Life — June 18, 1914 — page 22: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes the desperation of unemployed workers during what appears to be an economic crisis (likely the Great Depression era, given Life magazine's period). A group of "Business Men" (labeled in the caption) stand on the steps of what appears to be a grand government building with classical columns, discussing job opportunities. The cruel irony of their "chorus" is evident: they're offering positions requiring "$5,000 and expenses" as payment upfront—clearly exploitative or fraudulent schemes targeting desperate job-seekers who would ask "want a good job?" The cartoon mocks both the desperation of the unemployed masses (shown below) and the predatory nature of wealthy businessmen exploiting economic hardship. The title "The Graf's Drear" remains unclear without additional context, though it may reference a specific public figure or incident of the period.