Fiery Cross, Volume 3, Number 18, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 February 1924 — Page 1

V -

1 . 4r America's Leading Klan Publication -mnusrcumoH a the structcre?. OF GOVERNMENT GIVES FORCE TOf PUBLIC OPINION, IT IS-ESSENTIAfc THAT PUBLIC OPINION SHOULD BE ENLI.GHTENED". WASHINGTON. 'THERE IS NO FAILURE EXCEPT FAILURE TO SERF E THE PURPOSE VOLUME HI, NUMBER 18 INDIANAPOLIS, IND FEBRUARY 29, 1924 PRICE FIVE CENTS

FIERY

.Dayfe fe Igirored at Meet

i -

Klan

Has Big Celebration in Michigan Ci

THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN PAGEANT

CITY ENTERTAINS A GREAT THRONG WITH TEMPERATURE HOVERING SEAR ZERO

Hundreds of Men and Women Initiated Into Order as Fitting Climax to Great Day

CLASS IS INITIATED

AT CHURCH SERVICE; BUILDING IS FILLED

Unusual and Impressive Ceremony Is Given Publicly at M. E. Church, Bobo, Ind.

Cross Is Burned in Churchyard and Speaker Explains Its Significance and Klan Creed

(Special to The Fiery Cross) MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Feb

li. Ihis city celebrated in

honor of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan yesterday, Washington's birthday, as it never had celebrated before. It is conservatively estimated that the city entertained more visitors than in any single day in its

history. From early morning until midafternoon every train and every inter urban car brought visitors by the hundreds from a radius of hundreds of miles, and considering the extreme cold weather and

the condition of the roads, a surprising number came by automobile. It was the biggest

day in the history of the city. By noon the streets were filled, restaurants and hotels were nearly

wampert and t2 business nouses

were helping to cure for the thousands. Factories closed to permit employes to participate in the allday program, which ended, publicly, " with a monster parade, the like of which had never been equaled in this town. It was Klan rally day, a celebration in gratitude of the wonderful growth of the organization in this community. Ail Immense Parade In capping the climax of the day's program, it is said that the largest

class ever taken into the order in Laporte county was initiated at a

cloned session. It was a co-opera

tive affair, the Women of the Klan

and the Juniors participating and

celebrating in gratitude for their wonderful growth with as much en

thusiasm as any member of the

Knights.

To a strange it seemed that every

person in Michigan city was a . Klansman, Friday. Officials of the city, the county, the civic and fra(Continued on Page 5)

EDUCATION BILL GETS SUPPORT OF EDUCATORS

HEARING BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE BRINGS OUT MANY FAVORABLE FACTS

WOMEN AID PASTOR WHOSEWE IS ILL Purse Presented and Congregation Immediately Takes Collection for Same Purpose

(Special to The Fiery Cross) FRANKFORT, Ind., Feb. 25. Shortly after the opening of the revival services at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in South Second street, Friday night, a number of Women

of the Ku Klux Klan entered the

church and presented the pastor,! the Rev. W. A. Frye, an envelope containing a sum of money, which was given by both the men and women's organizations. After the presentation the women knelt at the altar In prayer. The Rev. Mr. Frye expressed his thanks for the gift, and gave out the following letter which he received with the money: "fVar Mr. Frye: "The eye of the Klan hath seen.

As your good wife Is sick and in the hospital, we take this method to express to you our Christian sympathy. We are glad to know that your wife is fast recovering and will soon be able to return to her home and family. The Bible says, 'Bear ye one another's burdens,', and as the motto of our organization is, 'NOT FOR SELF. BUT OTHERS,' we present you this little offering to help defray your hospital expenses. "Yours fraetrnally, "KNIGHTS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN." After the women left the church, the evangelist, the Rev. George Beir-

nes of Klngswood, Ky., arose and told the congregation that inasmuch as those good women had started the offering be would finish it, by asking them to give a good liberal collection. In a few minutes lie raised about 1125 which they presented to the pastor.

DECATUR, Ind., Feb. 23. A large audience, including many Klan members, gathered at the M. E. church of Bobo, Ind., Thursday evening,

February 15. Services were opened

with prayer and song. The Kleagle gave a short talk explaining the principles of the Ku Klux Klan organization. He asked that the west windows be opened and a large cross was seen- to burst into flame in the churchyard. Klansmen were

I standing in a circle around the

flaming emblem. They later marched into the church, lining up along the Bide walls where they remained standing durinBthe services. After singing "The Old Rugged Cross" and "America," the Kleagle told why the cross is burned, not as mocking or threat, but a sacred rite. He then Introduced the Rev. Mr. Moss, of

Fort WTayne, whose address on "America" was enthusiastically received, and time and time again he was forced to pause while the people applauded. He said the public school is the cradle of Americanism and nowhere

ler s yotrtptism fi?rtly -instnlled

In the child s mind. He believes the

Bible should be read in each and every school and the word of God

taaght the child, but religion strict

ly omitted that he may choose his own faith. Mr. Moss is an able and witty speaker and his address was both interesting and instructive. The Kleagle again took charge of the meeting, saying: "I promised the Rev. Mr. Brown I would fill this church tonight and I'll leave it to him whether or not I have kept my word. He then gave the oath pub

licly to seven candidates, stating in part: "I want the people to know and understand there is nothing secret about this great organization except the names and number of members. Some say we are ashamed to be known or we would not wear

the mask. My friends, that is not true. During the world war, sailing of vessels, names of those aboard

and number of soldiers "over there"

were kept secret and in all ways possible things were camouflaged

and not one of our American boys were ashamed. It was because in this way they got quicker and better results with the least sacrifice possible. So it is with this band of American men and women. The bootlegger is afraid of the mask he doesn't know who is who and this holds true with all other law-breakers. But the day is not far distant when we will remove the mask and you will then know who we are." The services were very impressive. A freewill offering was taken and presented to the Rev. Mr. Brown, pastor of the church, who in a few words expressed his appreciation

for so generous a gift. After sing

ing "Onward, Christian Soldiers,"

the Rev. Mr. Brown dismissed the

meeting with prayer. Both Men's and Women's Organizations of the Ku Klux Klan in Adams county are growing rapidly and much interest is being manifested.

Chief Aim of Measure Is to Combat Illiteracy, It Is Shown by Those Interested

MAYOR CORNWELL ON

RECORD AGAINST A CLEANUP AT LONDON

Straddles Question and Puts Wrong Interpretation- on Affair Before Council

Leaves Impression That He Thinks Klan Is Meddling Armory Raid Cited

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. The sen

ate committee on education held a

series of hearings on the education

bill presented by Senator Thomas

Sterling of South Dakota, providing for the creation of a department of education with a secretary in the president's cabinet and authorizing federal aid for public schools. The bill further provides for the combating of illiteracy, "training of teachers, Americanization of alien

populations, physical education, aid to rural schools, and equalization of educational opportunities for the children of all classes and sections of the country.

A group of educational specialists

from the National Educational Asso

ciation presented various charts and

tabluatlons giving a comprehensive

survey or school conditions ui tne United States. Among the experts

appearing were: . Dr. W. C. Bagley,

editor-in-chief, Journal of the National Education Association; Dr. J. 0. Engleman, field secretary; S. D. Shankland, executive secretary, department of superintendence; Joy E, Morgans editor, of the JffitpsE"& the National Education'" s&fcfatftm, and J. K. Norton of the research department. . r

Battle Against Illiteracy

It was shown that the widespread

illiteracy could be overcome only by the vigorous co-operation of the federal government with the states. The pitiful condition of many rural schools was discussed at length. The menace of the great alien populations, ignorant of American institutions and thinking and speaking wholly in a foreign tongue, was

vividly described. The necessity, as a matter of justice, of a more even

educational opportunity for the children of the various sections and classes was also urged. It was shown that the majority of teachers in the rural districts are far below the standard educationally. Seeing that nearly one-half of the school population of the country is (Continued on page 5)

HYSTERIA STEPS INTO SPOTLIGHT IN WASHINGTON

PUBLIC MAN WHOSE SKIRTS ARE

CLEAN IS A HAPPY FELLOW THESE DAYS

(Special to The Fiery Cross) LONDON, O., Feb. 23. In the face of a strong demand for a cleanup of conditions in London Mayor Leroy Cornwell has consistently side

stepped the responsibility, straddled the question and tried to make it appear that Knights of the Ku Klux

Klan were attempting to force a blue law reign on the community. Mayor Cornwell finally has been forced to put the matter up to the city council, but in doing it he was careful not to take a stand in favor of a cleanup. However, he did admit that "Our reputation is not the best abroad." His letter to the city council, and some are bold enough to say it was written by a Catholic politician, although Mayor Cornwell is a Protestant, wiggled in and out and by the

time the end was reached be was as

safely atop the fence as he. has been

all through the controversy. He studiously devoted himself to the

blue law stuff, pointing to the probability "that the housewife might be

arrested and hauled intp .court under

the blue law if shewere caught pre paring the Sunday dinner."

Reputations Besmirched by Flippant

Tongues Young Roosevelt "a Has-Been"

CHURCH TRUSTEES'

EXPLANATION FAILS TO SATISFY CLASS

Two Members of Kokomo Christian Church Attempt to Jastify Action

Say Klan May Use Church for Funeral Sen Ices If Ylsors Are Lifted

TERRE HAUTE

MAYOR AGAIN TURNED DOWN

0 ENDORSEMENT OF 'CANDIDACY COMES WHEX CHAIRMEN OF OWN DISTRICT GATHER IN ALL-DAY SESSION IT IS NOTED THAT GATHERING ENDORSED NOBLE JOHNSON AS A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS FROM FIFTH DISTRICT

CONGRESS MAY URGE

CHILD LABOR CHANGE

(Bureau Publication and Education)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. A good

deal has been said from time to time about history being made in Washington. Now this word history has been changed to "hysteria

and Washington is fuU of it ever

since oil was discovered on the

Potomac.

Hysteria has driven Secretary of

the Navy Denby to resign his office

after the senate tried its best to get him to resign. Now hysteria is after Attorney-General Daugherty

and it may get him like it did Denby before the end of the fight. Hysteria

has besmirched prominent can

didates for the presidency, it has soiled the chances of young Teddy

Roosevelt for the time being in his ambitions for the gubernatorial

nomination in New Yok in which he

had hoped to tread the path taken by

his illustrious father. It has likewise Involved one public officer and it is' said that a prominent United

States senator -has gotten his fingers

oiled up?

McAdoo may come, back but his

conusvttnceTtdn40ie, jnajj. pi

Amendment to Constitution Regarded Necessary to Meet Supreme Court Approval

Mayor Corn welt knew fie.'iiSa

brining extemporaneous matter into the controversy. It is not the

aim of those who have been agitat ing the cleanup, of gambling, boot

legging and other lawbreaking to

upset the even tenor of the way In London. All that these persons , wish

is to put a stop to the vicious ele

ment and bring London back to its

peaceful ways. There is too much business being conducted on Sunday, but many of these places will be

closed voluntarily; in fact, some of them have been. Motion picture

theaters have refused to close

As proof that a cleanup is needed

attention might be called to a raid on the government armory on Sunday, February 10, when a number of men were caught gambling. One man in the armory was so drunk he could not get away. Of those caught gambling sevn were fined $25," but no costs were attached. The man found drunk was fined $10. Information leading to the raid on the

armory is said to have been provided

by the Ku Klux Klan. Much other

information, it is said, is in the

hands of Klansmen who would be

glad to supply it to officers it

vigorous efforts in prosecuting the

cases could be assured. At least, it would seem that Mayor Cornwell

(Continued on page 5)

Z ' yt?t0tpiepce - B&y&;: 4ftrtfeAj

eligible but unavailable,"

bit the nail on "the head.

That may

A New Slogan . President Coolidge seems to have emerged from all this hysteria and oil excitement without being smeared to any great degree. Here is a new slogan originated by a Washington man the other day: "Calvin Coolidge trusts the country to trust him:" That will be verified or disproven next November when the voters have their say at the polls.

Senator Wheeler, of Montana, is

after Daugherty with a resolution

and vitriolic attacks in the senate.

By the way, Montana seems to be coming to the front in these inves

tigations. It was Senator Walsh, of

Montana, who pushed matters in

the oil cases and got Denby's goat in

the wind-up. Now his colleague,

Senator Wheeler, serving his first session in the senate, has started

after the legal head of the government. Montana seems apparently to

have a monopoly on starting these investigations, all of which makes good copy and interesting reading nowadays. Senator Borah, of Idaho, has joined Wheeler and others and

wants Daugherty to move on. The

Idaho senator went up to the W'hite

House the other night to talk it over

with the president and much to his

(Continued on page 5)

(By Staff- Correspondent) KOKOMO, Ind., Feb. 26. In an explanation to the Men's. Bible Class of the Main Street Christian Church

here as to the conditions surround!

ing the refusal ta grant permission to use the church for a Klan funeral, the two trustees who were responsible for the refusal failed to register. In their explanation they said

the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan would be permitted to use the church for funeral services for members provided' the members raised their masks before entering the church.

This explanation was made to committee named by the Bible Class

two .weeks ago, the function of the

committee being to ascertain why the trustees refused permission for

a KTan burial for Elmer Crume, a member both of the church and the

Klan. Mr. Crume died about two weeks ago. It was his wish that the

Klan have charge of the -services

and that they be held at the Christian

church. Last Wish Denied Members of Mr.-Grume's immedi-

fry1fT""'T''Q''j"rtrr to the church

elativA: -

e?tVMiijjcTs'4ncaboard ift-

sponsible for the official standrare Lex j. Kirkpatrick and L. O.- HoSs,

It was reported last-week that Conrad Wolf, bitterly opposed to the Klan, was a member of the official board, but it later was learned that

this is not true. This does not change the attitude of the Klan toward Wolf, however, or toward his

Latest Murder to Stir Terre Haute

Is Similar to One for Which Joe Roach, Sponsor of the Un-American Unity League, -Was Convicted Ministers Form Yigilance Committee in Effort to Check CrimeMayor Davis Gives Yiews In Letter Sent to All Parts of State Defines the Word "Politician" and Reaffirms Stand Against Ku Klux Klan

KLANSMEN ATTEND

FUNERAL OF EDITOR

MONTICELLO, Ind., Feb. 23. Thirty Klansmen attended the fu

neral of William J. Huff, late publisher of the Monon News. Services were held in the First M. E. church

of Monon, the pastor, the Rev. Mr

Nesbit, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Houser and the Rev. Mr. Blunt, officiated. The funeral procession, headed by thirty Klansmen, moved from the church to the Monon depot, where the remains were taken to Greenwood, Johnson cdtmty, for

burial. Four large floral pieces,

Including a floral cross, were carried by the Klansmen. Mr. Huff was a devout Christian and Klansman, being a member of the First M. E. church of Monon. He represented the real type of American manhood and Christian citizenship. He is mourned by hundreds of Klansmen of White county.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. That the

people of of the United States are solidly behind the proposal to amend the Constitution so that child labor be against the fundamental law of the land, no matter where within the jurisdiction of the United States, or in what state or territory, was emphatically stated at a meeting of the house judiciary committee by various members of

Congress who have introduced one or another kind of bill looking to such an amendment. Those who appeared before the committee and argued for the adoption of some form of such amendment were Louis A. Frothinghani (R.), Frederick W. Dallinger (R.), and William P. Connery, Jr. (D.), representatives from Massachusetts; Henry Allen Cooper (R.), from Wis

consin, and Walter F. Lineberger

(R.), from California.

It is recalled that Congress has

twice attempted to end child labor

by national legislative enactment.

and that both such attempts failed

because of the supreme court finding that the laws as passed were in con

flict with the Constitution. There is

a growing sentiment in the national legislature that the Constitution

should not be often amended, nor burdened with prohibitions which can be attended to by laws. But it

is also understood that there is

conviction in Congress that it is not

possible to frame any law prohibit

ing child labor which will not be

found unconstitutional by the su

preme court, and that therefore the amendment to the Constitution is the

only way in which the federal gov

ernment can insist that its various

states retrain from allowing their citizens to employ children of tender

age in gainful occupations,

OFFICER MAKES SHOW

IN CRUSHING A CROSS

BUCYRUS, O., Feb. 3. Junior

Klansmen of Crawford county burnt

cross on the public square of

Bucyrus Thursday night. The cross

was constructed of red flares, which gave the impression the whole town

was on fire,, to those a few blocks away. A large crowd gathered

quickly and a policeman, as if he was performing before a movie camera, dashed out and with great gusto and show, tore the cross

down. Returning to the crowd he

said: "That's what I think of that,

If he expected any applause, he was

sorely disappointed.

The Juniors of Bucyrus are confi

dent the policeman will have many

opportunities to show his "bravery"

in attacking crosses before the sum

mer is over.

In a Paid Advertisement the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS took exception to the words of DR. H. W. EVANS IMPERIAL WIZARD

Knights of the Ku Klux Klan,

when he said public schools were Tepugnant to the POPE OF ROME Read the article on page 8 by .WLNGFOOT

And decide for yourself who is

right The article gives tacts and not fancies. .

(By Staff Correspondent) TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Feb. 26. That the candidacy of Ora Davis, mayor of Terre Haute, for governor of Indiana is each day sinking more into oblivion is seen in the ignoring of Davis at a Republican meeting held

here last Friday at which time

the endorsement of his candi

dacy was adroitly ""forgotten'-

although the meeting eimorsed Noble Johnson, . candidate for Congress from tMsjfcBfe Fifth) 4

district, - jA-

-The iatiBi-vW8V'Ji5dP h

ing hotel and was "-i, f-

publican state,' distrjet and county chairmen, Mayor-Davis and a. num

ber of other prominent Republicans. Ex -Governor Harding, of Iowa, was the'principal speaker. The meeting

was an all-day affair during which Davis seemed more or less lost. It is believed that he felt deeply the

aspirations to a seat as federal judgefeied rebuff handed him by the men

r-r:- .

1 III II I 1 Mil "

in case the Hickey bill, now in con

gress, is passed. The bill provides for the creation of another federal judicial district in Indiana, and it is well known here that Wolf has designs on this particular job. He is an attorney here. Just what action the Men's Bible

Class of the church will take follow

ing the explanation of the board of

trustees is not known. Officials of

Lthe class would make no statement

Letter to Editor

Not only did the two trustees

make their explanation to the com

mittee, but also wrote a "letter to the

editor" of the afternoon paper, in

(Continued on Page 5)

KLANSMEN CONDUCT

FUNERAL AT MUNCIE

MUNCIE, Ind., Feb. 23. Beech

Grove cemetery was the scene of one of the most impressive funerals ever

held in Delaware county, when about 100 members of Delaware Klan No. 4 turned out to pay their last respects

to one of their oldest members,

Frank Everett.

The services were held in the cem

etery chapel, after which the Klans

men marched to the grave, ana nn

der the folds of Old Glory and a burning fiery cross the body was laid

away. As the coffin was lowered

one of the members sang "The Bright Fiery Cross," and prayer was

offered by an officer or tne Klan.

WOMEN OF THE KLAN

HILLSBORO GUESTS

HILLSBORO, Ind., Feb. 23.

Women of the Ku Klux Klan of Mel

lott. Veedersburg and Waynetown

were guests of the women of the

Klan of HiUsboro Friday evening of

last week. Waynetown was re pre

sented by fifteen women of the or def. Several short talks on Klan

kraft were madjer by visitors; After

the business meeting refreshments were "served. The Hillsboro women

expect to make a "visiting" evening with the women of the order in all

parts of the county and neighboring

towns and clues, it is a movement.

the women hope, that will be Intro

duced throughout the country.

ICTURE INTERESTS

GREENCASTLE KLAN

Many Persons Get First Insight

of Principles, and Take Up Work Immediately

of his own district

This is the second time within the

past few weeks that Mayor Davis' candidacy has failed of endorsement. When an attempt was made during the middle of January, to have the

candidacy of Mayor Davis endorsed by the Terre Haute Bar Association, the resolution, presented by "Little Dick" Werneke, Knight of Columbus, was quickly tabled. It would seem that the only hope, if any, that could possibly be held by Davis would be to gather votes farther from home than his own district, K. of C. Member's Resolution Falls Shortly before the resolution was presented to the Bar Association, Mayor Davis had accused a local minister, through the newspapers,

as being the cause of the banditry and outlawry then going on in Terre Haute and still in evidence. Since that time three cold-blooded mur(Continued on Page 5)

ACTIVITY IS SHOWN

NEAR STEUBENVttlE

GREENCASTLE, Ind., Feb. 23.

'The Traitor Within," a patriotic

picture, which was given at Cook's

opera house Wednesday, Feb. 13, un

der the auspices of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan in Putnam county,

proved to be a great success in every

way. Many of the citizens of Greencastle, who were undecided as to what stand they should take, have fully made up their minds after seeing this wonderful picture that the

only thing to do is to get into the

organization and give it their fuU

support; consequently several new

names have been added to the mem

bership roll of the women's organ

ization in the last week.

The picture producers took the

subject of the Ku Klux Klan and

built around it a beautiful story of the ideals of true Americanism. The heart of the Ku Klux Klan was laid

bare, its true ideals exposed and

many entertaining scenes or ims

modern drama of life and action were

produced.

One of the most beautiful night

parades was also shown, the parade

of "the Klan at Fort Wayne, Novem ber 10.

The women's organization realized

a neat sum of money from the pic

ture. The organization is growing

rapidly and the women of this county

are soon to be a chartered Klan

Our worthy Kleagle, who has been

with us several weeks, has in her un

tiring effort and zeal done a great

work here. She has been caned from the fields here and will be sent Intn ntViai nlnpjn tn rarrv nn this

I great work

STEUBENVILLE, O., Feb. 23. A

surprise visit was made to the M. H. church of Amsterdam Sunday evening by a number of Klansmen and

before an audience that filled the church a purse was presented to the Rev. Mr. Elliott. The money is to be used to wirer the church and buy

fixtures to light the church with

electricity.

The Women of the Klan of this

community are unusually active.

They gave, a supper Monday eve

ning at Richmond which was large

ly attended. A feature of the meeting was the auctioning of a cake for

the benefit of the organization. The bidding was spirited and much

amusement was provided. The cake

was sold aeven times and the

treasury was considerably enriched

by the auction. The evening was

greatly enjoyed by all present.

KLANSMEN PAY VISIT I

TO QUAKER VILLAGE

MT. PLEASANT, O., Feb. 23 the staid old Quaker village of Mt. Pleasant had a visitation of thirtyKlansmen Sunday evening. The Klansmen entered the M. P. church and presented 9105 to theTter. Mr. Douglass, together with a lettercommending his work In the community, and assuring . him the organization stood for-the Protestant church and all it stands for.' -

.....-

U. f

h 1 "