The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-07-07
FOOLERY ENDED
uos Angeles Timcsl

TdE Ku Klux klan are singing
i low and mournful these days
The conviction OF the Exalted Cy.
clops. John II. vitclls, in Bakers
field, and the threatened recall OF
certain county officials affiliated
with the order have been staggering
blows to the "Kluckers. According
10 reports from Kern county, the
members of the Invisible Empire
have meekiy sued for peace. offering
10 ship all their fancy robes, their
hoo-doo words and their fancy titles
hack to Atlanta. Georgia. II the
people OUT here will let up with the
prosecutions.
The probability Is that the Los
Angeles members OF the order sre.
for the most part. just as sore and
Just as sorry as their Bakersfield
brethren. The whole ku Klux Klan
movement will pass into history as 4
fool episode.
In the beginning II was without
doubt organized for profit, trading
on the romantic but traitorous record
OF the original Ku Kiux Klan. which
came into being after the Civil war
started by unrecons,ructed rebels In
defiance Of the United States govern
ment. II is very likely that the or
ganizers OF the second Ku Klux klan
took advantage OF the fact that "a
great motion plcture--'The Birth OF
the Nation had thrown an aura OF
chivalry around a secret society that
never was anything but vicious and
reprehensible and disloyal to the
government.
As lively method of collecting
money the Ku Klux klan was amaz-
ingly successful II proved very easy
TO find fat plumbers and romantic
under,akers willing enough to dig up
$40 initiation fee for the thrill Of
Imagining themselves dressed no in
hooded robes. tearing around the
country on galloplng horses, chasing
mysterious black villains and avens-
ing the slaughter of Mae Marsh.
Everybody secretly likes TO play
act'.-even at SO a head.
Although a few vicious fools rode
around In the night, hidden behind
masks. torturing people by the light
OF the inconstant moon. the proba-
bilities are thar most OF the ku
Kluckers found the proceeding bore
and took little part in the affair he
yond buying q robe and paying the
initiation fee. and realizing they had
been stung on both counts.
Public officials we're the spe ial
victims OF the Ku Hluy organizers.
They probably knew better; but they
were TOO weak to resist this virtual
bIackmail. One of IN. penalties Of
running for public office Is the com
pulsion OF Joining" inst before
election and amazing number OF new
secret an fraternal orders always
spring into existence. last long
enough 20 collect the initiation fees
and then gracefully give up the ghost
but not the money. The candidateT ;
have TO Join them all: that's part OF
being a candidate. Just so, the can
dIdates and the offlceholders Joined
the Ku Klux.
They are all sadder and wiser nov.
II didn't prove. after all. 10 he very
romantic. galioping furiously to the
rescue In FOrds. especially when
there were no fascinating young
ladies' 10 rescue. Flowing around
In the middle OF the night with
couple OF Mexican booiisgg"rs tied to
a rope aud nobody knowing what
20 do next with them didn't seem TO
be such q thrilling affair. after all,
and involved mosquito bites and
losa Of sleep.
The Ku Klux Klan has passed.
leaving certain romantic cavaliers OF
tho sunny south with pockets bnlg-
ing with initiation fees and with the
rest Of the world the richer and
wiser for knowing the names OF 0
large collection of damphools,