Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Social Arbiter
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Social Arbiter

Artifact ID1973.1.787
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (1903 - 1979)
Publisher (founded 1837)
Gifter
Medium Ink and developer on Craftint paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/4 in x W 12 in (36.2 cm x 30.5 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man ("Recessions”) and a woman (“Poverty") wearing tattered clothes are stopped from entering a building ("The Great Society") by butler LBJ. Next to LBJ is a bucket of corn (“LBJ corn”), a beehive (“Texas honey”), and a jar (“milk grade A+”), and he stands on a step (“genuine marble”). The man carries a box of apples (“Apples 5¢”). In the distance is a vision of a fairy ("New Tax Cut Forecast"). A man and a cat look at the vision happily. Caption: “The Social Arbiter”. Artist signature lower right: "Yardley”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “Friday”. Handwritten at lower center: “6 in”. Handwritten at lower right: “Editorial” “60”.
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.
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.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Texas
Place of Publication
Baltimore
Related Links