Life — July 31, 1919 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Do We Have to Beg for a Job?" This cartoon, published July 31, 1919, depicts three dogs in human poses wearing medals or decorations around their necks, sitting beside a military helmet and what appears to be a flag or insignia. The caption asks: "Do We Have to Beg for a Job?" The satire addresses post-World War I veteran unemployment. The dogs represent decorated war veterans who, despite their military service (symbolized by their medals and martial items), faced difficulty finding civilian employment after the war. The cartoon criticizes the apparent indifference of society toward returning soldiers, suggesting that decorated combat veterans were being reduced to begging for basic work—a pointed commentary on how inadequately society rewarded those who had fought for their country.