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Burlington Mayors Committee on Civic Unity clippings and correspondence, 1955

Correspondence from Art A. Drebenstedt

COPY 

Dear Friends:

As outlined to you in a recent letter from the Mayor's Committee on Civic Unity, a meeting was held last Monday, July 11th, with members of this group and a number of restaurant and tavern operators present. We would like you to know the topics discussed and the conclusions arrived at by open discussion of those present.

1. It was agreed that racial discrimination in restaurants and taverns, while practiced by a small minority only, should be eliminated in conformance with Iowa State Law, and in keeping with moral and ethical principles.

2. It was agreed to adopt a trial period of one month, from August 1st through August 31st, inclusive, during which time NO RACIAL DISCRIMINATION would be practiced in any Burlington Restaurant or Tavern.

3. This trial period would in no way be binding on the individual operator except for the period as stated above.

4. The members of the Mayor's Committee were asked to carry out the details of informing the negro population of this action so that they would be assured of a non-discriminatory policy at all restaurants and taverns during this period.

5. A request was made that another general meeting to be held at the end of this trial period so that all operators may have an opportunity to discuss and evaluate the results of this experiment. You will be informed of this meeting at a later date.

All operators unable to be present at this meeting are now being given an opportunity to join in this cooperative venture...voted upon and unanimously approved by all those present on July 11th. The enclosed card will be your vote of approval when signed and returned.

For the majority of you this will simply be an affirmation of a policy you are now pursuing. This plan was tried in another Midwestern City and many skeptical owners discovered their fears of offending white patrons entirely unjustified.

We need the consent of each and every one of you to make this voluntary plan work. Let's make this a 100% decision in the interests of fair play and genuine cooperation.

Sincerely,
[actual signature]
Art A. Drebenstedt

P. S. MAY WE URGE YOU TO RETURN THE ENCLOSED CARD IMMEDIATELY. IT WILL SAVE A GREAT DEAL OF TELEPHONING---AND WILL ENABLE US TO PUT THIS PLAN INTO OPERATION ON THE SPECIFIED DATE.

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COPY Dear Friends: As outlined to you in a recent letter from the Mayor's Committee on Civic Unity, a meeting was held last Monday, July 11th, with members of this group and a number of restaurant and tavern operators present. We would like you to know the topics discussed and the conclusions arrived at by open discussion of those present. 1. It was agreed that racial discrimination in restaurants and taverns, while practiced by a small minority only, should be eliminated in conformance with Iowa State Law, and in keeping with moral and ethical principles. 2. It was agreed to adopt a trial period of one month, from August 1st through August 31st, inclusive, during which time NO RACIAL DISCRIMINATION would be practiced in any Burlington Restaurant or Tavern. 3. This trial period would in no way be binding on the individual operator except for the period as stated above. 4. The members of the Mayor's Committee were asked to carry out the details of informing the negro population of this action so that they would be assured of a non-discriminatory policy at all restaurants and taverns during this period. 5. A request was made that another general meeting to be held at the end of this trial period so that all operators may have an opportunity to discuss and evaluate the results of this experiment. You will be informed of this meeting at a later date. All operators unable to be present at this meeting are now being given an opportunity to join in this cooperative venture...voted upon and unanimously approved by all those present on July 11th. The enclosed card will be your vote of approval when signed and returned. For the majority of you this will simply be an affirmation of a policy you are now pursuing. This plan was tried in another Midwestern City and many skeptical owners discovered their fears of offending white patrons entirely unjustified. We need the consent of each and every one of you to make this voluntary plan work. Let's make this a 100% decision in the interests of fair play and genuine cooperation. Sincerely, [actual signature] Art A. Drebenstedt P. S. MAY WE URGE YOU TO RETURN THE ENCLOSED CARD IMMEDIATELY. IT WILL SAVE A GREAT DEAL OF TELEPHONING---AND WILL ENABLE US TO PUT THIS PLAN INTO OPERATION ON THE SPECIFIED DATE.