Fiery Cross, Volume 2, Number 15, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 March 1923 — Page 1

OUJt COUNTRY In her intercourse with foreign nations, mag she always be right bat right or wrong, oar country stiill" Stephen Decatur. Confirmed in the belief thai America is a favorite spot of earth, to practice an unselfish and exalted patriotism towards our country is a pleasure. '

PTTnITU li JJniCB

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

VOLUME II-NUMBER 15

GLEVEUND 11

WHERE

Says "Hands Off" of Klan Will Prevail So Long As No Laws Are Violated.

Police in Cleveland Will Not be Permitted to Crawl Down Chimneys, Burst Open Doors or Break, in Windows in Klan Headquarters, K. of P., K. of C. or Any Other Secret Organization.

MAYOR STANDS PAT, AND SAYS SO

Kohlerls Stand on Klan (In Reply to Councilman Finkle at Council Meeting.) "I ll tell you just where I stand on the Ku Klux Klan. if you think i -in -l;irf .u oui.uxo .. iry ic -ju.oixo uu iiiny olU ordinance passed by this council you are mistaken. "It la not my duty as mayor to prevent any meeting as long as it doesn't violate any law or valid ordinance. If there arc any violations it Is your simple duly, Mr. Finkle, to go down to the prosecutor and present your tacts. ' I don't Intend to tag along arier anybody to find out what they, arejloing. I'm not going to do it, for you or anybody else, Mr. Finkle. "And I'm not going to permit the police of this city to crawl down chimneys, burst open doors, or break in windows to find out what is going on. I'm not going to do it. "I ask you, Mr. Finkle. if you know of any violations or any valid ordinance to produce your proof in my office tomorrow morning. Then 1 11 act. " iUC" "I don't have any more right to break into a Ku Klux meeting than I have to break into a Knights of Pythias, Mason, Hibernian. Knights or Columbus or Hebrew organization meeting. " am not a member of the Ku Kiux Klan and I am not a member of any Hebrew organization, and I don't know wliatthev do in their meetings and I don't allow to excite myself in trying to find out Just because there Is a flimsy ordinance on the books. , "I am sorry I can't agree with Mr. Finkle. but' I am mayor of the whole city, not the mayor of a few and I intend to look out Tor everybody as long as I am mayor. "' am 8orr-v tllat this talk disturbed the discipline of the council meeting Mr. President, but I behove from the applause the most of the people believe as I do and not with Mr. Finkle. "Let Mr. Finkle furnish his proof to the police prosecutor and not beat around the bush. Any organization, the Ku Klux included can meet in Cleveland so long as I am mayor unless it violates the law and then is the time to get excited."

(By Eyewitness.) Cleveland, Ohio, March 1:;. Com i Ing immediately after the Illegal and unwarranted raid on Klan headquar l ters at Springfield, which stirred Ohio! from state line to state line, nothing! has happened that in exciting as much favorable comment throughout the state as Mayor Kohler's stand regarding the organization In this city. Mayor Kohler's orders to the police to keep hands off the Klan unless it perpetrated flagrant violations of the law was propounded at a Council meeting Monday night, which resulted In a stormy Session. The mayor defied city councilmen and Issued his orders to the police department when he refused to order the enforcement of a so-called "flimsy ordinance" making It "unlawful for the Klan to organize." In a heated word battle with Councilman Herman Finkle (antecedents plainly evident) of the Twelfth ward. Mayor Kohler asserted that he had no intention of interfering with the Klansmen. no intention of what he termed, "enforcing of a flimsy. Illegal, old ordinance" directed against them, and neither would he permit the police department to take any action against the Klan unless they openly violated the law. Mayor Stands Pat Councilman Finkle's resolution calling upon the mayor to enforce the ordinance passed last spring In an attempt to keep the Klan out of Cleveland was put to the vote following a wordy battle aid was passed 31 to 1. Councilman A. J. Mitchell of the Ninth ward bolng the only councilman rottail In the negative, but Kohler's attitude remained unchanged. He declared that ho Intended to permit the Ku KIm Klan, the Masons, the KkWtttS of frythlas, the Knights of Columbus, the Hibernians, the Henrw organisations, or any other orv, iwp on ef A.) J -r-'- - '

dead

HAS

BACKBONE

RAIDS IN MITCHELL , AWnCKirc LW"KtNCE COUNTY ACT. OFFICIALS Mitchell. Indiana. raiding squad consisting of the sheriff of Lawrence county, a deputy and assisted by "a party of citizens" was carried out successfully in Mitchell, Ihursday. Citizens of Mitchell had given up any hope of the mayor makine anv effort tfi pnfniita tlln 1a... and clean thr? ritv nf "Mmj ..;, "gamblintrToints" and cni a 1 crwa spots, and "a party of citizens" from Mitchell secured evidence and placed it before the sheriff at Bedford. The first act was t.hn i j gambling den on Tennessee stroot and four men arrested in the act of gambling. Dice, cards, ns woii c t.:liquor were secured. It is under stood that this raid was the direct result of evidence fni-iol,nj v. party of citizens" from MitchelL The atiempi ot. local authorities to claim the credit now that the raid has been made is causing innoMr,k ment, and js beyond the understand."6 ui lovai citizens, it is generally understood that gambling, vice, as well as bootlegging have been protected here, and that county authorities have taken a hand is meetmg with words of a support of local citizens. Knights Conduct Funeral Urbana, 111., March 12. Knights of the: Ku Klux Klan conducted the funeral of John Leming, Klansman, at the Woodlawn cemetery this week. The osual funeral rites of the Klan, including the sounding of taps by the Klan busier and iha riinaii.ti. ..i.... was Wren f nun w.vV 7T V 7:r of 1 Serl KSd b7 tte ae"it,a 0f. WraiiiL." J!Sr. JSS.-. y -'J

HENRY U. JOHNSON

DROPS THE VEIL Richmond Man, Formerly in U. S. Congress Now Associates with Negro Counsel, to Uphold Crime. (Special to The Fiery Cross.) Richmond. Ind.. March 1.3. At last Henry V. Johnson has dropped the veil. Finally the deluding mists which he has held up as a flirasv disguise has been swept .away, and the public is given an opportunity to understand why Johnson has waged his unbecoming, unclean, false and inglorious campaign against the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Joe Peters, an Italian, who has once been convicted of bootlegging, is now out of jail under suspended sentence for gambling and now Peters Is again violating the gambling law. Henrv r o the defense of Peters, and Johnson nas witn him as associate cnnnrii the negro, Richardson, who has lipon a close associate of Henry V. Johnson for some time. A short time ago a representative of the Klan told the Mayor of Richmond that Peters was again violating the gambling law and furnished evidence which should have couMnced tu; .Mayor ami di: at that time convince the mayor that Peters was again violating the gambling law. Tbo mayor agreed upon the evidence furnished to cause Peters, the "wop." to bo returned to jail where every man should be who presumes to defile our American communities and who presumes to poison the minds of the American youth in gambling cesspools and who presumes to destroy the brain power of our youth by selling damnable rot cal.ed bootleg whisky. Yet the mayor changed his mind and for some reasdta which cannot be, or has not been explained, said that he would require a series of affidavits and would require the prosecutor to make out a case against Peters and this in addition to the evidence which the mayor had already said was sufficient to revoke the sentence of this foreigner who pollutes the atmosphere of our fair eastern Indiana city. Peters has been twice convicted of crime, once of bootleetrine. ami for gambling; now for the third time he is brought before the court on a gambling charge. Since the Klan comes to light with Its activities to clean up one of Indiana's best cities as it has cleaned up some others. Henry U. Johnson can no longer contain his indignation at having criminals brought to justice. He immediately, with his friend, Negro Richardson, flies to the defense of the criminal and bootlegger, Peters, all because the Klan is setting itself un as a law-abidinc orenninf inn with the avowed intention nf crime in the community, and what makes the matter worse is that Johnson was not the counsel for Peters but he and his associate. Negro Richardson, come to the rescue to represent Wap Peters, as soon as it was known that the Klan was behind the prosecution. At last the clean, white light of truth arises to nroclaim in Richmnnri the presence of men who have made a sincere sacrifice for the right who respect law, who honor their homes, and, womanhood, and who practice holy defense of their country. At last the. reason for the opposition of this self-appointed, self-styled self-seeking, presumptuous, sublime egotist, Henry U. Johnson, who throws off the cloak of disguise by word and act with the information that he represents the organized activities and organized influence that are destroying the better conditions, higher ideals and better manhood In Richmond, who at last Is stripped of his disguise and this man who once was In the United States congress stands in the searchlight of public opinion as an associate of the lawless and an advocate of lawlessness. Arcadia Hears Address Arcadia, Ind., March 12. Rev. Trusty delivered a stirring address on "Americanism" at the Fairfield Christian church In this city, Sunday. Despite the almost impassable condition bi the roads, the meeting was well attended and the address enthusiastically received. Another address will be given short17 oy Mr crusty, tor both men and Taylor to Aip'i ly by Roy Trusty, for both men and women, inese Being Taylor township's J first public speaking. on tola subject

INDIAKAPOLIS, IND., FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 192,

MAYOR FURRY OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, TAKES EXCEPTION MAYBE HE'S RIGHT, BUT WE ARE SUSPICIOUS OF THE COMPANY HE KEEPS. (By Eyewitness) Springfield, Ohio,' March 12. Mayor J. E. Furry, Protestant mayor of Springfield, takes exception to a recent statement in The Fiery Cross that Springfield "Is a typical city where the city officials from the manager form of government down to the 'white wings' who sweep the streets, are picked Roman adherents." It will be recalled that the city manager is Wm. 11. Mahoney, Catholic, Knights of Columbus. If: The Fiery Cross made any statements that are not entirely correct we wish to correct them, but at the time the above statement was written and appeared in the issue of Feb. 23d we were governed entirely by the actions of the city manager, Mahoney, Chief of Police O'Brien, the Jewish nrosecut.nr. Altsplinl an,i tva vi,r, of Columbus prosecutor's assistant, J. l'a trick. Malone. who, without due process of law, raided local Klan headquarters in search nf "nWono literature," none of which was found, all of which actions were afterward held by Judge Davis to be illegal. It is pointed OUt that Mavnr TTnrrv as mayor, is only a figurehead, the actual "mayor" of Springfield is the citv manager under the city commission. Mayor Furrv eives a statement tn the Springfield News which shows the religious affiliations of all munici pal v.iny--- riv,, been ob tained from i i:i intanccs" of the employer,, and to ba ilieir "reputed religious affiliations." We had reason to doubt this list, and we still doubt it. The reference, "Reputed religious affiliations,'" leads us to ask if Earl F. Hickman, John Leitchuch and Guy Marsh of the fire department, listed as Protestants, are not Catholics? (Continued on Page 2.)

NOTRE DAME STUDENTS STAGE A RIOT Law and Order Has No Place in University Police Protection Denied CitizensRiot Follows Publishing of Supposed Klan List.

News-Times Becomes Advance Agent ForToIerance

Do the people of South Bend, tho subscribers and advertisers of the News-Times, want to know that Robert IL McAuliffe, assistant to Publisher J. M. Stephenson, received advance copies of Tolerance and telephoned to his friends, including merchants, the names of certain individuals falsely mentioned as members of the Ku Klux Klan? We want to know if the NewsTimes is the advance agent of Tolerance? (By Special Investigator.) An Impenetrable shadow of disgrace of lawlessness has settled upon Notre Dame University, the largest Catholic school in the country. A lnwlpRH uot nprnpf rntorl in fVio dark of night, goes unpunished. There will be no investigation by the school or police authorities. The name of R. P. Wampler, owner of a South Bend barber shop and a branch shon nn the unlversitv ramnm appeared in a list of twenty names of soum trend citizens in Tolerance. Seventeen of these 20 are NOT Klansmen. Among the 17 is R. P. Wampler. But Tolerance is gospel with those Notre Dame student "patriots" who breathe the stinking fumes ot this libelous Chicago periodical, giving as much credence to its word as they do their catechism, and., the name of Wampler, in print, was sufficient cause to wreak their vengeance upon a respectable citizen. This gang of hoodlums "Night Riders of the Black Cloak" set upon the campus barber shop, broke in the windows, shattered Hhe mirrors and worked havoc to the establishment. They left ifpijn in their wake. The sound f shattering glass did not awaken the sleeping fathers to action against; thse night marauders. It was not the work of a moment, this havoc, and the ."Prophets of God ? : (Gaacln UBuru miming v f t ' -

1UGHTER AND OTHER

60 II'I.I

HEARD ABOUT CHICAGO?

McKINLEY AND FIT2MORRIS ARE FORCED TO ACT. No Comments but Action ResultsEntire Police Foroe Ordered to Get Busy. (Special to The Fiery Cross.) Chicago, March 12. Activities of members of the Ku Klux KlaH to put an end to the wide-open vice conditions existing in this city have at last brought results and the entire police force has received orders to get on its toes and clean up the red-light sections of the city. The order is so drastic that it is likely that 3,000 of the 4,575 men on the force will be asr signed to the vice squad until the city is rid of its moral lepers. Chief of Police Charles C. Fitzmorri3 has directed police captains to place patrolmen at the front and back doors ot every known vice resort in the city. Klansmen who have been carrying on an unofficial investigation, declare that there are over 500 disorderly houses in the city and the assignment of police to guard them would take nearly three-fifths of the etitire police 'fur-.. v Chief Fitzmorris has declined to comment upon the order but was content to say that tho drastic order speaks for itself. Police captains were warned that no excuses would be accepted for failure to comply with the order to close up the objectionable houses, and Stations found crippled by the necessity of detailing men to the work would be Continued from Page 3. EFFORT TO OUST MAYFIELD FUTILE PLENTY OF FRIENDS INGTON. IN WASH(Special to The Fiery Cross.) Washington, D. C. March 13. The charges made in the United States senate by George E. B. Reddy, defeated candidate for the seat won in the Texas elections by Senator-elect Earle B. Mayfield were characterized as "infamous and absolutely false" bv Mr. Mayfield. Seeking to prevent Mr. Mayfield from qualifying, Reddy had charged that he had, as a member of the' Ku ; Klux Klan, entered into a conspiracy with other Klansmen whereby he was fraudulently elected. Mr. Mayfield charged that the attack was a continuation of a campaign I of misrepresentation and abuse that preceded the election. ! "The protest filed is false from beginning to end," said Mr. Mayfield. "It is an effort to injure me personally j and to lesson the nossibilltv at mv carrying out my pledges to serve the peopie anu not special interests during my term of office. "Every alleged fact in the protest In reference to me was threshed out in every court in Texas before the election and was well known to the voters of my state when thty went to the polls in November, and I was elected by a majority of 136,000. I spent less than $1,000 in the general election while the campaign of my opponents cost $73,000 according to a sworn statement filed with the secretary of state." There is believed to be little. likelihood of any real opposition to Senator-elect Mayfield taking bis seat, although. Some of the bitter antt-Klans-taea may sxaks a lot ot noise about It ..,.,. , . .."--

HIS

HED

Knights and Citizens Are Demanding of County and City Officials That Laws be Enforced in City on Banks of the Wabash.

Today a. New Influence is Felt and Results Begin to Show

witn More ALEXANDRIA WONDERS WHY CHIEF OF POLICE TOO BUSY SPYING ON KLAN TO ENFORCE THE LAW. TAXPAYERS GETTING RESTLESS Alexandria, Ind., March 12 recent article in The Fiery Cro3s"i-on-cerning the school situation in Alexaadria has aroused public sentiment to a situation that a great many had not realized existed. The Ku Klux Klan has a local organization here, and the chief of police Is so busy trying to find evidence to arrest Klan members that he is entirely blind to a bootlegging and gambling joint at 207 W. Washington St., known as "Hobby Zell's place." This place has been there for years, and is running wide open, at least to those who wish to see it, and it is wondered why the police are so blind that they do not close it, sapping away the morals and vitality of Alexandria's youth, not excepting even the mayor's son. An effort will be made to clean it up. It is recalled that the chief of police himself was a visitor at "Hobby Zell's place" on Labor Day and required the assistance of his fellow associates to get home. The city attorney, right-hand bower of the police, is equally as blind to violation of law in Alexandria. If the police are so blind that they can not see bootlegging going on at No. 203 S. Curve St. the question is asked by rightthinking people, "Why not do away with the police department and use the money to build some school houses?" Taxpayers in this town, as in a great many others, are getting tired of paying taxes and receiving no service from their public servants in return. This town is a progressive little town, and has by main force and civic ability overcome the depression following the old natural gas days, and it is the home of a great many well-to-do respectable citizens. It is located on one of the main north and south motor highways of the state, but like a great many Indiana towns, its citizens have been asleep to the needs of the community, however, they are now becoming aroused to the situation, and it is felt that a force for better and cleaner civic government is operating. 100000! The net paid circulation of The Fiery Cross is over 100,000 this week. Klansmen, We Thank You.

Marion Still Gleans the Gup (By Eyewitness . : ' Marion, Ind, March 12-Since the big story of political rottenness in this city was carried In The Fiery Cross there have ben many ' changes In the old town, and the old crowd.. It is felt that the respect able citizens have been jarred loose from their complacency, the better to realize the true situation in Marlon, and there Is a decided lone for better conditions, a cleaner town, and mora wholesome influence. - Marion was amazed at the arrest, this week, on statutory charges. -of the wtfe of a respected and honored business man of ths city. It : was further amazed at the arrest on a warrant from the sheriff's office,' -assisted by a "picked party," of a prominent business man, a railroad.' official, and women socially prominent in the city, on statutory charges. Statements made recently that Marlon forces for law and order -were after the little man and not persons of prominence were,' ' refuted. Law violators, no matter what their station In life, ara to t i

Wrought before the bar. of Justice. fectlvely, decently and In order.

"We respect all honest men in their sacred convictions .whether same are agreeable with our requirements or not."

FIVE CENTS PER COPY

CRIES PERU Action Assured. (By Eyewitness) Peru, Ind., March 13. Several months ago there was a parade in Peru, Ind., and hundreds of Knights of the Ku Klux Klan passed down the main street to the consternation and amazement of the citizens. Bootleggers, gamblers, thugs, degenerates and social parasites, like those of ancient Babylon, "saw the handwriting on mo wan. Today there is a movement on foot that is gaining considerable Impetus to make Peru ope of the fairest cities in the state, and to raise its standard or social conditions and improve nprore tfe enfircr.T."a: cT i-ir ant 1 fru, a peaceful little city of 15,000, snuggling on the banks of the Wabash, would not give the casual observer passing through its wide and well-paved streets, any thought or impression that in its peaceful residence districts would be found a condition beyond belief. Those who tread the primrose path live door to door, and rub elbow to elbow with the respectable citizens. Professional gamblers operate promiscuously and poisonous liquors- are openly distributed in abundance. The underworld of Peru has flourished in its own sphere, unknown and unobserved by law-abiding citizens except on occasions when respectable and valuable citizens were unwittingly made a tool or became involved in its ramifications. Feb. 1 Memorable Day On the morning of Feb. 1 Peru woke up to the fact that Roland Scott, a 16-year-old high school boy, member of one of the city's most respected families, was found dying on the Broadway bridge. His head was crushed, evidence showing that he was struck by an automobile said to have been driven by a drunken man on his way home from a notorious re(Continued on Page 3.) Judge Is Pussyfooting South Bend. March 12. City Judge Chester L. DuComb is being generally criticised for not backing up police and road officers In their operations against automobile drivers violating the state motor laws. This city is a joke with out-of-town motorists and the police court holds no far to residents of this city and vicinity. The minimum fine for driving without certificate of title is $5 and costs. The judge affixes $1 fines and suspends, them. The court is held in common ridicule. "No-license" offenders slide through with promises they will buy licenses. A majority ot such cases are disposed of by the court suspending minimum fines or dismissals. The Klan continues to eneratr. f. 1 x . J

INDIANA