Source: https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/499-f-2d-819-595942158
Timestamp: 2020-08-03 18:36:59
Document Index: 312249082

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1981', '§ 804', '§ 3604', '§ 1343', '§ 3612', '§ 3601']

499 F.2d 819 (8th Cir. 1974), 73-1765, Williams v. Matthews Co. - Federal Cases - Case Law - VLEX 595942158
Docket Nº: 73-1765.
Party Name: D. C. WILLIAMS et ux., Appellants, v. The MATTHEWS COMPANY et al., Appellees.
Case Date: June 20, 1974
499 F.2d 819 (8th Cir. 1974)
D. C. Williams, a black man from North Little Rock, Arkansas, brought this civil action, individually and as a class representative for other black persons, charging defendants with racial discrimination in refusing to sell residential building lots to black people in violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1870 and 1866 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1982) 1 and § 804 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. § 3604). 2 In addition to declaratory and injunctive relief, plaintiff sought compensatory damages and reasonable attorney's fees. Jurisdiction was asserted under 28 U.S.C. § 1343 3 and 42 U.S.C. § 3612. 4
During this time, they looked at property in the Lakewood subdivision where they found a 'for sale' sign posted on each vacant lot. Each sign gave the price and size of the lot and listed the Matthews Company as seller, with its phone number. If a lot had been sold, the sign gave the owner's name. According to the plaintiffs, these signs remained posted up to and after the time their suit was filed on April 29, 1970. Based on their visits to Lakewood, the
couple decided to inquire further about four particular pieces of property.
In defense of the conduct of the Matthews Company, John Matthews introduced into evidence an office memorandum dated February 13, 1970, to demonstrate that the personnel of the Matthews Company contemplated integration of the all-white Lakewood subdivision. This memorandum, while espousing the principle of integration as 'morally right', ordered special treatment of any black person seeking entry into the subdivision, to be handled personally by the senior Matthews, John. 5
The policy of the United states contained in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 is to provide, within constitutional limitations, fair housing throughout the country. 42 U.S.C. § 3601. Like the 1866 Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Title is an exercise of congressional power under the thirteenth amendment to eliminate the badges and incidents of slavery. United States v. Hunter, 459 F.2d 205, 214 (4th Cir. 1972). As the Supreme Court commented in Jones v. Mayer Co., 392 U.S. 409, 88 S.Ct. 2186, 20 L.Ed.2d...