financial institutions deserve public suspicion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Pup: 1 THOUGHT I KNEW ALL THE SONG- BIRDS, BUT THAT'S A NEW ONE ON ME If Things Were Reversed T a citizens’ meeting, held last evening, practically all citizens being present, it was unanimously agreed that no more money would be deposited in any bank until each bank had served notice upon the depositors formally in writing that they wanted their money, after which a period of six weeks would elapse before the deposit would be made. Several prominent bankers who were present immediately went into hys- terics. One of them said: “What right have our depositors to make rules against us? Nobody here- tofore had ever dared to question the divine wisdom of any banker. How can we do business without other peo- ple’s money? This is an outrage!" The chairman, who represented the depositors, considering the provocation, maintained his dignity admirably, in zccordance with the respect due him as a member of one of the oldest com- binations in the world—namely, the People. “Our rules,” he said, gently but firmly, “are made for the best interests of all, and from motives of the highest patriotism. There will be no unjust discrimination among banks. They will all be treated alike.” It is stated at police headquarters that if, as is hinted, there should be 2 mass meeting of bankers, they will be Promptly dispersed. “Bankers,” said the Mayor, not un- kindly, however, “ will not be permitted to disturb the peace.” ‘LIFE ® Results HE war being over, the sociological experts, not to mention account- ants, psychologists, philosophers and other mental infusoria, got together to make an estimate of the total results, which they discovered were about as follows: A crop of heroes, living and dead. Numerous supreme posts of impor- tance filled by inferior men. St. Peter: veay sorRY, SIR. Philanthropist: wry Not? National debts doubled or trebled all around, the actual stock of gold remaining the same. A million or more hitherto peaceable farmers and tradespeople who have learned how to “see red”. A new literature built on lust and blood. Ruins. National orphanships. Peace-Remorse partners—until next war. the 1 CAN'T ADMIT YOU YOU'VE JUST ADMITTED A NOTORIOUS BURGLAR “YES; BUT HE NEVER PRETENDED TO BE ANYTHING ELSE”