The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-21
KANSAS COMNENT
EXTERMINATE BLACK HA

EATERMINATE BLACK HAND.
Il Degins to look like the federal
authorities have at last got the mem
pers OF the Black Hand, the myster-
ious 1taIlan blackmailing Organization,
on the run. 1t is to be hoped so. at
iedSt. While this band or bands have
preyed on members of their own race,
Is terrifying to think that any por-
lloh OF American citizenship, what
ever IT'S nationality, should be at the
mercy of men who do not hesitate to
Destroy and murder in the enforce
ment or their unlawful demands, and
as surely as the preying on people of
Ioreign birth does not cease, the ex-
ample set by these lawless bands will
eventually have it's effect on the
american that is criminalIy inclined.
ALREADY we have had sporadic in
stances of these blackmailing meth
oas by youthful American criminals,
Wnich Tor the most part were failures.
ana these instances are certain to
multiply if the Italian criminals are
not brought to justice.
me detection of these blackmaiiers
mas been the more difficult by reason
OF the simple fact that they are for
e1gners and operate against their own
people. And the difficulty has been
heightened by the lack of secret po-
nee, such as most European countries
nave. The nearest this country has
20 that is the secret service and the
pOotb Inspection service ana II Is
10 these that the credit for what has
been accomplished is due. If the po-
lice and detective forces of the great
cities Will now second their efforts
with their utmost aid it is possible
that an end may be put in short time
to these outrages. Once the leaders
are run to earth, their aids are likely
to abandon their efforts through fear,
and the Italian Well-to-do may again
feel secure.
1t is easy to imagine the terror
that must seize the Italian born citi-
zens of the better class when they
receive these dread missives and this
is heightened by the knowledge that
it is more difficult for the author
tiles to detect and bring to justice the
alien criminal than 1t is the Ameri-
can born, with whose methods the
| American police are better acquaint-
ed. But the recent arrest of the Ohio
| leaders of these blackmailers seems
| to give promise of a happier day for
those Italians who have come to this
| asylum and an easier road to COM
| fort and wealth.-HutchinSon News
| AS TO HERESY.
| The quarrel between Professor Eos
| ter of the University of Chicago and
| er than mere question of heresy
| That a man must believe exactly as
| the church creed dictates is a test
| that few preachers could face.
| But each church has what it con-
siders essential points in its creed and
more of the essentials. he is a hereto
and he should be disciplined.
No one denies any man in this age
| and generation the right to believe
what he pleases, but ordinary bushes:
| integrity demands that the lawyer
| Oh a faithful n his n1innf tho 6nc
| tor to his patient, the editor to the
policy of his paper. the clerk to thu
prosperity of his employer and thu
preacher loyal to his church.
The lawyer who betrays client
the doctor. who deceives his patient
the teacher who substitutes false the
cries for those the accepted text bool
| inculcates, are all guilty of business
| wrong No matter what their person
al views. they should not practic'
them upon people who are paying
| them to be orthodox. "
The preacher is employed to incul
cate certain doctrinal points which
his church believes He accepts pa.
for such services and he is dishones
if he gives different kind.
Professor Foster should Withdraw
from the pulpit if he cannot accept it
doctrines. He should not be punishe'
because he is a hereto, but he shoul
be discharged from the ministry 70
substituting his own dogmas for thos
of the church to which he is preach
ing.
No man should accept pay to preac
an accepted faith and then preach
, contrary one. If he be an honest ma
financially, he may preach what h
believes but he will not impose hi
doctrines upon men who are payin
| him for the regular announced creed
| Wichita Beacon.