Judge — January 18, 1919 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis This four-panel cartoon titled "In Times Like These" critiques American preparedness during World War I. The top panels show Columbia (personified America) opening a gate to release prisoners and a man holding a "war baby." The middle panel depicts a man labeled "Business" chained to a post, being forced to cut himself loose—satirizing calls for industrial mobilization. The bottom panel shows the White House with scattered war materials and a woman asking "Who's been here since I've been gone?"—suggesting chaos and mismanagement of war preparations. The cartoon attacks the Wilson administration's handling of military readiness and industrial coordination, depicting America's response as disorganized and inadequate. The imagery suggests those in power have abandoned responsibility during crisis.