Victor De Grazia Memoir - University of Illinois Springfield

fair solution. And a good conservative can be that way just as a good
liberal can.
Q: But he was involved in organizations that were considered liberal
Democrat organizations.
A: Like?
0: Like CIG.
A: Well, now why would you call it a liberal?
Q: Because you did. You said liberal, you referred to those people as
generally liberal Democrats.*
A: Yes,
Q: But not all?
A: Not all certainly. Adlai was a member . . .
Q: And Walker certainly was involved in liberal activities, he was
involved in Mayor Daley's negotiations with Martin Luther King, the
housing in Deerfield.
A: But that's not a liberal issue.
Q: Well, okay.
A: That's a fairness issue.
Q: Okay.
A: I think if you take that as the theme you'll find that's the thread
that runs everywhere; that you can explain more of Dan Walker's behavior
on any given issue, where he'll end, in terms of what he believes is the
fair, equitable solution. And he doesn't believe it's fair that blacks
can't live where white people lived. He did it.
Q: What are the highlights of the "Walk" as you think back? What are
the stories that come to mind?
A: The first story that comes to mind: We had a volunteer public
relations committee, about ten of the best public relations people in
town, and I used to meet with them and, you know, we'd kick around ideas.
So, after the strategy group had decided the "Walk" was going to go
ahead, I met with the public relations group to tell them about the
"Walk." They were appalled! They thought it was the worst idea they'd
ever heard. What a waste of time! I mean, they were hollering at me.
It was really a bad meeting. And finally one of them said, "Well, at
least let him ride in between towns, (laughs) so he doesn't waste all
that time walking down the highway."
*In fact, the narrator referred to these men as independent, not liberal
Democrats.