Cable Scott Franklin to John F. Kennedy, 30 December 1960

CLASS OF SERVICE WESTERN UNION SYMBOLS This is a fast message DL = Day Letter unless its deferred char- NL=Night Letter acter is indicated by the proper symbol. TELEGRAM SF-1201 (4-60) LT= International Letter Telegram W.P. marshall. PRESIDENT The filing time shown in the date line on domestic telegrams is LOCAL TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is LOCAL TIME at point of destination LLD003 CTA471 CT MGA724 NL PD TDMG SOMERVILLE TENN 29 PRESIDENT ELECT JOHN F KENNEDY Harrifford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his is a fast message DL = Day Letter unless its deferred char- NL = Night Letter acter is indicated by the TELEGRAM SF-1201 (4-60) LT= International proper symbol. Letter Telegram W.P. marshall. PRESIDENT The filing time shown in the date line on domestic telegrams is LOCAL TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is LOCAL TIME at point of destination 2/helhBWID HARD FOR ALL NEGROES TO LIVE. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO USE YOUR 1860 DEC 30 AM 12 3n AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THIS INHUMAN TREATMENT THAT WE ARE UNDERGOING. WE FURTHER ASK THAT UNITED STATES SURPLUS FOOD BE SENT HERE. WE ASK THAT ONE OR MORE DOCTORS FROM UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE COME TO FAYETTE COUNTY WHERE REGISTERED NEGROES HAVE BEEN REFUSED MEDICAL CARE. WE THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER CONSIDERATION YOU GIVE TO OUR REQUEST SCOTT FRANKLIN PRES. FAYETTE COUNTY CIVIC AND WELFARE LEAGUE ROUTE 2 MOSCOW TENNESSEE