A case of learned ignorance – why can’t he trust his naked eyes?
Subject(s): Economic policy, Hadley, Arthur Twining, 1856-1930, Imperialism, Labor, Magnifying glasses, Trusts, Industrial
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Yale professor and university president Arthur Twining Hadley looks through a huge magnifying glass trained on a laborer labeled “Trust Employee.” However, what Hadley sees through the lens is a “Trust Slave” linked by a ball and chain to “Trusts.” On the ground, at Hadley’s feet, is a piece of paper stating “Dangers of trusts and imperialism. Prof. Hadley.”
Comments and Context
Many journals of opinion, editorialists, and political cartoonists between the 1880s and early ‘teens decried the rise of trusts and the increasing stranglehold of monopolies on American business. Many powerful cartoon statements were published. However, there was an ambiguity when deference was paid to the prosperity, booming world trade, low prices, and high wages in many industries, brought about by industrial combinations known as Trusts. In a widely-noted speech in 1901, President Hadley of Yale attacked the ills sustained by the living standard of the working class. This was one area, in Puck‘s view, where Trusts had a beneficial effect.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1901-04-03
Creator(s)
Period
Vice President of the United States (1901)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
A case of learned ignorance – why can’t he trust his naked eyes?. [April 3, 1901]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275826. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. A case of learned ignorance – why can’t he trust his naked eyes?. [3 Apr. 1901]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275826.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1901, April 3]. A case of learned ignorance – why can’t he trust his naked eyes?.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275826.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
