Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-27
Koran Is Mystery Man
In Little Rocks Crisis

in Little 10
:" LITTLE ROCK. Ark. Sept.
81 (R).-James T. Karam, cloth
ier and former, football coach.
has become a man Of mystery
in the Little Rock integration
crisis.
His role, if any. is not public
~ known. Both sides disown
him. But he apparently figures
sn the current probe here by
the Federal Bureau Of InveS-
Aigation. FBI agents have
been asking questions.
81 While Mrs. Karam was in
Georgia with Gov. and Mrs.
Orval Faubus while the Gov
ernor attended the Southern
Eovernors' Conference at Sea
island. Mr. Jimmy"-as Ka-
Ram is called by his Negro
Niends-was on the segrega-
aionists' battle line at Central
High School Monday.
Mr.. Karam frequently was
observed at Gov. Faubus' news
conferences in the Governors
mansion-during the time Ma
tional Guard troops were keep
ing out unauthorized persons"
Denies OfIicial Standing
Asked about this, Mr.. Karam
said today. II am the Gov
,enor's clothier. l sell him all
of his clothes and accessories.
HE needed a suit for the press
conference"
The 44-year-old Karam, a
:small. athleticly built man,
,denied that he had any official
standing with the Governor.
IT know Gov. Faubus Just like
7 know my other customers" he
asserted.
= He said he was named secre-
starry of the State Athletic Com
omission by its members. II
was not appointed by the Gov
:ernor."
!; Arnold Skies, q Faubus aide,
lsaid of Mr.. Karam:
=, He knows the Governor .
;but he is not officially con-
!nected with this administra-
:tion."
y Why was Mr.. Karam at the
Executive mansion news confer
fences?
Il don't know why he was
;there." answered Mr.. Skies.
:sHe has never been in on any
conference I have attended"
Associated With Urban League
!. Mr.. Karam told a newsman
to-day. II have worked all my
:hfe for better relations between
:the races"
. He said that until a year ago
he was associated with two or
foundations with announced
GAINS Of improving interracial
relationship Urban League
sand the Arkansas Council on
Human Relations.
Spokesman for both groups
indicated they no longer held
mr.. Karam in high esteem.
Nat Griswold. director of the
Council on Human Relations,
said Mr.. Karam had never been
cctive in the organization.
i. He never paid his dues. "
Mr.. Griswold said. He was at
q; the organizational meeting,
understand. and like everyone
else there was named to the
: board"
, Amis Guthridge, attorney for
/: the Capital Citizens Council,
said, "he (Karam) definitely Is
not a member of the council. /"
Involved in Controversies
During the past 10 years. Mr.
Karam often has been involved
with controversies.
He was assailed by labor
: spokesman in 1916 for his &C
tivities in connection with the
Veterans Industrial Associa-
ton. a group he organized be-
cause. as he told newsmer
then. veterans found they
couldn't get along with estab-
lished labor unions without
paying exorbitant initiation
fees" The VIA. in 1916
claimed 1900 members II
: Arkansas. Louisiana, Texas anc
Florida.
Before the VIA folded, unior
spokesman charged that it wa,
a "strikebreaking" outfit.
Mr.. Karam, a native of Lake
Village. Ark, became coach al
Little Rock Junior College ir
September. 1916.
He built a football power,
house which was victorious IL
the 1949 Junior Rose Bowl al
Pasadena, Calf. His favorIt,
trick was to announce-usually
correctly-the score before the
game was played.
In 1850. he opened his Maii
street clothing store.
Offered to Take Bus Franchis,
Two years ago he offered Il
take over the franchise of tn,
! strikebound Capital Transi
Co. which then operated Littll
Rocks bus service. He tolC
the city council he would
finance the deal with thu
funds of a personal friend
the same man, he said, whit
financially backed his clothinG
store.
The hacker was never identi
fled and nothing ever came o.
Mr.. Karam's offer.
Monday. newsmen noted Mr.
! Karam's presence at Contra
High when the crowd Of abou
! 1000 white persons turned int
j new LOW COST