Committee formed to resolve crisis; deadlocks on resolution to postpone boycott

December 17, 1955

During a meeting with the city commission and MIA leaders, Totten leaves it up to the citizens of Montgomery to resolve the question of segregation. After the meeting, Mayor Gayle appoints a committee composed of eight black leaders, including King, and eight white leaders to resolve the crisis. The committee deadlocks on a resolution offered by the white members to postpone the boycott until 15 January but agrees to a resolution requesting more courtesy from the bus drivers. The car pool reportedly involves two hundred private cars, more than one hundred taxis, and eight gas stations.