Life — February 3, 1916 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is not a cartoon or satirical piece, but rather a corporate advertisement/statement from the New-York Life Insurance Company addressed to policyholders and the public. The text is a defense of the company's financial performance during World War I. The company argues that despite the war's impact—including 409 members killed in combat during 1915—their actual death losses remained at only 73% of "expected" rates. They list American war losses and emphasize that the company denied no claims from policyholders, even those in belligerent nations. The statement includes detailed financial figures showing strong assets and income for 1915, signed by President Darwin P. Kingsley on January 13, 1916. It's essentially a reassurance to investors and policyholders that the war hasn't destabilized the company.