The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-08-25
KING KLEAGLE GIVES
KU KLUX DATA
From the Oregonian)


Shorn of nightie, pillow case and
Cvclops with the big feet, old King
KleapIe Powell, himself, of the
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, still
holds forth in the Mutnomah hotel, in
tent on organizing powerful band OF
! followers in Oregon.
Devoid of mystic fol-de-rol King
Kleagle is not a bad sort, and displays
very engaging smile.
"How many members does the klan
claim in Portland?"
"a thousand or two" D." was the rath
er indefinite assurance OF the ne plus
ultra of the local branch of the invisi
! able empire, when seen recently.
But organizers are active throughout
the state and every community soon
will have its little band of riders,
promised Kleagle. But he did not call
! them "riders. 4" In the fivVer age the
Ku Kluxer probably motors to the
home of bis victim, with faithful
clansmen heating the tar in the ton
neau.
King Kleagle did not have much in
formation to impart. He appeared to
think that prior august communlca-
tions have been treated with far too
much levity. Organization of the ku
Klux Klan is a serious matter to KING
Kleagle. Even kings must eat. A
"thousand or two" members at $40
each are not to be scotfe6 at. And
should the thousands mount into the
twenty thousands, what JOY it would
bring to the aulIk of the imperial WIZ
ard at Atlanta, Ga, to say nothing OF
Tim Bo-Tim at room 553, Multnomah
hotel!
Thus it was that a momentary eX-
preston of surprise, mingled with eau
tion, flashed across the not unpleasing
countenance of King Kleagle when q
reporter announced his inquisltive mis-
sion.
Hardly had this conversation started
when a genial gentleman with cold
ewes, seated at the far corner of King
Kleagle's sanctum, started a little in
terrogation of his own. He scented
$40 in the offing, mayhap. Was the
visitor a member of a certain fraterna
organization? He was not. Of course
the intruder understood that member
ship in that lodge was not prerequl
site of entrance to the Khan! es
yes. Did the young man understand
the sublime principles underlying the
Ku Klux Klan? Very vaguely. lie
was not enlightened.
King Kleagle interrupted the inter
rogator, who might have been Cyclops
for his feet filled the bill, or even ii
BoTim, himself.
"Take this to your employers anC
tell them | will appreciate any public
ity they care to give it, commanded
the local wizard, handing the visitor
typewritten document. There was al
air of finality about the tone whicl
tended to terminate the interview.
"To all lovers of law and order
peace and justice, and to all the people
of the United States, began the proc
lamation. King Kleagle tlattered Th'
Oregonian circulation department.
1t was signed by William JOSEPH
i Simmons. none other than the imperla
wizard of all kingdom, and was writ
l ten in Atlanta Ga. 1t bore two head
ings. possibly the result Of some arch
itectural dispute. One read, 'lmper
I ial Castle" the other, Imperial Pal
\ ace.,' 1t left no doubt that the docu
ment was prepared in the domiclle o
the chief gazook.
4 The wizard, it appeared, had dis
covered "an apparent nationwide at
tempt through the public statement
n in the press and conduct of lawless CIT
q izens and traitors within our ranks t
h discredit the knights in the public eye
Therefore the supreme committee,
seemed. composed "of citizens of ur
& questioned character from the state
81 of New York, Illinois, North Carolina
n Georgia, Florida. Alabama, MississlE
Y pi. Louisiana and elsewhere" had dc
y cided that the imperial baZoo shoul
q once again call attention to the res
NJ purposes and work of the organization
q Under solemn oath, the wizard aver
that the khan docs not encourage {
foster lawlessDess, racial prejudice c
Il religious intolerance, and is not dt
g signed to act in the capacity Of la
q enforcement or moral correction agenc
n except insofar as the members of tn
n Klan as citizens may be able to assi'
IA the regular officers of the law IN tn
d apprehendIng of criminals end the ~
\ holding aud sustaining of the malest
q of the law and the honor and integrit
E of the stars and stripes and the const
tuition of America.
II "Jf we are all that our enemi'
n charge, or even one-tOuTth as Wickt
n as claimed, America has nothing
E fear from this organization, for it Wi
y perish, is the encouraging commen
n introducing the conclusion which h'
II something to say about "the land
4 the free and home of the brave,
n 'race, color or creed, ''peace al
n happiness" and liberty and justice.
u But those who would criticize a
duly warned, "If we are being liz
about by those who are unworthy al
a who are not pure Americans at hear
the time will come when all the
b falsehoods and serious statements W
4 react on them.
n Klansmen, the hour has cam
n Where are them pillows!