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,,,.M_o_nda_y_~_tan_ ••_r4_,_ 19=63=T=H=E=W=A=S=H=IN=G=T=O=N=PO=S:::;;T_L:2 000 D City's Progressive Reputation Hurt White-Negro '·Buffer Zone' in Atlanta Provolies Bitter Dispute, ·Deep Rifts By Harold Gulliver Special to T he Washington P ost From the Los Angeles Times

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•d e Y e ATLANTA - Street bar.riers admittedly erected to create a "buffer zo'ne" between Negro and white residential areas have split Atlanta and placed it under an uncomfortable spotlight as the Nation's latest sore spot of racial tension. Although placed on only two streets, the barricades already have fanned resentments affecting the entire city. So bitter Is the feeling that Negroes are expected to vote against a 43-million-dollar bond issue this spring, possibly killing proposals f o r schools and street improvements and a city auditorium. Divisions also have appeared between white and Negro groups - creating schisms which could wreck civic harmony for years to come. The barricades, which are emotionally-and inaccurately-referred to as Atlanta's "Berlin Wall," were ordered erected last Dec. 17 by the board of aldermen to close off two streets in southwest Atlanta- Peyton and Harlan rds. The r a c i a l "buffer zone" had been requested by white residents. The low, fence-like barricades of steel and wood were placed across both streets the next day. Virgil Copeland, president of the Southwest Citizens Association, defended the barricades as a "last resort" to lessen .racial tension. It was the only way left, Copeland man of the Negro Voters League, has denounced the barricades. 'I'he u pro a r asserted, for white residents caused h i m to observe: to thwart "vicious, block- "These are the darkest days busting tactics being used by I've seen in Atlanta as fa. as race relations are conNegro realtors." Blocking the streets did not cerned." The Atlanta Constitution, actually "wall in" anybody. But it forced motorists to · a strong supporter of Mayor drive about one· mile farther Allen on other issues, has before reaching a through also condemned the road street to the southwest, thus barriers. Even former Mayor Wilmaking it more difficult to travel beween a Negro and liam B. Hartsfield has been privately critical of his sucwhite residential section. A petition was filed in cessor's position on the ba.municipal court by both Ne- ricades. gro and white groups, asking "You should never make a removal of the barricades as mistake that can be photoa public nuisance. It was dismissed by Judge Robert E. graphed," Hartsfield said. So far Mayor Allen has Jones, who held that the streets were closed and t here- failed to work out any sofore the obstructions could lution. not be nuisances. Ironically, his administraObservers now believe the tion was elected with thePeyton-Harlan barric ades solid support of egro votwill remain until the case is ers. Slightly more than onecarried through state or Fed- third of the city's registered voters arc Negro. eral courts. In addition to the possible Meanwhile, the controversy continues, with charges and loss of the bond issue, other c o u n tercharges exchanged effects of the city's action include: almost daily. • A shift in control of At· The barriers do not legally affect the sale of property lanta's Negro leadership from in any way. And it is con- older conservative elements idered likely they have only to younger, more militant figincreased egro determina- ures. • Damage to Atlanta·s "imtion to buy1 into certain white neighborhoods in Southwest age" as a progressive city with a long history of biracial Atlanta. The barricades also have negotiations a n d comprothe uppo.rt of Mayor Ivan mi es. The controversy may proAllen Jr., who s a i d they serve as a "warning to un- duce one long-range benefitscrupulous real estate deal- a much needed focus on the ers, egro and white." need for better Negro housQ. V. Williams, a co-chair- ing. News Analysis �