Judge — March 15, 1924 — page 35: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical comic depicts traffic chaos, likely from the early-to-mid 20th century when traffic signals and automobile congestion were novel concerns. The sequence shows: **The scenario:** A traffic policeman alternates between holding "STOP" and "GO" signs at an intersection crowded with small vehicles and passengers. **The satire:** The joke appears to mock the absurdity of early traffic control—the policeman's commands create confusion rather than order. In the final panel, his frantic "HONK HONK" signals produce a chaotic jam of cars, suggesting that well-intentioned regulation can backfire spectacularly. **The point:** This reflects contemporary frustration with emerging urban traffic problems and the limitations of early traffic management systems. The cartoon humorously demonstrates how authorities' attempts to impose order on modern transportation often produce the opposite effect.