Herbert Thomas Letter Admits Defeat of His Program

Form letter used by Herbert Thomas to acknowledge a lack of organization support for his integration proposal, "The Arkansas Plan," 1958.THE FIRST PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA HERBERT L. THOMAS PRESIDENT PYRAMID LIFE BUILDING LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS April 14, 1958 Please excuse this general letter but it would de most difficult to answer personally each letter that I have re- ceived during this past week. I appreciate tremendously the interest of each of you, and I make you the following report: Every organized group related to the racial matter and the Central High School matter has refused my proposal and evidence no interest in any compromise whatever. Ninety-five per cent of the letters I have received from independent members of the white race have indicated support and a willingness to work the matter out somewhat along the lines I have suggested. The organized groups have expressed no interest in knowing the reaction of those not organized. I can conceive of no successful solution where every organized group opposes the suggested plan. I therefore do not feel encouraged that such a proposal will be accepted at this time. I am speaking to the Negro group on April 16 at 10:00 a.m., as I want to go on record with my appraisal of the damage to themselves and to the white race br considering no compromise. It now appears that all parties will have to suffer con- siderably more than they have before negotiations can assume an aspect of reasonable compromises. While I shall not cease to seek a solution, I felt that your interest deserved my appraisal of the matter to date. Sincerely, [Herbert L. Thomas, signature] HLT:a