Life — May 18, 1916 — page 21: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Life magazine cartoon depicts a woman pointing to a sign advertising "NEUTRAL PROFIT EASY MONEY" while addressing a seated man in a star-patterned outfit (suggesting Uncle Sam or American authority). The caption "Now Then, The Last Line" suggests she's presenting a final argument or appeal. The satire appears to target wartime profiteering or neutral-country financial exploitation—likely referencing America's commercial dealings during a period of declared neutrality (possibly WWI era). The woman represents commercial interests or temptation, while the man represents American government neutrality policy. The cartoon mocks the contradiction between official neutrality and the profit motive, suggesting that financial incentives undermine stated political positions. The "last line" implies this is the final persuasive argument before neutrality is abandoned.