Letter Governor James B. A. Robertson to E. B. Howard, Tulsa, 1921 August 23

              August 23rd,
 1921.

 Hon. E. B. Howard,
 Tulsa, Oklahoma.
 Dear Sir:
 I finally decided to issue a Deficiency Certificate to take care of expenses of the Oklahoma National Guard during the Tulsa race riot.

 I did not like to do this, inasmuch as the committee representing the city administration promised me that they would pay this expense, and inasmuch as it was incurred during the last fiscal year, I have had to stretch the law mightily to take care of it out of this year's funds, which I would not have done at all but for the fact that these soldier boys had to be paid. They are all poor and can't understand why the State doesn't pay them after they have performed their duty, and we are liable to need them again in the future and I couldn't take chances on having them disgruntled, and so I have issued a Deficiency Certificate, and will take care of all the claims through this office.

 The next time Tulsa gets in a pinch and begs for troops, I will be compelled to think twice before incurring any indebtedness.

 Respectfully,

 Governor.