Judge, 1921-03-12 · page 7 of 32
Judge — March 12, 1921 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This 1920s satirical cartoon critiques American taxation and bureaucratic burden through a Hell-based allegory. The main cartoon depicts Satan rejecting a newly arrived taxpayer (John Smith from New Jersey) because the man has already suffered so much from U.S. taxes—both direct and indirect—that Hell would be redundant punishment. The joke: taxation is presented as worse than damnation itself. Satan argues the taxpayer deserves Heaven as relief, not further torment. This reflects post-WWI American frustration with rising income taxes and expanding government revenue collection. The framing headline ("Why Not a Grouch Club?") suggests forming clubs for those ruined by taxes, lost sports games, and broken cars—everyday American grievances. The accompanying "Cupid's Advice" column is unrelated relationship humor filler.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by Faase Carnie + Wuy Not a Grovcu Crus? For Gourens wio ane ory Tuein Gase, SMOKERS WHO HAVE swORS Orr, AxD AvToIsTS WHOSE CARS SQUEAK Transferred By BL ATAN looked up from the paper he was reading, the Hades Wietiaus Gazette, run by a former editor of a newspaper at Beens tooket, Mass., and cast his eyes on a meek little man (or what was once a man, but now only the shadow of his former self) standing ina waiting attitude, with a devilish looking attendant holding him by the arm “Who is this?” asked His Majesty “A neweomer, just arrived,” answered the attenc “What's your name and where are you from Evil One of the meek little man. “My name is John Smith and I came from Jonesboro, N. J., U.S. AL.” replied he of the meek aspect “Oh, you're from the U.S. A., teer?” asked he of the Evil Glare Certainly not,” answered the erstwhile New Jerseyite, with something almost like indignation in his voice. “It’s a good thing you're not, for I've had to build some additions to Hades lately, to g ate them all. They best quarters, te ed to having the best of And Satan chuckled sar- asked the are your Are you a profi- demand th everything on earth, 1 suppose donically “What made you ‘kick the bucket’? ” continued His M “Broken back.” briefly stated Smith. “What broke it?” demanded Satan. “Taxes,” replicd the broken-backed one “Well, what did you come here for?” asked the now inter- ested Evil One I thought I'd feel at home here through,” sighed the meck one “See here,” said His Majesty they have been levying on you in the ULS. A both direct and after what I’ve been did you pay all the taxes indirect?" “Yes, sir. every one,” replied Smith ned to the attendant. “Here,” he said poor man away from here, and send him to Heaven at onc before I break down and weep! Why, he'd only be restless and unhappy here from sheer ennui, and goodness knows the poor fellow had enough hell on earth anyway.” And so the poor Taxpayer, weeping for joy, was led away Satan t from there Cupid's Advice By Frances Morrison Love him every day, but do not treat the same. One day, be an iceberg; the next one be a flame. Never let him have a pass-key to your heart. Love him table d’hote but treat him a la carte,