MID-STATES COMMUNITY SERVICES (A) On Sunday, March 30 a fight occurred in the Club room, the employees cafeteria of Mid-States Community Services' Housing Departn ment. between a housing administrator-intern and a building technician. The two men grappled for several seconds, rolling on the floor and throwing punches, until they were pulled apart by two interns and another technician who were standing by when the fight broke out. Aside from a bloody nose and a puffed left eye, the intern who had been fighting emerged unscathed. The technician had a torn shirt and a badly bruised right hand. Both were very angry and were ready to resume the fight if the peacemaking bystanders would only let them go A series of incidents over the past several weeks had given rise to this outburst and the events which followed it threatened to throw the entire Department into turmoil, perhaps even to shut it down Two days after the fight, on Tuesday, April 1, the Associate Director for Administration for Mid-States Community Services, Frank Garrow, reflected on all that had happened the last two days and wondered what might have been done differently. He wondered, as well, what he should do next. The situation was boiling Before you go on, jot down answers to the following: As Frank Garrow, what more do you want to know before you take action? Background Mid-States Community Services is a multi-site, multi-service public agency with central offices in a major U.s Lakes port city. The Housing Department, located on the outskirts of the city, was created under special stock for the homeless. It also served as an internship training site for students in a public Administration program at a University nearby who had a special interest in public management. The Departments employees are largely young and divided between the professional"administrators and the"non-professional" technicians and support This case has been adapted (June 1985)by Dr Scott Cook, Research Associate Harvard Business School and Dr Dvora Yanow Lecturer Harvard Graduate School of Education, by permission of Professor David kuechle, Harvard Graduate School of ducation, from a case orig inally prepared for use in Harvard's Institute for ducational Management (IEM 9-680-517, Revised 10780 ). It is a fictionalized account of actual events. Names, titles, and locations have been disguised The Club Room was a popular gathering spot for the junior professional staff and interns but was also used on occasion by senior management and the technical and support staff. It consisted of a large, attractive hall in which various hot dishes and snacks were served and a bar area where one could buy soft drinks, beer and wine The Club Room served hot food from 7 a m until 2 p. m and was generally crowded around the noon hour. It was not as crowded as usual on march 30 when the fight took The pugilists were Douglas Jones, an intern, and George Madison, a mid-grade building technician who had been employed by MCs for six years. Jones,an African-American, had recently been a defense halfback on the University of Michigan Big-10 championship football team. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 195 pounds. Madison, a 62, 220 pound Caucasian, age 27, was himself an accomplished amateur boxer. Mad ison often came to the Club room for a snack at noontime and . on occasion, for a beer before going home at night. He was well-known among the professional staff and sometimes socialized with them. Known as a generous spender, Mad ison frequently bought rounds of drinks for everyone sitting around the Club
MID-STATES COMMUNITY SERVICES (A) On Sunday, March 30 a fight occurred in the Club Room, the employees’ cafeteria of Mid-States Community Services’ Housing Department, between a housing administrator-intern and a building technician. The two men grappled for several seconds, rolling on the floor and throwing punches, until they were pulled apart by two interns and another technician who were standing by when the fight broke out. Aside from a bloody nose and a puffed left eye, the intern who had been fighting emerged unscathed. The technician had a torn shirt and a badly bruised right hand. Both were very angry and were ready to resume the fight if the peacemaking bystanders would only let them go. A series of incidents over the past several weeks had given rise to this outburst, and the events which followed it threatened to throw the entire Department into turmoil, perhaps even to shut it down. Two days after the fight, on Tuesday, April 1, the Associate Director for Administration for Mid-States Community Services, Frank Garrow, reflected on all that had happened the last two days and wondered what might have been done differently. He wondered, as well, what he should do next. The situation was boiling. Before you go on, jot down answers to the following: As Frank Garrow, what more do you want to know before you take action? Background Mid-States Community Services is a large, multi-site, multi-service public agency with central offices in a major U.S. Great Lakes port city. The Housing Department, located on the outskirts of the city, was created under special stock for the homeless. It also served as an internship training site for students in a public Administration program at a University nearby who had a special interest in public management. The Department’s employees are largely young and divided between the “professional” administrators and the “non-professional” technicians and support staff. This case has been adapted (June 1985) by Dr. Scott Cook, Research Associate, Harvard Business School, and Dr. Dvora Yanow, Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education, by permission of Professor David kuechle, Harvard Graduate School of Education, from a case originally prepared for use in Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management (IEM 9-680-517, Revised 10/80). It is a fictionalized account of actual events. Names, titles, and locations have been disguised. The Club Room was a popular gathering spot for the junior professional staff and interns but was also used on occasion by senior management and the technical and support staff. It consisted of a large, attractive hall in which various hot dishes and snacks were served and a bar area where one could buy soft drinks, beer and wine. The Club Room served hot food from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. and was generally crowded around the noon hour. It was not as crowded as usual on March 30 when the fight took place. The pugilists were Douglas Jones, an intern, and George Madison, a mid-grade building technician who had been employed by MCS for six years. Jones, an African-American, had recently been a defense halfback on the University of Michigan Big-10 championship football team. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 195 pounds. Madison, a 6’2”, 220 pound Caucasian, age 27, was himself an accomplished amateur boxer. Madison often came to the Club Room for a snack at noontime and, on occasion, for a beer before going home at night. He was well-known among the professional staff and sometimes socialized with them. Known as a generous spender, Madison frequently bought rounds of drinks for everyone sitting around the Club
Rooms semi-circular bar or at a table when he was invited to join a group of housing administrators. He owned a white Cadillac El Dorado, which could often be spotted in the agency parking lot into the evening hours. Although married, Madison sometimes dated women he met at the Club room eorge Madison was one of several full-time build ing technicians assigned to the Department. He was a member of the technicians' union, one of six unions representing the agencys non-professional personnel. His immediate supervisor was Patrick Mulloney, Head of Support and Technical Services in the Department Mulloney reported to the Associate Director for Administration, Frank Garrow The fight between Madison and Jones had probably been brewing for several weeks. Jones and his fiancee, Margaret Vaughn, also an intern, ofter came to the club Room, sometimes together, sometimes separately. Vaughn, a striking woman, had attracted Madisons attention one day and he offered to buy her a drink She accepted and the two had a friendly conversation. Vaughn became especially interested in Mad ison when she learned that he was the union steward for technical personnel. The two discussed the union, its history at the agency--how it had been formed and what nature of grievances arose. Vaughn especially wanted to learn about contract provisions dealing with the resolution of disputes. She explained that she hoped to move into labor relations and personnel administration some day and to become an arbitrator. Madison offered to bring copies of the collective bargaining agreements to Vaughn and to let her have copies of various arbitration decisions which had been delivered in the last several years dealing with agency problems This initial meeting between Mad ison and Vaughn led to several others, always in the Club room in the late afternoon and usually accompanied by a few drinks Mad ison and Vaughn were often joined by other members of the administrative staff, and Madison soon became something of a folk hero-an attractive, bright individual who was about the same age as the interns but who, ll years earlier, had dropped out of high school to become a building assistant, then had worked his way through an apprentice program until he became a mid-grade technician and went to work for 1CS. Between his earnings from his job with the agency and freelance after-hours work, he made more than many of the professionals at MCS Madison, in his conversations with the administrators and interns, often expressed regret that he hadn t gone on to college as they had. The administrators and interns, conversely, said they admired Mad ison: here he was, making more than some of them had earned or stood to earn after graduate school, skilled in what he did apparently happy and easily able to enjoy all that the commun ity had to offer in terms of social life, stimulating conversation and a relaxed atmosphere in pleasant surroundings. Most of the professional staff, on the other hand, knocked themselves out with long hours and high pressure positions and looked forward to spending the next 20 years trying to pay off their debts Conversations at the Club room ran the full gamut and often turned to race relations. Madison had been born and raised in Virginia. His father was president of a local union, and he spent his first two years as an apprentice with that local According to Madison, all the members were white males, but they often worked on construction jobs with blacks who were unskilled or semi-skilled. Mad ison recounted many tales about his experiences in Virginia with the plantation owners philosophy of black-white relationships, a philosophy which he said still existed when he left According to Mad ison his best friends were blacks---men he met at work, and men and women who associated with amateur boxing in and around the
Room’s semi-circular bar or at a table when he was invited to join a group of housing administrators. He owned a white Cadillac EI Dorado, which could often be spotted in the agency parking lot into the evening hours. Although married, Madison sometimes dated women he met at the Club room. George Madison was one of several full-time building technicians assigned to the Department. He was a member of the technicians’ union, one of six unions representing the agency’s non-professional personnel. His immediate supervisor was Patrick Mulloney, Head of Support and Technical Services in the Department. Mulloney reported to the Associate Director for Administration, Frank Garrow. The fight between Madison and Jones had probably been brewing for several weeks. Jones and his fiancée, Margaret Vaughn, also an intern, ofter came to the Club Room, sometimes together, sometimes separately. Vaughn, a striking woman, had attracted Madison’s attention one day, and he offered to buy her a drink. She accepted, and the two had a friendly conversation. Vaughn became especially interested in Madison when she learned that he was the union steward for technical personnel. The two discussed the union, its history at the agency—how it had been formed and what nature of grievances arose. Vaughn especially wanted to learn about contract provisions dealing with the resolution of disputes. She explained that she hoped to move into labor relations and personnel administration some day and to become an arbitrator. Madison offered to bring copies of the collective bargaining agreements to Vaughn and to let her have copies of various arbitration decisions which had been delivered in the last several years dealing with agency problems. This initial meeting between Madison and Vaughn led to several others, always in the Club Room in the late afternoon and usually accompanied by a few drinks. Madison and Vaughn were often joined by other members of the administrative staff, and Madison soon became something of a folk hero—an attractive, bright individual who was about the same age as the interns but who, 11 years earlier, had dropped out of high school to become a building assistant, then had worked his way through an apprentice program until he became a mid-grade technician and went to work for MCS. Between his earnings from his job with the agency and freelance after-hours work, he made more than many of the professionals at MCS. Madison, in his conversations with the administrators and interns, often expressed regret that he hadn’t gone on to college as they had. The administrators and interns, conversely, said they admired Madison: here he was, making more than some of them had earned or stood to earn after graduate school, skilled in what he did, apparently happy and easily able to enjoy all that the community had to offer in terms of social life, stimulating conversation and a relaxed atmosphere in pleasant surroundings. Most of the professional staff, on the other hand, knocked themselves out with long hours and high pressure positions and looked forward to spending the next 20 years trying to pay off their debts. Conversations at the Club Room ran the full gamut and often turned to race relations. Madison had been born and raised in Virginia. His father was president of a local union, and he spent his first two years as an apprentice with that local. According to Madison, all the members were white males, but they often worked on construction jobs with blacks who were unskilled or semi-skilled. Madison recounted many tales about his experiences in Virginia with the plantation owners’ philosophy of black-white relationships, a philosophy which he said still existed when he left Virginia in the late 1970s. According to Madison his best friends were blacks—men he met at work, and men and women who associated with amateur boxing in and around the
Washington-Baltimore-Richmond area In conversations at the Club room the often derided the professional staff for having unreal istic attitudes about civil rights, calling them elite snobs who viewed the world from the privileged perspective of the upwardly mobile. Blacks don' t want equal rights, he used to say. They want to have their own way of life, and they dont want to be measured by white man's standards. He accused black professionals in the Department of being elitists, the same as the whites These views, of course, often stirred arguments at the Club room tables, but they were mostly friendly in tone, tempered considerably by madisons own smiling way It was d ifficult not to like him, espec ially when he offered to buy a round of drinks for everyone Margaret Vaughn first came to sense that there might be trouble about three weeks before the fight. Mad ison asked her for a date, and she refused, saying she was engaged to be married. Madison, obviously irritated, walked away abruptly after saying: " What's the matter, aren't I good enough for you? "" The next day, as Madison was leaving the Club room, hav ing stopped during his lunch hour to buy an ice cream cone, he spotted Margaret Vaughn outside, stand ing with a group of interns. He went up to her, stuck the ice cream cone in front of her face, and said, "Wanna lick my cone?"According to Vaughn he made the gesture in an obscene manner, and she-somewhat surprised and angered-said, Go away. I am not interested in you! Madison, in turn, said, " Black beauty! You are that all right. I'll bet you can have any guy you want, any time! and he walked away The following week, on March 13, Margaret Vaughn and her fiance, Douglas Jones, went to the Club room after a meeting, and Madison was there Vaughn and Jones sat at a table with a few friends, and Madison went over, pulled up a chair, sat down and yelled at the bartender to bring everyone a drink. He then engaged Jones in a conversation. Accord ing to Jones, they talked about many things--includ ing football, boxing, race relations and, eventually, Margaret. Three weeks later both men tried to recall the conversation, and their versions were somewhat different. Accord ing Madison'inferred that black women, in general, and Margaret, in particular were not loyal to a single person. He said further that Margaret and he had dated frequently and that he intended to spend the night with her i told him to bug off-to get out and stay away from margaret--that she didnt want to see him Mad ison recalled the conversation as follows Jone said to me-I understand you' ve been seeing Margared lately. I just want you to know that she doesn't like it and that I dont either. I suggest you bug off! 'I told him I would not bother him or Margaret-but that I considered myself a friend of everyone there, and i didnt intend to bug off. But I got up anyhow and walked That seemed to end things, at least temporarily. However, during the following week Margaret Vaughn asked for an appointment with the head of the Human Resources Office, Dr. Nicholas Herman, a specialist in labor relations. She told erman that the matter was personal, but she wanted to tell someone, fearing that more serious things might happen. Then she recounted the incidents regarding George Madison, Douglas Jones and herself. Herman agreed with Vaughn that Madison had probably overstepped his bounds. He also agreed that while all employees have a right to frequent the Club room during lunch breaks and off hours, they have an obligation to treat others with respect Dr. Herman asked Vaughn what, if anything, he ought to do. Vaughn, in response
Washington-Baltimore-Richmond area. In conversations at the Club Room the often derided the professional staff for having unrealistic attitudes about civil rights, calling them elite snobs who viewed the world from the privileged perspective of the upwardly mobile. “Blacks don’t want equal rights,” he used to say. “They want to have their own way of life, and they don’t want to be measured by white man’s standards.” He accused black professionals in the Department of being elitists, the same as the whites. These views, of course, often stirred arguments at the Club Room tables, but they were mostly friendly in tone, tempered considerably by Madison’s own smiling way. It was difficult not to like him, especially when he offered to buy a round of drinks for everyone. Margaret Vaughn first came to sense that there might be trouble about three weeks before the fight. Madison asked her for a date, and she refused, saying she was engaged to be married. Madison, obviously irritated, walked away abruptly after saying:” What’s the matter, aren’t I good enough for you?” The next day, as Madison was leaving the Club Room, having stopped during his lunch hour to buy an ice cream cone, he spotted Margaret Vaughn outside, standing with a group of interns. He went up to her, stuck the ice cream cone in front of her face, and said, “Wanna lick my cone?”According to Vaughn he made the gesture in an obscene manner, and she—somewhat surprised and angered—said, “Go away. I am not interested in you!” Madison, in turn, said, “Black beauty! You are that all right. I’ll bet you can have any guy you want, any time!” and he walked away. The following week, on March 13, Margaret Vaughn and her fiancé, Douglas Jones, went to the Club Room after a meeting, and Madison was there. Vaughn and Jones sat at a table with a few friends, and Madison went over, pulled up a chair, sat down and yelled at the bartender to bring everyone a drink. He then engaged Jones in a conversation. According to Jones, they talked about many things—including football, boxing, race relations and, eventually, Margaret. Three weeks later both men tried to recall the conversation, and their versions were somewhat different. According to Jones, “Madison’ inferred’ that black women, in general, and Margaret, in particular, were not loyal to a single person. He said further that Margaret and he had dated frequently and that he intended to spend the night with her. I told him to ‘bug off’ – to get out and stay away from Margaret—that she didn’t want to see him.” Madison recalled the conversation as follows: “Jone said to me –‘I understand you’ve been seeing Margared lately. I just want you to know that she doesn’t like it and that I don’t either. I suggest you bug off!’ I told him I would not bother him or Margaret – but that I considered myself a friend of everyone there, and I didn’t intend to ‘bug off’. But I got up anyhow and walked away.” That seemed to end things, at least temporarily. However, during the following week Margaret Vaughn asked for an appointment with the head of the Human Resources Office, Dr. Nicholas Herman, a specialist in labor relations. She told Herman that the matter was personal, but she wanted to tell someone, fearing that more serious things might happen. Then she recounted the incidents regarding George Madison, Douglas Jones and herself. Herman agreed with Vaughn that Madison had probably overstepped his bounds. He also agreed that while all employees have a right to frequent the Club Room during lunch breaks and off hours, they have an obligation to treat others with respect. Dr. Herman asked Vaughn what, if anything, he ought to do. Vaughn, in response
d, "I dont think there's anything you can do, but I wanted to talk to someoneto let you know that there could be trouble. Herman said I appreciate that, but I feel helpless. As far as I can see, no one has gone out of control. This man, Madison, may have overstepped his bounds in things he's said and done, but I have difficulty distinguishing between this and a few things that happen between two or more employees that go even further beyond the boundaries of propriety Vaughn said: "Youre right. I think we can handle this ourselves. She thanked Dr. Herman for listening and left, saying, as she departed from his office, "I'll keep you informed if anything further develops Herman replied, "Thank you. I hope this has been helpful On Friday, March 28, the Club Room was less crowded than usual. Margaret Vaughn Douglas Jones and a close friend of Jones. John Seiler. met there after work Seiler, a wiry 140 pounder, had been Jones roommate during graduate school and was also in the internship program. Upon their arrival at the cafeteria, Seiler went to the bar to buy a pitcher of beer. The other two sat down at a table to wait for him. George Mad ison was shand ing alone at the far end of the bar. and when he saw seiler he walked over to him, shoved him aside, and said,"I'll buy this one. According to Seiler, The shove was not a friendly tap! Madison then paid for the pitcher of beer and took it over to the table where Vaughn and Jones were seated. Seiler followed with a second pitcher of beer plus some bags of nuts and potato chips, and he sat down too. Then, accord ing to Seiler, Madison said This is my party! Why dont you get lost. Siler then said,"We've got business here, and I think you're not part of it There is some difference regard ing what happened next. However, all four persons reported that Jones got up, grabbed a chair from another table and slid it between where Madison and Seiler were seated. He. Jones. stood in back of the chair and said something to Madison. Accord ing to Jones, he said: Thanks for the beer, George, but were busy trying to finish a report, and I wish you would leave. You can take the pitcher with you. Madison said he heard Jones say:Id like you to leave and stay away from this place. You're not wanted here Whatever was said, Mad ison got up from the table and moved toward Jones Seiler then jumped up, moved between the two and yelled," Cool it! "Madison turned and walked away, leaving both pitchers of beer on the table. He went back to the bar for a few minutes then left the club room On Sunday, George Mad ison was doing overtime, working on a new housing complex not far from the Department office which was scheduled to be opened on Tuesday, April 1. The new complex was to be named after the retiring director of MCS and ded ication ceremonies were to be he ld the coming weekend to be attended by the agency's Board of Directors, government officials, directors of othe community agencies, other prominent public figures, and neighborhood residents At about noon madison drove over the Club room with frank Joyce, another technician who had been assigned to the same job. Since it was Sunday, the cafeteria was quiet, open only because of the extra work people were putting in anticipation of the opening and ded ication of the new complex. Joyce and Madison had often worked together and were long-time acquaintances. The two went to the cafeteria counter to pick up sandwiches, and Mad ison noticed Douglas Jones sitting at a table with two other" professionals " Jones looked up, Madison looked back, and the two men stared at each other at a distance while madison went through the cafeteria line. as he was paying for his lunch at the cashier's desk, he poured a cup of coffee, then he looked
said, “ I don’t think there’s anything you can do, but I wanted to talk to someone—to let you know that there could be trouble.” Herman said: “I appreciate that, but I feel helpless. As far as I can see, no one has gone out of control. This man, Madison, may have overstepped his bounds in things he’s said and done, but I have difficulty distinguishing between this and a few things that happen between two or more employees that go even further beyond the boundaries of propriety.” Vaughn said: “You’re right. I think we can handle this ourselves.” She thanked Dr. Herman for listening and left, saying, as she departed from his office, “ I’ll keep you informed if anything further develops.” Herman replied, “Thank you. I hope this has been helpful.” On Friday, March 28, the Club Room was less crowded than usual. Margaret Vaughn, Douglas Jones, and a close friend of Jones, John Seiler, met there after work. Seiler, a wiry 140 pounder, had been Jones’ roommate during graduate school and was also in the internship program. Upon their arrival at the cafeteria, Seiler went to the bar to buy a pitcher of beer. The other two sat down at a table to wait for him. George Madison was shanding alone at the far end of the bar, and when he saw Seiler he walked over to him, shoved him aside, and said, “I’ll buy this one.” According to Seiler, “ The shove was not a friendly tap!” Madison then paid for the pitcher of beer and took it over to the table where Vaughn and Jones were seated. Seiler followed with a second pitcher of beer plus some bags of nuts and potato chips, and he sat down too. Then, according to Seiler, Madison said: “ This is my party! Why don’t you get lost.” Siler then said, “We’ve got business here, and I think you’re not part of it.” There is some difference regarding what happened next. However, all four persons reported that Jones got up, grabbed a chair from another table and slid it between where Madison and Seiler were seated. He, Jones, stood in back of the chair and said something to Madison. According to Jones, he said: “ Thanks for the beer, George, but we’re busy trying to finish a report, and I wish you would leave. You can take the pitcher with you.” Madison said he heard Jones say: “ I’d like you to leave and stay away from this place. You’re not wanted here.” Whatever was said, Madison got up from the table and moved toward Jones. Seiler then jumped up, moved between the two and yelled, “ Cool it!” Madison turned and walked away, leaving both pitchers of beer on the table. He went back to the bar for a few minutes, then left the Club Room. On Sunday, George Madison was doing overtime, working on a new housing complex not far from the Department office which was scheduled to be opened on Tuesday, April 1. The new complex was to be named after the retiring director of MCS, and dedication ceremonies were to be held the coming weekend, to be attended by the agency’s Board of Directors, government officials, directors of other community agencies, other prominent public figures, and neighborhood residents. At about noon Madison drove over the Club Room with Frank Joyce, another technician who had been assigned to the same job. Since it was Sunday, the cafeteria was quiet, open only because of the extra work people were putting in anticipation of the opening and dedication of the new complex. Joyce and Madison had often worked together and were long-time acquaintances. The two went to the cafeteria counter to pick up sandwiches, and Madison noticed Douglas Jones sitting at a table with two other” professionals.” Jones looked up, Madison looked back, and the two men stared at each other at a distance while Madison went through the cafeteria line. As he was paying for his lunch at the cashier’s desk, he poured a cup of coffee, then he looked
back toward Jones, and Jones was still staring at him. So Mad ison put down his cup of coffee, left his sandwich on the counter, and went over to Jones table. Jones got up and moved toward Madison, saying, Is something wrong? Madison, in response, said, "Nothing that a fist in the mouth wouldnt solve Jones said, Do you want to come outside? Madison, without saying anything, moved toward the door It's not clear exactly what was said next. At least three witnesses were there but no one could state who threw the first punch. Within seconds the two men were on the floor, slugging each other. Jones' two companions leapt up and tried to break up the fight, and they were joined by Frank Joyce, the technician. Eventually, the three succeeded in breaking up the men--two of them holding onto Jones and tellin Mad ison to back off. Joyce stood in front of Madison--then backed him away after saying, "If you're going to hit him, youve got to hit me first Aftermath At about 3 p. m. on Sunday, Thomas Hotchkiss, Head of Internships and Training Programs for MCS, received a phone call at his home. It was James Robertson, Acting Coordinator of Internships. Robertson, apologizing for calling Hotchkiss at home, told him about the fight--relating the story told him by doug Jones and his two companions. He traced the events of the last several weeks and said that he, Robertson, and a few of the interns would like to meet with Hotchkiss as soon as possible on Monday--that the situation was hot, and many people were in an uproar about George Mad ison's conduct. Hotchkiss, after listening to the account, said In my opinion this man Madison ought to be removed from the Department tomorrow morning. Hotchkiss agreed to meet the managers at 2: 30 p. m. on Monday and said that in the meantime, he would contact Patrick Mulloney, Madisons supervisor, and ask him to suspend Madison until further notice By the next morningMonday, March 3 1-word had passed quickly about the fight the day before, and many said they were not surprised. Some called Madison a troublemaker. a"nigger baiter."sexist. And some related other instances where he had gotten into near-fights-making advances to women, sometimes doing things that were interpreted as obscene. All of this was passed on to Hotchkiss at the 2: 30 which was attended by jar Robertson, Margaret Vaughn, and six other members of the professional staff. All except Robertson and Seiler were black Hotchkiss told them that he had talked to Patrick Mulloney that morning and that Madison was not working that day-having been promised the day off the week before in return for working Sunday. He said however, that he was scheduled to meet with Mulloney and Madison the next morning, Tuesday, April 1. He essentially repeated to the group what he had said to robertson the day before--with three qualifiers(underlined in the following quote) Hotchkiss urged them not to take matters into their own hands, promising to meet with them again on Wednesday. They set a 4: 00 p.m. date for the Wednesday meeting. The next morning, Tuesday, Patrick Mulloney came to Hotchkiss' office. He said he had talked to Mad ison about the incident and that madison wished to apologize to the interns. However, accord ing to Mulloney, Madison claimed that Jones had been the aggressor and that he, Madison, was only defending himself. The rest of the conversation, accord ing to Mullaney, went something like this Hotchkiss: "I dont for a minute believe that your man was defend ing himself had a dozen staff members in here yesterday, threatening to take things into their own
back toward Jones, and Jones was still staring at him. So Madison put down his cup of coffee, left his sandwich on the counter, and went over to Jones’ table. Jones got up and moved toward Madison, saying, “Is something wrong?” Madison, in response, said, “Nothing that a fist in the mouth wouldn’t solve.” Jones said, “ Do you want to come outside?” Madison, without saying anything, moved toward the door. It’s not clear exactly what was said next. At least three witnesses were there, but no one could state who threw the first punch. Within seconds the two men were on the floor, slugging each other. Jones’ two companions leapt up and tried to break up the fight, and they were joined by Frank Joyce, the technician. Eventually, the three succeeded in breaking up the men—two of them holding onto Jones and telling Madison to back off. Joyce stood in front of Madison—then backed him away after saying, “If you’re going to hit him, you’ve got to hit me first.” Aftermath At about 3 p.m. on Sunday, Thomas Hotchkiss, Head of Internships and Training Programs for MCS, received a phone call at his home. It was James Robertson, Acting Coordinator of Internships. Robertson, apologizing for calling Hotchkiss at home, told him about the fight—relating the story told him by Doug Jones and his two companions. He traced the events of the last several weeks and said that he, Robertson, and a few of the interns would like to meet with Hotchkiss as soon as possible on Monday—that the situation was hot, and many people were in an uproar about George Madison’s conduct. Hotchkiss, after listening to the account, said: “ In my opinion this man Madison ought to be removed from the Department tomorrow morning.” Hotchkiss agreed to meet the managers at 2:30 p.m. on Monday and said that in the meantime, he would contact Patrick Mulloney, Madison’s supervisor, and ask him to suspend Madison until further notice. By the next morning—Monday, March 31—word had passed quickly about the fight the day before, and many said they were not surprised. Some called Madison a “troublemaker”, a “nigger baiter”, “sexist.” And some related other instances where he had gotten into near-fights—making advances to women, sometimes doing things that were interpreted as obscene. All of this was passed on to Hotchkiss at the 2:30 meeting, which was attended by James Robertson, Douglas Jones, John Seiler, Margaret Vaughn, and six other members of the professional staff. All except Robertson and Seiler were black. Hotchkiss told them that he had talked to Patrick Mulloney that morning and that Madison was not working that day—having been promised the day off the week before in return for working Sunday. He said, however, that he was scheduled to meet with Mulloney and Madison the next morning, Tuesday, April 1. He essentially repeated to the group what he had said to Robertson the day before—with three qualifiers (underlined in the following quote): Hotchkiss urged them not to take matters into their own hands, promising to meet with them again on Wednesday. They set a 4:00 p.m. date for the Wednesday meeting. The next morning, Tuesday, Patrick Mulloney came to Hotchkiss’ office. He said he had talked to Madison about the incident and that Madison wished to apologize to the interns. However, according to Mulloney, Madison claimed that Jones had been the aggressor and that he, Madison, was only defending himself. The rest of the conversation, according to Mulloney, went something like this: Hotchkiss: “I don’t for a minute believe that your man was defending himself. I had a dozen staff members in here yesterday, threatening to take things into their own