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———S——_— ———_—— ae —=—=—C iS ee Se
t
it
Dear Mayor Allen,
I just want to send along my apology for the actions of a few hoodlums in
your cit y|the other night and to let you know their thinking is not the thinking
of respectable citizens, Negro and White, in Atlanta or elsewhere. I for one,
sincerely hope this incident will not dim your sights for Equality, nor reduce
your efforts to make Atlanta the great city it can become. I'm certain the
Good Will Committee hastily organized, is an indication of the strong desire of
Atlantans to help you. I've been in at least thirty major Southern cities in
the past four years and none, absolutely none, has yet reached the climate of
good will that exists in Atlanta. The nearest in spirit and cooperation to
Atlanta that I found, was Roanoke, Virginia.
You may not remember me but in 1961 the late Trezzvant Anderson, Reporter for
the Pittsburgh Courier, introduced you to me and we chatted at your Mayoral head-
quarters for almost an hour. I recall so well you saying...."A few years ago I was
an avowed segregationist but I know now, that we must get on with the job of
building a greater Atlanta, a greater Georgia, a greater Southland, and thus, a
greater America." Henry Aaron of your baséball team, is a good friend of mine,
and he has said many nice things about you and your efforts to bring about equality
for all people in the city. I also know you have been forced to bear considerable
abuse, as has Ralph McGill and others, for your policy in this regard but you have
held your ground. Please don't count this as flattery, I just want you to know
you have t ousands of friends across the country who appreciate what you have done
in recent years. Moreover, we would not like to see you become discouraged.
I have been with the American Broadcasting Company, stationed at the United
Nations, since 1962 but this letter is sent on a personal basis. Maybe one of these
days we can arrange an interview to talk about the "Winds of Change" in Atlanta.
Good luck. I counted the late Branch Rickey as a good friend and was privileged
to talk with him many times in the fities when he resided in Pittsburgh. He gave me
a copy of Frank Tannenbaum's book entitled "Citizen and Slave" and on the last page,
in the last chapter he underscored the words.."We shall some day look back and wonder
what the issues were all about". This I believe because there are Ivan Allens, Ralph
McGills, Marlin Brandos, Burt Lancasters, Shelley Winters, Governor Scrantons, and
ti ousands who believe that "God hath made of one blood all nations of menand we are
His children, brothers and sisters all."
eunaerel a A.
VilaG, R. Goode Phooey
80 Howland Avenue
Teaneck, New Jersey
t
it
Dear Mayor Allen,
I just want to send along my apology for the actions of a few hoodlums in
your cit y|the other night and to let you know their thinking is not the thinking
of respectable citizens, Negro and White, in Atlanta or elsewhere. I for one,
sincerely hope this incident will not dim your sights for Equality, nor reduce
your efforts to make Atlanta the great city it can become. I'm certain the
Good Will Committee hastily organized, is an indication of the strong desire of
Atlantans to help you. I've been in at least thirty major Southern cities in
the past four years and none, absolutely none, has yet reached the climate of
good will that exists in Atlanta. The nearest in spirit and cooperation to
Atlanta that I found, was Roanoke, Virginia.
You may not remember me but in 1961 the late Trezzvant Anderson, Reporter for
the Pittsburgh Courier, introduced you to me and we chatted at your Mayoral head-
quarters for almost an hour. I recall so well you saying...."A few years ago I was
an avowed segregationist but I know now, that we must get on with the job of
building a greater Atlanta, a greater Georgia, a greater Southland, and thus, a
greater America." Henry Aaron of your baséball team, is a good friend of mine,
and he has said many nice things about you and your efforts to bring about equality
for all people in the city. I also know you have been forced to bear considerable
abuse, as has Ralph McGill and others, for your policy in this regard but you have
held your ground. Please don't count this as flattery, I just want you to know
you have t ousands of friends across the country who appreciate what you have done
in recent years. Moreover, we would not like to see you become discouraged.
I have been with the American Broadcasting Company, stationed at the United
Nations, since 1962 but this letter is sent on a personal basis. Maybe one of these
days we can arrange an interview to talk about the "Winds of Change" in Atlanta.
Good luck. I counted the late Branch Rickey as a good friend and was privileged
to talk with him many times in the fities when he resided in Pittsburgh. He gave me
a copy of Frank Tannenbaum's book entitled "Citizen and Slave" and on the last page,
in the last chapter he underscored the words.."We shall some day look back and wonder
what the issues were all about". This I believe because there are Ivan Allens, Ralph
McGills, Marlin Brandos, Burt Lancasters, Shelley Winters, Governor Scrantons, and
ti ousands who believe that "God hath made of one blood all nations of menand we are
His children, brothers and sisters all."
eunaerel a A.
VilaG, R. Goode Phooey
80 Howland Avenue
Teaneck, New Jersey