Life — November 5, 1925 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation for Modern Readers This page from *Life* magazine contains humor about crime and safes. The main cartoon shows two burglars discussing a safe's security features from a newspaper photograph. One burglar explains how the safe can be accessed through a hidden rear room—essentially critiquing that a newspaper (the "Evening Pictorial Blah") inadvertently revealed security vulnerabilities by publishing detailed photographs. The satire targets: 1. **Newspapers' role in crime**: By publishing specifics about safes and security, the press unwittingly helps criminals plan heists 2. **Journalistic irresponsibility**: The caption notes there have been 81,000 murders in ten years, implying sensationalist crime coverage contributes to criminal activity The cartoon appears to argue that press coverage itself perpetuates "crime waves" through careless reportage.