The Wasp — 1876 — page 209: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon compares conditions for railroad conductors in Europe versus America. The top panels show European conductors receiving proper meals and treatment, while American conductors appear to receive nothing—the contrast emphasized by the "Free Lunch" signs pricing food at 10-2½ cents (inaccessible wages). The lower panels depict "Scene on Long Bridge," showing conductors endangered by the "Congressess of drovers, when driving infuriated cattle to Buthertown"—suggesting American rail workers faced hazardous conditions alongside livestock. The satire criticizes American railroad companies for providing poor working conditions and compensation compared to European counterparts, while also highlighting the dangerous transportation practices affecting workers.