Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-09-20
BIRMINGHAM
Kennedy to Talk With White Leaders

White House that he would not
be able to attend the meeting
because of the situation in
Birmingham, the White House
said.
The President and the Negro
leaders met in the Cabinet
Room before the President took
off for New York where he adj
dressed the United Nations to-
day. Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Burke Marshall in charge
of the Justice Department Civil
Rights Division, also was pres
ent.
Presidents Statement
The President in his state
ment said:
THE tragic death of the
Negro children in Birmingham
last Sunday has given rise to
fears and distress which re-
quire the cooperation and re-
straint of all the citizens in
that city.
/ have received reports from
the leading Negro citizens con-
corning the situation this aft
-ernoon. Next Monday I will
confer at the request of Mayor
Boutwell, with white civic lead
ers who want to give us in
formation concerning the steps
which the city has taken and
plans to re-establish the con-
fidence of everyone that law
and order in Birmingham will
be maintained.
I'm addition, I have today
appointed Gen. Kenneth Royal
and Col. Earl Blaik as a COM
mittee to represent me per-
sonally in helping the city to
work as a unit in overcoming
the fears and suspicious which
now exist. They will go to Bir-
mingham in the next few days
to start on this work of great
Importance.
In the meantime the Federal
Bureau Of Investigation, as well
as local authorities, is making
massive efforts to bring to
justice those persons response
BILE for the bombing on Sunday
and previous incidents.
Il urge everyone to cooper
ate with them in this effort
and that all citizens Of Biz
mingham and Alabama will
give these processes Of law en-
forcement a full opportunity
to work. I urge all citizens in
these next days to conduct
themselves with restraint and
responsibility"
Negro Leaders Statement
The Negro leaders issued this
statement:
We informed the President
OF the grave situation in Bir-
mingham prior to and since
the bombing on Sunday and
tragic death Of the Negro chill
dren. We further informed him
that the Negro citizens of Bir-
mingham are frustrated, con-
fused and almost on the verge
OF despair as a result OF this
reign Of terror.
I'VE told him that here was
widespread fear Of public dis
order and that the Negro pop
ulation did not have complete
confidence in the existing law
enforcement machinery there
This confidence has been less
ened by the presence OF State
troopers in Birmingham who by
their brutality continually har-
ass and intimidate Negro citi-
zens. We expressed TO him our
hope that the State troopers
could Immediately be removed.
1.-THE President told the group
OF his appointment OF Gen.
tKenneth) Royal Cformer Sec
rotary Of the Army and Col.
(EarD Blaik (former Army
football coach) as his personal
representatives to look into the
situation in Birmingham and
to attempt TO help bring the
community together. We well
coined this action by the Presi-
dent and stated our unanimous
desire to cooperate completely
with the Presidents representa-
tives.
THE President also told us
OF the meeting which had been
requested by Mayor Boutwell,
on Monday and we expressed