To Archibald James Carey, Jr.
Author: King, Martin Luther, Jr. (Montgomery Improvement Association)
Date: March 3, 1956
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Genre: Letter
Topic: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Details
Responding to Carey’s 24 February inquiry, King notes that the MIA’s “most pressing need is for additional finances.” On 5 March Carey reported that Bishop George W. Baber had requested donations from Michigan AME churches, but advised, “I do not know where he plans to send [the donations].” Carey indicated that he would use his influence to have funds sent where King wished, “and I will treat your opinion as a confidential communication, if you so indicate.” With help from the NAACP’s Chicago branch Carey organized an April prayer meeting at the Chicago Coliseum featuring Ralph Abernathy and Roy Wilkins that generated $2,500 for the MIA.1
Mr. Archibald J. Carey, Jr.
188 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Mr. Carey:
Thanks for your very kind letter of February 24, making inquiry concerning what our needs are at this particular time. Our most pressing need is for additional finances. Our car pool is still in operation, plus the need for a well staffed office. At present we are in the process of revamping our transportation system. With this new system our transportation will run approximately $3,000.00 a week. Along with these responsibilities, we confront a court case, in which some 100 persons have been indicted for giving assistance in the present non-violent protest against injustice. In order to fight this in the courts, we will need unlimited funds. Whatever you can do to assist us at this point will be highly appreciated.
May I close by saying we are always in need of your prayers.
Cordially yours,
[signed]
M. L. King, Jr.,
President.
MLK/ds
1. See Carey to King, 10 April 1956; and Abernathy to Carey, 17 April 1956.
Source: AJC-ICHi, Archibald J. Carey Collection, Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Ill., Box 27, folder 182.