I've sure got t'be careful in Washington this trip (untitled)

Santa Claus with a sack of toys stands beside his sleigh holding a sheet headed 'Christmas-1951 Schedule' and says he must be careful in Washington, since leaving gifts in the wrong place might put him before a congressional committee. The cartoon argues, by joke, that gifts to officials were under congressional scrutiny; the technique fit is weak, with fear-appeal (the threat of a committee hearing) the closest label.

Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

Fear appeal

Date

December 23, 1951

Period

Cold War

Made by

Washington Evening Star (cartoonist Jim Berryman)

Region

North America

Country

United States

Medium

Cartoon

Issuer type

Media

Regime

Truman Administration

Leader

Harry S. Truman

Audience

Domestic public

Purpose

Persuade or win support

Themes

Elections and party politics, Security and surveillance

Source

Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are

Source

U.S. National Archives (NARA), Records of the U.S. Senate, Jim Berryman Political Cartoons (NAID 5730852), retrieved October 3, 2026

Rights

Public domain (U.S. government work)
Jim Berryman, Washington Evening Star. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the U.S. Senate, 5743156 (NAID 5743156).

I'VE SURE GOT T'BE CAREFUL IN WASHINGTON THIS TRIP.....IF I LEAVE GIFTS AT THE WRONG PLACE I MIGHT FIND MYSELF BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE !

CHRISTMAS-1951 SCHEDULE

Jim Berryman