Arkansas State press., 1951-11-23

Mr. Arl v. Moore, District Manager
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
Pine Bluff Arkansas
Dear Mr. Moore
The complaint which I am herewith filing is made for
2e purpose of asceraning the policy of company with
eupany employees serving operators when handling calls
ceaced by Negro patrons users
This is my second written complaint the company
and IL hoped that the matter will result the inacton
gwen the previous protest
Ny mother, Mrs. Beulah Flowers placed a call on No
<ssaber 16, 1851 between six sx-thirty D. m
My brother, Curtis Flowers Beaumont Texas from tele
pe 1880 with the instruction that the charges would be
vaaced home phone 3795 which answered and stated
faf Beuah Flowers has placed call Beaumont, Texas
-.-". whereupon interrupted her find to whom
speaking to which the reply made "the Operator
asked for her number which she Number Eight
and confirmed the charges which to be made. i'm
mediatey called asked for the Chief Operator and
given the Assistant Chief Operator who told that her
Mrs Lusby We discussed the matter in the fol-
lowing vein told her that wanted to notify her that
going protest the dcoureous treatment of Operator
Number Eight handling the call placed by my Mother from
1880 and would like to notice that she make notation
of the complaint which is filed Mrs. Luby assured
that the policy of the company everybody with
The courtesy, and suggested that write you the
present The tone of voice together with the insult
fng civil dscouresy sufficient grounds to charge diserm
nation don't think that white patron would be treat
ed and am filing herein protest against such policy
and demanding its immediate correction
pubic utilities OF this State not to discr1m
fnate against the and No complaint to the
Arkansas Public Utilities Commission is contemplated pres
emily but must be frank to that the present insult to-
HeffeY with the daily TELEPHONE indignties which mine,
must longer be kept between and the company The
don is public danger Aside from the human recog
milton which devoves upon all public servants there
greater concern about helping make this greater country
we elect to proceed here in the South the theory of
Ayafe but equal facilities then would follow that you
might well recommend the powers that be that there will
be naugrated dual switchboard system wherein Negro calls
would handled by operators would be soothing
the be certainly make way for bust
for the company For instance dread making person
al long distance calls simply for the that the calls
which would go into of this Nation where people at
least have the decency and courtesy to act nei
gent whether they 1t would prove distressing to
friends in such
am therefore suggesting that immediate action be TAX
bring end to such uncouth and indecent treatment
Many Negro PATRONS share the views which have expressed
because OF the experiences which they through daily
Something be done and something must be done 1t
not mine suggest the type of action but be assured that
ycu have my cooperation in helping bring about satisfactory
adjustment Of the matter 1t is to hire Negro opera
and let them handle Negro telephone calls all separate
but equal That's the law of the South presently and yet
Is hoped that these perous days that men some
where will cling the Jesus way long enough to help make
this great Nation and more democratic people.
Yours Very Truly
w Harold Flowers
WIFI PIN
Now, Mama we have a long and hard fight hands
not be mine to to the finish, but so long
live shall whatever facilities available to register
prompt and humanity protest to the unChrstan way OF peo
pie who mistrea simply because OF the color OF their
skins In such times these 1t preposterous to THINK hat
white men and who join hand In hand with black
stay the evil influences which tend to des
tnoy all of mankind would continue the old traditions and
which made this Nation divided The children OF this day
and need only chance and all OF such protest would I'M
mediaely end. But. segregation and dscrimina
yet power many of the States of this Union This
end cannot endure the pain and suffering
which me, stand idly by witnessing the practices
of discrimination and segregation this medium to
don't like my children will not think too well of their
father should he do otherwise than what have done
PROTEST. PROTEST! APPEAL TO HUMAN DECENCY RE-
Numbering THAT GOD Is NOT DEAD!
n planning TO visit ihei, mother
vmE3vIM week