EXHIBIT 8

́DISTP TCT OF COLUMBIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Engine Co. No. 10
Platoon No. 3

March 28, 1970

MEMORANDUM TO THE FIRE CHIEF:

SUBJECT: Special Order 65, Series 1959.

At 7:30 P.. this date while standing on the running board of 3-10's wagon to use radio, Pvt. Michard T. Sweeney of 3-1) was struck on the side of the face by an unknown object which was thrown by an unknown person in front of 775 18th st. 1.3.

There wore a great many people standing around, both adults and children and as usual no one saw anything or knew who had throw the object, chore wore several police officers on the scene and as usual they did not see anything either.

it this time Pvt. Sweeney is at the WC for an X-Ray of his face and jaw.

This incident was reported to Sgt. Yacklep, Badge Jɔ. 3-03 of the P3, District

5.

A.2. CROSS
Capt. E-10

Captain GRANADOS. And if I might, I would like to read two short paragraphs from the Captain's report describing the attackers as they came on them. This occurred in the 1300 block of Corcoran Street, Northwest, which is fairly close to 14th and R Streets, 14th and U Streets area. (Exhibit 7.)

He is describing the on-coming attacker:

"As they reached the side of Truck 4 they started to remove axes from the bed of the truck. As one man grabbed for an axe I grabbed him and we fell to the ground. As we hit the ground two other men grabbed me and fell on top of me.

"When I regained my feet I saw Private Edward L. Shymansky lying on the ground, apparently unconscious. Blood was covering his face. At this time we were surrounded by about six Negro males all armed with rocks and bricks. Suddenly, these men who stood threatening us turned and fled east on Corcoran Street.'

The police had now arrived on the scene, and that is why they fled.

EQUIPMENT DESTROYED AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Finally, the incident that took place at Howard University on the evening of May 8, 1969 deserves mention as an extreme example of the need for the enactment of H.R. 5638. On the day in question, a fire department pumping engine was attacked by a mob, forcing the driver to flee. The pumper was then completely destroyed by fire. This pumper was the sole supplier of water to the fire position which was on the third floor of the R.O.T.C. building. The resultant loss of water forced the companies operating inside to abandon the fire position. A copy of the June 1969 "Firefighter" is included as Exhibit 9. This issue contains an elaboration of this incident, including pictures.

(Exhibit 9 referred to for inclusion in the record at this point. follows:)

"My Friend the Fire Fighter"

Contest

The Fire Fighters Association presented nine $50.00 U.S. Savings Bonds to the winners of our 1968 Essay contest conducted in the schools of Washington. The theme of the essay was "My Friend The Fire Fighter."

Mayor Walter E. Washington presented the bonds on behalf of the Fire Fighters Association.

In addressing the gathering, held in the Council Chamber of the District Building, Mayor Washington commended the Fire Fighters Association for its community-minded spirit and the excellent topic for the essay.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

June, 1969

LOCAL 36 SEEKS PROTECTION

On Thursday, May 8, 1969, at 8:40 PM, Engine 24, Engine 11, Truck 6, Squad 2, and Chief 4 responded to Howard University, for a fire in the ROTC building. Engine 24's pumper laid out to the hydrant at 4th and McMillan, and after a few minutes pumping, was attacked by a mob, which forced the driver to flee. They then proceeded to set fire to the pumper. This pumper was the sole supplier of water to the fire position, thus, the companies operating inside the building were forced to retreat, and it immediately became necessary to call for another Task Force to quell the flames.

Twice during the night, single companies were dispatched to try to save the pumper, only to be repelled by the same mob action.

On Friday, May 9th, it was brought to the attention of the Executive Board of Local 36 that on the previous night, several units had been attacked by mobs while operating in the vicinity of Howard University.

TELEGRAMS SENT IMMEDIATELY After investigation, the Executive Board directed a telegram be sent to the Fire Chief to protest allowing firefighters to enter hostile areas where police protection was withheld, and further demanding that immediate action be taken to prevent recurrence of the problem. A telegram was also sent to the Mayor by President McClennan of the I.A.F.F. with like protests.

DISCUSSED AT REGULAR MEETING

In view of the pending May 13th regular membership meeting, it was decided to defer further action until the full membership could voice its wishes as to what action should be taken. At the meeting there was a considerable amount of heated discussion from the floor, covering all aspects of the problem of protection for firefighters. The result was a mandate to the Executive Board to take prompt and extensive action, including the notification of both D.C. Committees and the White House.

(cont. on page 2)

RESOLUTION FORMULATED

Acting in full compliance with the expressed intentions of the membership, the Executive Board promptly directed a resolution be formulated and presented to the Mayor, with copies sent to each member of the District Committees of the House and Senate, The White House, each member of the Council, and to the Press, with appropriate explanation.

RESULTS

As a result of the action taken, a meeting was held in the office of the Public Safety Director. In attendance at the meeting were: Acting Public Safety Director Charles T. Duncan, Fire Chief Hugh A. Groves, Deputy Police Chief Jerry Wilson, President Wm. H. McClennan of the International, President Carl Beatty of the Police Association, President Joseph Granados and Vice President Ralph Kennedy of Local 36, and other staff representatives.

OUTCOME

The principal points discussed were the dispatching of units into areas of disturbance; protection of units after trouble develops; and response to "firefighter in trouble" calls. After the meeting, Mr. Duncan told the Press that there had been "no disagreement in the principal that firefighters should not be sent in or left in dangerous situations without police protection." He also said that the establishment of a "firefighter in trouble" call should be looked into. Mr. Duncan formed a committee to hold future meetings which will "clarify, strengthen or implement" guidelines for protecting firefighters.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE

It is important that the position of Local 36 as to the protection and safety of its members be thoroughly understood by all. THIS INCLUDES THOSE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WHO WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWN MEN BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER IT THEIR SWORN DUTY TO PUT OUT THE FIRE REGARDLESS OF THE HOSTILE CONDITIONS.

Local 36 will not hesitate to take immediate and severe action to insure the safety of its members even if it means protecting them from themselves.

RESOLUTION RE: Protection for

Fire Fighters Whereas: On May 8, 1969, at approxi mately 8:40 P.M., there occurred at a fire in the ROTC building at Howard University a series of incidents which promise ugly and ominous portents to the firefighters of Washington, DC,

and

Whereas: At the fire in question a lone
firefighter, operating his fire pumps and
supplying water to his fellow firefight-
ers inside the burning building, was
stoned, harassed, threatened and forced
to flee by mob action, and
Whereas: The water supply was cut off
by this same mob, thus imperiling the
men inside the building, whose main
defense against personal injury was
their possession of a ready water sup-
ply, and thus making their position un-
tenable, and

Whereas: It seems axiomatic that fire

fighters have a right to be relieved of
all unnatural harassment at fire scenes,
and

Whereas: The culmination of this same
mob action was the destruction by arson
of the pumping engine, valued at about
$28,000, and

Whereas: Although a fire engine de-
stroyed by fire seemed to be news of
the "man-bites-dog" variety, it evoked
small reaction from the news media,
and

Whereas: The Fire Department, which
customarily requires special reports
from its employees concerning all mat-
ters which are in the slightest manner
either unique or extraordinary, has
treated the incident apparently as rou-
tine, and

Whereas: This is no casual matter, and
Whereas: The firefighter, long accustomed
to being forgotten resents being for-
saken as well, and

Whereas: There were other abortive at-
tempts to rescue the burning fire en-
gine which failed due to similar mob
harassment, and

Whereas: The building in question had to
be allowed to burn because of this same
mob threat, and
Whereas: During the whole of the inci-
dent, although police help, which was
available on the periphery, was request-
ed again and again and again, it was
refused, and

Whereas: We do not blame the police

officers for this refusal, but rather the
policy which dictated their refusal, and
Whereas: The philosophy of the District
Government, if it is to be permissive
in the case of mob arson by some of
its citizens, is not our concern but as
a concomitant, we must be relieved
from personal danger as a result of the
adoption of that policy, and
Whereas: Our mutual aid pact with sur-
rounding fire departments will surely
be imperiled unless this policy is clari-
fied, and

Whereas: One mission of our Associa-
tion, as an integral part of organized
labor, is to preserve, protect, and defend
the safety of its members, and

Whereas: If an area be deemed as not
safe for police armed, it should be
deemed unsafe for firefighters unarmed.
Now therefore be it
Resolved: That no fire apparatus be dis-
patched to fire scenes without adequate
police escort where prior knowledge ex-
ists as to the imminence of trouble;

That police protection be immediately dispatched upon request where trouble develops at fires;

That the police officer will in future
respond to the call of "firefighter in
trouble" with the same spontaneity and
zeal with which he now responds to the
time honored plea of "policeman in
trouble", and be it further
Resolved: That by direction of our Execu-
tive Board, acting promptly to formu-
late this Resolution by mandate of our
membership, this Resolution shall be
given the widest possible dissemination
including, but not limited to, the White
House, both District Committees, and
the news media.

REPORT-METRO GROUP
ARBITRATION

On May 7, 1969, an arbitration meeting was held at the AFL building between representatives of the I.A.F.F. and the Metro Group. The announced three man arbitration panel consisted of the Chairman, Joseph Beirne, President, Communication Workers; Paul Phillips, President Emeritus, Paper Workers; and Frank Kinnen, President of the Musicians. Mr. Kinnen, however, was absent from this initial meeting.

The LA.F.F. was represented by President McClennan, Secretary Albertoni, Vice Presidents Bonser, Williams and Bostick, Research Director Atwood and their attorney, Edward Hickey.

The Metro Group was represented by their Chairman, Glenn Schneeberg, Milwaukee, and their Secretary Jack Kelly. New York officers, as well as Bernard McWeeney, New York Firefighters and myself, in addition to Counsel, Richard O'Hara.

A lot of background information, over the years, was provided by several speakers. President McClennan stressed his willingness to co-operate. Vice-Presidents Bonser and Bostick spoke of their personal beliefs that the present system has merit.

The testimony of the Metro Group revolved around the facts concerning delegate voting at conventions as developed at the last convention.

On balance, the Metro Group stuck fast to its position in support of Plan A; the I.A.F.F. continued to push Plan E. Another meeting will be held in the near future.

A. O. Raeder