While confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work
and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be
engaged in little else in the course of the day and I would have no time for constructive work. But
since I feel that you are men of genuine goodwill and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would
like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.
WHAT DOES KING DO IN THIS FIRST PARAGRAPH?