Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-15
CONGRESSMAN SEE
KUKLUX AS MENACE
Many Commend Newspaper Ex-
posure OF This Pernicious
Organization
DESIRE A THOROUGH PROBE
BIZ a Sta1 Correspondent

hluX hlnn DN lnt Nv r-''''N
LEDGER and other newspapers.
Those who discuss it are convinced
that the organization as described IN
. these articles appears to be suovers'Ve
of law and order and opposed to the
fundamentals of America citizenship'
Investigation is desired. either through
the Department of Justice or com
mittee of Congress.
Among the comments are the fol-
lowing:
Senator Fletcher. Of Florida--"l
never have seen any necessity for this
organization While there might be no
objection to its principles. evidently ad-
vantage is being taken of the organiza-
tion by various groups in different com
munities to take the law into their own
hands. L do not say the ku hinS ~
responsible. but it opens an lndirect
way to produce bad results.
"There IS no doubt that some of the
local organizations fail to appreciate the
purpose originally announced. ana as
sumo to themselves to act in manner
nothing short of lawless. In general l
fail to see any good the organization can
accomplish. either in connection with
il or outside Of it, and by using 1t as
shield or example very curious things
are being done.
senator Borah, Of IdahO--"This is
one Of the most interesting newspaper
movements have known in recent
years. / have been greatly Interested
in the subject before this. l am glad
now to have an opportunity to ascertain
all the facts connected with the Nu
klux Klan organization.
Senator Simmons, Of North Caro-
lina-'I do not believe this order is
suitable to these times. 1t is suscrpti-
ble by perversion Of producing much
evil. I have no doubt many good peo-
pie have been induced to join this or
ganization through misleading reprcscn
tations concerning its purposes and its
capability of doing good. | feel sure
that members of this class will with
draw when they become cOiversant with
the real aims and operation of the or
ganization.
az think the effort of the EVENING
PUBLIC LEDGER to bring to light the
actual truth regarding this organiza
tion is highly commendable. do not
think such associations, except those
based on the lodge or fraternal plan,
are desirable. At least the public is
entitled to know the purposes, objects
ton"
Representative Curry, OF California
Lynch law has no place in civilized
government: Such organizations as the
Ku KluX Klan ought not to be toll
Grated anywhere. It's members are vio-
lators of the law, and they should be
vigorously suppressed by the law, the
leaders and members appreheIded and
brought before the duly established
courts and punished.
Zone of the troubles with the United
States and civilization today is that
they are organized to death by classes
and interests. No secret organization
whose oath Is more binding on the mem
bers than their obligations as citizens
OF the Government should be permitted
to exist anywhere in a free country"
Representative Tincher, Of Kansas
1t IL just Ike any other organiza-
tion that seeks to tear down govern
ment.
Government has been demonstrated
at furnishing the best brotherhood for
man we have in this country Recog-
milton Of the Constitution and of or
ganized form of government Is the only
successful way for any country to have
prosperity. Any organization that has
for its purpose the ignoring of the reg
ular channels of law enforcement is
calculated in the long run to tear down
the Government"
Representative Ruckpr. Of Missouri
1t Is news to me that the Ku Klux
Klan exists in all these States have
heard OF vigilance committees--they
may be the same thing-operating in
several places of certain States. | am
bitterly opposed to any secret organi- =
zation usurping the rights to dictate
bn hab of ha
people"
Representative French. Of Idaho-"I
had supposed that the fraternal order
known as ku Klux Klan was merely
using the name Of group that had an
existence shortly after the Civil War,
but was not aware that this pretended
in any way to be the successor Of that
group. / would suppose that the fra :
ternal order would be more Interested
than any one else in having the world
know whether or not acts Of terror are
committed by members Of it's organi2a =
tion or by irresponsible persons making
use OF name that carried terror with
IL half century ago"
Representative Graham, OF illinois,
III 1t Is secret political society I am
opposed to it, just as I nm opposed to
all secret political or religious societies
i can't see the necessity for It or for
any other similar society. OF course,
II 1t is simply secret fraternity with
no object but fraternalism there is nc
harm. in it, but IL il Is intended to ac.
complish political, racial or social ends
II Is bad thing for the country.
"The principle trouble in any sucl
Institution as this is that by its infu
ence 1t creates tendency to disregard
the law and to induce people to tax,
the law into their own hands"
Representative Weaver. OF Norti
Carolina do not believe in an,
secret organization of the character
apparently, Of this new Ku Klux Klan
j believe that IL is not conducive I,
maintenance OF law and order and, il
fact, II might easily become subvcrsiv,
Of law and order, If it has not alread,
become So"
Representative Reed. Of West Vir
ginia-''Pcrsonally | believe In the in
stitutional life OF our country being al
ways predicatPd unon and adhering T.
the ideals of the Declaration Of indie
pendence and the Constitution of tn
United States. ! stand on these things
hope there is no organization Il
America that proposes TO vet aside tn
principles of the Declaration Of Inde
pendence or the Constitution. When tn
influence and potency of these grca
charters OF our liberties are destroyed
this great Government and civilization
ro long a time building up are in gren
danger. So far ms ] am informed | hnv
had no evidence presented TO me that a
organization with such purpose is activ
In our country