Judge — December 2, 1922 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts a man in formal dress hiding behind a pillar labeled "CONGRESS," appearing to warn or shush someone (indicated by "Ss-s-s-ss!"). Below, military or uniformed figures are being pulled by ropes labeled "Mr. Volstead" toward what appears to be a trap or snare. The "Volstead" reference indicates this relates to Prohibition enforcement (the Volstead Act enforced the 18th Amendment). The cartoon satirizes Congress's handling of Prohibition policy—suggesting Congressional figures are complicit in or hypocritically managing Prohibition enforcement while military/enforcement officials are being manipulated or ensnared by it. The overall message appears critical of Congressional duplicity regarding Prohibition's implementation.