University of Virginia Library

Tom Gardner's column of December
4, 1969, presents a distorted
view of the present situation in
Suffolk, Virginia. The article contains
several statements which are
erroneous or which require clarification:

1) The Louise Obi Memorial
Hospital is not "refusing to hire"
the striking workers. The workers
are refusing to return to their jobs
until their union is recognized, a
condition which the hospital has so
far refused to meet. The hospital
has, however, offered to discuss
grievances with any worker or
group of workers.

2) The statement that a person
"owns a town" is usually a
subjective one. I do not believe that
William Birdsong can be pictured
accurately as "one of the group
who owns" the City of Suffolk.
The Birdsong family is prominent
in the Suffolk business community.
To my knowledge, however, their
holdings and influence are not as
great as Mr. Gardner suggests. The
Birdsong family's peanut operations
are certainly overshadowed by
Planters Peanuts, which is by far
the largest employer in the city.

3) The Suffolk school system is
not "almost totally segregated."
The city schools are totally integrated
on a geographically zoned
basis.

4) Mr. Birdsong and the other
members of the hospital's Board of
Directors do not "make their profit
from the sickness of others." The
hospital is a non-profit organization;
the only tangible rewards
received by the board members is a
free meal on the hospital when the
board meets there.