EXECUTIVE OFFICES            PLEASE REPLY TO:
 

September 24, 1969

Mrs. David Bolton
1302 Alhambra Circle
Coral Gables, Florida

Dear Mrs. Bolton:

Thank you for your letter stating the reasons that your organization feels that our Captain’s Table should be opened during luncheon hours to women as well as men.  Your points are well taken, and I must say that I am sympathetic to your cause.  I intend to fully discuss this matter with our organization, and it will be my recommendation that we open the Captain’s Table to both sexes in the near future.

I must tell you that I am still concerned about the ability of working people in this area to lunch and return to their job in a short period of time.  I wish that you had also come up with and idea as to how we can better serve all customers who have a limited amount of time.  I also explained to you that I would have made a section for working women, but I did not get the feeling that this met with your desires for equality.  I do feel that this is a pressing problem as far as Jordan Marsh is concerned and something that we must work out for all of our customers.  Therefore I am going to recommend that any changes in the present system not be affected for the next few months until we can discuss our ability to serve the working customer. 

I know that problems of this nature irritate your organization.  I also feel strongly about equality, but I think the equality of peoples is as important as the equality of sexes.  An organization such as yours could very well make an even more important contribution in this community by applying its efforts in this area.

Again, may I thank you and your group for taking the time to come in to explain your position.  I do feel that my knowledge of your feelings will affect the change which you feel so important.

     Sincerely,

     William S. Ruben
     President

WSR/at

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