Prices

At center, mannequin models are being constructed as stand-ins for actors. They are surrounded by scenes of price gouging, poorly attended performances, the use of wooden actors, indifference to customers, and haughty attitudes by theater staff, and the resulting failure of business. Above the main scene are the ghosts of past actors labeled “Booth, Gilbert, Forrest, Cushman, [and] Wallack.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Ehrhart was producing double-page spreads in Puck by 1903, approximately once a month, on social subjects, in a template of one major cartoon surrounded by a galaxy of related humorous jokes. Occasionally these commentaries had “bite,” however, as in this cartoon.

Charles G. Washburn writes to Theodore Roosevelt that it is unfortunate that he could not accept George F. Booth’s invitation, but also that Washburn and his wife, Caroline Vinton Slater Washburn, would be glad to accept Roosevelt’s luncheon invitation. Washburn then moves on to discuss politics, and is pessimistic about what will come from the Tariff Board. He also believes that “the people” misunderstand how manufacturers operate, and that it is important for the Tariff Board to protect the home market from large quantities of foreign goods. Washburn argues that President William H. Taft is making a grave mistake by forcing a proposition that would split the Republican Party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-31

Harry W. Kern shares his perspective with Theodore Roosevelt on why prices on consumer goods are high, maintaining that it is because of industrial trusts and combinations, and companies who sell things on installment plans, rather than the tariff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-03

Bernard Shandon Rodey sends Theodore Roosevelt a consideration and commentary on a court of commission to fix maximum prices on trust-controlled products.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-30

An elderly physician sits in a chair in an office. Hanging on the wall is a fee schedule labeled, on the left, “Ailments for People of Moderate Means. Low Fees” and on the right, “Same Ailments for Rich Patients. Fees Accordingly.” For example, on the left “Colic $5.00” becomes, on the right, “Appendicitis $1000.00,” “Earache 5.00” becomes “Otitis Media 250.00,” “Indigestion 5.00” becomes “Acute Gastro-Enteretis 400.00,” and “That Tired Feeling 5.00” becomes “Neurasthenia 350.00.” A young messenger boy is delivering a message, and in the background, well-dressed patients are sitting in a waiting room. Caption: He has ordinary and inexpensive ailments for ordinary patients and high-sounding and costly maladies for the rich.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1897-12-22