"THE PEOPLE ACT"
A National Radio Series That Shows People Working Together to Solve Their Local Problems
601 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK 22, N. Y.

December 5, 1952

Mrs. Velma Carson
Morganville, Kansas

Dear Velma:

Our committee and the publishers have now started to pressure me for results. I have written a long introduction and a single chapter on the hospital at Bat Cave, North Carolina. These cleared the first hurdles and I am instructed to produce more chapters.

Would you be able very soon to take that pen of yours in hand and give me a free-wheeling, chronological account of the Morganville story from the beginning to now? It wouldn't be necessary to think at all of style or literary perfections because I will have to recast it in the light of the basic processes set forth in the introduction. I will also retell the story somewhat in the first person so that readers will be able to get the feeling that the man who wrote most of the book has actually been to the places described.

I will then take Lou Hazam's script, my own long account of my visit, the verbatim transcript of everything on tape plus your fresh up-to-date document and put it all together.

Would you be willing to do this for $50? I was hoping that a couple of days' time might be enough.

If this is possible, will you write in the freest language to let me visualize characters, motivations and situations. The element of conflict is important. Everyone of these stories will be ruthlessly honest - don't hesitate to show where things have slipped after a good start. They are stories of struggles rather than of success all wrapped up.

I want you to feel that you are helping in a most important enterprise. In addition to the book, we are preparing plans for a number of lecture platters on democratic processes which will use existing tape material, and also a film or two in which there might have to be some fresh footage, which will show how American communities actually develop new strength.

I want very much to start the Morganville chapter myself before Christmas so the sooner I am able to team up with you as a colleague the better it will suit me. We expect the book to come out in soft and hard, covers almost simultaneously and to have a wide, possibly partly global distribution. We are hoping to turn over copy to the publisher by March or April. This is the green light for which I have been waiting a long time, and I am counting on your help.

Here's hoping - all good wishes.

Sincerely, Elmore McKee

[Handwritten signature]

EM:cag

"THE PEOPLE ACT" is a Project of the FUND FOR ADULT EDUCATION, Established by THE FORD FOUNDATION

[Following is "letterhead" material]

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
"THE PEOPLE ACT" CENTER
601 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK 22, N. Y.
MUrray Hill 8-7624

Director
ELMORE McKEE

Executive Associate
ELEANOR A. EATON

Research
HARRIET DAVIS DRYDEN
KAY SMALLZRIED

Public Relations
PAUL BENJAMIN


THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Chairman
MILTON S. EISENHOWER
President
The Pennsylvania State College

ALVIN T. ANDERSON
Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Illinois

WILLIAM W. RIDDLE
Program In Community Dynamics
Earlham College

THOMAS R. CARSKADON
Education Department
The TwentIeth Century Fund

Ben M. CHERRINGTON
Social Science Research Foundation
University of Denver

Roy J. COLBERT
Bureau of Community Development
University of Wisconsin

RABBI MORTON GOLDBERG
B'Nai Israel Synagogue
Toledo

JOHN A. HANNAH
President
Michigan state College

IRVINE S. INGRAM
President
West Georgia College

CHARLES S. JOHNSON
President
Fisk University

JESS OGDEN
JEAN OGDEN
Extension Division
University of Virginia

ROBERT A. POLSON
Department of Rural Sociology
Cornell University

RICHARD W. POSTON
Adult and Extension Services
University of Washington

F. C. ROSECRANCE
School of Education
New York University

PAGE SHEATS
University Extension Service
Univ. of Calif. at Los Angeles

CARL TJERANDSEN
Institute of Citizenship
Kansas State College


EDUCATIONAL OFFICE
br> RAY H. SMITH. Director
"THE PEOPLE ACT" CENTER
Box 342
STATE COLLEGE, PA.
(State College 8441)


FIELD WORK OFFICE

J. CARSON PRITCHARD Director
WEST GEORGIA COLLEGE
CARROLLTON, GA,