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THE VOICE OF THE GAY COMMUNITY - SERVING THE SOUTHEAST AND THE NATION PUBLISHED IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA 25 CENTS Atlanta, Ga. -C&S Bank, one of the south’s largest banking corpora tions advised “The Barb” that effective November 19, 1974, their account would be closed. The letter writ ten by John South III, bank ing officer of the Stewart- Lakewood branch, where The Barb has maintained a fairly substantial account for approximately one year, gave no reason why C&S had decided to close the account. It was learned October 21, 1974 that an employee had stolen a page of checks from the check book and allegedly forged the Edi tor’s signature to them. Upon further investigation of the matter, we found there had been checks in excess of $650 allegedly forged. We immediately contacted the security de partment of C&S and were advised we must sign affi davits in order that they credit the account with the amounts that were cashed. We were further advised it would be necessary to go to the police department and sign a warrant for the arrest of the former em ployee, even though we did not have to sustain the loss. Following their advice a few days later we contact ed the Atlanta Police De partment and they advised us that C&S must file the complaint since they fail ed to compare signatures with the signature card, and they consequently were the loosers. Detective Brum- elow, assured us that as soon as the checks were in his possession, he would member, Bill Smith, re quested that CRC Con sumer Affairs staff person, Muriel Smith, investigate the matter. Both the Editor and Busi ness Manager of The Barb became concerned over the refusal of Mr. South to dis cuss C&S’ decision to close the account and contacted Community people involved in banking and finance to determine if it was a stan dard procedure for banks to close accounts after for geries have been discover ed. Each person contacted indicated that it was not a standard procedure, and in fact quite unusual. They told us that while banks usually close such ac counts, they usually reopen under a different number if the account had been satisfactory. Since there was no reason given it then became apparent that The Barb account was closed, not because of alleged fin ancial irresponsibility, or failure to safeguard the checks, but we must as sume because it was a gay publication. Acting upon this infor mation we contacted the bank President’s office which referred us to Mr. Bob Clayton, _ Vice Presi dent Public Relations, who then informed us that it was a policy of C&S to close accounts on which the bank had sustained a loss or high risk. An aide to Mils Lane, former C&S President, suggested that we contact Howard Morrison, Investment Offi cer since Mr. Lane was out of the country and couldn’t be reached at that time. Mr. Morrison telephoned the next day, and while be ing very cordial and cour teous would not reverse the decision of Mr. South and Mr. Clayton. Once again it appeared somewhat irregular since Mr. South readily explained the rea son to both Mr. Clayton and Mr. Morrison, but re fused to offer any explana tion to either the Co-Edi tor, or Commissioner Smith when they requested tfsi I® ^ HHgpi lllifll Ijlll |g sum — I mSM THE BARB’S STUD OF THE MONTH Photo by Edmund such information. The Barb intends to con tinue its investigation into this matter andisduscuss- ing the possibility of taking legal action against the bank. It was decided how ever, until such time as an agreement could be reach ed with C&S, it was ne cessary to find a bank that would accept a gay account. The Barb Editor contact ed a Trust Company branch manager and explained in detail the circumstances surrounding the closing of The Barb account. The manager then informed him that there would be no pro blem in handling the ac count. gay people to patronize those businesses which do not discriminate against an individual regardless of race, color, or sexual ori entation. This incident has taught us a lesson. We shall cer tainly exercise more se curity, and safeguard the checks more carefully, and hope that you will do the same. We also urge all We have * ‘ switched’ *, but still intend to fight!! Should you decide to switch, please explain the reason for doing this. It’s time we stood up and showed our strength in the gay community. OUR SPECIAL HOLIDAY GREETINGS