April 28, 1958
Mrs. L.C. Bates
806 West Ninth Street
Little Rock, Arkansas

Dear Mrs. Bates:
The Little Rock newspapers have credited you with the
statement that I misquoted you in reference to our conversation
concerning my efforts to bring about a peaceful and end to the strained
relationships between the Negro and white races in Arkansas.  I
assure you that if I did misquote you such action was not intentional
on my part.  Furhtermore, I should be very happy to correct any
possible misstatement of fact or misinterpretation of your position,
if you will be kind enough to provide me with a statement making
clear your comments and your position.

I had hoped that it would be possible for us to get
moving toward a constructive, cooperative consideration of this
problem without the need for anyone to quote anyone else, or for
anyone to comment publicly concerning the position of any other
person.  I feel that it is much better, in matters of community
interest, for persons concerned to make their views a matter of
public record.  Two reasons prompted me to seek public forums for
a discussion of the plan which I offered:

One reason was my understanding that Negroes feel that
too many subjects pertaining to their welfare have been handled in
past years behind closed doors.  In this section, I had nothing to
hide.  I had no selfish motives.  To me a closed-door maneuvering
would have been unthinkable, even had it been possible.

My second reason that I wanted the leadership pf
both races to stand together with courage and with good will and
say in effect to the world: “This has become a difficult problem
of human relations, but it can be solved, and by working together
in a spirit of mutual trust and confidence we will solve it with
consequent advantages to both races.”  Had we taken such a stand
together, then there would have been no reason for anyone to quote
anyone else.  Our hopes and our attitudes would have been known to
all.