Judge, 1921-12-17 · page 8 of 36
Judge — December 17, 1921 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political and Social Satire from Judge Magazine This page contains three distinct satirical pieces attacking American society: **"Captains of Industry"** mocks wealthy industrialists as quasi-religious figures worshipping profit, treating ledgers as scripture and financial statements as prayers—critiquing unchecked capitalism and moral corruption among the wealthy. **"Mr. Frost, the Juggler"** appears to reference a public figure (likely Jack Frost or similar) seducing women, using magical imagery to suggest deceptive romantic manipulation. **"Upholding the Constitution"** satirizes law enforcement priorities: a police officer pursues a man with alcohol (during Prohibition era) while ignoring an actual bank robbery, exposing the absurdity of enforcing unpopular moral legislation over protecting property and public safety. The etching above shows a figure examining a child, with a darkly comic prayer about conscience and Santa—likely condemning hypocrisy among the wealthy who exploit children while maintaining moral pretenses. These pieces collectively attack corruption, materialism, and selective justice in American institutions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY By F. Romer ONKS of mammon! In their steel and concrete cloisters; bowed over glass-topped mahogany altars, figuring devoutly on the per- forated pages of their books of gold; reading the word of their god in the numerals that say the profit cometh; summing up salvation on adding ma- chines; sending forth statements as prayers, bills as supplications and re- ceived payments as amens. Now I lay me down to sleep— My conscience hurts me quite a heap If only Santa will forget, Will I be good next time? You bet! MR. FROST, THE JUGGLER By Marie Ellyson O do a trick with ladies fair, He breathes upon their dainty noses As soon as they get in the air. Then presto—change! old Jack dis- closes, Just there between the lips and hair, White rosebuds turned to red, red roses. THE PLAY! Great and unique and gay and bright— Set for all time, and ran one night! 6 UPHOLDING THE CONSTITU- TION Citizen—Why running so, officer? Officer—There’s a man with a pint on his hip! “But they’re robbing the bank across the way!” “I can do but one thing at a time.” AN ILLUSTRATION Tutor—Give an illustration of the paradox. Pupil—Er—a foreign domestic.