Fiery Cross, Volume 2, Number 19, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 April 1923 — Page 1

VOLUME II NUMBER 1J

WBW, TREASON AND THE DOUBLE CROSS

Alien Influences Behind Treacherous Fight on Dr. Evans at Atlanta; Old Guard Attempts Control. Klansmen, As a Body, Backing Evans Solid From High Principles and For Non-Profit-Taking Control of Klan By Membership Instead Individuals.

(By Eyewitness.) Atlanta, Ga.,-April 11. The present fight in Atlanta is the last dying' Eaup of an attempt by individuals to! control the Invisible Kmpirc, Knights ! of the Ku Klux Klan. i Out of the present court proceed-' iiiRs will com a definite eoutrol ot j the Klan by the organization, as! Jipamst the control bv individuals.! and the present attempt, while not! unexpected will result n the iramc-l diatc prevailing 01 high ideals and) co-ordinated ideas of the principles and purposes of the Klan. I The efforts to oust Dr. Hiram Wes-! ley Evans. Imperial Wizard, at tho f very mome nt when he was making i great plans for the organization while j in the East, will meet, as have in ! the past, all efforts to destroy the or-' Ionization, with dismal failure. Fight to Control Self aggrandizement, the .seeking of dollars to be placed in the hands of a despot, and listening to uninformed advisers, in connection with a good Catholic press agent, and Catholic attorney, by the name of Sullivan, and Catholic publicity has given to the outside world evidence of a conflict that seemingly has the possibility of shaking the organization to its utmost foundations. Nothing '.(.uld he farther from the -"JV I i- !.v . . ...pt-v; out .-. 1 the settling down of the real organization. By the duly constituted otlicers and executive representative of the Klan throughout the United Stales on one hand as against control by individuals representing themselves alone in the other. On November 27th. of hist, vrnr at the National Klonvocation, 'the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, the first time that the I membership themselves ever had the I opportunity, and with more than I 1.000 delegates present, representing j l-w.-ij siaie. county, citv, town, v 1-i lage and hamlet in the 'Nation,'' took ! control of the

oganration at this!'" ' a nouse in winch a poker

lime, and l)V u Un;ininmiiw vnin ihor. Klansmen Hi-ctcd to the ollice of Imperial Wizard, and vested in him full lM'Wrr. lliriam Wesley Evans, of Dallas, Texas, a man of high integrity, remarkable ability, and sterling honor, who had been many times honored by the great Masonic fraternity, and by the York Rite and Scottish Rite divisions of that fraternity. this same National iVilll-Mltim, convention, i representing all Klansmen ioptcd a, new constitution and by-laws, and bv the very terms of that constitution and by-laws. Dr. Kvans was made the National Executive Head or Supreme President of the Order, under the title of Imperial Wizard. He was bv the same constitution clothed with the au

thority to function for the Organiza-, American Club," and the usual farce tion, us a commanding general directs!01' ' special judge, and 'passing the the activities of an army. ! buck." entirely familiar to those in Klan Revitalized And Remarkable i t0"th ,viUl bootlegging justice, was Growth Followed i tho result. Hert Morgan's men make

Immediately upon assuming the office, plans went forward for the revitalization and in a sense reorganization throughout the field, one of the most remarkable achievements, marked by executive ability, and unrestricted leadership, bringing about within a few short months, most amazing results, and increased membership throughout many states. Organization work was started jmH Tar ried out along new lines. There were i 'changes in the personnel, many who! had the vision of, "Cod give us Ten,'' j instead of "Cod give us Men," were released of their responsibilities promptly, and expeditiously. Executives as well ns individuals who were out of sympathy and did not have the proper vision of the organization, were replaced by individuals who had. Form Minority Group At the same time, and at the convention that elected Dr. Evans, out of respect and honor for the founder of the organization, Col. Simmons was made Honorary Head of the organization, with the title of Emperor, and around him, a small group of individuals, representing no opinion, having none of their own, witnessing the remarkable and phenomenal growth of the organization, conceived the idea that by the use of great publicity, and by gome thoughtful Roman Catholic attorney's advice thev could usurp the duly constituted officials of the Klan. At the same time, with the idea of gain, and securing additional dollars of profit from what promiss to be the most remarkable organization ever carried out in America, j namely, th Women's Organization. they attempted to secure control of (Coatlntted oa Pan, 1 'f

INVESTIGATOR SPENDS A DAY IN BiCKNELL

STARTLING CONDITIONS ARE RE VEALEO IN OLD INDIANA TOWN. ; i Ma pin j Marion, Peru, Gary and Bigger Cities ! Have Nothing on the Village of j Bicknell. j (By Eyewitness) Bicknell, ind.. April 7. Following a gentle tip. we dropped off to take a wuk lt uicuneii. nestling among the lulls, a typical Indiana small town.) self-satisfied in it evcrydav, humdrum life, the older and more sub-1 stantia-1 citizens wrapped in memories I of what might have been, substantial I business meu engaged in taking busi j ness as it comes; socinllv. Bicknell i "ven; V .. :. ( : ...f ... tlirivt !i the usual vice and ilvic There is the "All-American Club," where it is said that large sums of money change hands, and that recently a young merchant lost a sum of money that would make the "big boys'' at Indianapolis open their eves It is generally understood that a member of the school board aud at least two other merchants have lost here at the "All-American rinl, u, Monte Carlo of Kiiiiur.i,.r,,' i.n' ann. j The automobile of tin, nf ih,. offif'ill,s is observed standing all night same seems to be thriving. Booze Plentiful 'lub rooms, soft -drink parlors, at least one restaurant, and one drug store, and two residences are said to be dispensing real, "red eye" brought up from Evansville. by an organization that even maintains a local representative here, and it doesn't take T UIC- uuur OI home brew mash :it io,.ct ....... in th,. ,.. Justice m Action The police force here, earefullv chosen by the mayor, is blind to the situation, and see, smell and hear not. Recently they were forced to arrest Charlie Robison. oner.-nnr if tim "in. an occasional "social" call with the usual result that nothing is accomplished, and the protests aud comments of the best citizens of the comniuniiy go unlieeUed. It is easy to secure a "shot in the I eye" of pretty fair white mule in one ! place by simply string that you are j a "miner." and that you knew Carl. ! (Continued on Page 3.) HOW M WHOLE MATTER IS SETTLED LET THERE BE NO MORE ARGUMENT BECAUSE THIS IS FINAL, Zionsvillc, Ind., April 7. Last night the students of the Zionsville high .ui L.u - . j i . i . : ainuui, ueiu a aeoace, oeiore a large and interested audience in the school auditorium, on the question: Resolved, that the activities of the Ku Klux Klan, are beneficial to the American people. Those taking the affirmative side were: George Beamer, Esta Smith, and Percy McGhee, the negative, Lvle Brock. Roy Shelburnc, and Les'lie De Voe. The judges, Mr. Beecher Bender, representative to the last Legislature from Boone county, Rev. Ebsher, and Ur. E. D. Johns, rendered a decision in favor of the affirmative side. Enthusiastic applause greeted the devuuvn oi ine judges

'THERE

IS NO FAILURE

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1923.

"THE PILGRIM" RAISES PROTEST ON WEST COAST Mayor Acts on Protest of Klan Picture Cancelled at Walla-Walla. and (Special to Fiery Cross.) Walla Walla, 'Wash., April 9. Much has been said at various times about the burlesquing of Protestant clergymen in movie pictures and nothing has been done to prevent it. This condition has been obvious to many but at last 'a definite step has been taken and proved successful. A picture, "The Pilrgim," featuring Charlie Chaplin, which was billed to run here for four days, and which was found to be decidedly offensive to Protestant clergy was banned bv the mayor and Wiis not shown. This action was obtained largely through the influence of Klansmen. Burlesquing of rabbis or priests is not seen on the films for opposition has been too strong. Priests are always portrayed in highly commendatory activities, but the Protestants have'suffered greatly at the hands of the producers. The manager of the theater where the picture was to be shown here refused to cancel the showing declaring that he had raid S.VIO for it. Tho matter was then brought before the ministers council and a committee went before the niavor to protest. L'pon hearing the protest and the character of the picture, the mayor called upon the theuter's manager to cancel, which he agreed upon. i mis nrsL s-.cp m an effort to end the ridiculing of earnest clergy of the Protestant sects is hoped to" be the forerunner of a general move with the same object in view all over the country. OFFICE OF CHICAGO KLAN PAPER BOMBED TWENT TV VfNC"r"Fi IJT a(n ADVERTISER OF MEETS SAME FATE. Chicago. April 6 Explosion of a bomb wrecked the publication ofliee of Dawn, a Ku Klux Klan organ, last night. Twenty minutes later another bomb partly damaged the office of . W. Gilliand, a roofer, who said he nan advertised in the Klan publieation. l ne two explosions, police probably were .set off by the said same person. Soon after the bombing police telephoned advertisers of the Dawn to warn them of possible bombing. Edwin J. Parke, publisher of Dawn, said he had been receiving threatening letters. "Only two days ago 1 received a telephone call, warning me that my printing establishment and my home would be blown up," he said. Policemen were assigned to guard Parke's home. FATHER VRANIAK IS FOUND DEAD ATHIRKWOOD.nlO. DRESSED IN GARB OF BANDIT SHOT RECENTLY BY SHERIFF. Was Killed by Officer in Free-for-AII Duel with Officers. (Special to Fiery Cross.) St. Louis, Mo., April 6. Rev. father John A. Vraniak is dead. The body of the missing Virden, III., priest is in Bopp's Undertaking Shop in Kirkwood. The St. Louis Times found it there late yesterday. Father Vraniak is attired in the clothes of the, bandit who fatally wounded Patrolman Jacob Busch of Webster Groves and himself was killed by a fellow officer of Busch. L. A. Bopp, proprietor of the undertaking place, former Sheriff r.f St t juis. county, told the Times that the boS ls that of the bandit. ine Doay, according to Bopp, has been in his place three weeks. - yn baturday, March 17, the Times printed the followi nsr storv -MjP t0 Police that Father J. A. Vraniak, missing priest of Virden, 111., could be found at a Market St. hotel, led today to the identification of the burglar who was shot and killed last Sunday in a revolver duel with Patrolman Jacob Busch at Webster Groves. i'The body has remained unidentified at the Webster morgue since the shooting. Today it was established through finger prints and photographs that it was that of Steve (Continue on Page 8.)

EXCEPT FAILURE TO

The Old Man

. - I ' " " - I III IIM K

To Klansmen of the Northland Comes This Personal Message Breathing the True Principles of the Klan.

Faithful and Beloved Klansmen: My Countrymen of The White Man's Breed We "have been assailed by the black spawn of hate. You are called upon to answer a solemn behest ot duty and stand true in this hour of triumph when we have routed and de feated an ungenerous foe, who knows not the etiquette of honor in battle. Let us not become vindictive, and let us not be made to hate our Catholic neighbor because of the acts of. a few irresponsible leaders of that political machine who have run amuck; but let us keep step to the drum beat of the inspired music of tho Messiah. Let peace reign. God is our refuge and our strength, and liberty shall not perish. Ignore the mad passion of senseless individuals who are assaulting our foundations or government, and are throwing themselves against the pillars of American liberty, it is but a worm eating the dirt of earth which snail return to enrich the soil. We shall not make argument against mere statement; we shall not array facts against falsehood, and will not present principles against prejudices! The last and indisputable word is in the personnel, the character and composition of our organization. Ours is a vast host incarnating the principles ot the American Republic, and enshrining the ideals of our Master, Jesus of Nazareth. Enemies may assail opinion put into words antagonists may attack creed, whether political or religious, when expressed in speech sordid men may break ideals that are mere pictures upon the horizon of time. But. no man. by any form of hostility, can gainsay or deny the great principle-.! and purposes we have organized into human life, and have lived out before tbe eyes of men.

Sweep away all thought of the savage attack which has been launched against Americans upon American soil, under the American Flag. Forget the venom and virulence of ".Mad Pat" O'PonneU. the nroohet of i,ato vrico

1 cuP'dity and venality of traitorous

by false oath, bv bartering his own soul. Remember only this: One man, not six million men, not a vast host, but one solitary man, committed to American ideals, with uofhing reserved, consecrated to a White Man's Country, to a White Man's home, and dedicated to the promise of maintaining a White Man's supremacy in a White Man's realm of honor, leaves nothing unconsented, and becomes the invincible argument that will stand like a great cliff to meet and mock the boisterous blows of vulgar madmen, and he alone will turn back the devastating tide and the alien poison of "Mad Pat'' O'Donnell's frothing plunge into the treacherous quicksands of religious intolerance.

Above the petty passions of a few misguided individuals, stands out the glowing Bea of light of a militant patriotism expressed in Christ-like charity for all mankind ; a broad love for the failures of other countries who hare been cast upon our shores; a wave of benevolence which wi'.l flow until its swelling sea8 shall bear away the. tide of treason within our gates. Keep in mind that ours is a fraternity of love covering liuman need and human voeC

like the great vrV of divine kindness that Hows upo the good and bad, tft.J j juni ati u.s"u.u i. 3d tue dew of spring falls upon tb.o aeida at HcsWdooi? j

Dm in? a period i;r siikbwhn timid

airi ail was gain. 1, the Knights of the

turued. moved upward and onward, holding high the Glorysymbol of patriotism, and exalted the fiery cross

sacrifice, until at. last the Klan call is

a nation. Hatred and passion, malice, jealousy and envy can not prevail; honor reigns again in the land. In the last and final word, in the supreme general judgment, tho Master himself has decreed: The final test is Kindness. If a man has been kind to his fellowmen, he has been kind to God; if a man has been unkind to his fellowmen he has been unkind to God. On this we stake our very existence. By this we are to be judged and our right to live Js to bo determined. Bv this test we survive or perish; we claim immortality or sink to the level of brutes; and die forever, without ever having lived. "God of our Fathers, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget." Speaking, therefore, with the utmost composure, not only for myself, but also for every Klansman in ail Hoosierdom, I wish to say to "Mad Pat" O'Dom nell, the prophet of hate, and Lawrence Lyons, arch traitor of the age, to tho Sinn Feiner, to the Bolshevist, to the bootlegger, to the anarchist, to the I. W. W., to the alien enemy of whatever breed, creed, color, sect or lineage, we do not fear your hate, we do not shrink from your assault.. We have neve attacked you nor have we made war against you. We are dedicated to th Cljristian religion, to our country, to the Constitution undefiled, and if in this declaration of holy patriotism your interest is hampered, then we accept the challenge, and pledge America that we shall hold high the traditions, of ou.r beloved forefathers, and shall vouchsafe to the generations yet unborn the standard of liberty bequeathed to us by those great men of history who penned the Constitution "the arch of the covenant of mankind." We have joined issue with the enemy before Congress of the I'nited States and won; we have met them in the courts, and were victorious; we have met the enemy before the bar of public opinion and have lost no contest. W'e have withstood the onslaught of the enemies without, and the betrayals ot the traitors within, without flinching or faltering, a?id we are quite ready for the next issue, should the amalgamated enemies of America "Mad Pat" O Donnell. prophet of hate, and Lawrence Lyons, arch traitor of the age, attempt to further assault the principles of American liberty, American insti

tutions, or the tenets of Protestant Christianity. Therefore, the star of glory will continue to shine, aud the organization marches in resplendent honor, and. like the North star, guides the wanderer of the desert, the mariner of the sea, and the pioneer exploring trackless forests, so shall the Klan guide the future hope of America arid Americans. The flag of our country ripples in the breeze above us, untouched and unsullied by the polluting hand of the enemies who honor us by their enmity. Forever and always the emblem of the Cross, emblazoned in fire, will beckon us on to our appointed and glorious destiny. The starry flag and the. fiery cross shall never fail. The American Republic "Under God, shall not perish from the earth!" , Yours in the Sacred and the Unfailing bond. "THE OLD MAN HIMSELF."

INDIANAPOLIS CATHOLIC ORGAN SIDESTEPS THE UNITY LEAGUE DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTS.OF "MAD PAT" O'DONNELL. The Indianapolis Catholic Record, generally recognized as reflecting the real voice of real Catholic people, in its last issue carries a paragraph that bears out more forcefully than the columns of newr matter that have bee printed, f&af the American - ' J . , '

SERVE THE PURPOSE'

's Message Lawrence Lyons, who hoped to profit fflen- aid. till Ku''ftn$&B? heard, and we have saved a. ueoole and Unity League is a dangerous bunch of grafters and do not represent the voice of the Catholic people. Among other things it handles the Lyons matter very gingerly'and says significantly that: "We understand from the Unity League that everything is directed from Chicago, and that the business of revealing the names of the masked conspirators is solely in the hands of the Chicago office of the Unity League which takes tho full responsibility." A lot, of really good material goes into the waste basket because it is unsigned. Readers who are intriit. ed sufficiently to send in contrlbutions to The Fiery Cross are advised thai,, no communications receive any attention whatever- unless tbey are

wa lest, and trxUoAt It M0Ml-j:-tu U.-iMreenlfr 7.1 t'-I

bright eolors of 014 rby ttto T4zr:l , emblem of carlBliaa fTS;! kAiiW. fMfe - ' & ,

oiguou. y me Bender, . , .T'fHTTEyeTrltaess." .r jr

W LAWRENCE LYONS

QUIT; HE -

Because Klan Refused to Be a Party to Party Fight Against Senator New and Meddle in Partisan Politics.

Considered New Appointment Purely Personal Matter for President, and Suggestions to Chief Magistrate Were Presumptuous and Out of Order.

WHAT WILL YOUR BOYS AND GIRLS STUDY III FUTURE HISTORY CONTRACTS TO BE LET 8Y STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. Protestant Parents Not Familiar With Text Matter of Books to Be Let. On April 10 the Indiana State Board of Education met to discuss two important history text books for whieh contracts will be let on April 30. ,-. At this meeting the various pubAiahett'Were gives an opportunity' to YL? explain the merit of their different Mcii l!rebt-.:i: carefully J'bich contracts will be made on lae ,vin are nistonea of Ancient and Medieval Europe. For the benefit of our readers these books contain many things that are highly objectionable as being taught in our public schools at this time. "History of Europe, Ancient and Medieval," by James Henry Breasted, covering the Orient, Greece and Rome, and the "History of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution," is published by Ginn & Company, and is one of the books to be discussed. Next week's issue of The " Fiery Cross will contain a digest of the objectionable features in these text books. Parents at least who are interested in what their children are being taught in the public schools are referred to Page No. 311, of this history, which in no uncertain terms states, among other things, that "Saint Paul was the first bishop of Rome, and there is certainly no conflicting tradition, and no rival claim." This history has to do with the teaching of the supremacy ofthe Pope at Rome, and is founded upon a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Another book, and one which has been in use in our public schools for many years, is "Early European History," by Hutton Webster, P. H. D., and recommended by Rev. Patrick J. Healey, professor of church historv. Catholic University of America. This history is now, and has been used in tho high schools, and anyone having children in the Indianapolis or state high schools should refer to Page No. (Continued on Page 2.) TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MUNCIE SCHOOLS WILL HE DISCHARGE PROTESTANT TEACHERS? It has been renorted to tb Ifio Cross that Sunerintendent Vit nf the Muncie city schools has in structed nis Protestant teachers that attendance at 100 per cent meetings conducted by the Women's Organization in Muncie. will mean imTnaHinA dismissal from the teachers' staff of tne muncie scnools. We defy Superintendent Fitzgibbon to discharge Protestant school teach ers wno have nroner credits nnrl proper licenses, for the simple offense, of 100 per cent Protestant American Women, Tothe Protestant teachers of the Muncie SChO0l8 we mmrnntoo fV,u n the event of such dismissal, they will again obtain their positions "uT the Muncie schools, or will obtain ap pointmebts in ity ,schooI conducted py iw per cent American achopl vt aim scaooi superintendent. , . - . . EYEWTTNF.RS

; ,t -For the Ilerjr Croe'

FIVE CENTS PER COPT

REAL REftSOif '

Lack of Real Leadership in the Republican Party Shown By Failure to Take . Prompt Action. (By Eyewitness.) Lawrence Lyons quit and betrayed the Invisible Empire, Knights ofTthe Ku Klux Klan because of failure 'in his efforts to use that organization in his fight against Senator New.In a recent issue of the Fiery Cross reference was made . to Lyons' attempt to use the organization, 'for political motives, and when this perfidious scheme was discovered and denounced, out of respect for his political connections and out of respect for the Dartv which hp t-Twinui he was given the opportunity to iquietly withdraw, and failure, in his . efforts to accomplish political - prefer" ' ment withfn an' organization which' furthers the ends of no political asu- "

pu-am, ne naa no xuther use Jai rt,"'- , At that time authority-- had ' not " . been secured" from -theaUonal EvTiTT'-,'-ecutiva Head of the Organization, WJ-4

mane puonc . ine actual s truttt , iftut transaction retire itmg .'ft fry real i aitn'. iJ

'"'Proh.vtheVthen'lagb ' - i state officiala of ' thff Klan, and n- - - '4 deavored to induce them, . ty -misrep s resentation, to send aV telegram to the - : President of the United States,- and also one to Senator JmM R'Wo

who was at that time in the dty-'-of naamngwii, ana m eacfi telegram lo set up a protest against the appoint-' ment of Senatoe Harry S. few to the President's Cabinet, in the position of Postmaster General, these telegrams to represent the views of 300,000 Klansmen-in Indiana. These high officials of t.h TTlnn counseled with Lyons, and informed i m mai no sucn action could be taken, and also forcibly impressed upon him the attitude of the- organization toward nolitical asnirntc o,1 of its nolicv to not intprfrw dlein party politics. Found Telegram Had Already Been Sent Shortly after leavinc T found that the telegram has already' uccii sent, ana mat, instead of at-, tempting to secure permission of the officials to send the telegram, that uyuns, iiKe.ine scnooi bov that he-is, has been trying, te "sell them .the idea of one he had already senC knowine full well that W hA formed an unpardonable act. It was found that a telegram had been sent to the President of the United States, -and one to Senator James E. Watson, -

telegrams were directed to be sent by - Lawrencp I.vona . v . '

Officials of the Organization of theKlan have affidavits in their files which specifically, charge Lawrence Lyons with inspiring, if not actually sending the telegrams, and - causing them to be sent and released for pub- t hcation. To. these telegrams were fprged the name of a high -Klan official, and newspapers throughout the United States carried Ahem and cred- ? ited thenr to "A hi-h offifil Klan m the State rf TiuUm

senting 300.000 Klansmen tn Tn. - i

diana. and "250.000. in the Stat nf -,

Ohio." , 1

Prompt Denial Fellows.

information, a high Klan official wired-" . President Warren G. Hardine- nH.v - ' ;

uiiiuounKiv udvh securing flMinu

Senator Watson as follows: , a"My attention b.a just been called to a - dispatch in the press indicate ing some one sent you a telegram 7' ' -o Indiana, alleging he represented

wib o.mgnw or tne. Ji.u aUu3r-Klan,-- s

t am aiso given to understand the sender of that meesare staler u ,

was authorized to speak f on three. ' ' hundred thousand. Wansmen in the - ?

intuniia uu mis numper ox i

- ---- -r - cj,.Mujiw tii cell' ator Harry Newto the position of i Postmaster General. : Th senHco 1 i -

that telegram is an tmposter and has" 1

DBoiuieiy :no rurnt or authority -to " . speak for the Klan We onsid" an aDDorntmetit tbe traAa-r. -

Cabinet, purely " personal and party

g- .(C

f

A l fit f ft 1 I