Judge — October 19, 1907 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon appears to satirize unchecked urban development and construction. The image shows a massive ship labeled "THE FUTURE" laden with tall buildings, skyscrapers, and urban infrastructure being launched into the ocean. On the left, small figures appear to be drowning or struggling in the water—possibly representing those displaced by rapid development or overwhelmed by progress. The caption "IF THEY KEEP ON BUILDING" suggests a warning about excessive construction and expansion. The ship's overloaded cargo of buildings implies the satire concerns whether cities are building too recklessly or unsustainably. The drowning figures suggest human costs or negative consequences of this unchecked growth that decision-makers may be ignoring. Without a visible date, the specific historical context remains unclear, though this appears critical of urban development practices.