Document 15: Walter F. White to Mrs. Judson L. Saunders, 4 August 1922, NAACP Papers, Part 7: The Anti-Lynching Campaign, 1912-1955, Series B: Anti-Lynching Legislative and Publicity Files, 1916-1955, Library of Congress (Microfilm, Reel 1, Frame 420).

Document 15: Walter F. White to Mrs. Judson L. Saunders, 4 August 1922, NAACP Papers, Part 7: The Anti-Lynching Campaign, 1912-1955, Series B: Anti-Lynching Legislative and Publicity Files, 1916-1955, Library of Congress (Microfilm, Reel 1, Frame 420).

Introduction

        This letter to Mrs. Judson L. Saunders was not only a thank you note, but a request for her to begin a telegram campaign in New Haven in support of the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill. The Dyer Bill was to appear before the Senate in late 1922, and the NAACP hoped to put political pressure on politicians to support the bill through such telegram campaigns. The fact that the NAACP requested women write to Senators reveals women's central role in the campaign as fundraisers and as individuals with political voices (see also Documents 21A and 21B).

                                          August 4, 1922.

Mrs. Judson L. Saunders
28 Hazel Street
New Haven, Conn.

My dear Mrs. Saunders:

       May I express to you and through you to the Committee of Ladies representing the various social clubs of New Haven our very cordial thanks for the contribution of $100.00 towards the work of the Association in fighting lynching.

       I am sure that you will rejoice with us in the splendid results which have been achieved in the fight for the passage of the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill. This measure was reported favorably by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 28. We are bringing all possible pressure to bear to secure a vote on this bill before the November elections. Your contribution is most timely in that it will aid tremendously in doing this most necessary work to secure enactment of the measure.

       You have been so generous that I am taking the liberty of making one additional suggestion to the ladies of your committee. Will you be willing to send telegrams in the name of the Committee and in the names of the various social clubs represented, as well as by as many individuals as possible, to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Republican leader, and to Senators Brandegee and McLean of Connecticut, urging that the Dyer Bill be brought to a vote and passed without delay? It is such concerted efforts as these which will force action by the Republican majority. I hope that you will be good enough to render this additional service.

       With sincere appreciation of the splendid service rendered by your committee and to each member of that committee individually, I am

                     Yours for the Dyer Bill,

                                          Assistant Secretary