Life, 1919-10-16 · page 9 of 36
Life — October 16, 1919 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page critiques the proliferation of "supernumerary" (extra, unnecessary) police organizations in American cities. The cartoon depicts an arbitrator addressing striking workers, proposing compromise while a company representative objects to labor demands. The accompanying article questions whether cities truly need multiple overlapping police forces for defense, or if one sufficient police force suffices. The author argues that redundant security organizations may themselves be problematic. The satire suggests that just as the strike involves conflicting parties, American cities face confusion from too many competing police agencies—a waste of resources and coordination. The piece advocates consolidation rather than expansion of law enforcement, reflecting Progressive Era concerns about governmental efficiency and bureaucratic bloat.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
% The Arlitrator: Now, MEN, LET US SPR IF WE CAN'T SETTLE THIS STRIKE. THE COMPANY 1S KEADY TO MEET ANY REASONABLE DEMANDS. The Striker: WHAT YOU TRYIN’ TO PUT OVER ON US? 1 DON'T LIKE THAT KEASON ADLEADE MAND STUFF. Why Any More Supernumerary Organizations? papers have reported that the American Defense pans has sent a letter to mayors of two hundred and fifty cities advising supernumerary police But why, when we have this doughty, vigilant and super- latively to defend us? Is it not in itself a sufficient supernumerary police? Are we not safe supernumerary society behind its sleepless and rather garrulous Defense? With Bro. Charles Stewart Davison and his intrepid comrades on guard, surely we should feel secure. som ot in common, us seem to feel that we have a great deal if it is only because we hate the same people comicbooks.com