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ALL-CITIZENS REGISTRATION 334 ATLANTA, AUBURN GEORGIA COMMITTEE AVENUE, NORTHEAST 30303 - TELEPHONE • 522-1420 March 8, 1967 Honorable Lewis R. Slaton Solicitor Superior Court Fulton County 136 Pryor S. W. Atlanta, Georgia Deat Mr. Slaton: Pursuant to telephone conversations with your office and Mr. Paul Ginsberg the representative of your office assigned to consult with us, and pursuant to instructions of your office, we hereby formally request an Inquiry by the Grand Jury into the deaths of tenants of the Perry Homes Housing Project due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Following the suggestions of your office, We have checked Police Department and . Coroner reports. We have asked Mayor Ivan Allen to also request reports. After reviewing the reports in the Mayor's office and the Coroner's office, as compared to information brought to our attention by concerned citizens of the Perry Homes Community we suggest the following: 1. Thatappropriate officials of the Atlanta Housing Authority be questioned regarding possible negligence in the maintenance of heating system of Perry Homes Apartments. 2. Call in the entire employee staff of Perry Homes for questioning, including employees now terminated but were employed on or after January 1, 1965. We have been informed that Mr. Claude Bates complained on more than one occasion about sickening fumes to the Perry Homes Management Office, without corrective action. Mr. and Mrs. Claude Bates were · fatal victims of carbon monoxide poisoning on February 3, 1965. 3. Suggest that Mr. Charles Kemp, brother of Mrs. Josie Callier, victim, whose body was discovered Saturday, February 25 (died Thursday, February 23rd), along with three children all dead, cause given as carbon monoxide poisoning. Mr. Kemp lives in Perry Homes and he has information that allegedly suggests questionable motives and conduct of ex-husband of victim regarding deaths. 4. Suggest ex-husband Eddie Callier be questioned. He reportedly previously visited family every Thursday or . Friday. A VOTIELIESS PEOPLE I S A · HEIL.PLESS PEOPLE �Page 2 Honorable Lewis R. Slaton 3-8-67 He is suppose to have visited ex-wife on her job Thursday where they had an argument. Same Eddie Callier has retained Attorney Joe Salem for purpose of filing suit against the Atlanta Housing Authority. Our interest here is that somehow too many people appear to consider Negro homicides very lightly. The death of this family is an Atlanta tragedy and every effort should be made to prevent future occurrence. If it was caused by negligence, the case should bring shame to all of us and is "City· Scandal." If there is "foul play" the guilty should be brought to justice. We have made an extensive personal investigation and would be happy t~ appear before the grand jury, especially to make suggested reforms for preventive safety measures. Very truly yours, ATLANTA SUMMIT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ~ Hill, J . Co-Chairman Ald. Q. V. Williamson Co-Chairman Rev. Samuel W. Williams Co-Chairman cc: Assistant Solicitor Paul Ginsberg Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr . J.B. Blaytonp Sr . �