Life — November 27, 1924 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a Thanksgiving dinner scene with three allegorical figures joining a farmer at his table: "Mr. Banker," "Miss Politics," and "Little Master Infant Industry." The satire critiques how these three entities exploit farmers. The banker likely represents predatory lending practices; "Miss Politics" embodies corrupt or self-serving government; and "Little Master Infant Industry" refers to industrial interests receiving government protection (tariffs/subsidies) at farmers' expense. The joke is darkly ironic: these figures present themselves as the farmer's "friends" while dining at his table—suggesting they extract wealth and resources from agricultural producers. The toys scattered beneath suggest infantilized or parasitic behavior. This reflects late 19th/early 20th-century agrarian grievances about economic exploitation.