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The fixed umpire
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The fixed umpire
The fixed umpire. Illustration shows a baseball game between the Ultimate Consumer AC and the Monopoly Giants where a Giants ballplayer is sliding head-first into a base and is being tagged out by an Ultimate Consumer AC ballplayer with a ball labeled Tariff Reduction; despite not even reaching the base, the umpire labeled Congress calls the baserunner, who winks and points at the umpire, safe. Date 1909 June 2. The fixed umpire. Illustration shows a baseball game between the Ultimate Consumer AC and the Monopoly Giants where a Giants ballplayer is sliding head-first into a base and is being tagged out by an Ultimate Consumer AC ballplayer with a ball labeled Tariff Reduction; despite not even reaching the base, the umpire labeled Congress calls the baserunner, who winks and points at the umpire, safe. Date 1909 June 2
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EDITORS COMMENTS
June 2, 1909: The Fixed Umpire - A Satirical Take on Congress and Tariff Reduction in Baseball This intriguing illustration from a 1909 magazine depicts an unusual baseball game between the Ultimate Consumer AC and the Monopoly Giants. The Giants' ballplayer, in a daring head-first slide, is being tagged out by an Ultimate Consumer AC player, who holds a ball labeled 'Tariff Reduction.' However, the umpire, identified as Congress, defies logic and rules by declaring the Giants player safe, despite not even reaching the base. The Giants player winks and points at the umpire in a knowing gesture, highlighting the perceived corruption in the system. The use of baseball as a metaphor for political and economic issues was a common theme during this era. Tariffs, which were taxes on imported goods, were a contentious topic, with some arguing they protected American industries and others claiming they stifled competition and raised consumer prices. The illustration's title, 'The Fixed Umpire,' suggests that Congress was biased towards the Monopoly Giants, or powerful corporations, and was not acting in the best interests of the Ultimate Consumer. The cartoon's satirical nature underscores the public's growing frustration with the political establishment and the perceived influence of big business on government. The image is a poignant reminder of the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding economic policy and the role of government in regulating markets, issues that remain relevant today.
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