Life — September 12, 1918 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This appears to be a satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine showing a caricatured figure labeled "GOETHALS" (likely referring to George Washington Goethals, the Panama Canal chief engineer) depicted as a baby or cherub struggling with what looks like construction plans or documents. The figure is shown in an exaggerated, undignified pose amid scattered debris or materials. The satire likely critiques Goethals or Panama Canal construction management—perhaps mocking the project's difficulties, delays, or administrative challenges. The infantilization suggests incompetence or foolishness in handling the massive engineering undertaking. The scattered papers and distressed expression convey chaos or mismanagement. The exact political point remains somewhat unclear without fuller context, but the cartoon uses physical humor and caricature to mock canal-related leadership or construction issues that were apparently newsworthy to *Life*'s readers.