July 5, 1960
Mr. J. P. Gwaltney
W. T. Grant Company
214 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
My dear Mr. Gwaltney:
I have this morning placed in the hands of Mr. George M. Ivey, Sr.
copies of a report which the Mayor9* Committee on Priendly Relations adopted
unanimously at a Meeting yesterday morning. We are very hopeful that this
statement encompasses the conditions which would be reasonably satisfactory both
to you gentlemen as merchants and to the Negro students.
In a aeeting with the Negro students yesterday, they assured me that
they have no ill will growing out of their relationships with the stores in the
past weeks. They farther indicate their desire and expectation to carry on with
quiet and dignity and courtesy should the lunch counters be opened to then. I
believe they are sincere and forthright in this statement.
Should the merchants find these conditions agreeable and should yon
decide to open the lunch counters, I would suggest that the earliest possible
date would be best. The press is standing by awaiting a word from us when some
publicity will be given to the decision. I should think if we could agree upon
a date later this week, we would be sufficiently ahead of what the public can expect and, therefore, would find the whole natter working out in a spirit of quiet
and harmony which would be to the good of all of us. 1 nay add that it is ny
understanding from a statement which the students made to me late last evening
that they do not expect to csrry on their demonstrations this week.
With sppreciation and with the hope and prayer that this experiment nay
work out happily for all concerned, and with very best wishes from ny Connlttee,
I am
Sincerely,
J R Cunningham
ccs Mr. D. E. Jackson - S. H. Kress and Company
Mr. P. H. Hoffman * Liggett Drng Company, Inc.
Mr. B. H. Hood - McLellan Stores Company
Mr. M. W. Crosland - Sesrs Roebuck and Company
Mr. It. L. Kincheloe - P. W. Woolworth Company
