Life, 1928-01-12 · page 19 of 39
Life — January 12, 1928 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon depicts a figure in formal attire holding a letter from "Experience & Co." The letter—a mock "analysis" report—rates the subject poorly on tolerance, political cowardice, graft, and sincerity, concluding he is "unfit for consumption." The figure stands beside a large poison bottle labeled "PROHIBITION," suggesting this cartoon criticizes Prohibition era corruption and hypocrisy. The substantial annual sum mentioned ($25,000,000) likely references government spending or bribes related to Prohibition enforcement, which was notoriously ineffective and corrupt during the 1920s-early 1930s. The cartoon satirizes both Prohibition's failure and the corruption it bred, portraying "Experience" mocking whoever profits from or administers this failed policy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Here. Now- Dear Sir Analysis of sample by thorough test; “ Intolerance -.33 Political Cowardice ---.33 Graft see asoes 5S. Sincerity --=------O1 Conclusion, Unfit for consumption Yours truly, Experience « Co- “And I pay $25,000,000 a year for it!” comicbooks.com.