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CITY OF ATLANTA COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION
PUBLIC HEARING x
February 16, 1967 Atlanta, Georgia
The first public hearing of the Community Relations Commission of the City
of Atlanta was held February 16, 1967, at 7:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers
of the City Hall.
Mr. Irving Kaler, Chairman of the Commission, presided. Other Commission
members present were: Mr. T. M. Alexander, Mrs.Sara Baker, Miss Helen Bullard,
Mr. Robert Dobbs, Mr. A. L. Feldman, the Rev. J. L. Griggs, Mr. Joseph Haas,
Mr. Al Kuettner, Mrs. F. W. Patterson, Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild, Mr. M. O. Ryan,
Mrs. Mary Stephens, the Rev. Samuel Williams.
Mr. Kaler recognized Aldermen George Cotsakis, J. M. Flanigen, Charles Leftwich,
G. Everett Millican, Hugh Pierce, Jack Summers, Q. V. Williamson, and Senator
Leroy Johnson and Representative John Hood. Mr. Kaler thanked them for their
interest and support.
Mr. Bennie T. Smith, of the Grass Roots Council, and Senator Dan McIntyre sent
letters expressing their regret at being unable to attend the hearing and
assuring the Commission of their interest and support.
Mr. Kaler stated this hearing was the first of a series of hearings planned to
afford the citizens of Atlanta a place to seek help with their problems and to
voice their complaints or grievances.
The chairman then introduced Mrs. Eliza Paschall, who has been appointed by the
Commission to serve as its Executive Director. Mrs. Paschall read the list
of persons who had expressed a desire to be heard and asked that all speakers
leave their names and telephone numbers for future conferences. Mrs. Paschall
stated that her office would begin the following day on checking into all
complaints and that all matters brought before the Commission would be thoroughly
investigated.
The meeting was then turned over to the Reverend Samuel Williams, who conducted
the hearing. Mr. Williams stated that a series of neighborhood hearings would
be held and that meetings would be held with all City department heads to
discuss problems or complaints presented at these hearings.
Mr, Williams expressed his gratification at the interest shown by the large
number of persons, approximately 250, attending the hearing. All persons
wishing to address the Commission were asked to limit their remarks to three
minutes in order that all might be heard.
MRS. HENRY TOOMBS, 2871 Normandy Drive, N. W.
Mrs. Toombs expressed the feeling that Fulton County and the City of Atlanta
are neglecting an opportunity to meet the needs of many of our people by
failing to participate in the Food Stamp program of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture. Mrs. Toombs explained the operation of the program, in which
68 Georgia counties are participating, and reiterated her belief that the
City and County should implement all programs designed to meet the needs
of segments of our community.
MR. WILLIAM S. JACKSON, Dean of School of Social Work, Atlanta University
Dean Jackson expressed his pleasure in the formation of the Commission and
his hope that the Commission could be helpful in seeing that all services
of the community are made available to all people. Dean Jackson feels that
despite progress in the availability of public services resulting from
civil rights legislation, the services of many private agencies are still not
available to all citizens. As a case in point, he read a letter from a
woman who has experienced difficulty in finding nursing care for her aged
mother. She stated Hillhaven had taken her application, promising to notify
her when a vacancy occurred, but she has heard nothing further. Upon
making application to Highview, she was told that Highview had never admitted
a Negro applicant, but might have to accept Negroes at a later date to comply
with Federal laws.
MR. ARTHUR BARHAM, West End, (Bush Mountain) Student at Clark College
Mr. Barham stated he was concerned over an incident in which several
Negro youths were threatened by white youths with a pistol. Mr. Barham
said a case was made against the white youths, but the case has been pending
in court since January 25. Although Mr. Barham conceded there were legal
reasons for the two postponements of the case, nevertheless he felt it
imposed a hardship on students to have to get out of school so many times.
Mr. Barham also contended that the police and other persons in the city
seemed more anxious to obtain information regarding gangs in the neighborhood
than to conclude this specific case. Asked if he would cooperate with the
Commission in an investigation of potential gang warfare, Mr. Barham said
he would cooperate, but repeated his assertions that he actually knows very
little of any gang activity.
THE REVEREND AMOS HOLMES, 1035 Simpson Street, N. W.,Vice President of the Atlanta
Chapter of NAACP, Chairman, Housing Committee of NAACP
Mr. Holmes stated the City should concern itself with an up to date citywide
zoning plan. The City is still using the 1956 zoning format, which is now
inadequate for the growth of the City. Mr. Holmes feels zoning policies
should be geared to meet the needs of the City and its citizens and should
be free from citizen pressure or commercial domination. If the city is
to eliminate ghettos and provide housing for all its citizens, planning must
be done on a citywide rather than a sectional basis.
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MR. ROBERT W. HAVER, 430 Lynhurst Drive, S. W., Southwest Atlanta for Progress
Association, Cascade Heights Area
Mr, Haver described the work of his organization, which is concerned with
preserving their community on a balanced integrated basis. The special
concern of this group is that white people do not move out as Negroes
move in, thus creating a racial imbalance in the schools and community as
a whole. Mr. Haver stated that while the use of percentages in governing
human relations is undesirable, the community nevertheless feels it is
important for the present to try to maintain a 50-50 balance of white and
Negro families to give their children an opportunity to grow up in a truly
integrated situation. A series of community forums will be held at Holy
Family Hospital, beginning March 9, to discuss ways of stabilizing the
community. Mr. Haver asked for the moral support and encouragement of |
the Commission in their efforts. Mr. Williams expressed the pleasure of
the Commission in learning of the work of this group and pledged the full
assistance and support of the Commission.
MR. CHARLES CLARK, Southwest Atlanta
Mr. Clark stated a Negro real estate dealer had tried to procure housing
for him in a white neighborhood and alleged many prospective sellers had
stated they were afraid of the reaction of their neighbors if they sold to
a Negro family.
Mr. Kuettner said he would be interested in receiving reports on any real
estate agent who will not handle sales because of the race of the client.
Mr. Clark was asked to appear before the Commission at a later date to give
his story in full detail.
MR. JAMES MARSHALL, JR., 392 Rock Street, S. W. Block 13 near Incinerator
(Lightning)
Mr. Marshall stated there are no recreation areas in this section; the
houses are unfit for human habitation; there is only one paved street in
the area; garbage and litter from demolished houses is not picked up.
Mr. Dobbs asked if there was any plan for including this area in an Urban
Renewal project. Mr. Marshall said he knows nothing of such plans. He
also stated that the Sanitary Department is very slow in responding to calls
to pick up trash.
Rabbi Rothschild stated this area is high on the priority list of communities
whose problems will receive special attention.
MRS. ALVENIA DAVIS, 449 Markham Street, S. W., speaking for residents ‘of
Markham area
Mrs, Davis stated that several houses unfit for habitation have not been
demolished, although some have been unoccupied for more than one year.
She feels these houses are dangerous and are a breeding place for crime and
delinquency.
Page 3
MRS. ALVENIA DAVIS (Continued)
Mrs. Davis also alleged that the housing code is not impartially enforced,
contending that persons who own many houses receive more lenient treatment
that the owner of only one or two houses. Asked who owned the substandard
houses still being occupied, Mrs. Davis stated Joe Schaffer was the owner.
MRS. HAMBRICK, Walker Street School Council
Mrs. Hambrick stated the residents of this area protest the continued use
of the Walker Street School building, which is old and in substandard
condition. The residents want the school building replaced and feel the
transfer of children to this school should be discontinued. Mr. Kuettner
asked if the problem had been discussed with the Board of Education.
Mrs, Hambrick said members of the community had met with Dr. Letson and had
been told that work has been done on the building recently and that plans
for replacing this school were not included in the recent school bond issue.
MR. GLENN GLEATON, 1035 Garibaldi Street, S. W.
Mr. Gleaton asked what the responsibility of the City is in regard to the
individual homeowner whose property is being damaged by leaking sewers or
overflowing drains. Mr. Dobbs stated that new homes were inspected by the
City and the Building Inspector should not clear houses which had inadequate
sewer or drainage systems. Mr. Gleaton replied that he had complained to
the City of the damage to the foundation of his house and had been told the
house was too close to the ground. No further help on the matter was offered
by the City.
MRS. SALLIE BILLINGSLEY, Pittsburgh Civic League
Mrs. Billingsley complained of poor police protection in this area. Many
robberies have occurred, but the police have not appeared very interested
in the matter. There are very few street lights. Teenagers are hanging out
in vacant houses. Mr. Williams stated that Alderman Charles Leftwich has
discussed the problems of this community with the Police Department and
every effort wiil be made to provide better patrol service, especially at
night.
MR. HERNANDEZ, Southeast Atlanta, close to Blair Village (Gilbert Heights Area)
Mr. Henandez asked what can be done about unscrupulous real estate dealers
who attempt to buy houses through scare tactics, such as telling homeowners
that the section will be turned over to Negroes or that it is going to be
torn down for an Urban Renewal project. Mr. Hernandez stated there is no
racial trouble in the area, but real estate dealers are constantly starting
rumors that the property will be condemned by the City to build apartments.
In answer to an inquiry as to the real estate companies involved, Mr.
Hernandez stated that Bickers, State Realty, and Collins Realtors were among
those engaging in this practice.
Page 4
MR. HERNANDEZ (Continued)
Asked if he had called any of the Urban Renewal agencies, Mr. Hernandez
replied that he had not talked to anyone in those agencies, but he could
not wait for this. He feels the City should investigate immediately, as
many of the people in the community may be panicked into selling their homes.
Mr. Hernandez was asked to meet with the Commission at a later date to
provide specific names and additional facts,
MR. OTIS COCHRAN, 230 Walnut Street, N. W., Vice-Chairman, Advisory Board,
Nash-Washington EOA, Member of the Board of Directors of
the Atlanta Council on Human Relations. (Vine City)
Mr. Cochran stated the City should investigate cases of discrimination
in employment practiced by many of the firms and contractors with whom ©
the City is doing business. He stated that a group of consultants engaged
by the City to make a study of equal employment opportunities actually
practices complete discrimination against Negroes in their own hiring
policies.
Mr. Cochran also addressed the Commission on the problem of recreational
facilities in the Vine City area, Mr. Cochran stated that a full time,
long-range program should be established rather than relying on emergency
measures to solve crises.
MR. JOE LEWIS HEADSPETH, 575 Magnolia Street, N. W. (Vine City)
Mr. Headspeth, with two other teenage residents of this area, appeared
with Mr. Cochran to protest the closing of their recreation center at
141 Walnut Street. Mr. Dobbs stated that because of a reduction in EOA
funds, the center had to be closed becaused funds for recreation technicians
were cut off. Mr. Headspeth turned over to the Commission a petition from
residents of the area requesting that the center be reopened,
Alderman Millican stated that there has been a 30% cut in Federal funds
available for EOA, but the City is working to provide the same service
to this area as was available last year.
Mr. Headspeth stated that he and his friends felt very strongly about this
matter and that if it were necessary demonstrate in the streets to spotlight
their problem, they would do so.
MRS, LOUISE WHATLEY, Pryor Road (Carver Homes)
Mrs. Whatley protested the lack of recreational facilities in this housing
project in which approximately 4,000 children have no place to play.
Open space which could be used for football and baseball fields is available,
but the Housing Authority will not permit them to use it.
Page 5
MRS, LOUISE WHATLEY (Continued)
Mrs. Whatley also protested the managment's practice of doubling and
tripling charges for repairs according to the number of repairs requested
in one year. She stated repairs were often made without the occupant's
knowledge or request. Tenants have been charged as much as $36 for
repairing a screen door and have been charged $5 because their children
piayed on the grass. Mrs. Whatley said a receipt was given for the charge,
which is paid at the same time as the rent, but the receipt does not
specify what the charge covered and the tenants do not know where the money
goes. She said complaints had been made to Mr. Howard Ball at the Housing
Authority, but his attitude was that the complainants represented only a
minority of the tenants.
In reply to a question about a tenant's organization, Mrs. Whatley said they
did have a Tenant's Association, but it is more or less run by the management.
Mrs. Whatley also complained that the tenants are treated with discourtesy
or disdain by the management.
MRS. CHARITY MURRAY, 76 Hilliard Street, Apt. 612, Grady Homes Apartments
Mrs. Murray stated that a woman living in an apartment across the hall
from her had fired a pistol, narrowly missing her grandaughter. A case
was made against the woman and she was bound over to Fulton County Court,
but both the defendant and Mrs. Murray had been told to vacate their
apartments by letter from Mr. Carl Brown, manager of Grady Homes. Mrs.
Murray stated she went to Legal Aid Society, but they could not help her.
Mrs. Baker asked if any charge had been made against Mrs. Murray. She
sald no charge was made against her. Mr, Williams stated that an investigation
would be made.
MR. DON CROWLEY, Edgewood Area, East Atlanta
Mr. Crowley stated that large numbers of people have migrated into this
area and there is an acute need of recreational facilities. The citizens
of this area want supervised recreational facilities for their children.
MR. LORENZO JOHNSON, 1583 First Street, President of the Wesley Homes Tenants
Association
Mr. Johnson stated the apartments are unsanitary, unfit for human habitation,
infested with rats and snakes. He said that persons who attend meetings
of the Tenants Association had been threatened with eviction. In answer
to an inquiry as to the owner, Mr. Johnson stated he believed the apartments
were owned by a Mr. Sam Maddox.
Mr. Dobbs asked him to call the Commission if he is threatened or harassed
in any way because of his testimony before this commission.
MR. JOHN DAVIS GAITHER, 1560 Foote Street, N. E., Edgewood Civic Club
(Blue Heaven)
Mr. Gaither is concerned that this section is a political football between
DeKalb County and Atlanta. He said if complaints or requests are voiced
to DeKalb County, he is told to call Atlanta; if he calls Atlanta authorities,
he is told the matter is under the jurisdiction of DeKalb County.
Mr. Gaither also expressed a strong sentiment that the term ‘Blue Heaven" used
to describe this area is derogatory and inappropriate. He stated that the
residents of the community are proud of their community and want to improve
it and they want the use of the term "Blue Heaven" discontinued.
MRS. JOHN W. STANLEY, Chairman of the Council on Human Relations of Greater Atlanta
Mrs, Stanley congratulated the City on the formation of the Community Relations
Commission and expressed great faith in the potential effectiveness of the
Commission,
MRS. THELMA McCLENTON, Bankhead Estates Apartments
Mrs. McClenton feels the occupants of these apartments, which are privately
owned, should receive better maintenance service. She also stated the
apartments are rat-infested and no pest control is provided. The children
have no play areas.
MRS. NANNIE McCORMICK, Oakmont Drive, S. W.
Mrs. McCormick cited health hazards caused by Proctor Creek. She said the
creek causes basements to flood in rainy weather, sewerage backs up to
the doors of homes; the odor is highly offensive; and, most serious of all,
it is a great hazard to children.
Mr. Dobbs stated that seven children have died in this creek. The creek
presents an especial danger because most of the parents in the neighborhood
are at work all day and the children are not supervised.
MRS. JANIE MAE SIMS, 774 Norwood Road (Thomasville)
Mrs. Sims said this area is threatened by poor drainage and by overflow
of water in rainy weather. Mosquitoes are a problem and backed up sewerage
causes offensive odors.
THE REV. J. ALLEN JAMES, 1152 Welch Street, S. W. , Pittsburgh Civic League,
Pastor, St. James Baptist Church
Mr. James asked that the Commission make inquiry into discriminatory
practices by the Municipal Court and the Housing Authority in the enforcement
of the Housing Code.
Page 7
MR. DAVID McGOUGH, 50 McDonough Blvd, S. E. (South Atlanta)
Mr. McGough cited water overflow and sewerage problems in his community.
He feels there is too much "buck passing" when he tries to reach City
officials.
MRS. IULA O'NEAL, 1612 Foote Street, N. E., Apt. 5, President, Edgewood
Improvement Association
Mrs. O'Neal cited the danger to children in this community from open
streams running from above the park.
She also complained that truancy laws are not enforced in this area.
MRS. ROBERTA GRESHAM, Boulevard Area
Problems cited by Mrs. Gresham were: No recreational facilities. Many
elderly people cannot get welfare assistance. Poor sanitary service.
Garbage collects on warehouse property and causes rats.
MR. LEWIS HOLMES, SR. Reynoldstown Area, representing Reynoldstown Citizens
Improvement Committee
Mr. Holmes stated that he makes building repairs and alterations and in
the course of his work has seen many violations of the City health laws
and the U. S. Government pure food laws. He asked for a private meeting
with the Commission and was told such a meeting would be arranged.
MRS. ANNETTE WATKINS, 773 Hill Street (Old Summerhill Area)
Mrs. Watkins feels the practice of permitting colored people to move into
old deteriorated houses vacated by white families perpetuates the problem
of substandard housing for Negro families. She feels these houses should
be demolished if they are not fit for occupancy.
THE REV. L. WILLIAM HOPE, Peoplestown Civic League
Mr. Pope stated the problems with which he is concerned cannot be covered
in the time allotted for each speaker. He asked for an opportunity to
meet with the Commission at a later date. The Commission will arrange a
meeting with him.
MR. STERRS A. JOHNSON, 260 Linkwood Road, N. W.
Mr. Johnson feels the Civil Defense program is of vital importance and
participation should be open to all citizens. He stated that there are
no Negroes on the staff of the Atlanta Civil Defense Agency.
THE REV. PERCY L. HEATH, cab driver
Mr. Heath protested brutality of the police. He feels he was unjustly accused
of running a red light because he pulled into the intersection to make a
turn. He said he has heard rumors that police have to write ten tickets
each day. Mr. Williams assured him that this is not true.
* Page 8
MRS. BEATRICE CAMPBELL, 1331 English Avenue, N. W. (Blandtown)
Mrs. Campbell stated this community needs bus service and better street
lighting. She also cited the need for recreational areas for children
and asked for the elimination of a portable bridge which the children
have to cross to get to and from school.
MR, JOHN MATTOX, 2541 Tilson Drive, S. E., East Lake Heights
Mr. Mattox complained of poor sanitary service in this area.
He is also concerned about this area being rezoned as commerical. He feels
the people who have invested in property in this area have a right to have their
investment protected. He stated that signs saying the property was zoned
for business extend on Memorial Drive from the Expressway ramp to East Lake
Avenue.
Mr. Dobbs stated that no property can be rezoned without a public hearing and
the occupants of this area must be alert to attend such hearings. They should
also take care when buying property to see that the area has not already been
rezoned for business.
Mr. Williams asked that any persons desiring to be heard at a later date
notify the Commission.
Chairman Kaler expressed the Commission's pleasure in having had the opportunity
to hear from representatives of so many sections of the city. He stated that
additional meetings will be scheduled on a neighborhood basis and the dates for
these meetings will be well publicized.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Page 9