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January 21, 1955
Dr. Qualls            

This gives me four life memberships in St. Louis. Dr. Sherman Scruggs was one of my speakers at the Douglass Day Program. He is president of Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo. and is a well wisher of Mr. Douglass. Rev. U. S. Donaldson a teacher in the High School is also a helper and well wisher. There are others, these are only a few to give you the idea how I have been working since 1944.

I wish you could come here to be with me on February 20th at my Douglass Day celebration, but as I have no money to pay your expenses, I am reluctant to invite you. If there would be such a thing as "fairy God-mother", I would beg her to help bring you here.

Number 2, 3, and 4 paragraphs of the 1953 letter are all in the making. Your next to the last paragraph is much to my liking. I think your committee could and should raise money to help make the Douglass the shrine it should be. Out of your group of fine folk, I can see many life memberships and many large donations which could be used for say -- building the new roadway or something else that you would choose.

Your group could work with Afro-American Paper and do a great deal of good. If I had the money, I would go there now but I can not. The apartments are not all rented and have not been able to carry themselves so as yet the Douglass Home has not received their share of the annual stipened for 1954.

If the Honorable Governor Archie Alexander comes there be sure to have a talk with him about these things and me. He knows me and I regard him as my friend too. I think I have said enough for this time so again I thank The Coordinating Committee for their help and kind expression of advice. Please let me know what color of paint you will use on the outside of the house and when you start the work. The N. A. C. W. President Gaines will release the money for Douglass as soon as we let her know about the bids on the things we can do with the N. A. C. W. money.

Please contact Mr. Hilyard Robinson, our architect and consultant who is president of Douglass Glen Gardens, Inc. Mr. Alexander is Secretary-treasurer of the Glen Gardens Inc. These two fine gentlemen with Atty. John Spencer are my personal friends there.

Very truly yours,
Emma I Dickson
Emma I. Dickson
President, F. D. M. H. A.