215

[Aug 6, 1917]

[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE
AUG 6 1917
RECEIVED]

Ackgd 8/16/17

152

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
The White House,
Washington, D. C.

Mr. President:

I am taking the liberty of intruding
this letter upon you because I feel that the issues
involved are as important as any questions now press-
ing upon your busy attention. The whole civilized
world has been shocked at the recent occurrences in
Memphis and East St. Louis. These outbreaks call
attention anew to the irritating race problem of
which they are but eruptive symptoms which break
forth ever and anon with Vesuvian violence. For
fully a generation American statesmanship has striven
to avoid, ignore or forget the perplexing race problen.
But this persistent issue will not down at our bidding
and cannot be shunted from public attention by other
questions however momentous or vital they may seen to be.

I know that I am taking unwarranted lib-
erties with the ceremonial proprieties in writing such
a letter to the President of the United States at the
present time. It may seam to partake of the spirit
of heckling after the manner of the suffragists. Nothing

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