Memorandum, Maxwell Rabb to Sherman Adams Regarding a Proposed Meeting Between President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Black Leaders

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON September 27, 1957 MEMORANDUM FOR GOVERNOR ADAMS FROM: Maxwell M. Rabb MMR RE: MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT EISENHOWER AND NEGRO LEADERS STATUS I have completed my discussions with Roy Wilkins and we have tentatively come to an understanding about the meeting as set forth below. I have also talked with Congressman Powell and Jackie Robinson about it. My discussions were held on a confidential basis and I am hopeful that there will be no disclosures to the press until the plans have been absolutely firmed up. COMPOSITION OF THE GROUP I stressed the fact that the group should be a small one, six or seven at the most, but it may be that we will have to expand the number to nine if we are to touch all the bases. The following will attend: Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Roy Wilkins, Executive Director of the NAACP (There was a question that Dr. Channing Tobias, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NAACP would attend but this now seems unlikely.) Reverend Martin Luther King Mr. A. Philip Randolph, Vice President of the AFL-CIO Jackie Robinson It was felt that the women and the press should also be represented. In the former category the candidate would be Mrs. Irene McCoy Gaines, President of the National Association of Colored Women, who is an ardent Republican and a strong supporter of the President. William O. Walker, President of the National News- paper Publishers Association, will be the individual who represents the press. We have, of course, many friends in this field but his position would make it un- necessary for us to choose between them. Walker is a Republican of long standing.