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A large hand labeled “Protected Interests” crushes with its thumb the dome of the U.S. Capitol labeled “Congress” rocketing into the sky atop a pillar of fire with a devilish figure labeled “Cost of Living.”
Comments and Context
One of cartoonist Udo J. Keppler’s favorite icons, employed in many cartoons, was a giant thumb come down from the heavens to quash, prevent, and suppress whatever Keppler as innocent or helpless parties of movements. A master of anatomy, his hands were distinctive and well-drawn (many cartoonists confess to being challenged when called upon to draw hands).
In this case, and despite a lengthy and healthy national prosperity (briefly threatened by a Wall Street panic in 1907), the phrase “High Cost of Living” entered the political lexicon. As a fact and a factor, it was always an aspect of debates in political economy. But the phrase — even “HCofL” in the ‘teens and ‘twenties — seldom left the realms of political cartoons and politicians’ speeches after this time.
Even relying on simple labels, Keppler’s cartoon is as much an object lesson as a political argument.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1909-04-21
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
African Safari (March 1909-1910)
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:
Why it goes up. [April 21, 1909]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291304. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. Why it goes up. [21 Apr. 1909]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291304.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1909, April 21]. Why it goes up.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291304.
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. March 12, 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.
