Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-12-06
DIR. Sutton IL. Grigg's Explanation.
Editor Chicago Defender,
Chicago, Illinois

Editor Chicago Defender,
Chicago, Illinois
My dear Sir.-ln a recent issue OF
your journal under the caption "Opcn
statement TO The Public" you say
Elsewhere in this paper appears an
article, reprint from the CONNER
cial Appeal under date of November
1G, i'll which DR.. Sutton l. Griggs
states that he has been invited by
the commission appointed by Cover
nor Lowdcn of this state to invcsti
gate race conditions in Illinois and
TO present his views regarding the
proper course to pursue to the COM
mission There are two errors in
this part Of your statement. You
say "Dr. Sutton E. Griggs states" |
beg to assure you that the wording
OIL the article which you quote is not
my wording. Tho article quoted by
you opens by saying that I am zone
or tho best and most fayorably known
lecturers in the United States, who
has been respected citizen of Mem
phls for many years" My mother
taught mo when child that self
praise Is half scandalous" and l would
not have been guilty OF handing
such comment to Il newspaper report
er. L had no moro connection with
tho use of those words than you did.
Your next error is In saying that
the statement reads that I had been
! invited "by the commission Your
| wording would call for official act
| ION on the part Of the commission.
! Ihe statement in the Commercial
Appeal which you unintentionally mis-
quote Is. He was also asked last
, week by members of the commission
which is wholly different thing
/ from what You say. AS you are
, member of the commission you
, would have the right to know of
, any official action taken, but you
, might not know of all invitations OK
/ tended by members of the commits
sion.
Laying aside the reporters word
ing of the matter. I will now use nv
| own words in telling just what did
/ happen. During my recent visit to
the city OF Chicago, I had tho privi-
lege of on Interview with the emil
nent DIR. Graham Taylor of the Chi
cago university and founder OF the
chicago commons. At this interview
l LOOK occasion to read to him some
vows which I hold az Fundamental
causes OF racial antipathies. He OK
pressed himself as very much infer
estod III what I had to say and urp.
cd that l formulate practical sur.
sestions growing out of the views
stated and present them to the com
mission. lie also urged me to have
an interview with a Mr.. Graves, see
fe'ary to Mr.. Julius Roscnwald. and
'erl sentative of the latter unon tho
committee on race rclotionebins
pointed by Governor Lowden of hi
n''"' MT. graves expressed a prefer
ehce Tor my appearing before the
commission and urged that I should
40 so stating the ebay and honr of
NICE ing. | did not see fit TO accent
ms KIND invitation. My views had
no special connection with the situot
ION IN Chicago and Illinois but with
'"oe questions throughout the world
anu "lth race questions other than
."c american race question. As T
had no special remedies TO suspoct
lor me Chicago situation, | did not
a'ail myself of the opportunity Off
erea me to appear before the COM
mission.
WIN reference to your closing com
mcht concerning Jim-Crow laws and
segregation. l wish to say that thew
III" not IN any way come up in tho
course of my interview with Mr..
Taylor.
SUTTON e. GRIGGS