Judge — April 1, 1905 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Man Who Can Make the Dirt Fly" This April 1905 *Judge* cartoon satirizes Theodore Roosevelt's ambitious infrastructure projects, particularly the Panama Canal construction. The large military figure represents Roosevelt wielding a massive shovel, depicted as aggressively commanding dirt and resources. The figures emerging from the shovel appear to represent various political interests and groups affected by or involved in canal construction. The underground cavity shows crowds labeled "CANAL," suggesting the massive labor and upheaval required. The fortifications and military aesthetic emphasize Roosevelt's vigorous, forceful approach to the project. The title "The Man Who Can Make the Dirt Fly" ironically celebrates Roosevelt's energetic executive action while subtly mocking the chaos and disruption his ambitious policies created. The cartoon reflects contemporary debates about American imperialism and the canal's controversial construction.