Judge — June 30, 1917 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon by Halton De Maris depicts a tall, thin man in civilian clothes leaning against a lamppost confronting a uniformed soldier. The caption reads "MEN ARE NOT TO BE MEASURED BY INCHES—Old Proverb." The satire appears to critique physical stature standards, likely related to military recruitment. The civilian's exaggerated height contrasts with the soldier's more typical build, suggesting the cartoon mocks rigid height requirements for military service. The proverb's message—that worth isn't determined by physical measurements—implies criticism of policies that rejected qualified recruits based solely on height standards. This reflects early 20th-century military recruitment debates, when height minimums were common but controversial. The cartoon argues character and capability matter more than inches.