Mayor Hartsfield commenting on the possibility of Atlanta's schools being closed due to the state laws prohibiting schools from being desegregated:

"Such a course will lead to the eventual closing of every public school in Georgia, including Tech and the University of Georgia," the mayor declared.

"We are not seeking integration," he said, "but we do want to preserve the public school system There can be no substitute for the public school system."

HOPE, Inc. sent this telegram to Governor Vandiver:

"We are confident that an administration which is making history in achieving economy and honesty in state government does not want to go down in history as an administration responsible for closing Georgia's schools.

"In line with constructive leadership shown in the above mentioned areas, we earnestly ask that you act with equal statesmanship to maintain public education on an uninterrupted basis."

source: Atlanta Journal & Constitution, July 12, 1959