Judge — August 31, 1929 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Highway Commissioners" This cartoon satirizes the chaos and dysfunction of highway construction and maintenance oversight in America. The central image depicts a courtroom ("Judge") literally under construction—filled with scaffolding, debris, blocked entrances ("CLOSED"), and detour signs. Workers navigate confusion while various officials appear trapped or ineffectual amid the mess. The satire targets "Highway Commissioners"—government officials responsible for road infrastructure. The cartoon suggests these bureaucrats create more obstruction than progress, turning what should be orderly judicial/administrative proceedings into literal chaos. The multiple "DETOUR" signs emphasize wasted time and resources. The burning debris symbolizes destruction without productive outcome. Overall, it mocks government incompetence and the public inconvenience caused by poorly managed public works projects.