Judge — March 28, 1903 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This **Judge** magazine cartoon satirizes monopolistic control of the tobacco industry. A large pig (representing a monopoly or trust) dominates the left side, while buildings labeled "United Cigar Stores Trust" fly flags in the background—depicting an actual commercial chain. The visible signs read: "Commercial Death to Him Who Obstructs Us," "You Must Either Buy of the Trust or Not at All," "Competition is Not the Life of Trade with Tobacco Trust," and "No One Controls the Tobacco Trade in America Except the People"—the last being ironic given the trust's apparent dominance. The satire criticizes how the tobacco trust used monopolistic practices to eliminate competition and control commerce, presenting itself as serving the public while actually restricting consumer choice. This reflects Progressive Era concerns about corporate trusts.