Memorandum to: Robert Giles, From: Governor Hodges, RE: Governor Hodges' discussions with various Southern Governors on the lunch counter problem, March 9, 1960

CONFIDENTIAL March 9, 1 960 MEMORANDUM TO: Robert Giles FROM: Governor Hodges RE: Governor Hodges' discussions with various Southern Governors on the lunch counter problem Governor Collins of Florida, Governor Collins called me last week before his own press conference, which I believe was Thursday, asking how we had handled the situation and what we had said. He later made a fairly strong statement to the press saying that these demonstrations should be stopped; that they were illegal and could lead to danger if not discontinued. Governor Collins pointed out that the chain of variety stores were not too logical in that they served all phases of the business to Negroes, but were not willing to serve them food at another counter. He quoted the Florida law as to trespassing and then made the statement that he had told the press any person had the legal right to patronize or not to patronize any private business. Governor Almond of Virginia, Governor Almond said that they had had some difficulty and expected more and he agreed thoroughly with the position that we had taken; namely, that the national chain of variety stores should do one of two things: 1 . Use the trespass law of the various States in which they are located so as to get people arrested if they refused to leave the premises upon being ordered. 2. Close down their luncheon counters indefinitely. I asked Governor Almond if he would be willing for me to quote him publicly that he supported my position. He said yes, but he would not want to be a part of any statement that they should serve on an integrated basis at the present time because he is having trouble with his Legislature. Governor Hollings of South Carolina. We raised the same question with Governor Hollings about the failure of the national chains to use any authority or to accept any responsibility and pointed out that they had closed and opened their lunch rooms and kept the thing on a nervous and tense basis. He said he had asked local store managers to get a policy, but they had not been able to get the national chains to agree upon a policy. Governor Hollings then said that he had used his "lawful assemblage" powers to allow into a store for any purpose whatsoever a maximum of seven