Life, 1919-10-16 · page 33 of 36
Life — October 16, 1919 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This editorial cartoon uses the legend of King Canute (who supposedly commanded the ocean to recede) to mock the Bell Telephone Company's position on rising costs. The text argues that just as Canute couldn't hold back the sea with mere words, Bell cannot hold back mounting expenses through efficiency alone—despite their efficiency, costs keep rising like an unstoppable tide. The satire criticizes Bell's implicit request for rate increases, comparing their predicament to an ancient king defying natural forces. The cartoon suggests Bell's management, however competent, faces economic forces beyond their control, much like Canute faced the ocean. The piece presents this sympathetically, arguing rate increases are necessary to maintain service quality—a regulatory defense of utility pricing from this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Modern King Canute people who lived in the good sof the wise King Canute t he had the power to make ocean recede at a mere word of nd. Today the Bell Tele- Company finds itself in a posi- not unlike that of the ancient Its mere word will not hold Kan ocean of expense. igd economy and the most mod- methods of operation have made ible for the Bell Company to pits rates at a far lower level than of the commodities which it must in construction and upkeep. But as felt the rising tide of costs just as certainly as has every business and every family. The one source of revenue of the Bell Company is the price you pay for service. If this price fails to cover fair wages and necessary materials, then both you and your telephone com- pany must suffer, For one year the Bell Company was under Government control. The Government analyzed methods and costs; and established the present rates as just. All the Bell Company asks is arate sufficient to provide satisfactory service to every subscriber. AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES One Policy One System Universal Service For the Girl Scouts es Girl Scouts in New York expect ke a drive ovember ist Il be a drive for money ove hundred thousand dollars. Please have it ready It is to pay expenses of the work of a Organization, especially for training leaders, captains and Promoters, super- vising camps (which must be self-sup- Porting), publishing Girl-Scout literature, nd such things. between October 35th and It wi j to wit, The Girl-Scout movement is one of the answers to the great A. tion—How do ques get that way The reasons for it as set forth in the Girl-Scout documents are more numer ous than the entire printable surface of one issue of this paper could hold, but the documents themselves may be pro- cured by the inquisitive at the National Girl Scout Fifth Avenue One interesting reason not put for- ward in the documents but imparted to Headquarters at us by a reader of that it is soothing to the feelings of the spirits of the aborigines of this country automatic writings, is inhabitants lean in habits, and as the Indians did to have its present degree to aboriginal camp in the and get into touch with earth and trees and other nature. And t it is worth while woods details of seems th to soothe the aboriginal spirits, because many of them were done at the way they habita tof in about are very rufile out of their earthly tion and superseded in it by a doughfaces, and they go and putting door maki people's heads, It is no new idea that the of this continent once ranged by Indi tend to grow like the Indians th ¢ trouble bad ideas in inhabit ment and the Boy-S movement 4 evitable likeness. Salt Mackerel CODFISH, FRESH LOBSTER RIGHT FROM THE FISHING BOATS TO YOU FAMILIES who are fond of FISH can bee DIRECT from GLOUCESTER, MAS: E. DAViS.COMPANY, with newly covet KeePane FISH, choicer than any iniand dealer could | possibly furnish. | We sell ONLY TO THE CONSUMER DIRECT, sending by EXPRESS RIGHT TO YOUR HOME. We PREPAY express on all orders east of Kansas. Our fish are pure, appetizing and economical and we want YOU to try so ment subject to approval. SALT MACKEREL, fat, meaty, juicy fan, are delicious for Lreakfast. They are freshly packed in brine and will not spoil cn your hands. COLFISH, as we sal instant use. meat plied is white, boneless and ready for ‘It makes a substantial meal, a fine change from ta ‘much lower cost. H LOBSTER is the best thing known for salads. Right fresh from the water, our lobsters simply are boiled end packed in, PARCHMENT-LINED CANS. They come Xo you as the purest and sofest lobsters you can buy and the meat is as crisp and natural as sf you took it from the shel! yourself, FRIED CLAMS is a relishable, hearty dish, that your | whole family will enjoy. No other flavor is just like that of clams, whether fried or in a chowder. FRESH MACKEREL, perfect for frying, SHRIMP to cream on toast, CRABMEAT for Newburg or deviled, SALMON ready ’to serve, SARDINES of all kinds, TUNNY for salad, SANDWICH FILLINGS and every good thing packed here or abroad you can get direct from us and keep right on your pantry shelf for regular or emergency use. With every order we send BOOK OF RECIPES for preparing ali our products. Write for it. Our list tells how each kind of fish is put up, with the delivered price, so you can choose just what you will enjoy most. Send the coupon for it now. FRANK E. DAVIS CO. | 317 Central Wharf, Please send me y sh Price List, comicbooks.com