November 28, 1958

Dear Dr. King,

Because Mr. Hughes is away on a lecture tour in California and in Vancouver, I am writing you to acknowledge receipt of the autographed copy of STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM.

I remember that Mr. Hughes wrote the publisher and told them how much he enjoyed the book.

I am sure that Mr. Hughes will treasure this autographed copy.

With best wishes.

Dr. Martin L. King
309 South Jackson
Montgomery, Alabama

Salute to A. Philip Randolph Committee

Headquarters - 165 West 131st Street, New York 27, N. Y.

Telephones: FO 8-6580 - MO 2-5080 - MU 4-2932

November 30, 1959

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127 Street
New York, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

This will be a somewhat unusual request.

A. Philip Randolph celebrated his 70th birthday this year. As you know he pioneered in the labor movement, opening the doors of the trade unions to nearly two million Negro workers. He fathered, three mass actions, and the first Federal F. E. P. C., which has led to dozens of State F. E. P. C. laws.

Skipping over decades of other achievements, but not forgetting them, he most recently startled the nation by leading the first great post-war revival of youth struggle for civil rights. He brought nearly 50,000 young people to Washington on the two Youth Marches in 1958 and 1959.

His thousands of friends feel a tribute to him is long overdue. However, the man associated with workers and simple people could not appropriately be honored at the customary banquet where many persons could not attend for lack of ten or fifteen dollars. Similarly, the man associated with mass action can be honored only in a setting of thousands. Hence the tribute will take place at Carnegie Hall, with admission free, on Sunday evening, January 24th, 1960

This brings us to our unusual request. Would you feel that you might write and present a poem in honor of Mr. Randolph for the occasion? It would be impossible to describe the significance this creative contribution would give to the event. A poetic tribute by our greatest poet and America's best to one of our purest leaders is a matchless combination.

To add a personal note - my admiration for your works is not only expressed in my personal conversations, but I can no longer count the number of times and places, all over the nation, in my

157

December 12, 1959

Salute To A. Philip Randolph Committee
Rev. Martin Luther King
165 West 131st Street
New York 27, New York

Dear Rev. King:

I am happy to write a poem in salute to A. Philip Randolph
and I am enclosing a copy which you may print in the souvenir
program, have read at the testimonial, and use in any other way
feasible. My regret is that immediately after the holidays I am
going to California and unless some urgent commitment brings me
east again, sooner than I expect, it is unlikely that I will be
in New York on the night of January 4th. But perhaps, if you wish,
Fred O'Neal or some other skilled performer might be invited to
read my poem, if accepted for use on the program.

Thank you very much indeed for your kind words about my
poetry and certainly I am most pleased that you have used it in
your speeches and sermons so effectively. As I have attempted to
express to you before, and through my column in the CHICAGO DEFENDER,
I have the greatest admiration for you and your work.

With kindest regards,

LH/gb

Encl: POEM FOR A MAN
by Langston Hughes

December 12, 1959

Dear Rev. King:

I am happy to write a poem in salute to A. Philip Randolph and I am enclosing a copy which you may print in the souvenir program, have read at the testimonial, and use in any other way feasible. My regret is that immediately after the holidays I am going to California and unless some urgent commitment brings me east again, sooner than I expect, it is unlikely that I will be in New York on the night of January 24th. But perhaps, if you wish, Fred O'Neal or some other skilled performer might be invited to read my poem, if accepted for use on the program.

With kindest regards,

LH/gb

December 12, 1959

Dear Rev. King:

Thank you very much indeed for your kind words about my poetry and certainly I am most pleased that you have used it in your speeches and sermons so effectively. As I have attempted to express to you before, and through my column in the CHIGAGO DEFENDER, I have the greatest admiration for you and your work.

With kindest regards,

LH/gb

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

454 Dexter Avenue

Montgomery 4, Alabama

A. Mherst 3-3970

December 29, 1959

Dear Mr. Hughes:

I cannot say more to express both my appreciation
of your poem to Phil Randolph and of your generosity
in writing it, than to say it is just what I expected
from you.

You have added another weapon of the pen to our
struggle. We are sincerely sorry you cannot read it,
but it will be delivered by Ossie Davis who, as you
undoubtedly know, is currently starring in "A Raisin
in the Sun."

With warmest thanks and good wishes,

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

MLK:mlb

(Dictated, but not personally signed by Dr. King.)

<table><tr><td>RECEIVED</td></tr><tr><td>GENERAL POST OFFICE</td></tr></table>

MRS. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

563 Johnson Avenue, N.E.
Atlanta, Ga., 30303

August 13, 1964

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 E. 127th Street
New York, N.Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

My husband, joins me in inviting you to the home of our friends,
Arthur and Marion Logan, 121 West 88th Street, New York, N.Y.
on Wednesday, August 19th at 8:00 P.M. We would like for you to
meet Attorney Donald L. Hollowell, who is a candidate for Judge
of Superior Court in Atlanta, Georgia.

To say that his candidacy is a challenge to our deep South Negro
community, is indeed an understatement. It is more than that.
His campaign not only has regional significance, but national
as well.

A victory for him will be an indication of, and a spur to, social
progress, better race relations, recognition of merit and an im-
provement in the quality and administration of justice.

We feel that you would like to be a part of aiding this campaign.
Your presence will be deeply appreciated.

Bhs

R.S.V.P. TR.4-3976

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

334 Auburn Avenue, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Your letter came during Dr. King's absence from the city. He is scheduled to return to the Atlanta office in about ten days, at which time your correspondence will be brought to his attention for reply.

(Miss) D. McDonald
Secretary to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.