Judge — February 16, 1924 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon attacks coal dealers during winter, depicting a figure being knocked backward by the force of a thaw (spring warming). The cartoon accuses coal dealers of profiting unfairly during harsh winters when fuel demand peaks, suggesting their pricing practices are exploitative and cruel. The text's hostile tone—"hymn of hate"—reflects public anger at coal dealers who allegedly inflated prices during cold weather emergencies. When temperatures rose (the "thaw"), demand dropped, costing dealers profits—hence the metaphorical "punch in the jaw." This likely reflects early 20th-century American consumer frustration with monopolistic heating fuel practices. The "Mild Winter" label suggests dealers feared season changes that would reduce their leverage over desperate customers needing heat.