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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Swing Shift Sam
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Swing Shift Sam

Artifact ID1973.1.655
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher (founded 1905)
Date 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 18 3/4 in x W 14 in (47.6 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Children play dice in an alleyway. One man says to another, "Why is it that people who shout the loudest for a war on crime, usually call war on poverty a boondoggle?". Caption: “Swing Shift Sam”. Additional text at lower right: “Detroit News ‘67”. Artist signature lower left: "Poinier”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “To President Johnson with personal regards Arthur Poinier”.
Historical NoteThe most ambitious and controversial part of the Great Society was its initiative to end poverty. The Kennedy Administration had been contemplating a federal effort against poverty. Johnson, who, as a teacher, had observed extreme poverty in Texas among Mexican-Americans, launched an "unconditional war on poverty" in the first months of his presidency with the goal of eliminating hunger, illiteracy, and unemployment from American life. The War on Crime was a series of efforts to reduce crime in the United States. In 1967, the Johnson Crime Commission issued a report “The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society” that gave recommendations. The Crime Commission resulted in the creation of 911 as an emergency number, data collection about crime reporting rates, improved police training, the Community Oriented Policing Services program to decrease tension between police and the communities, and the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to fund local and state police.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Detroit
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