Life, 1915-10-28 · page 47 of 52
Life — October 28, 1915 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This short story satirizes the moral contradiction of progressive reformers. Maltby, chairman of a Child Labor committee, passionately denounces child labor exploitation and insists the committee investigate factories. However, the punchline reveals his actual hypocrisy: he abandons the urgent meeting to play golf—and complains when he learns there are "no caddies" available. The joke is that caddies are typically children, meaning Maltby himself directly profits from child labor while crusading against it. The satire targets not just Maltby but the broader reformist class: wealthy businessmen who champion social causes only when convenient, then ignore those same principles in their personal lives. His insistence the committee meet on Sunday morning—the only time he'll "sacrifice"—further mocks the shallow nature of his commitment. The page also contains substantial advertising for Denby Motor Trucks, which is unrelated to the satirical content.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Real Sufferer ALTBY was chairman of the Committee on Child Labor, which was a fractional but none the less important part of the Civic Asso- ciation of the delightful community in which Maltby lived. Maltby said he proposed to have his committee investigate personally every case of child labor in the State. The committee met at Maltby’s house on Sunday morning. They were all busi- ness men, and this was the only time left for them to sacrifice. So they sacrificed it, Maltby said: “Now, gentlemen, we must stamp out child labor in this State. There are factories employing children under fourteen within a stone’s throw. Last night I attended a vulgar vaudeville show in which young children were exploited for gain. Every child is en- titled to his childhood: We mean business. We'll stamp it out, won't we?” The committee agreed. Maltby looked at his watch. “Gentlemen, I have an engagement. We'll meet at this house next week. The meeting is adjourned.” The committee left. Maltby jumped into his car and ran out to the golf links, where his golfing partner, Whit- tler, was waiting for him, “No caddies,” said Whittler. Maltby turned pale. Backed By a Name That Signifies Service Service is an intangible thing, that may mean much or little, according to the will and the ability back of it. Business-men have learned to consult the local Denbyman, or get in touch with us, as the first step in an intelligent solution of the motor truck question. Our energy and skill are devoted to seeing that the Denby owner gets 100 per cent. of efficiency from his truck. Four Units—34-ton to two tons y trucks are made in four units of and each is capable of a varicty and body modifications. W. therefore able to supply, for any individual business, the exact type of truck best suited to its needs. A special department at the factory de- votes its entire time to co-operation with Denby owners. It designs special bodies for special needs; suggests new methods of routing and loading; and in many other ways renders invaluable assistance. New Ideas Win Popular Favor The Denby truck embodies the latest ad- vances in engineering practice. The in- ternal-gear axle, for example, is generall; admitted to be the ultimate driving-mecha nism for trucks. The unit power-plant, extra large springs, sturdy frame and cast-tank radiator are other Denby features of note. Public appreciation of these has been so great that we have becn forced to triple our manufacturing facilities during the past year. The various Denby units are priced as follows: Type U— %.ton (including open body) $_ 890 I.ton (chassis only) 1478 ton . Type E— 2-ton + Business-Building and Sales Efficiency Service In connection with Type U. the new light- delivery Denby, we bave instituted a service, consisting of a year’s correspondence course in salesmanship, which is designed to place at least one thorougbly-equipped salesman in the Any owner may nominate some one to take the course; and we have appropriated $3,000 to be awarded to proficient students. The object is to enable the owner to profit by the sales possibilities whicl the increased delivery radius employ of the owner. of the truck opens to him, Write for detailed information on the Denby model in which you are particalarly interested Denby Motor Truck Co., 405 Holbrook Ave., Detroit, Mich. Every Horse Owner Should take special pains to have his shoer use Capewe/l nails. albeit points being keen and uniform cause no damage to the most brittle hoot. ‘Their blades having ‘or streneth, makes it possible to use the smallest nail and avoid the damage Gone by a heavy nail in a delicate hoot. ‘The Capewell is the best nail in the world at a fair price—not cheapest regardless of oa Insist upon this brand—it pays. “What!” he exclaimed, The caddy master came up. “Sorry, sir,” he said, “but the caddies have all struck, At this moment the distant and dis- cordant cries of a group of caddies, massing themselves in the road beyond the clubhouse, could be heard. “You see, sir, they want more pay for Sundays. They claim they have to support their families, sir, and——” Maltby turned to Whittler. He was white with rage. For nothing on earth makes any gentleman more furious than, without warning, to be deprived of his game of golf. “T'll fix 'em,” he exclaimed, “if we have to import grown men from Scot- land to take their place! By Jove! What are we coming to when a lot of insolent kids can spoil a whole day for us!” comicbooks.com