Box 4, Folder 4, Complete Folder

' AGENDA
COMMUNITY RELAT I ONS COIVEEI SS ION
September 12, 1969 Meeting -‘

This is a special meeting of the Commission
called to review the proposed 1970 Pregram Plan.

1. Discussion of Section I f Legislation

2; Discussion of_Section II — Town Hall Meetings and
:' Section III — Public Hearings

3i Discussion of Sections IV - XII

41 other business.



CITY OF AT’L f" ”

TO:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

CITY HALL ATLANTA. GA. 30303

Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404

IVAN ALLEN. JR.. MAYOR

v

R. EARL LANDERS. Administrative Assistant

MRS. ANN M. MOSES. Executive Secretary
DAN E. SWEAT. JIL. Director of Governmental Liaison

MEMORANDUM
Dan Sweat DATE: September 3, 1969
J. H. Robinson

Statistical Report for May 26, 1969 to August”, 1969

Dan, you will find enclosed, a complete statistical report
on the City Services Coordinator‘s Program during this

period.

You will also see a complete break-down on each department
as it relates to complaints received, and complaints corrected.
The figure as it relates to others, means the coordination of

service with other agencies outside of the Cit}.r Government.

We were actively involved and participated in 227 neighborhood

meetings , this was made possible due to the additional man-

power we received from Urban Corp and HUD.

JHR:bt
Enclosure



MAY 26, 1969 TO AUGUST 31, 1969

De-artment or Authorit Received Corrected

Atlanta Housing Authority 28 19

Sanitation

Police

Parks 8.: Recreation

Housing Code Division

Traffic Engineering
Construction

Planning

Fulton County Health Department
Public Works

Others

TOTAL MEETINGS ATTENDED 227



August 8. 1969

MEMORANDUM

To: Mayor Allen
From: Dan Sweat

Sbhject: Analysis of Complaints on City Services

I am attaching three pieces of information which you will find very interesting.
One is the summery of complaints from Town Hall meetings and recommendations
of the COmmunity Relatiozis Commission. The second is the monthly statistical
report from Johnny Robinson on the work of his City Services Coordinators.

The third is a summary of evaluations and recommendations of eight interns

who are working with the City Services Coordinator in various parts of the

City.

As I indicsted to you before when publicity was released on the CRC’s complaint
summary, 1 was surprised to find the: the Parks Department came in for so
much criticism. I did not feel this was the case with our City Services
Coordinator.

I have attempted to analyse the most frequent complaints in the CRC report

and the city services report. You will note the percent of total in each of the
msjor categories. I am extremely impressed with the total number of complaints
received and corrected by the City Services Coordinator. This is a result, of
course. of the beefed-mp staff utilising the interns.

You will find the comments and recommendations of the interns very interesting.
and I think it is significant thst only one of the interns consistently feels that
everything is wrong.

I hsve been exceptionally plessed with the fact thst slthough the interns place

s greet dssl of extra. work on the departments in getting complaints answered,
there have been very few complaints registered with me from the departments.

Ds:je

A ttschrn snts



Mr. William H. Booms, Jr.

'6.

Do you believe the CRC can be the prime agent in getting
the School Board to fully integrate the Atlanta public schools ?

The CRC can be a. prime agent in pointing out any existing
inequities within the School system, and offer recommendations

to alleviate these inequities.

Can CRC do anything to speed integration of neighborhoods. . . ?

The CRC can make certain that all complaints concerning
discrimination in housing are thoroughly investigated. The
Commission can also work with existing neighborhood fair
housing groups in stimulating initiative.

At present. the (330 has no posters outside of holding hearings
and investigation should the CRC be given additional powers?

The CRC has not submitted any formal resolutions requesting
additional powers, and has been able to work quite effectively
without them. If some should be requested, this decision
would have to be made by the Board of Aldermen.

Atlanta is very heterogeneous in its makeup. How do you
make the CRC membership reflect the diverse segments. . . ?

By appointing citizens representative of all segments of Atlanta.

What do you consider when you select a CRC member. . . ?

Citizens who have the qualifications to maintain the very
excellently balanced commission. and who have the talents and
motivation to carry out the duties of the Commission.

Why did the Finance Committee give the CR0 a sizable increase
in its budget this year. . . . ?

As the Commission developed its responsibilities, additional
financial needs emerged. and the Finance Committee and the
Board of Aldermen apparently felt additional funds were justified.
and. therefore. approved them.

As late as 1961. it was reported that you did not favor an official
human relations council. . . why did you change your view in 1966'?

The answer to Question No. 1 also answers this question.

-2-



TN.- x’ (\- r: at. “V" .
E d! . :":\_ - Lwfififi;

'COIMAUNITY RELATIONS CO' MISSION
‘ MEMORIAL DRIVE ANNEX BLDG.

I21 MEMORIAL DRIVE, 5. W.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
522-4463

July 25, 1969

DR. SAMUEL W. 'WILLIAMS CHAIRMAN

ch MAYOR 5AM MASSE 1.1. JR.
EX- 0FF1c1o - .

. COMMISSION MEMBERS.

HR- 1’. M. ALEXANDER. SR.
"MR. R. BYRON ATTRIDGE

HHS. SARA BAKER

MISS HELEN BULLARD . ' - .- I . -.
1.1a. R_ J‘ BUTLER FROM. Community Relations Commissmn

ER. MIKE CHEATHAH
REP. JAMES E. DEAN

ggbf‘gfigflgzozoffns SUBJECT: Summary of Complaints from Town Hall

“8.1.. L. SELLERSTEDT. JP. ° ' .
1.1a CHARLES HART . _ Meetings and Recommendations of the

DR. ROBERT E. L'EE ‘ I ' °
''''' “MRS. F- 11.. PATTERSON - Comm1551on

RABBI JACOB M. ROTHSCHILD_
MR. PAUL SHIELDS '
MR. L D. SIMONI

....MR5 MARY STEPHENS - ‘ _ , . . .
on. J RANDOLPH TAYLOR The key role of the Community Relations Commissmn (CRC)

REV. .1. 'A. wILsosu ; . _ .
- | m the Mayor's Summer Program has been in holding Town

”’7“K'Tflfit‘figfi$gECX5322E-g': Hall meetings in the disadvantaged ares of the City. The
11:11-11“ 11:51.an Commission initially goes in to hear the complaints of
EXECUTIVE D'RECTOR citizens and returns some thirty days later and reports on
actions taken by City Hall and other agencies. In many
cases, CRC has been able to report corrective action taken
“Thy City Departments and other agencies (note Supplement
'__"_A"_for._re3ponses this week to complaints at Perry Home 5).
Town Hall meetings have been held since March in the
following communities: Blair Village, Grant Park, Mechan-
icsville, Perry Homes, University Homes and Edgewoocl-

Kirkwood.

This report tabulates the frequency of complaints registered
_'_in the initial meetings. The frequency of complaints is not

in itself conclusive evidence of the gravity 'of problems faced
" 'by 'Atlanta. _ °

TO: Mayor Allen and the Board of Aldermen

The purpose of this memorandum is to make recommendatiOns
on problems the Commission has been unable to resolve.

a

Far and away the most frequent complaint received was the
need for more and better recreational facilities. Twenty-15x
--comp1aints we re received on this subject compared with
eight each on police and garbage service. Twenty—four
complaints on recreation dealt with the need for more swims
Ining pools, more play lots for tots, and programs for teen-

agers. Two complaints had to do'with lack of services by

9



Page 2.
Summary of Complaints

Community Chest agencies in the disadvantaged areas. The Commission
would like to recommend four areas for irnproving this situation:

1. The Parks Department capital improvement budget of
‘ approxiznately $350, 000 is grossly inadequate. This
- -- sum can easily be expended to build one new park; but
this $350, 000 has to be Spread over 65 parks. For
example, a modern swimming pool costs approximately
""7 '“"""""'"‘“*_'$220,‘000." The City of Atlanta needs to give serious
consideration to a multi-million dollar bond issue for
-..i.tnprovement and expansion of its Parks system. It
should be pointed out that the Parks Department is
Operating 80 play lots of which 4-0 are staffed. 'These
are constructed and maintained principally from Federal '
Poverty Funds. If these funds are reduced, this would
. throw an immediate and substantial burden on this City.

‘ "“——Z.‘“"“Emphasis should be placed on' expanding and improving

play lots for tots and neighborhood parks in such com—
_____mfl_~#__l__mu_n_it_ies_ asNIechanicsville, Surnmerhill, Fulton Village,
Blue Heaven, Bowen Homes, Perry Homes and Grant
Amlf’ark area. Parks need to be in walking distance of

these citizens where possible; ghetto families have very
poor transportation. Improved transportation in disad~
vantaged areas will help broaden recreational Opportu-

nities.

Bitter utilization must be made of school-playgrounds
':and facilities. ' "This requires more cooperation between
'- the Atlanta School Board and the Parks Department.

With the costs of construction and real estate spiraling,

.Atlantahas to make better use of school facilities for
recreation.

The need is pressing for improved recreation in public

" housing. The Atlanta Housing Authority can build recre—

national buildings. The City should urge action here by
the Authority. The Board of Aldermen has offered to
pay 50% of the costs of operating recreational programs
in public housing if the Authority would do likewise.
Under Federal law, AHA can not do 50. Therefore, the
City must accept its responsibility here in as much as

I it has assumed re Sponsibility in providing other services
in public housing.

A major burden for improving recreation in the City rests with the Parks
Department. Churches have been remiss in developing recreational programs



Page 3 _
Summary of Complaints

and using their facilities for their neightborhoods. Community Chest agencies
need to step up their programs in disadvantaged areas and to guard against
serving just the middle class. The Atlanta Children's and Youth Services
Council has done an outstanding job in coordinating and promoting volunteer
services and warrants continous support.

Complaints about the Atlanta Police Department were eight in number. . . . . . .
seven dealing with the need for greater protectiOn and quicker, re5ponse and

— ----—-0ne-about segregation-in the department. Four suggestions were made by
citizens for improving police services:

More footzpatrolmen in areas of high crime.

Quicker switchboard answering at headquarters.

Complete desegration of the Police Department.

— ImProved street-lighting in areas of high crime. This has
sharply reduced crime in some American cities.

_, “It 'Atlanta is to cope with its rising crime rate, citizens must share this
re5pon'sibility with the Police Department. The Atlanta Police Department
must be givena dequate funds for Operations,- salaries, training and research.
Atlanta citizens have a strong re Sponsibility to report crimes and to serve as
witnesses where needed.

__Gar'_bage service also ranked second in number of complaints. The CommissiOn
‘ received six complaints on the quality and frequency of garbage collection and
-- -- ‘Ir-two complaints on garbage being strewn over premises. The Commission held
a special meeting in June with the Director of the Public Works Department and
the Director of the Sanitary Service to inform them of these facts and to make
recommendations. The Public Works Committee of the Board of Aldermen
needs to take further steps to mechanize garbage collection and to increase the
""" *_‘—"*"'pay“of'sanitary workers and to elevate the‘dignity‘of‘the'job. ' Citizens need to.
Show more appreciation for the men who perform this important public service.

_.A serious complaint heard at Town Hall meetings during the spring dealt with
the failure of the City to remove junk cars. The reSponsibility foi‘ removing
junk cars on private property rests with the Sanitary Department and on streets
with the Police Department. In the last few weeks both departments have moved
forward with aggressive programs for coping with this nagging problem.

Other complaints received by the Commission are listed below in the frequency
in which received:

7 complaints. . . . on sewers and drainage--5 on flooded streets and
2 on dirty sewers and smelly creeks.

5 complaints. . . . . . lack of jobs for youth.



Page 4 ,
Summary of Complaints

5 complaints. . . . . . Comprehensive Health-J.” on services offered and
I 2 alleging discriminatory hiring practices.

5 complaints. . . . Model Cities~-lack of knowledge of program,
inadequate community representation, objections
to home purchase and repair programs, and
community contractors not getting a chance to_bid.

- t

' " """"'4'complaints. . . . repair of and the need for better street lighting.

4 complaints. . . . need for new streets and the paving of existing
streets. '

3 complaints. . . rats.

3 complaints. . . . City of Atlanta--2 on the lack of coordination of
City Departments and 1 on the lack of responsiveness,
to complaints of citizens.

complaints. .Atlanta Housing Authority-J on the condition of
' housing and l onhigh rents.

A
U

complaints. . Urban Renewal--thc desire of citizens for informatiOn,
and representation on urban renewal committees.

2 complaints. . . . . . Economic Opportunity Atlanta
The Community Relations Commission itSelf was not above criticism. One

. complaint was registered on the lack of youth representation on the Commission
and another on the inability of the Commission to respont to complaints.



SUPPLEMENT "A"
The follow—up meeting in the Northwest Perry Homes area was held on
July 22; [The CRC was able to report the following positive actions on
complaints registered by the citizens:

I. Tran5portation--the CRC met with Mr. William Maynard,

President of the Atlanta Transit Company, to encourage

the extension of the Perry Boulevard Bus to Hollywood Road.

This would enable the residents of Perry Homes to have bus
tranSportation to the K—Mart and several large grocery stores
in the Bankhead Highway area.- The Atlanta Transit Company
agreed to make this extension on a three month trial basis.
l‘lew bus schedules were handed out to residents of Perry
Homes at the CRC meeting.

”Recreation:

a. Through the efforts of the Atlanta Youth Council, the

Butler Street Y.MCA and Community Che st a recreation

program for teenagers at Northwest Perry Homes has been

develoPed. This program will provide recreation four
xf. ,
nights a week during the remainder of the summer.

b. Mr. Persells reported that the Atlanta Housing

Authority will begin surveying for the construction of a

new recreation building within the next few weeks.



Page 2 _
Sdpplem ent ”A"

3. Consumer Services: ' '- -- ———-——_.._
a. CRC reported that Mr. Alterman, of Big Apple Food
.Stores, has agreed to build a new supermarket in the area
providing a minimum of three suitable acres can be found.

Mr. Welch surveyed the area with a large sh0pping 'center

developer who promised a best effort to develop a shopping

acenter-fo'r the Perryr Homes Area.

b. Mr. Lindskoog met with Mr. Yates, of Yates" c3: Milton

Drug Stores, to request that a pharmacist be placed in their.
"-_"_Drug Store in Perry Homes. Mr. Lindskoog plans to work
further on this issue
4'. Atlanta Housing Authority:

a. In response to the residents reciuest, new railings will be
placed on unprotected stairways.
_ --———-b.- 'Mr. Persells reported that operations are now under way

to eliminate the maggots that have become a serious problem

'_ in one. section of the housing project.

‘ 5; Proctor Creek—Z:citizens were pleased with the report that

the City is presently doing extensive work to eliminate the

f I
‘ I

,-
odor of Proctor Creek.



Community Relations Commission

Percent of Total

Total Complaints 87
Parks 26 30%
Police 8 9%
Sanitation 8 9%
Sewers, etc. 7 8%
Employment 5 6%
Health 5 6%
Model Cities 5 6%

Cities Services

Percent of Total

(July) ’5‘ Total Complaints 708
Parks 32 5%
Police 133 19%.
Sanitation 26? 38%
Sewers, etc. 59 8%
Employment No Figures Available
Health . 19 3%
Model Cities No Figures Available

*Other Prominent Complaints
Housing Code 36
Traffic Engineering 40

(COPY

HUGHES BFALDING RDET. B. TROUTMAN

KING & SPALDING

Hum-see smmms. JR. JAMES M. 5":st
gum“, H. ““0 JOHN In“ TRUST COMPANY OF GEORGIA BUILDING
POPE B. HCINTIRE KIRK H. ’41:.»me

“mm“mm “MM“W“' mmmawmwtmm

HARRY G. HOWLRD WILLIAM H. IZLAR. JR.

R. BYRON ATI'RIDGE BRADLEY HALE

ROBERT W. HURST ROBERT I... STEED

HENRY HAL]. WARE Ill DANIEL. J. O'CONNOR. JR. ‘0‘ 525-0181
AMTHA HUI—KEY HUGH PETERSON. JR.

CHIRL‘EB H. KIDD JOHN .A. WALLACE

JOHN C. BTATDN. JR. DAVID I... COKER

FURMAN SMITH. JR. JOHN D. HOPKINS

e. LEMUEL "Ewgs A. FELTDH JENKINS. JR. January 32. 1969

PHILIP I7. ETHERIDGE JACK H. WATSON. JR.
R. WILLIAM IDE III HORACE H. SIBLEY
CHARLES H. BHAFFER. JR. W. nONRLD KNIGHT. JR.

JAMES A. BRANCH Ill

The sooorable Herbert Jenkins
chic! of Pollen

city of Atlanta Police nepartment
175 Decatur Street. 3. 3.
Atlanta. Georgia

Deer Chi-t Jenkins:

I an chairmen of the new Intercom-at subconmlttee
of the community Relations Commission. and this edbcaomlttee
he: been asked to study the feasibility of the establishment
of e citizens' Review Board or the Police Department for the
city of Atlanta. The request for thin study has come from
several citizene' groups lo the community.

we want to diocese the matter with all groups who
are responsible for police protection and police-community
relations. we felt it would he the best approach to initiate
our study by determining your feelings and suggestions in this
regard. It would be good 1! you could let on know a convenient
time when the subcommittee light come by your otflce for a
brief conference.

sincerely,

Byron Attrldge
chairmen. new Interoenent Committee
Col-unity Relations eon-lesion

Ihsjih

eca It. Int filleh

cc: Ir. nee mt

cos numbers. subcommittee



January 16, 1969

Mills Lane.
Ed Smith
Billy Sterne
Joe Binnie
Gordon Jones

Doar Friends:

Through the Community Relations Commission.
the City is seeking ways to improve the conditions
and opportunities of our loan fortunate citizens.

A definite plan is being developed which will need
your advice and assistance in the area. of private
enterprise opportunities for Negro basins-omen.

I would appreciate your meeting with me briefly
on Thursday morning, February 6th at 10:00 a. m.
in order that I may have the benefit of your ideas
about this project.

Sincerely,

Ivan Allen. Jr.

LAJ'ram

bc: Nat Welch
Dan Sweat





January 16, 1969

MEMORANDUM

Nat Welch. Community Relations Commission

Ivan Allen. Jr.

Attached is a. copy of the letter I have written to the five bank
presidents requesting them to me with the idea. of discussing
their ability to make financial loans to Negro businessmen.

Prior to this meeting. I would like to have a memorandum
from you as to how you think they may assist, a summary of
what has already been done in this area; and an outline of the
meeting you plan to hsve on February 20th.

I would hope you would be available to sit in on the meeting
on February 6th.

Attachment



m

DA VID AFTER ti: ASSOCIA TES
I145 I954: Street NJV. Washington, DC. 20036

13 January;l969

Ivan Allen, Jr., Mayor
City of Atlanta

City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 50303

Dear Ivan:

I was delighted to get your response to our proposal
addressed to white racial attitudes.

Before reporting again to the Ford Foundation, I'm wait-
ing to hear from a couple of local coalitions, after which I
expect to be.able to make my recommendations for pilot cities.
If all goes roll, I should have something more specific to
review with Nat Reich early next month.

Like all your admirers, I was disappointed, though hardly

surprised, by your decision to retire. Elizabeth and I were
pleased to see the Nashington Post's comment. Thanks to her
own bedside clipping service, here's another copy of the
editorial for your scrapbook.

Best regards,

C

Calvin Kytlo

CK/fvg
cc: Mr. Dan Sweet
Mr. Hat Belch
Mr. Jerry Horton
Encl/ Hash Post clip
(1/11/69)

202/ 223-!212

David AWE-r. Prrsfdrm_.-"Cafl'iu Kylie. Exam-tame Vice Preside-m/ Thi’tldm'e 0. Cum. Vice President



The Atlanta Community Relations Commission is sponsoring

a. series of Workshops in Human Relations for City employees.

The first session is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, May 28
1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. The Commission is requesting each
City department to send one receptionist to the initial worksh0p

Committee Room 2 in City Hall.

As a part of their 1969 program the Community Relations Com—
mission is initiating a series of workshOps in human relations
for City employees. These workshops have two major objec—
tives: (l) to provide ways in which personnel working for the
City can better relate to minority group citizens with whom they
come in contact; and (2) to assist City personnel in gaining a
better understanding of the major pro‘dlems confronting citizens
in the disadvantaged communities of Atlanta.

The CRC believes that the actions and attitudes of any City
employee who comes in contact with the public can have a
considerable impact on the relationship betwaen the City
Government and a given community. This is esPecially true
in dealing with the problems of Atlanta's Negro citizens.

Mayor Allen and his administration have made tremendous
strides in breaking down the barriers of racial prejudice.

It seems only logical that community relations can continue to
be improved between the City Govermnent and the citizens if
the Mayor's farsighted and compassionate attitude in human
relations is reflected in the actions and attitudes of all city
personnel.

It is the hope of the CRC that these workshoPS in human
relations will act as a catalyst in bringing this about.



DR. SAMUEL W. WILLIAMS. Cadmium

OMIMUNITY RELATEDNS CQMR’HSSION

ESTABLISHED BY THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN. NOVEMBER. 1965
:20: CITY HALL. ATLANTA GEORGIA .1030: TELEPHONE SSS-“fl EXT. 433'

THE HONORABLE SAM MASSELL. IR.. Elk-Official

fies-idem. Board of Aldermen

COM MISSION MEMBERS

MR. 1'. M. ALEXANDER. SR.
MR. R. BYRON ATTRIDGE
MRS. SARA BAKER.

MISS HELEN BULLARD

MR. R. J. BUTLER

REP. JAMES E. DEAN

MR. ROBERT DOBBS

REP.’ C. G. EZZARD

MR. L. L. GELLERSTEDT. JR.
MR. CHARLES HART

DR. ROBERT E. LEE

MRS. F. W. PATTERSON
RABBI JACOB M. ROTHSCHILD
MR. M. 0. RYAN

HR. JACK SELLS

MR. PAUL SHIELDS

HR. L. D. SIMON

MRS. MARY STEPHENS

DR. J. RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MR. NAT WELCH
Ere-mm: Director

TO: The Business Advisory Committee
FROM: Nat Welch M/CZ
SUBJECT: Committee Meeting April 2.8, 1:969

DATE: April 9. 1969

The Business Advisory Committee of the Community Relations
Commission will meet from 3:30—5:00 p. m. , Monday, April 28
in the Aldermanic Chambers of City Hall. Here is the agenda:

1. A report and an evaluation'of the " Works hop on Black
Business Opportunity" sponsored by the Commission
at Atlanta University, February 20.

2. John Cox, Director of the Atlanta Youth Council, will

outline several projects your company can undertake
this summer to get disadvantaged kids off the streets
and constructively involved.

CRC Project Director Chuck Williams, who is working
with twenty-five large Atlanta companies on stepping up
employment of minority persons, will give a brief report.
The Committee wants to hear about any successful ideas
your company has developed to increase minority
employment.

4. Andy Huber of the National Alliance of Businessmen will
briefly outline their program which will emphasize
employment of black females.

Please feel free to bring along one or two other of your company's
executives who might have interests in the above areas.



HUGHES SFALD‘NG HOBT. B.TFIOUTMAN

KING 8c SPALDING

HUGHES 5FALDING.JH. JAMES M.SIBLEY
CHARLES .4. “PM JOHN mm, TRUST century or cannon BUILDING

POPE B. MGINTJHE KIRK M. MCALF'IN
RICHARD A. DENNY. JR.

$2251”. $51.2»? with... isms”. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303

R. arson awn-moon ease LET HALE
nossnT w. Hons-r sossnr L.5TEED
HENRY HALL was: In DANIEL motonnomun. 404 525'0431

ANTHA MULHET HUGH PETERSON. JR.
CHARLES M< KIDD JOHN A.WALLACE
EDWARD .J. HAWIE JOHN G.5TATON..JR.

mwm scones FURMAN spar-rude. march 3; 1969

JOHN D. HOPKINS 5. LEMUEL HEWES

A.FELTON JENHINS.JH. JACK H. wATSON..JFI'.

R. WILLIAM IDE m HORfiCE H.5IBLEY

CHARLES M. SHAFFEH.JH. GEORGE GRAHAM TRASH ‘
w. DONALD KNIGHT.-JR. JAMES A. BRANCH Ill

JOSEPH H.6LADDEN..JR.

Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor

City of Atlanta

City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mayor Allen:

The February meeting of the Community Relations
cummission was held this past Friday, February 28th, and a
substantial portion of the meeting was taken up with discus-
sion of the so-called "welfare payments freeze."

There was a great amount of confusion as to just
exactly what was involved in the “freeze.“ However, it
appears that the federal government presently plans to
restrict welfare grants to the states beginning July 1. 1969.
which would in turn cause some reduction in the payments to
individual recipients. It was the strong consensus of the
community Relations Commission that any reduction in the
individual welfare payments - particularly in the summer
month of July - would increase unrest and the possibility
for general trouble in the community.

It is clear that the whole question of the 'freeze'I
needs to be studied and clarified. and I have asked the staff
of the Commission to undertake such a study. I have also

talked with Dan Sweat this morning who is also studying the
matter .





Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
March 3. 1969
Page Two

If the problem exists as it now appears, the
Commission will be available to assist you in any way in
attacking the problem.

Sincerely,

Byron Attridge
Vice—chairman
Community Relations Commission

BA:jmb

cc: Reverend Sam Williams
cc: Mr. Hat Welsh
cc: Mr. Dan Sweat

0
Ass: START A‘I‘I'ORNEY GENERAL

(larynx-111mm“ of Shelia:
fifties-hinges

July 23, 1969

Mr. Nat Welch

Executive Director

Community Relations Commission
1203 City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Welch:

The President and the Attorney General have asked
me to reply to your letters of May 8 and May 12, 1969, in
which you eXpress the concern of the Atlanta Community
Relations Commission that the Civil Rights Division is in
need of additional resources. Please excuse my delay in
responding. .

Attorney General Mitchell has recognized the need for
additional resources within the Civil Rights Division and
has sought an increased budget from the Congress. In his
testimony before the House Subcommittee on Appropriations,
Attorney General Mitchell made the following statement with
respect to the needs of the Civil Rights Division.

In the important field of civil rights, our
commitment is to enforce all the civil rights
laws, on behalf of all our peOple in all
sections of the country. To fully carry out
this responsibility in three priority areas—-
housing—~education and employment—~places an
operational burden upon the Civil Rights
Division that vastly exceeds its capacity,

even with the modest increase in staff that
-has been requested above the revised 1969
levels. We seek for 1970, only 35 positions
and $1,073,000 above that asked for in 1969.:
As you will recall, we asked for 55 positions
and $447,500 by way of a supplemental request
primarily to implement Titles I, VIII and IX of
the 1968 Civil Rights Act. We have not in-
creased the request of the prior Administration
for Fiscal Year 19?0 primarily because it was



our judgment that a larger increment of
additional manpower over that sought in the

1969 supplemental could not be effectively
utilized by the Division as it is now consti~
tuted and operating. However, we can conceive
of nothing more devastating to our concepts of.
equal justice than to have sectional, or piece-
meal enforcement of civil rights statutes im—
posed upon us because we have failed to ask the
Congress for the necessary resources._ We cannot
hope to reach, by our enforcement of these laws,
all forms or shades of discrimination. But we

are totally committed to removing on a priority
basis the patent injustices in employment,
housing and edudation that remain in one degree
or another in all areas of the Nation. We shall
in candor ask for all the manpower we believe
can be effectively used to this end and we
earnestly hOpe that you will provide it.

i We deeply appreciate the position that the Atlanta
Community Relations Commission has taken and the help which
it has given in support of the budget for this Division
and we hope you realize that the additional support which
we have received, at least in part, will enable us to bring
about greater compliance of the civil rights laws.

Best regards.

Sincerely,

Jerris Leonard-
. Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division



f CITY OF ATLANTA
,1 j]

{/4} OFFiCE OF CITY COMPTROLLER
K/ ATLANTA 3. GEORGIA

/_,

T0: Those Noted

January 2, 1959

FROM: J.V . Gordon

SUBJECT: on 1969 Update

We have been instructed to give first priority to matching the CIP
Master File against Fulton County's Real Property Master File.

Fulton County is now reformatting their Real Property Master File
and will have a reformatted file, updated through 1968, available for us
by January 15, 1969.

Parcel Code Number identification as used in our CIP file differs
from that used by Fulton County on their Real Property Master File. The
two identification methods are shown here:

County PCN City PCN
District XXX 99x
Land Lot 9999 999K
Square XXXX 9999K
Unit 999 999K

= A digit only
= Either a digit or an alphabetic character

9
X

This results in PCN identification as shown here:
County PCN XXX9999XXXX999
City PCN 99X999X9999X999X

As can be seen, not only are there differences in the characteristics
of the various positions but the City PCN is a total of 16 characters where-
as the County PCN is only 14 characters.

The different PCN identification formats resulted from the City's having
to allow for Dekslb County's numbering systenuwhen the CIP file was originally
built. Dekalb County has since then changed to the PCN identification method
used by Fulton County.

PCN is the sequence in which both the City and County files are kept.
Since the PCN identifiers are not compatible in format, it has been necessary
for us to translate PCN from the County format to the City format whenever
we used data supplied by the Gaunty. This translation process would cause

the resultant file to be out of sequence and thus require a sort of the Master
File.

The translation and sorting was done in order to preserve the ability to
run the series of CIP report programs which required for input, a PCN in the
City’s format.



-2-

During the upcoming match of 1968 Fulton County tapes with the 1967
CIP file, we will convert our PCN identifier on the CIP file to the County's

format. This will render it impossible to continue to use existing CIP
report programs without modifications and will alter the method of making

updates to the master file.

It is anticipated that the special Committee which has been appointed

to study the data processing needs for planning information will define future
reporting requirements. If it is necessary to run the CIP reports, they could

be run with the 1967 CIP Master which will remain unimpaired as a result of
the conversion.

Fulton County's file should be available for us to schedule processing
the weekend of January 18 — 19.

Distribution:

Messrs: George Berry
Milton Converse

Charles L. Davis
Collier Gladin
Frank Howard

R. Earl Landers
W. Roy Smith
John Watson



-2-

During the upcoming match of 1968 Fulton County tapes with the 1967
CIP file, we will convert our PCN identifier on the CIP file to the County's

format. This will render it impossible to continue to use existing CIP
report programs without modifications and will alter the method of making
updates to the master file.

It is anticipated that the special Committee which has been appointed

to study the data processing needs for planning information will define future
reporting requirements. If it is necessary to run the CIP reports, they could
be run with the 1967 CIP Master which will remain unimpaired as a result of

the conversion.

Fulton County's file sh0uld be available for us to schedule processing
the Weekend of January 18 - 19.

Distribution:

Messrs: George Berry
Milton Converse
Charles L. Davis
Collier Gladin
Frank Howard
R. Earl Landers
W. Roy Smith
John Watson



August 8. 1969

MEMORANDUM

To: Mayor Allen

From: Dan Sweat

Sbbject: Analysis of Complaints on City Services

I am attaching three pieces of information which you will find very interesting.

One is the summary of complaints from Town Hall meetings and recommendations.

of the Community Relations Commission. The second is the monthly statistical
report from Johnny Robinson on the work of his City Services Coordinators.

The third is a summary of evaluations and recommendations of eight interns
.-.1...-. a...“ "nu-bl“... u-rH-‘L. flan Fit-u Qa-r-"ir-an anv‘ingtgr in 1r: rfnug nag-tn (1f the

nun-v I..-» lI~-—._‘._'b ”'d.___.l._-L— V—u} Una. navau— www.-

City.



As 1 indicated to you before when publicity was released on the QRQLs complaint

summary. 1 was surprised to find that the Parks Department came in for so
much criticism. I did not feel this was the case with our City Services

Coordinator.

I have attempted to analyze the most frequent complaints in the CRC report

and the city services report. You will note the percent of total in each of the
major categories. I am extremely impressed with the total number of complaints
received and corrected by the City Services Coordinator. This is a result. of
course, of the beefed—up staff utilizing the interns.

You will find the comments and recommendations of the interns very interesting,
and I think it is significant that only one of the interns consistently feels that
everything is wrang.

I have been exceptionally pleased with the fact that although the interns place
a great deal of extra work on the departments in getting complaints answered.
there have been very few complaints registered with me from the departments.

DSde

A ttachments

\



Community Relations Commission

Total Complaints

Parks

Police
Sanitation
Sewers, etc.
Employment
Health

Model Cities

Cities Services

(July) * Total Complaints 708
Parks 32.
Police 133
Sanitation 267
Sewers, etc. 59
Employment No Figures Available
Health ‘ 19
Model Cities No Figures Available

*cher Prominent Complaints
Housing Code
Traffic Engineering

Percent of Total

30%
9%
9%
8%
6%
6%
6%

Percent of Total

5%
19%
33%

3%
3%



DR. SAMUEL-H.1WILLIAM5, CHAIRMAN

VICE MAYOR 5AM MASSE LL JR..

EX-OFFICIO

.COMMISSION HEM BEES,

“R. ‘r. M. ALEXANDER. 5R.
---uR. R. BYRON AT'TFUDGE

MRS. SARA BAKER

ulss HELEN BULLARD

MR. R. .l. BUTLER

:R. amt: CHEATHAEI

REP. JAMES E. DEAN

HR. ROBERT oosss

REP.C. o. EZZARD

HR. L- L GELLERSTEDT JR.

HR. CHARLES HART

DR. ROBERT E. LEE
*‘h'11R5.F.V..T-‘ATTERSON

RABBI JACDS M ROTHSCHILD

MR. PAUL SHIELDS '

l-‘lR. L. o. suson;
.-._MR5.L!ARY STEPHENS

DR. J. RANDOLPH TAYLOR

REV.J.'A. WILBORN

MR. WILLIAM MCGEE. EX-OFFICID
ATLANTA YOUTH CONGRESS
l

4

HR. NAT RELCR'
EXECUTIVE DIRECToR

I?“ 'b'y Atlanta.

!

I
a“.

.‘
amt

hp...
‘-

fl

3". OF .3—

COWAUNITY RELATIONS CO}. MISSION
' MEMORIAL DRIVE ANNEX BLDG.

121 MEMORIAL DRIVE, 5. W.

ATLANTA, G EORGI A 30303
522-4463

July 25, 1969

TO: Mayor Allen and the Board of Aldermen

FROM: community Relations Commission

- SUBJECT: Summary of Complaints from Town Hall
Meetings and Recommendations of the -
Commission ‘

The key role of the community Relations Commission (CRC)
in the Mayor's Summer Program has been in holding Town
Hall meetings in the disadvantaged arcs of the City. The
Commission inihally goes in to hear the complaints of
citizens and returns some thirty days later and reports on
actions taken by City Hall and other agencies. In many
cases, CRC has been able to report corrective action taken

"_by City Departments and other agencies (note Supplement

'._' " for responses this week to complaints at Perry Homes).
Town Hall meetings have been held since March in the
following communities: Blair Village, Grant Park, Mechan—
icsville, Perry Homes, University Homes and Edgewood-
Kirkwood. '

This report tabulates the frequency of complaints registered
_'_in the initial meetings. The frequency of complaints is not
in itself conclusive evidence of the gravity of problems faced

The purpose of this memorandum is to make recommendations
on problems the Commission has been unable to re solve.

Far and away the most frequent complaint received was the
need for more and better recreational facilities. Twenty—six
complaints we re received on this subject compared with

eight each on police and garbage service. Twenty—four
complaints on recreation dealt with the need for more swim—
ming pools, more play lots for tots, and programs for teen—
agors. Two complaints had to do'with lack of services by



Page 2
Summary of Complaints

Community Chest agencies in the disadvantaged areas. The Commission
would like to recommend four areas for irnproving this situation:

1. The Parks Department capital improvement budget of
' approximately $350,000 is grossly inadequate. This
. ~ sum can easily be expended to build one new park; but
this $350,000 has to be Spread over 65 parks. For
example, a modern swimming pool costs approxirnately
“"‘f"“"""""'“‘”"'$220,'000.'"The City of Atlanta needs to give serious
consideration to a multi—million dollar bond issue for
...irnprovement and expansion of its Parks system. It
should be pointed out that the Parks Department is
Operating 80 play lots of which 40 are staffed. 'These
are constructed and maintained principally from Federal '
Poverty Funds. If these funds are reduced, this would
. throw an iInmediate and substantial burden on this City.

"'""'_2.‘—Ernphasis 'should be placed on'expan'ding and improving
play lots for tots and neighborhood parks in such com—

Blue Heaven, Bowen Homes, Perry Homes and Grant
unhParlg area. Parks need to be in walking distance of
- these citizens where possible; ghetto families have ve ry
poor transportation. Improved transportation in disad—
vantaged areas will help broaden recreational opportu-
nities.

3. Better utilization must be made of school-playgrounds

Zand facilities." ”This requires more c00pe ration between
'- the Atlanta School Board and the Parks Department.
With the costs of construction and real estate spiraling,
.Atlantayhas to make better use of school facilities for
recreation.
'4. The need is pressing for improved recreation in public
‘ housing. The Atlanta Housing Authority can build recre-
' national, buildings. The City should urge action here by
the Authority. The Board of Aldermen has offered to
pay 50% of the costs of Operating recreational programs
in public housing if the Authority would do likewise.
Under Federal law, AHA can not do so. Therefore; the
City must accept its reSponsibility here in as much as
‘ it has assumed re5ponsibi1ity in providing other services
in public housing. '

A major burden for improving recreation in the City rests with the Parks
Department. Churches have been remiss in deveIOping recreatiOnal programs



Page 3
Summary of Complaints
and using their facilities for their neightborhoods. ‘ Community Chest agencies
need to step up their programs in disadvantaged areas and to guard alga—11E—
serving just the middle class. The Atlanta Children's and Youth Services
Council has done an outstanding job in coordinating and promoting volunteer
services and warrants continous support.
Complaints about the Atlanta Police Department were eight in number. . . . . . .
seven dealing with the need for greater protection and quicker response and

- —-—--one-about segregation-in the department. Four suggestions were made by

' citizens for improving police services:

I. More foot‘patrolmcn in areas of high crime.

2.. ' Quicker switchboard answering at headquarters.

3. . Complete de segration of the Police Department.

--——4. -- Improved street lighting in areas of high crime. This has
sharply reduced crime in some American cities.

__ “11' Atlanta is to cope with its rising crime rate, citizens must share this
responsibility with the Police Department. The Atlanta Police Department
must be givena dequate funds for Operations,- salaries , training and research.
Atlanta citizens have a strong responsibility to report crimes and to serve as
witnesses where needed.

Garbage service also ranked second in number of complaints. The Commission
-received six complaints on the quality and frequency of garbage collection and
-"---'I.+two complaints on garbage being strewn over premises. The Commission held
a special meeting in June with the Director of the Public Works Department and
the Director of the Sanitary Service to inform them of these facts and to make
recommendations. The Public Works Committee of the Board of Aldermen
needs to take further steps to mechanize garbage collection and to increase the
"""”"‘——“])ay“of'sanitary workers 'and to elevate the'dignity o‘f‘th'e' job. ' Citizens need to.
show more appreciation for the men who perform this important public Service.

Jl serious complaint heard at Town Hall meetings during the spring dealt with
”the failure of the City to remove junk cars. The responsibility for removing
junk cars on private preperty rests with the Sanitary Department and on streets
with the Police Department. In the last few weeks both departments have moved
forward with aggressive programs for ceping with this nagging problem.

Other complaints received by the Commission are listed below in the frequency
in which received:

7 complaints. . . . on sewers and drainage-—5 on flooded streets and
Z on dirty sewers and smelly creeks. I

5 complaints. . . . . . lack of jobs for youth.

1



Page 4
Summary of Complaints

5 complaints. _ . . . Comprehensive Health--3 on services offered—and
. Z alleging discriminatory hiring practices.

5 complaints. . . Model Cities-Jack of knowledge of program,
inadequate community representation, objections
to home purchase and repair programs, and
community contractors not getting a chance to bid.

‘ "'":'_4'complaints. . . . repair of and the need for better street lighting.

4 complaints. . . need for new streets and the paving of existing
streets. '

3 complaints. . . rats.

3 complaints. . City of Atlanta-J on the lack of coordination of
City Departments and l on the lack of responsiveness
to complaints of citizens.

3 complaints. .Atlan'ta Housing Authority—J on the condition of
‘ ' housing and 1 on‘ high rents.

2 complaints. . stray dogs.

2 complaints. . Urban Renewal-~the desire of citizens for iniorrnatiOn,
and representation on urban renewal committees.

2 _complaints. . . . . . Economic Opportunity Atlanta

The Community Relations Commission itself was not above criticism. One
.complaint was registered on the lack of youth representation on the Commission
and another on the inability of the Commission to respont to complaints.



I . SUPPLEMENT ”A“

The follow-up meeting in the Northwest Perry Homes area was held on

July 22. lThe CRC was able to report the following positive actions on

complaints registered by the citizens:

I. rTranSPOrtationuthe CRC met with Mr. William Maynard,
President of the Atlanta Transit Company, to encourage
the extension of the Perry Boulevard Bus to Hollywood Road.
'This would enable the residents of Perry Homes to have bus
tranSportation to the K~Mart and several large grocery stores
in the-Bankhead Highway area. The Atlanta Transit Company
agreed to make this. extension on a three month trial basis.
flew bus schedules were handed out to residents of Perry

Homes at the CRC meeting.

-' '2."* Recreation:
a. Through the efforts of the Atlanta Youth Council, the

Butler Street YMCA and Community Chest a recreation

0

program for teenagers at Northwest Perry Homes has been

dev610ped. This program will provide recreation four
/ . , .
_ f _ ' '

nights a week during the remainder of the summer.

13. Mr. Persells reported that the Atlanta Housing

a

Authority will begin surveying for the construction of a

new recreation building within the next few weeks.



Page 2 ,
supplement "A"

3. Consuzner Services: I. ' ‘- -- ' —-——__.
a. CRC reported that Mr. Alterrnan, of Big .l-‘Lpple Food
.Stores, has agreed to build a new supermarket in the area

_' providing a minimum of three suitable acres can be found.

__ “H. .___M?:._W£?1.Ch. surveyed the area with a large shopping center

developer who promised a best effort to deve10p a shopping

'__center-fdr the Perry Homes Area.

1). Mr._ Lindskoog met with Mr. Yates, of Yates" 3.: Milton

-_1i)rug Stores, to request that a pharmacist be placed-in their.
‘ ”*“Drizé Store is Perry Homes. Mr. Lindskoog plans to work
further on this issue
.4'. Atlanta Housing Authority:
a. In response to the residents reciue st, new railings will be
placed on unprotected Stairways.
s ————— b.- 'Mr. Persells reported that ope rations are now under way

to eliminate the maggots that have become a serious problem

'_ in one. section of the housing project. _

I

' 5.' Proctor Creek::c_itizens were pleased with the report that

the Cit},r is presently doing extensive work to eliminate the
. /" . . _
- .

odor or Proctor Creek.



Community Relations Commission

Total Complaints 8?
Parks 26
Police
Sanitation
Sewers, etc.
Employment
Health
Model Cities

mmm-Joooo

Cities Services

(July) ‘5‘ Total Complaints -' 708
Parks 32
Police ' 133 _
Sanitation 267
Sewers, etc. 59
Employment No Figures Available
Health _. 19
Model Cities No Figures Available

’3 Other Prominent Complaints
Housing Code 36
Traffic Engineering 40

Percent of Total

3 0%
9%
9%
8%
6%
6%
6%

Percent of Total

5%
19% ,
33%

3%
3%

CITY HALL ATLANTA. GA. 30303

August 6, 19 69 _ _ ' Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404

WAN ALLEN. JR., MAYOR

fl. EARI. LANDERS. fidmlnislratlve fissistant
HRS. iNN M. MOSES. Executlve Secretary
Dill E. SWEAT, ”2.. Director of Governmental Liaison

MEMORANDUM

TO: _ Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Jr.
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

FROM: Johnny H. Robinson
Community Development Coordinator

SUBJECT: Monthly Report (Statistical)

Dan, you will find enclosed a breakdown on the amount of
complaints received from July 1, 1969 - August 1, 1969.

The overall received are as following:
Total Received 708
Total Corrected 405

Total Meeting Attended 105

We were also involved in a survey for the Planning Department
in Plunkettown.





'1‘0: Johnny H. Robinson
fire 2/
' '2!“ fl) ~.-’.c;//’)(‘/)‘






FROM:
. 5' .

SUBJECT 55:}. L/ .24 ”(:9 to 44m. Z /76 “Z

' COMPLAnns . '.i_“;h

Received I Corrected
Atlanta Housing Authority . f 0'
Sanitation ' [‘5' /5
Police . - . E 2
Parks ._ ' g I
Housing Code Division I _ Q: . !
Traffic Engineering - _ . 2 2
Construction '_ I ' - é. I
Planning .
Fulton County Health Department _ _ 2 5‘;
OTHER .
TOTAL 44 )4.
O. -
MEETINGS
. Number

IE.C).}i. Staff ' ' - - g2
CNAC . ' j ,
Area Block . ' - 2
CRC I _
MISC. ' ' _ 3

TOTAL _ . 2

I COMMENTS — 0 BS ERVA TIONS











t0 x4:5{:f'. /. /"7’~[.(f

COMPLAINTS
Received Corrected

Atlanta Housing Authority
Sanitation

Police

Parks

Housing Code Division
Traffic Engineering
Construction

Planning
Fulton County Health Department

OTHER

' - MEETIN s
PEI/(C DIlEA/RD Shh-Ff! G "Li-1 . IT?! A! full f“.-1; r...-

u-P‘u—‘i-r L"!\L—-l-I'V.f.

“I. , r" _ - r .
I”. f. mew Air/"244:,” _ Number /_V;'-/:'.'/{“:'

E.O.A. Staff 2
CNAC _ 2
Area Block ‘7 ' \ -
CRC _ I
MISC. '

~3— ire TAL .__~/?¢___

COMMENTS — OBSERVATIONS

Cw/S g/jw-‘(W’v /7€' ”inf 4'1355tc’12‘2/ D/‘afcx/W’v/va/
lag I . ./' . . A I I

wwflmfl’fl/ m: 53/55

71/ (7/ //J/e’ ”WWI/i



Johnny H. Robins on

..._.__--f

FROM: ,4 figs. xg'g ("A‘JQ/Z .
_ .

SUBJECT {74% g z. 424. 2 to 3/4)», g 3/: 422. 2
‘ COMPLAINTS

Received Corrected

Atlanta Housing Authority
Sanitation '
Police

Parks
Housing Code Division

Traffic Engineering

Construction

Planning

Fulton County Health Department

OTHER
Zak/'6 Mew/65 2/ //
2250/3742 2 'a _
‘ Enos/2 av: (72M. 4 ‘9’]

(Jun l‘lfi/I- I Air-15‘2"
Murmplr’ru maid - .-

u.-

f"
/ /

E .O . A . Staff
CNAC

Area Block
CRC '
MISC.

3;?)sz Ai’érarm/M ((1/7 )2 54%;)
_ 9/571 63?qu TOTAL

‘S/JCC' fléa-z-ng COMMENTS - OBSERVATIONS

$215571. //flK:. (Zara 5 Cara. g ‘0

imam: 17? am .571. QQDéX’fl {245ng 2r! 4:61»? 55/? /-Z: /__S {iiiiél
77/3 . '_ " ' . _ __ h.
' - - m —-- ~ -- w. «r- Ill“ ...,~ />,'-u:;/ [Afar-"xvii? 53/55 G‘AZ‘WT //’~'""~'/)- >1



Johnny H. Robinson

ggflw :5?”
M _to "37.42,; 24%

COMPLAINTS

Regeived Corrected

Atlanta Housing Authority
Sanitation

Police

Parks

Housing Code Division

Traffic Engineering

Construction

Planning

Fulton County Health Department

OTHER

33.0.A. Stat: _
CNAC

Area. Block -
CRC

Misc.
(Jr/“y f/m;

TOTAL

COMMENTS — OBS ERVATIONS



v ‘- I. . -
_...__.._._......__._.___._
‘, -‘ __..._...____._______._





TO: Johnny H. Robinson
. ‘ E "--..
FROM: flathggig‘i Vanda“; '_.——-———-—-_ E
SUBJECT July 1, 1969 "to" July 31, 1969
_ COMPLAINTS.
Received . ' Corrected

Atlanta Housing Authority . 6 l:
Sanitation ,_ 51 214
Police - ' 39 [5
Parks II II
Housing Code Division . ll 10
Traffic Engineering 9 '1’
Construction _ _ 29 - 18
Planning _ 'o 0
Fulton County Health Department ' 7 5
OTHER 9 6

TOTAL 172 101

.lVl E17.- i ifVCS
- Number

E.O.A. Staff . . -" 5 ‘
Area Block _ ' 11
CRC ‘ 1
MISC. . ’ ———-6—-—

TOTAL 25

.COMMENTS - OBSERVATIONS

'- Corments are on next Sheet.





A SUMMARY OF THE EVALUATIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF:

" Mr. Benient (East central)
Mr. Bruce (West Central)
Mr. Christenberry (Pittsburg)
Mr. Isaac (Central City)
Mr. Menez (Edgewood)
Mrs. Snider (City Hall)
Miss Sowell (Nash—Washington - Extension)

Miss Woodward (West End)

AUGUST 1, 1969



EVALUATIONS OF CITY SERVICES

In evaluating City Services not all interns mentioned all City Seryices. There was

divided opinion on many departments. However, the general consensus was that

v

- the City Services were not responding well enough to complaints by area residents .

The Atlanta Housing Authority, according to Miss Sowell, does not reSpond at all.
However; the Housing Code Department was commended by Mr. Christenberry and
Miss Sowell. This was not the case with Mr. Menez, who feels the department is

"not only inadequate, but also poorly administered".

Mr. Isaac reported that the Police Department is'doing well in Central City, but ‘

Mr. Christenberryv, Mr. Menez, and Miss Sowell reported very poor response. Mr.
at the Police Department did not know to return route sheets;

however , that is not believed. In most areas they have shown poor response on

pick—up of junk cars.-
Only Mr. Isaac mentioned Public Works. He noted only one third response.

The Recreation Department was commented on by Miss Woodward and Mr. Menez.
Mr. Menez stated that the Recreation Department was not only hampered by lack
of‘equipment, but its unsystematic system allows for inconsistency. Miss W’oodward
was more eXplicit, stating that recreation."appears to suffer not in quanity but in
quality". Since this is Atlanta's third year of expanded summer recreation, she-feels
that ”one would expect to find activities with carryover values”. Further, Atlanta

is looSing its best opportunity to communicate with youth in these areas. She

l'eports that youth does not participate in other programs , such as Model Cities ,

E.O.A., etc.



The Sanitation Department came in for quite a bit of comment. Miss Sowell, Miss
Woodward, and Mr. Isaac had reasonably good experiences with this department.
Mostly their requesthad been answered promptly. Miss Sowell Stated that the
quick reSponse on the trash barrels gives tangible evidence of the City's concern.

Thus this service of the Sanitation Department is invaluable. Miss Woodward

'1 states that-there is such' high c'onfidenCe in the department and in Mr.‘ Hulsey in I

West End that citizens there usually call Mr. Hulsey directly with their complaints.
Not all opinions of the Sanitation Department are good. Mr. Christenberry- reports
poor pick-up of junk cars by this department, especially if the car has not been ,
tagged by the City Service Coordinator. Mr. Menez feels the departments "output
capacity is totally inadequate“. Thus the Sanitary Department seems to respond
well ‘on complaints concerning litter barrels and/or trash removal and poorly on

removal of junk cars .

The "Sidewalks Department" was commended by Mr. Isaac who stated that he has

received one-hundred percent response.

Miss Sowell reports Street Maintenance as being prompt in replying. However, she

feels they should have informed this office that no additional paving could be done.

The Traffic Engineering Department did not please Miss Sowell, Mrs. Snider, or
Mr. Menez. Miss Sowell felt they should have notified the Community Development

Coordinator's Office that no traffic signals were available for this year. Mrs.



-3-

Snider noted that many times the Traffic Engineering Department replied with "will

check this next week" or ”maybe next year”. She felt this type of reply did more

t

harm than good. Mr. Menez criticized ”the bureaucratic procedure in which things

are done”. Mr. Isaac reported answers to all five route sheets sent to Traffic

Engineering. Thus of the four comments on this department, only Mr. Isaac was

satisfied.

RECOMMENDATIONS
There were several types of recommendations which appeared often in the‘intern
evaluations . These were concerned mainly with the City Services Coordinator?
junk cars, and the‘establishment of a central telephone number or office. Although
many recommendations were quite similar each was presented from a slightly

different viewpoint.

The recommendations concerning the City Services Coordinators centered around
the number of coordinators and their duties; Miss Sowell, Mr. Isaac, and Mr.

Bemcnt recommend that there be one City Service Coordinator per target area.

Others, such as Christenberry, Mrs. Snider, and Miss Woodward felt that fimore

City Service Coordinators should be hired”. Mr. Christenberry suggested that .

since the City Service Coordinator's do public relations work anyway, the "expensive,
blue-ribbon bedecked Community Relations Commission” could be abolished and

the commission's money be used for more City Service Coordinators. Miss
Woodward, Mr. Bement, Miss Sowell, and‘Mr.‘ Christenberry also discussed

possible changes in the coordinator‘s duties. Miss Woodward recommended

making them the administrators of ”Little City Halls" and increasing the scope of



-4-

their duties to include early slum detection, consumer services complaints,
public relations, and general information distribution. All of this involves

removing the coordinators from the E.O.A. Centers . Mr. Christenberry feels

the City Service Coordinators be viewed as "inovative chaps with an overview of

the whole system whose job is to better integrate existing services and develop

new services as they see .fit“. They Should have the power to- ”recommend
revisions in and additions to the. city codes in their respective areas“? Mr.
Bement saw the coordinatoris job as that of a “city—man in the ghetto; touching,
listening, stimulating, teaching, reporting“. Miss Sowell believes the City
Service Coordinators could perform a broader coordinating function between the

various groups on his (or her) area.

Those were not the only recommendations pertaininv to City Service Coordinators.
Mr. Christenberry wants all City Service Coordinators (both present coordinators
and all future ones) to spend time with experienced coordinators, learning methods
of "handling 'routine‘ community problems". He also feels that all City Service
Coordinators should have a personal knowledge of the operation of all city departments.
Mr. Isaac recommended that the coordinators be publicized in the community.
Miss Sowell suggested that regular “hours of attendance" in their offices be kept
by the coordinators, and that route sheets from the City Service Coordinators
should received priority action (perhaps special funds could be allocated for this)-

Thus these inten. recommendations concerning the City Service Coordinators relate



:5-

‘ to their role, their number, their training, etc. There is disatisfaction not with the

ideal of a City Service Coordinator, but with the reality.

A large number of recommendations concerned centralization. Mr. Bement suggested
the entire system be tied to one telephone number, such as 511. He also suggested

' .-a central City Services intakeand Routing Office containing one or two complaint
desks from each department. This would expand the Community Development Office's
coordinating function by enabling departments to work together on problems not
"aprOpos“ to any one department. Nirs . Snider also felt a central information
service for field personnel was needed. Under her plan, the Community Deve10p-
ment Office could become a central coordinating agency for target area groups'who
might need supplies or other help and these churches, businesses, etc. , who might
like to help such groups. A centralized publicized telephone number was also
recommended by Nlr. Isaac. Miss Woodward suggested a central complaint depart—
ment similar to that of Mr. Bementbut not included as a part of the Community
Development Office. In the complaint department there would be a central real—time

information bank and “exceptions" crews to investigate all types of complaints.

Centralization as seen by the interns , would eXpand the function of the Community

DeveIOpment Office and aid in its operation. _

Junk cars were the object of many of Mr. Ch’ristenberry's and Mr. Menez's
recommendations. Both felt that only one department of the City should have

responsibility for removal of_junk cars, rather than both Sanitary and Police.
Menez suggested that this single agency be the Sanitary Department. Both felt that

manpower in Sanitary should be increased; Christenberry suggesting that these



-6- _ _

be used to make "periodic sweeps through all infected areas to remove junk cars".

An additional suggestion made by Mr. Christenberry was to assign personnel from
the Community Deve10pment Office to work with Rex Honeycutt of Sanitary in the

development of a profitable system for handling junked cars. In other words , these

intern recommendations were concerned with increasing the efficiency of junk car

reinbval .

Although the above are the major types of groupings of intern recommendations , there
were many more. -Mrs. Snider and Miss Woodward suggested ”little City Halls”.
Miss Woodward also suggested a social research and planning staff which would
begin slum prevention studies , a new training orientation program for summer
recreation employees, plain english translations of city ordinances,new ordinances
concerning consumer service violations, investigation of bribery complaints ,
regulation of absentee landlords, and use of Ivolenteers for summer recreation
programs. Mrs. Snider and Miss Woodward had recormnendations pertaining to
publicity. Miss Woodward feels the War on' Poverty should be publicized to affluent
Atlanta; Mrs. Snider suggested that City Hall publicize its elf through direct effective
action. Miss Sowell and Mrs . Snider felt that highlevel pressure (i.- e. , Mayor Allen)

should be used against those departments which were unresponsive to the Community

Development Office. Several suggestions were made with regard to personnel.

Mr. Isaac believes the intern program should be continued part—time all year. Miss

Woodward suggested the pay of policemen and recreation employees be increased.

She also suggested strengthening the lines between the E.O.A. Manpower Program.



-7-

and the City Personnel Office. Miss Sowell recommended that the Atlanta

Beautification Corps workers could be used to clean streets and’vacant lots in
answer to complaints. Mr. Christenberry also suggested increasing the number
of housing inspectors. Other's suggestions included improving the Summer
Program Book by printing it in color code, having-each department use the same
area. definition providing Space for up -dating the book, revising the route sheet
filing system by using file cards (Mrs. Snider); charging land owners for cleaning
their property, giving recognition to the Housing Code Department for its fine

performance, making a concentrated effort in one area. in the hope that changes

in crime, property values , etc. (Mr. Christenberry).





September 29. 1969

Dr. David B. Lyon

Suite 132-3

490 Peechtree Street. N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Dear Dr. Lyon:

Thank you for your letter of September 223d expreeeing
an interest in being of service in the field of race relations.

I em referring your letter to our Community Reletions k"!
Commieeion, end I em sure Mr. Net Welch will be in
touch with you shortly.

Sincerely you".

Ivan Allen. Jr.
Meyer

IAthlrd

CC: Community Relations Commieeioe

From: Community Relations Commission 4%
12.1 Memorial Drive, SW
‘ Atlanta, Georgia 30303
For Release, Thursday, September 25', 11:00 A.M.

BEN HILL LEADERS DEPLORE VANDALISM

flfiewf WZM‘L/«I

l

A group-of Ben Hill church, school, business and community leaders released
a statement today expressing their ”shock and shame“ at an act of vandalism directed
against a Negro family recently who moved 011. an all white street in this southwest -

Atlanta c omrnunity. .

The McMichael family purchased a home on Kimberly Road and moved into it
in late August. Vandals hit once breaking windows and hit again some three days later.
. The McMichael ls elected to move and their money was refunded by the real estate -

I
agent who sold the property.

1.

The statement by the group of Ben Hill leaders continued: -"We know the Spirit.
of this community. We believe that the good people 'of Ben Hill and surrounding
communities want their moral support placed behind the movement for fairness in
housing and equality in education. We encourage that every effort be made by the
Atlanta Police Department to apprehend the offender so that justice will prevail and
re Spect for the law be strengthened in event that a similar situation should face us
again. We believe that man, his perSOn and his personality, is sacred and that
proPerty rights must be respected and that unless we can come" to this point of view,
none of us are safe. " This statement represented the first collective effort of censure
from that community. The group met at the Ben Hill Methodist Church with the

I o

Atlanta Community Relations Commission acting as the convener.

_ Among those participatingain the meeting were: Rev. L. Clyde Allen, Bill
Atchison, Ernest R. Bennett, Rev. W. C. Bowen, Kenneth R. Drane, Milton S.

Earnest, John Geren, Rev. William Geren, Mrs. Thelma Heath, James R. Lemon,

Walker McKnight, Charles L. Moates, Dr. Harmon D. Moore, H. Jack Smith, Charles

_ Stimson, Jr. , Ray Terry, Jr.', Cecil M. Thornton, Lyndon Wade, Thomas G. Ward,

Nat Welch, Rev. Paul F. Wohlgemuth and Cy Young.



For Release:

Thursday PM, January 2, 1968

From: Community Relations commission
1203 City Hall, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

BENNY T. SMITH NAMED FIELD REPRESENTATIVE FOR

COMMUNIT Y RE LATIONS C OMMISSION

Benny T]. Smith, widely known community leader, has been named field

representative for the Atlanta Community Relations Commission and will
assume his new duties immediately. It was announced today by Nat Welch,

executive director for the Commission.

As field representative, Smith will head up CRC '5 expanded Town Hall
Meeting Program for 1969 and will act as a communications link between

the Neighborhoods and the Commission.

“We have expanded the scoPe of this position and are delighted to have

secured the services of such an able and experienced leader as Benny T.

Smith, " stated Welch.

Smith was raised in Vine City and educated at Booker T. Washington

High School, Mo rris Brown College and the Blayton School of Accounting.‘

With funds he won on the national TV show, ”Strike It Rich, ” in the mid

fifties, Smith opened and Operated a dry cleaning firm in Vine City. He





Page 2.

Press Release January 2., 1968

Benny T. Smith ‘

later was the proprietor of a neighborhood grocery store in the Poole Greek
Community. Smith was subsequently employed by the U. S. Postal Data

Center and the Georgia Department of Labor where he played a key role in

the Jobmobile Program in cooPe ration with the National Alliance of Businessmen.

Smith was a prime mover in the organization of the Community Relations
Commission some two and a half years ago. He helped organize the Price
and the the Pittsburgh EOA centers and the Model Cities Program. He is a
former vice president of the All Citizens Registration Committee, former
president of the Metropolitan Atlanta Grassroots Council, president of the
Southeast Community Council, board member of the Metropolitan Atlanta
Summit Leadership Congress, and former vice president of the Fourth

Ward Improvement Council. He served as chairman of the tran3portation

committee for the Poor People's Campaign to Washington.

CRC '3 new field representative has received awards for community service
and leadership from the Peoplestown Civic League, the Atlanta branch of
the NAACP, the Excelsior Knight Civic and Social Club, the Southeast

Community Council and the Veterans‘ Administration Hospital.

Mr. Smith is a member of the Wheat Street Baptist Church and Prince Hall

Masons. He resides at 209 Archcrest Drive.



FORM 1657 6% 6:
OFFICE LETTER
E

TRUST COMPANY OF GEORGIA

A. H. Sterne

FROM C. Linden Longino, Jr. SUBJECT: Bank Loans to Minority Businesses

I have a collection of many news articles and other reports, as well as my own thoughts,
on the general subject of business formation and development in urban "underprivileged-
ghetto—black-minority" areas. Common threads bind all of these together:

1. A city cannot endure with a central core of business and individual poverty.

2. Strengthening the underprivileged business community would go a long way
toward solving the overall number one problem of the city. (Minority grOup
members comprise 12% of the U. S. p0pulation but they OWn only 3% of U. S.
business, according to government figures.)

This uplifting can be done by direct government ”intervention" or by the more
fortunate members of the ”privileged” business community; the latter being a

better way for innumerable reasons, but a combined effort being workable and

not necessarily undesirable.

Many government programs exist and many private organizations have been
formed to cope with these problems, but there is much duplication of effort
and a general lack of intercommunication and coordination.

Banks can play a key role because of the general scarcity of money available
to the ghetto businessman for starting or upgrading his business. (Only 150

of this country's 14,000 commercial banks engage in specific loan programs of
this nature.)

A bank can follow three basic paths:

A) Establish its own high risk loan plan (0&3 has done this).
B) Participate with the SBA in ”Project Own", a liberalized loan guarantee

program. This plan is endorsed by the ABA. (Trust Company, First National,
National Bank of Georgia and maybe Fulton National Bank do this.)

C) Banks within a city can organize a "pool” of funds and talent, offering
loans as well as management assistance. (This has been informally discussed,

but no Such move is under way in Atlanta. Banks in some other cities have
taken such action.)

Conculsion: Each bank must make its own decision as to the extent of its
involvement, if any, in this area of community service. A formal "pool" of
banks is not necessary if each bank will assume its reaponsibilities and take
an active role in this area of lending. A central "clearing house" would make
the job easier for all interested parties, public and private. Independent
services of banks, attorneys, accountants, consultants and various national,
state, and local government bodies could be efficiently channeled toward the

common objective. We have suggested that the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce might
assume the role of coordinator if such a ”clearing house" is established.

CLL,JR:cbst(:i/fl

1-15—69 ' /



During the past ten years Atlanta has experienced an economic
growth rate that is rivaled by few American cities. To a large
extent this was only possible because of an enlightened business

and banking community. . . . . the community that you gentlemen

represent.

During this same ten year period Atlanta has also experienced a

social development that is rivaled by few American cities. We

can feel fortunate in that this has usually taken place in a peaceful

and orderly fashion. This was only possible because of an enlightened
black and white community that has grown with Atlanta.

We now live in a city where the population is almost 50% bleak-(I78 {.0 -
The continued economic growth of our city will depend greatly on

the means by which the heretofore untapped resources of our Wfivw
citizens can be utilized.

The Community Relations Commission has recently initiated a

project of vital importance to all of us. It Concerns the further deve—

lopment of bfikw entrepreneur ship in Atlanta. The Commission,

in developing thisp poject, ha as —3ponsors e Atlanta Business
a; 486g, 2": 62:...55. l7 #M-oc-c,_.

League's Project Outreach/(the Atlanta Urban League, the National
Alliance of Businessmen, the Small Business Administration, the

Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP and the Atlanta University School of

.r . ._. .l

Bus1ness. : _// J _- . .1 ..-._._.-

-/-f (o "in. {ls'f/
Atlanta needs a public committment from you, its banking fraternity,

29:91, fiy’ ’inj'fi/

that you will, to an ever increasing extent, grant gig-1r riskdea sto

com etent black business“



FORM 700—?«87—40“

a lo

Trust Company of Georgia

POST OFFICE Daawsn 4413

Atlanta, Georgia 30302

February 6, 1969

Mr. Hat Helch

Executive Director

Community Relations Commission
1203 City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Belch:

Trust Campany of Georgia will be delighted to take part
in the February 20 "workshop on Black Business Opportunities,"
sponsored by the Community Relations Commission. Attached is the
form which names C. Linden Longino, Second Vice President, as our
representative. Hr. Longino will participate in the Banker Round
Table and will be awaiting your instructions as to when the group
comprising the Round Table will meet.

You also asked if we would provide a table during the
session running from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. and Mr. Longino will also
be in charge of our arrangements in providing such an information
booth. He may use one or more of our people to assist him.

Attached also is our check payable to the Cummisaion
for $30.00 for registration.

I believe that the program will be a good one, assuming
you obtain the participation desired by those who are really

interested in going into business for themselves. The program has
been well thought-out, and I see nothing in it that would be con-
trary to our own vies: of how to attack the problem. It was a
pleasure to sit in for Mr. Stores, and he of course has been apprised
of what went on and supports fully our participation, as outlined
above.

Attachments Execu ve Vice President — Banking

Copy to Warn



e - 0&6
‘ ‘ COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION‘S '

"WORKSHOP ON BLACK BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES"
New building. of Atlanta University School of Business, February 20.

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00-9:15 Purpose of Conference - Mr’. ByronAttridge: Vice Chairman
of Community Relations Commission

9:15-10:00" Keynote Speaker — Mr. Frank‘Carter, President, Atlanta Chamber
of Commerce

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:15 ”D'o's and Don‘t‘s in Launching new Businesses"
Five successful Atlanta Black Enterpreneurs

11:15—12:00 Specialized Panel Discussions:

1. Service Stations Ice Cream Outlets
2. .Fast Food Outlets _ _ Franchised Dry Cleaning
3. Construction Contracting Specialty Auto Services -

4. Auto Dealerships tires, mufflers, etc.
‘ fl Other Franchise Businesses

12:00-1:00 Box Lunches

1:00—1:45 Banker Round Table - Opportunities envisioned, how
your banker can help, what he looks for in loan applicant,
etc. (Atlanta bankers, accountant, and SBA official)

Ongoing Programs for Technical Aid

1. Small Business Administration
2. National Business League ”Project Outreach"I
3. Regional Economic Development and Business Service Center,

. Atlanta University

2:30-5:00 ”Fifty Great Business Opportunities"
Individual confe rence's between franchisors and franchisees

7:00-10:00 Banquet at Paschal‘s Motor Hotel

Awards to the five outstanding Atlanta Black
Entrepreneurs for 1969

Address: Berkeley iG. Burrell, President, NatiOnal
Business League, Washington, D. C.





Pure Oil Division (3‘

Union Oil Company of California
Chaitahoochee Station, PO. Box 1702?

Atlanta, Georgia 30321
Tehphone(404)7994414

QU{11‘D{.E§QJTD
February 5, 1969

Mr. Nat Welsh

Executive Director

Community Relations Commission
1203 City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mr. Welch:

We would like to congratulate the Community Relations Commission on
its forthcoming “Work Shop on Black Job Opportunities” to be held
February 20, 1969, at Atlanta University. The Atlanta Division,
Union Oil Company of California, will be an active participant in

this Work Shop.

We know from experience what able businessmen some Negroes can be,
One of our very best dealers in Georgia is a Negro.

Your goal of involving more minority people as owuer/managera of
business is a positive one. The Atlanta Division, Union Oil Company

of California, extends its strong cooperation.
Cordially,

ATLANTA DIVISION
UNION OIL COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA

K. P. Dutton
Manager, Divisional Sales

KPD:eg

AMERICAN DAIRY QUEEN CORPORATION

Southeastern Division! 3'51 DeKalb Industrial Way, P.0. Box 1037, Decatur, Georgia 30033,;' Teiephone (404) 634-5151

February 5, 1969

Mr. Nat Welch

Community Relations Commission
1203 City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Welch:

Thank you for your invitation to attend your Workshop on Black Busi~
ness Opportunities to be held on February 20 at the Atlanta University
School of Business.

We expect to have our Franchise Sales Director, Mr. Leo Wells, in
attendance.

We in Dairy Queen feel that this is certainly a progressive program
that you are sponsoring, and we are looking forward to finding capable
store owners through this meeting. It is indeed a pleasure to know
that our city is concerned with the growth and development of all its
citizens and its businesses. I

Look forward to working with you and your group.
Sincerely yours,

as are

R. E. (Red) Roberts
Operations Manager

t//2 G? ’ €15-4/w’;tfljfie/’/fi;fiflmfl i)”,

J. C. Cruikshank
Co-Chairman of the Board

' RER/mjc



8 E El CC; Ell Q g:
L F137 (3", p .1 3’5, "

Kai!

f,- I

l“! 1""? '
: . rm
Ll a! who 14;; E1

Negrma's‘r Own Fault, Lender Says
_ As C of C Launches Money Drive

By LAU‘RENCE GWIN

Atlanta. Journal Business Writer
Is there a “black money curtain” in Atlanta which deters
Negroes from getting assistance they need to enter the main- rise—more than 700 per cent:

stream of capitalism?

. and we also hope to get

One Of the leading Negro bus“ successful Negroes to encourage

ness executives in Atlanta says other

l¢y$.!!

“But it's partly the fault of'

the black community," said T.
M. Alexander Jr., who in addi-
ti0n to having financial ties in
various Atlanta projects, is with
the Courts and Co. brokerage
firm.

Marauder noted that although
the fault does not lie with the
banks totally, “it is a psycholog-
ical fact that when a black per-
son gets turned down On a loan
by a black hank -— and because
of the restricted capital of these
banks they most times have no
choice but to be more careful in
higher risk areas - these poo-
:pie would naturally feel they
=wouldn’t have a‘ chance to get
'money from a white bank
:and they don’t try.”

Another problem be com-
:mented on was that blacks seek-
ing financial aid “just do not
have the records and reports
.filed on. them, and the institu-
ltions don‘t have enough infor-
‘mation to be able to make the
decisions."

OFTEN when a Negro applies
for financial assistance, the
banks will ask him to fill out a
financial statemcnt. Alexander

said. “And he thinks this was

.just a nice way the bank had to
a turn him down," he said. “More
loften than not he doesn't know
how to make out a financial
statement . . . and this is where
it’s dropped."

He cited a precedent for suc-
cess in John Jefferson, who
after being turned down numer-
ous times. finally recieved as-
sisiancc from Citizens :1- South-
ern National Bank and construc-
tion is now under way for a 73~
room downtown motel to be
owned and operated by blacks.

Atlanta is currently frying to
change the climate surrounding
the "black money curtain.”





Negroes."

Although not completely out-
lined, the program will have two
phases, he said. "You have
money on one side and candi-
dates on the other—and these
have to be matched. Especially
when less than $5,000 is in-
volved-the percentages go out
the window. You’re backing the
individual."

THE LATTER PHASE will be
to provide counseling and mana-
gerial coaching for the appli«
counts “so that they may learn
the ins and outs of the busi-
ness." '

Dickson, although not seeing a.

separate division formulated,
envisions that banks “will ag-
gressively go after worthwhile
applicants." He added that “this
will not be a giveaway—but we
are going to genuinely try and
create an atmosphere whereby
the black community'can enter
the mainstream of capitalism."

In connection with this, the
Community Relations Commis-
sion has announced plans for a
workshop to be held Feb. 20 at
Atlanta University’s School of
Business.

The Workshop on Black Busi-
ness Opportunities will be co
sponsored by the-Atlanta cham-

Tuesduy, February 4, 1969

Atlanta Negro-owned manu-
facturer of hair productshthe
Cannolene Co.—will top the $1
million sales mark in 1969, ac-
cording to predictions by com-
pany officials. ,



Robert O. Cannon, president:
of the firm, said the big saiesi

over 1958—bcgan when the firm!
.expandcd into the national mar-
:ket three years ago.

I “We are now- able to take
full advantage of the greatly
improved earning power in the
Negro market,f' said Cannon.
whose company manufactures
a line of 13 different beauty
products for the ethnic market
in the South and major metro
centers across the nation.

The firm has devised a way
for students at Carver Voca»
tional School to reap benefits
from one of its new lines by
lhaving pupils manufacture dis-
tinctive burlap bags for its co-
logne and after-shave lotion.

Cannon also gave credit to
the F. W. Woolworth Co. for
its “candid suggestions” for
improvement of packaging and
merchandising generally.

bet, the local chapter of
NAACP, the Atlanta Business
League, the Atlanta University
School of Business, the Urban
League and the Small Business
Administration.



“The primary goal of the
workshop is to involve Atlanta
Negroes who are interested in
becoming owner-managers of.
business in Atlanta,” CRC ex-
ecutive director Nat Welsh said.

Eheiiltlmda “doom!

Atlanta Chamber of Com-

merce President Frank Carter
has appointed Eugene Boyd, a
vice president of CocaCola Co.,
Inc, and Herbert J. Dickson,
executive vice president of the
C 8.: S Bank, to head up a pro
gram "for concentrated effort
in the field of black entrepren-
eurship.”

Dickson said that "this will
not be a cure-all—but it will pro-
vide a small tool that we hope
can do some good.

“Our efforts will encourage
Negroes to build for themselves



MAIL TO:
Nat Welch, Executive Director

Community Relations Commission
1203 City Hall
. Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Please count our iii-m in as a participant in the Atlanta Community Relations
Commission‘s ”WorkehoP On Black Business Opportunities" to be held at
Atlanta University on February'ZO.

FIRM NAME :

ADDRESS:

REPRESENTED BY: (1)

(Z)

FRANCHISED OFFERED:

There will be a. briefing session for franchisors at City Hall, Meeting Room 2,
3:30—5:00 P.M. , February 19.

Registration for commercial companies is $30. 00. This includes one banquet

ticket--additional tickets can be purchased on February 20.
I

PLEASE ENC LOSE CHECK WITH THIS REGISTRAT ION FORM.-



THE VOICE — January 26, 1969-Poge 2

Black Business Workshop, February 20

Atlanta's Community Re-
lations Commission an-
nounced today plans for it's
'Workshop on Black Busi-
ness Opportunities" to be
held February 20 in the new
building of Atlanta Univer-
sity’s School of Business.

The workshop will be co-
sponsored by the Atlanta
Business League. the At-
lanta Chamber of Com—
merce. the Atlanta Univer-
sity School of Business. the
National Alliance of Busi—
nessmen, the National As-
sociation for the Advance-
ment of Colo red People. the
Small Business Administra-
tion and the Urban League.

“The primary goal of the
workshop is to involve At-
lanta Negroes who are in-
terested in becoming owner-
managers of businesses in
Atlanta. We hope that this
combined community effort
will offer a quantum jump
to Atlanta black business
entrepreneurs and streng-
then on going etiorts of the
Atlanta Business League's
Project Outreach, the Small
Business Administration.
and Atlanta University’s
Business Economic De-
velopment and Business
Service Center" stated
CRC'S executive director
Nat Welch.

The planning committee
has identified nine likely
break-thru areas for black
buSiness opportunities..iast
food franchises. auto deal—
erships. service station.
building contracting. Ice
cream outlets. franchised
dry cleaning stores, coin
operated laundries. drug

stores. and specialty auto
stores selling such items
as tires and mufflers.

If you are interested
in becoming an owner/
manager of any type of
business and want to
participate in this
workshop. Call Benny
T. Smith. field repre-
sentative. Community
Relations Commission.
Room 1203. City Hall.
phone-number 522—4463
extension 433. who is in
charge of community
participation for this
important affair.

"I‘he workshop will have
a heavy emphasis on fran-
chised operations because
these are geared to family
involvement. Good fran-
chises oifer proven manage-
ment assistance and for-
mulas for successful opera—

tion". stated Nat Welch.

Some three dozen national
franchise operations are be-
ing invited to have top
management representa-
tion. The afternoon session
will feature "Fifty Great
Business Opportunities"
and will provide a two and
a half hour period for the
Iranchisor and the {ranchi-
see to have individual dis-
cussions with the hopes that
new businesses will be
birthed as a result of this
workshop, explained CRC's
executive director.

The morning session will
have a panel discussion on
"00's and Don'ts inLaunch-
ing New Business Ventures"

by five seccessful Atlanta
black entrepreneurs and In-
dividual panel discussions in
the nine areas of business
break-thrust being empha-
sized at the workshop.

The afternoon ses sion will
have two additional panels.
One will be on "On Going
Programs oiTechnicalAi "
in which presentations will
be made by the Small Busi-
ness Administration. Pro-
ject Outreach. and Atlanta
University's Business Eco-
nomic Development and
Business Service Center.
The other will be a banker
round table with Atlanta
bankers discussing oppor-
tunities envisioned. how
bankers can help and what
bankers look for in a loan

applicant. ,

The banquet session. to
be held at Paschal's Motor
Hotel. will climax with an
address by a nationally-
known black business lea-
der.

The planning committee
for the workshop includes:
Frank O'Neal of the Atlanta
Business League; Dean
Harding Young of the Atlanta
University School of
Business; Lyndon Wade of
the Atlanta Urban League;
Curtise Driskell of the At-
lanta Chamber of com-
merce; Henry Reid oi NAB.
Lonnie King of the NAACP:
John P. Latimer of SBA
and Nat Welch and Chuck
Williams of CRC.

THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 'I'hursrlny. Jan. 23. 196')

CRC Plans
Workshop
For Blacks

T h e
Commission

School of Business.

The Workshop On Black Busi-
ness Opporluoities will be co—
sponsored by the Atlanta Cham-
local
chapter ol the National Ass-{min-
tion for the Advancement of Col-
ored People, the Atlanlu Busi-
ness League. the Atlanta Uni-
versity School of Business. the
Urban League and the Small

her of Commerce. the

BusineSs Administration.

BA SIC GOAL
"The primary

Community Relations

goal of

The workshop will feature
nine "likely breakthrough areas
for black busincss opportuni—
ties“—iasL—food franchises, auto
dealerships. service stations.
building contracting. ice cream
outlets, franchised dry cleaning
stores, coin—operaled laundrios,
drug slorcs and specially auto
stores.

THREE DOZEN‘ OPERATIONS
About three dozen national

announced plans franchise operattons are being
Wednesday for no black entre-

preneurship workshop to he held
Feb. 20 at Atlanta University‘s

invited Io hm‘c lop Iiitumgomt'nt
repi'osrnlution. The afternoon
session will fealuro “Fifty Great
Business Opportunities," Welch
said. “technical on! programs
and a rwlht‘l-lublo discussion by
Atlanta hnnltrrs also will occur
in Ilu.‘ ulit-I’noon.

The morning sr‘ssh'm will have
u panel IlJ‘iL‘LI‘iSion on "This and
Don'ts in Launching.I New Bu31-
[was \-'o1:luros" b_\' live success-
ful Atlanta blot-k entrepreneurs
plus individual panel discussions
in the nine hronmhrough areas

A dinner Session at Pasohal's

the Motor l-lotel will end the work-

workshop is to involve Atlanta shop u-iIh a speech by a ym—Io-

Negroes who are iol'croSIetl in lie—announced

owner-managers

Atlanta."
diroclm‘

becoming
businesses in.
i‘llt‘ executive
Wolch.

ualiouzllh -kI1I:U.-'II

of black business loader. In mid»

and lion. five blar‘lr. rutrcproawurs
Na: for

lilh'? will be given sprint:
remenilinn hr Ibo t'Rt'



PROGRAM

"WORKSHOP ON BLACK BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES"
New building of Atlanta University School of Business , February 20.

9:00-9:15 Purpose of Conference - Dr. Sam Williams .

9:15—10:00 Keynote Speaker — Frank Carter, President, Atlanta Chamber
of Commerce

10:00—10:15 Break

10:15 —11:15 ."Do's- and Don 't's in Launching new Businesses"
Five successful Atlanta Black Enterpreneurs

11:15-12: 00 Specialized Panel Discussions:
1. Service Stations 5. Ice Cream Outlets

2. Fast Food Outlets 6. Franchised Dry Cleaning

3. Construction Contracting 7.“ Specialty Auto Services _
4. Auto Dealerships tires, mufflers, etc.

lZ:00-1:00 Box Lunches
1:00-1:45 Banker Round Table — Opportunities envisioned, how

your banker can help, what he looks for in loan applicant,
etc. (Atlanta bankers, accountant, and SBA official)

1:45—2:30 Ongoing Programs for Technical Aid

SBA
Project Outreach
Atlanta University- School of Business

2:30-5:00 "Fifty Great Business Opportunities“
Individual conferences between franchisors and franchisees
7:00-10:00 Banquet at PaSchal’s

Awards to the five outstanding Atlanta Blacl<
Entrepreneurs for 1969

Address: Berkeley Cr? Burrell. President, National
Business League, Washington, D. C.



2"”

“WORKSHOP ON BLACK BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES"

Sponsored by the Community Relations CommissiOn in cooPerationwith:

Atlanta Business League - E’Project Outreach"
Atlanta University School of Business

Atlanta Urban League

National Alliance of Businessmen

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Atlanta Chapter
Small Business Administration

|

(The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee has this under
c0nside ration. )

TIME: February 20, 1969

PLACE: New building of the Atlanta University School of Business for morning
and afternoon sessions. Paschal's for banquet session.

GOALS: (l) - To involve Atlanta Negroes who are interested in becoming owner/
managers of businesses in Atlanta
{(2) To involve Atlanta University Center students who are desirous
of becoming owner/managers of businesses
({3) To secure the active interest and support of the Atlanta banking

fraternity in aiding competent black business men with technical
advice and loans.

FOCUS: Plans are to spotlight several business fields which are likely break
through areas for black businessmen with emphasis on franchised
operations.

1. Fast Food Franchises 5. Ice Cream Outlets
. Auto Dealerships 6. Franchised Dry Cleaning
, . Service Stations 7. Specialty Auto Services —
. Contracting tires, mufflers, etc.



January 10, 1969

BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
_COMMUNITY RELATIONS C OMMISSION

Ex Officio from the Commission

13:. Sam Williams Robert Botts, Manager of Personnel 8:

[Chairman of CRC) _ Public Relations
Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church W estern_E1ectric Company

T.M. Alexander, Sr. Eugene Beyd, Vice President
Real Estate 5:: Insurance The Coca Cola Company, Inc.

L. L. Gellerstedt, Jr. , President Al Braxton, Partner in charge of
Beers Construction Company Small Business Division
Arthur Anderson 3: Company

M. O. I Ryan, General Manager
Marriott Motor Hotel Arthur E. Bronner, Vice President

Brenner Bros. Wholesale 3.: Re tail
Beauty Supply Company —

Charles Adams E. R. Brooks, Vice President
Senior Vice President ' Industrial Relations
The Coca - Cola Campany, Inc. Scripto, Inc.

Miles Alexander Paul E. K. Brown
Kilpatrick, Cody, Rogers, McClatchey ll: Regenstein Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company
I (Attorneys)
T. T. Brown, Zone Manager

T.M. Alexander, J'r. Chevrolet Division
Courts 3: Company General Motors Corporation

Harvey Anderson, Coordinator James W. Couch, Owner
Career Counseling 8: Placement Center DBIUXB Cleaners

Atlanta University Center -
Paul A. Clifford, Personnel Director
Ben Barnes, Senior Vice President Alterman Foods, Inc.

First National Bank
P.D. Davis, Jr. , Director

LB. Behl, Vice President Atlanta School of Business, Inc.

Economy Auto Division
Oklahoma Tire ll: Supply Company Curtis Dri skell
' ' Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Russell A. Blanchard, Jr., Vice President
13909135 ' American Bank James E. Green, Jr. , Vice President
Citizens 8; Southern National Bank

E. William Bohn, Director of PerSOnnel
Cox Broadcasting Corporation



James E. Green, Jr., Vice President J. M. Moore, Jr,
Citizens 3: Southern National Bank Ford Division District Sales Manager

Ford Motor C ompany

Claude H. Grizzard, Jr. , President

Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce Richard Ge Murphy
General Manager for Retail Stores , Atlanta

S. G. Gordon Sears Roebuck it: Company
Gordon's Body Shop ‘

, Leslie R. NichOlas

Alan Gould, President General Personnel Manager

A. R. Abrams Fixtures Georgia Operations
Southern Bell T 8: T Company
Leon Harnes, Vice President-Personnel
Life Insurance Company of Georgia Frank 0 'Neal
Project Outreach
Geneva Haugabrooks, Owner
Haugabrooks Funeral Home James Paschal
Paschal Motor Hotel
Dr. Vivian Henderson, President;

Clark College Henry L. Reid
NatiOnal Alliance of Businessmen

Ira Jackson, Owner
Jackson's Service Station Herman Russell

' H. J. Russell 3: Company
John Perry Latitner, Regional Director

Small Business Administration Charles Sandusky, Regional Manager

Chrysler - Plymouth Division

Arthur P. Laws Chrysler Corporation

Pinkerton and Laws
H. M. Skelton

Bob Lewis, Vice President Assistant City Sales Manager

Cannolene Company Standard Oil Company

Richard Sterne , Senior Vice President
National Bank of Georgia '

C. Linden Longino, Jr.
Second Vice President

Trust Company of Georgia
R. 0. Sutton, Vice President

Erskine Love, Jr. , President Citizens Trust Company

Printpack, Inc.
R. H. Sweeney, Vice President for

R. L. McLeod, Vice President Industrial Relations
Jackson-Atlantic, Inc. Colonial Stores, Inc.

H. L. Megar, Vice President W. R. Tolimson
Fulton NatiOnal Bank . Sales Supervisor

Gulf Oil Company, USA
Clarence Mitchell, Owner
Dot's Barbecue



Lyndon Wade
Urban League of Atlanta

Lottie Watkins
Lottie H. Watkins Enterprises

John Weitnauer, Vice President-Personnel
Rich's Department Store

P. H. Werner
Director of Public Relations, Southeast
F. W. Woolworth and Company

James A. York
Assistant Vice President

Employee Services
Delta Airlines

Dean Harding Young
School of Business
Atlanta University

During the past ten years Atlanta has experienced an economic
growth rate that is rivaled by few American cities. To a large
extent this was only possible because of an enlightened business
and banking community. . . . . the community that you-gentlemen

represent.

During this same ten year period Atlanta has also experienced a

social develoPment'that is rivaled by few American cities. We

can feel fortunate in that this has usually taken place in a peaceful

and orderly fashion. This was only possible because of an enlightened
black and white community that has grown with Atlanta.

We now live in a city where the population is almost 50% blaele/Véyea .
The continued economic growth of our city will depend greatly on

the means by which the heretofore untapped resources of our black/Va? be?
citizens can be utilized.

The Community Relations Commission has recently initiated a

project of vital importance to all of us. It concerns the further deve-

(gr
lopment of k entrepreneurship in Atlanta. The Commission,

in developing this p oject, ha as —5ponsors e Atlanta Business
’ AgéawZ/Ee Canaan 0;? igvslena‘icec,’

League's Project Outreach/l the Atlanta Urban League, the National
Alliance of Businessmen, the Small Business Administration, the

Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP and the Atlanta University School of

I 54'1”: 7's

.3“. )1 5'. _ ”I --
if 9‘

Business. ,7. ,4
“AZ? "A” Wee fluff-«L;
Atlanta needs a. public committment from You, -its banking fraternity,

M «fit-v1. fly 5534/

that you will, to an ever increasing extent, grant-highflrisk-loa s to

“competent black busine s smgh.

(@7531? 2?; dam/@1312; ”/5744 W'fleaa... /%

.1



Dear

Through out the Nation there is a strong trend toward getting more Negroes

involved in business as owner—managers. Relatively speaking Atlanta has

always been a good business city for the Negro. We hope to make it a better one.

The Community Relations Commission is sponsoring a "Workshop on Black
Business Opportunities" at the School of Business of Atlanta University on
February 20. Also lending support are the Atlanta Business League, the Urban
League, the National Alliance of Businessmen, the Chamber of Commerce,

the Small Business Administration, and the NAACP.

You and the chief executive office rsof other Atlanta banks are invited to

meet with me in my office on Friday, February 7 at . We will discuss

how the Atlanta banking fraternity can support this effort.

I will be grateful for your participation.

Since rely,



THE.FIRSTiNanONALZBANK:0F.ATLANTA

POST OFFICE BOX ems b

ATLANTA.GEORGLA 30302 ;L

January 17, l969

Emma}: D. SMITH
PRESIDENT

The Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor of Atlanta

City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Ivan:

In response to your letter of the 16th,
I shall be pleased to meet with you at 10:00
a.m., February 6.

Best regards,

Edwé‘z‘ Smith

EDS:fhp

)L,

~, w W?





£21 (9
The National ank

of eorgia

MAIN OFF1CE I PEACHTHEE ST. AT F1VE POINTS «- ATLANTA. GA.

22 January 1969

JOSEPH EARLE ENRNIE. smassmmu'r



Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.
City of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Ivan:
In reply to your letter of the 16th,
I will be glad to meet with you on Thursday

morning, February 6th. at 10:00 a.m. concerning
the Community Relations Commission.

Sincerely,

Jose Earle Birnie

January 16. 1969

./ Mine Lees
/Ed Smith

V m - C hemp "Jib/1n-

../JOI Bis—n10
. Jam-doe Jones

Best Friends:

Through the Community Relations Commission.

the City is seeking wsys to improve the condition
sad Opportunities at on: less fortunate eitims.

A definite pin: is being developed which will need
your sdviee sud assistsnee in the em a! private
enterprise opportunities for Negro businessmen.

I would sppreciste your meeting with me briefly
on Thursdsy morning, Pet-rusty 6th st 10:00 I. m.

in order the: I my hue the benefit of your ideas
shout this project.

Sincerely,

1m Allen. Jr.

[A] Hem

be: Net Welsh
Dan Sweat



January 16, 1 969

MEMORANDUM
TO : Nat Wolch. Community Relations Commission
FROM : Ivan Allen. Jr.

Attached is a. copy of the letter I have written to the five bank
presidents requesting them to me with the idea of discussing
their ability to make flusncisl loans to Negro businessmen.

Prior to this meeting. I would like to hove s memorandum
{rem you as to how you think they may assist. a summery of
whet hos already been done in this ores; and an outline of the
meeting you plea to have on Februsry 20th.

I would hope you would be evsilshle to sit in on the meeting
on Februsry 6th.

Attachment



February 13. 1969

Mr. Hobart Franks

Vice President and Director of Sales
Atlanta Newspapers. Inc.

10 Forsyth Street. N. W.

Atlanta. Georgie

Dear Hobie:

Again I want to thank you for such a wonderful compliment after
the Pillsbury luncheon.

Sometimes luck is with us. We had been trying hr weeks to get

in touch with the Branch Manager of Burger King in connection with
the Workshop on Black Business Opportunities scheduled for

February 20th. As a result of our luncheon conversation. Jim
McLsmore (end his branch manager) came to City Hall on Wednesday
and spent well over an hour with Net Welch of the Community Relations
Commission. going over plsns for the workshop and specifics of how
Burger King could move ahead of other franchise companies. I think
it will be most rower-ding.

I am enclosing a cepy of the WorkshOp program for your informetion.
I am sure the papers will cover it. but if yOu are interested in attending
it. I will see that you will have s. special invitation.

Most sincerely.

Mrs. Ann M. Moses

Enclosure

February 21 . 1969

Mr. Terrance Hanold
President

The Pillsbury Company
Minneapolis. Minnesota

Dear Mr. Hanold:

I hope you and your associates have had an opportunity for a little
relaxation after the rigorous schedule of the Bake-Off. I am still
impressed that it is one of the grandest fetes of perfect organizing
I have ever seen.

I was delighted that Jim McLamore had anOpportunity to spend a
couple of hours at City Hall with Nat Welch. our Community
Relations Commission Director. and go into detail about our plans
{or the Black Business Workshop.

It was held yesterday. and was an outstanding success. In fact.
we had expected three to four hmdred to attend. and had to move
the conference into the main auditorium of Atlanta University to
accommodate the crowd.

I am enclosing a copy of the program. some of the news coverage

and the annual report of the Community Relations Commission. I
hope this will give you a little more insight in what we are trying to
do in Atlanta. If you need additional information. or have any specific
qua stions. Nat Welch will be delighted to be of assistance.

On the other hand. if there is any thing I may do for you. Lou Celiand.
or The Pillsbury Company. I hope you will let me know. It was such
a pleasure being with you.

Most since rely.

Mrs. Ann M. Moses
Executive Sscrstsry

Eneles urss





Wile Cheatham

PUBLIC RELATIONS

February 18 , 19 69

Hon. Ivan Allen, Jr.

City Hall

68 Mitchell Street, Southwest
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mayor:

I am grateful for your appointing me to the Community
Relations Commission.

It is my hope that the work I do as a member in some
1way will help to preserve and coatinue the advances in
human relations made during your service to the City.
Sincerely,
777/,ép

Mike Cheatham

415 East Paces Ferry Road. NE. 0 Suite 207 0 Atlanta, Georgia 30305 0 Telephone (404) 261-8?61





HUGHES SPAM—DING
WILLIAM K. MEADOW
HUGHES SPALOING. JR.
CHARLES H. KIPBO
POPE B. MEINTIHE
KENNETH L. HEWITT
HARRY C. HOWARD

fi. BYRON ATTRIDGE
ROBERT W. HURST
HENRY HALL WARE Ill
ANTHA MIJLHEY
CHARLES M. KIDD
EDWARD .J. HAW‘IE
DAVID L. COHER

JOHN DA HOPKINS

A. FELTON JENKINSIIJF'.
n. WILLIAM IDE III

CHARLES M. SHAFFER. JP.

w. DONALD KNIGHT..JR.
JOSEPH P.5LADDEN.\JH‘.

RDB‘I‘. E.THOLJTMAN
CHARLES L.GOW£N
JAMES M.SIBLEY

JOHN IZAHD

KIRK M.M§ALPIN
RICHARD A.DENNY,JP.
WILLIAM H- IZLARHJP.
BRADLEY HALE

ROBERT L.STEED
DANIEL u.o'c0MNoR.Jn.
HUGH PETERSONHJH.
.JDHN A.wALLACE
.JDI-IN c-STATDN..JR.
FUHMAN SMITH,dR.
G.LEMUEL HEwEs

JACK H.wATSON.-JP.
HORACE H.5IELEY
GEORGE GRAHAM TRASH
JAMES A. BRANCH Ill

Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.

Mayor

City of Atlanta

City Hall

KING 8c SPALDING

TRUST COMPANY OF GEORGIA BUILDING

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303

404- 525 " 04-81

March 3, 1969

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear mayor Allen:

The February meeting of the Community Relations
COmmission was held this past Friday, February 28th, and a
substantial portion of the meeting was taken up with discus-
sion of the so-called l'welfare payments freeze.”

There was a great amount of confusion as to just
exactly what was involved in the "freeze." However, it
appears that the federal government presently plans to
restrict welfare grants to the states beginning July 1, 1969,
which would in turn cause some reduction in the payments to
individual recipients. It was the strong consensus of the
Community Relations Commission that any reduction in the
individual welfare payments — particularly in the summer
month of July — would increase unrest and the possibility
for general trouble in the community.

It is clear that the whole question of the "freeze"
needs to be studied and clarified, and I have asked the staff
of the Commission to undertake such a study. I have also
talked with Dan Sweat this morning who is also studying the
matter.

Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
March 3, I969
Page Two

If the problem exists as it now appears, the
Commission will be available to assist you in any way in
attacking the problem.

Sincerely,

Community Relations mmission

BA:jmb

cc: Reverend Sam Williams
cc: Mr. Nat welch
cc: Mr. Dan Sweat



CDREM‘LUNETY RELATE©NS CQWERfiiESEI©N

ESTABLISHED BY THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, NOVEMBER, mm
12.9: CITY HALL. ATLANTA GEORGIA 30:0: TELEPHONE sts—us: EXT. 5::

DR. SAMUEL W. WILLIAMS, Gm'mmn
THE HONORABLE SAM MASSELL. JR... Ex-Officfa

fies-idem. Board of Aldrrmm

COS! MISSION M I’MBERS

MR. T. M. ALEXANDER. SR.
MR. R. BYRON ATTRIDGE
MRS. SARA BAKER
MISS HELEN BULLARD
MR. R. J. BUTLER
REP. JAMES E. DEAN
MR. ROBERT DODBS
REP. C. G. EZZARD
MR. L. L. GELLERSTEDT. JR.
MR. CHARLES HART
DR. ROBERT E. LEE
_ MRS. F. W. PATTERSON
RABBI JACOB M. R01 HSCHILD
MR. M. 0. RYAN
HR. iaCK SELLS
MR. PAUL SHIELDS
MR. L D. SIMON
MRS. MARY STEPHENS
DR. I. RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MR. NAT WEDGE
Etecumc Director

TO: The Mayor and The Board of Aldermen

FROM: Nat Welch AM}-

SUBJECT: The 1969 Town Hall Meetings Program

DATE: March 18, 1969

The schedule for the first three Town Hall Meetings sponsored by
the Community Relations Commission is as follows:

1. Grant Park are, Jerome Jones Elementary School, 649 Home
Avenue, Tuesday night, March 25, 8:00 p.m.

2.. Southeast Atlanta, Blair Village Elementary School, 370 Blair
Village Drive, Wednesday night, April 9-, 8:00 p.m.

3. Crant Park area, Jerome Jones Elementary School, 649 Home

Avenue, Tuesday night, April 22, 8:00 p. m. (This is a return
meeting to report to the resident on actions taken on their
problems}.

You are warmly invited to attend any of the Commission‘s Town
Hall N16 etings.

You will. receive a monthly schedule of these meetings and a
reminder telephone call when a meeting will be held in your Ward.

The Commission is grateful for your interest and support.



April 2. 1969

Mr. William H. Boone. Jr.
3775 Gordon Road. Apt D-S
Atlanta. Georgia 30331

Dear Mr. Boone:
In reply to your questionnaire regarding the Community Relations
Commission. I hope the following information will assist in your '

studies at Atlanta University:

1. What factors caused the city to create the CRC. . . . ?

This was a decision made by the Board of Aldermen to
provide a coordinating agency to work with various community
problems.

What do you view as the job of the CRC. . . . . ?

Attached is a copy of the Ordinance establishing the Commission
which outlines the duties and responsibilities.

Was the CRC crested primarily to work in black neighborhoods. . ?

It wee created primarily to work in solving the pesblems of
Atlanta’s disadvantaged citizens. both white and black.



How can the CRC best serve the people of Atlanta?

By fulfilling its responsibilities as outlined in the Ordinance.
and by providing Atlanta citizens with factual information
concerning racial issues and working to eliminate some of
the existing misconceptions and myths.

Should it take an active role in changing racial patterns . . . ?

The CEO is one of many organisations working to end the ghetto
on the basis of race. creed. color or national origin.



l1!!! \l'lt-‘C .EP-J . 7"? 11”."??? ':' ‘li-Vllt'l. 41.1? '

Mr.

13.

William H. Boone, Jr.

How do you feel the CRC is being accepted in the affluent
white community?

There seems to be an increasing interest and support of

the CRC from the affluent white community. Many people
throughout Atlanta are finding the Commission to be a
valuable agent in bringing about social change and equal
opportunity for all citizens through peaceful and responsible
means. Hopefully. this increasing interest will lead to the
involvment of more Atlanta citizens in the efforts of the CRC.

What were your feelings toward Mrs. Paschall as director
of the CRC?

Based on the unanimous recommendation of the Cemmission
members. I appointed Mrs. Paechall as its director, as I
felt the Commission deserved my full support.

Sincerely,

Ivan Allen, Jr.





3775 Gordon Rd. Apt. 13.;
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Febmary 191 1969

The Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor of Atlanta

City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

a.

811‘:

At present I am a graduate student attending Atlanta University. I am also

engaged in a research project concerning the Atlanta Community Relations
Commission.

I understand a personal interviewmith you, would not be possible, therefore

I am submitting the enclosed questions for your views in regards to the Community
Relations Commission.

Your views on the Commission would be of great aid to my study. I would
appreciate your answering the questions at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Yours truly,

William H. Boone, Jr.







QUESTIONS FOR THE HONORABLE IVAN ALLEN,JR.
MAIUR 0F ATLANTA CONCERNING THE ATLANTA
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION

/(E) What factors caused the city to create the CRC ? How much influence did the
riots in other cities or the 196h Civil Rights Act have in convincing the city
to establish the CRC ?

What do you View as the job of the CRC ? Is it just a sounding board ?
was the CRC created primarily to work in the black neighborhoods of the city ?
How, in your view, can the CRC best serve the people of Atlanta ?

Should the CRC take an active role in changing the racial patterns of the city ?

Do you believe the CRC can be the prime agent in getting the school board
to fully integrate the Atlanta public schools ?

Can the CRC do anything to speed integration of Atlanta's neighborhoods--
which uould.relieve the back pressure of housing in black areas ?

At present the CRC has no powers outside of holding hearings and investigation
should the CRC be given additional powers ?

Atlanta is very heterogeneous in its makup. How do you make the CRC member-
ship reflect, as near as possible, the diverse segments of the city ?

What do you consider when you select a CRC member-~what is your criteria
beyond the ordinance's adult resident clause ?

In the past the CRC had to struggle to get an increase in its bidget, in 1966,
only $30,000, in 1967 $35,000, however this year the Finance Committee gave the
CR0 a sizable increase in its budget without dissenting voices-—why ?

As late as 1961 it has been reported that you did not favor an official human
relations council(excluding the coordinating committee you created which had
no official status) why did you change your view in 1966 ?

13. How do you feel the CRC is being accepted in the affluent white community ?

1h What were your feelings toward Mrs. Paschal as director of the CRC ?













































































‘6‘2’

QMMUNITY RELATIONS CQMIVHSSEQN

ESTABLISHED BY THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, NOVEMBER, mm
1203 CITY HALL. ATLANTA GEORGIA .1010: TELEPHONE 522-546.! EXT. 1::

DR. SAMUEL W. WILLIAMS. Omimmn

THE HONORABLE 5AM MASSELL. JR.. Ex-Omcio
B'erfdmt. Board of Aldermen

COMMISSION MEMBERS

MR. T. M. ALEXANDER. SR.

fifigf‘gffigfifimm TO: Mayor Allen, Boar of Aldermen, and Members of the Press

MISS HELEN BULLA RD

MR. 3.1. BUTLER AAA.
REP. JAMES E. DEAN

MR. ROBERT noses FROM: Nat We lCh

REF: (2. C... EZZARD

MR. 1.. L. GELLERSTEDT. IR.
3:: Egggé-stfié‘g SUBJECT: CRC' 5 Town Hall Me sting s

MRS. F. W. PATTERSON
RABBI JACOB M. ROTHSCIIILD

--uii:?ié’r§§fif§ DATE: April 29, 1969

MR. PAUL SHIELDS
MR. L. D. SIMON

§§F3_“Rfi,¥,§{$¥,“fi‘$m You will find listed below the Town Hall meetings that the Atlanta
_ ”R-NATP‘TLF“ . Community Relations Commission will hold during the month of
mm“ pm” May. You are warmly invited to attend these meetings:

Blair Village Elementary School (Return Meeting)
370 Blair Villa Drive

Atlanta, Georgia

Date: May 8, 1969 Time: 8:00 p.m.

Pryor Street Elementary School (Initial Meeting)
883 Pryor Street, 5. w. '

Atlanta, Georgia

Date: May l3,_ 1969 Time: 8:00 p.111.

Sammye E. Coan Elementary School {Initial Meeting)
1550 Boulevard Drive, NE

Atlanta, Georgia

Date: May 20, 1969 _ Time: 8:00 p.m.

CRC's regular monthly meeting will be Friday, May 23, at
2:00 p.m. , Meeting Room #2, City Hall. '



April 18, 1969

MEMORANDUM

Nat Welch, Community Relations

Ivan Allen. Jr.

I had a. complain that Mr. James Brown who lives in the
Simpson Woods Apartments, telephone 799-6991, had
attempted to rent a store in the Kirkwood area and had

been denied this right due to the {act that he is a Negro.

Will you see if you can locate Mr. Brown and look into
the complaint to see if it is valid and whether we can do

anything about it.



@flmQ/WMW

TELEPHONE MESSAGE \
\

I

J' \

Telephone No.

CI Wants you to call [:I 15 here to see you
D Returned your call [:| Came by to see you
C] Lef t_he following message: '









nay-aw.“ mu “-u’mwnms-fl- 'ng um-ur-su. ao:A'I'.' '- .L

Mr. Ivan Allen. III

Chairman. Nominating Committee
Community Council of the Atlanta Area. Inc.
1000 Glenn Building

Atlanta. Georgia

Dear Ivan:

As requested in your letter of May 5th. I am
submitting the following three names for you to
place in nomination to serve on the board of the

Community Council:

Nat Weleh. Executive Director
Community Relations Commission

John Cox. Executive Directo:
Atlanta. Youth Council

John H. Robinson
Mayor's Office

Sincerely,

Ivan Allen. J 1'.



Atlanta.

EUGENE i'_ BHAHC H .r Inn-(mum .._r .'.-'J-‘ (Fraud .-" .' h- .'-'Jr1r'.\.

community CECH. ALB-CANDER, J . r r.-...-.m.u-

JOHN IFLARQ. |'.'. .- ( fuimhn:



" Mns.1uomas I-I. -'_.-|ssor-.;_ mar-1.x;
Count-=11 of the H.
Area lnc. DUANE W. BEAM-L. r"\.'.urrw burn-.-
‘
ONE THOUSAND GLENN BUILDING. 120 MARIETT‘A ST,, N. VI. ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30303 TELEPHONE

May 5, 1969

Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.
Office of the Mayor
City of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mayor Allen:

The bylaWS of the Community Council of the Atlanta Area, Inc.,
require the Nominating Committee to request from you the names

of three as nominations_to serve on the Board of the CCAA. From
these three names, the Nominating Committee will choose one to
serve as a Board member for the 1969—70 term. Each of the five
counties in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area and the City of Atlanta

are requested to submit these nominations for representation.

I respectfully request that you provide us with the names of
your nominations prior to May 15.

Any questions that you have concerning the Community Council or
the responsibility of its Board members may be directed to
Mr. Duane W. Beck, Executive Director.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

zc”//

(fly? out [a (“‘7“)

Ivan Allen, III, Chairman
Nominating Committee

P. S. Bill Howland was the City‘s
representative last year.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cecil Alexander . -- Albert M. Davis, M. D. H M Glosror Joseph W. Jones

Ivan Ailen, ‘ll'l' Ray J. Efird John Godwin, M. D. Walter M Mitchell ,_
Luther Alverson Jock P. Ethos-loge Elliott Goldsrem F'hil Normore

Ralph A. Back Rufus J. Evans, M. D. Vivian Henderson A. B Padgett

Eugene T. Branch Robert L Foreman, Jr Mrs. Helen Howard Mrs. Rhodes L. Perelue

Nopler Burson, Jr . M D James P. Furniss , , William S. Howiond J William Plnlas'mn, Jr.
W. L. Collowoy Donald H. Goreis ' Mrs. Edmund W. Hughes ' W. R. Pruitt

Bradley Currey, Jr. Larry L Gellersiedl, Jr Harry E. Ingram . ' T. 0. Vinson, M. D

Campbell Dosher Mrs. Thomas H. Gibson ' John lzord Rev Allison Williams
John C. Wilson

ADVISORY BOARD

J. G. Bradbury MI”? E. Lone, Jr. John A. Sibley

James V. Carmichael William W. Moore, Jr, M D. Lci' Talley

R. Howard Dohhs. Jr. Lucien IE. Oliver Elbert P Tultle

Edwin l. Hatch W. A. Parker, 5r. Willifll'n C. Wardlow. Jr.
Boisfeuillet Jones Richard H. Rich George W. Woodruif



ommmmrrr manamroms ooimmrssiom

ESTABLISHED BY THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERHEN. NOVEMBER, 1955
:20: CITY HALL. ATLANTA. GEORGIA 50.10: TELEPHONE 583-4363 EXT. in

DR. SAMUEL W. WILLIAMS. Olairmm

THE HONORABLE SAM MASSELL. JR., Ex-Officlo
Raid-2m. Board of Aldermen

COMMISSION MEMBERS

MR. T. M. ALEXANDER. SR.
MR. R. BYRON ATTRIDGE

MRS.SARA BAKER TO: The Mayor, Aldermen and the Press
MISS HELEN BULLRRD

MR. R. J. BUTLER

REP. JAMES E. OBRN -

MR. ROBERTDOBBS FROM: Nat Welch. "

REP: c. a. EZZARD

MR. L. L. GELLERS‘I‘EDT. JR.

MR. CHARLES HART SUBJECT T H 11 M

DR. ROBERT E. LEE ; own -‘ o ‘7'
MRS. F. w. PATTERSON 8’ 861.111,: Date Chanbed
RABBI JACOB M. ROTHSCHILD

MR. M. 0. RYAN
MR. JRCK SELLS DATE: May 6, 1969
MR. PAUL SHIELDS

MR. 1.. n. SIMON

MR3. MARY STEPHENS

DR. 1. RANDOLPH TAYLOR

”$25,353.... Due to a conflict, CRC's Town Hall Meeting at the Pryor
Street Elementary School is being rue—scheduled from
May 13 to Thursday night, May 15 at 8:00 p, no.

You and the public are warmly invited to attend.



BIRMINGHAM: Fair to partly cloudy ALABAMA: Partly cloudy, warm

Alabama’s “Creed Morning” Neroépaper l

VOL. 99—NO. 48 BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY:

MAY 5. 1969

1

Reg. U. S. Poi. 0ft.

mm...

30 Pages in Two Sections



\ r': .- rim-
needs l-i

would he tonvardcd to mayor,
city council or' department.

.~ "'4

during a time of serious racial
tension or other

= ’73 t1? ”-3."? ..
was; V“

cy of city government to work

i
{If}

'EDITOR’S NOTE: A Citi-

thc budget is $50,000. The
res Task Force. has called on

hold places on the commis- munity with a report of posi-

._ayor George Scihels Jr. to
.izimiut a standing conunittee
.1’ six members and a chair-
Eilau to hold evening meetings
in city hall to hear problems
11‘ ilirminghain citizens and to
mid puhiic loaning on suhv
ccls affecting large groups.
analysis of problems brought

heads. Birmingham’s neigh-
bor cities of New Orleans and
Atlanta have such a program
already in operation. This i-‘i
the first of two articles con-
cerning the functions and suc-
cess of those groups in those
cities.
=tl * it

emergency
situation. the center is ready
to give out accurate informa-
tion about what is rt‘allf.r
happening.

The Rumor Control Center
is a creature of the Atlanta
Community Relations
Commission, an organization
that has been on. the job since

exclusively in areas of dis-
crimination and community
relations.

Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. and
other city officials mot togeth-
er in planning sessions. A
major-Hy vote of the aldcrmen
for adoption of an ordinance
establishing a Community
.Relations Commission was fol-

chairman is black and seven
others of the 20 Commission
members are black. I

1 it -i< .
segments of the
community are represented

on the commission, whose
members are appointed by the
mayor'and approved by the

Various

sion. '

A staff of six people is
headed by Executive Director
Nat Welch, former Alabam-
ian. Offices are in City Hall
where the commission holds a
public meeting once a month
at which citizens are invited
to Speak. Town Hall meetings

live action and whatever re-
sults have come about as a
result of the first meeting’s
complaints and suggestions.
The. commission makes an
annual report to the mayor.
but forwards recommenda-
tions to city officials on
whatever issues being investi-

gated by the commission.
“We have been able to
maintain a pretty good dia-
logue in Atlanta.” said the
commission chairman, the

BY LILLIAN FOSCUE VANN .
Dial 524-3261 in Atlanta and
you have called the Rumor-
Control Center. In Operation

o the evening city hall meet-
ngs and reports on public
earrings and “in depth"
Indies and rot-rmnu-nrtulions

are held regularly throughout.
the city by the commission.

Thirty clays later the com-
mission returns to the com-

Novcmhcr. 1966. A group of
“grass-roots” citizens from
{Southeast Atlanta saw the
need to have an official agen-

board of aldermen. The
clergy. labor. busineSs and
the poor all have voices on
the commission. Women too

lowed by approval Of the
mayor.

he first budget was 335.000.
This year with a stall oi six,

Rev. Samuel W. Williams,
pastor of Friendship Baptist
_ and. with the late Dr. Martin
Luther King. one of the foun-
ders of the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference. The
Rev. Williams is also profes-

sor and chairman of the '
Department of Philosophy and
Religion, Morehousc College.
" to do not have too serious
3 generation gap in Atlanta,”
said the chrii nun, ”but the
See A’i‘LTiN'i‘A, Page 2

»

to
3

and
housin'r,
and
police-community relations.- "
by
the
Mlliille
several
the -
was

General
and Hattiesburg, Miss. cam

and
understanding,
Housing

said

to aid in
executive director. and a let-

Itions
NAACP.
technical
accompa-
to hear

f'nnrol‘in

in

are pushing
employment

Authority.

the

slowness of '

school desegregation and is
‘5!

sponsored
the
hold
s and these have gone

-i



nit. $_ ii
The comnussron has asked

for subpoena pow

makiu

Education Oppor-

tunity of the U. S. Office of

Education.

marings.
meeting

I
1

need from Page 1

investig:
injus ces

mutual

lulerance and respect among
all economic. social. religious
and ethnic groups in the city.

then
ty has

.‘a “ tow."

people
hard, as i think they should."

ii
and
Thirty-five national companies

represented and
workshop was attended by 350

people.

Chattanooga,

n
o

a ..
of congratulations

sent to the Housing Aulliorlty._

Con
Equal

youn

The thrust of the commis-

sion‘s program. according to
The commission has held a
workshop on black business
The commission has been

opportunities.

It”

areas of concentration for the
Executive Director Nat Welch
is to create programs which

Another area in which the
commission has been helpful

co mm ission are

cducatlon.

Recently WelCil
nicd four “welfare mothers"

to Washington to give testimo-

"Since

alleriat
Author

holding
foster

seven organizations, including

the Atlanta Chamber of Com-
calliug on the Board of Edu-'
cation to call for

we think Atlanta should asst;
for it," declared Wclch.

ny lo Georgia‘s.senaiors and
Atlanta’s two representatives.
As a result, Welch said he

thought all four congresSmen
took a more sympathetic view

toward the importance of rc-I

peeling,r the welfare freeze.
in Atlanta is housing. Welch

said the commission called a

town hall
grievances of tenants of the

assistance from the Division
call for technical assistai.‘-_.-,.

were
critical of the
Atlanta Housing
:1 For.

of
let



THE VOICE — January 26, l969—Poge 2

”Black Business Workshop, February 20

Atlanta's Community Re-
lations Commission an-
nounced today plans for it's
"Workshop on Black Busi-
uess Opportunities" to be
held February 20 in the new
building at Atlanta Univer-
sity's School of Business.

The workshop will be co-
sponsored hy the Atlanta
Business League, the At-
lanta Chamber of Com-
merce, the Atlanta Univer-
sity School of Business. the
National Alliance of Busi—
nessmen. the National As-
sociation for the Advance-
merit of. Colored People, the
Small Business Admini Stra-
tion and the Urban League.

"The primary goal of the
workshop is to involve At—
lanta Negroes who are in-
terested in becoming owner-
managers of businesses in
Atlanta. We hope that this
combined community effort
will offer a quantum jump
to Atlanta black business
entrepreneurs and streng—
then on going efforts of the
Atlanta Business League's
Project Outreach. the Small
Business Administration.
and Atlanta University's
Business Economic De-
velopment and Business
Service Center" stated
CRC‘S executive director
Nat Welch.

The planning committee
has identified nine likely
hrealt-thru areas for black
business opportunities..fast
food franchises. auto deal-
erships. service station.
building contracting. ice
cream outlets. franchised
dry cleaning stores. coin
operated laundries. drug

stores. and specialty auto
stores selling such items
as tires and mufl'lers.

If you are interested
in becoming an owner]
manager of any type of
business and want to
participate in this
workshop. call Benny
T. Smith. field repre-
sentative. Community
Relations Commission.
Room 1203. City Hall.
'phone . number 522—4463
extension 433. who is in
charge of community
participation for this
important affair.

"The workshop will have
a heavy emphasis on fran-
chised operations because
these are geared to family
involvement. Good fran-
chises oiferproven manage-
ment assistance and for-
mulas for successful opera—
tion”, stated Nat Welch.

Some three dozen national
franchise operations are be-
ing invited to have top
management representa-
tion. The afternoon session
will feature "Fifty Great
Business Opportunities"
and will provide a two and
a half hour period for the
franchisor and the franchi—
see to have individual dis-
cussions with the hopes that
new businesses will be
birthed as a result of this
workshop, explained CRC's
executive director.

The morning session will
have a panel discussion on
"Do's and Don’ts in Launch-
ing New Business Ventures"

by five seccessiul Atlanta
black entrepreneurs and in-
dividual panel discuss ions in
the nine areas of business
break-dams being empha-
sized at the workshop.

The afternoon session will
have two additional panels.
One will be. on "On Going
Programs of Technical Aid"
in which presentations will
be made by the Small Busi-
ness Administration. Pro-
ject Outreach. and Atlanta
University's Business Eco-
nomic Development and
Business Service Center.
The other will he a banker
round table with Atlanta
bankers discussing oppor-
tunities envisioned, how
bankers can help and what
bankers look for in a loan

applicant.

The banquet session, to
be held at Paschal's Motor
Hotel.'will climax with an
address by a nationally-
known black business lea-
der.

The planning committee
for the workshop includes:
Frank O'Neal of the Atlanta
Business League; Dean
Harding Young of the Atlanta
University School of
Business: Lyndon Wade of
the Atlanta Urban League:
Curtise Driskell of the At-
lanta Chamber of com-
merce: Henry Reid of NAB.
Lonnie King of the NAACP:
John P. Latirner of SBA
and Net Welch and Chuck
Williams of CRC.

THE ATLANTA (:ossTI't‘L'Tiou. Thursday. Jan. 2:5. 1969

CRC Plans
Workshop
For Blacks

The Community Relations
Commission announced plans
Wednesday for its black entre-
preneurship workshop to be held
Feb 20 at Atlanta University's
School of Business.

The Workshop on Black Busi—
ness Opportunities will be co—
sponsored hy the Atlanta Chain-
ber of Commerce. lhe local
Chaplet of the National Associa—
iion for the Advancement of Col—
ored People, the Atlanta Busi-
ness League. [he Allanla l‘ni-
varsity School of Business. the
Urban League and the Small
Business Adminisiralion.

BASIC (XML

“The primary goal of [he
workshop is In involve Allauta
Negroes who are interested in
becoming owner-managers of
businesses in Atlanta." sold
C‘Rl.‘ exccnlive director Nail
Welch.

The workshop will feature
nine ”likely breakthrough areas
for black business opportuni—
lles"——lasl-food franchises. auto
dealerships. service stations,
building contracting. ice cream
outlets. franchised dry cleaning
stores. coin—operated laundries,
drug stores and specially auto
stores.

THREE DOZEN OPERATIONS

About three dozen national
franchise operations are being
invited lo have top malulucmenl
i'cproscnluliou. The afternoon
session will fenlui'c “Filly Great
Business Opporlunillcs,” Welch
said. 'l’t'chnicnl aid programs
and a l".l‘|l'|[l-l.lilllt' discussion by
Allemn bankers also will occur
in lllc Hill-rumor

The morning session will have
a panel discus-slum on ‘ Do's and
Don’ts iu Launching New Busi—
[less Ventures" by live success—
ful Atlanta black entrepreneurs
plus individual puucl discussions
in the nine lircoklhrougli areas

A dinner Session at Paschal's
Motor Hotel will and the pork-
shop will] a speech by a _\'m~lo-
be—aunouucul unlimlollv—knuwn
black business leader. In addi-
llon. flvc black eulrcprcnours
for 196? uill be given spar.“
recognition by the PRC





Agenda
For
Racial
Harmony

1 O-Point
Individual Plan

Illustrates Ways
to Help

By NAT WELCH

This article was written at the request of
the editorial staff of the Atlanta Journal
and was published on its editorial page.
The Community Relations Commission
believes that this Ill-point Plan is worthy
of wide distribution in the Atlanta com-
munity and has made available this reprint
for use by civic, church and service organi-

zations.

Dr. Samuel W. Williams, Chairman
Community Relations Commission

MR. WELCH is execu—
tive director of the At-
lanta Community Rela-
tions Commission which
is charged with the re-
sponsibility of fostering
mutual understanding
one improvement in im-
man relations. if;

He wrote this article :5
for The Atlanta Journal. g:

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THE JOURNAL FORUM
Ebellflzmta 301mm!

Saturday, May 17, 1969







The foremost problem America faces at home is the urban
crisis. Regardless of where I make that statement in Atlanta,
few disagree with it. The urban crisis is real. It is more than
deteriorating buildings and open spaces.“ It is a huriian con-

dition.

Atlanta is known as a pro-
gressive city. It has attained
a favorable national reputa-
tion because its people have
been willing to change, espe-
cially in regard to race rela-
tions. The city is now faced
with the challenge of improv-
ing on that reputation or fall-
ing away from it.

Human relations must be
improved betwaen white peo-
ple and black people—not
only on a group basis but as
an individual. An individual
usually has a feeling of good
will toward his . fellow-man
but has little knowledge of
what helpful role he can per-
form to make it a visible
reality.

Here are 10 specific sugges-
tions:

BE INFORMED on what is
happening in regard to local
urban problems.

READ THE Report of the
National Advisory Comm-is-
sion on Civil Disorders. 'We
need to understand more
about the problems. This is
one of the most important
presidential Commission re-
ports ever made. If you can’t
wade through the several-
hundred page paper back edi-
tion, an excellent':30-page di-
gest is available.

=1: :1: :1:

TAKE A tour of some of
our economically depressed
areas and let the local resi-
dents tell' what they are doing.
to improve their lot,- These
tours are sponsored by Eco-
nomic Opportunity Atlanta for
individuals and groups. A1!-
rangements can be made by
calling Mrs. Mary Lou Mitch-
ellat525e4262:

VISIT THE Hungry Club at
the Butler Street YMCA. This
is probably the most stimulat-
ing luncheon club in the city.
Speakers since the first of the

year have included Mayor
Ivan Allen, former Gov. Carl
Sanders, Julian Bond, local
NAACP President L o n n i e
King, Dr. John Letson,
SCLC‘s Andrew Young and
Donald Hollowell.
*. :{4 '44

DRIVE THROUGH some of
the upper income Negro resi-
d entlal areas as Collier
Heights and ‘Peyton Forest in
the Camde area. You will
see that Atlanta has a sub-
stantial number of middle and
upper income Negroes who
take pride in home ownership
just as any other comparable

31'0“?-
ar :1: =1:

ENCOURAGE YOUR busi.
ness or professional organiza-
tion to expand its Negro
membership. The Autl a nta
Chamber of Commerce took
the initial step some ten
years ago. This way lawyers
get to know lawyers and
teachers get to know teachers
as persons and prejudice
fades.

a1: a: :1:

LEARN TO pronounce the
ward “Negro" correctly. The
word is pronounced "knee.-
grow." This is difficult for a
white Southerner who has
grown up saying “le11.” If
you can’t pronounce it nor-
rectly, just say black since
both are acceptable. The term-
“colored person” is old hat.
Proper titles are also very
important.

VISIT ANOTHER church.
Four- members of the commu-

Commission
are outstanding ministers.
They are the Rev. Sam Wil-

nity Relations

liams, pastor of the Friend-
ship Baptist Church; Rabbi
Jacob Rothschild of the Tem-
ple; Dr. R. E. Lee, pastor of
the Lutheran Church of the
Redeemer; and Dr. John
Randolph Taylor, minister of
the Central Presbyterian
Church. Visitors are wel-
comed as in other Atlanta
churches.

ATTEND A lecture or con-
cert at the Atlanta University
Center, Emory University,
Georgia State or one of Atlan-
ta’s several other institutions
of higher learning. Become
exposed to some new ideas
and new people.

The two 'most interesting
lectures my wife and I heard
last year were those of John
K. Galbraith and Walter Hel-
ler at the Atlanta University
Center. And when the Atlanta
Symphony was doing a spe-
cial series at Spellman Col-
lege, a friend remarked,
f‘They might as well be play—
ing at Dahlonega as far as
most Atlantans are con-
corned.”

JOIN AN inter-racial dis-
cussion group. This small
movement was started last

year by Dr. and Mrs. Joseph -

A. Wilber. Four white couples
and four Negro couples meet
once a month for an evening
of discussion. The host selects
the subject which might be .a
community problem or a per-
sonal prejudice;

One. participant remarked,
“These are pretty frank dis-
cussions. After three or four
sessions, you don’t look on
each other as white or black

.but as individuals " There are

now over 100 persons in At.-
lanta involved. After a year
the group splits up. into two or
three groups.

THE PLACE to start im-
proving human relations is
where you are—your neigh-
borhood, your school, your
church, your business and the
organizations with which you
are affiliated. If a person is
treated with genuine dignity

and respect, he will respond

in kind. If treatment is sec-
ond class, this is what can be
expected in return.

A homemaker can start by
paying domestic help the min-
imum wage of $1.60 and
seeing that the employe’s
quarterly social security form
is filed.

:1: =1: :1:

WHAT ELSE can be done?

One institution that needs to
be revived In Atlanta is the
neighborhood organization or
group. We have lost the
“neighborhood cohesiveness"
that' 15 so important.

White middle and upper in-
come neighborhood groups
tend to become defensive

mechanisms to insulate the-

neighborhood from the rest of
the city. In so doing we tend
to develop Sterile neighbor-
h o o d s. The neighborhood
needs to relate to the city.

The disadvantaged neigh-
borhoods are making substan-
tial progress by strengthening
their neighborhood groups
through local leadership with
the help of EOA, Mode] Cities.
and the Community Relations
Commission.

:l:**

THE GRANT Park area is
an encouraging example. It
was selected by CRC as the
area in which to initiate their
1969 Town Hall meeting pro
gram. The usual procedure is,
first, a meeting with the citi-
zens to get their ideas on
what their problems are and,
then, a follow-up meeting in
which City Hall officials re—



port on actions taken in re
sponse to the citizens.

The first meeting was on a
cold March night with a
rather slim crowd at the Je—
rome Jones School in Grant
Park. The public officials al-
most outnumbered the citi-
zens. The crowd tripled at the
follow-up meeting held re-
cently. A total of five alder-
man, two state representa-
tives. eight city department
officials and five members of
CRC participated in these two

meetings.

THE CALIBER of leader-
ship shown by the Grant ‘Park
citizens impressed me tre-
mendously. Both white and
black citizens and white and
black elected officials showed
dignity and respect for one
another and an earnest desire
to move on with solving the
community problems at hand.

Cecil Alexander, head of the
Mayor‘s Housing Resources
Committee, has stated, “At-
lanta no longer has the choice
of hang a white or a black
city. The choice is either to
be a black city or an inte-
grated city.”

TheSe two Town Hall meet-
ings produced strong evidence
that the citizens white
and black have made
their choice. Grant Park is
their home and they are
going to stay there and build
a great community again.
Model Cities, assisted by
CRC, is making a valuable
contribution in helping de-
velop this indigenous leader-

ship. -
:1: =1: :1:

LET US hope that as other
neighborhoods move into tran~
sition, they will follow the ex-
ample of the resurging lead-
ership in Grant Park.



Dr. Samuel W. Williams, Chairman
Vice Mayor Sam Massell, Jr., Ex-Officio

COMMISSION MEMBERS
Mr. T. M. Alexander, 51'.
Mr. R. Byron Attridge
Mrs. Sam Baker

Miss Helen Bullard

Mr. R. J. Butler

Mr. Mike Cheatham

Rep. James E. Dean

Mr. Robert Dobbs

Rep. C. G. Ezzard

Mr. L. L. Gel‘lerstedt, Jr.
Mr. Charles Hart.

Dr. Robert E. Lee

Mrs. F. W. Patterson
Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild
Mr. Paul Shields

Mr. L. D. Simon

Mrs. Mary Stephens

Dr. J. Randolph Taylor
Rev. J. A. Wi'lborn

Mr. William McGee, Ex-‘Offi'cio
Atlanta Youth Congress

Mr. Nat Welch
Exe critive Dire etor

CITY OF ATLANTA
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEMORIAL DRIVE ANNE-X BLDG.
121 MEMORIAL DRIVE, s. 111-.

5 22-4463-

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
50] CITY HALL
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303

My 13. 1969

CHARLES L. DAVIS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

EDGAR A. VAUGHN, JR.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

GEORGE J. BERRY
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Hr. III: Udell

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1203 city lull

Atlanta. 000231. 30303

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It. I. IIII Landau t/



Rumor Control
During Civil
Disorders

By Walter L. Webb
Staff Member
International City Managers’ Association

“The entire Loop is in flames!” . . . “Rap Brown is
here!" . . . “Everybody is looting at Milwaukee and
Ashland.” . . . “Stokely Carmichael has just landed by
submarine from Lake Michigan.” . . . “Twenty thou-
sand Negroes are marching on the Loop, the streets
are deserted, and all the shoppers are locked inside
the department stores!”

These are just a few of the rumors that spread like
wildfire across Chicago within a five-day period last
April. If these savage rumors had gone unchecked,
“they could have done the city far more damage than
Mrs. O’Leary’s cow," one observer has commented.

lnevitably, tumors will multiply during periods of
tension and anxiety. Civil unrest, for a variety of rea-
sons, is shaking our social order. In such a situation,
innumerable phantoms roam and haunt the city.

That is why the shattering power of rumors is
being closely examined, perhaps for the first time in
history. Computers on the campus of Brandeis Uni-
versity are beginning to check all kinds of informa-
tion about rumors — the time of day they pop up, the
typical circumstances, etc. ~ in an effort to pin down
their birth, life, and death.

And public servants in several major cities - per-
haps most notably Chicago — have developed tech-
niques for quashing rumors as soon as they pose a
threat to community stability. This report, based
largely on the Chicago experience, is intended to aid
local officials in their efforts to fight rumors, particu-
larly in times of riot and civil disorder.

The Psychology of Rumor

There are two requirements for a rumor to grow:
(1) It must contain information that is important, in

one way or another, to the hearer. (2) The details
must be cloudy. Yet, beyond these basic “rumor-
facts," it is surprising that so little is known about
rumors, for they have profoundly affected man’s his-
tory.

Armies have clashed and governments have top-
pled on the basis of unfounded rumors. Nero, for
example, did not really fiddle while Rome burned; it
was a rumor deliberately spread by his enemies. The
United States certainly had no plans, in 1958, to re-
store the dictator Perez Jimenez to power in Vene-
zuela, yet that rumor touched off the deadly “anti-
Nixon” riots that disturbed hemiSpheric relationships
for years.

Because rumors have always Spread like a dread
disease through man’s organizations, one expert sus-
pects that they fill some deep-felt need in human
society, despite the fact that they can rip the fabric
of that society in short order.1

WHY RUMORS GROW

The one new factor in the field of rumors is their
speed of transmission. Nowadays, of course, rumors
spread more quickly than in the past, thanks to the
telephone. But essentially they are the same as always
— falsehoods masquerading as truths.

“We live in a world of instant communications,”
says Dr. Dana L. Farnsworth, who for many years has
observed the effects of mass tension on mental
health. “Yet this simply means that unfounded
rumors can spread as rapidly as the truth.”

Dr. Fatnsworth, who is chairman of the Council
on Mental Health of the American Medical Associa-
tion, points out that rumors inevitably breed more
tumors in a deadly spiral. “Rumors blur the edges of
truth,thus making people feel still more insecure. And
because insecurity is the soil in which rumors grow,
any rumor simply increases the likelihood of the
emergence of still more rumors.”

Why do citizens play with fire by passing on ru-
mors? One authority has suggested that rumors may
be to society what daydreams are to individuals. As
such, they could be wish fulfillment or fear fulfill«
ment. Psychologists have long demonstrated that hu-
mans often see what they expect to see, what they
wish to see, or what they fear to see.

1 An effective technique for illustrating how rumors grow
is to simulate a rumor. The process is quite simple. Art 0!}
server of a given situation reports to a non-observer what he
witnessed. The non—observer then passes on to another non-
observer what he was told, this non-observer in turn reports
to another non-observer, etc. The “story“ as it ends up is
often humorously different from what the actual witness
originally reported.

The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B‘rith has prepared
a rumor clinic based on the above “laboratory-rumor" princi-
ple. The clinic features a film strip to illustrate the situations
to be reported and passed on. Information about the clinic
may be obtained from regional offices of the League.



“Uncertainty increases the vulnerability of the in-
dividual,” states Dr. Farnsworth. “During a period of
tension, the individual becomes highly suspicious.
The more lurid the story, the more likely it is to be
believed. Because of their very uncertainty, rumors
are more likely to be believed than fact.”

Apparently, too, there is an inner compulsion that
forces many citizens to pass on a rumor. “When a
person hears a rumor,” continues Dr. Farnsworth,
“he then has (or at least feels he has) unique informa-
tion. This makes him an important person in his own
eyes. He feels good toward himself, even though the
rumor may be terrifying. But he can only continue
this feeling of goodness, of importance, if he imparts
his unique information to someone else.”

RUMORS DURING RIDTS

No riot occurs without rumors to incite, accom-
pany, and intensify the violence, noted the late Gor-
don Allport of Harvard, considered the foremost
authority on the nature of rumor.

The National Advisory Commission on Civil Dis-
orders (the Kerner Commission) found irrefutable evi-
dence that rumors not only caused the rapid spread
of last summer’s disorders, but in some cases actually
touched off those disorders. Here is what its report
says:

“Rumors significantly aggravated tension and dis-
order in more than 65 percent of the disorders
studied by the Commission. Sometimes, as in Tampa
and New Haven, rumor served as the spark which
turned an incident into a civil disorder. Elsewhere,
notably Detroit and Newark, even when they were
not precipitating or motivating factors, inflaming
rumors made the job of police and community lead-
ers far more difficult."

The Tampa incident was a clear-cut case ofa ru-
mor causing society to devour itself. In the earliest
stages of unrest, a deputy sheriff died. The wire serv-
ices immediately sent out a news flash that rioters
had killed the man. The rumor spread. Within 30 min-
utes reporters discovered the truth # that the deputy
had died of a heart attack. By then it was too late;
the city was in turmoil.

Another rumor, the following day, compounded
the problem. Tampa police headquarters was informed
by semihysterical rumor-listeners that 20 Negro men,
bared to the waist and carrying clubs, had assembled.
Actually, the men turned out to be construction
workers simply doing their job. Yet the rumor had
already done its damage. It took the National Guard
and intense efforts on the part of community leaders,
both Negro and white, to restore order.

Patricia Q. Sheehan, the mayor of New Brunswick,
New Jersey, confirms the deadly power of rumors.
During the disorders last year, she observed, it seemed
“almost as if there was a fever in the air.” The press,
radio, and TV reported that guerrilla bands were

roaming the streets — an unfounded rumor that
struck terror into white communities.

“Rumors were coming 'in from all sides on July
17th,” she reported to the Kerner Commission.
“Negroes were calling to warn of possible disturb-
ances; whites were calling; shop owners were calling.
Most of the people were concerned about a possible
bloodbath." The thought crossed her mind at that
time that “we are talking ourselves into it.”

On the campus of Brandeis University, in
Waltham, Massachusetts, the new Lemberg Center for
the Study of Violence hopes eventually to feed com-
puters with all sorts of information about riots —
rumors, times of day, temperature, triggering inci-
dents, etc. — and find relationships that may help in
predicting violence.

Center officials note that rumors are obviously not
the sole cause of riots. Their causes are many and
deepseated. But once riots have begun, rumors can
make them wome.

The Center’s preliminary findings, according to
Miss Terry Knopf, research associate, indicate there is
a pattern to them. First, there are general and vague
predictions of impending trouble. “Whites,” “Ne-
groes,” “Army,” or “police” are said to be arming
and preparing. These reports keep tension high. Next
come specific rumors that prepare and trigger action.

Rumor Control Operations

Perhaps the nation’s best-run rumor control opera-
tion last summer was set up by the Chicago Commis-
sion on Human Relations. With its dedicated band of
rumor-quashers - professional social workers, clerks,
typists, volunteers - the Commission operated with
such success that its techniques are being copied by a
good many cities around the country. The Commis-
sion's “Rumor Central” — as the operation was
named —- was singled out for commendation by the
Kerner Commission.2

As reported by Raymond J. Siewert, supervisor of
Rumor Central, the best method for quashing rumors
is simple: “The bald truth, good or bad, is the only
way to fight a rumor.” Yet the bald truth must be
instantly available to the public — and it is here that

2 M13 has received information on rumor control centers
in more than 25 cities. Since the Chicago Rumor Central
incorporates principles widely used elsewhere, this report fo-
cuses primarily on the Chicago experience.

Other cities which MIS has learned have either set up, or
intend to set up, rumor control centers are:

Phoenix, Aria; Hartford, Conn; Atlanta, Ga.; Decatur,
111.; Wichita, Kan; Louisville, Ky.; Baltimore and Salisbury.
Md; Boston and Springfield, Mass; Detroit, Flint, and Grand
Rapids, Mich; Kansas City, Mo.; Plainfield, N.J.; Buffalo.
Rochester, and Syracuse, N.Y.; Dayton, Toledo, and Youngs-
town, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Erie and Philadelphia, Pa;
Houston, Tex.; Norfolk and Richmond, Va; and Seattle.
Wash.



Rumor Central’s techniques are being looked to as a
guide.

The Commission has published a full description
of how Rumor Central operates. Since the description
is reproduced in full as an appendix to this report, the
following section presents only an overview of the
Operation, noting particularly the key factors to its
success.

"HUMOR CENTRAL" lN ACTION

Chicago’s Rumor Central — which on a limited
scale operates throughout the year — consists in times
of crisis of a telephone hookup manned 24 hours a
day, field workers who gather factual information
with which to combat rumors, and others who try to
spread the truth in danger areas. The Central phone
number is widely advertised in the press and on TV,
and citizens are urged to call and check the truth of
any reports they have heard.

The system met its first big test in the wake of the
assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Rumor Cen-
tral was besieged with calls. Two telephone lines
quickly proved inadequate, and three others were
added. Thousands of calls continued to swamp the
lines, while delays ran to a matter ofhours. Ten lines
finally were opened and volunteers brought in from
seminaries throughout the city. For the three days of
the riot, 15 people answered the calls, 24 hours a day.
If the facts were not known, the caller’s number was
taken, the situation investigated, and the citizen was
called back promptly.

“It’s really a simple technique,” reports James E.
Burns, director of the Human Relations Conunission.
“We answer questions, calm people, deny rumors, al-
lay fears, and try to protect people by keeping them
out of the danger zones. We have to have the trust of
the public, and we must have accurate information on
what’s going on."

During the height of the April disturbances, Ru-
mor Central in the Commission offices resembled a
military situation room. At least five telephone lines
were reserved for residents’ queries. Other lines were
kept open for periodic reports from Commission field
workers who were circulating in troubled areas.

A wall-sized map of the Chicago area, with a plas-
tic overlay, was used to pinpoint trouble spots. Areas
where sniping occurred were marked with a blue
grease pencil, blocked-off streets were marked in
black, burning sections in red, alternate bus lines
around tense sections in yellow, and so on.

One-third of the 27 professionals on the Conn-his-
sion staff are Negroes, many of whom were spending
long hours in the riot areas talking to neighborhood
leaders and trying to calm the situation.

To make certain that the information is correct,
Rumor Central has its own network of intelligence
courses. When any kind of civil unrest breaks loose in
Chicago, trained Commission staffers immediately

MAHAGEMEN'l
mronmnou
srnvrcr

January 1969 — vol. 1 No. L—l

Editor: Walter I... Webb

Management Information Service reports are
published monthly by the International City
Managers’ Association, 1140 Connecticut Ave-
nue, N.W., Washington, {3.0. 20036. SecontL
class postage permit pending. Copyright ©1969
by the International City Managers’ Associa-
tion.

Views expressed are the opinions of the
author and do not necessarily refleetthepolicy
of ICMA- No part of this report may be'repro-
duced without permission of the copyright
owner.

Subscription rates (Including inquiry-
answering and additional services) are based on
population of Subscribing jurisdiction and will
be furnished on request.

This rcport is intended primarily for sub—
scribing jurisdictions above. 25,0110 population;
Concurrent monthly reports, prepared primar-
ily for jurisdictions below 25,000 population.
are available from Management mm
Service. '

race to the scene of the disturbance and promptly
phone in on-the-spot reports. One man is dispatched
to police headquarters to monitor all calls, another to
the fire department. Still other staff members per-
form liaison work with the mayors’ office, city agen-
cies, and private organizations dealing with civil
rights.

One good intelligence tool, Commission staffers re-
port, is simply a city phone directory cross-referenced
by location. When a call comes in asking about
trouble in a certain block and nothing is known about
the situation, a Rumor Central staffer will call citi—
zens at random in that block, identify himself, and
calmly ask if there are any signs of a disturbance.

New facts, as they come in, are immediately
typed, copied by machine, and distributed within two
or three minutes to all phone operators so they will
have the latest situation reports at their fingertips.

The Chicago experience points up several easily
overlooked factors that many cities have found im-
portant in establishing a rumor cental. Among them:

0A separate phone number for rumor control is
desirable. This not only frees the police department
from overly used phone lines but — perhaps more
important — creates a “climate of trust” between the
rumor—inquirer and the rumor control center. During
civil disorders, citizens — particularly non-white — of
ten suspect that information given over police depart-
ment phones is purposely distorted to make the. city
government look good.



ORumor central must be trusted by citizens to tell
the truth. It is desirable, if possible, for non-whites to
handle the rumor inquiries of other non-whites. Some
cities report a greater climate of trust by having a
non-governmental agency (such as the Urban League)
man the rumor control center.

0 The center should operate round-the-clock.
Imagine the hysteria that could be caused by a rumor
that even the rumor control center had been knocked
out! (i.e., “I phoned, but they didn‘t answer.")

0 The “call-back” technique Should be used. Not
only is it important for the center to phone a caller
when new information is available about his request.
It is also helpful to ask callers to phone the center
back when they have new information on a rumor
they heard.

FIESPDNDING TU RUMOR BALLS

The ultimate success ofa rumor control center de-
pends on how rumor calls are handled. No amount of
accurate information will despel fears if the contact
between rumor central and the Enquirer is unsatis-
factory.

Officials of the Chicago Rumor Central note that
their personnel manned phones only two hours at a
stretch, because “it is an exhausting experience to
deal by telephone with hysterical or frightened per-
sons."

Recognizing the need for skilled response to rumor
calls, the director of the rumor control center in De-
troit, Michigan, issued special rumor-response instruc-
tions to his staff. The instructions distinguish the
types of calls received and suggest general responses.
The following briefly summarizes these guidelines:

Rumor~ReSponse Guidelines (Detroit)

Crank Calls. These are defined as calls in which the
caller is either abusive or wishes to offer suggestions
for solving city problems. The staff should courte-
ously hang up ifa caller is abusive, obscene, or insult-
ing. If callers want to offer suggestions, the staff
should be courteous, refrain from debate, and termi-
nate the conversation as soon as possible.

Gossip. This would include information dealing with
a person’s personal life (e.g., “ls going with

__‘?”) In response to such inquiries, the staff
should state the function of the rumor control center
(e.g., an attempt to clarify distorted information, par-
ticularly concerning racial incidents, and to prevent
the Spread of rumors) and point out that personal
information is not a part of this function.

Requests for Irrelevant Information. Persons often
call with rumors or questions not related to racial
incidents. When possible, give a courteous answer to
the question and state the function of the rumor con-
trol center, emphasizing that this type of request is

not included in the center’s function.

Rumors or Questions About Individuals, Organiza-
tions, or Agencies. Some callers will ask specific ques-
tions about other agencies or organizations (e.g., Will
the police strike?) These persons should be referred
to the agency or group in question.

Speculative Rumors. Persons sometimes call with
vague rumors or questions about future racial inci-
dents which cannot be investigated. Some of these
callers may be fearful, some concerned, and some
hostile. In any case, get as much information as the
caller is willing to give and respond in a way similar to
the following:

“There are no facts to substantiate this statement
as anything but a rumor. Riots are not inevitable, and
no one is able to predict what will happen in the
future. The city is prepared to handle any situation
that occurs, and we believe that the public good can-
not be served by repeating rumors such as these.”

Copies of the mayor’s television speech are avail-
able for use in responding to these inquiries.

If the caller does not accept this statement of the
city’s position, no further questioning, discussion, or
explanation should be offered. The call should be ter-
minated With the statement that the center has made
a written report on the information and it will be
turned over to field investigators. Ask that if the cal-
ler gets any additional information, he turn it over to
rumor control for investigation.

A person may call with information about a future
event with Specific facts that can be investigated.

In such cases, the staff should get as much infor-
mation as possible, including a copy ofany literature
being passed out if available, and explain that it will
be given to the field staff for further investigation. If
this information has already been obtained, relate the
facts to the caller, clarifying any distortions. These
calls should be catalogued in a central information
file (e.g., three x five-inch cards identifying the inci-
dent in detail, along with a report of subsequent in-
vestigation) available to every staff member for use in
verifying rumors. If the caller wishes to leave his
name and phone number, the staff should offer to
call back with information uncovered.

Rumors on Past and Present Issues and Events. A
caller might ask a question or give information about
an incident which has already happened or is happen-
ing at the time of the call.

In these cases, obtain information and follow the
same response procedure as with futureevent rumors
noted above. Particularly, combat distortions with
the facts available and, where necessary, state that the
incident is still under investigation, the appropriate
authorities have been notified and are acting in re-
sponse to the distortions, and this is all the informa-
tion we have at this time.





In general, the staff should be particularly aware
of the need to probe each call and try, if possible, to
convert the caller from believing the rumor as fact to
recognizing its source and questioning the reason for
its being spread.

Public Information During
Disorders

Rumor control is but a facet of the broader prob-
lem of managing public information during disorders.
At a special meeting in mid-1968, Sponsored by the
National League of Cities, public information special-
ists compared notes on how they handled the infor-
mation needs of the public and press during last sum-
mer’s civil disturbances. Major points made at the
meeting are summarized here as a guide for planning
rumor control operations within the context of a to-
rat public information program for civil disorders.3

0 Single information source: Many cities believe it
important to have a single central headquarters for
presenting information to the press and public. Most
of these “press centrals” are located either in city hall
(one city uses the council chamber) or in police head-
quarters. But several cities favor two information cen-
ters - one in the field for riot control information
and another in city hall for major policy statements
by the mayor and other officials. The two-center
approach is definitely advised for best control of
rumOrs.

IAdequate staffing and equipment: City infor-
mation specialists or trained police officers of high
rank should man the press centers. Enough telephone
lines and facilities for radio and television coverage
also must be planned for.

0 Intergovernmental coordination: Plans must be
made early to assure early coordinated release of in-
formation by local, state, and federal officials, prefer-
ably from one central point.

0 Background and comparative data: Several cities
have found it useful, particularly in dealing with out-
of-town newsmen, to have background handouts pre-
pared on what the city has already done to alleviate
some of the stated causes of riots. Comparative data
regarding the number of arrests, crimes commitcd,
and fire calls during “normal” periods also are helpful
in giving perspective to incidents occurring during
riots.

OAdvance conferences with news media: Most

3 Copies of Public Information and Civil Disorders, con-
taining a meeting summary and texts of typical city emer-
gency public information plans. may be obtained for $2.00
each from the National League of Cities, Department of Ur-
ban Studics. 16l2 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

cities recommend holding conferences with news
media representatives to get — if possible -— agree-
ment on how riots would be reported, particularly
the handling of rumors. Some cities use a 30-minute
voluntary system of withholding reports that a dis-
turbance has occurred in the hopes that it can be
controlled in that time. Many reported success with
getting news media cooperation in first checking their
information with press central officials before broad-
casting or printing it. Most of the public relations
officials agreed that trying to get a total press-radio-
TV embargo on disturbance news was impractical.

0 Press identification: Some cities have special
color-coded badges and identification cards for news-
men which are issued at press headquarters. Outer-
garment and vehicle emblems often are requested by
newsmen to prevent their being picked up by police
after curfew hours have begun.

Planning is perhaps the biggest need in meeting the
public information requirements during a civil disor-
der, the meeting concluded. In addition, many of the
specialists stressed the need for city of frcials to recog-
nize the public relations aspects of their operations in
normal times if crisis announcements were to avoid a
“credibility gap.”

Each of these recommendations can complement a
rumor control center and alleviate its problems.

Rumor Versus Rumor

During the height of last summer‘s riots, one caller
had a curious request for Chicago’s Rumor Central:
“What are the latest rumors?”

Actually, it was not a completely foolish question,
for mmors can be used effectively to counter riots.
Rumors of peace, order, quiet, and racial cooperation
might prove more than helpful. After the death of
Martin Luther King, for example, Mayor John Lind-
say of New York spread the rumor that New York
City was quiet. By covering up actual violence on

Friday night, many observers feel that the mayor
probably stopped outbreaks of arson and looting on

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Indeed, fighting rumor with rumor may well be

the most effective technique available to city officials
for heading off civil disorders. The calm, restrained
voice of top city officials over TV and radio as ru-
mors of riots are forming is essential to maintaining
citizen calm.

Yet in the final analysis, it is the individual citizen
who determines the life, growth, and death ofa tu-
mor. He can pass it on, he can embellish it — or he
can question its validity.

“In a potential panic situation," advises Dr. Farns-
worth, “remain cool and collected." It is a difficult
preseription to fulfill, but city officials must take all
possible steps to fight the deadly consequences of
citywide panic.



Appendix

Recommended Procedure for Setting
Up o Rumor Control Centrel"

Basically, Rumor Central consists of ten
telephones connected on a sequential hunt
system, personnel to man the telephones, a
good system ofcommunication with the po
lice and fire departments and various other
private and public agencies with staff in the
field, and two men to check out rumors and
to receive incoming reports from these de-
partments. The operation can be expanded
or decreased in size as the volume of calls
merits.

There are five basic considerations in set-
ting up a Rumor Central. These are:

l. Publicizing the telephone number

2. Physical equipment

3. Personnel

4. Clearly defined procedures

5. Adequate system of communication
with the police and fire departments and
other sources of intelligence

Publicity

Once the decision had been made to
establish Rumor Central, the City News Bu-
reau, a central news—gathering agency, was
notified. Information about the service went
out on its Lines to all member media. The
press was given the Rumor Central number
and was told that it was a number where
citizens could report incidents, check out
rumors. and obtain other information rele-
vant to civil disorder. We received excellent
cooperation from the news media. In addi-
tion to using the information as a public
service announcement, many included it as a
nevvs item.

' This appendix is excerpted from th-
mor Central. issued by the Chicago Commis-
sion on l-luman Relations. The

Inission's own Rumor Central.

recom-
mended procedure is that used by the Corn-

Physical Operation

The operation should be centralized and
include:

Telephones. One phone number and from
two to ten phones connected on a sequen-
tial hunt, so that if the first is busy, the call
is relayed to the next line. Preferably, the
connected phones should not be lines used
by the agency in the course of normal busi-
ness. Two separate phones to be used exclu-
sively by research staff responsible for re-
ceiving police reports and checking rumors.

Large Map. Street map of the city, visible to
all phones, covered by clear plastic, on
which verified incidents can be recorded.

Blackboard. Also clearly visible to phones,
on which verfied quiet areas and the nature

and progress of incidents may be recorded.

Telephone Notebooks. Notebooks to be
placed at each phone for telephone person-
nel to use as resource material in answering
questions. Each should include a street map
of the city to be used in routing callers
around disorders and xeroxed copies of re-
ports and newspaper clippings giving details
about curfew regulations, agencies distrib-
uting food, and other pertinent information.

Contact Notebooks. One for each staff re
search man which includes all important
phone numbers to be used in checking out
information.

Forms. (1) Log for personnel to tally incom-
ing calls and record the content of impor—
tant ones. (2) Incident report forms for re—
cording all veriiied police and fire depart-
ment information, these to be compiled in a

permanent log. (3) Rumor check-out forms
for telephone personnel to give contact re-
search staff requesting that he check out a
rumor.

Personnel

During the peak of disorders, Rumor
Central was manned 24 hours a day. Person-

nel were assigned to day shifts, 8 am. to 6
pm, or night shifts beginning at 6:00 pm.

In the evening, staff remained on duty
until the number of incoming calls began to
dwindle. Then the Commission answering
service took over, usually around 2:00 a.m..
relaying to a staff person at home only the
most important calls. The following person-
nel are recommended: '

Supervisor.

Telephone Personnel. One per phone, plus
several extra to relieve them. To supplement
staff, we enlisted the help of volunteers, pri-
marily graduate students.

A volunteer should have a good knowl-
edge of the physical geography of a city and
the location of major streets, an understand-
ing of the problems that can oeeur during a
disorder, and an authoritative. reassuring

telephone manner.
All telephone personnel, staff and volun-

teers, received an initial briefing on the cor-
rect way to answer the phones and subse-
quent briefings before each shift to fill them
in on answers to current questions and de-
tails of on-going disturbances.

Research Contact Men. Several staff monk
bers clearly identified as such to the tele-
phone personnel and permanently available

7



to take incoming police and fire reports and
check out rumors.

Clerk. To record all disturbances and verify
quiet areas 011 the blackboard, keep the map
up to date, reproduce and circulate infoma-
tion, and keep a permanent log of police
and fire reports.

Field Staff. As available and necessary, to go
to the scene of reported trouble and feed
back information. During the height of the
trouble, we stationed a man in the police
department where he could listen to all in-
coming reports and relay up-to-the-minute
information to us. In the future, we plan to
have our own radio receiving equipment so
that all incoming police reports will be re-
ceived directly by our office.

Typical Calls and Procedure
for Handling

Incident Calls. Many people call to report an
incident or find out if a rumor they have
heard is true. For example, “i can see smoke
and hear sirens from my apartment at
Can you tell me what is happening?"

If a fire in that vicinity is recorded on
the blackboard, the person answering the
phone simply gives the caller the facts.
“Yes, there was a fire at . It is under
control and the police have dispersed the
people who gathered."

If there is no report on the board, the





operator records the location and nature of
the rumor and relays it to the contact man
to check out. The caller may wait for con—
firmation, but most are satisfied with an an-
swer like, "Thank your for reporting it; we
are now checking it out.“ Once the informa«
tion has been checked out, the facts are
given to all telephone personnel.

Information Calls. These include a wide
range of questions concerning curfew, loca-
tion of the National Guard, and agencies dis-
tributing food and clothing. Many of these
questions can be anticipated and the an-
swers explained prior to any shift and
included in the phone notebooks.

One frequent kind of information call is
on travel within the city. “I have to work
tonight and usually travel south on Western
Avenue. Is that route safe?“ The Operator
will refer to the big map and his street map,
then either answer, “We have no report of
trouble in that area. You shouldn‘t have any
problems," or “There have been fires on
that street and traffic is being rerouted. You
might detour and take Damon."

Good Communications System

A Rumor Central operation is valuable
only to the extent that the information dis—
seminated is correct. Consequently. good
outside contacts and efficient means of re-
laying information to telephone personnel
are essential.

The potential outside contacts should be
identified prior to the establishment of a
Rumor Central and their phone numbers re-
corded so that any staff member can check
out rumors. These sources may include the
police and fire departments, city youth
agencies,.social centers, and other institu-
tions that might be in the area of trouble or
have access to dependable information. Con-
tact must be made with these agencies in
advance, letting them know they will be
contacted and requesting that they report to
Rumor Central if they have information.
The research men should also establish a
schedule for making routine checks with the
police department to obtain relevant re-
ports. Contact was made with the police de-
partment at least every 20 minutes.

If field staff are available, they can be
dispatched to trouble areas to report regu-
larly.

Good communications within the opera-
tion depend upon the clear definition of
responsibility and communication proce~
dures. The research contact men are perhaps
the most vital part of the Operation. All tele-
phone personnel should know who is on
duty to check out rumors and should sub-
mit written requests for information to
these research men. After any report is
checked out with the police department, the
infomation should be recorded on the
blackboard for all personnel so that duplica-
tion of checking is avoided.

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