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Description
In response to the spread of organized anti-Semitism in the United States during the 1930s, leaders of Los Angeles' Jewish community formed a special defense organization known as the Los Angeles Jewish Community Committee. The committee later changed its name to the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, Community Relations Committee. The collection documents the committee's efforts to combat prejudice and educate the public through cooperation with both Jewish and non-Jewish groups, from its formation in 1933 through the early 1990s. This is an official FBI "WANTED" poster from 1942. The potential criminal being sought is Joseph Schmidt (a.k.a. Paul Schmidt; a.k.a. Jerry Swenson), who is described as a "German saboteur". The poster includes two mug-shot photos of Schmidt, taken October 18, 1940 (possibly in Canada -- the identifying card in front of Schmidt's face says "Edmonton"). A detailed physical description of Schmidt is provided, down to his "tobacco stained" teeth and "high pitched voice". The reader is instructed: "If you are in possession of any information concerning the whereabouts of [Schmidt], communicate immediately in person or by telephone or telegraph 'collect' to the undersigned or to the nearest office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice..." Contact information for FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover is provided at the bottom of the poster. 16 x 10.5 in.
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972 United States. Dept. of Justice Sabotage Subversive activities Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei National socialism
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