Correspondence from Lucas to Judge Roth with Correspondence from Green to Porter

    PH O N E ( 9 0 1 )  S2S-8601
RATNER, SUGARMON & LUCAS

M A RVIN  L. RATNER 
R. B. SUGARMON, JR. 
LO U IS  R. LUCAS 
W A LTE R  L. BAILEY, JR. 
IRVIN  M. SA LKY  
M ICHAEL B. KAY  
W IL L IA M  E. CALD W ELL

. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SUITE 52 5

COMMERCE T ITLE  BUILD ING  

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 381C3
BEN L. HOOKS

O F  C O U N S E L

February 23, 1972

Honorable Stephen J. Roth 
United States District Court 
600 Church Street 
Flint, Michigan 48502
Dear Judge Roth:

You will recall our discussions concerning the ability
of the State Board of Education to complete Plan III and spell 
out( reasons' for what plaintiffs considered unconstitutional 
limitations stated in that plan. Mr. Krasicky's indication of 
poverty on the part of the State Board was rebutted by us in that 
we indicated to him that a number of resources were available 
including Michigan State University, without cost to the State 
Board. We pointed out that Dr. Porter had received a letter from 
the Center for Urban Affairs at Michigan State University offer­
ing its services and the service of educators trained in computer 
technology, as well as the use of computer time, without cost in 
order to complete that plan. For the Court's information, we are 
enclosing our copy of that letter to Dr. Porter. By copy of this 
letter we are seeing to it that Mr. Krasicky also has a copy of 
that letter. '

Plaintiffs in no way concede that the State Board may-
use poverty as an excuse to deny its constitutional obligations.

LRL:leb
cc: Eugene Krasicky, Esq.

George T. Roumell, Jr., Esq. 
Alexander B. Ritchie, Esq. 
Theodore Sachs, Esq. .

Louis R. Lucas



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MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY e a s t  l a n s in g  . Mic h ig a n  48823

CENTER FOR URBAN AFFAIRS • OWEN GRADUATE CENTER

February 21, 1972

Dr. John Porter
Superintendent of Public Instruction 
Michigan Department of Education 
Michigan National Tower 
Lansing, Michigan

Dear Dr. Porter: Bradley vs. Milliken

I have received an inquiry concerning the utilization of the resources 
at our Center for the purpose of threshing out the desegration plan 
submitted to Judge Roth for the purpose of making student assignments 
to the various schools.

The request was particularized for the plan, known as Plan III of the 
Metropolitan Desegregation Plan. It is my understanding that some 
indication nas been given to tne court that computer tine would be needed 
as well as services of persons familiar with both education and computer 
technology, in order to complete this plan for utilization or consideration 
as a desegregation plan.

As Director of the Center I wish to formally offer the services of the 
Center for the purpose of providing the technically trained person, namely 
Dr. John Schweitzer, and computer time related to the completion of that 
plan.

Because of the overwhelming public importance of tne issue and because of 
what I feel is the basic responsibility of tne Center to the urban crisis, 
we will make available the full resources of The Center for Urban Affairs 
in this effort. I an sure that otner academic institutions in tne State 
of Michigan on simple request will be delighted to provide assistance 
either directly to tne State Board or to us on this vital public educational 
matter. This proposal is made witnout any obligation to the State Board 
in terms of cost.

1



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Dr. John Porter 
February 21, 1972 
Page two

At the request of the Attorney for the N.A.A.C.P., who made the initial 
inquiry of me, I am forwarding to him a copy of this letter transmitting 
our offer.

Very truly yours,

Director
Affaira-^an

Professor, College of Education

ccs Loui9 R. Lucas, Attorney at Law 
Ratner, Sugarmon & Lucas