Fiery Cross, Volume 2, Number 16, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 March 1923 — Page 1

-OUX COUNTRY-ln intercourse with foretan nations, mag she always i9 right bat right or wrona our country still!"-Stephen 2z:Unr. V' Confirmed in the belief that America is a favorite pot of earth, to practice an unselfish and exalted patriotism towards our country is a pleasure. m3reaSXs there a man with soul so dead M ho never to himself has said This is my own, my native landl" "We respect all honest men in their sacred convictions whether same are agreeable with our requirements or not."

TJmcB

VOLUME II-NIFMBEH

EF DF POLICE O'BRIEN FRIES THE FRIES II ALWAYS FAIL

Springfield, Ohio, Chief of Cops Pick Negro Attempt to Persecute the In-i nocent and Frees the Guilty1 Proves Terrific Boomerang.' BULLETIN (Special to The Fiery Cross.) Springfield. O., March 20. Wm. Mahoney, city manager, R. E. O'Brien, chief of police, Justin Altehul, Jewish prosecutor, J. Patrick Malone, assistant prosecutor, constituting the "shock troops" and "amash-up squad," in the offensive operations to exterminate the Ku Klux Klan In Springfield, met their Waterloo, and complete annihilation here today. Judge Golden C. Davit this morning sustained the motions of the defense, and ordered the return of the property illegally stolen when the raid was made upon Klan headquarters recently and held for the release of Courtner on the grounds that no evidenoe had been Introduced to show "riotout conspiracy." Chief O'Brien has failed to make a case, and Prosecutor J. Patrick and discredlt-d attorney in the Central West, hiving glvtn his professional word of honor that the clap-trap, cheap notoriety and irrelevant testimony would be sustained by facts. With the closing chapter of this "Spanish Inquisition" comet the announcement that now will come the ripping off of the mask, the exposure of organized vice, prostitution and gambling in Springfield. That the situation brought about by misguided officials, blinded by their personal hate and prejudice, will be finished in due process of law and orderly justice, is assured. (By Eyewitness.) Springfield, t) , March ".- -CITIZENS OK SPRINGFIELD AND OF AMERICA. MEET CHIEF OF POLICE O'HRIEN, THE CHIEF WHO "FRAMES" THE 'FRAMES" THAT FAIL. First he "frames" the Kleagle of the Ku Klux Klan. Worley Courtlier, 1 and In this draws a blank. Then ho he ' kidnappin!!" of Mc-: Us Iseariot of he Spring- ; o ' "' i"- c""6 "frames" t Donald, Judas Iseariot of the Spring-

field Klan. and for this was out 500 :citing no little comment as those who of monev under the pretext of VeinIron men, and again ho fails. Now .understood not, pondered, while those - - " -.

comes the asinlue and absurd "frameup" of John Haggin, colored, fostered I in (lie fertile brain and carried out by Chief of Police O'Brien of this city. ( and this last affair, most of all. Is rapidly and effectively slapping him ; in the faco as the most forceful "boomerang" that ever fell on a mis-! guided police officer. 1 Squirming under the pressure of ! the white light of truth that has now been turned upon him the "brave and ;

heroic" Cbiof of .Police, with bis nino stalwart cops, arrested an innocent SySJie""!!;- -SSTi S.V,fc,e"SiNc35j.t? 63py 11 ,s"The Sod,m

chief be must be. and with magnificent "courage" has just recently "framed" a colored lad by the name of John Haggin. and again, the hero of the Courlncr raid is assisted by his brave and stalwart assistants Donnelly. Albel and Norton, and again the chief and his big. burly cops persecute, NOT A KLANSMAN. NOT a CRIMINAL. HUT A COLORED CITIZEN OF SPRINGFIELD. INNOCENT OF OOUTtSE. and for so doing is again slapped in the face with another terrific "boomerang." Chief O'Hrlen KNOWS QUITE WELL WHO SMACKED HIM THIS TIME. BUT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT. and there in Ilea the difference between the two cases. Forgtts th Newspapers This Time This brave chief of police who was willing to tell the people of Springfield all about the Klan raid and how he "framed" a case against Worley Courlncr, filling the newspapers from page to page about the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. has not told the people of Springfield that he attempted to "frame" and "railroad" an innocent colored boy for the purpose of protecting the son of his colored satellite and "stool pigeon." one Henry Norris. janitor in the City building for nineteen years. He didn't (Continued on Page 3.)

10

Police and His Burly! Boy For Victim; FIVE OF 'EM BURN ONE HIGH OVER THE CITY: STARTLES THE NATIVES. Marion, Ohio. March 17. Five fiery crosses were burned in Marion last night at 8:30 o'clock. At least that number were seen. The report jtnat anothev was burned on North i Main street could not he verified. ! The crossed were fired in at least j four sections of the city, indicating j that several parties were out on this i mission. ! One of them was attached to a j balloon, apparently about thirty feet under the gas bag, and must' have j been sent up from the vacant field j southeast of South Vine street and East Washington-avenue, as persons I residing in that neighborhood saw it going over that section of the city, i sailing northwest, the prevailing dii reclion of the wind, j . CORRECTION '1 .'aji week's issue of The Kiery Crost appeared an article pertaining to the vice situation in Alexandria, Ind. While no names were mentioned, it appears that the wording of this article was such that certain reference was taken by Alexandria people to refer to Mr. Dave Benedict, as being in "Hobby Zell's Place" on last Labor Day. This is regrettable, and we are giving equal prominence to the statement that this did not refer to Mr. Dave Benedict, but to another police officer, and this statement is published in fairness to Mr. Benedict, in case such article, by inference, was so worded that it might be construed as referring to him. Four Fiery Crosses Burn Winchester, the Klan Ind.. March 19. That actively workinir in Randolph countv was evident Xatiir. day night. When darkness shrouded Ulc -IL- ana peucstnans were turning nuine uicv were irreetea nv the i . uml"atfn "Kht f four fiery grosses, 0"et, bcl" Pcd ,n each direction, noun, soutn. east and west. And .r.i jwho understood rejoiced -

FT. WAYNE, BEARING A BURDEN OF CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, HOME OF BISHOP ALERDING AND FATHER CONROY, NEEDS THE KLAN

Civic Bath Special Investigator Uncovers Amazing and t - II : n i:.; .... . . .

waning bonomons in Historic Uld Uity of Indiana.

(By Special Investigator.) Ft. Wayne suffers from moral inani-1 lion; a state of community paralysis. Sluggish and awkward, it needs the injection of a new spirit, and needs it badly. Opportunities exist for the citizons, young and old. to contribute their share toward making the city a cleaner and happier place In which to live. Lawlessness must be curbed. Bootleggers have been left free, to ply their poisonous traffic. Gambling has taken the city by its throat and threatens to stifle it. Vice is as common as it was in the days of the ballpark sbauties. Ft. Wayne. Probably no other city is in need of a "better community" spirit than Ft. Wayne. A tolerant public, following its daily routine, has lost sightrof the city's morals. There is an Increasing tendency to lawlessness and crime. Crowded pool halls and "soft drink" parlors, the congregation of people upon the streets and a general shiftlessness tells its own story, and back of this is the laxity of the

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1923.

GRAND KNIGHT BOYLE TIPS HIS MIT SECRET MEETING OF SO SECRET. K. C. NOT Grand Knight Doyle of the local order of the Knights of Columbus, speaking before the local organization Monday night and in reference to a meeting of the crand denutios. hold Sunday in the Claypool hotel, slated mat It was the intention nf tlio .'Plans committee' to work out a plan I 'o conserve the membership in vari- ; ous sections of the city." lie also stated that tlm present wave of : KJanism came. in Tor a general disctis- ; simi at the Sunday meeting, and "it ) was the concensus of opinion of the I deputies and Grand Knights present uiai local conditions must govern the manner of handling the situation, meeting the opposition in the best way possible." The supreme secretary. Wm. ,T. McGinley, it seems, emphasized the point that "IT WAS LARGELY A QUESTION OF LOCAL CONDITIONS (?) AND THAT IT HAD BEEN FOUND THAT PUNS iww rioAAis CESSFULLY WHICH WORKED SUC I i.N OiK CITY WOULD NOT PRO DUCE ANY RESULTS IN ANOTHER LOCALITY. It seems that the program of the Knights of Columbus at M..T Rouge, Li., a.,d Chicago, wh-rc the Klan is beii.g made an issue through civil service commissions, and in Springfield, where the Klan was made an issue through trumpedup criminal proceedings, have not met with any results at all and it. Is so admitted by the grand knight himself. The grand knight outlined at considerable length what the supreme council is going to do to combat the influence of the Klan, "particularly In the State of Texas," and emphasized the importance of the. trumpedup charges that have been filed in Washington to combat, the seating of Mayfield. duly elected senator from Texas. Discussion was also carried on regarding the plans for setting up a uew form and manner of raising funds for the anti-Klan propaganda to throttle the will of the people under the pretext of fighting the Oregon school law. It is llnflfiralr,rk-l 1iq AAA i.. -.1 ways considered sufficient to fight a case to the supreme court, but p'ans n (Continued on Page 8. f Indiana "-and Will Get police powers ,ais condition. to curb the evils of Whisky is sold over tho bars, in restaurants, candy kitchens and hotels. Pearl St, is "open" and bouses of ill repute are permitted to operate without interference worthy of the name. Dope is dispensed freely. But of the evils that are sapping tbe life of the community; that are relegating Ft. Wayne ' to a state of inertia, the greatest harm is seen in the increase In gambling. The city houses roulette, chuck-a-luck, no limit poker, crap shooting in more than a dozen places, and to the knowledge of the police and with no intervention. Ft. Wayne lias gone "tunk" crazy. Down-town "soft-drink" parlors, pool rooms and cigar stores have gone in for the play to the exclusion of other games of cards. "Tunk" Is a good house game, say proprietors. The players buy checks redeemable in cash and the winner pays for tbe game, receiving trade checks redeemable in cash for half (Continued on Page 3.)

CHICAGO HEARING

DEGENERATES TO ' CHEAP VAUDEVILLE O'DONNELLS CONOUCT OF KLAN! HEARING MOST REPREHENSIBLE. ; Chicago, 111.. March 20. With a gallery of 150 persons packed into the city mil service commissioner's . hearing room on the sixth floor of j the city hall, trial of Otto Novotny, ; city fireman, accused of conduct "un- i becoming a member of the fire dc-' ipartment," because he joined Uhe' I K j Klux Klan, got under way yestcr- j iivciiuiK viu&ea wun atxor- : neys in a wrangle over the authen- i ticity of an oath presented bv the 1 prosecution as the obligation- taken by klansmen. The audience which ringed the proccedings, contained a liberal sprinkUnsr ol colored folk, and swmo.l about half Klux and half anti-Klux. When Attorney Patrick H. O'Donnell. who with Edward H. Wright, colored, represented the prosecution, tfl! Attorney Charles G. Palmer, who with Charles C. Kirk, represented Novotny, to put "that part of your body which contains your brains on the chair." there was a roar of laughter and handclapping. Second Session The session was replete with frequent passages of humor between attorneys and interspersed with references to the Saviour, Siki, the Sengaiese prize-tighter, miscetronration (ana uouDie-errs.sing, the city civil i j service commission yesterday com-,! piewa tne again;;!. O'to bean ng of evidence ' v ..! 0 . h city lire-

mP.' M"der stdp-,fMum because of hisjdition, impo.sed by Scanlon, that there

affiliations w,!h the Ku Klux Klan. The he'-..!inr i-o'," wa- jammed to lis capacity Villi ki.xcrs .'rfl "a!i..nv " 1 Catholics, Jew - nd Negroes, but ! with the exception of one slight dis-! turpance everything was peaceful. This one instance occurred when a white man got into an altercation with a colored policeman, in citizen's clothes and was escorted out. Quiz Two Witnesses Only two witnesses were called during the session, Robert E. Shepard. treasurer of the American Unity league and managing director of "Tolerance," an anti-Ku Klux Klan paper, and II. K. Ramsey, national secretary or imperial kligrapp of the Klan. Shepard was called, by Attorney Patrick TT. O'Donnell, who, with Attorney Edward H. Wright, colored, is prosecuting. He was asked to testify concerning the authenticity of some of the documents in evidence. He admitted that he was head of the in- ( Continued on Page 2.) HO! THE MIGHTY HYLANO THUNDERS FORTH DIGNITY OF HIS "NIBS," THE MAYOR, SORELY WOUNDED. (Special to Fiery Cross.) New York, March 20. Tho heavens thundered, the earth shook, and a great fear spread o'er all the laud. The mighty Hylan, mayor of all New York has been defied. Has he not announced that he would not permit the Ku Klux Klan to organize in New Vork? Has bo not informed his everfaithful Enright, commissioner of police, that ho just simply would not tolerate It? Outside the limits of his domain did he consign any that joined this 'Un-American organization." This was his order and the ever-faithful Enright replied, "Aye, aye,, sir.;' His Nibs's meaning was clear and his Undernibs was equally emphatic in pledging to rid the city 'of Klans men. But now the greatest insult has come to light. His Nibs's dignity has been sorely wounded. It is doubtful If the hurt could be greater should someone smite him in the middle of his three-quart hat with a lately deceased tomato as be struts along at tbe head of some patriotic order like the Knights of Columbus or the Society to Gain the Freedom for the Irish republic. Fifteen of tho hirelings of his UudernibB have been found to belong to the Klan. His Nibs stormed and raged and his Undernibs raged and Btormed but there are the 15, still Klansmen and still on the police force. What tbe outcome will be is a problem, but many detectives have .been assigned to ahadpw the wilful , fifteen and the slightest slip will, no doubt, bring a visitation cr the axe..

1 1 - ssessesmm

Ml DENIED PRIVILEGE OF PHI "1RDEREH" ill IN THE I IVINR Fl FSH

w " mm III IIIIh kl I IIIV I LiLiUII

MAYOR SEEBIRT OF SOUTH BEND GIVES ORDERS TAKES MOST COMMENDABLE STAND. (By Special Investigator.) South Bend, March 20. Mavor Seebirt, playing against South Bend's chief exponent of the virtues of the American Unity League, has ordered Barry Scanlon to close up his houses of prostitution. Calling him to his office, the mavor told Scanlon he was prepared to file injunctions against the latter's Colfax avenue resorts, the two most notorious resorts in this city. Scanlon protested, declaring he would order the "ladies" to move and set them up in another part of town. "I'll change the addresses," is told of Mayor Seebirt and the beaten attorney, agreed that he held a bobtail. The conversation between thoso two gentlemen was followed by the ooarcimg up of the two flats. There was no publicity given of the inci-j-'it, the agreement, and the action i n,'.vi ,ig Dew cnmole! litv.n lh -m. would be no mention made of iV. j But there was a key-hole leak. The i mavor. neutral in thn TTnifv f ,.,..,.. ht against the K': 'Klux Klan. is understood to have used some ! .,iaigni.-irom-ine-frnouiaer, lorceful oainai. nie man wno nas oeen arsenic to decent societ.v over since he sang songs in a nickelodeon picture show, and who today sings in St. Patrick church choir in a bid to obtain a berth in Heaven. "Quit your fighting the Ku Klux hlan long enough to clean out some of your dirty corruption," are the words accredited to the mayor, given by good authority. Scanlon is treasurer of the Unity League. There could be reams written on Scanlon but the censor would delete except for the one word "rotten." CINCINNATI CHURCH FEDERATION IN UNUSUAL ROLE CONDEMNS KLAN, BUT FAILS TO ACT IN DESERVING MATTERS. Cincinnati, Ohio, March 19. Recently the Church Federation met at the M. E. Book Concern building and adopted a resolution condemning "any movement whose tendeny is to widen the cleavage between the races," which was generally understood to refer to the Ku Klux Klan. This resolution was presented hv Rev. H. P. Atkins, executive secretary of the federation, and was seconded by Stanley Wiant. assistant editor of the Western Christian Ad - vocate. It is beyond the understanding of many citizens of Cincinnati as to why the organization should adopt such an infamous resolution, and in the same meeting fail to take drastic action to adopt a resolution supporting Rev. M. P. Hunt, executive secretary of the Anti-Race Gambling Commission of Louisville. Rev. Hunt was not only the principal speaker, but pointed out an intolerable situation, but no resolutions were adopted concerning- this vital problem, and nciiner were any resolutions adopted approving of, or pledging support to this organization of Rev. Hunt. A plea by Rev. Frank H. Nelson for co-operation of the ministers in the Community Chest Campaign also went begging for support. Miss Laura Logan, head of the School of Nursing and Health, of the University of Cincinnati, called their attention to the shortage of nurses, and the needs of the profession, but received scant consideration. Newspaper reports gave a column to the resolution condemning the klan by innuendo, gave Rev. Frank H. Nelson four lines, and Miss Logan six lines in the press. However, this is in keeping it seems with a mis. guided federation that would break into print by condemning some or ganization about which they know nothing, ratljer than by constructive am ami assistance to aeserving organizations with which they are familiar.

No Blare of Newspaper Trumpets Announces End of Mer Rouge, Louisiana, Inquiry.

IOWA HAILS KU KLUX KLAN ORGANIZATION THOUSANDS JOIN IN CAPITAL CITY. REMARKABLE GROWTH AND ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS INFLUENCE FOR LAW AND ORDER BEING FELT. (By Staff Correspondent.) Des Moines, la., March 19. Over 5,000 Des Moines men are members of the Local Chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. This estimate was made Thursday by one familiar with the inside workings of the oreanization. ana aiscioses the rapidity growth here of the most praised and most condemned :wi-rt nro-1 nizntinm it - he world has ever known. Its policy of fairness, the fact that j its obligations are assumed, not im - l nnf u.wt 5l 1 , I nnf op. and inatisr'Twtine better civic ! conditions throughout Indiana and '. unio are given as the reasons lor its ' vinai kboic growen nere. the fiery Cross, supposed to be the official organ of the Klan has thousands of subscribers in this citv as well as other cities in the State, and it has carried the news of the accomplishments of the organization throughout the State. The people of Iowa realize that such a force, and such an organization is needed here. That the Klan is ultra-progressive is evidenced by the fact that daily, prominent business men, professional men and merchants are "invited" to become affiliated with the movement. Men in every walk of life are becoming identified, and it is said that the State of Iowa, as well as Des Moines, is being swept like wildfire and the growth is phenomenal. - Some Opposition " Indications that the Klan is not to 20 unopposed in its progress, however, was given Thursday when local members of the Knights of Columbus declared that copies of their Fourth Degree oath of their order of secret work would be read from the pulpit in one of their churches. Just why the Knights are so anxious to make public their oath which has been secret for years is not pointed out, but the announcement comes following a challenge of a local Protestant preacher, who recently delivered an address on "Why I Am a Member of The Ku Klux Klan," at which time he challenged other orders to read their oaths from .the pulpit. A. E. Brown, Imperial Kleagle and representative, is here and make no ! secret of his identity, and predicts the growth and prosperity of the movement. wnen Questioned re garding the policy of the Klan pertaining to the secrecy of its officers and membership, and whether or not hoods and robes would be worn pubuciy repiiea, io one can tea. At any rate, from impartial and unbiased investigation it is evident that this much talked of organization is well organized throughout the State, and on one fact all agree and that is, that it is here, and it is here to stay, and is spreading like wildfire. KLAN VISITS CHURCHES Oakland, Ind.. March 19. Members of the Ku Klux Klan in Oakland recently visited the Methodist and General Baptist churches in this city, and left liberal donations. Recently The Fiery Cross carried a news item pertaining to an address of Rev. Adkinson In the Presbyterian church at Rockville, Ind. This came to us through the mail and it seems that the Rev. Adkinson did not address a meeting at Rockville. Ind. Wrill the person sending in this clipping kindly advise the Editor in order that correction can be made.

FIVE CENTS PER COPY

I wim ai nun mo upening ; me tna uomes and is Mm nounced With Newspaper Squibs Ray of Hope in Lesson to American Public. (By Eyewitness.) The "shell-shocked," torn, maimed, and tattered remains, the corpse of the Mer Rouge inquiry, has been laid to rest, silently, quietly, almost secretThus ends the ffair that opened with-a blare of trumpets, the greatest blast of manufactured newspaper publicity known for decades, featured with streamer headlines iii the Metropolitan dailies that has been equaled only once, and that was in the trying days of August, 1914. The Morehouse, La., grand jury heard the evidence relating to the "murder" of Watt. Daniel at Hi F. Richard, uud returned a ropwi JLfa. out indictments. - .hM ihn vrimnLua'- L" 1 1 ",Jtroe re-port bind of Aug. 21 was de'ontbl' t t't creful grand jury investigation - r-ould find no evidence which would- justify .indictments. i ms is simpief Because mere was no crime committed. If there has been a crime committed this would have been the most colossal, most damnable and complete breakdown o justice ever known. The failure to proceed to trial was a complete breakdown. The citizens who were "accused" were entitled to a trial by jury. No self-respecting cannibal would think himself fit to live in a civilized country had he tortured and mutilated two human beings, as newspaper stories would lead the public to believe was the case and had these stories been true it would have been the most damnable indictment. But as it was, thie atrocious and fictitious "crime" was only the fruit of an imagination swayea ny its own prejudices. Klansmen of America, as well as the people, have seen the Klan pilloried and crucified on the cross of hate, and when no indictments are returned the matter is handled by the daily press as if it were no news whatever; Coming as it does the Klan hears of no indictments with regret, and while they stand vindicated in the eyes of the people, they were entitled to a more , complete, a more definite, a more thorough vindication, winch has been denied them. With no indictment of individuals, and with no trial of those individuals who have been "accused" of murder, Klansmen . have been robbed of the opportunity of presenting in the living flesh, one or both of tnese men as evidence that no crime was committed, by Klansmen at least. Collapse Under Own Weight Ray of Hope Seen With the Associated Press story from Bastrop, La., under date of March 15 to the effect that "no indictmciua wclu icimucu uj iuts morehouse Parish grand Jury in connection with the slaying of Watt Daniel and T. F. Richard on Aug. 24, last." America has another tangible demonstra--tion of the fact that trickery and ' falsehood, in the long run, "avalleth nothing." In plain English, this short Associa-. . .1 nni . . , . means that when an honest, conscleO'1 tious effort was made to get at tha' facts, the carefully trumped up plan, for discrediting- a body of con&lfruc; tive, rightful citizens collapsed? under its own vicious weight. . Those of us who refuse to believe that any force can ever seriously im pair the foundations of the Republic,

(Conclude oil Fag Z.