1830 Westwood Avenue
Baltimore 17 Maryland
September 15, 1950.

Mr. Langston Hughes
Care of Alfred Anopf Publishing Company
501 Madison Avenue
New York N.Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Fords' Theatre, Baltimore, where the play of which you are co-author, will appear this season, practices Jim-crow segregation, as Negroes are seated in the last row of the second balcony only.

For four years the Baltimore Branch of the NAACP has maintained a picket line at all performances at Fords' Theatre, after it was found that the owner, Mr. Marcus Heinman of New York, was unwilling to change the policy of segregation.

During the four years, a number of outstanding stars have refused to appear at Fords; or having appeared and seeing the un-American discrimination practiced, have announced that they will not appear here again as long as segregation is practised at Fords. Among them are: Charles Boyer, Jose Ferrer, Jean Pierre Amont, Uta Hagen, Hazel Scott, Canada Lee, Ruth Gordon, Meg Mundy, and Madeline Carroll. Complete casts that have played here have signed statements protesting the Fords' practise.

The Maryland Theatre, Lyric, Hilltop and Olney Theatres, all in Baltimore and vicinity, do not practise segregation.

We are confident that you are opposed to the undemocratic practise of Fords Theatre and we urge that you give this matter of "The Barrier" appearing at this house your immediate attention.

Lafayette 4795

WESTERN
UNION

1220

<table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">SYMBOLS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DL</td><td>= Day Letter</td></tr><tr><td>NL</td><td>= Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>LC</td><td>= Deferred Cable</td></tr><tr><td>NLT</td><td>= Cable Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Ship Radiogram</td></tr></tbody></table>

W. P. MARSHALL, PRESIDENT

(42)

NA224 LONG DL PD=BALTIMORE MD 19 353P

Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination

1950 SEP 19 PM 4 44

LANGSTON HUGHES=
20 EAST 127 ST=

WE WERE STUNNED TO LEARN THROUGH THE BALTIMORE PRESS THAT YOUR PLAY THE BARRIER WILL BE PRESENTED AT FORDS THEATRE THE WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 2ND THE BALTIMORE BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE HAS MAINTAINED A PICKET LINE IN FRONT OF THAT THEATRE FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN PROTEST OF THE POLICY OF SEGREGATION ENFORCED THERE. MANY PRODUCERS HAVE CANCELLED APPEARANCES IN BALTIMORE BECAUSE OF THIS POLICY KNOWING YOUR STAND ON THIS ISSUE I AM APPEALING TO YOU TO MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH TO PREVENT THIS PLAY FROM APPEARING IN BALTIMORE. IT WOULD BE A GREAT TRAGEDY FOR MURIEL RAHN AND THE OTHER PLAYERS TO CROSS OUR PICKET LINE I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU IMMEDIATELY=

MRS LILLIE M JACKSON PRESIDENT 402 DOLPHIN STREET

WESTERN
UNION

W. P. MARSHALL, PRESIDENT

1201

<table><thead><tr><th>SYMBOLS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DL = Day Letter</td></tr><tr><td>NL = Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>LC = Deferred Cable</td></tr><tr><td>NLT = Cable Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>Ship Radiogram</td></tr></tbody></table>

(06)

The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination

NA111 PD=BALTIMORE MD 20 1214P=

LANGSTON HUGHES=

1930 SEP 20 PM 11:30

WILL BE HAPPY TO BE YOUR GUEST AT THE OPENING OF THE BARRIER

IN WASHINGTON DC ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH=

MRS LILLIE M JACKSON=

THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE

"FOR FREEDOM AT HOME AS WELL AS ABROAD"

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN - GOAL 10,000

Office: 402 Dolphin Street

Baltimore 17, Maryland

Phone's: LAfayette 8503-8504

DANIEL E. BYRD
Campaign Director

MRS. LILLIE M. JACKSON
President

Vice-Presidents

MRS. AUGUSTA T. CHISSELL

MRS. SARAH F. DIGGS

MRS. MAYME F. GRIFFIN

REV. J. R. BUTLER

REV. FRANK J. FRYE

REV. H. O. GRAHAM

REV. E. W. WHITE

REV. WILLARD CLAYTON

MRS. ELAINE C. FIELDS
Secretary

DR. CHARLES E. WATTS
Treasurer

DR. W. O. BRYSON, JR.
Auditor

JOSHUA E. MAXWELL
Auditor Emeritus

CARL J. MURPHY
Administrative and
Legal Redress Chairman

BETTYE M. PHILLIPS
Publicity Chairman

September 22, 1950

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Thanks for your letter of September 2, 1950. I assure
you that there has never been any doubt in my mind about
how you would feel about a situation of this kind, especially
when you cannot legally do anything about it.

I can appreciate the determined effort of Mrs. Jackson
to eliminate the policy of the Ford Theatre, and the extreme
interest expressed by Mrs. Jenkins. There is so much lethargy
and complacency in Baltimore that these two ladies must have an
over-abundance of interest in order to keep the fight going,
and hence, use every conceivable means of removing this barrier.

I regret that I will not be able to come to Washington
because of the heavy responsibility placed upon me during this
fund-raising effort in Baltimore, where I often work from
9:00 A. M. until 1:00 the next morning. You have been most
cooperative and, I am certain, will do everything that you
can in this unpleasant situation.

I am not sure whether it was Texas or some other place
where we met. I do assure you that the pleasure was all mine.

With best personal wishes for a successful run of The
Barrier, I am

DEB/ecf

"FREEDOM HAS A PRICE TAG"

WESTERN
UNION

W. P. MARSHALL, PRESIDENT

1220

NA036 LONG DL PD=BALTIMORE MD 25 844A=

SEP 25 AM 10 46

LANGSTON HUGHES:
:20 EAST 127 ST=

THE PRESS CONTINUES TO CARRY THE NEWS OF YOUR PLAYS
APPEARANCE IN BALTIMORE MICHAEL MYERBERG YOUR PRODUCERS IS
A BALTIMOREAN AND KNOWS THE CONDITION AT FORDS IT IS TO
HIS EVERLASTING SHAME THAT HE A MEMBER OF ANOTHER MINORITY
GROUP WOULD FORCE US INTO A FIGHT WITH OUR OWN PEOPLE ON
THE MATTER OF SEGREGATION CHARLES BOYER LILLIAN HELLMAN
JOSE FERRER AND MANY OTHERS HAVE REFUSED TO PLAY IN BALTIMORE
WHILE THIS DESPICABLE POLICY IS CONTINUED AT FORDS BY
MARCUS HEYMAN ANOTHER MEMBER OF A PERSECUTED MINORITY GROUP
WE EARNESTLY APPEALING YOU THE CAST TO REFUSE TO APPEAR
IN BALTIMORE UNLESS THIS POLICY IS CHANGED WE OFFER THEM TOP
LEGAL TALENT FREE TO DEFEND THEIR POSITION PLEASE CALL ME
PLEASE DONT LET US DOWN=

MRS LILLIAN M JACKSON PRES 402 DOLPHIN ST=

C O P Y

GAYETTE THEATRE,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
SEPTEMBER 29, 1950.

IT IS REGRETABLE THAT THE OBSTINATE PERPETUATION OF THE UNDEMOCRATIC PRINCIPALS OF SEGREGATION BY THE MANAGEMENT OF FORD'S THEATRE HAS FORCED ME TO REQUEST A CANCELLATION OF THE PROPOSED BALTIMORE ENGAGEMENT OF "THE BARRIER". TO DENY MUSIC LOVERS AND THEATRE GOERS THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING AND SEEING MY DISTINGUISHED CO-STAR, LAWRENCE TIBBETT, IN HIS BRILLIANT CHARACTERIZATION IS INDEED A TRAVESTY ON THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. HOWEVER, I AM GLAD THAT I WILL NOT SUFFER THE HUMILIATION OF APPEARING IN A THEATRE WHICH DENIES FREE ACCESS TO PEOPLE OF ALL CREEDS AND COLORS.

(Signed) MURIEL RAHN

Sent to:

Mr. Hamilton Owens, Editor,
Mr. Donald Kirkley, Drama Editor,
THE BALTIMORE SUN
Also:
Mr. Louis Azreal, Editor,
Mr. Norman Clark, Drama Editor,
THE BALTIMORE NEWS-POST

C O P Y

"THE BARRIER" COMPANY,
GAYETY THEATRE,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
SEPTEMBER 29, 1930.

FOR NEGRO ACTORS TO PERFORM IN THEATRES WHERE THEIR OWN
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES MAY NOT PURCHASE SEATS AS DESIRED
CAUSES BOTH THE ARTIST AND THE NEGRO PEOPLE HUMILIATION,
SHAME, AND IRRITATION AT A DEMOCRACY WHICH PERMITS THIS
CONDITION TO EXIST IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT. I
HEARTILY ENDORSE THE BALTIMORE BRANCH NAACP IN ITS STAND
AGAINST THEATRE SEGREGATION AND I AM HAPPY THAT MY PLAY
IS NOT BEING PERFORMED IN BALTIMORE UNDER EXISTING JIM
CROW CONDITIONS.

Sent to:

MRS. LILLIAN M. JACKSON, PRES.,
BALTIMORE BRANCH NAACP,
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

C O P Y

GAYETY THEATRE,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
SEPTEMBER 29, 1950.

IT IS REGRETABLE THAT THE OBSTINATE PERPETUATION OF THE
UNDEMOCRATIC PRINCIPALS OF SEGREGATION BY THE MANAGEMENT
OF FORD'S THEATRE HAS FORCED ME TO REQUEST A CANCELLATION
OF THE PROPOSED BALTIMORE ENGAGEMENT OF "THE BARRIER". TO
DENY MUSIC LOVERS AND THEATRE GOERS THE PRIVILEGE OF HEAR-
ING AND SEEING MY DISTINGUISHED CO-STAR, LAWRENCE TIMBETT,
IN HIS BRILLIANT CHARACTERIZATION IS INDEED A TRAVESTY ON
THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. HOWEVER, I AM GLAD THAT I WILL
NOT SUFFER THE HUMILIATION OF APPEARING IN A THEATRE WHICH
DENIES FREE ACCESS TO PEOPLE OF ALL CREEDS AND COLORS.

(Signed) MURIEL RAHN

Sent to:

THE BALTIMORE SUN
Hamilton Owens, Editor,
Donald Kirkley, Drama Editor,
Also:
THE BALTIMORE NEWS-POST
Louis Azreal, Editor,
Norman Clark, Drama Editor,

WIRE - Copy

"THE BARRIER",
GAYETY THEATRE,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
SEPTEMBER 30, 1950.

Sent to: A.N.P.
DEFENDER - LIEBER
WASH. N.A.A.C.P. & N.Y. & BALT.

TO: MRS. LILLIAN M. JACKSON, PRES.,
BALTIMORE BRANCH NAACP,
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

LANGSTON HUGHES

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35
New York

TELEPHONE LAFAYETTE 8504

ATTY. THURGOOD MARSHALL
SPECIAL COUNSEL

BALTIMORE BRANCH

402 DOLPHIN STREET
BALTIMORE 17, MARYLAND

MRS. LILLIE M. JACKSON
PRESIDENT

VICE-PRESIDENTS

MRS. ELAINE C. FIELDS
SECRETARY

DR. CHARLES E. WATTS
TREASURER

DR. W. O. BRYSON, JR.
AUDITOR

JOSHUA E. MAXWELL
AUDITOR EMERITUS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

HENRY U. AYERS
REV. J. J. BARNES
REV. MARION BASCOM
MRS. MAHALIA BLAIR
MRS. LAURA BOULIN
MRS. FRANCES BROOKS
MRS. LILLIE BROOKS
GUS E. BROWN
REV. HELEN BROWN
REV. HARRISON BRYANT
DR. J. E. T. CAMPER
JOHN COBE
DR. BERNARD CHRISTMAS
REV. JOHN T. COLBERT
MRS. CECELIA CRAWFORD
GEORGE DOUGLASS
MRS. EMMA J. EPPS
MRS. AMANDA FINCH
HERBERT GARDNER
CLIFTON GATEWOOD
MISS BERTHA GREENE
REV. EUGENE T. GROVE
MRS. ANNIE HARCUM
LACY HAYES
MISS P. ESTELLA HOLLOWAY
WILLIE E. HUBBARD
MRS. FANNIE JACKSON
REV. KELLY L. JACKSON
MRS. KATIE JOHNSON
MRS. VIRGINIA KEASLEY
CHARLES KEY
MRS. MAMIE KNOWLAND
JOHN KOGER
DR. ALBERT L. LAFOREST
REV. E. L. LOFTON
DR. GEORGE McDONALD
MRS. ENOLIA P. MCMILLAN
MRS. FRANCES R. MADDEN
MRS. BEATRICE MARTIN
MRS. MARIE MASON
DR. GEORGE B. MURPHY
MRS. IDA NORRIS
REV. D. R. PAGE
REV. A. J. PAYNE
MRS. MAMIE PATTERSON
MRS. VICTORIA RIDGELY
MRS. BIRTSAL ROSS
BISHOP A. P. SHAW
ELDER WINFIELD SHOWELL
MISS SALLIE STEWART
MRS. BESSIE I. THOMAS
REV. LILLIAN THOMPSON
ADDISON WARBURNE
REV. WILBUR WATERS
DR. WILLIAM WATTS
REV. J. O. WILLIAMS
REV. V. T. WILLIAMS
RAYMOND A. C. YOUNG

ATTORNEYS

MILTON B. ALLEN
W. EMERSON BROWN
JAMES L. BUNDY
HARRY A. COLE
LEROY A. COOPER
CALVIN L. DOUGLASS
WENDELL G. FREELAND
LINWOOD G. KOGER, JR.
DONALD G. MURRAY
GEORGE L. PARRISH
ERNEST PERKINS
ROBERT B. WATTS
LEGAL ADVISORS

CLARENCE M. MITCHELL
LABOR CONSULTANT

CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES

CARL J. MURPHY
ADMINISTRATIVE AND
LEGAL REDRESS

MRS. BETTY M. PHILLIPS
PUBLICITY

MRS. MAYME F. GRIFFIN
ENTERTAINMENT

REV. DR. JOHN TILLEY
LABOR

MRS. AUGUSTA T. CHISSELL
INTERRACIAL

DR. CHARLES WATTS
FINANCE

REV. JENTRY MCDONALD
MEMBERSHIP

REV. J. R. BUTLER
STEERING

MRS. MARY HAWKINS
HOUSING

MRS. FLORENCE SNOWDEN
FRATERNAL

MRS. ENOLIA MCMILLAN
YOUTH

REV. EUGENE GROVE
EDUCATION

ATTY. HARRY A. COLE
SPEAKERS BUREAU

November 15, 1950

My dear Mr. Hughes:

Your kind letter of November 9th was received on
November 13th. Mrs. Jackson is in bed under the
doctor's orders for a few days of rest after the stren-
uous Annual Membership Campaign which has just ended.

In her absence from the office I am hastening to
answer your letter. I regret that our monthly member-
ship meeting is being held at 3:00 P. M. on Sunday,
November 19th at the Sharp Street Memorial Methodist Church,
but we shall do our best to get out early and come to the "Y".
I have informed Mrs. Jenkins of your coming to Baltimore. We
are also announcing this through the press. Your picture has
already been in the Afro-American in connection with the Sollers
Point engagement, but we have not seen anything for Sunday after-
noon. However, we have called the Afro's attention to this and
they are running a feature story on it. We have notified, also
the Lincoln Alumni Association and they expect to attend in large
numbers.

We are all indeed grateful for your courageous stand on the
occasion of "The Barrier" coming to Ford. We are happy also to
report that Todd Duncan's cast of "Lost in the Stars" took a
similar stand and cancelled their appearance in Baltimore. We
are continuing the good fight so that "Simple" and all the people
may enjoy a little bit of democracy (smile). We enjoyed "Simple
Speaks His Mind" so much, especially the chapter on the NAACP.

Looking forward to seeing you in Baltimore, I am

JJM/ecf