Judge — April 5, 1924 — page 15: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This sketch depicts a street scene with fashionably dressed women and military officers in conversation. The dialogue critiques wealth inequality and questionable business practices: - **"He's one of the richest men in town"** - **"How did he make his money?"** - **"Heaven knows!"** - **"I s'pose that accounts for his expression."** The satire suggests the wealthy businessman's grim demeanor reflects guilt or moral compromise about his fortune's origins. The implication is that his riches came through dubious means—perhaps fraud, corruption, or unethical dealings—rather than honest work. The military uniforms and formal dress suggest this is an elite social gathering, emphasizing the contrast between outward respectability and suspected moral bankruptcy. The cartoon mocks both the wealthy's opacity about their fortunes and society's willingness to overlook questionable origins of wealth.