July 5, 1960
Mr. R. L. Kincheloe
P. W. Woolworth Company
116 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
My dear Mr. Kincheloe:
I have this morning placed in the hands of Mr. George M. Ivey, Sr.
copies of a report which the Mayor#s Committee on Friendly 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 meeting 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 further indicate their desire and expectation to carry on with
quiet and dignity and courtesy should the lunch counters be opened to them. I
believe they are sincere and forthright in this statement.
Should the merchants find these conditions agreeable and should you
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 matter working out in a spirit of quiet
and harmony which would be to the good of all of us. I may add that it is my
understanding from a statement which the students made to me late last evening
that they do not expect to carry on their demonstrations this week.
With appreciation and with the hope and prayer that this experiment may
work out happily for all concerned, and with very best wishes from my Committee,
I am
Sincerely,
J R Cunningham
cc: Mr. J. P. Gwaltney - W. T. Grant Company
Mr. D. E. Jackson - S. H. Kress and Company
Mr. P. H. Hoffman - Liggett Drug Company, Inc.
Mr. B. H. Hoed - McLellan Stores Company
Mr. M. W. Crosland - Sears Roebuck and Company
