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,JAMES S. BRIGGS 3459 Stratford Rd., N.E. Atlanta, Georgia September 11, 1966 Mayor Ivan Allen City of Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia Sir: The Atlanta Constitution of Saturd~y, September 10, 1966 carried an article about the recent riot and included portions of a letter addressed to you by 14 organizations stating that, in essence, the COllllilunity concensus ought not to become arrayed against certain individuals and organizations as a substitute for relieving the slum conditions which brought about the riots. It is a complete perversion and distortion of f a cts for these 14 pressure groups to take the position that slum conditions caused the riots and none can know better than you who were there what caused the riots. Although not represented by any group or organization but one who continues to believe in a government of l aws let me commend you for your statement that these instig&tors of violence be judged by our coliU"is as law-breakers not urban reformists. The pea ce and tr~nquillity of our citizens take precedence over reform and each should take its place before the bar. If violence, riet and insurrection are excuseable and are supported by the specious reasoning of self-appointed, not elected, or~anizbtions then to whom and to what agency can the isola ted citizen look for protection? If a government of laws cannot be depended upon to preserve the pea ce and tranquillity of the community then one 11ust question its responsibility and a ' government without responsibility does not deserve the support ot" its citizens. This, then, is anarchy. ~.y family of 5 joins me in thanking ye>u for your courageous actions udring the riet. ere~, /v) / J,<'7 Briggs

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