Life — October 15, 1914 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis The top cartoon satirizes a courtroom scene where a trust magnate (wealthy businessman) is being tried by a jury of his peers—all depicted with pig faces. The caption reads: "IF THE AVERAGE TRUST MAGNATE WERE TRIED BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS." This is political satire mocking wealthy industrialists and monopoly builders of the era (likely early 1900s Progressive period). The pig imagery suggests these businessmen are greedy, corrupt, or morally debased. The joke is darkly cynical: if tried by actual peers—other wealthy magnates equally compromised—justice would be impossible. The cartoon criticizes both corporate excess and the assumption that the wealthy protect their own. The lower content includes editorial sections on magazines and military matters, plus a domestic humor cartoon about overheating.