Letters, Nov. 7, 1955

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(4 of 4)

-before the expiration of his hundred years' deadline, back among us poor deluded "expatriates" for a fresh shot of inspiration.

JOE DOWNING

Paris

Church Credit (Contd.)

Sir:

Some of your Oct. 10 letters to the editor dealt with modern-designed churches and their architects, who had been "snubbed" because their names had been left out of your original Sept. 19 spread. Here at Riverside Tabernacle in Flint, Mich., we feel doubly snubbed because you failed to photograph the most beautiful new church in the country [see cut] and, at the same time, to mention that it was designed on the drawing board by our pastor, the Reverend M.A. Jollay. Not only did he do the actual work—all without a formal degree in architecture—but he received lavish praise from the contractors who built this beautiful $250,000 structure. In addition, he directed a campaign that saw the entire amount raised through the sale of bonds which made it unnecessary for us to visit any bank vice presidents to raise the money. Almost all of the bonds have already been redeemed —all within a short span of less than three years.

VIRGIL A. SELLERS

Flint, Mich.

Race & the Law

Sir:

I was very much interested in your Sept. 19 article on Thurgood Marshall, and was equally interested to read the rather predictable letters [Oct. 17 et seq.,] in rebuttal. I recently had the opportunity to hear Marshall when he spoke before the Virginia Convention of the N.A.A.C.P. here. I am not a member of the N.A.A.C.P., nor do I agree with many of their methods. I am a Southerner by heritage, by upbringing and by choice. I was, therefore, somewhat surprised to find myself in agreement with Thurgood Marshall. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has determined that segregation in schools must end, and if we choose to "defy" the Supreme Court, we are challenging its right to determine the laws of the nation, and consequently challenging the Constitution itself. If we in the South try to defy the Supreme Court, or to circumvent it, we will be started on a course to challenge the entire authority of the U.S. This is a ridiculous course; following it once led us to secession and defeat; surely we should have learned from that lesson. It would be more sensible to accept the Court's ruling, and accept it with the good grace that will cost us nothing. It will prevent the unhappiness and discord which now seems inevitable.

ARCHER ELLIS HANSEN

Charlottesville, Va.