Life — July 27, 1916 — page 14: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This two-panel cartoon critiques government spending, likely from the early 1900s based on style. **Top panel:** Shows men in suits examining an architectural model labeled "Model of Post Office for Speonk L.I. $230,000.00." This appears to satirize excessive government expenditure on a post office for what was presumably a small, insignificant location (Speonk, Long Island). The men's expressions suggest awareness of the absurd cost. **Bottom panel:** Contrasts this with a frontier scene showing rough frontiersmen and soldiers in harsh conditions, with the caption "Where the Money Goes." The satire's point: Government lavishly funds unnecessary civic projects while underfunding essential frontier defense and military operations. The cartoon criticizes misplaced priorities in public spending—luxury infrastructure versus genuine national needs.