Fiery Cross, Volume 2, Number 14, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 March 1923 — Page 1

m0V COUNTRY tn her intercourse with foreign mationt, mag she alwags be rightbut right or wrong, ur country $ till "Stephen Decatur. CuUlrmadin thi belief that America Urn fsoorin fitrit!tm towards ear avtnfty t tf pleann. -"-,. - (D)

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'Breathes there a man with soul to Who never to himself has said This is mg own, mg native land!"

VOLUME II-NIJMBER

THE IMPERIAL WIZARD ANSWERS RABB

A Lesson to the Jew and a Sane Definition of the Klan's Attitude to the Jewish Race Made by Imperial Wizard H. W. Evans.

Answers a Bitter Attack of Rabbi S. Wise in New York Remarkable Interview Clearly Defines Klan's Attitude Toward the Jew.

(lly Eyewitness) r Rabbi fitfpheu S. Wise, of international reputation, and anions the most prominent Jewish rabbi in the . l nite States, at the Stuyvesant Neighborhood House, Manhattan, X. j V., speaking on the subject, "The I Jew or America," scathingly denounced the Klan as un-American, j unu uenounceu it as against America, ' because they do not know America's soul." In answer to Rabbi Wise, the Fiery C'ro.ss has secured a statement from Dr. H. V. Evans, Imperial Wizard of the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux K'.an. Dr. Evans says: "There seems to be a prevalent impression in some sections that the Klan is hostile to the Jew. This impression was not generated and has not been fostered by the organization. "In order that misunderstandings ,tuyf itoL, ohtjLx, and that Misrepresentations' shall not continue, I shall undertake) to discuss candidly and without prejudice the composition and alms ot The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and how the organization, in the maintenance of its principles and purposes, has been fostered by alien, foreign and unAmerican elements into an attitude

of defense, which has been distorted i11",1! organization, into an attitude of bigotry and intol-' . lM'-'lu ministers attended the meeterance towards certain elements of i in"" Fiv'1 of thf'm- u was learned, lace, creed and color on the Ameri- I (' '' for the resolution, while three can continent. dul r,ot vo,,- Tll,J association rep tile Order of the Knights of the I resem-i fourteen churches, it was

Ku Klux Klan has been compelled to contend, on its own soil, for the - light to live, and for the right to occupy its Inheritance from the date of iia bitth to the present hour. "Composed of native-born, white, Protestant, Christian Americans, The Order has been challenged to show cause why it should be, permitted to organize and exist for patriotic, fraternal and benevolent purposes. "Every class of American citizens, without regard to racial or religious distinctions, has been permitted to assemble for peaceable purposes, and to organize Into societies with worthy motives, and for laudable objects. All such societies have been safeguarded by the principles embodied In the Constitution of the United States, but when The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan claiming nativity un-d'-r the Flag, speaking the English language, with one hand on The Hible and the other on the Constitution, under the Cross and the Flag consecrated themselves to the White Mun's Civilization, to his country and to his creed, the Jew the Roman Catholic and the Negro combined, and made war upon the organization. "It is passing strange that the Jew In America should be mobilized with the hostile forces against The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He should find in the genius of thl3 organization a guarantee of his own security. There are no rights or privileges asserted by the Kuights of the Ku Klnx Klan for themselves as native-born, White, Protestant Christains that are not vouchsafed by that assertion to the Jew in his racial, toclal and religious life. "Idealistic Americanism is the purpose to which members of the Knlghti of the Ku Klux Klan are dedicated. Any nian whether native or alien by birth; Gentile or Jew by faith; white or black by race who to commits himself in allegiance to his country that nothing is reserved, And In devotion to his Flag that nothing remains uncommitted, la not the enemy, but is the friend of the Klansman. "From these patriots, such as compose The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, the Jew has been tendered the hospitality of America that has not been accorded lilm elsewhere upon the face of the earth. He should keep in mind the freedom and protection which have been vouchsafed bis race by the White, Gentile Christians who founded the Republic and faabloned Its framework in th.e equality of human rights. (Continued on Pace 6 )

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14 CAMPBELL COUNTY ASSOCIATION IN STORMY SESSION COMMENDS LEGION STAND AND WARNS OF DANGER IF IT CONTINUES FIGHT. Newport, Ky., March 6. Resolution indorsing the principles of the Ku Klux Klan, if faithfully carried out, and denouncing "underhanded" methods being carried out by a certain secret organization to spread propaganda j gainst it, were passed InaYitormy session of the Campbell County Ministerial Association, Monday, ft became known Tuesday. The resolution also warns the American Legion that if it draws the line aainst the K. K. K., as is proposed by Father O'Conner, national chaplain, that it may xpeot the le gion to become purely a Catholic and staJe1- . Inose who voted for the resoluThose who tion were: R"i . W. II. Harvey, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Eighth and York streets; Rev. William F. Gregory, pastor of the Grace M. E. Church, East Sixth street; Rev. O. J. Steger, pastor of the Brighton Street Baptist Church, Eighth and Brighton streeets, Newport; Rev. W. C. Andreas, pastor of the United Brethren Church. Newport, and Rev. Llovd A. Parker, pastor of the Dayton Bap tist Ciiurch. The resolution follows: "Whereas, te principles of the Ku Klux Klan have been stated fuilv. clearly and publiclv from the imlpits of different churches in this city; and "Whereas, we believe those prin ciples to be for the best interest, if laitniutiy carried out, to all classes of persons who believe in justice, morality and the enforcement of the law; and "Whereas, we are convinced that those who wish to join this organization, for the purpose of putting into effect the principles for which it stands, have the same legal and moral right to do so that men have to join any other organization; "Therefore, e it resolved by the Campbell County Ministerial Associa(Continued on Page 8.) Senate Turns Down Negro's Nomination Let's See Isn't Parker, Who is Now Fighting the Klan, Governor of Thi State? Washington, D. C The contested nomination of W. L. Cohen, negro Republican leader of Louisiana, to be customs controller at New Orleans, was nnally defeated, March 1, by the senate which rejected the President's nomination. The vote was 27 to 35. It was re ported, with a few Republicans Joining the bulk of the Democrats in de feating the nomination. Senators Ransdell and Broussard, Louisiana, Democrats, led the fight against conen, who for years has been Republican state chairman ot Louisiana and a prominent figure amonr southern delegates at Republican nation conventions. It Is understood ha was declared "personally objection ante to senator RansdeU.

INDIANAPOLIS, IKD., FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1923.

KLAN WINS IN EAST ST. LOUIS CANDIDATES MAKE SWEEP. A CLEAN East St. Louis, 111., March o The Ku Klux Klan won a sweeping victory with the nomination of three candidates for municipal commissioners in the primary held Tuesday. The victorious candidates are: Rev. William R. Evans, Ralph Cook and August M. Eggmann. They had the full support of the Ku Klux Klan and the Protestants of their wards. Two candidates who denied support from the Klan lost in the primary. Five commissioners are nominated for the municipal election to be held in April. Following an attack on a Klan ennorsci candidate by a Roman Catholic policeman, the Protestant citizenship became, aroused and voted" as one man for the persecuted candidate. Frequent allusions were made by the opposition to the "Mer Rouge Fiasco" and Klansmen retaliated with the circulation of several thousand copies of Col. Mayfield's Weekly, containing a true version of the Louisiana affair. The story worked like a charm on the Protestant citizenship. East St. Louis is one of the strongest Klan centers in the' middle-west. The order is sweeping the southern part of Illinois with unrivalled rapidity. r FIERY CROSS BURNS AT NEW LEXINGTON, OHIO New Lexington, March 5. Illuminating the darkness of the night, a large 50-foot burning cross on the cemetery hill attracted the attention of the citizens of the town between 8:30 and 9 o'clock Saturday night. Three heavy shots brought the people from stores ami homes to witness it. The Fiery Cross is the emblem of the Ku Klux Klan and it is thought that the burning of the cross is notice that the Klan is organized here. WOMEN ACTIVE IN FAIRLAND Fairland, March 7. The 100 ner cent women of this city are active and recently rendered material aid to needy families in this city. FROM NOW UNTIL NEXT MAYFIELD BASE Carefully Laid Scheme btep by Its

Petition Contesting Mayfield Election Adroitly Planned Propa

ganda mum ana Part ot (By Eyewitness.) As predicted in these columns some weeks aero, the e.hai planned anti-Klan propaganda has for us r our in episode the "Mayfield case." First came the Mer Rouge case, never proven. Then the "All Nations' Rally" at Chicago which fell flat, and to prove u we ask every one of our readers who read of it in the dally press to make a mental note of it. Third came the "Springfield Almost Riots," and, as predicted, which were clearly disproven and smashed. The fourth is the Mayfield case. "The Fiery Cross" burned the wires to Washington last week to get a copy of the petition filed, but could not. It now appears that the Indiana Catholic and Record had advance copies furnished it and it appears in its issue of Tab, 2, which stamps, beyond doubt, its propaganda purpose and origin. That the case is-an attempt to get Into the press of the country from now until December, through the United States senate; that It is an arraignment of the Klan and not Mayfield; that it was filed Just before the close of the present session, to he hashed and rehashed from now until December, 1923, when it will be thrown Gut for want of evidence; that Its purpose.ls propaganda; that it seeks to disorganize both Democratic and Republican, parties and make -way for a tajrd Catholic party In 1924, with Al Smith at its bead; that it will be used

BOOZESQUAD IN EVANSVILLE BETTING RESULTS CONNECTED WITH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, HDWEVER, NOT POLICE DEPARTMENT. Remarkable Record of Sheriff Fred Henke. (By Staff Correspondent.) Evansville, Ind., March 5. Sheriff Fred Henke, sheriff of Vanderburg county and his three-man booze squad Art Epperson Jesse Jones and Ed Hansley are cleaning up Vanderburg county. With a booze squad of three men Fred Henke, sheriff, is making arrests of five to one against the local police department of 125 men. In other words, this flying squadron of Fred Henke's is arresting five law violators to every one arrested by the police department's 125 men, under Chief of Police Ira Wilsher. Not only is Henke's flying squadron making arrests but is securing a high ratio of convictions in the city court of Judge Emory Ireland. Sheriff Henke, in his modest way, admits that he is securing "mighty strong support" from the citizens of Evansville and has recently met attacks to influence him to not carry on his law-enforcement program. On the other hand, while attempts are made to discredit Sheriff Henke, it is known that the police department is standing still on orders from "higher-ups" and does not make arrests for fear of losing their positions on the force; that protected vice, prostitution, bootlegging and gambling is openly operating here under police protection, and that Chief of Police Ira Wilsher perianal! y sees to it that the gambling joint in the Vendome Hotel is not molested is evidenced by his continual presence in the Vendome lobby. It is the belief that Henke's Flying squadron will continue to clean up unless some force is brought to bear to stop them, which is hardly likely at this time. There are rumors of reorganization of the police department as tax payers of Vanderburg County, and Evansville, in particular, are getting restless under the burden of taxation for the employment of a police department of 125 men that do nothing to enforce the law. CUNNING LITTLE PARAGRAPH FROM THE CATHOLIC RECORD All intelligent non-Catholics are beginning to see that what they call "the old mother church" is .after all, the sole defender of the divinity ot Christ. DECEMBER TO BE TRIED IMPRESS to Crush Klan is Fourth Enemies Catholic Political Program to make senators feel the papal lash; that it will be the big climax of Making America Catholic in 1S514 " in clearly shown in the petition itself. mat me irnng or this petition at this time is a part of the political strategy of the Romanists to mate the Klan an issue in the next presidential election is one of the most important disclosures and deserves special mention and is nointed nut at this Hmo with special emphasis. We ask our reaaers to preserve this article and watch the future developments and see how much proof is ever submitted to sustain tho charges. The subject matter of the "charges" are too absurd and ridiculous to dignify them with an answer at this time. The full article follows including the petition: "Washington, D. C The issue of the Ku Klux Klan. as a mmm mil 'corrupting political force is now be(Concluded on Page 3.) Beg Pardon In this paper on Feb. 23 was an account of a parade at Crawfordsville, Ind., stating there were 1,500 in linei This was a typographical error as only 150 were in line. A . ,

1 1 ' " . .

TOLERANCE TAKES THE CHIT

$2000 GIVEN FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION BY HAMMOND KLAN REPRESENTATIVE OFFERS THE MONEY TWICE. Money to be Used for Religious Education in Schools. Hammond, Ind., March 7. A representative of the Ku Klux Klan of Hammond, Ind., appeared at the First Methodist Episcopal church last Sunday a few minutes before the services were scheduled to open and quietly waited his chance to explain his allimportant mission. Just as the choir had concluded the opening hymnthe Klan representative tall, well dressed and most important looking advanced to a place directly opposite the pulpit. "Rev. Rist," he said, "I trust that you and your congregation will pardon this slight interruption. I represent the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of your city and as a representative of that noble organization I am instructed to. intrust to your care this $2,000 which I now hand you herewith to be used for the carrying on of the religious education in the Hammond public schools so aptly begun and now in urgent need of funds to finish tne- scnolastir year. " -. "We commend the Protestant churches in their united efforts to further this noble work in the public schools and know that as you are individually interested in this great work that we can trust you" with this small donation given by over two thousand Klansmen of Hammond." Representative Mistaken Rev. Rist, with characteristic promptness refused to accept the donation, stating that the money would have to be given to some member of the committee. The Klan and its representative were apparently mistaken. To outsiders it appeared as if the Klan had made a mistake in thinking the Rev. Rist so thoroughly interested in this great project that he would accept a donation to help make it a success. But to those who knew, it was no mistake. Members Knew Subterfuge The members of the Ku Klux Klan in Hammond have known for some time that N. F. Forsyth, director of religious education wanted the fund3 being collected by the Klan to be handed over to him in a secret manner and that he and other members of the First Methodist church had advised Rist not to accept the money in open services as that would be advertising the Klan too much and then some Catholic students of the public schools would refuse to take the religious course. Klan Idea The idea of the Klan in Hammond has been to save for the Protestant children of Hammond public schools this wonderful opportunity to be taught the word of God in like manner to their other studies irregardless of their creed and they do not intend (Continued on Page 8.) ill! Parker Drops a Hint at His M Chicago, 111., Nov. 5. Governor Parker of Louisiana, while addressing the "All-Nations' Rally" here, inno. cently let drop the hint there would be "no -indictments" in Mer Rouge. Those who have been wondering how he would hedge see in his words the answer. Governor -. Parker devoted much of his address to what he termed "tearing the hood off of Kluxlsm in Louisiana," telling the details of the Mer Rouge investigation. After relating how the Klan had so controlled the local government' there that nothing could be done about the murder of two citizens, he added that "even now the 'masked mob' was so powerful that no indictments were expected froir'i&ie grand Jury." No Decision (Bulletin.) Springfield, O., March '.Owing to a death Jn hi family, Judge Davis will not hand down a decision in the Courtner Klan cat until a later date. . , ;.-".t

Attempt to Stage a Comeback in South Bend Flukes and K. 0. Results. '

Reputable, (?) Newspapers Print "Apologies" and "Explanations'Recoil of Public Opinion Terrific.

BRYAN DECLARES FOR WHITE SUPREMACY GREAT COMMONER HAS DEFINITE OPINIONS SINCE LIVING IN FLORIDA. Is Ready to Take Platform in North, East and West. Washington, D. C Fredericw W. Mile; in a special to the Christian Science Monitor, says: "William Jennings Bryan, tribune of the people, steps forth in a new role. He has hoisted hisrh tho hanner of White-race snnremae v TTa fin A a that the southland is confronted by a condition, and not a political theory, and that there is no remedy for it except the undisputed dominance of "the superior civilization." Northerners Who bold other viewc nrvoK simpiy aont Know." Th& Commoner adjures the nation to 'beware of what they tell you in Massachusetts,' and adds: 'If Massachusetts faced the isSues the South faces, aha wnnM rtn exactly what the Carolinas and the Virginias do to meet them.' "The former Nebraskan's attitude toward Dixie's paramount problem electrified the annual dinner of the Southern Society in Washington. Though it was expounded before and for the direct benefit of men and women who hail from the sunny side of the Mason and Dixon line, Mr. Bryan's admonitions were in fact intended for northern consumption. He stood before the southerners, they thought, a convert to their point of view on the race question. He conveyed to them the impression that he is ready to become an evangelist in propagating it North, East and West. Text from Jefferson "Mr. Bryan came late on the program as an impromptu speaker, having followed the 'star' of the occasion, John W. Davis, president of the American Bar Association. None of the previous speakers had ventured upon the thin ice of the race issue. But Mr..:-. Davis's eloquent tribute to Thomas Jefferson and the 'equality' doctrine he wrote into the Declaration of Independence gave Mr. Bryan a text on which he proceeded to deliver a ringing pronouncement. "To his southern audience Mr. Bryan's assertion of 'white supremacy came as a confession that his native northern conception of Dixie's colored problem had been radically altered by 10 years of domicile "in Florida. Though afterward Mr. Bryan pleaded he had held the same opinions 'for 20 years,' southerners averred that never before, in their recollection, had he lifted his voice so powerfully and fearlessly. He argued that the Jeffersonian doc trine about 'all men' being 'created free and ennal' ennld rnt ho Titrallv . . - - interfireted or enforced where there is a manifest inferiority as between one racial civilization ana anotner. Amid such conditions, the superior cmlizat inn tie anir) would and miiBt na iha ascendant factor. As such ascendancy has prevailed in the South. Mr. Brvan nointed oiit. it had mxAn for luetics for the black nniluT lawn which even if fashioned by whites, protected macKs ana tneir rights in lull measure. . Contact Changes View 'Mr. Brvan told how that tnr a Aa. ade he had seen those laws at work. They had convinced him no other svstem was possible. Men and women ot the North, who lightly held the South's way oi meeting its race prooiem to be reprehensible, sneedilv . would mkIIca the unwisdom of such criticism, once tney naavas no bad bad, direct con tact with th -real thi Vt Ttrva declared Dixie's mrtthort is lmmnts ably preferable to the theorigtic doc trines oi Massacnuseus or tne expert tnent of Illinois - 'The distinguished 'Floridlan,' who has been a long-tima apostle of Fflipino independence; took a rap at Amencana wao withhold from tha

-; ; Cont&ued on Faffs i.)

"IK respect all honest men to tfietr acred convictions whether tarn an agreeable with our requirement or no L

FIVE CENTS PER COPY

AGAIN!

(By Eyewitness.) South Bend, Ind., March Z Tolerance has for the 'teenth time flunked. It had threatened to print names of 40 men who belonged to the Ku Klux Klan at South Bend. It would expose those of prominence, was the claim of paid hirelings who played to interviews by newspapers of that city. As usual, it was merely a bluff. The curious hung around the news stands ' last Saturday waiting for the "sensation to appear. Knowing winks were exchanged between the Pats and the Jakes. The occasional "colored gentleman" would come along. "Ras" was a "brother for the hour." But copies of Tolerance failed to arrive. No explanation was given, until the evening dailies, cowering;their front-page blunders of earlies-ln the week, briefly mentioned that Tot " erance had trouble in 'going xo ' press," and the promised names would wait until a later issue. a; --! Rumors were eflcat thavr .TftlecaWa" had run inw "BimtiieT,rf-Tim... law suit. Also that -inafcfioMSr-'-Batf list bad . beea."fojttB4 ,wr..fii ever it was, the recoil: la sublie nef t.

uwul was uutuuTH, . -i ne nerfl inert v. , -

puaure una ueea given a great amount of publicity and the ignominious faiV -- ..mw M9 'IBUVUItUlUUO iOi . lira tn riAlitra,- thA k il. " - - claims of opposition appear ridic -i lous. -r-.--,y fti-i-.tfi -4r.

ToleranCA lilt V,i - i.:-.S:-: 5'

tolerance. : . ry-- i sS'feJr-s

It can scarcelv Twt twdfMrar.inrt lJpi"-f-

right-thinking public should it nd,",u: come forth with a list of 100 'names. : " i : 4 It has fOOled the DUblic odca tan rtftem. ''"' .'-.,

and public opinion has turned " i Mht:--

A month aeo this Cbicaca 'Mttai ;- .'i V&ltf.

of hate." based on a nnliev nf Aaatmn. - V V

tion, ordered stories lie riven to th. South Bend press that they would: upon that week'8 iami tin hit h (ti names of over a hundred South Bend iviansmen. Tne American unity league had been organized, its" officers Chosen amonsr th "BVantr 'RatlnaVt for mayor" disciples and jts Bubscripuun duo&s opened at a per. Everything was pictured "gloriionV for the antis. r The South Betid Tribune followed one screamer fter another, extolling the virtues ot the hvbrid crusader. Then It- a that Tolerance hooked its -bear with William Wrigley, that it "flooyed" on St Joseph county's ex-prosecutor, Floyd (Continued on Pago 5.) - a HERE'S THE WAY THEY DO IT IN AL SMITH'S STATE SAME INFLUENCE THAT. IS TRY. ING TO TAKE CONTROL OF INDIANA AND OHIO SCHOOLS HAVE IT IN NEW YORK. - New York Educator Move to Protest Certain Bltla in McCooey ,: . Controversy. . VSZ :'

ISeW York. Mn.rr.h- 3 Th vumf : .

appointment of Misa' Marguerite Me- V ; : Cooey, CatholicV litter ot John M- ti '. Cooey, Catholic, -.Democratic leader ' . V of Kings County, to the position of" ':?i

Assistant superintendent 'ot Schoola 5 ' Ji

oi xsew xorlt Cllyover ...th hoada f

. MIU1U-: aaieB, wnosa tuness ,i charged waa not considered ; by th Tammaay members of the Boatd nt VAneztinn naa eiven riae.tn nnnnalttnn. n tkn.

bills which bavebeen, introduced tfe the legislature at. Albany, and whiclu Mil it ia said.' 'seriously endanirer the....'-

merit vm in tK uwi hnf,t ' .' -

and open the war- for the injection ' '

oi me apoua ayatent into' th appolat- ., v tnent and nromotlon ot nrofMiiinnai '

and non-professional 5 employees.'' , an iBieresimg leature or tne euuain Albany yesterday, which by a vote of s to 2t passed two of the Downing bUl calling for the repeal of the

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