A letter to President Carter from Benjamin E. Mays – I write to congratulate you for providing a new way for the American people to communicate with the President of the United States., 3/7/1977

Mays, Dr. Benjamin E. Folder Citation: Collection: Carter White House Central Files: Series: Name Files; Folder: Mays, Dr. Benjamin E.: Container 2108 BENJAMIN E. MAYS 3316 PAMLICO DRIVE, SOUTHWEST ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30311 March 7, 1977 The Honorable Jimmy Carter President of the United States The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: I write to congratulate you for providing a new way for the American people to communicate with the President of the United States. I hope you will continue to make yourself accessible to the American people. This method will draw the people closer to you. It will help to assure you eight years in the White House. I am glad that you are setting an example to parents of the Nation by sending Amy to a public school with 26 different nationalities. I write again on behalf of a friend of mine in whom I have great confi- dence. His name is Thomas Lewis of Chicago, President of the Southside Bank, Cottage Grove at 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60653. He is an able banker, a man of deep integrity. He has the same appreciation for me that I have for him. Saturday, March 5th, he made a trip to Atlanta to request me to do him a favor, help make it possible for his concern to reach you. This is the second reason I write you. The gist of his visit is stated in the letter he addressed to me on March 5th. He wants you, Mr. President, to request the F.C.C. Chairman Richard E. Wiley to support Inter-Urban's purchase of radio station WLTH in Gary. There are 7,000 radio stations in America, and only 44 are owned by Black peo- ple. As he says, "the acquisition of WLTH represents an opportunity for Black people to enter into the radio station and communication field and into realistic money." I am enclosing Mr. Lewis' letter, his memorandum to me dated March 4th, and an article from Post Tribune of March 1st. I am also sending a letter from Mayor Hatcher of Gary addressed to The Honorable John H. Conlin. Mr. Lewis believes and so do I, that this is one way of helping Black people without dole or charity. With kindest regards and best wishes, I am Yours truly, Benjamin E. Mays BEM:db Enclosures