Letter: William B. Umstead to Mr. Kelly M. Alexander, June 24, 1954

COPY June 24, 1954 Mr. Kelly M„ Alexander, President N. C. State Conference of N.A.A.C.P. Branches 323 South Brevard Street Charlotte, North Carolina Dear Mr. Alexander: I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June 14 with re¬ ference to the decision of the Supreme Court regarding segregation in public schools, which I have carefully read. I am not a member of the State Board of Education; however, I wish to make it quite clear that I am in thorough agreement with the announcement made by the State Board of Education some time ago that the schools in North Carolina will open in September on the same basis upon which they have been operating. I cannot agree that the questions and problems arising from the decision of the Supreme Court are as simple or as easy to solve as you indicated in your letter. I do not think the State Board of Education should or will reconsider its announcement with reference to the opening of the schools next fall. With best wishes, I am Sincerely yours, WBU:blc William B, Umstead cc: Members of the State Board of Education