Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-19
TO SET CONGRESS
ON TRAIL Of K. K.K.
Dyer Will Leave No Stone Un-
turned to Get Sweeping
Investigation
PROSECUTION LOOMING UP
Bp a stor Correspondcrt

Washington, Sept. 19.--Steps have
been taken 70 demand an investigation
by Congress Of the Ku Klux Klan
Several members are understood to be
preparing resolutions of inquiry about
which they will not make announce
ment until ready to act formally. Rep
resentatives Dyer, of Missouri. and
Tague. of Massa chusetts. have an
nounced that they would urge the most
thorough probe.
The matter will be pressed when
Congress meets, although definite action
in the House will not come until Octo =
Der 4. An understanding was reached
among House leaders before recessing
that new business would not be taken
up with the reconvening on September
21, but two weeks later.
Representative Dyer is making thor
ough plans for a resolution Of inquiry.
He has called upon experts to investi-
gate statutes and constitutional ques-
tions with which the Ku Klux Klan
might conflict IN order to find out how
far he could go In his effort for an in
Quiry.
Many Demands for Probe
Meanwhile from all sections are com
ing demands for an investigation. Mr..
Dyer. in explaining his plan. said:
Il am at work gathering together
authorities and looking up statutes to
sec il Congress has authority to make
such an inquiry. expect TO be able to
determine this by the time Congress
reconvenes, and II I find we have the
right / am going to introduce Il reso-
luton and will ask the Speaker to
refer it to the Judiciary Committee,
the proper place, in my opinion. for it
20 be considered
THE first step after introducing IL
would be to ask the Rules Committee
to make the resolution Immediately in
order. As soon as ii is passed by the
House | shall ask the chairman of the
Judiciary Committee to appoint a sub
committee to conduct the inquiry. The
resolution will give authority to take
testimony under oath, either in Wash
fngton or elsewhere.
If the report of our sub committee
should show anybody connected with
this organization has violated the Fed
eral law, our committee would report
to the House. with the recommendation
that the Speaker call the attention of
the Attorney General to the matter to
the end that he institute prosecutions.
House legislative experts are look
ing into constitutional questions and
other data necessary to the prepara-
ton of the resolution of inquiry. While
feel there must be way for Con-
gress to act. have not had sufficient
time to examine the authorities so as
10 be sure about it."
Negro Leaders Wrought Up
Letters Of protest against the organ
fEation from Catholic, Jewish and Negro
organizations are pouring in on mem
bers OF the House and Senate. Most
OF the demands are for an investiga-
ton that will turn the light on the
activities of Simmons hooded night
riders. It is believed publicity will
make persons ashamed to Join the or
der. but it Is also thought a Congress
sional inquiry will show the way To
legislation to prevent such movements.
Negro leaders throughout the United
States are much wrought up. They
point out that such secret organiza
tons. with their mysterious and threat
ening attitude toward Negro communi-
ties, will arouse a bitter race hatred
that should be allowed to die. They
will try to get Congress TO force adop-
tion Of a resolution authorizing inyes-
tigation OF the Ku Klux Klan. The
effort will be headed by the National
Association for the Advancement OF the
Colored People, which will also direct
an appeal against ku Kluxism to Presi.
dent Harding.
Shelby NJ. Davidson. executive sec
retary of the association. said yesterday
that the revelations had shown him
that the Ku Klux Klan was the worst
organiza ton on earth