Life — July 29, 1920 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Commentary on Government Monopoly **Top cartoon**: An artist complains to tax collectors about owing taxes while claiming the government itself owes him money—apparently satirizing bureaucratic absurdity and unequal treatment between citizens and government. **"Strategy" section**: A humorous domestic scene where a father allows his daughter to choose which doll to play with, establishing her decision-making authority over household matters. **"Government Control" article**: Describes Post-Office Department takeover of private delivery systems, eliminating competition and raising costs through consolidation. The satirical anecdotes that follow—piano trucks breaking down, wrong parcels delivered, customers unable to reach services—mock the inefficiency and failures of government monopoly, suggesting private enterprise operated better. The page criticizes government's expanding control over commercial services as bungling and inferior.