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[Howard University seal] School of Music Howard University Concert Series
Howard University Washington D.C.
Founded by General O.O. Howard
January 19 1939.
Mr. [Mister] S. Hurok 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York City N.Y. [New York]
Dear Mr. [Mister] Hurok
At the suggestion of Mr. [Mister] Glenn Dillard Gunn I am writing to you of our difficulty in securing an auditorium for Miss Marian Anderson who is to sing for us on April 9. I think he told you of the ban on Negro artists appearing in Constitution Hall which is owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Last week we went to see the manager of Constitution Hall and was informed by him that a clause restricting Negro artists is inserted in all contracts. We then went to the National Theatre. The manager there told us that he could not give us a date so far in advance for he could not tell whether or not the New York booking agency would send a show here that week and if htey did send a show whether or not they would need Sunday night to hang the scenery and have a rehearsal. We wrote the Belasco theatre and the same situation holds there. The Armstrong High School auditorium is out of the question for two reasons (1) we could hardly get it on Sunday night and (2) with the fee you quoted us due to its size it would not do. Last year we had the Rialto theatre it has failed and is now closed and in the hands of the receivers.
I would appreciate if you would contact the United Booking agency it books the shows at the National and see what the managers have in mind for that theatre for the week of April 9. If you have any other suggestions to offer please send them to me.
I am enclosing a letter that was sent to all the newspapers here and the responses so far. To date only two papers have published the letter.
Thanking you for your cooperation I am
Very truly yours
Charles C. Cohen Charles C. Cohen Chairman Howard University Concert Series
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Founded by General O. O. Howard Howard University Washington D.C. Incorporated by Act of Congress March 2 1867 [Howard Unversity seal]
Trustees Louise C. Ball George E. Bell Jacob Billikopf Sara W. Brown W. Justin Carter George W. Coleman George W. Crawford Walter G. Crump Victor B. Deyber Lloyd K. Garrison Charles H. Garvin Albert Bushnell Hart
Trustees John R. Hawkins T.L. Hungate Guy B. Johnson Mordecai W. Johnson Thomas Jesse Jones Jesse E. Moorland Peter M. Murray James C. Napier Ulysses G.B. Pierce C.C. Spaulding Channing H. Tobias P.B. Young
Treasurers Office
January 12 1939
The Editor The Washington Herald 1317 H Street N.W. [Northwest] Washington D.C.
Sir
For several years Howard University has presented Miss Marian Anderson in recital in Washington. For two years the Armstrong High School was used. Last year we were successful in securing the Rialto Theatre. To be sure of meeting expenses the University need some auditorium that will seat 1500 people or more. our experience proves that there is sufficient demand from the general public to fill an auditorium seating [seating] 1500.
Persons in charge of the concert for Howard University have attempted to secure Constitution Hall. The Management has advised that the Daughters of the American Revolution have required restrictions to put in all contracts that no Negro artists may be presented in Constitution [Constitution] Hall.
Howard University has enough to do without engaging in extra-curricular [extra-curricular] reform activities. The question arises personally however whether there are not a sufficient number of persons in Washington and vicinity interested in Miss Marian Anderson and what she represents to impress upon the Daughters of the American Revolution that this restriction may not represent public opinion in Washington. Or does this restriction [restriction] represent public opinion in Washington?
Respectfully
(Signed) V.D. Johnston V.D. Johnston
A similar letter went to the following papers with the same date
The Washington Times The Washington Daily News The Washington Evening Star The Washington Post
Communications should be addressed to [quote] The Treasurer Howard University [end quote] and not to individuals