The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-10-11

Relations department of the
Of America. for tho ayowed purpose
Of helping to improve inter-racial
relations between white and color
ed citizens.
Letters bearing Joe's signature
end printed on stationery from his
training camp at Greenwood Lake,
NY. were sent out to prominent
citizens throughout the nation, APP
pealing TO them for moral and f.
nancial assistance in his fight to
help his people in the struggle
against race prejudice and injus-
tice.
The letter reads in part as fol-
lows:
1 have been reclassified by the
selectivc draft board and / expect
To- he called into the service OF re-.
country. This may cause me to re-
tire from the ring.
But before retire. want to put
up one more fight, the best OF my
career, TO help my people.
"The hardest fight ever had was
against prejudice and intolerance.
My people know what mean. They
arc all fgting their way up and
want TO open the door OF opportu-
nifty a little wider for them.
"The fight | propose to make will
not be staked in an arena against
one particular opponent hut out in
the open across the country.
If could get a gate as big as
I've ever seen in the Yankee Sta
dium and turn it over to the de-
partment OF race relations OF the
Federal Council OF the Churches of
Christ in America for the splendid
work that department is doing on
behalf OF the Negro people and bet
ter relations with their white neigh
bors, I'd feel like a real champion.
II propose TO start the 'gata'
with my own contribution, and
want you TO subscribe for box.
a ringside seat or other reserya-
ton. This is ono purse which does
not have to be shared with promot-
crs or managers. Every cent will
be used 10 better the condition OF
my people and in creating better
human relations in America.
"Will you cooperate by sending
your check or money order. in any
amount. payable TO Frank II. Mann.
treasurer, and mail il today. II
YOU help me win this time, I'll feel
that I've won the greatest fight Of
my life. Thank you. Sincerely
yours,
"(Signed)
Joe Louis"
The reaction 10 this appeal has
been both favorable and unfayor-
able. In most instances, the unfa-
vorable reaction has come from
conscientious citizens who assumed
that the letters were fraudulent
and motivated by the desire OF
schemers to capitalize on Joe's
popularity with the public, hut this
is not the case. The letters arc gen
uine.
One OF the Detroiters who receiV-
ed one OF the letters Is Charles G..
Lowther OF 1914 LaSalle. He
writes:
But the literary style OF the
smooth, appealing letter was not
that OF the Detroit champion. Nei-
Their was the fetching whine about
the Council OF Churches OF Jesus
Christ. Our Louis has never been
trained that way. He shoots
straight.
but the well-timed letter, com
ing the day after the fight would
catch multltudes still drunk from
celebrating and they would have
given their shirts II Louis had ask
ed Il. Others Of the millions on the
mailing list, from the humblest la
borer TO those on the fringe on
economic royalty would give on
general principles.
Gust who Is this Mr.. Mann.
treasurer. to whom the checks are
TO be made payable? And just how
Is ne to use this money toward the
removal OF race prejudice as al
leged?"
A reaction entirely opposite TO
that OF Mr.. Lowther Is expressed
BY General Hugh Johnson. In an
article In The Detroit Times Of
Oct. 2. He writes In part;
I'll have no doubt from It's context
Confined on Page y